_How Doctor Faustus played a merry jest with the Duke of Anholt in his
Court_
Doctor Faustus on a time came to the Duke of Anholt, the which welcomed
him very courteously, this was in the month of January, where sitting
at the table, he perceived the Duchess to be with child, and forbearing
himself until the meat was taken from the table, and that they brought
in the banqueting dishes, said Doctor Faustus to the Duchess, Gracious
Lady, I have always heard, that the great-bellied women do always
long for some dainties, I beseech therefore your Grace hide not your
mind from me, but tell me what you desire to eat, she answered him,
Doctor Faustus now truly I will not hide from you what my heart doth
most desire, namely, that if it were now Harvest, I would eat my belly
full of ripe Grapes, and other dainty fruit. Doctor Faustus answered
hereupon, Gracious Lady, this is a small thing for me to do, for I can
do more than this, wherefore he took a plate, and made open one of
the casements of the window, holding it forth, where incontinent he
had his dish full of all manner of fruits, as red and white Grapes,
Pears, and Apples, the which came from out of strange Countries, all
these he presented the Duchess, saying: Madame, I pray you vouchsafe
to taste of this dainty fruit, the which came from a far Country, for
there the Summer is not yet ended. The Duchess thanked Faustus highly,
and she fell to her fruit with full appetite. The Duke of Anholt
notwithstanding could not withhold to ask Faustus with what reason
there were such young fruit to be had at that time of the year? Doctor
Faustus told him, may it please your Grace to understand, that the year
is divided into two circles over the whole world, that when with us it
is Winter, in the contrary circle it is notwithstanding Summer, for in
India and Saba there falleth or setteth the Sun, so that it is so warm,
that they have twice a year fruit: and gracious Lord, I have a swift
Spirit, the which can in the twinkling of an eye fulfil my desire in
any thing, wherefore I sent him into those Countries, who hath brought
this fruit as you see: whereat the Duke was in great admiration.