Classic Literature
The Tragical History of Doctor FaustusScene 9

Scene IX

Enter Robin and Ralph with a silver goblet.
Robin Come, Ralph: did not I tell thee, we were forever made by this Doctor Faustus’ book? ecce signum, here’s a simple purchase57 for horsekeepers; our horses shall eat no hay as long as this lasts.
Ralph But, Robin, here comes the vintner.
Robin Hush! I’ll gulldeceive or trick him supernaturally.
Enter Vintner.
Drawer, I hope all is paid: God be with you; come, Ralph.
Vintner Soft, sir; a word with you. I must yet have a goblet paid from you, ere you go.
Robin I a goblet, Ralph; I a goblet! I scorn you, and you are but a58 etc. I, a goblet! search me.
Vintner I mean so, sir, with your favour. Searches Robin.
Robin How say you now?
Vintner I must say somewhat to your fellow. You, sir!
Ralph

Me, sir! me, sir! search your fill. Vintner searches him. Now, sir, you may be ashamed to burden honest men with a matter of truth.

Vintner Well, t’one of you hath this goblet about you.
Robin You lie, drawer, ’tis afore me Aside. Sirrah you, I’ll teach you to impeach honest men;⁠—stand by;⁠—I’ll scour you for a goblet!⁠—stand aside you had best, I charge you in the name of Belzebub. Look to the goblet, Ralph Aside to Ralph.
Vintner What mean you, sirrah?
Robin I’ll tell you what I mean. Reads from a book. Sanctobulorum Periphrasticon⁠—Nay, I’ll tickle you, vintner.⁠—Look to the goblet, Ralph. Aside to Ralph.
Reads. Polypragmos Belseborams framanto pacostiphos tostu, Mephistopheles, etc.
Enter Mephistopheles, sets squibssmall fireworks at their backs, and then exit. They run about.
Vintner O, nomine Domini! what meanest thou, Robin? thou hast no goblet.
Ralph Peccatum peccatorum! Here’s thy goblet, good vintner. Gives the goblet to Vintner, who exit.
Robin Misericordia pro nobis! What shall I do? Good Devil, forgive me now, and I’ll never rob thy library more.
Reenter Mephistopheles.
Mephistopheles

Monarch of hell, under whose black survey
Great potentatespowerful rulers do kneel with awful fear,
Upon whose altars thousand souls do lie,
How am I vexed with these villains’ charms?
From Constantinople am I hither come
Only for pleasure of these damned slaves.

Robin How, from Constantinople! You have had a great journey: will you take sixpence in your purse to pay for your supper, and begone?
Mephistopheles Well, villains, for your presumption, I transform thee into an ape, and thee into a dog; and so begone!
Exit.
Robin How, into an ape! that’s brave! I’ll have fine sport with the boys. I’ll get nuts and apples enow.
Ralph And I must be a dog.
Robin I’faith, thy head will never be out of the pottage pot.
Exeunt.
Contents
Editor’s Note1 minDramatis Personae1 minChorus1 minScene 15 minScene 22 minScene 34 minScene 43 minScene 56 minScene 66 minScene 74 minScene 82 minScene 92 minScene 104 minScene 113 minScene 121 minScene 131 minScene 144 minScene 151 minScene 164 minEndnotes8 min
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