Scene IX

[An Inn.]

Enter ROBIN and RALPH with a silver goblet.

Robin.Come, Ralph, did not I tell thee we were for ever made by this Doctor Faustus’ book? Ecce signum, here’s a simple purchase for horsekeepers; our horses shall eat not hay as long as this lasts.

Enter the VINTNER

Ralph.But, Robin, here come the vintner.

Robin.Hush! I’ll gull him supernaturally.

Drawer, I hope all is paid: God be with you. Come, Ralph.

Vint.Soft, sir; a word with you. I must yet have a goblet paid from you, ere you go.

Robin.I, a goblet, Ralph; I, a goblet! I scorn you, and you are but a, &c. I, a goblet! search me.

Vint.I mean so, sir, with your favour.[Searches him.]

Robin.How say you now?

Vint.I must say somewhat to your fellow. You, sir!

Ralph.Me, sir! me, sir! search your fill.[VINTNER searches him.] Now, sir, you may be ashamed to burden honest men with a matter of truth.

Vint.Well, t’one of you hath this goblet about you.

Robin.You lie, drawer, ’tis afore me.[Aside.] Sirrah you, I’ll teach ye to impeach honest men;—stand by;—I’ll scour you for a goblet!—stand aside you had best, I charge you in the name of Belzebub. Look to the goblet, Ralph.[Aside to RALPH.]

Vint.What mean you, sirrah?

Robin.I’ll tell you what I mean.Reads [from a book.]

Sanctobulorum. Periphrasticon—Nay, I’ll tickle you, vintner. Look to the goblet, Ralph.[Aside to RALPH.]

Polypragmos Belseborams framanto pacostiphos tostu, Mephistophilis, &c.[Reads.

Enter MEPHISTOPHILIS, sets squibs at their backs, [and then exit]. They run about

Vint.O nomine Domini! what meanest thou, Robin? Thou hast no goblet.

Ralph.Peccatum peccatorum! Here’s thy goblet, good vintner.[Gives the goblet to VINTNER, who exit.]

Robin.Misericordia pro nobis! What shall I do? Good Devil, forgive me now, and I’ll never rob thy library more.

Re-enter MEPHISTOPHILIS

Meph.Monarch of hell, under whose black survey

Great potentates do kneel with awful fear,

Upon whose altars thousand souls do lie,

How am I vexed with these villains’ charms?

From Constantinople am I hither come

Only for pleasure of these damned slaves.

Robin.How from Constantinople? You have had a great journey. Will you take sixpence in your purse to pay for you supper, and begone?

Meph.Well, villains, for your presumption, I transform thee into an ape, and thee into a dog; and so begone.[Exit.

Robin.How, into an ape? That’s brave! I’ll have fine sport with the boys. I’ll get nuts and apples enow.

Ralph.And I must be a dog.

Robin.I’faith thy head will never be out of the pottage pot.Exeunt.

Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD Dramatis Personæ