_How the Emperor Carolus Quintus requested of Faustus to see some of
his cunning, whereunto he agreed._
The Emperor Carolus the fifth of that name was personally with the rest
of his Nobles and gentlemen at the Town of Innsbruck where he kept
his Court, unto the which also Doctor Faustus resorted, and being
there well known of divers Nobles and gentlemen, he was invited into
the Court to meat, even in the presence of the Emperor: whom when the
Emperor saw, he looked earnestly on him, thinking him by his looks to
be some wonderful fellow, wherefore he asked one of his Nobles whom he
should be: who answered that he was called Doctor Faustus. Whereupon
the Emperor held his peace until he had taken his repast, after which
he called unto him Faustus, into the privy chamber, whither 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 mine Empire, for men
say that thou hast a familiar Spirit with thee and that thou canst do
what thou list: it is therefore (saith the Emperor) my request of thee
that thou let me see a proof of thine experience, and I vow unto thee
by the honour of mine Imperial Crown, none evil shall happen unto thee
for so doing. Hereupon Doctor Faustus answered his Majesty, that upon
those conditions he was ready in anything that he could, to do his
Highness’ commandment in what service he would appoint him. Well, then
hear what I say (quoth the Emperor). Being once solitary in my house, I
called to mind mine elders and ancestors, how it was possible for them
to attain unto so great a degree of authority, yea so high, that we the
successors of that line are never able to come near. As, for example,
the great and mighty monarch of the world, Alexander Magnus, was such
a lantern and spectacle to all his successors, as the Chronicles make
mention of 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 shew me them in such sort that I
may see their personages, shape, gesture, and apparel, as they used in
their lifetime, and that here before my face; to the end that I may say
I have my long desire fulfilled, and to praise thee to be a famous man
in thine art and experience. Doctor 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 to speak 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. Wherewith
Doctor 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 thick-set 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 on a complete harness burnished and graven exceeding rich to
look upon; and so passing towards the Emperor Carolus, he made low
and reverent curtsy: whereat the Emperor Carolus would have stood up
to receive and greet him with the like reverence, but Faustus took
hold of 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, she made the Emperor likewise
reverence, she was clothed in blue Velvet, wrought and embroidered with
pearl and gold, she was also excellent fair like Milk and blood mixed,
tall and slender, with a face round as an Apple, and thus she passed
certain times up and down the house, which the Emperor marking, said to
himself: now have I seen two persons, which my heart hath long wished
for to behold, and sure it cannot otherwise be, said he to himself, but
that the Spirits have changed themselves into these forms, and have
not deceived me, calling to his mind the woman that raised the Prophet
Samuel: and for that the Emperor would be the more satisfied in the
matter, he thought, I have heard say, that behind 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 also 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.