Thou shalt be famous through all Italy,
And honour'd of the German Emperor.

FAUST. These gracious words, most royal Carolus,
Shall make poor Faustus, to his utmost power,
Both love and serve the German Emperor,
And lay his life at holy Bruno's feet:

For proof whereof, if so your grace be pleas'd,
The Doctor stands prepar'd, by power of art,
To cast his magic charms, that shall pierce through
The ebon gates of ever-burning hell,

And hale the stubborn Furies from their caves,
To compass whatsoe'er your grace commands.

BENV. 'Blood, he speaks terribly! but for all that, I do not greatly believe him; he looks as like a conjurer as the Pope to a coster-monger.

EMP. Then, Faustus, as thou late did'st promise

us,

We would behold that famous conqueror,

Great Alexander and his paramour,

In their true shapes, and state majestical,

That we may wonder at their excellence.

FAUST. Your majesty shall see them presently. Mephostophilis, away;

And with a solemn noise of trumpets' sound,
Present before this royal Emperor,

Great Alexander and his beauteous paramour,
MEPH. Faustus, I will.

BENV. Well, Mr. Doctor, an your devils come not

away quickly, you shall have me asleep presently:

zounds! I could eat myself for anger, to think I have been such an ass all this while, to stand gaping after the devil's governor, and can see nothing.

FAUST. I'll make you feel something anon, if my [Aside.

art fail me not.

My lord, I must forewarn your majesty,
That when my spirits present the royal shapes

Of Alexander and his paramour,

Your grace demand no questions of the king;
But in dumb silence let them come and go.

EMP. Be it as Faustus please, we are content. BENV. Aye, aye, and I am content too: an thou bring Alexander and his paramour before the Emperor, I'll be Acteon, and turn myself to a stag.

FAUST. And I'll play Diana, and send you the horns presently.

[Aside.

Senet. Enter at one door the EMPEROR ALEXANDER, at the other DARIUS; they meet; DARIUS is thrown down, ALEXANDER kills him; takes off his crown, and offering to go out, his Paramour meets him; he embraceth her, and sets DARIUS' crown upon her head; and coming back, both salute the EMPEROR, who leaving his state, offers to embrace them; which FAUSTUS seeing, suddenly stays him : then trumpets cease, and music sounds. My gracious lord, you do forget yourself, These are but shadows, not substantial.

EMP. O pardon me, my thoughts are so ravished With sight of this renowned Emperor,

That in mine arms I would have compass'd him

But, Faustus, since I may not speak to them,
To satisfy my longing thoughts at full,

Let me this tell thee: I have heard it said,
That this fair lady, whilst she liv'd on earth,
Had on her neck a little wart or mole;
Now may I prove that saying to be true?

FAUST. Your majesty may boldly go and see.
EMP. Faustus, I see it plain;

And in this sight thou better pleasest me,

Than if I'd gain'd another monarchy.

FAUST. Away! begone!

[Exit show.

See, see, my gracious lord! what strange beast is yon That thrusts his head out at window?

EMP. O wondrous sight! see, Duke of Saxony, Two spreading horns most strangely fastened Upon the head of young Benvolio.

SAX. What, is he asleep or dead?

FAUST. He sleeps, my lord, but dreams not of his horns.

EMP. This sport is excellent: we'll call and wake him.

What, ho! Benvolio!

BENV. A plague upon you, let me sleep awhile. EMP. I blame thee not to sleep much, having such a head of thine own.

SAX. Look up, Benvolio, 'tis the emperor calls. BENV. The emperor! where? O, zounds, my head!

EMP. Nay, an thy horns hold, 'tis no matter for thy head, for that's arm'd sufficiently.

FAUST. Why, how now, sir knight, what hang'd by the horns? This is most horrible: fie, pull in your head for shame; let not all the world wonder at you.

BENV. Zounds, Doctor! is this your villany?

FAUST. O say not so, sir: the Doctor has no skill, No art, no cunning, to present these lords, Or bring before this royal Emperor The mighty monarch, warlike Alexander: If Faustus do it, you are straight resolv'd In bold Acteon's shape to turn a stag. And therefore, my lord, so please your majesty, I'll raise a kennel of hounds shall hunt him so, As all his footmanship shall scarce prevail To keep his carcase from their bloody fangs. Ho! Belimote, Argiron, Asterote!

BENV. Hold, hold! zounds! he'll raise up a kennel of devils I think anon: good my lord intreat for me; 'sblood, I am never able to endure these torments.

EMP. Then, good Mr. Doctor,

Let me entreat you to remove his horns,
He has done penance now sufficiently.

FAUST. My gracious lord; not so much for injury done to me, as to delight your majesty with some mirth, hath Faustus justly requited this injurious knight; which being all I desire, I am content to remove his horns. Mephostophilis, transform him; and hereafter, sir, look you speak well of scholars.

BENV. Speak well of ye? 'sblood, an' scholars

be such cuckold-makers to clap horns on honest men's heads o' this order, I'll ne'er trust smooth faces and small ruffs more. But an I be not reveng'd for this, would I might be turned to a gaping oyster, and drink nothing but salt water.

EMP. Come, Faustus, while the Emperor lives, In recompense of this thy high desert,

Thou shalt command the state of Germany,

And live belov'd of mighty Carolus.

[Exeunt omnes.

SCENE II.

Enter BENVOLIO, MARTINO, FREDERICK, and

SOLDIERS.

MART. Nay, sweet Benvolio, let us sway thy thoughts

From this attempt against the conjurer.

BENV. Away, you love me not, to urge me thus; Shall I let slip so great an injury,

When every servile groom jests at my wrongs,
And in their rustic gambols proudly say,
Benvolio's head was grac'd with horns to-day?
O may these eyelids never close again,
Till with my sword I have that conjurer slain:
If you will aid me in this enterprise,
Then draw your weapons and be resolute;
If not, depart; here will Benvolio die,

But Faustus' death shall quit thy infamy.

FRED. Nay, we will stay with thee, betide what

may,