SCENE 7

[ Enter FAUSTUS and MEPHASTOPHILIS .] FAUSTUS
Having now, my good Mephastophilis,
Passed with delight the stately town of Trier,
Environed round with airy mountain tops,
With walls of flint, and deep entrenched lakes,┬░
Not to be won by any conquering prince;
From Paris next, coasting┬░ the realm of France,
We saw the river Main fall into Rhine,
Whose banks are set with groves of fruitful vines;
Then up to Naples, rich Campania,
With 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,
Thorough a rock of stone in one night's space.
From thence to Venice, Padua, and the rest,
In midst of which a sumptuous temple┬░ stands
That threats the stars with her aspiring top.
Thus hitherto hath Faustus spent his time.
But tell me now, what resting place is this?
Hast thou, as erst┬░ I did command,
Conducted me within the walls of Rome? MEPHASTOPHILIS
Faustus, I have; and because we will not be unprovided, I have taken up his holiness' privy chamber for our use. FAUSTUS
I hope his holiness will bid us welcome. MEPHASTOPHILIS
Tut, 'tis no matter, man, we'll be bold with his good cheer.
And now, my Faustus, that thou may'st perceive
What Rome containeth to delight thee with,
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,
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 ordinance are
And double cannons, framed of carved brass,
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, Acheron, and the fiery lake
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. MEPHASTOPHILIS
Nay, Faustus, stay. I know you'd fain see the pope,
And take some part of holy Peter's feast,
Where thou shalt see a troup of bald-pate friars,
Whose summum bonum is in belly-cheer. FAUSTUS
Well, I am content to compass then some sport,
And by their folly make us merriment.
Then charm me that I may be invisible, to do what I please unseen of any whilst I stay in Rome. MEPHASTOPHILIS
[ casts a spell on him ]. So Faustus, now do what thou wilt, thou shalt not be discerned.
[ 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
Fall to; and the devil choke you and you spare. POPE
How now, who's that which spake? Friars, look about. 1 FRIAR
Here's nobody, if it like your holiness. POPE
My lord, here is a dainty dish was sent to me from the bishop of Milan. FAUSTUS
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
You say true? I'll have't.[ Snatch it .] POPE
What, again! My lord, I'll drink to your grace. FAUSTUS
I'll pledge your grace.[ Snatch the cup .] 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.
Once again my lord, fall to.[ The POPE crosseth himself .] FAUSTUS
What, are you crossing of your self? Well, use that trick no more, I would advise you.
[ Cross again .] FAUSTUS
Well, there's the second time; aware the third! I give you fair warning.
[ Cross again, and FAUSTUS hits him a box of the ear, and they all run away .] FAUSTUS
Come on, Mephastophilis, what shall we do? MEPHASTOPHILIS
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.
Anon you shall hear a hog grunt, a calf bleat, and an ass bray,
Because it is St. Peter's holy day.
[ Enter all the FRIARS to sing the Dirge .] 1 FRIAR
Come brethren, let's about our business with good devotion.
[ Sing this .]
Cursed be he that stole away his holiness' meat from the table. 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.
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.
[ Beat the FRIARS , and fling fireworks among them, and so Exeunt .]