_How Doctor Faustus in the sight of the Emperor conjured a pair of
Hart’s horns upon a Knight’s head that slept out of a casement_
[Illustration]
When Doctor Faustus had accomplished the Emperor’s desire in all things
as he was requested, he went forth into a gallery, and leaning over
a rail to look into the privy garden, he saw many of the Emperor’s
Courtiers walking and talking together, and casting his eyes now this
way, now that way, he espied a Knight leaning out at a window of the
great hall; who was fast asleep (for in those days it was hot) but the
person shall be nameless that slept, for that he was a Knight, although
it was done to a little disgrace of the Gentleman: it pleased Doctor
Faustus, through the help of his Spirit Mephostophiles, to firm upon
his head as he slept, a huge pair of Hart’s horns, and as the Knight
awaked thinking to pull in his head, he hit his horns against the glass
that the panes thereof flew about his ears. Think here how this good
Gentleman was vexed, for he could neither get backward nor forward:
which when the Emperor heard all the Courtiers laugh, and came forth
to see what was happened, the Emperor also when he beheld the Knight
with so fair a head, laughed heartily thereat, and was therewithal well
pleased: at last Faustus made him quit of his horns again, but the
Knight perceived how they came, _etc._[36]
[Footnote 36: There seems to be no explanation for the _etc._ here and
at the end of the following two chapters. Cf. also end of Chapter IV.]