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Enter EMPEROR*, FAUSTUS, and a KNIGHT, with Attendants.

EMP. Master Doctor Faustust, I have heard strange report of thy knowledge in the black art, how that none in my empire nor in the whole world can compare with thee for the rare effects of magic: they say thou hast a familiar spirit, by whom thou canst accomplish what thou list. This, therefore, is my request, that thou let me see some proof of thy skill, that mine eyes may be witnesses to confirm what mine ears have heard reported: and here I swear to thee, by the honour of mine imperial crown, that, whatever thou doest, thou shalt be no ways prejudiced or endamaged.

KNIGHT. I'faith, he looks much like a conjurer.

[Aside.

FAUST. My gracious sovereign, though I must

* Enter Emperor, &c.] Scene-An apartment in the Emperor's Palace. According to The History of Dr. Faustus, the Emperor" was personally, with the rest of the nobles and gentlemen, at the towne of Inzbrack, where he kept his court." Sig. G, ed. 1648.

+ Master Doctor Faustus, &c.] The greater part of this scene is closely borrowed from the history just cited: e.g.“ Faustus, I have heard much of thee, that thou art excellent in the black art, and none like thee in mine empire; for men say that thou hast a familiar spirit with thee, and that thou canst doe what thou list: it is therefore (said the Emperor) my request of thee, that thou let me see a proofe of thy experience and I vow unto thee, by the honour of my emperiall crowne, none evill shall happen unto thee for so doing," &c. Ibid.

confess myself far inferior to the report men have published, and nothing answerable to the honour of your imperial majesty, yet, for that love and duty binds me thereunto, I am content to do whatsoever your majesty shall command me.

EMP. Then, Doctor Faustus, mark what I shall

say.

As I was sometime solitary set

Within my closet, sundry thoughts arose
About the honour of mine ancestors,

How they had won by prowess such exploits,
Got such riches, subdu'd so many kingdoms,
As we that do succeed*, or they that shall
Hereafter possess our throne, shall

(I fear me) ne'er attain to that degree
Of high renown and great authority:
Amongst which kings is Alexander the Great,
Chief spectacle of the world's pre-eminence,
The bright shining of whose glorious acts
Lightens the world with his reflecting beams,
As when I hear but motion made of him,
It grieves my soul I never saw the man:
If, therefore, thou, by cunning of thine art,
Canst raise this man from hollow vaults below,
Where lies entomb'd this famous conqueror,
And bring with him his beauteous paramour,
Both in their right shapes, gesture, and attire
They us'd to wear during their time of life,

As we that do succced, &c.] A corrupted passage (not found in the later 4tos).

Thou shalt both satisfy my just desire,

And give me cause to praise thee whilst I live.

FAUST. My gracious lord, I am ready to accomplish your request, so far forth as by art and power of my spirit I am able to perform.

KNIGHT. I'faith, that's just nothing at all. [Aside. FAUST. But, if it like your grace, it is not in my ability to present before your eyes the true sub

* But, if it like your grace, it is not in my ability, &c.] “D. Faustus answered, My most excellent lord, I am ready to accomplish your request in all things, so farre forth as I and my spirit are able to performe: yet your majesty shall know that their dead bodies are not able substantially to be brought before you ; but such spirits as have seene Alexander and his Paramour alive shall appeare unto you, in manner and form as they both lived in their most flourishing time; and herewith I hope to please your Imperiall Majesty. Then Faustus went a little aside to speake to his spirit; but he returned againe presently, saying, Now, if it please your Majesty, you shall see them; yet, upon this condition, that you demand no question of them, nor speake unto them; which the Emperor agreed unto. Wherewith Doctor Faustus opened the privy-chamber doore, where presently entered the great and mighty emperor Alexander Magnus, in all things to looke upon as if he had beene alive; in proportion, a strong set thicke man, of a middle stature, blacke haire, and that both thicke and curled, head and beard, red cheekes, and a broad face, with eyes like a basiliske; he had a compleat harnesse [i. e. suit of armour] burnished and graven, exceeding rich to look upon: and so, passing towards the Emperor Carolus, he made low and reverend courtesie: whereat the Emperour Carolus would have stood up to receive and greet him with the like reverence; but Faustus tooke hold on him, and would not permit him to doe it. Shortly after, Alexander made humble reverence, and went out againe; and comming to the

stantial bodies of those two deceased princes, which long since are consumed to dust.

truth.

KNIGHT. Ay, marry, Master Doctor, now there's a sign of grace in you, when you will confess the [Aside. FAUST. But such spirits as can lively resemble Alexander and his paramour shall appear before your grace, in that manner that they best* lived in, in their most flourishing estate; which I doubt not shall sufficiently content your imperial majesty.

EMP. Go to, Master Doctor; let me see them presently.

KNIGHT. Do you hear, Master Doctor? you bring Alexander and his paramour before the Emperor!

doore, his paramour met him. She comming in made the Emperour likewise reverence: she was cloathed in blew velvet, wrought and imbroidered with pearls and gold; she was also excellent faire, like milke and blood mixed, tall and slender, with a face round as an apple. And thus passed [she] certaine times up and downe the house; which the Emperor marking, said to himselfe, Now have I seene two persons which my heart hath long wished to behold; and sure it cannot otherwise be (said he to himselfe) but that the spirits have changed themselves into these formes, and have but deceived me, calling to minde the woman that raised the prophet Samuel : and for that the Emperor would be the more satisfied in the matter, he said, I have often heard that behind, in her neck, she had a great wart or wen; wherefore he tooke Faustus by the hand without any words, and went to see if it were also to be seene on her or not; but she, perceiving that he came to her, bowed downe her neck, when he saw a great wart; and hereupon she vanished, leaving the Emperor and the rest well contented." The History of Dr. Faustus, Sig. G, ed. 1648.

* best] Qy. "both"?

FAUST. How then, sir?

KNIGHT. I'faith, that's as true as Diana turned me to a stag.

FAUST. No, sir; but, when Acteon died, he left the horns for you.-Mephistophilis, be gone.

[Exit MEPHISTOPHILIS.

KNIGHT. Nay, an you go to conjuring, I'll be gone. [Exit. FAUST. I'll meet with you anon for interrupting me so. Here they are, my gracious lord.

Re-enter MEPHISTOPHILIS with SPIRITS in the shapes of ALEXANDER and his PARAMour.

EMP. Master Doctor, I heard this lady, while she lived, had a wart or mole in her neck: how shall I know whether it be so or no?

FAUST. Your highness may boldly go

and see.

EMP. Sure, these are no spirits, but the true substantial bodies of those two deceased princes.

[Exeunt Spirits.

FAUST. Wilt please your highness now to send for the knight that was so pleasant with me here of late?

EMP. One of you call him forth. [Exit Attendant.

Re-enter the KNIGHT with a pair of horns on his head.

EMP. How now, sir knight? why, I had thought thou hadst been a bachelor, but now I see thou hast a wife, that not only gives thee horns, but makes thee wear them. Feel on thy head.

KNIGHT. Thou damnèd wretch and execrable dog,

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