Peer Reviewed
- Edition: Friar Bacon and Friar Bungay
Friar Bacon and Friar Bungay (Modern)
- Introduction
- Texts of this edition
- Contextual materials
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- The Famous History of Friar Bacon
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- Inventions or Devices Very Necessary for all Generals and Captains or Leaders of Men
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- A Book of Magic, with Instructions for Invoking Spirits
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- A Geometrical Practice named Pantometria
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- Autobiographical Tracts of Dr. John Dee
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- The Vanity of the Eye
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- The Comical History of Alphonsus King of Aragon
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Enter Friar Bacon, drawing the curtains with a white stick, 1562a book in his hand and a lamp lighted by him, and the 1563brazen head, and Miles with weapons by him.
Miles, where are you?
Here, sir.
How chance you tarry so long?
Think you that the watching of the brazen head 1568craves no furniture? I warrant you, sir, I have so armed myself 1569that if all your devils come I will not fear them an inch.
Miles, thou knowest that I have dived into hell
10.36.1Here he falleth asleep.
So, I thought you would talk yourself asleep anon; 1603and 'tis no marvel, for Bungay on the days and he on the 1604nights have watched just these ten and fifty days. Now this is 1605the night, and 'tis my task and no more. Now, Jesus, bless me! 1606What a goodly head it is, and a nose! You talk of nos autem 1607glorificare, but here's a nose that I warrant may be called nos autem 1608popelare for the people of the parish. Well, I am furnished with 1609weapons. Now, sir, I will set me down by a post, and make it as 1610good as a watchman to wake me if I chance to slumber. 1611I thought, Goodman Head, I would call you out of your memento-- [He falls asleep and knocks his head.] 1612Passion o' God, I have almost broke my pate! Up, Miles, to your 1613task. Take your brown bill in your hand. Here's some of your 1614master's hobgoblins abroad.
‘Time is'? Why, Master Brazen Head, have you such a 1618capital nose, and answer you with syllables? ‘Time is'? Is this all 1619my master's cunning, to spend seven years study about ‘Time is'? 1620Well, sir, it may be we shall have some better orations of it anon. 1621Well, I'll watch you as narrowly as ever you were watched, and I'll 1622play with you as the nightingale with the slow-worm. I'll set a 1623prick against my breast. [He leans against the spear-point of a halberd.] Now, rest there, Miles. [He sleeps again and falls down.] Lord have mercy 1624upon me, I have almost killed myself! [Noise again.] Up Miles! List how they 1625rumble!
Time was.
Well, Friar Bacon, you spent your seven years' study 1628well that can make your head speak but two words at once. 1629‘Time was.' Yea, marry, time was when my master was a wise man, 1630but that was before he began to make the brazen head. You shall 1631lie while your arse ache and your head speak no better. Well, I 1632will watch, and walk up and down, and be a peripatetian and a 1633philosopher of Aristotle's stamp. [Noise again.] What, a fresh noise? Take thy 1634pistols in hand, Miles!
10.41.11635Here the head speaks and a lightning flasheth forth, 1636and a hand appears that breaketh down the 1637head with a hammer.
Time is past.
Master, master, up! Hell's broken loose! Your head 1640speaks, and there's such a thunder and lightning that I warrant 1641all Oxford is up in arms! Out of your bed and take a brown bill 1642in your hand! The latter day is come!
Miles, I come. Oh, passing warily watched!
When spake the head? Did not you say that he 1647should tell strange principles of philosophy? Why, sir, it speaks but 1648two words at a time.
Why, villain, hath it spoken oft?
Oft? Ay, marry, hath it thrice. But in all those three times 1651it hath uttered but seven words.
As how?
Marry, sir, the first time he said ‘Time is,' as if Fabius 1654Cumentator should have pronounced a sentence. He said ‘Time was.' 1655And the third time, with thunder and lightning, as in great choler, 1656he said ‘Time is past.'
'Tis past indeed. Ah, villain! Time is past:
Even, sir, ‘Time is.'
Villain, if thou hadst called to Bacon then,
Why then, sir, you forbid me your service?
My service, villain, with a fatal curse
'Tis no matter. I am against you with the old proverb, 1687‘The more the fox is curst, the better he fares.' God be with you, 1688sir. I'll take but a book in my hand, a wide-sleeved gown on my 1689back, and a crowned cap on my head, and see if I can want 1690promotion.[Exit Miles.]
Some fiend or ghost haunt on thy weary steps
1694To lose the fame and honor of his head.
10.84.1Exit.