_How Dr. Faustus was asked a Question concerning the Stars that fell
from Heaven._
Dr. Faustus being demanded the cause why the stars fall from heaven, he
answered: "That it is but our opinion; for if one star fall, it is the
great judgment of God upon us, as a forewarning of some great thing to
come: for when we think that a star falleth, it is but as a spark that
issueth from a candle or flame of fire; for if it were a substantial
thing, we should not so soon lose the sight of them as we do. But
likewise if so be that we see as it were a stream of fire fall from the
firmament, as it oft happeneth, yet are they not stars, but as it were a
flame of fire vanishing, but the stars are substantial; therefore are
they firm and not falling; if there fall any, it is a sign of some great
matter to come, as a scourge to a people or country; and then such stars
falling, and the gates of heaven are opened, and the clouds send forth
floods and other plagues, to the damage of the whole land and people."