Chapter 66
_How the Emperor Carolus Quintus requested of Faustus to see some of his Cunning, whereunto he agreed._
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. Faustus resorted, and being there well known of divers nobles and gentlemen, he was invited in the court to meat, even in the presence of the emperor, whom when the emperor saw, he looked earnestly upon him, thinking by his looks he was some wonderful fellow; wherefore he asked one of his nobles whom he should be? He answered, that he was called Dr. Faustus. Whereupon the emperor held his peace until he had taken his repast; after which he called unto him Faustus into his privy-chamber; where 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 my empire; for men say that thou hast a familiar spirit with thee, and that thou canst do what thou list. It is, therefore," said the emperor, "my request of thee that thou let me see proof of thy experience, and I vow unto thee, by the honour of my imperial crown, none evil shall happen unto thee for so doing."
Hereupon Dr. Faustus answered his Majesty, that upon those conditions he was ready in anything that he could to do his highness's command in what service he could appoint him.
"Well, hear then what I say," quoth the emperor. "Being once solitary in my house, I called to mind my elders and ancestors, how it was possible for them to attain to so great a degree and authority, yea, so high, that we, the successors of that line, are not able to come near. As for example, the great and mighty monarch of the world, Alexander Magnus, was such a pattern and spectacle to all his successors, as the chronicles make mention of, having 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 show me them in such sort that I may see their personages, shapes, gesture and apparel, as they used in their lifetime, and that here before my face, to that end that I may say, I have my long desire fulfilled, and to praise thee to be a famous man in thy art and experience."
Dr. 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 and spoke 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.
Whereupon Dr. 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 set thick 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 a complete harness furnished and engraven, exceeding rich to look upon; and so passing towards the Emperor Carolus he made a low and reverend courtesy; whereat the Emperor Carolus would have stood up to receive and greet him with the like reverence. Faustus took hold on 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, made the emperor likewise reverence. She was clothed in blue velvet, wrought and embroidered with pearls and gold; she was also excellent fair, like blood and milk mixed, tall and slender, with a face as round as an apple, and thus passed they certain times up and down the house, which the emperor marking, said to himself, "Now I have seen two persons which my heart hath long wished to behold; and sure it cannot otherwise be," said he to himself, "but that the spirits have changed themselves into these forms, and have but deceived me," calling to mind the woman that raised the prophet Samuel. And for that the emperor should be more satisfied in the matter, he said, "I have often heard that behind in 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 able 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.