Dr Faustus - The Pope Scene

 

	Enter CHORUS
	CHORUS
1	Learnèd Faustus
	To know the secrets of astronomy
	Graven in the book of Jove's high firmament,
	Did mount himself to scale Olympus' top,
5	Being seated in a chariot burning bright,
	Drawn by the strength of yoky drangons' necks.
	He now is gone to prove cosmography,
	And, as I guess, will first arrive at Rome,
	To see the Pope and manner of his court,
10	And take some part of holy Peter's feast,
	That to this day is higly solemnized.
	Exit CHORUS.
	SCENE 7
	[Enter FAUSTUS and MEPHISTOPHILIS].
	FAUSTUS
1	Having now, my good Mephistophilis,
	Passed with delight the stately town of Trier,
	Environed round with airy mountain tops,
	With walls of flint and deep-entrenched lakes,
5	Not to be won by any conquering prince;
	From Paris next, coasting the realm of France,
	We saw the river Maine fall into Rhine,
	Whose banks are set with groves of fruitful vines.
	Then up to Naples, rich Campania,
10	Whose buildings fair and gorgeous to the eye,
	The streets straight forth and paved with finest brick,
	Quarters the town in four equivalents.
	There saw we learned Maro's golden tomb,
	The way he cut an English mile in length
15	Thorough a rock of stone in one night's space.
	From thence to Venice, Padua, and the rest,
	In one of which a sumptuous temple stands
	That threats the stars with her aspiring top.
	Thus hitherto hath Faustus spent his time:
20	But tell me now what resting-place is this?
	Hast thou, as erst I did command
	Conducted me within the walls of Rome?
	MEPHISTOPHILIS
	Faustus, I have; and, because we will not be unprovided, I have taken up his Holiness'
	privy-chamber for our use.
	FAUSTUS
25	I hope his Holiness will bid us welcome.
	MEPHISTOPHILIS
	Tut, 'tis no matter; man; we'll be bold with his good cheer.
	And now, my Faustus, that thou mayst perceive
	What Rome containeth to delight thee with,
30	Know that this city stands upon seven hills
	That underprop the groundwork of the same:
	Just through the midst runs flowing Tiber's stream
	With winding banks that cut it in two parts,
	Over the which four stately bridges lean,
35	That makes safe passage to each part of Rome.
	Upon the bridge called Ponte Angelo
	Erected is a castle passing strong
	Within whose walls such store of ordnance are,
	And double cannons framed of carvèd brass,
40	As match the days within one complete year,
	Besides the gates, and high pyramides
	Which Julius Caesar brought from Africa.
	FAUSTUS
	Now, by the kingdoms of infernal rule,
	Of Styx, of Acheron, and the fiery lake
45	Of ever-burning Phlegethon, I swear
	That I do long to see the monuments
	And situation of bright-splendent Rome.
	Come, therefore, let's away!
	MEPHISTOPHILIS
	Nay, Faustus, stay. I know you'd fain see the Pope
50	And take some part of holy Peter's feast,
	Where thou shalt see a troop of bald-pate friars
	Whose summum bonum is in belly-cheer.
	FAUSTUS
	Well, I'm content to compass then some sport,
	And by their folly make us merriment.
55	Then charm me that I may be invisible, to do what I please, unseen
	of any whilst I stay in Rome.
	[MEPHISTOPHILIS charms him.]
	MEPHISTOPHILIS
	So, Faustus; now do what thou wilt, thou shalt not be discern'd.
	[Sound a sennet. Enter the POPE and the CARDINAL OF
	LORRAINE to the banquet, with FRIARS attending.]
	POPE
	My Lord of Lorraine, will't please you draw near?
	FAUSTUS
60	Fall to, and the devil choke you an you spare
	POPE
	How now! who's that which spake? Friars, look about.
	FIRST FRIAR
	Here's nobody, if it like your Holiness.
	POPE
	My lord, here is a dainty dish was sent me from the Bishop of Milan.
	FAUSTUS
65	I thank you, sir. [Snatch it]
	POPE
	How now! who's that which snatched the meat from me? will
	no man look?--My lord, this dish was sent me from the Cardinal
	of Florence.
	FAUSTUS
	[Snatching the dish] You say true. I'll ha't.
	POPE
70	What, again? My lord, I'll drink to your grace.
	FAUSTUS
	[Snatching the cup] I'll pledge your grace.
	LORRAINE
	My lord, it may be some ghost, newly crept out of
	Purgatory, come to beg a pardon of your Holiness.
	POPE
	It may be so. Friars, prepare a dirge to lay the fury of this ghost.
75	Once again my lord, fall to. [The POPE crosseth himself.]
	FAUSTUS
	What, are you crossing of yourself?
	Well, use that trick no more, I would advise you.
	[The POPE crosses himself again.]
	FAUSTUS
	Well, there's the second time. Aware the third,
	I give you fair warning.
	[The POPE cross(es himself) again, and FAUSTUS hits him a box of the ear; and they all (except FAUSTUS and MEPHISTOPHILIS) run away.]
	FAUSTUS
80	Come on, Mephistophilis; what shall we do?
	MEPHISTOPHILIS
	Nay, I know not: we shall be cursed with bell, book,
	and candle.
	FAUSTUS
	How! bell, book, and candle, candle, book, and bell,
	Forward and backward, to curse Faustus to hell.
85	Anon you shall hear a hog grunt, a calf bleat, and an ass bray,
	Because it is Saint Peter's holiday.
	[Re-enter all the FRIARS to sing the Dirge.]
	FIRST FRIAR
	Come, brethren, let's about our business with good devotion.
	[(The FRIARS) Sing this.]
	CURSED BE HE THAT STOLE AWAY HIS HOLINESS' MEAT FROM THE
	TABLE!
90	Maledicat Dominus!
	CURSED BE HE THAT STRUCK HIS HOLINESS A BLOW ON THE FACE!
	Maledicat Dominus!
	CURSED BE HE THAT TOOK FRIAR SANDELO A BLOW ON THE PATE!
	Maledicat Dominus!
95	CURSED BE HE THAT DISTURBETH OUR HOLY DIRGE!
	Maledicat Dominus!
	CURSED BE HE THAT TOOK AWAY HIS HOLINESS' WINE!
	Maledicat Dominus!
	Et omnes Sancti. Amen.
	[FAUSTUS and MEPHISTOPHILIS beat the FRIARS, and fling fireworks among them, and so exuent.]