Mediaeval Tales

Mr. Bouterweck seems to be of opinion that the story of the ballad had been taken from some prose romance of chivalry; but I have not been able to find any trace of it.

In the following version I have taken liberty to omit a good many of the introductory stanzas of the famous _Coplas de Calainos_. The reader will remember that this ballad is al...

Dr. Faustus having overrun fifteen years of his appointed time, he took upon him a journey, with full intent to see the whole world, and calling his spirit Mephistophiles unto h...

The Ballads in the Collection of Escobar, entitled "Romancero e Historia del muy valeroso Cavallero El Cid Ruy Diaz de Bivar," are said by Mr. Southey to be in general possessed...

_How Dr. Faustus was carried through the Air, up to the Heavens to see the whole World, and how the Sky and Planets ruled; after the which he wrote a Letter to his Friend of the...

"My trusty and well-beloved friends, the cause why I have invited you in this place is this: forasmuch as you have known me these many years, what manner of life I have lived; p...

Charles now received news that a certain Giant, of the name of Ferracute, of the race of Goliath, was come to Nager, sent thither by Admiraldus, with twenty thousand Turks of Ba...

_How Dr. Faustus desired again of his Spirit, to know the Secrets and Pains of Hell; and whether those damned Devils, and their Company, might ever come to the Favour and Love o...

_How Dr. Faustus fell into Despair with himself, for having put a question unto his Spirit; they fell at Variance, whereupon the Rout of Devils appeared unto him, threatening hi...

Dr. Faustus bethinking how his time went away, and how he had spent eight years thereof, he meant to spend the rest to his better contentment, intending quite to forget any such...

The Emperor Charles the Fifth of that name, was personally, with the rest of the nobles and gentlemen, at the town of Intzbrack, where he kept his court, unto the which also Dr....

_How three young Dukes being together at Wittenburg, to behold the University, requested Faustus to help them at a Wish to the Town of Muncheon, in Bavaria, there to see the Duk...

Now Faustus falling to practice, and making his prognostications, he was doubtful in many points, wherefore he called unto him Mephistophiles his spirit, saying, "I find the gro...

He now blew a loud blast with his horn, to summon any Christian concealed in the adjacent woods to his assistance, or to recal his friends beyond the pass. This horn was endued...

A good Christian, an honest and virtuous old man, a lover of the Holy Scriptures, who was neighbour to Dr. Faustus, when he perceived that many students had their recourse in an...

You have heard before that all Faustus's mind was to study the arts of necromancy and conjuration, the which exercise he followed day and night, and taking to him the wings of a...

Argolander fled beyond the passes of the Pyrenees, and came to Pampeluna, where he sent Charles word he would stay for him. Charles then returned to France, and with the utmost...

Dr. Faustus continued thus in this epicurish life day and night, believed not that there was a God, hell, or devil: he thought that soul and body died together, and had quite fo...

When this famous Emperor had thus recovered Spain to the glory of our Lord and St. James, after a season he returned to Pampeluna, and encamped there, with his army. At that tim...

It is a common proverb in Germany that, although a conjurer have all things at command, the day will come that he shall not be worth a penny: so it is like to fall out with Dr....

A truce thus being granted, Argolander drew out his people from the city, and attended by sixty guards came into the King's presence, who was at this time encamped about a mile...

The Sunday following came the students home to Dr. Faustus his own house, and brought their meat and drink with them. Those men were right welcome guests unto Faustus, wherefore...

After Faustus had a while pondered and sorrowed with himself on his wretched estate, he called again Mephistophiles unto him, commanding him to tell him the judgment, rule, powe...

John Faustus, born in the town of Rhodes, being in the province of Weimar, in Germany, his father a poor husbandman, and not able well to bring him up, yet having an uncle at Wi...

Charles and Milo, his General, now marched after Argolander into Spain, and found him in the fields of the river, where a castle stands in the meadows, in the best part of the w...

Dr. Faustus began again to reason with Mephistophiles, requiring him to tell in what form and shape, and in what estimation his lord Lucifer was, when he was in favour with God.

Soon after, the King's approaching death was revealed to me; for, behold, as I was praying in the church of Vienne, I fell into a trance, as I was singing psalms, and saw innume...

The most glorious Christian Apostle St. James, when the other Apostles and Disciples of our Lord were dispersed abroad throughout the whole world, is believed to have first prea...

Charles then sent away the greatest part of his troops, and came to Gallicia, where he behaved very liberally to the Christians he found there, but either put to death or banish...

Dr. Faustus, having commanded the spirit to be with him, at his hour appointed, he came and appeared in his chamber, demanding of Faustus what his desire was. Then began Dr. Fau...

_How Mephistophiles came for his Writing, and in what manner he appeared, and his Sights he showed him; and how he caused him to keep a Copy of his own Writing._

After this Dr. Faustus set forth again to visit the countries of Spain, Portugal, France, England, Scotland, Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Muscovy, India, Cataia, Africa, Persia, and...

As Orlando was returning after the battle was over to view the Saracen army, he met a certain black Saracen, who had fled from the field, and concealed himself in the woods, who...

Dr. Faustus travelled towards Evzeleben, and when he was nigh half the way, he espied seven horsemen, and the chief of them he knew to be the knight with whom he had jested in t...

Upon Ash Wednesday came unto Dr. Faustus his bidden guests, the students, whom he feasted very royally, insomuch that they were all full and lusty, dancing and singing as the ni...

What more shall we say? Whilst the soul of the blessed Orlando was leaving his body, I, Turpin, standing near the King in the valley of Charles, at the moment I was celebrating...

Dr. Faustus being yet desirous to hear more strange things, called his spirit unto him, saying, "My Mephistophiles, I have yet another suit unto thee, which I pray thee deny me...

Dr. Faustus desired the Duke of Anhalt to walk a little forth of the court with him; wherefore they went together in the field, where Dr. Faustus (through his skill) had placed...

Soon after the Emperor heard that Ibrahim, King of Seville, and Almanzor, who escaped from the battle of Pampeluna, had gathered together at Cordova a body of troops from seven[...

Dr. Faustus having taken leave of the duke, he went to Wittenburg, near about Shrovetide, and being in company with certain students, Dr. Faustus was himself the God of Bacchus,...

Faustus continued in his devilish cogitations, never moving out of the place where the spirit left him, such was his fervent love to the devil; the night approaching, this swift...

I, Dr. John Faustus, _do acknowledge by this my deed and handwriting, that since my first writing, which is seventeen years past, I have right willingly held, and have been an u...

Now thou Faustus, damned wretch! how happy wert thou if, as an unreasonable beast, thou mightest die with a soul? so shouldest thou not feel any more doubts; but now the devil w...

On the third day Argolander attended the King, as he promised, and found him at dinner. Many tables were spread at which the guests were sitting; some in military uniform; some...

The Emperor was of a ruddy complexion, with brown hair; of a well-made handsome form, but a stern visage. His height was about eight of his own feet, which were very long. He wa...

Dr. Faustus on a time went to the Duke of Anhalt, who welcomed him very courteously. This was in the month of January; where sitting at table, he perceived the duchess to be wit...

The full time of Dr. Faustus, his four-and-twenty years being come, his spirit appeared unto him, giving him his writing again, and commanding him to make preparation, for that...

Dr. Faustus came in Lent unto Frankland fair, where his spirit Mephistophiles gave him to understand that in an inn were four jugglers that cut one another's heads off: and afte...

Argolander now assembled together innumerable nations of Saracens, Moors, Moabites, Parthians, Africans, and Persians: Texephin, King of Arabia; Urabell, King of Alexandria; Avi...

There were seven students and masters that studied divinity, jurisprudentiae, and medicinae. All these having consented, were agreed to visit Dr. Faustus, and to celebrate Shrov...

Dr. Faustus having given his soul to the devil, renouncing all the powers of heaven, confirming all his lamentable action with his own blood, and having already delivered his wr...

Dr. Faustus was sent for to come to the Marshal of Brunswick, who was marvellously troubled with the falling sickness. Now Faustus had this quality, he seldom rid, but commonly...

After Dr. Faustus had made his promise to the devil, in the morning betimes he called the spirit before him, and commanded him, that he should always come to him like a friar, a...

Now when this will was made, Dr. Faustus called unto his servant, saying, "I have thought upon thee in my testament, for that thou hast been a trusty servant unto me, and faithf...

Dr. Faustus living in all manner of pleasure that his heart could desire, continuing of his amorous drifts, his delicate fare, and costly apparel, called on a time his Mephistop...

In the city of Wittenburg 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...

But the judgment inflicted on a false executor deserves to be recorded, as a warning to those who unjustly pervert the alms of the deceased. When the King's army lay at Bayonne,...

I, John Faustus, _doctor, do openly acknowledge with mine own hand, to the great force and strengthening of this letter, that since I began to study, and speculate the course an...

The last bacchanalia was held on Thursday, where ensued a great snow, and Dr. Faustus was invited unto the students that were with him the day before, where they prepared an exc...

The night following after Faustus's communication with Mephistophiles, as concerning the fall of Lucifer, Dr. Faustus dreamed that he had seen a part of hell, but in what manner...

Charles deferred the burial of Orlando till he came to Blaye. His body was laid upon gold tapestry on two mules, covered with a pall, and at length honourably interred in the Ch...

We then came to Vienne, where I remained to be healed of the scars and wounds I received in Spain. The King, much fatigued, at length arrived at Paris; and, assembling a council...

The first city Charles besieged was Pampeluna; he invested it three months, but was not able to take it, through the invincible strength of the walls. He then made this prayer t...

"That is most true," said he to Faustus, "concerning the stars and planets; but, I pray you, in what kind or manner do the spirits use to vex men so little by day and so greatly...

Dr. Faustus having received denial of his spirit to be resolved any more in such questions propounded, forgot all good works, and fell to be a calendar-maker by the help of his...

When Dr. Faustus had accomplished the emperor's desire in all things as he was requested, he went forth into the gallery, and leaning over a rail to look into the privy garden,...

Both armies now prepared for battle in the morning, contending for their different faiths. The King mustered one hundred and thirty thousand men, but Argolander only one hundred...

After this manner he deceived a horse-courser at a fair, called Pheifering: for Faustus, through his conjuring, had gotten an excellent fair horse, whereupon he rid to the fair,...

In Germany, over the town of St. Elzeben, was seen a mighty great comet, whereat the people wondered, but Dr. Faustus being there, was asked of certain of his friends his judgme...

Early on the next day they came to the field of battle in Ronceval, and found the bodies of their friends, many of them still alive, but mortally wounded. Oliver was lying on hi...

There was a learned man of the town of Halberstat, named N. W., who invited Dr. Faustus to his table, but falling into communication before supper was ready, they looked out of...

The Emperor utterly destroyed the idols and images in Spain, except the idol in Andalusia, called Salamcadis. Cadis properly signifies the place of an island, but in Arabic it m...

Dr. Faustus took his leave of the emperor and the rest of the courtiers, at whose departure they were sorry, giving him many rewards and gifts; but being a league and a half out...

The sorrowful time drawing near, so troubled Dr. Faustus, that he began to write his mind, to the end he might peruse it often and not forget it, which was in manner as followet...

Dr. Faustus was now in his twenty-fourth and last year, and he had a pretty stripling to his servant, which had studied also at the university of Wittenburg. This youth was very...

Dr. Faustus being demanded the cause why the stars fall from heaven, he answered: "That it is but our opinion; for if one star fall, it is the great judgment of God upon us, as...

Dr. Faustus being at a town in Germany called Zwickow, where he was accompanied with many doctors and masters, and going forth to walk after supper, they met with a clown that d...

In the month of August there was over Wittenburg a mighty great lightning and thunder; and as Dr. Faustus was jesting merrily in the market-place with certain of his friends and...

Argolander now came to Xaintonge, at that time under the dominion of the Saracens; but Charles pursuing him, summoned him to restore the city, which Argolander refused, resolvin...

To the end that this miserable Faustus might fill the lust of his flesh and live in all manner of voluptuous pleasure, it came in his mind, after he had slept his first sleep, a...

Forasmuch as you requested me to write to you from Vienne (my wounds being now cicatrized) in what manner the Emperor Charles delivered Spain and Gallicia from the yoke of the S...

Faustus spake again to his spirit, saying, "Thou speakest of wonderful things: I pray thee now tell me what kingdoms are there in your hell? How many are there? What they are ca...

To the end that the devil would make Faustus his only heir, he showed unto him where he should go and find a mighty huge mass of money, and that he should find it in an old chap...

Dr. Faustus went into an inn wherein were many tables full of clowns, the which were tippling can after can of excellent wine; and to be short, they were all drunken; and as the...

In December, about Christmas, in the city of Wittenburg, were many young gentlemen, which were come out of the country to be merry with their friends, amongst whom there were ce...

The day after the King was informed that a certain King of Navarre, called Furra, designed to fight him at Mount Garzim. Charles therefore prepared for battle; but desiring to k...

The Clergy's refuge, and the Widow's friend, Bounteous to guests, and liberal to the poor; To heaven thy parting steps may safely bend, Whose works have opened wide salvation's...

Certain of the Christians however, coveting the spoils of the dead, returned that same night to the field of battle, and loaded themselves with heaps of gold and silver. But as...

Time ran away with Faustus, as the hour-glass; for he had but one month to come of his twenty-four years, at the end whereof he had given himself to the devil, body and soul, as...

Charles remained three years in these parts, and with the gold given him by the kings and princes greatly enlarged the church of the blessed St. James, appointing an Abbot and C...

After this the King and his army proceeded by the way of Gascony and Thoulouse, and came to Arles, where we found the army of Burgundy, which had left us in the hostile valley,...

When Dr. Faustus called to mind that his time from day to day drew nigh, he began to live a swinish and epicurish life. Wherefore he commanded his spirit Mephistophiles to bring...

Dr. Faustus began another jest. He made ready five fat swine the which he sold to one for six dollars apiece, upon this condition, that the swine-driver should not drive them in...

At Wittenburg, before Faustus's house, there was a quarrel between seven students, and five that came to part the rest, one part stronger than the other. Wherefore Dr. Faustus,...

They now embalmed the dead bodies of their friends; some with myrrh and balsam, some with salt, taking out the bowels, and filling the bodies with aromatic drugs, or with salt o...

Two chief burying grounds were now consecrated at Arles and Bordeaux by seven Bishops: Maximin of Aix, Trophimus of Arles, Paul of Narbonne, Saturnine of Thoulouse, Frontorne of...

After the King's return from Spain, a certain Pagan King, called Argolander, recovered the whole country with his army, driving the Emperor's soldiers from the towns and garriso...

THE MOOR CALAYNOS 57 THE ESCAPE OF GAYFEROS 61 MELISENDRA 63 THE MARCH OF BERNARDO DEL CARPIO 67 LADY ALDA'S DREAM 69 THE ADMIRAL GUARINOS 71 THE COMPLAINT OF THE COUNT OF SALDE...

THE YOUNG CID 81 XIMENA DEMANDS VENGEANCE 83 THE CID AND THE FIVE MOORISH KINGS 84 THE CID'S COURTSHIP 85 THE CID'S WEDDING 87 THE CID AND THE LEPER 88 BAVIECA 90 THE EXCOMMUNIC...