(They disappear, fleeing before him. He comes down again, savagely) For then will I for fain trip like a doe! (Yelling after them, shaking his sword) But when they be dead, I warn you, bring them before my sight! [And he strides across and sits in his throne, gnawing his nails. The curtains part once more, revealing Joseph and Mary asleep on the floor with the Child between them, and Gabriel against a heavenly background with arms high spread above them. GABRIEL Mary and Joseph, to you I say Sweet word from the Father I bring you full right: Out of Bethlem into Egypt forth go ye the way, And with you take the King full of might, For dread of Herod's rede! [Joseph awakes and starts up. JOSEPH Arise up, Mary, hastily and soon; Our Lord's will needs must be done Like as the Angel us bade. [Mary gets up and lifts the Child, wrapping Him in her blue cloak. MARY Meekly, Joseph, mine own spouse, Toward that country let us repair. At Egypt some token of house God grant us grace safe to come there! [The curtains close behind them as they go up the right stair, away from Herod and the soldiers, passing, so, the Nuntius, who at this second vision of Gabriel is quite converted and kneels, crossing himself, as the Child passes him. When they are gone he rises and cautiously approaches Herod, speaking humbly but firmly and sincerely. NUNTIUS Herod, King, I shall thee tell All thy deeds are come to nought: This child is gone into Egypt to dwell. Lo, Sir, in thine own land, what wonders been wrought! HEROD (starting up in despair) Into Egypt? Alas, for woe! Longer in land here I cannot abide! Saddle my palfrey, for in haste will I go: After yonder traitors now will I ride Them forto sloe (slay)! (He jumps to the platform and bounds up the stair, "galloping" — the Nuntius purposely pointing him a direction opposite that taken by the Child; or he gallops out through the audience, the Nuntius likewise showing him that wrong way) Now all men hie fast All that country will I taste Till I may come them to! [He disappears, yelling. The spot-light returns to Isaiah, who raises his hand as at the beginning. ISAIAH More of this matter fain would I move, But longer time have I not here forto dwell. That Lord that is merciful, his mercy so in us prove Forto save our souls from the darkness of Hell! And to His bliss He us bring As He is both Lord and King In saecula saeculorum, Amen! [With a benediction, he turns and paces back through the curtains, the Nuntius again kneeling and crossing himself as he passes. When he is gone, the houselights come on, and the Nuntius, springing up, trips down into the audience to collect their charitable pennies in his wallet; and the Play is over. DOCTOR FAUSTUS BY CHRISTOPHER MARLOWE Produced by Sam Hume Arts and Crafts Theatre, Detroit in January, 1918 |