With ravishing sounds of his melodious harp,
Made music with my Mephostophilis?
Why should I die then or basely despair?
I am resolv’d, Faustus shall not repent.
Come, Mephostophilis, let us dispute again,
And reason of divine astrology.’
There is one passage more of this kind, which is so striking and beautiful, so like a rapturous and deeply passionate dream, that I cannot help quoting it here: it is the Address to the Apparition of Helen.
‘Enter Helen again, passing over between two Cupids.
Faustus. Was this the face that launch’d a thousand ships,
And burned the topless tow’rs of Ilium?