Act 5 — THE TRAGICAL HISTORY OF DR. FAUSTUS

Chorus. Not marching now in fields of Thrasimene, Where Mars did mate[363] the Carthaginians; Nor sporting in the dalliance of love, In courts of kings where state is overturn’d; Nor in the pomp of proud audacious deeds,5 Intends our Muse to vaunt his heavenly verse: Only this, gentlemen,—we must perform The form of Faustus’ fortunes, good or bad. To patient judgments we appeal our plaud,[364] And speak for Faustus in his infancy.10 Now is he born, his parents base of stock, In Germany, within a town call’d Rhodes;[365] Of riper years to Wittenberg he went, Whereas his kinsmen chiefly brought him up. So soon he profits in divinity,15 The fruitful plot of scholarism grac’d,[366] That shortly he was grac’d with doctor’s name, Excelling all whose sweet delight disputes In heavenly matters of theology; Till swollen with cunning,[367] of a self-conceit,20 His waxen wings[368] did mount above his reach, And, melting, Heavens conspir’d his overthrow; For, falling to a devilish exercise, And glutted [now] with learning’s golden gifts, He surfeits upon cursed necromancy.25 Nothing so sweet as magic is to him, Which he prefers before his chiefest bliss. And this the man that in his study sits! Exit.