Faustus Read Online Free Page B

Wood, oh, Magus. From this dark wood. From loneliness, my brother. Oh, poor souls—who would begrudge us our self-pity—alone empowered, are we not?
    MAGUS: Are we, sir?
    FAUSTUS: Possessors of that Secret Knowledge. And unable to discharge the burden.
    MAGUS: To the which end, the paired oxen must pull together.
    FAUSTUS: There you are, my friend. A meeting in the dark wood. For it doth turn a burden, now and then …
    MAGUS: In any pursuit…
    FAUSTUS: I would imagine, the uncertainty, the need to please …
    MAGUS: Recurring, periodic self-doubt, sir, as we, increasing, master the few tricks, and, daily, doubt their worth.
    FAUSTUS: You speak, sir, for the company. (
Pause
)
    MAGUS: Who drives your figure?
    FAUSTUS: Eh?
    MAGUS: You speak of the oxen, and their cart… who is it directs them?
    FAUSTUS: Ah, yes, whom may we say? Who is the goad?
    MAGUS: Perhaps, the family …
    FAUSTUS: The family.
    MAGUS: Perhaps one toils for their comfort, their safety and education.
    FAUSTUS: Perhaps.
    MAGUS: Is it not so?
    FAUSTUS: Though, oft in our secret selves, we indict them, do we not?
    MAGUS: Indict them, you say, sir?
    FAUSTUS: For their claim upon us.
    MAGUS: A legitimate claim.
    FAUSTUS: How much the more oppressive?
    MAGUS: When is a man content?
    FAUSTUS: I ask you. When may one be content? When work, and admiration, family, fame, nay, and
posterity
continually importune for acknowledgment. What poor conflicted souls. Who falsely name their pursuit “liberty ”
    MAGUS: What is its secret name? (
Pause
)
    FAUSTUS: Revenge. Those with whom I contend, are phantoms. Those I instruct fools, or e’er either to avoid, or e’er applaud the obvious. I fear failure, I sicken of success, my sinews set in the mold in which work has stiffened them. I am unfitted even to unbend. I beg thee, brother, purge my soul of its self-content, show me the upper world, and I will follow. Poor, petted Faustus implores thee.
    MAGUS: I scarce know how to take you, sir.
    FAUSTUS: No, no, induct me. Blister my flesh upon the candle, cause me to proffer oaths.
    MAGUS: What oaths?
    FAUSTUS: Whate’er is traditional…
    (
Offstage cries are heard
.)
    MAGUS: The child cries.
    FAUSTUS: Its cries will cease. Shrive me. Bid me renounce th’ immaterial world. I regret my preferment and beg for the chance to begin anew.
    MAGUS: Ah: That is a plea I recognize.
    FAUSTUS: Then pity me. Ultimate physician.
    MAGUS: Another bears that name.
    FAUSTUS: Perhaps you are his servant?
    MAGUS: All are within his thrall.
    FAUSTUS: Indeed?
    MAGUS: Is there not said to be salvation?
    FAUSTUS: Who returns to demonstrate it? (
Pause
) What powers shall we importune?
    MAGUS: I cede to you the choice.
    FAUSTUS: Teach me a trick.
    MAGUS: I shall reveal a trick, in fact, the greatest of illusions: (
The
MAGUS
prepares to perform a magical flourish
.)
    (
The
FRIEND
appears
.)
    FRIEND: Faustus.
    MAGUS: … Behold.
    FRIEND: Your wife sends to summon you.
    FAUSTUS: It is the child.
    FRIEND: It is.
    MAGUS: May all its trials be transient.
    FAUSTUS: It cries from excitement. It cries for a bruise at play. Its cries are sweet, for it may be comforted.
    FRIEND: Your wife bids you attend immediately. (
Pause
) Faustus.
    FAUSTUS :
( TO THE
MAGUS ) Sir, I would not for the world, again, offend you. But, as you see. Sadly, as you see.
    MAGUS: Of course.
    FAUSTUS: (
To the
FRIEND ) I come on the instant. (
The
FRIEND
exits. To the
MAGUS ) My thanks, sir, from the heart, for your companionship. I forestall, until that day, the renewed delight of our continued brotherhood.
    MAGUS: You asked to be taught a trick.
    FAUSTUS: I must plead a postponement.
    MAGUS: E’en to discover the most complete effect?
    FAUSTUS: I do not doubt your skill. Howe’er, my duties abrogate even your power, O Magus, to transfix me. Servant, sir.
    ( FAUSTUS
starts to depart
.)
    MAGUS: Your manuscript contains an error.
    FAUSTUS: (
Pause
) What?
    MAGUS: As I have said.
    FAUSTUS: Ah. Yes. Well done. My manuscript.