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Jungenstil. Dutch art nouveau style poster, from Vintage Printable. |
Christopher
Marlowe (1564–1593). Doctor Faustus.
Vol. 19, pp. 241-250 of The
Harvard Classics
Scene XII
[The Court of the Duke of
Vanholt.]
Enter the DUKE [of
VANHOLT], the DUCHESS, FAUSTUS, and MEPHISTOPHILIS
Duke
Believe me, Master Doctor, this merriment hath much pleased me.
Faust.
My gracious lord, I am glad it contents you so well.—But it may
be, madam, you take no delight in this. I have heard that
great-bellied women do long for some dainties or other. What is it,
madam? Tell me, and you shall have it.
Duchess.
Thanks, good Master Doctor; and for I see your courteous intent to
pleasure me, I will not hide from you the thing my heart desires; and
were it now summer, as it is January and the dead time of the winter,
I would desire no better meat than a dish of ripe grapes.
Faust.
Alas, madam, that’s nothing! Mephistophilis, begone. (Exit
MEPHISTOPHILIS.) Were it a greater thing than this, so it would
content you, you should have it.
Re-enter MEPHISTOPHILIS with the grapes
Here they be, madam; wilt please you
taste on them?
Duke
Believe me, Master Doctor, this makes me wonder above the rest, that
being in the dead time of winter, and in the month of January, how
you should come by these grapes.
Faust.
If it like your Grace, the year is divided into two circles over the
whole world, that, when it is here winter with us, in the contrary
circle it is summer with them, as in India, Saba, and farther
countries in the East; and by means of a swift spirit that I have I
had them brought hither, as ye see.—How do you like them, madam; be
they good?
Duchess.
Believe me, Master Doctor, they be the best grapes that I e’er
tasted in my life before.
Faust.
I am glad they content you so, madam.
Duke
Come, madam, let us in, where you must well reward this learned man
for the great kindness he hath show’d to you.
Duchess.
And so I will, my lord; and, whilst I live, rest beholding for this
courtesy.
Faust.
I humbly thank your Grace.
Duke
Come, Master Doctor, follow us and receive your reward. [Exeunt.