The history of Doctor John Faustus compiled in verse, very pleasant and delightfull.

THE HISTORY OF Doctor JOHN FAUSTUS ; Compiled in Verse , very pleasant and Delightfull .

London , Printed by E. Cotes , and are to be sold by Charles Tyus at the Three Bibles on London-Bridge , 1664.

To the Reader . READER , I would not have you think , That I intend to waste my ink , While Faustus Story I reherse , And here do write his life in verse , For seeing Fryer Bacons Story , ( In whom Oxford still may glory ) For want of better pen comes forth , Compos'd in Rymes of no great worth : I call'd my Muse to task , and pend Faustus life . and death ; and end . And when it cometh forth in print , If you like it not , the Devil 's in 't .

Veni Come Doctor Vide See Faustus Fuge . and hate , wretched State .

CHAP. I. Of Doctor Faustus birth , And how he gave his heart To leave off fair D●vinity , To study the black Art. MY Muse assist me now , for I intend To write the life & death , and fearful end Of Doctor Faustus , whose ill gotten name May well compare with Fryer Bacon's Fame . Faustus was born at Rhodes , which town doth lye Within a Province of fair Germany ; His Father was a Husbandman , did live On what the earth to him did freely give : Yet he at Wittenberg an unkle had , Who took young Faustus being but a Lad , And sent him to the Vniversity , That he might study there Divinity . But he did quickly there addict his heart , To leave fair studies for the foul black Art. Thus he in secret studied conjuration , Yet being found by acts and disputation , To be well learned , they did all agree , To make him Doctor of Divinity . But having once obtain'd that high degree , He ill deserved it , as you shall see . For now my pen doth tremble for to tell , How like a Devil from all grace he fell . For now his contemplation he did bend , To Negromancy and much time did spend , In casting figures , making Inchantations ; With all the wicked helps of Conjurations , Leaving those studies which are most divine , And to these hellish Arts he did incline . I therefore here have drawn his life , that you May learn such wicked courses to eschew ; That we thus seeing him ruled by the Devil , May pray to be deliver'd from all such evil .

CHAP. II . How Doctor Faustus conjur'd up from out a Globe of fire , The spirit Mephostophiles , that came like to a Fryer . NOw Faustus purposing alone to try , The power of this his Magick mistery , He did repair unto a little Wood , And not far off from Wittenberg it stood ; Where he did make a circle with his wand , And thus with charms his spirit did command ▪ Mephostophiles I say , quickly rise and come away : By Lucifer I charge thee here , that thou forthwith do appear . With this a murmure in the wood was heard , That Doctor Faustus grew himself afeard ; The wood with lightning seemed on a flame , And loudest thunder , terror did proclaim : Till Doctor Faustus in his Magick Robe Looking about him , spy d a fiery Globe : And at the last , from this same Globe of fire , The spirit came in likeness of a Fryer ; Who lightly round about the circle ran , And thus to speak to Faustus he began : Faustus ( saies he ) I now am come , Speak thy will , and it is done . When Mephostophiles did thus kindly greet him , Then Doctor Faustus bid the Spirit meet him The next day at his house ; the spirit did consent , And back again then Doctor Faustus went .

CHAP. III . How Doctor Faustus made a Contract firm , not good , To serve the Devil , which he writ with his own blood . THe time appointed , in a blustring day , The spirit came to him , and thus did say : I Mephostophiles am ready now , And thus to be your Vassal I do vow ; Entreating you that you would let me know , What is your pleasure that you call me so . Faustus herewith some questions did propound , Which Mephostophiles did soon expound . At last the matter did begin to frame , And to these friendly articles they came : That Doctor Faustus should a Spirit be , Both in his outward shape and quality : That he should be invisible to all , And Mephostophiles ready at his call . And whatsoever he did once command , That he should bring it quickly to his hand : And that he should at any time appear , When once the voice of Faustus he did hear . Thus Faustus did this black agreement make , While that the Spirit did for his master take , These sad conditions , which would even fear A tender-hearted Christian for to hear ; That Doctor Faustus while he now did live Himself to his Lord Lucifer should give ; And for to make the contract firm , not good , He did agree to write it with his blood ; Which in a sawcer on the fire he set , He in the same his wicked blood did heat : And write therewith that he would alwayes be A foe unto all Christianity . These sad conditions when that you do read , I know that it will make your heart to bleed . Yet wretched Faustus made himself the band , And thereunto did set his desperate hand : And to these covenants he gave consent , Which after ( though too late ) he did repent : But being seal'd , he doth the same deliver To Mephostophiles , to keep it ever . Thus by degrees he added sinne , to sinne ; And now the practise he did first begin .

CHAP. IV . How Faustus first began his cunning to assay : And how his Spirit did in every thing obey IT happened now that Faustus in the end The devil with a question did offend , Which was , that he would know how God did frame The world & all things which it doth contain . But Lucifer not able this to tell , Because himself from his creation fell ; Was with the Doctor very much displeas'd , Nor could his anger quickly be appeas'd : And therefore Lucifer to increase his fear , In ugly shape to Faustus did appear , With other of his black infernal rout , Who in an antick manner danc'd about . Hereat poor Doctor Faustus was amaz'd , And yet upon their hideous forms he gaz'd : Thinking those troops of fury now were come , To fetch him thence before his glass were run , Or ere his twenty four years did expire : During which time the Spirit like a Fryer , Carrying a little bell within his hand , Was bound to be still ready at command . But afterward when those same years did end , Then Faustus should on Lucifer attend . And now this fearfull suddain operation , Did fill his heart with grief and contrition : But when that Lucifer perceiv'd his sadness , He laughed out for very gladness . Faustus , sayes he , I do now well perceive That you our first agreement would deceive ; Yet I would have you know it is in vain , For no repentance can you purge again . Besides , you know ( & therwith shew'd his band ) That to these covenants you have set your hand . And for to make this Obligation good , Your self hath written it with your own blood : Be quiet then in mind and take your rest , For thou ere long must be great Pluto's guest : In the mean time to recreate thy leasure , Sit down and I wil show thee some new pleasure : So Faustus and the Devil together sate , But still he thought his company too hot . Then Lucifer did other Fiends command For to appear , who straightway were at hand : First came in Belial like to a Bear , With flaming eyes , and shaggy rugged hair , Then Belzebub came flying in with wings , Whose mouth was filled with a pair of stings ; Then came Asteroth of cole black hue , And after him a Serpents tail he drew . Then Chanigasto lightly skipped in , Who was attired in a Hedgehogs skin , At last came Anobis like to a Dogge , And in his body shaped like a Hogge : These ugly Maskers did themselves advance ; And in strange measures did begin to dance . And as they did their several changes make , Their threatning forks 'gainst Faustus they did shake ; As if they meant at him to run a Tilt , That Faustus thought his blood should then be spilt . Lucifer seeing Faustus thus dismaid , Began to cheer him up , and thus he said : Faustus , how dost thou like this nimble sport , For with this company thou must consort . But Faustus sweating thought it was hot weather , Being afraid to see them all together : And did intreat his Devilship that he Would send away his fearfull company : At which great Lucifer dismiss'd them all , Excepting seaven of the principal . Now Faustus having gotten breath again , Did ask for Mephostophiles by name ; Which having spoken as he did desire , Came Mephostophiles like to a Fryer ; Then Faustus to entreat his spirit begun , That he would teach him ( as himself had done ) How to transform himself to any shape , Either of Dog , or Lyon , Cat , or Ape . With this great Lucifer gave him a book , On which this Faustus did no sooner look , But he to divers forms himself did change , And through a hundr . various shapes did range . Sometimes like to a dragon , hog , or worm , Then to a bat he would himself transform : But at the last being changed to a man , To sport himself great Lucifer began , And sent a swarm of Bees which to sting fell Poor Faustus , that he thought himself in hell ; And to his Spirit then he cry'd for woe , While Lucifer went laughing thence , Ho , Ho . And having left tormented Faustus there . As soon as he was gone , the day grew clear : And sweetest musick was to him convay'd , Which cheared up his heart , though much dismaid .

CHAP. V. How Doctor Faustus was carried through the air , That he might view the world , the skie and planets fair . AS Faustus lay one day upon his bed , Whiles divers fancies came into his head ; He did begin to vex himself , that Art Could not the secrets of the heavens impart : For he had noted that their observations , Were not confirm'd by certain demonstrations , Iudging of things as Authors were inclin'd But yet in knowledge all of them were blinde . And thus while in his bed he musing lyes , A suddain fearful wind began to rise ; That with the force thereof his house did rock , And all the doors as if they had no lock Did open flye ; and then a voice he heard , Which bid him rise , and not to be afeard ; And he should see the sum of his desire , And to the starry Region should aspire , And there the wonders of the world behold , The earth , the sea , and all that they enfold : And then unto the aiery region flye , And see the Meteors both cold and drye . Faustus at this same news was much refresht , And thought himself in the discovery blest ; For thus the Devil at the first began , When he with hope of knowledg tempted man . Faustus now whom Ambition did enflame , Did answer to the spirit back again ; The wonders of the world I fain would see , Which if thou faithfully wilt shew to me , I promise here that I will go with thee : Which word once spoke , he did straightway view A wagon which two fiery dragons drew : And then the voice to him did say , Get up with me , and let us both away . Thus mounted on the wagon forth they went To view the world and upper firmament ; And as they thus did travel through the air , His Mephostophiles did to him repair ; And fitting in the Chariot hard by him , To please his Master he this song did sing . COme you Spirits mount upon your nimble wing , And your chiefest notes be sure that you do sing : While my Faustus here and I , swiftly wander through the skie . We will travail over Mountains , over park , and over pale , Over Cities and high Steeples , over hill and over dale : While my Faustus here and I , swiftly wander through the skie . Then we will to sea again , and there laugh when we do hear How the Mariners exclaim when a suddain storm they fear : While my Faustus here and I , swiftly wander through the skie . Faustus thou shalt now be told , what thy self didst most desire ; How the Stars about are roll'd , some are lower , some are higher : All this shalt thou view , while I , wander with thee through the skie . THe song thus done wch Faustus pleased well He did intreat his Spirit now to tell , The several regions which they passed by ; Which Mephostophiles did not deny : Yonder ( sayes he ) you see on your left hand Muscovia , Russia , and the Saxons Land : On the right hand , besides us here doth lye , Europe , Asia , the mid-land Sea , with Greece and Hungary : Look yonder is the hot & torrid zone , And Charles Wain unto the sea-man known . Yonder is Ursa Major , which is but the same With that which we call the Charles Wayn . Thus did he point him out each constellation , While Faustus strucken was with admiration : And having shown him all the earth at last , Vpon his bed again he Faustus cast ; Whereas he thought on what before he saw , And how the stars were govern'd by their law ; And thereby to such knowledge he did clime , That none was like to Faustus in his time . And for Astrology he was the best : And in his art did far excell the rest .

CHAP. VI . How Doctor Faustus would , sometime in a pleasant vain , Shew many rare conceits , which did increase his fame . IT chanced now that Faustus on a time Did happen with the Emperour to dine ; Who did intreat that he his Art would shew , That thereby he might Alexander view , In such a shape as he did live on earth : And furthermore , for to increase his mirth , He did intreat him , that he would present His Paramour which bred his hearts content . Faustus having heard the Emperor , said no more , But opened straight the privy chamber dore , And straightway in full figure there came forth Great Alexander of renowned worth : And after him his beauteous Paramour , Who made obeysance to the Emperour ; Who with kind salutation thought to greet her , But Faustus would not suffer him to meet her : And after through the dore by which they came They both of them did vanish back again ; Leaving the Emperour who did commend Great Faustus skill , and called him his friend . But ●ou shall hear of Faustus tricks hereafter , Wch cannot chose but move you unto laughter . This being done , upon another time When Doctor Faustus did to mirth incline : Walking among the Courtiers he did spye , Whereas a Knight did at a Window lye , With his head out of the window , so that he Was falen fast asleep , which Faustus soon did see And fixt a pair of Harts-horns on his head So large , Acteon nere was better spread ; But when the Knight did happen to awake , Seeing his horns , his head began to shake ; And though be could pull in his head again , But all his force and striving was in vain : And he by no means could bring it to pass , But with his horns he broke the pains of glass : And when the Emperour beheld this fight , He and the Courtiers laughed all outright ; Vntill that Faustus took his horns away , With which the Emperor was pleas'd that day . But not long after this same injur'd Knight , Did purpose that his wrongs he thus would right , That meeting Doctor Faustus on a plain He purpos'd he should never goe home again ; But then the Bushes he did arm agen , Which came upon the Knight like armed men . Thus the Knights malice Faustus did defeat : And all that heard it laugh d at this conceit . Another time this Faustus did repair , Like to a Horse-courser to a Country Fair : And having pac'd his horse about a while , A chapman came to him which made him smile , And askt his price , which Faustus did unfold : And so his horse for forty Dollers sold : And charged him whatsoever did betide , That he into the water should not ride . But the Horse-courser wondring at his word , As he went home did ride into a Ford ; And straight his Horse did vanish quite away , For he no more his Horse or saddle saw , But there was left upon a wad of Straw . The Horse-courser went back unto his Inne , And to inquire for Faustus did begin ; And finding him there sleeping on a bed , He did begin to pluck him by the legg , That he did pluck it off : then Faustus cry d With open throat , that he had murther'd him : Whereat the Horse-courser did now begin To ask for mercy , and away he went , And for to lose his money was content . It hapned Doctor Faustus on a day . Met with a Clown that drove a load of Hay ; And asked him what he should give in scoffe , That he might eat his belly full thereof : The Clown did tell him that he should For his 3 farthings eat even what he would . It was agreed , and Doctor Faustus set Himself to eat , and all his teeth did whet , That the poor clown was sorry and did grutch To see that Faustus did eat up so much : For Faustus did the Country-man so blind , He could not see the hay was left behind ; And therefore did intreat him very fair , That Faustus would his load of hay yet spare : Hereat Faustus laughing went away , And afterward the Clown had all his hay . Doctor Faustus coming on a time Vnto a Tavern which did sell good wine : He found a company of Drunkards there Merrily drinking , and so loud they were , That Doctor Faustus who this noise did hate , Hearing them all thus loudly sing and prate , At last when they their words had newly spoken He conjur'd them all that their mouths stood open ; And thus they gaping stood at one another , Not one was able for to speak to th' other : In this amazed manner forth they came , And then they all did shut their mouths again . And hereby Faustus art was much exprest , And all the Town did laugh at this new jest . Once Doctor Faustus did his friends invite , Who Scholars were , unto a supper very light ; And afterward he did intreat each guest , ( Meaning thereby to break a merry jest ) That they would take the pains with him to go , To a Wine-celler which he would them show : They all consented , and not long they staid , To the Bishops celler they were all convay'd : There Faustus and the Scholars merry were ; But now the Butler put them in a fear ; Who coming hastily to draw some drink , And seeing them , did straightway think They had been theeves , and so aloud did cry For help , but Faustus still'd him by and by ; By the hair of the head he carry'd him , Who now with fear to tremble did begin , Vntill unto a lopped tree he came , And there he left the Butler on the same ; And all the night which was both sharp & cold , With both his hands he by the tree did hold ; Till in the morning , when he did espy The Shepherds , he aloud to them did cry ; Who wondred much what mad man that should be Who had thus climbed on so high a tree : But when this news unto the Bishop came , He did himself go out to see the same ; And asked him how that he was brought thither , The butler that with cold did quake & quiver , Did answer , that he certain theeves had found , In his Wine-celler who were drinking round ; And by the hair of the head they did him bring , And left him in that case they found him in : What ere they were ( sayes he ) I do not know , If they were devils , they like men did show . But 't is not here my purpose to recite , Or all the merry tricks of Faustus write ; Yet some of them I have related here : But now his 24 years drew near . And though in pleasure he had spent his time , The number of his years did now decline ; And all the Spirits had a great desire , To see when Faustus bond would once expire ; Since he was bound by the same bloody scroul , At twenty four years end to give his soul To Lucifer : the time now drawing nigh , You must expect to hear his Tragedy .

CHAP. VII . How Faustus , when his time grew nigh , did make great lamentation ; And to his fellow Students made his Funeral Oration . THe glass of Faustus time being almost run , Having but one month of his time to come ; He drew into a very pensive mood , And now his fault he plainly understood : And now began to curse that wretched time , When he to study Magick did incline . To hope for mercy now it was too late , Which made him to deplore his wicked state ; And his accusing conscience now did tell , There was no way for him but down to hell . And thus in waiting he his time did spend , That little time which drew unto an end . Now on the pains of Hell he first did think , The racks and tortures , chains & filthy stink , How Proserpine would surely laugh to see His soul tormented in this misery . Then he bethought him on the whips of steel , Which he did know his body there should feel , The more he thought , his thoughts increas d his pain Wch made him stil unto himself complain . While thus he spent his time in grief & fear , His Mephostophiles did to him appear ; And told him that his years were now expir'd , And that his Master Lucifer desir'd He would prepare himself and make an end , For that his Master shortly did intend , On such a night , to fetch him down to hell , That with the infernal spirits he might dwell . When Faustus had heard this , he grew so sad , That with his sorrow he grew almost mad ; He tumbled on his bed , all rest he did despise , No quiet flumber ever clos'd his eyes . But he was still tormented in his mind , Sin went before , and torture came behind : Yet so it was , that on that very day , On which the devil should fetch him quite away , He sent unto his frends intreating for his sake That of his Banquet they would all partake : As merry Banquet is , it soon befell , As afterward in due place I will tell . The Students being come , he made them all As welcom as he could , when he himself did fall Into a sudden dump , nor could he be Merry in their so beloved company . So calling them into another room , He did unfold to them his fearfull doom .

Doctor Faustus his Oration to his Friends and fellow Students . MY friends I must begin my sad Oration , With a confession of my Conjuration . Since all of you do know my first beginning , And how I grew still worse & worse in sinning , And unto Magick arts I was so bent , I sought all wayes to further my intent . And leaving better studies , did apply My self unto that hellish mistery . Thus did I live twenty four years and more , Whose sad expiring I must now deplore : For so it is , to purchase my content , I to a heavy bargain did consent : Which was , when 24 years once did end , ( Which time in conjuration I did spend ) The devil should have my body and my soul , And did confirm it by a bloody scroul ; And now the dismal term of years is done , And night beginning , my hour-glass is run , This night I look that he for me should send , And this my life will have a fearfull end : And now ( my friends ) this banquet I did make That I of you my last farewell might take ; Desiring pardon where I have offended , Since my last act of life cannot be mended ; And for those practises which I have wrought By conjuration , and thereby have brought My heavy soul to grief and sad despair , My life is written in a writing fair , Which lies within my study : so that you May learn thereby such courses to eschew . And if that I do you my counsell give , And use that little time I have to live , Be sure that you forsake all conjuration , And pray to be delivered from temptarion : And let my death a warning be to all , Since by desire of knowledge I did fall : For now to give my speech a sad conclusion , This night I must expect my own confusion : And yet my loving friends I do request That you will go to bed and take your rest ; Let nothing trouble you , nor do not fear If any tumbling noise you chance to hear , Be sure you do not rise out of your bed : But when that I to Pluto's court am fled , If that you finde my body the next day , Be sure that you to earth do it convey : And so my friends I wish you all good rest , Pray go to bed , my soul is much opprest .

When as his friends had heard what he did say , They counsel'd him that he to God should pray : But Faustus felt the weight so of his sin , That how to pray he knew not to begin : At last the Students having pray d , did weep , And after went to bed , but could not sleep : For Faustus in the Hall did stay alone , Where they might hear how he did sigh and groan , And so with wakefull eyes they did attend , Expecting still to hear his fearfull end : At last between the hours of twelve & one , A wind did rise , the like was never known , It was so violent : which when they once did hear The Host & Students both began to fear . For Doctor Faustus in the Hall did lye , When they might hear his fearfull Tragedy : For now the Hall and upper rooms did shake , And they did hear a hissing like a Snake ; And then the Hall door fiercely did flye open , And Faustus Murther cry'd , which being spoken , They heard no more ; so that the Scholars said , Now Doctor Faustus is to hell convey'd . The next day , when they came into the Hall , They might bebold a fearfull funerall : His blood & brains were sprinkled on the ground And such a sight as might the sight confound ; Here lay his teeth , and there his eyes did lye , A spectacle of hellish cruelty ; Which when his friends beheld they all did mourn , And found his body on the dunghill torn ; To which his friends did christian burial give , Although himself did like a Devil live . Thus I this story of his life have penn'd , That we may see his life , and hate his end . FINIS .