_Gott._ I am a travelling Dominican Sent to thee by the Prior of our Order; Who, having heard much scandalous report Of thy most heinous immoralities, Instructs me, with all friendly privacy, To urge thee to amend thy naughty life. Or, if thou findest this impossible (As there is reason to believe thou mayst), So to conceal and cloke thy wanton ways, That thou, at least, mayst seem to be a saint, And so afford no handle to the grasp Of the all-watchful enemies of our Church. _Faus._ Strange mission, strangely worded, holy brother! What doth your Prior allege? And by what right Dares he to counsel such hypocrisy? Whence comes his information? _Gott._ From Sir Gottfried, A very blameless, pure, and godly knight; Who, once a boon companion of thy follies, Hath since repented, and indicted thee For that, despite thy vows of continence, Thou livest the old life. _Faus._ Now, by the Truth, Never lied Gottfried thus! _Gott._ Nay, by the Truth, I speak his very words--and here’s the proof! [_Throws off his robe, and appears as a young soldier._ _Faus._ Gottfried! Is this indeed my dear old friend? _Gott._ The same indeed. Bound for the wars again! My troop of horse is passing through the town, And hearing that thou wast within these walls, I asked for thee. A bearded brother came, And with scant courtesy, he bade me wait Thy leisure in the great refectory. There, much perplexed to know with what address I might most ceremoniously greet So eminent a theologian, I saw this rag-bag hanging on a peg-- Thou knowest the rest. _Faus._ I am rejoiced to see thee, Despite thy ill-timed jest. _Gott._ And this Faustus! The old dare-devil Faustus! Marvellous! When last I saw thee, thou wast bravely clad In coat of cramoisie, and by thy side There swung the readiest rapier in the town! _Faus._ Hush, hush, these vanities are past and gone, And many others with them! _Gott._ By-the-by, There was a black-eyed wench--a plump brown rogue, With full red lips, and twinkling ankles, too-- Dost recollect her ankles? No? _I_ do! Let’s see--her name. What was the wench’s name? Has she gone with the other vanities? _Faus._ I prithee stop thy tongue. I loved the girl And she was false to me. My heart died out. I sickened of the world and woman’s love, And here sought refuge.