Faustus Read Online Free

appears
.)
    FAUSTUS: … one moment. Here’s a worthy adversary, which is to say, companion … godlike, makes matter dissipate, the savant smile with content…
    (
The
FRIEND
comes over to
FAUSTUS
and whispers to him
.)
    FAUSTUS: Yes, aid her. With thanks.
    (
The two exit, leaving
FAUSTUS
and the
MAGUS .)
    FAUSTUS: With the one word. You win me to your cause, I abjure philosophy and embrace prestidigitation. Where do we part? Each utters a meaningless phrase to allow the mass to ascribe to them a power not their own. In your case, thaumaturgy, in mine, wisdom. Another effect. (
The
MAGUS
takes out a large silk
) No—improvise …
    MAGUS: Direct me.
    FAUSTUS: Cure me my autumn cold.
    MAGUS: Are you unwell?
    FAUSTUS: But with the change of season.
    MAGUS: Take to your bed, and meditate upon a yellow light.
    FAUSTUS: Shall I be thus cured?
    MAGUS: Within the quarter hour. But you in no event must allow your mind freedom from this curative fluorescence. One tenth, one twentieth second of impertinence, the cure is null. And the disease shall worsen.
    FAUSTUS: Unto death?
    MAGUS: Unless your will be of the strongest, I would forgo the test.
    FAUSTUS: Physician-philosopher. May we suppose your powers have no end?
    MAGUS: Try me.
    FAUSTUS: What is the engine of the world?
    MAGUS: The engine of the world’s regret.
    FAUSTUS: Then, as you are a magus, proof me from it.
    MAGUS: Here is a sovereign talisman against regret: never do that which might engender it.
    FAUSTUS: Oh, best of magicians. Are you then skilled to banish all disruption?
    MAGUS: Sir, on the instant.
    (
The
MAGUS
prepares to perform a magical pass
.)
    (
The
WIFE
enters
.)
    MAGUS: Watch here.
    WIFE: Faustus.
    FAUSTUS: Of course. Sir: with my apologies, to stunt your effect.
    MAGUS: Your servant.
    FAUSTUS: And here take my leave—but with the one question.
    MAGUS: Please …
    FAUSTUS: Where is the newspaper?
    MAGUS: Sir, it is gone.
    FAUSTUS: Can matter be annihilated?
    MAGUS: Alas.
    FAUSTUS: No, but reveal me the trick.
    MAGUS: My revelation could not bring delight.
    FAUSTUS: May I not judge?
    MAGUS: In my profession, as in yours, that given free must be despised.
    FAUSTUS: Indeed?
    MAGUS: It is the one sure, certain law of life.
    FAUSTUS: Name me your forfeit.
    MAGUS: Your respect, for I am asked to do that which can but cause disillusion.
    FAUSTUS: You have my respect. I swear it.
    MAGUS: (
The
MAGUS
magically produces the newspaper.) Ecco:
    ( FAUSTUS
takes the newspaper
.)
    FAUSTUS: But this is not the gazette. The page is blank …
    WIFE: The child is unwell.
    FAUSTUS: He is but overset.
    WIFE: Yes.
    FRIEND: Must we annul the entertainment?
    WIFE: Come with me now, Faustus. Enough.
    FAUSTUS: One moment, while I close with the jester. (
To
FRIEND ) Would you fetch my purse?
    FRIEND :
( AS HE HANDS
FAUSTUS
a purse
) Here is mine.
    FAUSTUS :
( AS HE HANDS A SHEET OF PAPER TO HIS
FRIEND ) Thank you, please, and be so good as to return this page to my manuscript. You remark, it is the final page …
    FRIEND: … great honor.
    FAUSTUS: Go with my wife. Do not fret for the child. Surfeit must be released. Heavy air weighs on the lungs, the storms discharge it.
    (
The
FRIEND
exits
.)
    FAUSTUS :
( TO THE
MAGUS ) Maestro, my pardon. Take this (
Of the purse
), and with my thanks, I would not for the world release you, but as you perceive …
    MAGUS: Servant, sir.
    FAUSTUS: I pray but for the restoration of the gazette.
    MAGUS: I beg your pardon?
    FAUSTUS: Where is the journal?
    MAGUS: Sir, it is vanished.
    FAUSTUS: Quite. But where? Shall I turn my back?
    MAGUS: Sir, I have made the incantation, and the component atoms of the subject article …
    FAUSTUS: Indeed, then, I must class myself with those who, doubtless, importune you to reveal the secrets of your worthy craft.
    MAGUS: Would you, again, sir, trade delight for disillusionment … ?
    FAUSTUS: I do not seek delight, but restoration. I require the journal.
    MAGUS: Sir, I am at a stand.
    FAUSTUS: Sir: did