Doctor Faustus having given his soul to the Devil, renouncing all the powers of heaven, confirming this lamentable action with his own blood, and having already delivered his writing now into the Devil’s hand, the which so puffed up his heart, that he had forgot the mind of a man, and thought rather himself to be a spirit. This Faustus dwelt in his uncle’s house at Wittenberg, who died, and bequeathed it in his Testament to his Cousin Faustus. Faustus kept a boy with him that was his scholar, an unhappy wag, called Christopher Wagner, to whom this sport and life that he saw his master follow seemed pleasant. Faustus loved the boy well, hoping to make him as good or better seen in his Devilish exercise than himself; and he was fellow with Mephostophiles: otherwise Faustus had no more company in his house; but himself, his boy and his Spirit, that ever was diligent at Faustus’ command, going about the house, clothed like a Friar, with a little bell in his hand, seen of none but Faustus. For his victual and other necessaries, Mephostophiles brought him at his pleasure from the Duke of Saxon, the Duke of Bavaria, and the Bishop of Saltzburg: for they had many times their best wine stolen out of their cellars by Mephostophile: Likewise their provision for their own table, such meat as Faustus wished for, his Spirit brought him in: besides that, Faustus himself was become so cunning, that when he opened his window, what fowl soever he wished for, it came presently flying into his house, were it never so dainty. Moreover, Faustus and his boy went in sumptuous apparel, the which Mephostophiles stole from the Mercers at Norenberg, Auspurg, Franckeford, and Liptzig: for it was hard for them to find a lock to keep out such a thief. All their maintenance was but stolen and borrowed ware: and thus they lived an odious life in the sight of God, though as yet the world were unacquainted with their wickedness. It must be so, for their fruits be none other: as Christ saith through John, where he calls the Devil a thief, and a murderer: and that found Faustus, for he stole him away both body and soul. CHAPTER IX _How Doctor Faustus would have married, and how the Devil had almost killed him for it_