[The Judgment of God shewed upon one John Faustus]
Doctor in Divinity.
Tune Fortune my Foe.
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ALL Christian men give ear a while to me,
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How I am plung'd in pain but cannot dye,
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I liv'd a life the like did none before,
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Forsaking Christ, and I am damn'd therefore.
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At Wittenburge a Town in Germany,
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There was I born and bred of good degree,
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Of honest Stock which afterwards I sham'd,
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Accurst therefore for Faustus was I nam'd.
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In learning loe my Uncle brought up me,
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And made me Doctor in Divinity:
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And when he dy'd he left me all his wealth,
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Whose cursed Gold did hinder my Souls health.
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Then did I shun the holy Bible book,
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Nor on Gods word would ever after look,
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But studied accursed Conjuration,
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Which was the cause of my utter damnation.
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The Devil in Fryars weeds appear'd to me,
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And streight to my request he did agree,
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That I might have all things at my desire,
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I gave him soul and body for his hire.
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Twice did I make my tender flesh to bleed,
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Twice with my blood I wrote the Devil a deed,
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Twice wretchedly I Soul and Body sold,
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To live in peace and do what things I would.
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For four & twenty years this Bond was made,
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And at the length my soul was truly paid,
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Time ran away and yet I never thought,
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How dear my soul our Saviour Christ had bought.
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Would I had first been made a beast by kind,
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Then had not I so vainly set my mind;
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Or would when reason first began to bloom,
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Some darksome Den had been my deadly tomb.
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Woe to the day of my Nativity,
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Woe to the time that once did Foster me,
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And woe unto the hand that seal'd the bill,
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Woe to my self the cause of all my ill,
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THe time I past away with much delight
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'Mongst princes, peers, & many a worthy Knight
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I wrought such wonders by my magick skill
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That all the world may talk of Faustus still.
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The Devil he carried me up into the Sky,
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Where I did see how all the world did lye
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I went about the world in eight days space,
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And then return'd unto my Native place.
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What pleasure I did wish to please my mind,
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He did perform as Bond and Seal did bind:
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The secrets of the stars and planets told.
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Of earth and sea, with wonders manifold.
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When four and twenty years was almost run,
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I thought of all things that was past and done,
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How that the Devil would come & claim his right
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And carry me to everlasting night.
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Then all too late I curst my Wicked Deed,
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The Deed whereof doth make my heart to bleed,
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All days and hours I mourned wondrous sore,
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Repenting me of all things done before,
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I then did wish both Sun and Moon to stay
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All times and sasons, never to decay,
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Then had my time ne'r come to dated end,
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Nor soul and body down to Hell descend.
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At last when I had but one hour to come,
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I turn'd my glass for my last hour to run,
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And call'd in learned men to comfort me,
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But faith was gone and none could comfort me.
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By twelve a Clock my glass was almost out
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My grieved conscience then began to doubt,
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I wisht the Students stay in chamber by,
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But as they staid they heard a dreadful cry.
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Then presently they came into the Hall,
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Whereas my brains was cast against the wall,
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Both arms and legs in pieces torn they see,
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My bowels gone this was an end of me.
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You Conjurors and damned Witches all,
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Example take by my unhappy fall:
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Give not your Souls and Bodies unto Hell,
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See that the smallest hair you do not sell.
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But hope that Christ his Kingdom you may gain
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Where you shall never fear such mortal pain:
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Forsake the Devil and all his crafty ways,
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Imbrace true Faith that never more decays.
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