Literature, Medieval -- Translations into English; Tales
sphere above, and the signs of the Zodiac doth not burn and consume the
whole face of the earth, being hindered by placing the two moist
elements between them--the airy clouds and wavering waves of water. Yea,
Faustus, I will learn thee the secrets of Nature; what the cause is,
that the sun in summer, being at the highest, giveth all his heat
downwards on the earth; and being winter at the lowest, giveth all his
heat upwards into the heavens; that the snow should be of so great
virtue as the honey, and the Lady Saturnia in occulto more hot than the
sun in manifesto. Come on, my Faustus; I will make thee as perfect in
these ways as myself; I will learn thee to go invisible, to find out the
mines both of gold and silver, the fodines of precious stones--as the
carbuncle, the diamond, sapphire, emerald, ruby, topaz, jacinth, granat,
jaspies, amethyst: use all these at thy pleasure--take thy heart's
desire. Thy time, Faustus, weareth away; then why wilt thou not take thy
pleasure of the world? Come up, we will go unto kings at their own
courts, and at their most sumptuous banquets be their guests. If
willingly they invite us not, then by force we will serve our own turn
with their best meat and daintest wine."
"Agreed," quoth Faustus; "but let me pause a while upon this thou hast
even now declared unto me."
CHAPTER XIX.
_How Dr. Faustus fell into Despair with himself, for having put a
question unto his Spirit; they fell at Variance, whereupon the Rout of
Devils appeared unto him, threatening him sharply._
Dr. Faustus resolved with himself the speeches of his spirit, and became
so woeful and sorrowful in his cogitations that he thought himself
already frying in the hottest flame of hell; and lying in this muse,
suddenly there appeared unto him his spirit, demanding what thing so
grieved and troubled his conscience?
Whereat Dr. Faustus gave no answer. Yet the spirit lay very earnestly
upon him to know the cause, and if it were possible he would find a
remedy for his grief and ease him of his sorrows.
To whom Faustus answered, "I have taken thee unto me as a servant to do
my service, and thy service will be very dear unto me; yet I cannot have
any diligence of thee farther than thou list thyself, neither dost thou
in anything as it becometh thee."
The spirit replied: "My Faustus, thou knowest that I was never against
thy commandment as yet, but ready to serve and resolve thy questions,
although I am not bound unto thee in such respects as concern the hurt
of our kingdom; yet was I always willing to answer thee, and so am I
still: therefore, my Faustus, say on boldly, what is thy will and
pleasure?"
At which words the spirit stole away the heart of Faustus, who spake in
this sort: "Mephistophiles, tell me how and after what sort God made the
world and all the creatures in it? And why man was made after the image
of God?"
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