Scene IX. Marlowe, Christopher. 1909-14. Doctor Faustus. The Harvard Classics

Fiction > Harvard Classics > Christopher Marlowe > Doctor Faustus

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Christopher Marlowe (1564–1593). Doctor Faustus.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.

Scene IX


[An Inn.] Enter ROBIN and RALPH with a silver goblet.

Robin. Come, Ralph, did not I tell thee we were for ever made by this Doctor Faustus’ book? Ecce signum, 1 here’s a simple purchase 2 for horsekeepers; our horses shall eat not hay as long as this lasts.

Enter the VINTNER
Ralph. But, Robin, here come the vintner.
Robin. Hush! I’ll gull him supernaturally.	5
Drawer, I hope all is paid: God be with you. Come, Ralph.
Vint. Soft, sir; a word with you. I must yet have a goblet paid from you, ere you go.
Robin. I, a goblet, Ralph; I, a goblet! I scorn you, and you are but a, 3 &c. I, a goblet! search me.
Vint. I mean so, sir, with your favour. [Searches him.]
Robin. How say you now?	10
Vint. I must say somewhat to your fellow. You, sir!
Ralph. Me, sir! me, sir! search your fill. [VINTNER searches him.] Now, sir, you may be ashamed to burden honest men with a matter of truth.
Vint. Well, t’one of you hath this goblet about you.
Robin. You lie, drawer, ’tis afore me. [Aside.] Sirrah you, I’ll teach ye to impeach honest men;—stand by;—I’ll scour you for a goblet!—stand aside you had best, I charge you in the name of Belzebub. Look to the goblet, Ralph. [Aside to RALPH.]
Vint. What mean you, sirrah?	15
Robin. I’ll tell you what I mean. Reads [from a book.]
Sanctobulorum. Periphrasticon—Nay, I’ll tickle you, vintner. Look to the goblet, Ralph. [Aside to RALPH.]
Polypragmos Belseborams framanto pacostiphos tostu, Mephistophilis, &c. [Reads.

Enter MEPHISTOPHILIS, sets squibs at their backs, [and then exit]. They run about
Vint. O nomine Domini! 4 what meanest thou, Robin? Thou hast no goblet.	20
Ralph. Peccatum peccatorum! 5 Here’s thy goblet, good vintner. [Gives the goblet to VINTNER, who exit.]
Robin. Misericordia pro nobis! 6 What shall I do? Good Devil, forgive me now, and I’ll never rob thy library more.

Re-enter MEPHISTOPHILIS
Meph. Monarch of hell, under whose black survey
Great potentates do kneel with awful fear,	25
Upon whose altars thousand souls do lie,
How am I vexed with these villains’ charms?
From Constantinople am I hither come
Only for pleasure of these damned slaves.
Robin. How from Constantinople? You have had a great journey. Will you take sixpence in your purse to pay for you supper, and begone?	30
Meph. Well, villains, for your presumption, I transform thee into an ape, and thee into a dog; and so begone. [Exit.
Robin. How, into an ape? That’s brave! I’ll have fine sport with the boys. I’ll get nuts and apples enow.
Ralph. And I must be a dog.
Robin. I’faith thy head will never be out of the pottage pot. Exeunt.

Note 1. “Behold a sign.” [back]

Note 2. Gain. [back]

Note 3. The abuse was left to the actor’s inventiveness. [back]

Note 4. “In the name of the Lord.” [back]

Note 5. “Sin of sins.” [back]

Note 6. “Mercy on us.” [back]

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