# History of the wicked life and horrid death of Dr John Faustus (Edinburgh)

Christopher Marlowe is bibliographic antecedent but not author.
THE
HISTORY
OF THE
WICKED LIFE AND HORRID DEATH
OF
Dr JOHN FAUSTUS.
SHEWING
How he Sold himself to the Devil to have Power for twenty four years to do what he pleased, Also the Strange Things done by Him and
MEPHOSTOPHILES.
LIKEWISE,
An account how the Devil came for Him at the end of twenty four years, and tore Him in pieces.
EDINBURGH: Printed for the Booksellers in Town and Country.
THE
HISTORY
OF
Dr JOHN FAUSTUS
CHAP. I.
Dr Faustus's Birth and Education; with an account of his falling from the Scriptures.
Doctor John Faustus was born ⟨in⟩ Germany. His father was a poor labouring man, not able to bring up his son, but he had a brother in the same country, who was a very rich man, but ⟨had⟩ never a child, and took a great ⟨fancy⟩ to his cousin, and he resolved to ⟨make⟩ a scholar of him; and in order there unto, put him to the Latin school, when he took his learning extraordinary ⟨well,⟩ afterwards he put him to the university to study divinity; but ⟨Faustus⟩ could in no wise fancy that employment; wherefore he betook himself ⟨to⟩ ​the studying of that which his inclination was most for, viz. necromancy and conjuration, and in a little time few or none could outstrip him in the art: he also studied divinity, of which he was made doctor; but within a short time fell into such deep fancies and cogitations that he resolved to throw the scriptures from him, and betake himself wholly to the studying of necromancy and conjuration, charms and soothsaying, witchcraft, and the like.
CHAP. II.
How Dr Faustus conjured up the Devil, making him appear at his house.
Faustus, whose mind was to study conjuration, which he followed night and day, he took the wings of an eagle and endeavoured to fly over the world, to see and know all the secrets of heaven and earth. In a short time he attained power to command the devil to appear before him when he pleased. One day as Dr Faustus was walking in ​a wood, near to Wirtemberg in Germany, having a friend with him that was desirous to know the doctor's art, he desired him to let him see if he could then and there bring Mephostophiles before him; all which the doctor immediately did; and the devil upon the first call made such a noise in the wood, as if heaven and earth would have come together; then the devil made such a roaring, as if the wood had been full of wild beasts. The doctor made a circle for the devil, the which circle the devil ran round, making a noise as if ten thousand waggons had been running upon paved stones. After this it thundered and lightened as if the whole world had been on fire. Faustus and his friend, amazed at this noise, and the devil's long tarrying, thought to leave the circle ; whereupon, the devil made him such music, the like was never heard in the world; this so ravished Faustus that he began again to conjure Mephostophiles in the name of the prince of the devils, to appear in his own likeness; whereupon ​⟨in⟩ an instant, hung over his head a mighty dragon. Faustus calls again ⟨after⟩ his former manner, after which ⟨there⟩ was a cry in the wood as if hell ⟨had⟩ been opened, and all the tormented ⟨souls⟩ had been there; Faustus, in the ⟨mean⟩ while, asking the devil many ⟨questions⟩ and commanding him to ⟨shew⟩ many tricks.
CHAP. III.
Faustus commanded the spirit to meet him at his house by ten of the ⟨clock⟩ the next day. At the hour appointed he came into his chamber, asking Faustus what he would have; Faustus told him, it was his will and pleasure to conjure him to be obedient to ⟨him⟩ in all points of those articles, viz.
First, That the spirit shall serve him in all things he asked, from that ⟨time⟩ till his death.
​Secondly Whatsoever he would have he should bring him.
Thirdly, Whatsoever he desired to know, he should tell him.
The spirit answered him and said, he had no such power of himself, until he had acquainted his prince that ruled over him; for, said he, we have rulers over us, that send us out, and command us home, when they please; and we can act no farther than our power is, which we receive from Lucifer, who you know for his pride was thrust out of heaven. But, saith the spirit, I am not to tell you any more except you make yourself over to us.
Whereupon Faustus said, I will have my request; but yet I will not be damned with you. Then said the spirit, you must not, nor shall not have your desire, and yet thou art mine, and all the world cannot save thee out of my hands. Then said Faustus, get thee hence, and I conjure thee, that thou come to me at night. The spirit then ​vanished, Faustus then began to consider how he might obtain his desire, and not to give his soul to the devil.
And while Faustus was in these devilish cogitations, night drew on, and this hellish spirit appeared to him, acquainting him that now he had orders from his prince to be obedient to him, and to do for him whatsoever he desired, provided he would promise to be his, and withal to acquaint him first what he would have of him? Faustus replied, that his desire was to become a spirit, and that Mephostophiles should be always at his command, that whensoever he called for him, he shall appear invisible to all men, and that he should appear in what shape he pleased. To which the spirit answered, that all his desires should be granted if he would sign those articles, whereupon Dr Faustus, withdrew and pricked his wrist, receiving the blood in a small saucer, which cooled so fast, as if ​it for-warned him of the hellish act he was going to commit; nevertheless he put it over embers to warm it, and writ as followeth:
I, John Faustus, approved doctor of divinity, with my own hand do acknowledge and testily myself to become a servant to Lucifer, prince of Septentrional and Orient, and to him I freely and voluntarily give both body and soul; in consideration for the space of twenty four years, if I be served in all things I shall require, or which is reasonable by him to be allowed: at the expiration of which, from the date ensuing, I give to him all power to do with me at his pleasure; to rule to fetch and carry me where he pleases body and soul: hereupon I defy God and Christ, and all the host of angels and good spirits; all living creatures that bear his shape, or on whom his image is imprinted; and to the better strengthening the validity of this covenant and firm agreement between us, I have writ it with my own blood, and subscribed ​my name to it, calling all the powers and infernal potentates to witness it is my true intent and meaning.
JOHN FAUSTUS.
CHAP. IV.
What happened to Dr Faustus after the signing of the Articles.
When Faustus had made an end of his writing, he called Mephostophiles to him, and delivered him the bond; whereupon the spirit told him, that if he did not repent of what he had done, he should enjoy all the pleasure his thoughts could form, and that he would immediately divert him. He caused a kennel of hounds to run down a hart in the hall, and vanished; then a bull danced before Faustus; also there was a lion and a bear which fell to fighting before Faustus, and the lion destroyed the bear; after that came a dragon and destroyed the lion: and this, with abundance of more pastime did ​the spirit present to the doctor's view, concluding with all manner of music, with some hundreds of spirits which came and danced before Faustus. After the music was over, and Faustus began to look about him, he saw ten sacks full of silver, which he went to dispose of, but could not, for none could handle it but himself, it was so hot. This pastime did so please Faustus, that he gave the Mephostophiles the will that he had made, and kept a copy of it in his own hands. The spirit and Faustus being agreed, they dwelt together, and the devil was in their house keeping; for there was never any thing given to the poor, which before Faustus made this contract was frequently done; but the case is now altered.
CHAP. V.
How Faustus served the Duke of Bavaria.
Faustus, having sold his soul to the ​evil, it was reported among his neighnours, so that none would keep his ⟨company⟩, but his spirit, which was very ⟨frequent⟩ with him, and did whatsoever he commanded him, playing merry ⟨tricks⟩ for to please Faustus. Not far from Faustus's house lived the Duke of Bavaria, the Duke of Saxony, and the Bishop of Salisburgh, whose houses and cellars Mephostophiles used to visit, and to bring the best of every thing they had. One day the Duke of Bavaria had invited most of the gentry of the country to dinner, for whose entertainment there was abundance of provision got ready: the, gentry being come, and ready to sit down to dinner, in an instant Mephostophiles came and took away all with him, leaving them full of admiration. If at any time Faustus had a mind for a wild fowl, the spirit would call whole flocks in at a window; also the spirit did teach Faustus to do the like, so that no lock nor key would keep them out. The devil also taught Faustus to fly into the ​air, and to act many things which ⟨are⟩ incredible, ond too large for this ⟨small⟩ book to contain.
CHAP. VI.
How Dr Faustus dreamed of Hell in his sleep, and what he saw there.
After Faustus had a long conference with his spirit concerning the fall of lucifer, and the state and condition of all the fallen angels, he, in a vision or dream, saw hell and all the devils and souls that were tormented there: he also saw hell divided into several cells, or deep holes; and for every cell, or deep ward, there was a devil appointed to punish those that were under his custody. Having seen this sight he much marvelled at it; and having Mephostophiles with him, he asked him what sort of people they were that lay iu the first dark pit? Mephostophiles told him they were those who pretended themselves to he physicians, and had poisoned many thousands to try ​⟨practice⟩; and now, saith the spirit, they ⟨have⟩ administered to them as they did ⟨to⟩ others, though not with the same ⟨affect⟩; for they will never die here, ⟨saith⟩ he. Over their heads was a shelf ⟨laden⟩ with gallipots full of poison.
⟨Having⟩ past them he came to a long (illegible text)ntry, exceeding dark, where there was ⟨a⟩ mighty crowd. He asked them what ⟨those⟩ were? the spirit told him ⟨they⟩ were pick-pockets; who loved to ⟨be⟩ in a crowd when they were in the her world, and to content them, they ⟨put⟩ them in a crowd there; amongst ⟨them⟩ was some padders on the highway, ⟨and⟩ those of that function. Walking ⟨further⟩ he saw many thousands of vint(illegible text)rs, and some millions of tailors, ⟨insomuch⟩ that they could not tell whence ⟨to⟩ get stowage for them; a great number of pastry cooks with peels on their (illegible text)ads. Walking farther, the spirit ⟨opening⟩ a great cellar-door, from which ⟨rose⟩ a terrible noise, he asked what ⟨they⟩ were? the spirit told him they ⟨were⟩ witches, and those that had been ​pretended saints in the other world but how they did squabble, fight, ⟨and⟩ tear one another! not far from ⟨there⟩ lay the whore mongers and adulterers who made such a hideous noise, then he was very much startled. Walking down a few steps, he espied an incredible number, almost hid with smoke he asked what they were? the ⟨spirit⟩ told him they were millers and ⟨bakers⟩ but, good lack, what a noise was ⟨there⟩ among them, the millers crying to ⟨the⟩ bakers, and the bakers to the ⟨millers⟩ for help, but all is in vain, for there ⟨are⟩ none to help them. Passing on ⟨farther⟩ he saw thousands of shopkeepers, ⟨some⟩ of whom he knew, who were ⟨tormented⟩ for defrauding and cheating their customers. Having taken this ⟨prospect⟩ of hell, the spirit Mephostophiles ⟨took⟩ him in his arms, and carried him ⟨home⟩ to his own house, where he ⟨awaking⟩ was amazed at what he had seen ⟨in⟩ his dream. Being come to himself, ⟨he⟩ asked the spirit in what place hell ⟨was⟩ and who made it; ⟨Mephostophiles⟩ ​⟨answered⟩, knowest thou, that before ⟨the⟩ fall of Lucifer, there was no hell, ⟨and⟩ upon his fall, was hell ordained, (illegible text) for the substance of hell, we devils ⟨do⟩ not know; it is the wrath of God ⟨that⟩ makes hell so furious, and what (illegible text) procured by our fall: but where ⟨it⟩ is, or how it is governed, and ⟨whatsoever⟩ thou desirest to know, when thou (illegible text)nest there thou shalt be satisfied as ⟨to⟩ know ourselves.
CHAP. VII.
⟨Containing⟩ some Tricks of Dr Faustus.
⟨sc⟩ having attained this desire (illegible text) ⟨this⟩ spirit, had now full power to act (illegible text) do any thing whatever he pleased; (illegible text)n a time the Emperor had a desire ⟨to see⟩ him, and likewise some of the ⟨Doctor's⟩ tricks; whereupon he was ⟨requested⟩ by the Emperor to do ⟨somewhat⟩ to make him merry; but the ⟨Doctor⟩ in the mean while looking round ⟨about⟩ him, at last espied a lord looking ⟨up⟩ at the window, and the doctor ​calling his spirit to help him, he in an ⟨instant⟩ fastened a large pair of horns upon ⟨the⟩ lord's head, so that he could not get ⟨the⟩ head in till Faustus took the horns {{reconstruct|off} again, which were soon taken off (illegible text) visibly: the lord, whom Faustus ⟨had⟩ served so, was extremely vexed, and ⟨resolved⟩ to be revenged on the ⟨doctor⟩ and to that end, lay a mile out of ⟨the⟩ town for Faustus's passing by, he (illegible text)ing that day to depart from ⟨the⟩ country; Faustus coming by the wo(illegible text)side, beheld the lord mounted upon ⟨a⟩ mighty warlike horse, who ran (illegible text) drift against Faustus, who, by the l(illegible text) of his spirit, took him, and all, ⟨he⟩ carried him before the emperor's ⟨palace⟩ and grafted a pair of horns on his ⟨head⟩ as large as an ox's: which he ⟨could⟩ never be rid of, but wore them to ⟨his⟩ dying day.
CHAP. VIII. How Dr Faustus ate a load of Hay.
Faustus, upon a time, having m(illegible text) doctors and masters of arts with h(illegible text) went to walk in the fields, where ⟨they⟩ ​⟨met⟩ with a load of hay: how now good {illegible}}ow, saith Faustus, what shall I give ⟨thee⟩ to fill my belly with hay? the (illegible text)wn thought he had been a madman (illegible text) talk of eating hay, told him he ⟨could⟩ fill his belly for a penny; to ⟨which⟩ the doctor agreed, and fell to ⟨eating⟩ and quickly devouring half the (illegible text): at which the doctor's companions ⟨laughed⟩, to see how simply the poor ⟨country⟩ fellow looked, and to hear how ⟨heartily⟩ he prayed the doctor to ⟨forswear⟩: Faustus, pitying the poor man, ⟨went⟩ away, and before the man got (illegible text)r home, all the hay was in the cart (illegible text) the doctor had eaten, which made ⟨the⟩ country fellow admire.
CHAP. IX. ⟨How⟩ he struck a parcel of students that ⟨were⟩ fighting together blind; and how ⟨he⟩ served a parcel of clowns who were ⟨ranging⟩ and ranting in an inn.
⟨Thirteen⟩ students meeting with ⟨seven⟩ more near Dr Faustus's house, ​fell out extremely, first in words, and last to blows; the thirteen being ⟨too⟩hard for the seven, and Dr ⟨Faustus⟩ looking out of his window, and ⟨seeing⟩ the fray, and how much they were ⟨overmatch'd⟩, conjur'd them all blind, ⟨so⟩ that one could not see the other; ⟨and⟩ in this manner they fought and ⟨smote⟩ one another, which made all that ⟨saw⟩ them laugh: at length the people p(illegible text)ed them, and led them to their ⟨chambers⟩; they instantly received ⟨sight.⟩ The doctor, coming into an inn ⟨with⟩ some friends, was disturbed by the (illegible text) looing and bauling of a parcel of ⟨drunken⟩ clowns, whereupon, when their ⟨mouths⟩ were wide open, he so conjured ⟨them⟩ that by no means they could shut ⟨them⟩ again; and so all on a sudden ⟨there⟩ was a deep silence; and after they ⟨had⟩ waited one upon another, without ⟨being⟩ able to speak, thinking they were ⟨bewitched⟩, they dropped one by one ⟨into⟩ sinking fear, and never could be go(illegible text) the house afterwards.
CHAP. X. How Dr Faustus helped a young man to a lady.
There was a gallant young gentleman ⟨that⟩ was in love with a fair lady, who ⟨was⟩ of proper personage, living at Wirtenberg, near the doctor's house: this ⟨gentleman⟩ had long sought this lady ⟨in⟩ marriage, but could not obtain his ⟨desire⟩ and having placed his affections ⟨so⟩ much upon her, he was ready to pine ⟨away⟩, and had certainly died with grief, ⟨had⟩ hee not made his address to the ⟨doctor,⟩ to whom he opened the whole ⟨matter.⟩ No sooner had the gentleman told ⟨his⟩ case to the doctor, but he told him ⟨he⟩ need not fear, for his desire should ⟨be⟩ fufilled, and he should have her ⟨that⟩ he so much desired, and that this ⟨gentlewoman⟩ should have none but him, ⟨which⟩ was accordingly done; for Faustus ⟨had⟩ changed the mind of the damsel, by ⟨his⟩ damnable practice, that she could ⟨think⟩ of nothing else but him whom ​she before hated; and Faustus's ⟨desire⟩ was this: he gave him an enchanted ring, which he ordered him to put in to the lady's hand, or to slip it on ⟨her⟩ finger, which he did; and no ⟨sooner⟩ had she the ring but her heart ⟨burned⟩ with love to him; she instead of ⟨frowning⟩ could do nothing but smile upon him and not be at rest till she asked him if he thought he could love her, ⟨and⟩ make her his wife? he gladly ⟨answered⟩, with all his heart. So they were married the next day, and all by the help of Dr Faustus.
CHAP. XI. How Dr Faustus made seven women dance naked ⟨in⟩ the market place.
Faustus walking in the market, saw seven women sitting all in a row selling eggs, butter, &c. Of every one he bought something and departed. No sooner was he gone, but all the eggs and butter, were gone out of their baskets, and they ⟨knew⟩ not how; at last they were told, that Dr ⟨Faustus⟩ had conjured their goods away; they ⟨thereupon⟩ ran speedily to the Doctor's, and demanded ⟨satisfaction⟩ for their ware; he resolving to make himself and the town's people merry by his conjuring art, made them return to their baskets naked ​⟨as when⟩ they were horn; and having danced a while ⟨in the⟩ market-place, every one's goods were con(illegible text) d into their baskets again, and they were set ⟨at liberty.⟩
CHAP. XII. ⟨How⟩ Faustus served a Country Fellow that was driving of Swine.
Faustus, as he was going to Wirtemberg, over⟨heard⟩ a country fellow driving an hundred swine, ⟨which⟩ were very headstrong, some running one ⟨way⟩ and some another; so that the driver could ⟨not⟩ tell how to get them along; the doctor taking ⟨notice⟩ of it, by his conjuring art, made every one ⟨of them⟩ dance upon their two hind legs, with a ⟨fiddle⟩ in one of their fore feet, and with the other ⟨fore⟩ foot they played upon the fiddle, and so they ⟨danced⟩ and fiddled all the way till they came into ⟨Wirtemberg⟩ market, the driver of them all the ⟨pigs⟩ dancing before them, which made the people (illegible text)der; after the doctor had satisfied himself ⟨with⟩ the sport, he conjured the fiddles away, and ⟨the⟩ driver then offered them to sale, and quickly ⟨sold⟩ them all, and took the money; but before he ⟨had⟩ gone out of the house, Faustus had conjured ⟨the⟩ hogs out of the market-place, and sent them ⟨back⟩ home to the aforesaid driver's house. The ⟨men⟩ that bought them, seeing all the swine gone, ⟨whipped⟩ the man that sold them, and would have ⟨the⟩ money which he was forced to pay, and so ⟨returned⟩ home sorrowful, and not knowing what to ⟨do⟩ but, to his great amazement, found all his in ⟨their⟩ styes.
CHAP. XIII. How Dr Faustus began to bethink himself of ⟨the⟩ near approach of his end
Faustus having spun out his twenty-four ⟨years⟩ within a month or two, began to consider ⟨what he⟩ should do to cheat the devil, but could not ⟨find⟩ any way to prevent his miserable end, which ⟨was⟩ now near; whereupon he thus cries out to ⟨himself⟩, O miserable wretch that I am! I have ⟨given⟩ myself to the devil for a few years pleasure ⟨to⟩ satisfy my carnal and devilish desires, and ⟨now I⟩ must pay full dear; now must I have ⟨torment⟩ without any ease; woe is me, for there is no (illegible text) for me; I dare not, I cannot look for mercy ⟨from⟩ God; for I have abandoned him, and have ⟨sold⟩ myself to the devil, to be his for ever; and (illegible text) my time is almost expired; I have had ⟨my desires⟩; my filthy lusts I have satisfied, and I ⟨must⟩ be tormented for ever and ever.
A neighbour of his, a godly old man, ⟨heard⟩ of his way of living, in compassion to his (illegible text) came to him, and with tears besought him to (illegible text) more regard to his precious soul, laying before him the promise of God’s grace and mercy, ⟨he⟩ offered to repenting sinners, and spoke so ⟨feelingly⟩, that Faustus shed tears and promised to t(illegible text) repent. This good man was no sooner ⟨gone than⟩ Mephostophiles found him pensive on his bed, (illegible text) muttering what had happened, began to appr(illegible text) him with breach of covenant to his lord ⟨Lucifer⟩ and thereupon almost twisted his neck ⟨round⟩ threatening him so dreadfully, that through fe(illegible text) confirmed all that he had done before.
CHAP. XIV. How Dr Faustus was warned of the Spirit to prepare for his end.
Faustus's full time being come, the spirit ⟨appeared⟩ to him, and shewed him his writing, and told him that the next night the devil would fetch him ⟨away⟩, which made the doctors heart ache; but to ⟨divert⟩ himself, he sent for some doctors and ⟨masters⟩ bachelors of arts, and other students to dine ⟨with⟩ him, for whom he provided great store of ⟨varieties⟩, with music and the like; but all would ⟨not⟩ keep up his spirits, for the hour drew near; ⟨whereupon⟩ his countenance changing, the doctors ⟨and⟩ masters of art enquired of him the reason of ⟨his⟩ melancholyness; to which Faustus answered, ⟨my⟩ friends, you have known me these many years, and how I have practised all manner of wickedss. I have been a conjuror, which devilish art I ⟨obtained⟩ of the devil; and also to obtain power ⟨to⟩ do whatever I pleased. I sold myself to the ⟨devil⟩ for twenty-four years time; which full time ⟨being⟩ out this night, makes me full of horror, I ⟨have⟩ called you my friends to see this my ⟨dreadful⟩ end, and I pray let my miserable death be a ⟨warning⟩ to you all, how you study that devilish ⟨art⟩ of conjuring, for if you once begin it, a ⟨thousand⟩ to one but it will lead you to the devil. ⟨They⟩ hearing of this sad story, blamed him for ⟨concealing⟩ it so long, telling him if he had made ⟨them⟩ acquainted before, they thought it might ⟨have⟩ been prevented. He told them, he had a ⟨desire⟩ several times to have disclosed this intrigue, ​and to join with the godly, and leave off ⟨this⟩ wicked course, but immediately the devil used ⟨to⟩ come and torment him, &c. But now saith ⟨Faustus⟩, it is but in vain for me to talk of what I ⟨did⟩ intend, for I have sold myself to the devil, ⟨body⟩ and soul is his. No sooner had he spoke ⟨these⟩ words, but suddenly it fell a thundering, ⟨whereupon⟩ Faustus went into the great hall, the doctors ⟨and⟩ masters staying in the next room, intending to ⟨hear⟩ his end. About twelve o'clock the house shook ⟨so⟩ terribly, that they thought it would have tumbled down upon their heads; and suddenly all ⟨the⟩ windows of the house were broke to pieces, so ⟨that⟩ they trembled and wished themselves elsewhere when upon a great clap of thunder, with a whirl wind the doors flew open, and a mighty rushing of wind ⟨entered⟩, with the hissing of serpents, shrieks and ⟨cries⟩ upon which he lamentably cried out murder, ⟨and⟩ there was such roaring in the hall, as if all ⟨the⟩ devils in hell had been there. When day-light appeared they took the boldness to enter the ⟨hall⟩ and found his brains beaten out against the wall and the floor sprinkled with his blood, and his eyes torn out, but missing his body, they went in ⟨search⟩ of it, and found it on the dung-hill, mangled ⟨and⟩ mashed to pieces. So ended this miserable ⟨wretched⟩ life, which we hope may stand as a lasting ⟨monument⟩ and warning to others. His mangled ⟨body⟩ in respect to his function, learning, and other ⟨qualifications⟩, was decently buried.
FINIS
This work was published before January 1, 1929, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.
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