[Scene IX—An Inn.]

Enter Robin and Ralph with a silver goblet.

Robin

Come, Ralph, did not I tell thee we were for ever made by this Doctor Faustus’ book? Ecce signum,⁶⁸ here’s a simple purchase⁶⁹ for horsekeepers; our horses shall eat not hay as long as this lasts.

Enter the Vintner

Ralph

But, Robin, here come the vintner.

Robin

Hush! I’ll gull him supernaturally.

Drawer, I hope all is paid: God be with you. Come, Ralph.

Vintner

Soft, sir; a word with you. I must yet have a goblet paid from you, ere you go.

Robin

I, a goblet, Ralph; I, a goblet! I scorn you, and you are but a,⁷⁰ &c. I, a goblet! search me.

Vintner

I mean so, sir, with your favour.

[Searches him.]

Robin

How say you now?

Vintner

I must say somewhat to your fellow. You, sir!

Ralph

Me, sir! me, sir! search your fill.

[Vintner searches him.]

Now, sir, you may be ashamed to burden honest men with a matter of truth.

Vintner

Well, t’one of you hath this goblet about you.

Robin

You lie, drawer, ’tis afore me.

[Aside.]

Sirrah you, I’ll teach ye to impeach honest men;—stand by;—I’ll scour you for a goblet!—stand aside you had best, I charge you in the name of Belzebub. Look to the goblet, Ralph.

[Aside to Ralph.]

Vintner

What mean you, sirrah?

Robin

I’ll tell you what I mean.

[Reads from a book.]

Sanctobulorum. Periphrasticon—Nay, I’ll tickle you, vintner. Look to the goblet, Ralph.

[Aside to Ralph.]

Polypragmos Belseborams framanto pacostiphos tostu, Mephistophilis, &c.

[Reads.]

Enter Mephistophilis, sets squibs at their backs, [and then exit]. They run about

Vintner

O nomine Domini!⁷¹ what meanest thou, Robin? Thou hast no goblet.

Ralph

Peccatum peccatorum!⁷² Here’s thy goblet, good vintner.

[Gives the goblet to Vintner, who exit.]

Robin

Misericordia pro nobis!⁷³ What shall I do? Good Devil, forgive me now, and I’ll never rob thy library more.

Re-enter Mephistophilis

Mephistophilis

Monarch of hell, under whose black survey

Great potentates do kneel with awful fear,

Upon whose altars thousand souls do lie,

How am I vexed with these villains’ charms?

From Constantinople am I hither come

Only for pleasure of these damned slaves.

Robin

How from Constantinople? You have had a great journey. Will you take sixpence in your purse to pay for you supper, and begone?

Mephistophilis

Well, villains, for your presumption, I transform thee into an ape, and thee into a dog; and so begone.

[Exit.]

Robin

How, into an ape? That’s brave! I’ll have fine sport with the boys. I’ll get nuts and apples enow.

Ralph

And I must be a dog.

Robin

I’faith thy head will never be out of the pottage pot.

[Exeunt.]