Scene II
Enter two Scholars.
- FIRST SCHOLAR.
- I wonder what's become of Faustus that
was wont to make our school ring with sic probo?
- SECOND SCHOLAR.
- That shall we know, for see here
comes his boy.
Enter WAGNER.
- FIRST SCHOLAR.
- How now, sirrah! Where's thy master?(5)
- WAGNER.
- God in heaven knows!
- SECOND SCHOLAR.
- Why, dost not thou know?
- WAGNER.
- Yes, I know. But that follows not.
- FIRST SCHOLAR.
- Go to, sirrah! leave your jesting, and tell us
where he is.(10)
- WAGNER.
- That follows not necessary by force of argument,
that you, being licentiates, should stand upon: therefore
acknowledge your error and be attentive.
- SECOND SCHOLAR.
- Why, didst thou not say thou
knewest?(15)
- WAGNER.
- Have you any witness on't?
- FIRST SCHOLAR.
- Yes, sirrah, I heard you.
- WAGNER.
- Ask my fellows if I be a thief.
- SECOND SCHOLAR.
- Well, you will not tell us?
- WAGNER.
- Yes, sir, I will tell you; yet, if you were not(20)
dunces, you would never ask me such a question; for
is not he corpus naturale? and is not that mobile? then
wherefore should you ask me such a question? But
that I am by nature phlegmatic, slow to wrath, and
prone to lechery (to love, I would say), it were not for(25)
you to come within forty foot of the place of execu-
tion, although I do not doubt to see you both hanged
the next sessions. Thus having triumphed over you, I
will set my countenance like a precisian, and begin
to speak thus:—Truly, my dear brethren, my master(30)
is within at dinner, with Valdes and Cornelius, as this
wine, if it could speak, would inform your worships;
and so, the Lord bless you, preserve you, and keep you,
my dear brethren, my dear brethren.
[Exit.]
- FIRST SCHOLAR.
- Nay, then, I fear he is fallen into that(35)
damned Art for which they two are infamous through
the world.
- SECOND SCHOLAR.
- Were he a stranger, and not allied to
me, yet should I grieve for him. But come, let us go and
inform the Rector, and see if he by his grave counsel(40)
can reclaim him.
- FIRST SCHOLAR.
- O, but I fear me nothing can reclaim
him.
- SECOND SCHOLAR.
- Yet let us try what we can do.
[Exeunt.]
-
sic probo— this I prove
-
people who have a degree or license to practice their profession
-
corpus naturale— natural body
-
mobile—able to change
-
one of the four humors; it was thought that there were four bodily fluids that affected a person's disposition: phlegm, blood, black bile, and yellow bile.
-
liable to do something
-
excessive indulgence in sexual activity
-
an expression or composure
-
Puritan
-
brothers, as in associates
-
having a bad reputation
