_How Doctor Faustus made a marriage between two lovers_
In the City of Wittenberg was a Student, a gallant Gentleman, named N.
N. This Gentleman was far in love with a Gentlewoman, fair and proper
of personage. This Gentlewoman had a Knight that was a suitor unto her,
and many other Gentlemen, the which desired her in marriage, but none
could obtain her: So it was that this N. N. was very well acquainted
with Faustus, and by that means became a suitor unto him to assist him
in the matter, for he fell so far in despair with himself, that he
pined away to the skin and bones. But when he had opened the matter
unto Doctor Faustus, he asked counsel of his Spirit Mephostophiles,
the which told him what to do. Hereupon Doctor Faustus went home to
the Gentleman, and bade him be of good cheer, for he should have his
desire, for he would help him to that he wished for, and that this
Gentlewoman should love none other but him only: wherefore Doctor
Faustus so changed the mind of the Damsel by a practice he wrought,
that she would do no other thing but think on him, whom before she
had hated, neither cared she for any man but him alone. The device
was thus, Faustus commanded this Gentleman that he should clothe
himself in all his best apparel that he had and that he should go unto
this Gentlewoman, and there to shew himself, giving him also a Ring,
commanding him in any wise that he should dance with her before he
departed. Wherefore he followed Faustus his counsel, went to her, and
when they began to dance they that were suitors began to take everyone
his Lady in his hand, and this good Gentleman took her, who before had
so disdained him, and in the dance he thrust the Ring into her hand
that Doctor Faustus had given him, the which she no sooner touched,
but she fell immediately in love with him, beginning in the dance to
smile, and many times to give him winks, rolling her eyes, and in
the end she asked him if he could love her and make her his wife; he
gladly answered, he was content: and hereupon they concluded, and were
married, by the means and help of Doctor Faustus, for which he received
a good reward of the Gentleman.