Act IV, Scene v

Enter FAUSTUS, a HORSE-COURSER, and MEPHISTOPHILIS.

HORSE-COURSER. I beseech your worship, accept of these forty dollars.

FAUSTUS. Friend, thou canst not buy so good a horse for so small

a price. I have no great need to sell him: but, if thou likest

him for ten dollars more, take him, because I see thou hast a

good mind to him.

HORSE-COURSER. I beseech you, sir, accept of this: I am a very

poor man, and have lost very much of late by horse-flesh, and

this bargain will set me up again.

FAUSTUS. Well, I will not stand with thee: give me the money

[HORSE-COURSER gives FAUSTUS the money] . Now, sirrah, I must

tell you that you may ride him o'er hedge and ditch, and spare

him not; but, do you hear? in any case, ride him not into the

water.

HORSE-COURSER. How, sir! not into the water! why, will he not

drink of all waters?

FAUSTUS. Yes, he will drink of all waters; but ride him not into

the water: o'er hedge and ditch, or where thou wilt, but not into

the water. Go, bid the hostler deliver him unto you, and remember

what I say.

HORSE-COURSER. I warrant you, sir!—O, joyful day! now am I a

made man for ever.

[Exit.]

FAUSTUS. What art thou, Faustus, but a man condemn'd to die?

Thy fatal time draws to a final end;

Despair doth drive distrust into my thoughts:

Confound these passions with a quiet sleep:

Tush, Christ did call the thief upon the Cross;

Then rest thee, Faustus, quiet in conceit.

[He sits to sleep.]

Re-enter the HORSE-COURSER, wet.

HORSE-COURSER. 0, what a cozening doctor was this! I, riding

my horse into the water, thinking some hidden mystery had been

in the horse, I had nothing under me but a little straw, and had

much ado to escape<198> drowning. Well, I'll go rouse him, and

make him give me my forty dollars again.—Ho, sirrah Doctor, you

cozening scab! Master Doctor, awake, and rise, and give me my

money again, for your horse is turned to a bottle of hay, Master

Doctor![He pulls off FAUSTUS' leg]. Alas, I am undone! what

shall I do? I have pulled off his leg.

FAUSTUS. O, help, help! the villain hath murdered me.

HORSE-COURSER. Murder or not murder, now he has<199> but one leg,

I'll outrun him, and cast this leg into some ditch or other.

[Aside, and then runs out.]

FAUSTUS. Stop him, stop him, stop him!—Ha, ha, ha! Faustus hath

his leg again, and the Horse-courser a bundle of hay for his

forty dollars.

Enter WAGNER.:

How now, Wagner! what news with thee?

WAGNER. If it please you, the Duke of Vanholt doth earnestly

entreat your company, and hath sent some of his men to attend

you,<200> with provision fit for your journey.

FAUSTUS. The Duke of Vanholt's an honourable gentleman, and one

to whom I must be no niggard of my cunning. Come, away!

[Exeunt.]