The International Monthly Magazine - Volume V - No IIVarious
History
The International Monthly Magazine - Volume V - No II
Various
Art, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; Science -- History -- Periodicals
At length he arrived at the end of the term for which he had contracted
with the devil. For two or three years before it expired his character
gradually altered. He became subject to fits of despondency, was no longer
susceptible of mirth and amusement, and reflected with bitter agony on the
close in which the whole must terminate. He assembled his friends together
at a grand entertainment, and when it was over, addressed them, telling
them that this was the last day of his life, reminding them of the wonders
with which he had frequently astonished them, and informing them of the
condition upon which he had held this power. They, one and all, expressed
the deepest sorrow at the intelligence. They had had the idea of something
unlawful in his proceedings; but their notions had been very far from
coming up to the truth. They regretted exceedingly that he had not been
unreserved in his communications at an earlier period. They would have had
recourse in his behalf, to the means of religion, and have applied to
pious men, desiring them to employ their power to intercede with Heaven in
his favor. Prayer and penitence might have done much for him; and the
mercy of Heaven was unbounded. They advised him to still call upon God,
and endeavor to secure an interest in the merits of the Saviour.
Faustus assured them that it was all in vain, and that his tragical fate
was inevitable. He led them to their sleeping apartment, and recommended
to them to pass the night as they could, but by no means, whatever they
might happen to hear, to come out of it; as their interference could in no
way be beneficial to him, and might be attended with the most serious
injury to themselves. They lay still, therefore, as he had enjoined them;
but not one of them could close his eyes. Between twelve and one in the
night they heard first a furious storm of wind round all sides of the
house, as if it would have torn away the walls from their foundations.
This no sooner somewhat abated, than a noise was heard of discordant and
violent hissing, as if the house was full of all sorts of venomous
reptiles, but which plainly proceeded from Faustus’s chamber. Next they
heard the doctor’s room-door vehemently burst open, and cries for help
uttered with dreadful agony, but in a half-suppressed voice, which
presently grew fainter and fainter. Then every thing became still, as if
the everlasting motion of the world was suspended.
When at length it became broad day, the students went in a body to the
doctor’s apartment. But he was nowhere to be seen. Only the walls were
found smeared with his blood, and marks as if his brains had been dashed
out. His body was finally discovered at some distance from the house, his
limbs dismembered, and marks of great violence about the features of his
face. The students gathered up the mutilated parts of his body, and
afforded them private burial at the temple of Mars, in the village where
he died.
SOME SMALL POEMS.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account