cunning of thine art, Canst raise this man from hollow vaults below, Where lies entomb'd this famous conqueror, And bring with him his beauteous paramour, Both in their right shapes, gesture, and attire They us'd to wear during their time of life, Thou shalt both satisfy my just desire, And give me cause to praise thee whilst I live. FAUSTUS. My gracious lord, I am ready to accomplish your request, so far forth as by art and power of my spirit I am able to perform. KNIGHT. I'faith, that's just nothing at all.           [Aside.]       FAUSTUS. But, if it like your grace, it is not in my ability136 to present before your eyes the true substantial bodies of those two deceased princes, which long since are consumed to dust. KNIGHT. Ay, marry, Master Doctor, now there's a sign of grace in you, when you will confess the truth.           [Aside.]       FAUSTUS. But such spirits as can lively resemble Alexander and his paramour shall appear before your grace, in that manner that they both137 lived in, in their most flourishing estate; which I doubt not shall sufficiently content your imperial majesty. EMPEROR. Go to, Master Doctor; let me see them presently. KNIGHT. Do you hear, Master Doctor? you bring Alexander and his paramour before the Emperor! FAUSTUS. How then, sir?       KNIGHT. I'faith, that's as true as Diana turned me to a stag. FAUSTUS. No, sir; but, when Actaeon died, he left the horns for you.—Mephistophilis, be gone.           [Exit MEPHISTOPHILIS.]       KNIGHT. Nay, an you go to conjuring, I'll be gone.           [Exit.]       FAUSTUS. I'll meet with you anon for interrupting me so.      —Here they are, my gracious lord. Re-enter MEPHISTOPHILIS with SPIRITS in the shapes of ALEXANDER and his PARAMOUR. EMPEROR. Master Doctor, I heard this lady, while she lived, had a wart or mole in her neck:  how shall I know whether it be so or no? FAUSTUS. Your highness may boldly go and see. EMPEROR. Sure, these are no spirits, but the true substantial bodies of those two deceased princes.           [Exeunt Spirits.]       FAUSTUS. Wilt please your highness now to send for the knight that was so pleasant with me here of late? EMPEROR. One of you call him forth.           [Exit ATTENDANT.]            Re-enter the KNIGHT with a pair of horns on his head. How now, sir knight! why, I had thought thou hadst been a bachelor, but now I see thou hast a wife, that not only gives thee horns, but makes thee wear them. Feel on thy head. KNIGHT. Thou damned wretch and execrable dog, Bred in the concave of some monstrous rock, How dar'st thou thus abuse a 

 Prev. P 22/56 next