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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.]