_How the Emperor Carolus Quintus requested of Faustus to see some of his
Cunning, whereunto he agreed._
The Emperor Charles the Fifth of that name, was personally, with the
rest of the nobles and gentlemen, at the town of Intzbrack, where he
kept his court, unto the which also Dr. Faustus resorted, and being
there well known of divers nobles and gentlemen, he was invited in the
court to meat, even in the presence of the emperor, whom when the
emperor saw, he looked earnestly upon him, thinking by his looks he was
some wonderful fellow; wherefore he asked one of his nobles whom he
should be? He answered, that he was called Dr. Faustus. Whereupon the
emperor held his peace until he had taken his repast; after which he
called unto him Faustus into his privy-chamber; where being come, he
said unto him: "Faustus, I have heard much of thee, that thou art
excellent in the black art, and none like thee in my empire; for men say
that thou hast a familiar spirit with thee, and that thou canst do what
thou list. It is, therefore," said the emperor, "my request of thee that
thou let me see proof of thy experience, and I vow unto thee, by the
honour of my imperial crown, none evil shall happen unto thee for so
doing."
Hereupon Dr. Faustus answered his Majesty, that upon those conditions he
was ready in anything that he could to do his highness's command in what
service he could appoint him.
"Well, hear then what I say," quoth the emperor. "Being once solitary
in my house, I called to mind my elders and ancestors, how it was
possible for them to attain to so great a degree and authority, yea, so
high, that we, the successors of that line, are not able to come near.
As for example, the great and mighty monarch of the world, Alexander
Magnus, was such a pattern and spectacle to all his successors, as the
chronicles make mention of, having so great riches, conquering and
subduing so many kingdoms, the which I and those that follow me (I fear)
shall never be able to attain unto; wherefore, Faustus, my hearty desire
is that thou wouldst vouchsafe to let me see that Alexander and his
paramour, the which was praised to be so fair; and I pray thee show me
them in such sort that I may see their personages, shapes, gesture and
apparel, as they used in their lifetime, and that here before my face,
to that end that I may say, I have my long desire fulfilled, and to
praise thee to be a famous man in thy art and experience."
Dr. Faustus answered: "My most excellent lord, I am ready to accomplish
your request in all things, so far forth as I and my spirit are able to
perform; yet your Majesty shall know that their dead bodies are not able
substantially to be brought before you; but such spirits as have seen
Alexander and his paramour alive shall appear unto you in manner and
form as they both lived in their most flourishing time, and herewith I
hope to please your imperial Majesty." Then Faustus went a little aside
and spoke to his spirit, but he returned again presently, saying, "Now,
if it please your Majesty, you shall see them, yet upon this condition,
that you demand no question of them, nor speak unto them;" which the
emperor agreed unto.
Whereupon Dr. Faustus opened the privy-chamber door, where presently
entered the great and mighty emperor, Alexander Magnus, in all things to
look upon as if he had been alive; in proportion, a strong set thick
man, of a middle stature, black hair, and that both thick and curled,
head and beard, red cheeks, and a broad face, with eyes like a basilisk;
he had a complete harness furnished and engraven, exceeding rich to look
upon; and so passing towards the Emperor Carolus he made a low and
reverend courtesy; whereat the Emperor Carolus would have stood up to
receive and greet him with the like reverence. Faustus took hold on him,
and would not permit him to do it. Shortly after Alexander made humble
reverence, and went out again, and coming to the door, his paramour met
him. She coming in, made the emperor likewise reverence. She was clothed
in blue velvet, wrought and embroidered with pearls and gold; she was
also excellent fair, like blood and milk mixed, tall and slender, with a
face as round as an apple, and thus passed they certain times up and
down the house, which the emperor marking, said to himself, "Now I have
seen two persons which my heart hath long wished to behold; and sure it
cannot otherwise be," said he to himself, "but that the spirits have
changed themselves into these forms, and have but deceived me," calling
to mind the woman that raised the prophet Samuel. And for that the
emperor should be 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
took Faustus by the hand without any words, and went to see if it were
able to be seen on her or not; but she perceiving that he came to her,
bowed down her neck, where he saw a great wart, and hereupon she
vanished, leaving the emperor and the rest well contented.