Seven Deadly Sins (II)

From Marlowe's Dr. Faustus


Now, Faustus, examine them of their several names and dispositions.

Faust. What art thou - the first?

Pride. I am Pride. I disdain to have any parents.
I am like to Ovid`s flea: I can creep into every corner of a wench; sometimes, like a periwig,
I sit upon her brow; or like a fan of feathers, I kiss her lips; indeed I do - what do I not?
But, fie, what a scent is here! I`ll not speak another word, except the ground were perfum`d, and covered with cloth of arras.

Faust. What art thou - the second?

Covet. I am Covetousness, begotten of an old churl in an old leathern bag;
and might I have my wish I would desire that this house and all the people in it were turn`d to gold,
that I might lock you up in my good chest. O, my sweet gold!

Faust. What art thou - the third?

Wrath. I am Wrath. I had neither father nor mother:
I leapt out of a lion`s mouth when I was scarce half an hour old;
and ever since I have run up and down the world with this case of rapiers,
wounding myself when I had nobody to fight withal.
I was born in hell; and look to it, for some of you shall be my father.

Faust. What art thou - the fourth?

Envy. I am Envy, begotten of a chimney sweeper and an oyster - wife.
I cannot read, and therefore wish all books were burnt.
I am lean with seeing others eat.
O that there would come a famine through all the world, that all might die,
and I live alone!
then thou should`st see how fat I would be. But must thou sit and I stand!
Come down with a vengeance!

Faust. Away, envious rascal! What art thou - the fifth?

Glut. Who, I, sir? I am Gluttony. My parents are all dead,
and the devil a penny they have left me, but a bare pension,
and that is thirty meals a day and ten bevers -
a small trifle to suffice nature.
O, I come of a royal parentage! My grandfather was a Gammon of Bacon,
my grandmother a Hogshead of Claret - wine; my godfathers were these,
Peter Pickleherring, and Martin Martlemas - beef.
O, but my godmother, she was a jolly gentlewoman,
and well beloved in every good town and city;
her name was Mistress Margery Marchbeer.
Now, Faustus, thou hast heard all my progeny, wilt thou bid me to supper?

Faust. No, I`ll see thee hanged: thou wilt eat up all my victuals.

Glut. Then the Devil choke thee!

Faust. Choke thyself, glutton! Who art thou - the sixth?

Sloth. I am Sloth. I was begotten on a sunny bank,
where I have lain ever since;
and you have done me great injury to bring me from thence:
let me be carried thither again
by Gluttony and Lechery. I`ll not speak another word for a king`s ransom.

Faust. What are you, Mistress Minx, the seventh and last?

Lech. Who, I, sir? I am one that loves an inch of raw mutton
better than an ell of fried stockfish;
and the first letter of my name begins with Lechery.

Luc. Away to hell, to hell! - Now, Faustus,
how dost thou like this? [Exeunt the Sins.