Page:History of Dr. Faustus (1).pdf/22

22 appeared to him, and shewed him his writing, and told him that the next night, the devil would fetch him away, which made the Doctor’s heart to ache: but to divert himself, he sent for some Doctors and master bachelors of arts, and other students to take dinner with him, for whom he provided great store of varieties, with music and the like: but all would not keep up his spirits, for the hour drew near: whereupon his countenance changing the doctors and masters of arts enquired of him the reasons of his Melancholiness? to which Faustus answered, “ My friends, you have known me these many years and how I have practised all manner of wickedness I have been a great conjurer, which devilish art I obtained of the the devil; and also to obtain power to do whatever I pleased I sold myself to the devil for twenty four years time, which full time being out this night, makes me full of horror; I have called you my friends, to see this my dreadful end: and I pray let my miserable death be a warning to you all, how you study the devilish art of conjuring; for if once you begin it a thousand to one but it will lead you to the devil whither I am this night to go, whether I will or not.” They hearing of this sad story blame him for concealing it so long, telling him if h had; made them acquainted before that the