_A question put forth to Doctor Faustus, concerning the Stars_
There was a learned man of the Town of Halberstat, named N. V. W.
invited Doctor Faustus to his table, but falling into communication
before supper was ready, they looked out of the window, and seeing many
stars in the firmament, this man being a Doctor of Physic and a good
Astrologian, said: Doctor Faustus, I have invited you as my guest,
hoping that you will take it in good part with me, and withal I request
you to impart unto me some of your experience in the Stars and Planets.
And seeing a Star fall, he said: I pray you, Faustus, what is the
condition, quality, or greatness of the Stars in the firmament? Faustus
answered him: My friend and Brother, you see that the Stars that fall
from heaven when they come on the earth they be very small to our
thinking as candles, but being fixed in the firmament there are many as
great as this City, some as great as a Province or Dukedom, other as
great as the whole earth, other some far greater than the earth: for
the length and breadth of the heavens is greater than the earth twelve
times, and from the height of the heavens there is scarce any earth to
be seen, yea the Planets in the heavens are some so great as this land,
some so great as the whole Empire of Rome, some as Turkie, yea one so
great as the whole world.