shall I do? Good devil, forgive me now, and I'll never rob thy library more. Re-enter MEPHISTOPHILIS. MEPHIST. Monarch of Hell,130 under whose black survey Great potentates do kneel with awful fear, Upon whose altars thousand souls do lie, How am I vexed with these villains' charms? From Constantinople am I hither come, Only for pleasure of these damned slaves. ROBIN. How, from Constantinople! you have had a great journey:      will you take sixpence in your purse to pay for your supper, and be gone? MEPHIST. Well, villains, for your presumption, I transform thee into an ape, and thee into a dog; and so be gone!           [Exit.]       ROBIN. How, into an ape! that's brave:  I'll have fine sport with the boys; I'll get nuts and apples enow. RALPH. And I must be a dog. ROBIN. I'faith, thy head will never be out of the pottage-pot.           [Exeunt.]            Enter EMPEROR,131 FAUSTUS, and a KNIGHT, with ATTENDANTS. EMPEROR. Master Doctor Faustus,132 I have heard strange report of thy knowledge in the black art, how that none in my empire nor in the whole world can compare with thee for the rare effects of magic:  they say thou hast a familiar spirit, by whom thou canst accomplish what thou list. This, therefore, is my request, that thou let me see some proof of thy skill, that mine eyes may be witnesses to confirm what mine ears have heard reported:  and here I swear to thee, by the honour of mine imperial crown, that, whatever thou doest, thou shalt be no ways prejudiced or endamaged. KNIGHT. I'faith, he looks much like a conjurer.           [Aside.]       FAUSTUS. My gracious sovereign, though I must confess myself far inferior to the report men have published, and nothing answerable to the honour of your imperial majesty, yet, for that love and duty binds me thereunto, I am content to do whatsoever your majesty shall command me. EMPEROR. Then, Doctor Faustus, mark what I shall say. As I was sometime solitary set Within my closet, sundry thoughts arose About the honour of mine ancestors, How they had won133 by prowess such exploits, Got such riches, subdu'd so many kingdoms, As we that do succeed,134 or they that shall Hereafter possess our throne, shall      (I fear me) ne'er attain to that degree Of high renown and great authority:      Amongst which kings is Alexander the Great, Chief spectacle of the world's pre-eminence, The bright135 shining of whose glorious acts Lightens the world with his reflecting beams, As when I hear but motion made of him, It grieves my soul I never saw the man:      If, therefore, thou, by 

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