THE
Just Judgment of GOD shewd upon Dr. John Faustus.
To the Tune of, Fortune my Foe, etc.
|
ALL Christian Men give Ear a while to me,
|
How I am plungd in Pain, but cannot see:
|
I livd a Life, the like did none before,
|
Forsaking Christ, and I am damnd therefore.
|
At Wertemburgh, a Town in Germany,
|
There was I born and bred of good Degree,
|
Of honest Stock, which afterwards I shamd,
|
Accurst therefore, for Faustus was I namd.
|
In learning high my Uncle brought up me,
|
And made me Doctor of Divinity:
|
And when he dyd he left me all his Wealth,
|
Which cursed Gold did hinder my Souls Health.
|
Then did I shun the Holy Bible Book,
|
Nor on Gods Word would never after look;
|
But studied the accursed Conjuration,
|
Which was the Cause of my utter Damnation.
|
The Devil in Fryers Weeds appeared to me,
|
And straight to my Request he did agree,
|
That I might have all Things at my Desire,
|
I gave him Soul and Body for his Hire.
|
Twice did I make my tender Flesh to bleed,
|
Twice with my Blood I wrote the Devils Deed,
|
Twice wretchedly I Soul and Body sold,
|
To live in Pleasure, and do what Things I would.
|
For four and twenty Years this Bond was made,
|
And then at length my Soul for it was paid;
|
Time ran away, and yet I never thought,
|
How dear my Soul our Saviour Christ had bought.
|
Would I at first been made a Beast by Kind,
|
Then had not I so vainly set my Mind;
|
Or would not when Reason began to bloom,
|
Some darksome Den had been my deadly Tomb.
|
Wo to the Day of my Nativity!
|
Wo to the Time that once did foster me!
|
And wo unto the Hand that sealed the Bill!
|
Wo to myself the Cause of all my Ill!
|
The Time I passd away with much Delight,
|
Mongst Princes, Peers, and many a worthy Knight,
|
I wrought such Wonders by my Magick Skill,
|
That all the World may talk of Faustus still.
|
The Devil carried me up in the Skie,
|
Where I did see how all the World did lie:
|
I went about the World in eight Days Space,
|
And then returnd into my native Place.
|
What Pleasure I did wish to please my Mind,
|
He did perform, as Bond and Seal did bind:
|
The Secrets of the Stars and Planets told,
|
Of Earth and Sea, with Wonders manifold.
|
When four and twenty Years was almost run,
|
I thought on Things that then was past and done;
|
How that the Devil will soon claim his Right,
|
And carry me to everlasting Night.
|
Then all too late I curst my wicked Deed,
|
The Dread thereof does make my Heart to bleed:
|
All Days and Hours I mourned wondrous sore,
|
Repenting then of all Things done before.
|
I then did wish both Sun and Moon to stay,
|
All Times and Seasons never to decay:
|
Then had my Time neer come to dated End,
|
Nor Soul and Body down to Hell descend.
|
At last when I had but one Hour to come,
|
I turnd the Glass for my last Hour to run:
|
And calld in learned Men to comfort me,
|
But Faith was gone, and none could succour me.
|
By Twelve oClock my Glass was almost out,
|
My grieved Conscience then began to doubt:
|
I prayd the Studious to stay in Chamber by,
|
But as they staid they heard a doleful cry.
|
Then presently they came into the Hall,
|
Whereas my Brains were cast against the Wall;
|
Both Arms and Legs in Pieces they did see,
|
My Bowels gone, there was an End of me.
|
You Conjurors and damned Witches all,
|
Example take by my unhappy Fall:
|
Give not your Souls and Bodies unto Hell,
|
See that the smallest Hair you do not sell.
|
But hope in Christ his Kingdom you may gain,
|
Where you shall never fear such mortal Pain;
|
Forsake the Devil and all his crafty Ways,
|
Embrace true Faith that never more decays.
|
|
|
|
|
|