I will give you either an arm or a leg, whichever shall best please you, and which shall be made over to you as a pledge of mortgage; though under this one condition: that as soon as I shall have the money forthcoming, you will be prepared to restore to me my leg.”
Christian`s enemy
Now, the Jew, being naturally every good Christian`s enemy, thought to himself, I am glad of this, but he must be a most singular genius to think of pawning me his life and blood for the sake of money. What can I do with such security as this? But meanwhile Doctor Faustus, taking out a saw, was very leisurely sawing off his leg, which he handed to the Jew (though it was all mere illusion), repeating the same condition that he was to return it the moment he should obtain the money, as he (the Doctor) knew how to set it in its place again. So the Jew, not a little pleased with his contract, marched off with the Doctor`s leg.
When he had kept it, however, a short time, he began to think, What shall I do with this rogue of a Christian`s limb? If I carry it about with me I shall be poisoned with the stench, besides its being of no further use to him when he shall want it, however good a security, for what more could he give? Being at length quite puzzled in which way to act for the best, one day as he was crossing over a bridge, weary with calculating pro et contra, he threw the Doctor`s leg into the water, and thought himself well rid of it.
Doctor Faustus, fully aware of what had passed, sent notice to the Jew three days afterwards that he was ready to repay him the money. The latter repented now that he had been so hasty, but he went. The first question put by the Doctor was what he had done with his pledge. “What have I done!” replied the Jew. “What could I do with it? It was of no use, and I threw it away.”
The Doctor on hearing this took the Jew roundly to task, declaring that he must have his leg again, come what would, or that he (the Jew), must look for the consequences. Alarmed at the violence of the Doctor`s threats, the unlucky Israelite at length consented to adjust the matter by further advancing sixty dollars, in order to avoid the terrors of the law.
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