Online Library of Liberty: The Works of Christopher Marlowe vol. 1 Portable Library of Liberty

John Wright and are to be sold at Christ-church gate. 1609, This edition agrees in
almost every particular with the preceding. Its readings are reported in Wagner's
edition (1877). The third 4to., which contains some scenes wholly re-written and
others printed for the first time, was published in 1616 with the following title:— The
Tragicall History of the Life and Death of Doctor Faustus. Written by Ch. Marl.
London, Printed for John Wright, and are tt be sold at his shop without A'ewgate, at
the signe of the Bible, 1616. In the Introduction I have discussed fully the origin of
these changes and additions. Other 4tos. agreeing in the main with ed. 1616 appeared
in 1620,1624, and 1631. In 1663 the play was issued once more in 4to. (with a very
corrupt text).
I have followed the text of the first 4to., recording the reading of the later 4105. where
it seemed necessary. In all cases where I have adopted a later reading, the text of the
edittoso princeps is given in a footnote. I have printed in an Appendix the scenes that
were re-cast or added in ed. 1616; but where the changes and additions are not
extensive, they are given in the footnotes. As Dr. Faustus is a series of dramatic
scenes rather than a regular drama, I have made a division merely into scenes—not
into acts and scenes. The same arrangement has been adopted in Professor Ward's
edition.
Online Library of Liberty: The Works of Christopher Marlowe vol. 1
PLL v6.0 (generated September, 2011)
224
http://oll.libertyfund.org/title/1687

---

[Back to Table of Contents]
PERSONS REPRESENTED.
THE POPE.
CARDINAL OF LORRAIN. EMPEROR OF GERMANY. DUKE OF VANHOLT.
FAUSTUS.
WAGNER, Servant to FAUSTUS. Clown. ROBIN. RALPH.
Vintner, Horse-Courser, Knight, Old Man, Schokrs, Friars, and Attendants.
DUCHESS OF VANHOLT.
LUCIFER.
BELZEBUB.
MEPHISTOPHILIS.
Good Angel.
Evil Angel.
The Seven Deadly Sins.
Devils.
The Spirits representing ALEXANDER THE GREAT and
his Paramour, and HELEN of Troy. Chorus.
Online Library of Liberty: The Works of Christopher Marlowe vol. 1
PLL v6.0 (generated September, 2011)
225
http://oll.libertyfund.org/title/1687

---

10
20
[Back to Table of Contents]
THE TRAGICAL HISTORY OF DOCTOR FAUSTUS.
Enter CHORUS.
C
HORUS
.
Not marching now in fields of Trasymene,
Where Mars did mate
1
the Carthaginians;
Nor sporting in the dalliance of love,
In Courts of Kings where state is overturned;
Nor in the pomp of proud audacious deeds,
Intends our Muse to vaunt
2
his
3
heavenly verse:
Only this, gentlemen,—we must perform
The form of Faustus' fortunes, good or bad;
To patient judgments we appeal our plaud,
And speak for Faustus in his infancy.
Now is he born, his parents base of stock,
In Germany, within a town called Rhodes;
1
Of riper years to Wertenberg
2
he went,
Whereas his kinsmen chiefly brought him up.
So soon he profits in Divinity,
The
3
fruitful plot of scholarism graced,
That shortly he was graced with Doctor's name,
Excelling all whose sweet delight disputes
In heavenly matters of Theology;
Till swollen with cunning, of a self-conceit,
His waxen wings did mount above his reach,
And, melting, Heavens conspired his overthrow;
For, falling to a devilish exercise,
And glutted now
4
with learning's golden gifts,
He surfeits upon cursèd Necromancy.
Nothing so sweet as Magic is to him,
Which he prefers before his chiefest bliss.
And this the Man that in his Study sits!
[Exit.
Online Library of Liberty: The Works of Christopher Marlowe vol. 1
PLL v6.0 (generated September, 2011)
226
http://oll.libertyfund.org/title/1687

---

10
20
30
[Back to Table of Contents]
SCENE I.
FAUSTUS discovered in his Study.
F
AUST
.
Settle thy studies, Faustus, and begin To sound the depth of that thou wilt
profess;
Having commenced be a Divine in show,
Yet level at the end of every Art,
And live and die in Aristotle's works.
Sweet Analytics, 'tis thou hast ravished me,