tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47488573877951291822024-02-08T06:58:40.383-08:00The Faustus SagaDavid M. Nevarrezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10611162634169815956noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4748857387795129182.post-14070988809151939892016-08-29T23:07:00.003-07:002016-08-29T23:07:33.275-07:00Part Nine (?) of the Saga: THE LAST TESTAMENT OF DR. FAUSTUS based on Christopher MarloweFirst Draft:<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
EXT. (ESTABLISHING SHOT) LANDSCAPE - DAY<br />
<br />
Pan or tracking shot across landscape that has been blighted by catastrophe <br />
(such as nucleur war or environmental collapse). There are some standing <br />
remnants of city structures. The camera stops at what was once an old movie<br />
theatre (well-built, so still somewhat intact). <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
INT. THEATRE - FOLLOWING<br />
<br />
The interior of the theatre is a shambles. But various survivors have <br />
gathered here for shelter. Some mill about, others try to sleep, or eat <br />
scraps of found food. <br />
<br />
<br />
CUT TO:
<br />
<br />
The Stage, where FAUSTUS suddenly appears, stepping into Sunlight from the <br />
roof. <br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
A good evening, good gentlefolk.<br />
<br />
He waits as those in the auditorium turn their attention to him.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS <br />
We shall now relate the form of Faustus’ fortunes, good or <br />
bad.<br />
<br />
<br />
CUT TO:<br />
<br />
<br />
The "audience" look at him, and each other, obviously confused. A few sit <br />
down to await clarification.<br />
<br />
<br />
CUT TO: <br />
<br />
<br />
Stage.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
He is born, his parents base of stock, in Germany, within a <br />
town called Roda; of riper years to Wittenberg he went, where <br />
his kinsman brought him up. Soon he profits in divinity, and <br />
was graced with doctor’s name, excelling all those disputes <br />
in matters of theology; till swollen with cunning, of self-<br />
conceit, and glutted with learning’s gifts, he delves into <br />
cursed necromancy,nothing so sweet as magic is to him, which <br />
he prefers to heavenly pursuits.<br />
<br />
He steps back, and more light suddenly illumines the stage, from unknown <br />
sources. There is a simple set, depicting Faustus' study. Faustus sits at <br />
his desk.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Settle thy studies, Faustus, and begin to sound the depth of <br />
that thou wilt profess; having commenced, be a divine in show, <br />
yet level and at the end of every art, and live and die in <br />
Aristotle’s works. Sweet Analytics, ‘tis thou hast ravished <br />
me. <br />
(picks up book and opens, reads)<br />
“To argue well is the end of logic.” Is to dispute well <br />
logic’s chiefest end? Affords this art no greater miracle? <br />
Then read no more, thou hast attained the end; a greater <br />
subject fitteth Faustus’ wit. Seeing where the philosopher <br />
leaves off, there the physician begins.” Be a physcian, <br />
Faustus, heap up gold, and be immortalised for some wondrous <br />
cure. “The end of physic is our body’s health. Why, Faustus, <br />
hast thou not attained that end! Yet art thou still Faustus <br />
and a man. Couldst thou make men to live eternally, or, being <br />
dead, raise them to life again, then this profession were to <br />
be esteemed. Physic, farewell, -- where is Justinian?<br />
(takes law book, reads)<br />
“If one and the same thing is bequeathed to two persons one <br />
gets the thing and the other the value of the thing.” A <br />
pretty case of paltry legacies!<br />
(reads)<br />
“A father cannot disinherit the son except, etc.” Such is the <br />
subject of the Institute and universal Body of the Law, It’s <br />
study fits a mercenary drudge, who aims at nothing but <br />
external trash; too servile and illiberal for me. When all is <br />
done, divinity is best; Jerome’s Bible, Faustus, view it well.<br />
(takes bible, reads)<br />
“The reward of sin is death.” Ha! That’s hard.<br />
(reads)<br />
“If we say that we have no sin we deceive ourselves, and <br />
there’s no truth in us.” Why then, belike we must sin, and so <br />
consequently die. Ay, we must die an everlasting death. What <br />
doctrine call you this, “Che sera sera?" Divinity, adieu.<br />
<br />
He pushes the books off his desk, stands. He ponders the bookcases.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
These metaphysics of magicians and necromantic books are <br />
heavenly.<br />
<br />
He takes a book from the shelf, looks through it.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Lines, circles, scenes, letters and characters, ay, these are <br />
those that Faustus most desires.<br />
(sits with book)<br />
Oh what a world of profit and delight, of power, of honour, <br />
of omnipotence is promised to the studious artisan! Here, <br />
Faustus, try thy brains to gain a deity.<br />
(reads, beat)<br />
Wagner!<br />
<br />
Beat. Enter WAGNER.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Commend me to my dearest friend, Cornelius Agrippa; request <br />
him earnestly to visit me.<br />
<br />
WAGNER<br />
I will, sir.<br />
<br />
He exits.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
His conference will be a greater help to me than all my <br />
labours, plod I never so fast.<br />
<br />
He sits again, picks up 2 hand puppets - The GOOD ANGEL and the EVIL ANGEL.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS-GOOD ANGEL<br />
O Faustus, lay that damned book aside, and gaze not on it, <br />
lest it tempt thy soul, and heap Gods heavy wrath upon thy <br />
head. Read, read the scriptures, that is blasphemy.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS-EVIL ANGEL<br />
Go forward, Faustus, in that famous art, wherein all nature's <br />
treasury is contained. Be thou on earth as Jove is in the sky, <br />
lord and commander of these elements. <br />
<br />
Puts puppets aside.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
How am I glutted with conceit of this? Shall I make spirits <br />
fetch me what I please, resolve me of all ambiguities, <br />
perform what desperate enterprise I will? I'll have them <br />
fly to India for gold, ransack the Ocean for orient pearl,<br />
and search all corners of the new found world for pleasant <br />
fruits and princely delicates; I'll have them read me <br />
strange philosophy, and tell the secrets of all foreign <br />
kings; I'll have them wall all Germany with brass, and <br />
make swift Rhine circle faire Wertenberg; I'll have them <br />
fill the public schools with silk, wherewith the students <br />
shall be bravely clad; I'll levy soldiers with the coin <br />
they bring, and chase the Prince of Parma from our land,<br />
and reign sole king of all our provinces; yea, stranger <br />
engines for the brunt of war then was the fiery keel at <br />
Antwarpe's bridge, I'll make my servile spirits to invent.<br />
<br />
<br />
DISSOLVE TO: <br />
<br />
<br />
Stage set: The same<br />
<br />
Faustus reading. Wagner leads in CORNELIUS AGRIPPA and VALDES. <br />
Faustus rises, crosses to greet him. Wagner exits.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Come, Cornelius, and make me blest with your sage conference. <br />
Valdes, sweet Valdes, Cornelius, know that your words have won <br />
me at the last to practise magic and concealed arts: yet not <br />
your words only, but mine own fantasy that will receive no <br />
object, for my head but ruminates on necromantic skill. <br />
<br />
Wagner enters with three goblets. Faustus takes them, giving one to <br />
Cornelius, and one to Valdes.<br />
<br />
CORNELIUS<br />
Then tell me, Faustus, what shall you want?<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Philosophy is odious and obscure, both law and physic are <br />
for petty wits; divinity is basest of the four, unpleasant, <br />
harsh, contemptible, and vile: ‘tis magic, magic, that <br />
hath ravished me.<br />
(beat)<br />
Then, gentle friend, aid me in this attempt; and I will be <br />
as cunning as Agrippa is,<br />
(indicates Cornelius)<br />
whose shadows make all Europe honour him.<br />
<br />
CORNELIUS<br />
Faustus, these books, thy wit, and experience shall make <br />
all nations canonise us. The spirits of every element <br />
shall always be serviceable to us; like lions shall they <br />
guard us when we please; sometimes like women or unwedded <br />
maids, shadowing more beauty in their airy brows than have <br />
the white breasts of the queen of love; and fetch the <br />
treasure of all foreign wracks, ay, all the wealth that <br />
our forefathers hid within the massy entrails of the earth, <br />
if learned Faustus will be resolute.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Cornelius, as resolute am I in this as thou to live; <br />
therefore object it not.<br />
<br />
CORNELIUS<br />
The miracles that magic will perform will make thee vow to <br />
study nothing else. He that is grounded in astrology, <br />
enriched of tongues, as well seen in minerals, hath all <br />
the principles magic doth require. Then doubt not, Faustus, <br />
but to be renowned, and more frequented for this mystery <br />
than heretofore the Delphian Oracle.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Oh this cheers my soul! Come show me some demonstrations <br />
magical, that I may conjure in some lusty grove, and have <br />
these joys in full possession.<br />
<br />
VALDES<br />
Then get thee to some solitary grove, and bear wise Bacon’s <br />
and d’Abano’s works, and whatsoever else is requisite I will <br />
inform thee ere our conference cease.<br />
<br />
CORNELIUS<br />
Valdes, first know the words of art; and then, all other <br />
ceremonies learned, Faustus may try his cunning by himself.<br />
<br />
VALDES<br />
First I’ll instruct him in the rudiments, and then wilt he be <br />
perfecter than thou.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Then come and dine with me, and we’ll canvas every aspect <br />
therefore; for I’ll conjure though I die therefore.<br />
<br />
<br />
CUT TO: <br />
<br />
<br />
Some of the survivors are watching the proceedings from seats. Others have <br />
gone back to whatever they weren't doing before. <br />
<br />
<br />
CUT TO: <br />
<br />
<br />
Two survivors - 1ST MAN and 2ND MAN - watching with befuddlement. <br />
<br />
1ST MAN<br />
What the fuck is this?<br />
<br />
2ND MAN<br />
Hell if I know!<br />
<br />
Two looks to one side as Wagner comes and sits by them.<br />
<br />
1ST MAN<br />
Hey now, you, what's this all about?<br />
(indicates stage)<br />
<br />
WAGNER<br />
God in heaven knows.<br />
<br />
2ND MAN<br />
(leaning forward and looking at him)<br />
What, don't you know?<br />
<br />
WAGNER<br />
Yes, I know, but that follows not.<br />
<br />
1ST MAN<br />
Stop joking and tell us what's going on.<br />
<br />
WAGNER<br />
That follows not necessary by force of argument, that you <br />
being licentiate should stand upon't, therefore acknowledge <br />
your error, and be attentive.<br />
<br />
2ND MAN<br />
What?! Didn't you just say you knew?<br />
<br />
WAGNER<br />
Have you any witness on't?<br />
<br />
1ST MAN<br />
Yes, sir, I heard you.<br />
<br />
WAGNER<br />
Ask my fellow if I be a thief.<br />
<br />
2ND MAN<br />
(irritated)<br />
So you won't tell us?<br />
<br />
WAGNER<br />
Yes sir, I will tell you, yet if you were not dunces you <br />
would never ask me such a question, for are not we corpus <br />
naturale, and is not that mobile, then wherefore should you <br />
ask me such a question? But that I am by nature phlegmatic, <br />
slow to wrath, and prone to lechery (to love, I would say), <br />
it were not for you to come within forty foot of the place of<br />
execution, although I do not doubt to see you both hang'd the <br />
next sessions. Thus having triumphed over you, I will set my <br />
countenance like a precision, and begin to speak thus: truly <br />
my dear brethren, my master is within <br />
(indicates stage)<br />
at dinner with Valdes and Cornelius, as this wine if it could <br />
speak, <br />
(holds up empty bottle)<br />
it would inform your worships, and so the Lord bless you, <br />
preserve you, and keep you my dear brethren, my dear brethren. <br />
<br />
Wagner rises and crosses back to the aisle. One and Two look at each other <br />
dumbfounded.<br />
<br />
1ST MAN<br />
I think we've fallen in with damned actors!<br />
<br />
2ND MAN<br />
Weird stranger for sure. But we should go tell Rector and see <br />
about getting rid of them.<br />
<br />
1ST MAN<br />
Oh, I fear nothin' will get rid of them.<br />
<br />
2ND MAN<br />
Well, we can try.<br />
<br />
<br />
CUT TO:<br />
<br />
<br />
Stage lights set as a grove at midnight. Enter Faustus.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
(as he picks a spot, draws a circle about him, <br />
and symbols upon it)<br />
Faustus, begin thine incantations, and try if devils will <br />
obey thy hest, seeing thou has prayed and sacrificed to them. <br />
Within this circle is Yahweh’s name, forward and backward <br />
anagrammatised, figures of every adjunct to the Heavens, and <br />
characters of signs and erring stars, by which the spirits <br />
are enforced to rise: then fear not, Faustus, but be resolute, <br />
and try the uttermost magic can perform. <br />
<br />
He stands in the center of the circle, him arms spread out.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS (CONT'D)<br />
(recites)<br />
Sint mihi Dei Acherontis propitii! Valeat numen triplex <br />
Jehovae! Ignei airii, aquatani spiritus, terra! Beelzebub, <br />
inferni monarcha, et Demogorgon, proitiamus VOS, Ut appareat <br />
et surgat Mephostophiles.<br />
(beat)<br />
Why dost thou delay?<br />
(recites)<br />
Per Jehovam, Gehennam, et consecratum aquam quam nunc spargo, <br />
signumque crucis quod nunc facio, et per vota nostra, ipse <br />
nunc surgat nobis dicatus Mephostophiles!<br />
<br />
Enter Mephostophiles in devilish form (shadow projection).<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
(averting his eyes, on the verge of panic)<br />
I charge thee to return and change thy shape: thou art too <br />
ugly to attend on me. Go, and return an old Franciscan friar; <br />
that holy shape becomes a devil best.<br />
<br />
Mephostophiles exits.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Now, Faustus, thou art conjurer laureat, for indeed thou hast <br />
power in the image of thy brother Mephostophiles.<br />
<br />
Enter Mephostophiles as a priest [in a mirror].<br />
<br />
MEPHOSTOPHILES<br />
Now, Faustus, what wouldst thou have me to do?<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
I charge thee wait upon me whilst I live, to do whatever <br />
Faustus shall command.<br />
<br />
MEPH.<br />
I am a servant to great Lucifer, and may not follow thee <br />
without his leave.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Did not he charge thee to appear to me?<br />
<br />
MEPH.<br />
No, I came hither of mine own accord.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Did not my conjuring speeches raise thee?<br />
<br />
MEPH.<br />
That was the cause, for the shortest cut for conjuring is <br />
stoutly to abjure Christian doctrine, and pray to the Devil.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
So Faustus hath already done. Go bear these tidings to great <br />
Lucifer: Say Faustus surrenders up to him his soul, so he <br />
will spare him four and twenty years, letting him live in all <br />
voluptuousness; having thee ever to attend no me; to give me <br />
whatsoever I demand, to slay mine enemies, and aid my friends, <br />
always be obedient to my will. Go and return to mighty <br />
Lucifer, and meet me in my study at midnight, and then <br />
resolve me of thy master’s mind.<br />
<br />
MEPH.<br />
I will, Faustus.<br />
<br />
Meph. exits.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Had I as many souls as there be stars, I’d give them all for <br />
Mephostophiles. Now that I have obtained what I desire, I’ll <br />
live in speculation of this art till Mephostophiles return <br />
again.<br />
<br />
<br />
CUT TO:<br />
<br />
<br />
Corner of the balcony, where a WOMAN dressed in myriad of rags, and make-up<br />
very overdone sits organizing more pieces of clothing. Wagner sidles up to <br />
her.<br />
<br />
WAGNER<br />
Sirrah, boy, come hither.<br />
<br />
WOMAN<br />
How, boy? Damn boy! I hope you have seen many boys with such <br />
pickings as I have. Boy, what?<br />
<br />
WAGNER<br />
Tell me, sirrah, hast thou any comings in?<br />
<br />
WOMAN<br />
Ha, and goings out too, you may see.<br />
<br />
WAGNER<br />
Alas poor slave. See how poverty jesteth in his nakedness. <br />
The villain is bare, and out of service, and so hungry that I <br />
know he would glue his soul to the Devil for a shoulder of <br />
mutton, though it were blood raw.<br />
<br />
WOMAN<br />
How my soul to the devil for a shoulder of mutton though <br />
blood raw? Not so. By your Lady, I would need it well roasted, <br />
and good sauce too, if I pay so high.<br />
<br />
WAGNER<br />
Well, wilt thou serve me, and I'll make thee go like Qui mihi <br />
discipulus?<br />
<br />
WOMAN<br />
How, in verse?<br />
<br />
WAGNER<br />
No, sirrah, in beaten silk and stavesacre.<br />
<br />
WOMAN<br />
(taken aback)<br />
How, how, stakers? Hey, I thought that was all his father <br />
left him. Do ya hear? I would be sorry to rob you of your <br />
living.<br />
<br />
WAGNER<br />
Sirrah, I say in stavesacre.<br />
<br />
WOMAN<br />
Ah-ha! Ah-ha! Staves acre! Why, then be like if I were your <br />
man I should be full of vermin.<br />
<br />
WAGNER<br />
So thou shalt, whether thou beest with me, or no. But sirrah, <br />
leave your jesting, and bind your self presently unto me for <br />
seven years, or I'll turn all the lice about thee into <br />
familiars, and they shall tear thee in pieces.<br />
<br />
WOMAN<br />
Do you hear sir? You may save that labour; they are too <br />
familiar with me already. Damn, they are as easy with my <br />
flesh as if they had paid for it.<br />
<br />
WAGNER<br />
Well, do you hear sirrah? Hold, take these guilders.<br />
<br />
He holds out his closed hand. She extends her open hand towards him, and he <br />
deposits a number of coins into her palm.<br />
<br />
WOMAN<br />
Gridirons? What are they?<br />
<br />
WAGNER<br />
Why, french crowns.<br />
<br />
WOMAN<br />
Meh, but for the name of french crowns, and what should I do<br />
with these?<br />
<br />
WAGNER<br />
Why, now, sirrah, thou art at an hour's warning, whensoever<br />
or wheresoever the devil shall fetch thee.<br />
<br />
WOMAN<br />
(handing them back)<br />
No, no. Here, take your gridirons again.<br />
<br />
WAGNER<br />
Truly I'll none of them.<br />
<br />
WOMAN<br />
Truly but you shall.<br />
<br />
WAGNER<br />
Bear witness I gave them him.<br />
<br />
WOMAN<br />
Bear witness I give 'em back.<br />
<br />
WAGNER<br />
Well, I will cause two devils presently to fetch thee away <br />
Baliol and Belcher.<br />
<br />
WOMAN<br />
(getting feisty)<br />
Let your Ballyhoo and your Belcher come here, and I'll knock<br />
'em out, were never so knocked. Say I should kill one of 'em, <br />
what would folks say? Do ya see over there tall fella in the <br />
floppy pants, he has killed the devil, so I should be called <br />
Kill-devil all over. <br />
<br />
Wagner, via magic trick, throws up two "devils", and the Woman runs around <br />
crying. <br />
<br />
WAGNER<br />
Baliol and Belcher, spirits away!<br />
<br />
WOMAN<br />
What, are they gone? A vendetta on 'em; they have nasty long<br />
nails. There was a he-devil and a she-devil. I'll tell you <br />
how you shall know them: all he-devils has horns, and all <br />
she-devils has goats feet.<br />
<br />
WAGNER<br />
Well, sirrah, follow me.<br />
<br />
WOMAN<br />
But do you hear? If I should serve you, would you teach me to <br />
raise up Bollywood and Belvedere?<br />
<br />
WAGNER<br />
I will teach thee to turn thy self to anything, to a dog, or <br />
a cat, or a mouse, or a rat, or any thing.<br />
<br />
WOMAN<br />
How! A Christian to a dog or a cat, a mouse or a rat? No, no <br />
sir, if you turn me into any thing, let it be in the likeness <br />
of a little pretty flea, that I may be here and there and <br />
every where. Oh, I'll tickle the pretty boys blankets; I'll <br />
be amongst them, I will.<br />
<br />
WAGNER<br />
Well, sirrah, come.<br />
<br />
WOMAN<br />
But, do you hear?<br />
<br />
WAGNER<br />
How! Baliol and Belcher.<br />
<br />
WOMAN<br />
Oh Lord, I beg you, let Banio and Bleecher go to sleep.<br />
<br />
WAGNER<br />
Villain, call me Master Wagner, and let thy left eye be <br />
diametrically fixed upon my right heel, with quasi vestigias <br />
nostras insistere. <br />
<br />
He walks away. <br />
<br />
WOMAN<br />
God forgive me, he speaks such fusty. Well, I'll follow him, <br />
I'll serve him, that's fat. <br />
<br />
She follows. <br />
<br />
<br />
CUT TO: <br />
<br />
<br />
Stage: Faustus’ study. Faustus at his desk, reading.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Now, Faustus, must thou needs be damned, and canst thou not <br />
be saved. What boots it then to think of God or Heaven? Now <br />
go not backward; no, Faustus, be resolute. Why waverest thou? <br />
0, something soundeth in mine ears: “Abjure this magic, turn <br />
to God again!” To God? -- he loves thee not -- the God thou <br />
servest is thine own appetite. <br />
<br />
He picks up the Good Angel and Evil Angel puppets.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS-GOOD ANGEL<br />
Sweet Faustus, leave that execrable art.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Contrition, prayer, repentance: what of them?<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS-GOOD ANGEL<br />
Oh, they are means to bring thee unto heaven.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS-EVIL ANGEL<br />
Rather illusions, fruits of lunacy, that makes men foolish <br />
that do trust them most.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS-GOOD ANGEL<br />
Sweet Faustus ,think of heaven, and heavenly things.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS-EVIL ANGEL<br />
No, Faustus, think of honor and wealth.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Of wealth.<br />
(puts puppets down, muses) <br />
When Mephostophiles shall stand by me, what God can hurt thee, <br />
Faustus? Thou art safe; cast no more doubts. Come, <br />
Mephostophiles, and bring glad tidings from great Lucifer. <br />
Veni, veni, Mephostophiles!<br />
<br />
Meph. enters. Faustus rises.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Now tell me, what says Lucifer thy lord?<br />
<br />
MEPH.<br />
That I shall wait on Faustus whilst he lives, so he will buy <br />
my service with his soul.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Ay, Mephostophiles, I give it thee.<br />
<br />
MEPH.<br />
But, Faustus, thou must bequeath it solemnly, and write a <br />
deed of gift with thine own blood.<br />
<br />
Faustus picks up a knife off the desk, cuts his palm.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Lo, Mephostophiles, for love of thee, I cut mine hand, and <br />
with my proper blood assure my soul to be great Lucifer’s.<br />
<br />
MEPH.<br />
But, Faustus, thou must write it in manner of a deed of gift.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Ay, so I will.<br />
<br />
He takes a piece of parchment, picks up a pen and writes.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
(tries unsuccessfully to use blood as ink)<br />
But, Mephostophiles, my blood congeals, and I can write no <br />
more.<br />
(looking at his hand)<br />
What might the staying of my blood portend? Is it unwilling I <br />
should write this bill? Is not thy soul thine own? Then write <br />
again, Faustus gives to thee his soul.<br />
<br />
Faustus tries again to write. Meph. flashes a flame from hand.<br />
<br />
MEPH.<br />
Here’s fire.<br />
(presses hand against Faustus’ wound)<br />
Come, Faustus, set it on.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
So now the blood begins to clear again; now will I make an <br />
end immediaely.<br />
(reads as writes)<br />
I, Georg von Helmstetter, Doctor Faustus, do publicly declare <br />
with mine own hand in covenant and by power of these presents:<br />
(Meph. circles around as he continues)<br />
Whereas, mine own spiritual faculties having been exhaustively <br />
explored, including the gifts dispensed from above and <br />
graciously imparted to me, I still cannot comprehend. And <br />
whereas, it being my wish to probe further into the matter, I <br />
do propose to speculate upon the Elementa; and whereas <br />
mankind doth not teach such things. Now therefore have I <br />
summoned the spirit who calleth himself Mephostophiles, a <br />
servant of Great Lucifer, charged with informing and <br />
instructing me, and agreeing against a promissory instrument <br />
hereby transferred unto him to be subservient and obedient to <br />
me in all things. I do promise him in return that, when I be<br />
fully sated of that which I desire of him, twenty-four years <br />
also being past, ended and expired, he may at such a time and <br />
in whatever manner or wise pleaseth him order, ordain, reign, <br />
rule and possess all that may be mine: body, property, flesh, <br />
blood, etc., herewith duly bound over in eternity and <br />
surrendered by covenant in mine own hand by authority and <br />
power of these presents, as well as of my mind, brain, intent, <br />
blood and will. I do now defy all human laws, all the <br />
Christian dogma and all restriction, and this must be. In <br />
confirmation and contract whereof I have drawn out mine own <br />
blood for certification in lieu of a seal. Doctor Faustus, <br />
the Adept in Elementa and in Church Doctrine.<br />
<br />
MEPH.<br />
Speak, Faustus, dost thou deliver this as thy deed?<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Ay, take it, and the Devil give thee good on it.<br />
<br />
MEPH.<br />
Now, Faustus, ask what thou wilt.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Let me have a wife. The fairest maid in Germany, for I am<br />
wanton and lascivious, and cannot live without a wife.<br />
<br />
MEPH.<br />
How -- a wife? I prithee, Faustus, talk not of a wife. <br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Nay, sweet Mephistophilis, fetch me one, for I will have one.<br />
<br />
MEPH.<br />
Well, thou wilt have one. Sit there, I'll fetch thee a wife <br />
in the devil's name.<br />
<br />
Mephistophilis crosses to wings, from which he brings forth a WITCH <br />
[Lilith?].<br />
<br />
MEPH.<br />
Marriage is but a ceremonial toy. I’ll cull thee out the <br />
fairest courtesans, and bring them every morning to thy bed; <br />
she whom thine eye shall like, thy heart shall have.<br />
<br />
Faustus glowers lasciviously. Meph. laughs, causing Faustus to look <br />
uncertain. The witch backs into the wings, an evil smirk on her face. <br />
Beat. Meph. pulls out a book.<br />
<br />
MEPH.<br />
(handing him the book)<br />
Here, Faustus, take this book, persue it thoroughly: the iterating <br />
of these lines brings gold.<br />
<br />
Faustus peruses the book.<br />
<br />
MEPH.<br />
(pointing in book)<br />
The framing of this circle on the ground brings whirlwinds,<br />
tempests, thunder and lightning.<br />
<br />
Faustus turns more pages. Meph. stops him.<br />
<br />
MEPH.<br />
Pronounce this thrice devoutly to thyself, and men in armour shall <br />
appear to thee, ready to execute what thou desirest.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Thanks, Mephostophiles; yet fain would I have a book wherein I might <br />
behold all spells and incantations, that I might raise up spirits <br />
when I please.<br />
<br />
MEPH.<br />
(indicates book)<br />
Here they are, in this book.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
(nodding, looking though book)<br />
Now would I have a book where I might see all characters and planets<br />
of the heavens, that I might know their motions and dispositions.<br />
<br />
MEPH.<br />
(turning pages)<br />
Here they are too.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Nay, let me have one book more -- and then I have done -- wherein I <br />
might see all plants, herbs, and trees that grow upon the earth.<br />
<br />
MEPH.<br />
(pressing finger firmly on book)<br />
Here they be.<br />
<br />
Faustus looks satisfied.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Now will I question thee about hell. Tell me where is the place that <br />
men call hell?<br />
<br />
MEPH.<br />
(bored)<br />
Under the heavens.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Ay, but whereabouts?<br />
<br />
MEPH.<br />
Within the bowels of these elements. Hell hath no limits, nor is <br />
circumscribed in one self place; for where we are is hell, and where <br />
hell is there must we ever be. And, to conclude, when all the world<br />
dissolves, and every creature shall be purified, all places shall be<br />
hell that is not heaven.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Come, I think hell’s a fable.<br />
<br />
MEPH.<br />
Ay, think so still, till experience change thy mind.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Why, thinkest thou then that Faustus shall be damned?<br />
<br />
MEPH.<br />
(amused)<br />
Ay, of necessity, for here’s the scroll wherein thou hast given thy<br />
soul to Lucifer.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Ay, and body too; but what of that? Thinkest thou that Faustus is so <br />
foolish to imagine that, after this life, there is any pain? Tush, <br />
these are trifles, and mere old wives’ tales. But, leave these vain <br />
trifles of men’s souls. Tell me, what is that Lucifer, thy lord?<br />
<br />
MEPH.<br />
Commander of the lower spirits.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Was not that Lucifer an angel once?<br />
<br />
MEPH.<br />
(amused)<br />
Yes, Faustus... and most dearly loved of God.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
How comes it then that he is Prince of devils?<br />
<br />
MEPH.<br />
0, by aspiring pride and insolence; for which he fell from the face <br />
of heaven.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
And what are you that you live with Lucifer?<br />
<br />
MEPH.<br />
Spirits that fell with Lucifer.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Where are you damned?<br />
<br />
MEPH.<br />
In hell.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
How comes it then that thou art out of hell?<br />
<br />
MEPH.<br />
Why this is hell, nor am I out of it. Think’st thou that I who sored <br />
in the heavens, am not tormented with ten thousand hells, in being <br />
chained to this rock? 0 Faustus, leave these frivolous demands, for <br />
thy soul may not withstand such force.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
What, is great Mephostophiles so passionate for being deprived of <br />
the joys of heaven?<br />
(beat)<br />
Tell me who made the world?<br />
<br />
MEPH.<br />
I will not.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Sweet Mephostophiles, tell me.<br />
<br />
MEPH.<br />
Move me not, for I will not tell thee.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Villain, have I not bound thee to tell me anything?<br />
<br />
MEPH.<br />
Think thou on hell, Faustus, for thou art damned.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Think, Faustus, upon God that made the world.<br />
<br />
Faustus crosses to his desk and sits, brooding. Meph. merely looks on.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
My heart’s so hardened I cannot repent. Scarce can I name salvation,<br />
faith, or heaven, but fearful echoes thunder in mine ears.<br />
(beat)<br />
Why should I die? Or basely despair?<br />
(standing)<br />
Come, Mephostophiles, let us dispute again, and argue of divine <br />
astrology. Tell me, are there many heavens above the moon? Are all <br />
celestial bodies but one globe, as is the substance of this centric <br />
earth?<br />
<br />
MEPH.<br />
As are the elements, such are the spheres mutually folded in each <br />
other’s orb, whose terminine is termed the Universum.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
But tell me, have they all one motion, both in direction and in <br />
time?<br />
<br />
MEPH.<br />
All jointly move in circular poles, but differ in their motion of <br />
time.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Tush, these are freshman’s suppositions. But tell me, hath every <br />
sphere a dominion?<br />
<br />
MEPH.<br />
Ay.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
How many heavens, or spheres, are there?<br />
<br />
MEPH.<br />
Many: the planets round the sun, the sun with other suns and others <br />
like to make up the Universe. And beyond.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
(looking puzzled)<br />
Well, resolve me in this question: why have we not conjunctions, <br />
oppositions, aspects, eclipses, all at one time, but in some years <br />
we have more, in some less?<br />
<br />
MEPH.<br />
On account of their unequal motion in relation to the whole.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
(bewildered)<br />
Well, I am answered.<br />
<br />
Faustus turns away, brooding.<br />
<br />
MEPH.<br />
Remember this...<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Ay, go, accursed spirit, to ugly hell. ‘Tis thou has damned <br />
distressed Faustus’ soul.<br />
(to himself)<br />
Is’t not too late?<br />
<br />
He picks up the angel puppets by the heads, not being playful this time.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
(shaking evil angel)<br />
Too late. If thou repent, devils shall tear thee in pieces.<br />
(shaking good angel)<br />
Never too late, if Faustus can repent.<br />
(holding up evil angel)<br />
If thou repent, devils shall tear thee in pieces.<br />
(holding up good angel)<br />
Repent, and they shall never raze thy skin.<br />
(looking heavenward)<br />
Ah, Christ, my saviour, seek to save distressed Faustus’ soul.<br />
<br />
Enter godly beings, LUCIFER (a huge metal head w/fire) and BEELZEBUB (a giant woman of <br />
wood).<br />
<br />
LUCIFER<br />
Christ will not save thy soul, there’s none but I have interest in the<br />
same.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
0, who art thou that look'st so terrible?<br />
<br />
LUCIFER<br />
I am Lucifer, and this is my companion in hell.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
O, Faustus! They are come to fetch away thy soul.<br />
<br />
BEELZEBUB<br />
We come to tell thee thou dost injure us; <br />
Thou talkst of Christ, contrary to thy promise. <br />
Thou shouldst not think of God: think of the devil, <br />
And of his dame too. <br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Nor will I henceforth: pardon me in this,<br />
And Faustus vows never to look to heaven,<br />
Never to name God, or to pray to him,<br />
To burn his scriptures, slay his Ministers,<br />
And make my spirits pull his churches down.<br />
<br />
LUCIFER<br />
Do so, and we will highly gratify thee. <br />
Faustus, we are come from hell to show thee <br />
the delights therein.<br />
<br />
Re-enter the witch, dances about Faustus. The devils move into shadow.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
What art thou?<br />
<br />
WITCH<br />
(swelling)<br />
I am Pride.<br />
<br />
She prances as if on parade. Faustus looks bewildered.<br />
<br />
WITCH<br />
(grabbing at his book)<br />
I am Covetousness, begotten of an old churl.<br />
<br />
Faustus pulls away, protecting his book.<br />
<br />
WITCH<br />
(enraged)<br />
I am Wrath. I was born in hell; and look to it, for some of you <br />
shall be my father.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
(confused)<br />
Away to hell, to hell!<br />
<br />
The Witch crosses to him.<br />
<br />
WITCH<br />
(pulling and sniffing at his clothes)<br />
I am Envy. I cannot read, and therefore wish all books were burnt. I <br />
am lean with seeing others eat.<br />
<br />
She turns away, hugging her stomach.<br />
<br />
WITCH<br />
I am Gluttony.<br />
(imploring sweetness)<br />
Faustus, wilt thou bid me to supper?<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
No, I’ll see thee hanged: thou wilt eat up all my victuals.<br />
<br />
WITCH<br />
(sullen)<br />
Then the Devil choke thee!<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Choke thyself, glutton!<br />
<br />
The Witch languors.<br />
<br />
WITCH<br />
I am Sloth.<br />
(as she lays upon the floor)<br />
I was begotten on a sunny bank, where I have lain ever since.<br />
<br />
She falls asleep. Faustus leans over her. She reaches an arm up around his <br />
neck, lasciviously.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
(nervously)<br />
What are you now, Mistress Minx?<br />
<br />
WITCH<br />
Who, I, sir? The first letter of my name begins with L.<br />
<br />
She licks his face, he jumps back, she laughs, looking seductive. Meph.<br />
steps forward.<br />
<br />
MEPH.<br />
Tell me, Faustus, how dost thou like thy wife?<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
(insensed)<br />
A plague on her for a hot whore!<br />
<br />
The Witch rises, crosses to Faustus, caressing him; he succumbs, they kiss <br />
passionately. Wagner pulls a curtain across, giving the audience a knowing <br />
look. He then looks behind it, enjoying the show. Pause. When he drops the <br />
curtain, Faustus is alone, lying on his back, dishevelled. Wagner exits.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS
When I behold the heavens, then I repent, and curse thee, wicked<br />
Mephostophiles, because thou hast deprived me of those joys.<br />
<br />
MEPH.<br />
Why, Faustus, thinkest thou heaven is such a glorious thing?<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
(rising)<br />
If it were made for man, ‘twas made for me.<br />
(halfheartedly)<br />
I will renounce this magic, and repent.<br />
<br />
The puppets of GA & EA rise on their own.<br />
<br />
GOOD ANGEL <br />
Faustus, repent; Yet God will pity thee.<br />
<br />
EVIL ANGEL<br />
Thou art a spirit; God cannot pity thee.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Who buzzeth in mine ears I am a spirit? Be I a devil, yet God may <br />
pity me; Ay, God will pity me, if I repent.<br />
<br />
EVIL ANGEL<br />
Ay, but Faustus never shall repent. <br />
<br />
The puppets drop.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
My heart's so hardened I cannot repent.<br />
Scarce can I name salvation, faith, or heaven,<br />
But fearful echoes thunder in mine ears <br />
Faustus, thou art damned. Then swords and knives,<br />
Poison, guns, halters, and envenomed steel<br />
Are laid before me to dispatch my self,<br />
And long ere this I should have slain my self,<br />
Had not sweet pleasure conquered deep despair.<br />
Have not I made blind Homer sing to me,<br />
Of Alexander's love, and Oenon's death,<br />
And hath not he that built the walls of Thebes,<br />
With ravishing sound of his melodious harp,<br />
Made music with my Mephistophilis?<br />
Why should I die then, or basely despair?<br />
I am resolved: Faustus shall never repent,<br />
<br />
<br />
FADE TO:<br />
<br />
<br />
CU of Faustus.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Learned Faustus, to know the secrets of astronomy, graven in the <br />
book of Jove’s high firmament, did mount himself to scale Olympus’ <br />
top, being seated in a chariot burning bright, drawn by the <br />
strength of yoky dragons’ necks. He now is gone to prove <br />
cosmography, and will first arrive at Rome, to see the Pope and <br />
manner of his court, and take some part of holy Peter’s feast, <br />
that to this day is highly solemnised.<br />
<br />
<br />
DISSOLVE TO:<br />
<br />
<br />
Stage set: The Pope’s privy-chamber. Enter Faustus and Meph.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Having now, my good Mephostophiles, passed the stately town of <br />
Treves, environed round with airy mountain-tops. From Paris next, <br />
coasting the realm of France; we saw the river Maine fall into the <br />
Rhine, then up to Naples, rich Campania, where saw we learned <br />
Virgil’s golden tomb. From thence to Venice, Padua, and the rest. <br />
Thus hitherto has Faustus spent his time. But tell me, now, what <br />
resting-place is this? Hast thou, as erst I did command, conducted <br />
me within the walls of Rome?<br />
<br />
MEPH.<br />
Faustus, I have; and because we will not be unprovided, I have taken <br />
up his holiness’ privy-chamber for our use.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
I hope his holiness will bid us welcome.<br />
<br />
MEPH.<br />
Tut, ‘tis no matter, man, we’ll be bold with his good cheer.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
I do long to see the monuments and situation of bright-splendent <br />
Rome. Come therefore, let’s away.<br />
<br />
MEPH.<br />
Nay, Faustus, stay; I know you’d see the Pope, and take some part <br />
of holy Peter’s feast, where thou shalt see a troop of bald-pate <br />
friars, whose summum bonum is in belly-cheer.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Well, I’m content to compass then some sport, and by their folly <br />
make us merriment. Then charm me, Mephistophiles, that I may be <br />
invisible, to do what I please unseen of any whilst I stay in Rome.<br />
<br />
Meph. waves his arms towards Faustus, bringing them down from head to foot.<br />
<br />
MEPH.<br />
So, Faustus, now do what thou wilt, thou shalt not be discerned.<br />
<br />
Faustus pulls out a pope marionette, dances about with him, waving his hands <br />
in front of his face, gleefully enjoying his invisibility. The Pope looks <br />
around him in confusion. Faustus kicks the Pope, who cries out, and starts <br />
running around the room, with Faustus in hot pursuit. The Pope runs out. <br />
Faustus stops, laughing.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Come, Mephistophiles, what shall we do?<br />
<br />
MEPH.<br />
Nay, I know not. We shall be cursed with bell, book, and candle.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
How! Bell, book, and candle -- candle, book, and bell, forward and <br />
backward to curse Faustus to hell! Anon you shall hear a hog grunt, <br />
a calf bleat, and an ass bray, because it is St. Peter’s holiday.<br />
<br />
Faustus laughs, as Meph. leads him out.<br />
<br />
<br />
CUT TO:<br />
<br />
<br />
CU of Faustus.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
When Faustus had with pleasure taken the view of rarest things, and <br />
royal courts of kings, he stayed his course, and so returned home; <br />
where his friends, and nearest companions, did gratulate his safety <br />
with kind words, and in their conference of what befell, touching <br />
his journey through the world and air, they put forth questions of <br />
Astrology, which Faustus answered with such learned skill, as they <br />
admired and wondered at his wit. Now is his fame spread forth in <br />
every land; amongst the rest the Emperor is one, Charles the Fifth, <br />
at whose palace now Faustus is feasted ‘mongst his noblemen. What <br />
there he did in trial of his art, I leave untold -- your eyes shall <br />
see performed.<br />
<br />
<br />
FADE TO: <br />
<br />
<br />
ROBIN, another survivor in tattered service uniform, enters alcove with <br />
portable TV set under her arm.<br />
<br />
ROBIN
Oh, this is great! I've stolen one of doctor <br />
Faustus' magic boxes, and I mean to search <br />
for my own use. Now will I make all in our parish <br />
dance at my pleasure, and so by that means I shall <br />
see more yet.<br />
<br />
Enter RALPH calling Robin.<br />
<br />
RALPH<br />
Robin, come away; there's a generous man <br />
[tarries] to have his whores, and he would have his <br />
thing rubbed and made clean. He keeps such a buggin' with<br />
my mistress about it, and has sent me to look for you. <br />
Please come. <br />
<br />
ROBIN<br />
Keep out, keep out, or else you are blown up; you <br />
are dismembered Ralph, keep out, for I am about a roaring <br />
piece of work. <br />
<br />
RALPH<br />
Come, what do you with that? You can't work it.<br />
<br />
ROBIN<br />
Yes, my master and mistress shall find that I can work it, <br />
he for his forehead, she for her private study; she's <br />
born to bear with me, or else my art fails.<br />
<br />
RALPH<br />
Why , Robin, what boX is that? <br />
<br />
ROBIN
What box? Why, the most intolerable box for <br />
magic that ever was invented by any devil.<br />
<br />
RALPH<br />
Can ya magic with it? <br />
<br />
ROBIN<br />
I can do all these things easily with it.<br />
<br />
Robin gets the TV to turn on. They both watch the following:<br />
<br />
Scene: a palatial court. Enter THE EMPEROR, FAUSTUS, a KNIGHT [and <br />
attendants]. <br />
<br />
EMPEROR<br />
Master Doctor Faustus, I have heard strange report of <br />
thy knowledge in the blacke art.<br />
(LAUGH TRACK)<br />
They say you have a familiar spirit, by whom you can <br />
accomplish what you want. This, therefore, is my request, <br />
that you let me see some proof of your skill, that my eyes<br />
may see what my ears have heard, and here I swear by my imperial <br />
crown, that whatever you do, you shall be no ways endangered.<br />
<br />
KNIGHT<br />
(sneering to camera)<br />
He looks much like a conjuror.<br />
<br />
Laugh track.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
My gracious sovereign, though I must confess <br />
myself far inferior to the report men have published, <br />
yet for that duty binds me unto your imperial majesty, <br />
I am content to do whatsoever your majesty shall command me.<br />
<br />
EMPORER<br />
Then, Doctor Faustus, as I was sometime solitary,<br />
thoughts arose about the honour of my ancestors, how <br />
they had won by prowess such exploits, got such riches, <br />
subdued so many kingdoms, as we that do succeed, or they <br />
that shall hereafter possess our throne, shall, I fear, never <br />
attain to that degree of high renown and great authority,<br />
amongst which kings is Alexander the great, chief <br />
spectacle of the world's preeminence.<br />
It grieves my soul I never saw the man.<br />
If, therefore, you, by cunning of your art,<br />
Can raise this man from hollow vaults below,<br />
And bring with him his beautiful paramour,<br />
You shall both satisfy my just desire,<br />
And give me cause to praise you while I live.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
My gracious Lord, I am ready to accomplish your <br />
request, so far forth as by art and power of my spirit I am <br />
able to perform. <br />
<br />
KNIGHT<br />
(to camera)<br />
In faith that's just nothing at all.<br />
<br />
Laugh track.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
But if your Grace allows, it is not in my ability to <br />
present before your eyes the true substantial bodies of those <br />
two deceased princes, which long since are consumed to dust.<br />
<br />
KNIGHT<br />
(to camera)<br />
Well, Master Doctor, now there's a sign of grace <br />
in you, when you will confess the truth. <br />
<br />
Laugh track.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
But such spirits as can lively resemble Alexander <br />
and his Paramour, shall appear before your Grace, in that <br />
manner that they best lived in, <br />
which I doubt not shall sufficiently content your imperial <br />
majesty. <br />
<br />
EMPORER<br />
Go to, Master Doctor, let me see them presently. <br />
<br />
KNIGHT<br />
Do you hear, Master Doctor? You bring Alexander and his <br />
paramour before the Emperor?<br />
<br />
Laugh track.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
How's that, sir?<br />
<br />
KNIGHT<br />
In faith, that's as true as Diana turned me to a stage.<br />
<br />
Laugh track.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
No, sir, but when Acteon died, he left the horns for <br />
you. <br />
(under his breath)<br />
Mephistophilis, be gone. <br />
<br />
Exit Mephistophilis. <br />
<br />
KNIGHT<br />
(annoyed)<br />
No, as you go to conjuring, I'll be gone. <br />
<br />
Exit Knight. <br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
I'll meet with you soon for interrupting me so. <br />
Here they are my gracious Lord. <br />
<br />
Enter Mephistophilis with Alexander and his paramour. The Emperor goes as if <br />
to embrace them. Faustus stops him.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
My gracious lord, you do forget yourself. These are but <br />
shadows, not substantial. <br />
<br />
EMPEROR<br />
Pardon me, my mind was so ravished with this sight of renown.<br />
(Laugh track)<br />
But, Faustus, since I may not speak to them<br />
I heard this Lady while she lived <br />
had a wart or mole in her neck. How shall I know whether <br />
it be so or no?<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Your highness may boldly go and see. <br />
<br />
The Emperor approaches cautiously and looks at her neck.<br />
<br />
EMPEROR<br />
Faustus, I see it plain, and this sight greatly pleases me.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
(under his breath)<br />
Away, be gone. <br />
<br />
Exit Alexander and his lady. <br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
If it please your highness now to send for the knight <br />
that was so pleasant with me here of late?<br />
<br />
EMPORER<br />
(to off camera)<br />
One of you call him forth. <br />
<br />
Enter the Knight with a pair of horns on his head.<br />
<br />
EMPORER<br />
How now, sir knight? Why I thought you were<br />
a bachelor, but now I see you have a wife, that <br />
not only gives you horns, but makes you wear them. <br />
<br />
Knight<br />
(feeling his head)<br />
You damned wretch, and execrable dog!<br />
How dare you thus abuse a gentleman?<br />
Villain, I say, undo what you have done.<br />
<br />
Laugh track.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Oh, not so fast sir; there's no haste; but, you <br />
remember how you crossed me in my conference with the <br />
Emperor? I think I have met with you for it.<br />
<br />
Laugh track.<br />
<br />
EMPEROR<br />
Good Master Doctor, at my entreaty release him; <br />
he has done sufficient penance.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
My Gracious Lord, not so much for the injury he <br />
offered me here in your presence, as to delight you with some <br />
mirth, hath Faustus worthily requited this injurious knight, <br />
which being all I desire, I am content to release him of his <br />
horns. <br />
(to the Knight)<br />
And, sir knight, hereafter speak well of scholars. <br />
(under his breath)<br />
Mephistophilis, transform him straight. <br />
<br />
Mephistophilis removes the horns.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Now my good Lord <br />
having done my duty, I humbly take my leave.<br />
<br />
EMPEROR<br />
Farewell, Master Doctor, yet before you go, expect <br />
from me a bountiful reward. <br />
<br />
Exit Faustus. <br />
<br />
<br />
CUT TO: <br />
<br />
<br />
Faustus musing. Wagner enters, runs up to Faustus.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
How now, Wagner, what’s the news with thee?<br />
<br />
WAGNER<br />
Sir, the Count of Anhalt doth earnestly entreat your company.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
The Count of Anhalt! An honourable gentleman, to whom I must be no <br />
niggard of my cunning. Come, let’s away to him.<br />
<br />
Faustus crosses back to desk, where toy theatre of court hall is peopled by<br />
figures the COUNT and COUNTESS OF ANHALT center. Faustus moves the figure of<br />
himself to them and greets them. The Count raises his goblet to Faustus. <br />
Faustus bows, then raises his arms, making gestures. Above the theatre <br />
appears the image of a grand castle. The Count and Countess marvel at it. <br />
<br />
<br />
LIGHTS SHIFT:<br />
<br />
<br />
Enter Wagner dragging along a dazed 4th SURVIVOR.<br />
<br />
WAGNER<br />
Master Doctor Faustus, since our conference about fair ladies, we <br />
have determined with ourselves that Helen of Greece was the <br />
admirablest lady that ever lived; therefore, Master Doctor, if you <br />
will do us that favour, as to let us see that peerless dame of Greece, <br />
whom all the world admires for majesty, we should think ourselves <br />
beholding unto you.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Sir, you shall behold that peerless dame of Greece, as when Paris <br />
crossed the seas with her, and brought the spoils to rich Troy. Be <br />
silent, then, for danger is in words. <br />
<br />
Faustus crosses to a draped mirror. He undrapes it, waves his hands in front <br />
of it, as the Survivor and Wagner watch. Smoke fills the mirror, then an image <br />
forms, Helen of Greece, in the distance. She slowly appoaches the mirror. She <br />
smiles at the three men. Then the image fades. The three men stand enraptured.<br />
<br />
WAGNER<br />
Too simple is my wit to tell her praise, whom all the world admires <br />
for majesty.<br />
(to the survivor)<br />
Since we have seen the pride of Nature’s works and only paragon of <br />
excellence, we’ll take our leave, and for this blessed sight happy <br />
and blest be Faustus evermore.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Sirs, farewell -- the same I wish to you.<br />
<br />
Wagner pushes survivor to exit. Faustus muses at the mirror. Beat. Wagner <br />
returns, putting on costume of a scholar, and holding mask.<br />
<br />
WAGNER<br />
An elderly gentleman wishes your attendance, sir.<br />
<br />
Faustus breaks from his reverie.<br />
<br />
WAGNER/OLD MAN<br />
(dons mask)<br />
O gentle Faustus, leave this damned art, this magic that will charm <br />
thy soul to hell, and quite bereave thee of salvation. Though thou <br />
hast now offended like a man, do not persevere in it like a devil. <br />
Yet, thou hast an amiable soul, if sin by custom grow not in nature. <br />
Then, Faustus, will repentance come too late; then thou art banished <br />
from the sight of heaven. No mortal can express the pains of hell. <br />
May be this my exhortation seems harsh and all unpleasant; let it not, <br />
for, gentle son, I speak it not in wrath or envy of thee, but in <br />
tender love and pity of thy future misery. And so have hope that this <br />
my kind rebuke, checking thy body, may amend thy soul.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
(fearful)<br />
Where art thou, Faustus? Wretch, what has thou done? Damned art thou, <br />
Faustus, damned; despair and die!<br />
<br />
WAGNER/OLD MAN<br />
Ah stay, good Faustus, stay thy desperate steps.<br />
I see an angel hovers ore thy head,<br />
And, with a vial full of precious grace,<br />
Offers to pour the same into thy soul.<br />
Then call for mercy and avoid despair.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
(recovers himself)<br />
Ah, my sweet friend, I feel thy words to comfort my distressed <br />
soul. Leave me a while to ponder on my sins.<br />
<br />
WAGNER/OLD MAN<br />
I go, sweet Faustus, but with heavy cheer, fearing the ruin of thy<br />
hopeless soul.<br />
<br />
He exits.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
(despairing)<br />
Accursed Faustus, where is mercy now? I do repent; and yet I do <br />
despair; hell strives with grace for conquest in my breast: what <br />
shall I do to shun the snares of death?<br />
<br />
Meph. enters.<br />
<br />
MEPH.<br />
Thou traitor, Faustus, I arrest thy soul<br />
For disobedience to my sovereign lord.<br />
Revolt, or I'll in piece-meal tear thy flesh.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Sweet Mephostophiles, entreat thy lord to pardon my unjust <br />
presumption. And with my blood again I will confirm my former vow <br />
I made to Lucifer.<br />
<br />
MEPH.<br />
Do it then quickly, with unfeigned heart, lest greater danger do <br />
attend thy drift.<br />
<br />
Faustus sits at the desk, picks up a dagger, cuts his hand, and writes upon <br />
paper.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
(reading what he writes)<br />
I, Doctor Georg Faustus, do declare in this mine own hand and blood: <br />
whereas I have truly and strictly observed my first instrumentum <br />
and pact for these nineteen years, in defiance of God and all <br />
mankind; and whereas, pledging body and soul, I therein did empower <br />
the mighty God Lucifer with full authority over me so soon as five <br />
more years be past; and whereas he hath further promised me to <br />
increase my days in death, thereby shortening my days in Hell, also <br />
not to allow me to suffer any pain; now therefore do I further <br />
promise him that I will never more heed the admonitions, teachings, <br />
scoldings, instructions or threats of fearful mankind; but <br />
particularly do I promise to heed no propagandist of religious dogma. <br />
In good faith and resolve contracted by these presents and in mine <br />
own blood, etc.<br />
<br />
He hands the paper to Meph.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Torment, sweet friend, that base and aged monk that durst dissuade <br />
me from thy Lucifer, with greatest torment that hell affords.<br />
<br />
MEPH.<br />
His faith is great, I cannot touch his soul,<br />
But what I may afflict his body with,<br />
I will attempt, which is but little worth.<br />
<br />
Faustus sits musing on the covered mirror. <br />
<br />
MEPH.<br />
What mayest I bring thee, Faustus?<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
One thing, good servant, let me crave of thee, to glut the longing <br />
of my heart’s desire, — that I might have unto my paramour that <br />
heavenly Helen, which I saw of late. Whose sweet embracings may <br />
extinguish clean these thoughts that do dissuade me from my vow,<br />
And keep mine oath I made to Lucifer.<br />
<br />
MEPH.<br />
Faustus, this or what else thou shalt desire shall be performed in <br />
twinkling of an eye.<br />
<br />
Meph. crosses to the mirror, removes the cover. Faustus looks. Helen stands <br />
in the mirror, with open arms.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
(crossing to the mirror)<br />
Was this the face that launched a thousand ships and burnt the <br />
topless towers of Ilium?<br />
(pressing his face to the glass)<br />
Sweet Helen, make me immortal with a kiss.<br />
(kisses her)<br />
Her lips suck forth my soul. See where it flies! Come, Helen, come, <br />
give me my soul again. Here will I dwell, for heaven is in these <br />
lips, and all is dross that is not Helena. None but thou shalt be <br />
my paramour.<br />
<br />
He embraces the mirror as if a person. <br />
<br />
<br />
CUT TO:<br />
<br />
<br />
CU of Wagner, with ventriloquist dummy.<br />
<br />
WAGNER<br />
(to camera)<br />
I think my master shortly means to die, for he hath given to me all <br />
his goods; and yet, methinks, if that death were so near, he would <br />
not banquet and carouse and swill amongst the students, as even now <br />
he doth, who are at supper with such belly-cheer as Wagner never <br />
beheld in all his life. See where they come! Belike the feast is <br />
ended.<br />
<br />
<br />
CUT TO:<br />
<br />
<br />
MS of Wagner. Faustus crosses to him. <br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Ah, gentle friend!<br />
<br />
WAGNER<br />
What ails Faustus?<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Ah, my sweet chamber-fellow! Had I lived with <br />
thee, then had I lived still, but now I die eternally. Look, <br />
comes he not? Comes he not?<br />
<br />
WAGNER<br />
What means Faustus?<br />
(to dummy)<br />
Belike he is grown into some sickness by being over solitary.<br />
If it be so, we'll have physicians to cure him; 'tis but a surfeit. <br />
(back to Faustus)<br />
Never fear man.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
A surfeit of deadly sin that hath damned both body and soul.<br />
<br />
WAGNER<br />
Yet, Faustus, look up to heaven; remember God's mercies are <br />
infinite.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
But Faustus' offense can never be pardoned: <br />
the serpent that tempted Eve may be saved, <br />
but not Faustus. Ah, gentlemen, hear me with patience, <br />
and tremble not at my speeches, though my heart pants and <br />
quivers to remember that I have been a student here these <br />
thirty years. O, would I had never seen Wertenberg, never <br />
read book. And what wonders I have done, all Germany <br />
can witness, yea all the world, for which Faustus hath lost <br />
both Germany, and the world, yea heaven itself, heaven the <br />
seat of God, the throne of the blessed, the kingdom of joy, <br />
and must remain in hell for ever, hell, ah, hell for ever! Sweet <br />
friends, what shall become of Faustus, being in hell for ever?<br />
<br />
WAGNER/DUMMY<br />
(working the dummy)<br />
Yet, Faustus, call on God.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
On God, whom Faustus hath abjured, on God, <br />
whom Faustus hath blasphemed. Ah, my God, I would <br />
weep, but the devil draws in my tears. Gush forth blood <br />
instead of tears. Yea, life and soul. Oh, he stays my tongue. <br />
I would lift up my hands, but, see, they hold them, they hold <br />
them.<br />
<br />
WAGNER<br />
Who Faustus?<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Lucifer and Mephistophiles. Ah friend! I gave them my soul for my <br />
cunning. <br />
<br />
WAGNER/DUMMY<br />
(working the dummy)<br />
God forbid.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
God forbade it indeed, but Faustus hath done it. <br />
For vain pleasure of four and twenty years, hath Faustus lost <br />
eternal joy and felicity. I writ them a bill with mine one blood; <br />
the date is expired, the time will come, and he will fetch Faustus.<br />
<br />
WAGNER<br />
Why did not Faustus tell us of this before, that <br />
divines might have prayed for thee?<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Oft have I thought to have done so, but the devil <br />
threatened to tear me in pieces if I named God, to fetch <br />
both body and soul, if I once gave ear to divinity. And <br />
now 'tis too late. Gentlemen, away, lest you perish with me.<br />
<br />
WAGNER/DUMMY<br />
(working dummy)<br />
O, what shall we do to Faustus?<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Talk not of me, but save yourselves, and depart.<br />
<br />
WAGNER/DUMMY<br />
(working dummy)<br />
God will strengthen me; I will stay with Faustus.<br />
<br />
WAGNER<br />
Tempt not God, sweet friend, but let us into the <br />
next room, and there pray for him.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Ay, pray for me, pray for me, and what noise soever <br />
ye hear, come not unto me, for nothing can rescue me.<br />
<br />
WAGNER<br />
Pray thou, and we will pray that God may have <br />
mercy upon thee.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Gentlemen, farewell. If I live 'til morning, I'll visit <br />
you, if not, Faustus is gone to hell.<br />
<br />
WAGNER<br />
(and dummy)<br />
Faustus, farewell.<br />
<br />
Exeunt Wagner. The clock strikes eleven. <br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Ah Faustus,<br />
Now hast thou but one bare hour to live,<br />
And then thou must be damned perpetually.<br />
Stand still you ever moving spheres of heaven,<br />
That time may cease, and midnight never come;<br />
Fair Nature's eye, rise, rise again, and make<br />
Perpetual day, or let this hour be but a year,<br />
A month, a week, a natural day,<br />
That Faustus may repent, and save his soul.<br />
O lente, lente, currite noctis equi.<br />
The stars move still, time runs, the clock will strike.<br />
The devil will come, and Faustus must be damned.<br />
O, I'll leap up to my God who pulls me down?<br />
See, see where Christ's blood streams in the firmament;<br />
One drop would save my soul, half a drop, ah, my Christ!<br />
Ah, rend not my heart for naming of my Christ,<br />
Yet will I call on him. Oh spare me, Lucifer!<br />
Where is it now? 'Tis gone,<br />
And see where God stretcheth out his arm,<br />
And bends his ireful brows.<br />
Mountains and hills, come, come and fall on me,<br />
And hide me from the heavy wrath of God.<br />
No no, then will I headlong run into the earth;<br />
Earth gape! O no, it will not harbour me.<br />
You stars that reigned at my nativity,<br />
Whose influence hath allotted death and hell,<br />
Now draw up Faustus like a foggy mist,<br />
Into the entrails of yon laboring cloud,<br />
That when you vomit forth into the air,<br />
My limbs may issue from your smoky mouths,<br />
So that my soul may but ascend to heaven.<br />
Ah, half the hour is past: <br />
(The clock strikes the half hour)<br />
'Twill all be past anon.<br />
Oh God, if thou wilt not have mercy on my soul,<br />
Yet for Christ's sake, whose blood hath ransomed me,<br />
Impose some end to my incessant pain;<br />
Let Faustus live in hell a thousand years,<br />
A hundred thousand, and at last be saved.<br />
O, no end is limited to damned souls.<br />
Why wert thou not a creature wanting soul?<br />
Or why is this immortal that thou hast?<br />
Ah, Pythagoras' metempsychosis, were that true, <br />
This soul should fly from me, and I be changed<br />
Unto some brutish beast. All beasts are happy, for when they die,<br />
Their souls are soon dissolved in elements,<br />
But mine must live still to be plagued in hell.<br />
Curst be the parents that engendered me.<br />
No, Faustus, curse thyself, curse Lucifer,<br />
That hath deprived thee of the joys of heaven. <br />
(The clock striketh twelve)<br />
O, it strikes, it strikes! Now, body, turn to air,<br />
Or Lucifer will bear thee quick to hell. <br />
(Thunder and lightning)<br />
O soul, be changed into little water drops,<br />
And fall into the ocean, ne'er be found.<br />
My God, my God, look not so fierce on me; <br />
<br />
A strange light comes from below. Some THING rises from the floor.<br />
<br />
FAUSTUS<br />
Adders, and serpents, let me breathe a while;<br />
Ugly hell gape not, come not Lucifer;<br />
I'll burn my books! <br />
(screams as he turns from what grabs him)<br />
Ah, Mephistophiles! <br />
<br />
As he cannot escape he turns to the substance that holds him, roars with <br />
defiance, and sinks into the floor. <br />
FADE TO BLACK.<br />
<br />
<br />
LIGHTS UP on Wagner. <br />
<br />
WAGNER<br />
Cut is the branch that might have grown full straight,<br />
And burned is Apollo's laurel-bough,<br />
That sometime grew within this learned man.<br />
Faustus is gone: regard his hellish fall,<br />
Whose fiendful fortune may exhort the wise,<br />
Only to wonder at unlawful things,<br />
Whose deepness doth entice such forward wits<br />
To practice more than heavenly power permits.<br />David M. Nevarrezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10611162634169815956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4748857387795129182.post-30591597023623555502016-08-26T19:12:00.003-07:002021-02-13T05:44:54.895-08:00Part One: "ICH BIN FAUSTUS"Georg,<br />
As our hero was christened,<br />
Was born on a farm<br />
Outside a small German town<br />
In the year of our Lord 1466.<br />
In other words,<br />
If you had any wit about you,<br />
You were bored out of your mind. <br />
Georg learned to read early,<br />
And loved it, <br />
Tho' books were scarce,<br />
As the printing press,<br />
And especially movable type,<br />
Had only recently been invented<br />
European style<br />
-Many said by the Devil-<br />
(The Chinese had had it for 400 years)<br />
And were mostly of a religious nature.<br />
For his 13th birthday<br />
A wealthy kinsman gifted him a<br />
Gutenberg Bible<br />
Which he read thoroughly<br />
For all it's drama, sex, and violence. <br />
As he got older,<br />
And less inclined to farm life,<br />
His wealthy kinsman,<br />
Being without issue,<br />
Sent him to the University at<br />
Heidelberg, <br />
Under the name Georgius Helmstetter,<br />
Where he excelled in Philosophy,<br />
So much so that he had to <br />
Wait a year for his degree.<br />
He fulfilled his two year teaching duty,<br />
Afterwhich, bored with stuffy academia,<br />
Coupled with an outbreak of plague, <br />
He took to the road<br />
As a wandering scholar.<br />
<br />
He spent a great deal of time<br />
In various taverns<br />
Having discovered his facility for<br />
Storytelling<br />
(He could really make shit up<br />
Which got him free drinks<br />
From his rapt listeners)<br />
Along his aimless trail,<br />
Mostly determined by that of<br />
The Black Death,<br />
He landed in Krakow,<br />
Where he studied Astrology<br />
At the Jagiellonian University,<br />
In order to expand his financial gain. <br />
(A common practice among scholars).<br />
Krakow was a new experience,<br />
Exciting,<br />
One of Europe's most important cities,<br />
Capital of the Kingdom of Poland,<br />
Which had formed a commonwealth with <br />
Lithuania.<br />
A very capitalist society,<br />
Powered by "landed aristocracy",<br />
Supplying most of Europe with grain,<br />
And a flourishing center of the <br />
Sciences and Arts.<br />
Well placed on the <br />
Vistula River,<br />
At the foot of<br />
Wawel Hill.<br />
Here he also met one<br />
Laurentius Dhur [or Durus]<br />
[(Known to legend as Pan Twardowski)]<br />
Seven years his junior,<br />
But well versed in various<br />
Divinations.<br />
And so Georg learned these<br />
As well.<br />
<br />
Passing thro' Koln<br />
He garnered some lectures<br />
At the university.<br />
Here he met a bright young student,<br />
Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa von Nettesheim<br />
(Later author of<br />
THREE BOOKS CONCERNING OCCULT PHILOSOPHY<br />
As well as being a physician,<br />
Legal scholar, soldier, spy, and theologian),<br />
Whom he befriended.<br />
Next he stopped in Gelnhausen<br />
Where the Abbot Johannes Trithemius,<br />
Whom Georg had heard about from <br />
Agrippa,<br />
Was also passing through.<br />
The Abbot was given one <br />
Of Georg's calling cards,<br />
Listing his abilities,<br />
Along with his newly adopted magician's name,<br />
Magister Georgius Sabellicus Faustus junior,<br />
A mouthful to be sure.<br />
Trithemius sent word that<br />
He desired to meet this magician,<br />
But Faustus did not share the <br />
Interest,<br />
And so travelled on to Wurzburg,<br />
Leaving Trithemius to return to<br />
His abbey in Speyer emptyhanded. <br />
<br />
Georg managed to acquire the post of<br />
Schoolmaster at Bad Kreuznach,<br />
After befriending the humanist knight<br />
Franz von Sickingen<br />
(A rather energetic fellow<br />
Who later joined with Ulrich von Hutten<br />
To use military might to bring on the <br />
Reformation).<br />
Life there was rather boring, however, <br />
The locals too dull witted for stories.<br />
On occasion he was invited to dine<br />
At von Sickingen's castle,<br />
Which was usually a convivial affair,<br />
With good food, good wine, and good conversation.<br />
(Von Sickingen had studied under<br />
The great philosopher-teacher<br />
Johannes Reuchlin<br />
So while being typical of knighthood<br />
In many ways<br />
Was not a complete dolt<br />
And even with some other guests of the<br />
"Righteous" variety<br />
There were plenty of topics discussed).<br />
He also became a mentor,<br />
In the old Greek tradition<br />
(In ancient Greece a promising youth<br />
Was mentored by an older,<br />
More experienced man,<br />
Which included sex),<br />
To one of his students,<br />
Kristoff Wagner,<br />
A clever and pretty lad,<br />
But this lead to trouble<br />
From a jealous priest,<br />
Who spread the accusation of <br />
Sodomy<br />
Though the "good" father himself<br />
Was far more guilty of,<br />
As Wagner was the only one<br />
Georg had relations with,<br />
But the local authorities,<br />
Being dullards quick to jump to, <br />
Our hero fled,<br />
Though his friend von Sickingen<br />
Sent a good word ahead to<br />
Johannes Virdung, in Heidelberg,<br />
Who then awaited the scholar,<br />
Which he wrote about to <br />
Trithemius,<br />
The latter's response being vitriolic<br />
Towards Faustus.<br />
However, Virdung paid no heed. <br />
<br />
Travelling South East<br />
Towards Heidelberg<br />
Faustus stopped at<br />
Worms<br />
Where he heard tell <br />
Of a former citizen<br />
A Qabalist named<br />
Abraham ben Simon<br />
Who had travelled <br />
Far and wide<br />
In search of truth<br />
Returning home to <br />
Settle down<br />
And died some more than<br />
Fifty years hence.<br />
In his bequest, <br />
So Faustus was told,<br />
He had left his son,<br />
Lemech,<br />
Amongst various sundry items<br />
His writings on things magical. <br />
Faustus sought a copy of<br />
Said writings<br />
To no avail.<br />
So he tried the<br />
Next Best Thing. <br />
Sneaking into the <br />
Jewish cemetery<br />
Heiliger Sand<br />
He, using information<br />
Gleaned<br />
Came to the gravesite <br />
Of Abraham<br />
And, at the midnight hour,<br />
Did conjure Abraham's spirit<br />
Using his necromantic skills.<br />
Abraham did answer<br />
The summons <br />
And so the two, <br />
Corporeal and ethereal,<br />
Set to converse on<br />
Spiritual topics.<br />
...<br />
<br />
Back in his old alma mater<br />
Dr. Faustus,<br />
As he was now known,<br />
Spent many hours<br />
With his new friend, <br />
Virdung, <br />
In the University's library, <br />
Diligently studying works on <br />
Alchemy. <br />
Faustus also met,<br />
And had an affair with,<br />
One of the students of theology<br />
And philosophy,<br />
A very bright boy of 20 years,<br />
Named Johann Faust.<br />
However, things were thrown<br />
Into turmoil<br />
Early in the year,<br />
With the death of Virdung's patron,<br />
Philipp "The Upright" von Wittelsbach,<br />
Elector of the Palatinate,<br />
Being succeeded by his son,<br />
Ludwig V, "The Pacific",<br />
Prompting Faustus to move on,<br />
Rather than risk expulsion. <br />
This time he traveled far,<br />
All the way to Paris,<br />
Writing a conjuring book<br />
Along the way.<br />
In Paris he had the book published<br />
With the help of his friend<br />
Cornelius Agrippa, <br />
With whom he discussed magic at length,<br />
Becoming, thro' him, involved with<br />
The court intrigues of <br />
The Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I,<br />
And joining up in an adventure,<br />
Wherein a small band seized<br />
The Fuerto Negro fortress<br />
At Catalonian Tarragon,<br />
To benefit Juanetin de Gerona,<br />
Who'd been ousted by a <br />
Peasant revolt,<br />
But also for de Gerona's loyalty<br />
To Maximilian. <br />
The band moved to Gerona's house at Villarodona,<br />
As the man himself headed to Barcelona<br />
For assistance, <br />
Only to be captured by rebels.<br />
Agrippa led his band to a more<br />
Secure tower, <br />
Just before a peasant force<br />
Lay siege.<br />
To get a message out for escape<br />
Cornelius had the tower keeper's <br />
Son dress as a leper,<br />
And he left and returned<br />
Unmolested, with an answer<br />
From the Archbishop of Tarragon,<br />
Who opposed the rebellion. <br />
So two fishing boats awaited<br />
The besieged, <br />
Carrying them away, <br />
After they snuck out the back way. <br />
<br />
Faustus headed off to join up <br />
With Sickingen, <br />
Who was joining Maximilian's faction<br />
Of the League of Cambrai,<br />
Which also included Papal forces, <br />
(Under Pope Julius II),<br />
Along with Louis XII of France,<br />
Ferdinand II of Aragon,<br />
And later other European powers,<br />
Against the Republic of Venice,<br />
Whom all felt had grown too powerful.<br />
This was Faustus' first sojourn<br />
Into warfare, <br />
And tho' he stayed out of the <br />
Fighting,<br />
He did observe the brutality,<br />
Bad strategies,<br />
And multiple side effects,<br />
Of this wasteful greed<br />
For power.<br />
He also wondered<br />
At the ill-thought out<br />
Warring amongst Christians<br />
While the Muhammadans<br />
Posed a constant threat<br />
In the East.<br />
Faustus had long been <br />
Skeptical of the Church<br />
With all it's machinations,<br />
Becoming even more so<br />
As the Pope engaged in<br />
Bloody conquest.<br />
Maximilian's force lay siege on <br />
Padua,<br />
Bombarding the walls<br />
With canon fire,<br />
From the 15th of September,<br />
Until the 30th, 1509,<br />
Never able to press any breach,<br />
Emptying his coffers in the balance.<br />
The Emperor withdrew to Tyrol<br />
With most of his forces,<br />
Leaving a small contingent<br />
Under the Duke of Anhalt,<br />
Faustus among the latter.<br />
This small Imperial force<br />
Was easily run off<br />
Two months later<br />
By Venetian troops.<br />
(Erasmus wrote his <br />
"Moriae Encomium" <br />
["The Praise of Folly"]<br />
That year, being inspired by all the<br />
Stupidity).<br />
<br />
Faustus was not ready to<br />
Leave Italy just yet,<br />
As much of the social changes,<br />
And re-acquired knowledge,<br />
The Renaissance in fact,<br />
Came out of there.<br />
With a small eclectic band of <br />
Fellow disillusioned wanderers<br />
He headed South<br />
All roads leading towards<br />
Rome,<br />
Plus being far away from the<br />
Continuing warring.<br />
Passing thro' Florence<br />
He acquired a copy of <br />
Agrippa's as yet unpublished<br />
OCCULT PHILOSOPHY,<br />
Which he read voraciously.<br />
In Rome, Faustus spent his time<br />
Regaling taveners with tales of<br />
War<br />
For wine and food,<br />
Drew horoscopes,<br />
Performed divinations,<br />
As well as saw all there was to <br />
See in the great city.<br />
Michelangelo's ceiling in the <br />
Sistine Chapel<br />
Was certainly a highlight,<br />
But he was also fascinated <br />
By the remnants of <br />
Ancient Rome.<br />
Tho' his minor Latin<br />
Helped understand some<br />
Italian,<br />
He had to rely heavily on other<br />
German pilgrims.<br />
When he learned that one,<br />
An Augustinian monk named<br />
Martin Luther,<br />
Was heading back to Wittenberg,<br />
Faustus begged along.<br />
<br />
A long journey, <br />
With stops in monasteries<br />
Along the way<br />
Made longer still by<br />
Luther's sullen silence<br />
Brother Martin having been<br />
Greatly dismayed<br />
By the debauchery<br />
And corruption of<br />
Holy Rome<br />
Only speaking briefly<br />
Now and then<br />
On how could this be<br />
The other brother<br />
Tried lamely<br />
To point out the wonders<br />
But Martin would none of it. <br />
<br />
As they were reaching the <br />
Northern part of the Romagna<br />
They passed the retreating <br />
Papal forces<br />
Headed by the warmongering <br />
Pope Julius II<br />
Lately routed from Bologna<br />
By the French, <br />
In league with Ferrara, <br />
And heading to Ravenna. <br />
Faustus decided on a detour,<br />
Weary of his travelling companions,<br />
Traversing to the city of<br />
Ferrara,<br />
To try his luck in a new locale.<br />
<br />
In the grand city<br />
He found the French generals<br />
Being feted by the Duchess,<br />
Who was none other than<br />
Lucrezia of the infamous<br />
Borgias,<br />
But retired for some years now<br />
To the side of her third husband<br />
Duke of Ferrara.<br />
Faustus found her a charming <br />
And gracious lady,<br />
Hardly the murderous wanton<br />
Of her legend. <br />
<br />
He spent some time there<br />
Pedalling his talents<br />
Before moving on,<br />
Wishing to return to German lands<br />
He passed through Venice<br />
Thro' subterfuge, <br />
As they were now in league with <br />
The Pope<br />
Against Ferrara<br />
And so the borderlands<br />
Were fraught with danger<br />
But as luck would have it<br />
The Battle of Ravenna<br />
Was building up<br />
Making individual passage<br />
Easily overlooked.<br />
In the great city of canals<br />
He gathered a large crowd<br />
With his promise of a <br />
Demonstration of flight.<br />
From the clock tower<br />
In the Piazza San Marco<br />
Built at the turn of the century.<br />
Faustus waved to his audience<br />
Prepared for his flight,<br />
Which consisted of projecting his image<br />
Via a "Fontana's Lantern"<br />
(Invented nearly a century before<br />
By Giovanni Fontana),<br />
Which worked fine,<br />
Except for a slight mishap,<br />
Which ended with Faustus<br />
Falling from his perch.<br />
However, the throngs believed<br />
That he had flown,<br />
Before falling back to Earth<br />
- Dashed down by the Devil,<br />
As was later told,<br />
And surviving with little injury<br />
Made the people marvel all the more. <br />
<br />
Faustus continued his Northerly<br />
Wandering<br />
Maintaining his food and <br />
Alcohol intake<br />
With his various skills<br />
And tales of warfare.<br />
In the Autumn of<br />
1513<br />
He landed in Erfurt<br />
And set up shop.<br />
There were fellow malcontents<br />
Such as the Humanists<br />
Crotus Rubeanus<br />
And Eobanus Hessus<br />
As well as visiting Swiss physician<br />
Philippus Aureolus Theophrastus Bombastus<br />
Von Hohenheim<br />
Come to be known simply as <br />
Paracelsus<br />
Just 20 at the time<br />
But would be a leader in the <br />
Medicinal revolution.<br />
Faustus also soon was <br />
Making enemies<br />
Such as Conrad Mutianus Rufus,<br />
Canon of the Church of St. Mary's<br />
At Gotha,<br />
And friend of Trithemius,<br />
And who denounced Faustus <br />
In letters<br />
Calling for the theologians<br />
To rise against him<br />
As opposed to their attacks on <br />
The Humanist philosopher<br />
Johannes Reuchlin.<br />
(Luther had left for <br />
Wittenberg<br />
By this time,<br />
So he was no worry).<br />
Faustus secured permission<br />
To lecture publicly on <br />
Homer<br />
At the University<br />
For which he became so <br />
Popular<br />
The students called upon him <br />
To use his well-known art<br />
To conjure up the heroes of the<br />
Trojan War, <br />
To which the Doctor agreed.<br />
Acquiring some covert help<br />
And employing the "Fontana's lantern"<br />
Which he'd brought from Venice. <br />
The show was a resounding success<br />
Especially the appearance of <br />
Polyphemus the cyclops.<br />
With human legs dangling from <br />
His mouth,<br />
And well timed banging<br />
Simulating the giant's spear<br />
Being hammered on the floor,<br />
Scaring may of the spectators.<br />
<br />
At a subsequent banquet<br />
Held for the commencement of masters,<br />
During a discussion on the lost<br />
Comedies of Plautus and Terence,<br />
Faustus feigned quotations from<br />
The same and<br />
Offered, if not held against him,<br />
To bring them to light again,<br />
Just long enough to be copied quickly.<br />
But the theologians, and councillors too,<br />
Rejected the offer<br />
For fear the Devil<br />
Would interject<br />
Offensive things.<br />
<br />
Faustus also spent much time<br />
In the Haus zum Enker<br />
Owned by one Wolf von Denstedt<br />
And frequented by humanists<br />
Such as Crotus Rubeanus<br />
And Helios Eobanus Hessus,<br />
As well as students,<br />
Where he also met<br />
Paracelsus, <br />
When he visited that town. <br />
Faustus regailed his<br />
Drinking comrades<br />
With tales of his adventures. <br />
<br />
Faustus had a very successful<br />
Experiment with greenhousing<br />
Inviting his friends and nobles<br />
For a summery banquet in <br />
The dead of Winter<br />
Which did amaze<br />
Even the learned. <br />
<br />
At this time also<br />
Faustus made frequent trips to<br />
Prague<br />
A prime destination for<br />
Alchemists<br />
Plus he had a brother in <br />
The Jesuit Seminary at the <br />
Klementinum<br />
Whom he would visit secretly<br />
(Visitors being forbidden)<br />
It was during one of these visits<br />
That his companions in the <br />
Zum Encker<br />
Voiced missing their boistrous friend<br />
One jokingly calling out to<br />
Faustus to return<br />
Followed by a knock at the door<br />
When a servant who answered<br />
Told the company it was none other<br />
Than Faustus himself<br />
Saying he had been called<br />
Said company was incredulous<br />
But another knock at the door<br />
Enticed Junker Denstedt to<br />
Accompany his servant to the door<br />
And sure enough Faustus entered<br />
Saying he was heeding the call<br />
Of his friends to appear<br />
The Junker asked how he returned<br />
So quickly<br />
To which Faustus answered<br />
His horse was for such purpose<br />
But he had to be back in <br />
Prague by morning<br />
Faustus had his servant bring some<br />
Special wine<br />
(He'd sent on ahead)<br />
Which he freely shared amongst<br />
His friends<br />
And they all drank<br />
Till the witching hour<br />
At which point Faustus took his leave<br />
Tricking the revellers into <br />
"Seeing" him rise into the air on<br />
His horse<br />
His servant working his <br />
"Fontana's Lantern"<br />
Faustus himself concluding his first successful<br />
Long range astral projection. <br />
<br />
When Faustus returned from his<br />
Latest sojourn to Prague<br />
(This time in the flesh)<br />
He feted his comrades at<br />
St. Michael's<br />
Making a show of it<br />
As was his wont<br />
This feast going down in<br />
Legend<br />
Gathering embellishments<br />
(As with so many of his tricks)<br />
Along the way<br />
<br />
About this time there was <br />
Unrest in Wurttemberg<br />
Due to Duke Ulrich's<br />
Excessive lifestyle<br />
Which strained the treasury.<br />
When the Duke planned a<br />
Campaign against the <br />
Duchy of Burgundy<br />
Instead of cutting his expenses<br />
He raised taxes on the serfs.<br />
In Stuttgart and Tubingen<br />
The citizens refused to pay<br />
Prompting the Duke to impose<br />
An excise on meat, wine, and fruit.<br />
This, coupled with crop failures<br />
Harmed the small farmers,<br />
And hiked food prices.<br />
Ulrich, being a pampered<br />
And entitled idiot<br />
Then reduced the unit of measurement<br />
To cheat the buying public.<br />
As protest Peter GaiB of Beutelsbach<br />
Carried out a "trial by ordeal"<br />
Throwing the new weights in the <br />
Rems River at GroBheppach, <br />
They sank, as expected.<br />
Tho' the Duke backed down<br />
This time,<br />
There were further riots<br />
Encouraged by GaiB and <br />
A town priest named<br />
Rainhard Gaißlin<br />
Well-armed Ducal troops came<br />
And occupied the <br />
Rems Valley<br />
1700 of the remaining rebels<br />
Being tortured, imprisoned, and<br />
Their leaders beheaded.<br />
Fines were taken,<br />
As well as rights. <br />
David M. Nevarrezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10611162634169815956noreply@blogger.com0