ternal gore, they were then led upon the scaffold. They were
shown the livid headless trunk, were made to kiss it, and then
re-conducted to their prison, where they were chained up against the damp
wall, so that whenever they took repose the whole weight of their bodies
rested on the galling fetters. To increase their misery, their teeth
were torn out from time to time.

Faustus, overwhelmed by the frightful scene he had witnessed, returned
shuddering to the inn, and commanded the Devil to annihilate the tyrant
who thus made a sport of human suffering.

_Devil_. I will not annihilate him, for that would be against the
interest of hell; and why should the Devil put a stop to his cruelties
when by some they are viewed with patience? If I were to further the
projects of thy blind rage, who would escape thy vengeance?

_Faustus_. Should I not be performing a noble part, if, like unto
another Hercules, I were to roam the world, and purge its thrones of such
monsters?

_Devil_. Short-sighted man, does not your own corrupt nature prove that
you must have these kings? And would not new monsters arise out of their
ashes? There would then be no end of murder; the people would be
divided, and thousands would fall the victims of civil war. You see here
millions of bipeds like yourself, who suffer a man like themselves to
despoil them of their property, to flay them alive, and to murder them at
his pleasure. Did not they witness the execution of this duke, who died
innocent as any lamb? Did they not gaze with pleasure, mingled with
agony and grief, upon the tragic spectacle? Does not that prove they
deserve their lot, and are unworthy of a better? Could they not crush
the tyrant at a blow? If they have the power of relieving themselves in
their own hands, wherefore should we pity their sufferings?

Here the disputation ceased.

Faustus shortly afterwards became acquainted with a gentleman of sense
and education, who had an excellent character for probity. Faustus and
the Devil pleased him so much, that he invited them to come and pass some
days with him on his estate at a short distance from Paris, where he
lived with his family, which consisted of his wife and his daughter, who
was about sixteen years old, and lovely as an angel. At the sight of
this divine object Faustus was like one enchanted, and felt, for the
first time, the sweet torments of delicate love. He confided his
sufferings to the Devil, who ins