Footnotes[51]Gambols.[52]i.e. Faust, or perhapsYear.[53]Author ofSpeculum Peregrinarum Questionum, 1493.[54]Poor, attenuated.[55]Subdue.[56]Sweltering.[57]Ornamental border, or trimming.[58]Ouchornouchwas a kind of brooch.[59]To pitch.[60]Brush up.[61]Good night (Spanish).
Footnotes[51]Gambols.[52]i.e. Faust, or perhapsYear.[53]Author ofSpeculum Peregrinarum Questionum, 1493.[54]Poor, attenuated.[55]Subdue.[56]Sweltering.[57]Ornamental border, or trimming.[58]Ouchornouchwas a kind of brooch.[59]To pitch.[60]Brush up.[61]Good night (Spanish).
Footnotes
[51]Gambols.
[51]Gambols.
[52]i.e. Faust, or perhapsYear.
[52]i.e. Faust, or perhapsYear.
[53]Author ofSpeculum Peregrinarum Questionum, 1493.
[53]Author ofSpeculum Peregrinarum Questionum, 1493.
[54]Poor, attenuated.
[54]Poor, attenuated.
[55]Subdue.
[55]Subdue.
[56]Sweltering.
[56]Sweltering.
[57]Ornamental border, or trimming.
[57]Ornamental border, or trimming.
[58]Ouchornouchwas a kind of brooch.
[58]Ouchornouchwas a kind of brooch.
[59]To pitch.
[59]To pitch.
[60]Brush up.
[60]Brush up.
[61]Good night (Spanish).
[61]Good night (Spanish).
The arrival of the Messenger at Wittenberg, and the description of Wagner
Itis time to wind about another furrow with our sweating Team and bring our speech to another matter, entering out of one into another, for change is sweet. Not forgetting by the way the Pursuivant, or, as we may better call him, a Messenger, who lately departed from Vienna in Austria, and I think by that time this disputation was finished, had almost overtaken all the way betwixt him and home, which was some fifteen days’ travel, after five German miles to the day’s labour, and arrived at Wittenberg, by enquiry came to Wagner’s chamber, which was in the way as ye go to the Public Schools, as ye go from Melanchthon’s house, a pretty house and of a reasonable large size built of hewn stone, and environed with a good thick Wall, of some three foot and a half thick and twenty high, at the bottom guarded about with a good broad Mount of seven yards over, and round about very large and secret walks, far from all company and resort, and therehe might talk without fear with the Devil and his Dam too, thither this fellow coming, knocked peremptorily at the door, Wagner was even now gone to his study and rising up in a Pedlar’s chafe,[62]that he should go to his book, especially if it were goodness not once in a month, and yet then to be troubled, he swore a little thing would make him never study more, it should not, but putting on his cloak and his hat, came down and unbolted the door: Unto whom the Messenger seeing such a pretty jolly fellow did some little of reverence, Wagner as yet scarce having let down his choler, stepped back, and perceiving him wear such a Weed as Serjeants there do use to wear, thinking with himself that some had come from the prince for cozening of his servants, shut the door upon him and went pouting and swearing and pitifully chafing, that if the knave offered to sue him, he would surely kill him at the least, down he fetched a good Bastinado and set it behind the door and opened it again, and demanded somewhat mildly what he had to say unto him, to whom the Messenger said, that he came from the Arch-Duke of Austria from Vienna, who willing to hear some certainty of his Master, did send for him assuring himself, that not only he could satisfy his desire in that matter, but also shew him as much skill as ever his Master had. Wagner hearing the purpose of his message with good effectual words, thanked him again, and rendered most serviceable reverence to his good Lord and Master for remembering so gently of his poor servant, etc. Desiring him to tarry until he might set everything indue order and he would not fail to go with him. The Messenger did not deny him, and so they went up together into their Chamber, whom ever after the Messenger loved dearly for his proper behaviour and personage, for indeed Wagner was a very goodly young man, being about the common stature, straight and reasonably slender, well trussed, his hair very yellow and his face fair, his beard which did but now express the blossoms of his lusty courage of ye like yellow, well-mannered, as having been brought up amongst the finest and best sort of Devils: having a pleasant filed tongue, and would make the dainty Rhetoric come as smoothly out of his mouth as an arrow out of a piece of paper, well could he talk of amorous devices, and entreat the bravest Ladies with sweet entertainment, in truth by report he was a Gentle-like man, and accomplished with as many fine parts as a better man than he might justly vaunt of: he could play upon any fine Instrument, and was not ignorant of any laudable exercises, carrying a brave lusty conceit even to his death: and furnished with many proportions of art, there was nothing wanting in the man but a Godly mind.
Footnotes[62]Rage, temper.
Footnotes[62]Rage, temper.
Footnotes
[62]Rage, temper.
[62]Rage, temper.
The Tragedy of Doctor Faustus seen in the Air, and acted in the presence of a thousand people of Wittenberg. An. 1540
Ina brave summer Sunshine day, the whole people of Wittenberg being gathered together, to beholdcertain matches for the Garland who could drink most, and also to see a match shot at a pair of Butts with Harquebusiers, as their order is, in a low meadow hard by the Elve: which now being on his freshest pride was full of fine and sweet flowers, being in the latter end of the month, wherein the Sun departs from the last embracings ofGemini. On a sudden there was seen a marvellous bright and glorious Rainbow, spreading the wide arms over the wide World, and straight was there heard a noise of Trumpets, sounding a short flourish, and then another, and by and by another, all alike short, at the which the assembly was wondrously affeard, and listened, desirous to see the effect of this wonder and strange miracle, some of them fell to theirAve Marieslustily, thinking that the universal Doom had been at that instant, as thus they beheld with admiration, they might distinctly perceive a goodly Stage to be reared (shining to sight like the bright burnish gold) upon many a fair Pillar of clearest Crystal, whose feet rested upon the Arch of the broad Rainbow, therein was the high Throne wherein the King should sit, and that proudly placed with two and twenty degrees to the top, and round about curious wrought chairs for divers other Potentates, there might you see the ground-work at the one end of the Stage whereout the personated Devils should enter in their fiery ornaments, made like the broad wide mouth of an huge Dragon, which with continual armies of smoke and flame breathed forth his angry stomach’s rage, round about the eyes grew hairs not so horrible as men call bristles, but more horrible as long and stiff spears, the teeth ofthis Hell’s mouth far outstretching, and such as a man might well call monstrous, and more than a man can by words signify: to be short his hue of that colour which to himself means sorrow, and to others ministers like passion: a thick lamp-black, blacker then any paint, any Hell, blacker than its own self. At the other end in opposition was seen the place wherein the bloodless skirmishes are so often performed on the Stage, the Walls not (so pleasant as old wives would have their tales adorned with) of Pasty crust, but Iron attempered with the most firm steel, which being brightly filed shone as beautifully over the whole place as the Pale shining Cynthia, environed with high and stately Turrets of the like metal and beauty, and hereat many in-gates and out-gates: out of each side lay the bended Ordnance, shewing at their wide hollows the cruelty of death: out of sundry loops many large Banners and Streamers were pendant, briefly nothing was there wanting that might make it a fair Castle. There might you see, to be short, the Gibbet, the Posts, the Ladders, the tiring house, there everything which in the like houses either use or necessity makes common. Now above all was there the gay CloudsVsque quaqueadorned with the heavenly firmament, and often spotted with golden tears which men call Stars: There was lively portrayed the whole Imperial Army of the fair heavenly inhabitants, the bright Angels, and such whose names to declare in so vile a matter were too impious and sacrilegious. They were so naturally done that you would have sworn it had been Heaven itself or the Epitome of it, or some second Heaven, and a new Heaven it was,from thence like dewy drops wherein the Sun lays his golden shine, making them to appear like small golden tears, the sweet odours and comforting liquor streamed, and seemed always to rain from thence, but they never fell, but kept a beaten path from down on high wherein the descending Angel might rejoice. I should be too long if I should express this rare Stage, especially in such sort and such-like words as the like occasion in a more worthy subject would require, but of necessity we must barely apply our descriptions to the nature of the whole History. We must not fail in the first principle of Art, according to that of Horace.
Humano capiti ceruicem pictor equinamIungere si velit, & varias inducere plumasVndique collatis membris, vt turpiter atrumDesinat in piscem mulier formosa superne:Spectatum admissi risum teneatis amici?Credite Pisones isti tabulae fore librumPer similem.Non vt placidis coeant immitia.
Humano capiti ceruicem pictor equinamIungere si velit, & varias inducere plumasVndique collatis membris, vt turpiter atrumDesinat in piscem mulier formosa superne:Spectatum admissi risum teneatis amici?Credite Pisones isti tabulae fore librumPer similem.Non vt placidis coeant immitia.
Humano capiti ceruicem pictor equinamIungere si velit, & varias inducere plumasVndique collatis membris, vt turpiter atrumDesinat in piscem mulier formosa superne:Spectatum admissi risum teneatis amici?Credite Pisones isti tabulae fore librumPer similem.Non vt placidis coeant immitia.
Humano capiti ceruicem pictor equinam
Iungere si velit, & varias inducere plumas
Vndique collatis membris, vt turpiter atrum
Desinat in piscem mulier formosa superne:
Spectatum admissi risum teneatis amici?
Credite Pisones isti tabulae fore librum
Per similem.
Non vt placidis coeant immitia.
I shall not need to turn back to declare the deep astonishment of the people, who are always in most small manners induced easily to wondering, but now this excellent fair Theatre erected, immediately after the third sound of the Trumpets, there entereth in the Prologue attired in a black vesture, and making his three obeisances, began to shew the argument of that Scenical Tragedy, but because it was so far off they could not understand the words, and having thrice bowed himself to the high Throne, presently vanished. Then out of this representance of Hell’s mouth,issued out whole Armies of fiery flames, and most thick foggy smokes, after which entered in a great battle of footmen Devils, all armed after the best fashion with pike, etc., marching after the stroke of the courageous Drum, who girded about laid siege to this fair Castle, on whose Walls after the summons Faustus presented himself upon the battlements, armed with a great number of Crosses, pen and ink horns, charms, characters, seals, periapts,[63]etc., who after sharp words defied the whole assembly, seeming to speak earnestly in his own defence, and as they were ready to rear the Ladders, and Faustus had begun to prepare for the counterbattery, determining to throw down upon the assembly’s heads so many heavy charms and conjurations, that they should fall down half way from the ascendant, whilst these things began to wax hot from the aforesaid Heaven, there descended a Legion of bright Angels riding upon milk-white Chariots, drawn with the like white steeds, who with celestial divine melody came into the Town, to the intent to fight for the Doctor against his furious enemies, but he wanting pay-money, and void indeed of all good thoughts, not able to abide their most blessed presence, sent them away, and they returned from whence they came, sorrowfully lamenting his most wilful obstinacy, whilst he had all benointed the Walls with holy Water, and painted with blood many a crimson Cross. At length the Alarm was given, and the Ladders cleaved to the Walls, up the assailants climbed, up they lifted their fearful weapons. Faustus not able (destitute of help) to withstand them, was taken prisoner, and hisTower razed down to the earth, with whose fall both the large Heaven and World shook and quaked mightily, whom, when they had fettered, they left there, they marching out and the fore-named Chairs were presently occupied with all the Imperial rulers of Hell, who clothed in their holiday apparel sat there to give Judgment upon this wilful Faustus, whom two Hangmans of Hell unloosed, and there in presence of them all the great Devil afore his chief peers, first stamping with his angry foot, and then shaking his great bush of hair, that therewith he made the near places and the most proud Devils’ courages to tremble, and with his fire-burnt sceptre, and his like-coloured Crown, all of gold, setting one arm by his side, and the other upon the pommel of his Chair, shook a pretty space with such angry fury, that the flames which proceeded from his frightful eyes did dim the sight of the Wittenbergers below. There was in this said Wittenberg a gallant fair Lady and a virgin, which now following her mother, accompanied with sundry gallant German Gentlemen, had even now entered out of their Barge, and seeing the whole world of people as they thought gazing up into the Heaven so very strangely, were partly struck with wonder, some with fear, and some with sudden merriment, and hasting down the hill more than a round pace, asked some what was there to do, and they bid them look up (for here is to be noted that they looked up afore but could see nothing, but as always they were wont until they shewed them it), which they did, and at the same time wherein the great Devil was in his red-hot anger, this young Gentlewoman looked up, whose most uglyshape so feared her, that even then there she fell down in a swoon, whom they conveyed away very speedily, yet ere they could come home she was well-nigh dead, and so she lay for two years without hope of life, or certainly of death: great sorrow to her parents, and as cruel pain to her: But she at length recovered her Spirit, and if by your patience I may, I will tell you how. There was a most learned and excellent Doctor dwelling in the town who had great knowledge in the black Art, who being requested to use some Physic to aid her in her great extremity, being promised for reward five thousand Dollars. This Doctor perceiving the cause of her malady was not caused of any distemperature of her body, but only of the aforesaid fear, knew that Physic might well make her body sound, but her mind never. Wherefore not only for the reward, but also to become gracious and famous at once, proceeded in his cure on this manner. One night having made his Orisons and nine times combed his hair with tears of a pure maid, and nine times gone about a fire made all of pure Heben[64]coal, and thrice nine times called upon the name of the most dreadful Hecate, he laid himself to sleep upon a pure white and clean unspotted maiden’s smock, and covered himself over with the ashes of a white Hind roasted and burned altogether, he slept, and the next morning apparelled in white robes, having often and often called, recalled and exorcised the three Fairies Millia, Achilya, and Sybilla, at length the ground opened, and with them they brought a milk-white Steed, and did put upon his finger thering of invisibility; when they were vanished, he mounted up upon his Horse, who with more swift flight then the winged Pegasus carried him through the wide Air so fast and so long, that having passed over Bohem, Hungary, Thracia, all Asia Minor, Mesopotamia, and at length to Arabia Felix, where he alighted upon a most high Mountain, all the way from the top to the bottom of a just breadth and steepness, so that he that were on that would think himself not in the world, and they beneath would deem him to be in Heaven, upon the brims of it round about grew the high Pines, the stately Cedars, and always so green as the most fresh Meadow: the height of this huge rock was two and twenty miles in even altitude and half a mile of just circuit all the way: there he tied his Horse to a Tree and knocked at the Castle gate, where afore was never seen any, so that no path could there be seen, so that a man might justly have called it the house of little Hospitality, to him there came Neglectment, an old Lady, and demanded what he would, who told her his errand, and withal a ring of fine gold from the three Fairies; she knew the ring and his errand, and conveyed him into many a fair room, wherein she shewed him many a worthy Knight’s memorials, many an antique Monument heaped up, but inner rooms so monstrous dark and nightly, that no human eye could perceive anything, and forth she brought him unto a Garden, out of the midst whereof rose a little Hill, from the summit whereof there was a paved way of pure Crystal stone, from along whose bosom trilled a small Water: This water an old man held, and indeed he had it as aPatrimony, for therefore he could shew many an ancient evidence, and worn Charter, his hair was all fled to his front, as if some enemy had scared the hinder locks from his scalp, on his back hung a pair of Wings which flagged down, as if either they had been broken or he weary, and thus he overstrode a round World, from out of every part whereof gushed out this small River which was conveyed down in this Crystal pipe, in his hand he held a long scythe, and in the other an hour-glass, here the Doctor seeing the old ruins of this sumptuous house, and all the fair Walls and buildings over-grown with a deadly Moss, was much amazed, but because he could not tarry, he dipped a small Vial in the spring and departed, and for because he was so peremptorily warned not to tarry, he could not behold the most stately Galleries, in which he might see the World’s chief pleasures and Monuments, some wholly worn away, some half, and some even now beginning, and some wholly quite over-grown with a thick earthy fur, for as he came by an old Wall he chanced with his elbow to rub off the thick Moss, and then might he see a fair piece of Parchment gilded and painted curiously, wherein was truly described the ancient tokens of a most brave and worthy Gentleman, so having sped of his journey he came by the same way again as he went, Neglectment shut the doors upon him, whilst he mounted upon his white swift-footed Horse and by the like time arrived at his own house, where having with the blood of a new-slain heifer, thrice anointed the feet of his Cavallo, and tying at his ear with a string of fine silk spun by the hands of a pure maid, the receivedring of invisibility unto his ear, with many a Cross, and many an openAve Maria, dismissed him, who in the same moment returned to the place from whence he came. With this water the Doctor came to the maid, and having used a certain incantation, gave her to drink of the water of deep Oblivion, which she had no sooner tasted of, but straightways she had forgotten the terrible picture of the Devil, and was revived out of all her infernal fears, the Doctor called, winning him credit, favour, and fame, and richly rewarded for his medicine, departed, and running home threw his Vial into the deep River burying oblivion with oblivion, the parents of the young Lady rejoicing exceedingly at their daughter’s recovery, for ever after caused the place wherein their daughter was thus scared, to be inaccessible for man or beast, compassing it in with a high wall, and overthrowing the banks, so that now there is no mention of the meadow nor of the Wall.
The Devil, the great Devil Lucifer having finished his brief Oration, descended down out of his Judgment seat, and pointing unto all his Nobles, took Faustus by the hand, and placed him just before him, taking him by the chin, seemed to them to bid him speak freely, he mounted up again unto his high Throne, and with a more mild madness expected the speech of the Doctor, who having bowed himself submissively unto these damnable company, he began to speak, and yet not long, then he began to walk up and down and to shew strange gestures, when suddenly for some bug’s-words[65]escaped by Faustus, all the Devilsthere rose up, and with their swords drawn threatening with them the poor Doctor, turning all their bodies and directing their faces to the King, who with a stern countenance commanded silence. When Faustus having long raged, of a sudden howling loud, and tearing his hair, laid both his arms upon his neck, and leaped down headlong off the stage, the whole company immediately vanishing, but the stage, with a most monstrous thundering crack followed Faustus hastily, the people, verily thinking that they would have fallen upon them, ran all away, and he was happiest that had the swiftest foot, some leaped into the River and swam away, and all of them with great affright ran into the City and clapped the City gates together, straight, and to increase this fear they thought they heard a thing fall into the river as if a thousand houses had fallen down from the top of Heaven into it. But afterwards this was known to be Wagner’s knavery, who did this to shew the Pursuivant some point of his skill.
Footnotes[63]Charms, amulets.[64]Ebony.[65]Swaggering, or threatening language.
Footnotes[63]Charms, amulets.[64]Ebony.[65]Swaggering, or threatening language.
Footnotes
[63]Charms, amulets.
[63]Charms, amulets.
[64]Ebony.
[64]Ebony.
[65]Swaggering, or threatening language.
[65]Swaggering, or threatening language.
Themessenger had not tarried above three days, when as Wagner had trussed up his baggage, and was now ready to depart, when on the third day at night he caused his boy Artur Harmarvan (who was the son of a wealthy boor, witty above many, and praised for his notable waggery: his father dwelt at Malmesburg a town hard by Wittenberg in Saxony in high Dutchland,with whom Wagner being acquainted had obtained him of his father to serve him, and he to be taught of Wagner), him he caused to go to divers scholars of his acquaintance, to sup with him at his departure, who being invited to this hated farewell, came speedily, where they had a banquet and other courtesies which in such a time both custom and laws of their fellowship do prescribe: In the supper time the scholars moved many questions, and amongst the rest, one desired the Pursuivant to describe unto them his Lord and master, for they heard say that the Duke Alphonsus was a marvellous qualified Gentleman: The Pursuivant not willing to refuse their request told them that seeing their demand proceeded of a common good zeal, he could not but wrongfully refuse to satisfy: notwithstanding the truth might be better known of another than of him, when duty bids to be partial, if any defect might breed partiality, but so much as I will tell you, the enemy will not disdain to affirm: And there he told them the very stature, proportion, and particular lineaments, concluding that he shewed the uprightness of his mind by the proportion of his body, and keeping in his outward shape, the virtue which philosophers would have kept in the mind. There he told them the feature of his countenance, the colour of his hair, eyes, face, cheeks, etc. He told them his stature, favour, and strength, which was such, that with pure cleanness of his force, he hath foiled a gentleman in wrestling, who beside whiteness of body, was very firm without affection, not as some do which in performing anything will with such a ridiculous sourness act it, as if theforce of the body must be personated upon the Theatre of his face: He declared unto them that the gifts of his mind were such as then he could not for the number reckon up, but even as occasion should serve might meet with them, being all such as were more ready to be admired than imitated, as if all virtues were gathered in him together, magnanimity, magnificence, affability, modesty, etc., briefly (he said) there were in him all those Graces, which adorn the subject with the title of Virtuous. He likewise recounted unto them his studies, unto which he accommodated himself at vacant hours, were partly the Poetry. A Poem of his he said he had by chance gotten (and by greater chance had it there at that instant) which he had made in praise of his excellent Lady when he was but of young years, his Father living, I dare say he would not for ten thousand florins have it seen, being such a one as on a dreaming passion he had let fall from his pen, and of many the most abject, but such as this is deserves commendations, because a Prince made it, but if you saw his real devices, you would then say they were Prince-like. And then he read it, which I was loath, my good friends, either to translate or translated to present it here, for that it was not worthy your censure, considering the nice buildings of Sonnets nowadays, but according to Ariosto’s vein you shall find it very conformable, as also for that I knew that if I should have left it out, it would have been more wished for than now admired. Yet for that I prefer your well-known good wills afore any vain fear, take this with the rest, if they be any with such favour, as if I were by you at the reading.
A mio solemente amandonaMadonna: Donna non parelia.L’Angelico sembiante e quel bel volte,Fal’odio, el’ira va in oblivione,Ch’a l’etc.
A mio solemente amandonaMadonna: Donna non parelia.L’Angelico sembiante e quel bel volte,Fal’odio, el’ira va in oblivione,Ch’a l’etc.
A mio solemente amandonaMadonna: Donna non parelia.
A mio solemente amandona
Madonna: Donna non parelia.
L’Angelico sembiante e quel bel volte,Fal’odio, el’ira va in oblivione,Ch’a l’etc.
L’Angelico sembiante e quel bel volte,
Fal’odio, el’ira va in oblivione,
Ch’a l’etc.
Thus have I harshly Englished them verbally.
Angellike semblaunce beauties ornament,Whose Vertue quels all wrath and rancor deepe,Whose life Heauens grace and death would monumentVertue thy life aie.[66]How many wounded hearts thou makst to tremble,And I of many one cannot dissemble,How farre intoin thateie-sore.So were thy beauty but deseruing praise,So were thy beauty but as feminine,Then could my quill his straine so high arrayse,Then could with it compare the masculine,Thy beauty praise thy bounty past diuine,No straine no quill such wonderments assaies,Then Poets pen shall to thy power his power resigne.What words may wel expresse such excellence,No humane thought thy beauties may compriseAnd wordes may tell all humane insolenceAll humane words and witte thy gifts surprise.To satisfie my selfe in my pretence,Our pen vnto the heauens must wander hence.And fill it selfe with dew of heauenly Sapience.And I my life shall to your hands resigne,Which liue to serue a humane Sainct so past deuine.Se dacolei.Che poco ingegno adhor adhor mi lima.
Angellike semblaunce beauties ornament,Whose Vertue quels all wrath and rancor deepe,Whose life Heauens grace and death would monumentVertue thy life aie.[66]How many wounded hearts thou makst to tremble,And I of many one cannot dissemble,How farre intoin thateie-sore.So were thy beauty but deseruing praise,So were thy beauty but as feminine,Then could my quill his straine so high arrayse,Then could with it compare the masculine,Thy beauty praise thy bounty past diuine,No straine no quill such wonderments assaies,Then Poets pen shall to thy power his power resigne.What words may wel expresse such excellence,No humane thought thy beauties may compriseAnd wordes may tell all humane insolenceAll humane words and witte thy gifts surprise.To satisfie my selfe in my pretence,Our pen vnto the heauens must wander hence.And fill it selfe with dew of heauenly Sapience.And I my life shall to your hands resigne,Which liue to serue a humane Sainct so past deuine.Se dacolei.Che poco ingegno adhor adhor mi lima.
Angellike semblaunce beauties ornament,Whose Vertue quels all wrath and rancor deepe,Whose life Heauens grace and death would monumentVertue thy life aie.[66]How many wounded hearts thou makst to tremble,And I of many one cannot dissemble,How farre intoin thateie-sore.
Angellike semblaunce beauties ornament,
Whose Vertue quels all wrath and rancor deepe,
Whose life Heauens grace and death would monument
Vertue thy life aie.[66]
How many wounded hearts thou makst to tremble,
And I of many one cannot dissemble,
How farre intoin thateie-sore.
So were thy beauty but deseruing praise,So were thy beauty but as feminine,Then could my quill his straine so high arrayse,Then could with it compare the masculine,Thy beauty praise thy bounty past diuine,No straine no quill such wonderments assaies,Then Poets pen shall to thy power his power resigne.
So were thy beauty but deseruing praise,
So were thy beauty but as feminine,
Then could my quill his straine so high arrayse,
Then could with it compare the masculine,
Thy beauty praise thy bounty past diuine,
No straine no quill such wonderments assaies,
Then Poets pen shall to thy power his power resigne.
What words may wel expresse such excellence,No humane thought thy beauties may compriseAnd wordes may tell all humane insolenceAll humane words and witte thy gifts surprise.To satisfie my selfe in my pretence,Our pen vnto the heauens must wander hence.And fill it selfe with dew of heauenly Sapience.
What words may wel expresse such excellence,
No humane thought thy beauties may comprise
And wordes may tell all humane insolence
All humane words and witte thy gifts surprise.
To satisfie my selfe in my pretence,
Our pen vnto the heauens must wander hence.
And fill it selfe with dew of heauenly Sapience.
And I my life shall to your hands resigne,Which liue to serue a humane Sainct so past deuine.
And I my life shall to your hands resigne,
Which liue to serue a humane Sainct so past deuine.
Se dacolei.Che poco ingegno adhor adhor mi lima.
Se dacolei.
Che poco ingegno adhor adhor mi lima.
This Sonnet was ended with as much praise as it began with desire, and one of them copied it out, and so it was made common to the rest, and made a good sort of them Poets, rectifying their gross conceits, with so sweet a matter. He told them that this was but a preparative to wondering in respect of his choice makings. Then he shewed them this Epigram, which he made when as before the Duke his Father, a brace of fair English Greyhounds fell down at the Hart’s heels stark dead (the Hart also lying not above six yards off dead too) with chasing, having outstripped the rest of the dogs above half a mile.
Then he reckoned unto him the delight he took in Limning, and shewed them very many fine devices of his own handiwork. The scholars singularly delighted with the view of the reliques of so great a Prince, approved by silence that excellency which by speech they could not. In fine there he reckoned up enough to be praised, and peradventure more than was true, but not more than is desired. There he set forth with great and ardent Emphasis other qualities, as his skill and hardy demeanour at the Tilt tourney, how he could manage the sturdy steed, leap, run, vaunt, dance, sing, play on divers Instruments, and talk with amiable speech amongst fair Ladies which we call courting, in all his actions full of gentle familiar affability, still reserving to himself the due honour belonging to his personage. He concluded in fine that he was the most qualified Prince and absolute Gentleman that day in all Christendom: saying if they knew his humanity, justice and liberality, you would say in him were all humanity, justice and liberality;And as the greatest thing that the world can shew is beauty, so the least thing that is to be praised in him is beauty, you would say no less than I have spoken could be in his person, if you did but see him. Thus far the digression came in the commendations of this Alphonsus, which truly I was weary of, fearing the great insufficiency of the description, but yet he had not done. I would to God (quoth he) you would come to Vienna and I promise you such lodging and entertainment, that next to the sight of him should be worthiest of your thanks. Wherefore you shall not sorrow that your friend Wagner departeth unless you will seem to envy rather his felicity than his departure. I would we were even all of us as we sit at the Table in the Duke’s Court, and here again with a wish, and herewith there knocked one at the door, Wagner craftily feigning that he himself would rise to see him that knocked so, desiring them all to sit still in any case, and opening therewith the door, there entered two young Lords of Tergeste and Moravia, bearing torches, and next there came the Duke of Austrich, as they thought, and Wagner talked with him bare-headed (the Pursuivant, thinking verily it had been his Master, would have done his duty unto him, but that the rest hindered him): on his head he wore a little Hat of blue velvet, with a rich band of pearl, stone and gold, and a long white feather, his cloak of blue velvet, round guarded with gold lace, edged with Orient pearl, and betwixt the gards oylet[67]holes whereout hung by small silk threads long bugles, all the sleeves in the like order: by his side a golden-hiltedRapier, and on his Rapier his hand, his Buskins of the fine Polonian leather, richly embroidered on the turnings down with costly Goldsmith’s work, all his apparel whatsoever most beautiful and princely, he had no sooner passed by (which was not until he was distinctly viewed of them) but that Wagner spake unto them in such manner: saying that that Honourable, this man’s Lord had sent for him, whose commandment I will in no wise repugn. Wherefore I beseech you to take it as you would my greatest advancement. This his description of his feature, judge how rightly he hath said, for my part I confess that they are rather less than the truth, than not as he hath reported, and herein to satisfy you the more, I have caused my spirit Akercocke to take his shape upon him.
Now (quoth he) it is time to depart, but because it shall be the last night of our meeting, none of you shall depart, for I have lodging enough for you all, and for you shall not be forgetful of Wagner when he is gone, let every man wish his woman, and so to bed my masters. They began all to laugh merrily, not as hoping or wishing, but as if they had heard a merry purpose, and therefore they laughed because it was merry, and such mirth they always liked of. Wagner was almost angry, and yet for that he was almost, he was not angry, sending out a great oath as the Prologue of his Comedy, bidding his Boy go prepare their beds and chambers, and bid them wish whom they would, he would their wishes should be performed. Then rose up one of the scholars persuading himself of Wagner’s earnest, and yet doubting,because he feared he was not in earnest. Why (quoth he) if you mean in very deed, my friend Kit, I would I had such a woman, I believe beside herself there is none fairer then the fairest in this town. Why weenest thou I jest (quoth Wagner), go thy ways, yonder she is upon pain of my head, and so it was indeed: then everyone strove who should wish first, and he that wished last had his first wish, so everyone took his Damsel and for that night departed to their beds, who are witnesses of that night’s great pleasures, and in the morning they arose wishing that every morning were the morrow of such a night. Every one gat him a Hackney, and brought him on the way a day’s journey, where they with great grief left him, who rode till he came to Vienna, and they till they arrived at Wittenberg. Thus still you see these Pot-meetings are ended amongst these puffed-cheeked Hannikins[68]with bed dalliances, rightly describing their lives most bestial and Epicure-like.
Footnotes[66]The Letters were worn out in this place.—[Translator’s Note.][67]Eyelet.[68]GermanHänschen.
Footnotes[66]The Letters were worn out in this place.—[Translator’s Note.][67]Eyelet.[68]GermanHänschen.
Footnotes
[66]The Letters were worn out in this place.—[Translator’s Note.]
[66]The Letters were worn out in this place.—[Translator’s Note.]
[67]Eyelet.
[67]Eyelet.
[68]GermanHänschen.
[68]GermanHänschen.
A lamentable history of the death of sundry students of Wittenberg
Notlong after it was reported and blazed abroad that Wagner was departed, divers Scholars guessing that he had left his Books or the most part behind, determined to send for Harmarvan, which they did, who byno persuasions could be won to let them have his master’s Keys, so they devised amongst themselves to bind the Boy as he should go home to his Inn, whereat his Master had put him to board till his return. And night drawing on, Harmarvan went to his lodging, by the way Scholars to the number of seven met him and bound him, and beat him sore until he gave them all the Keys, which he carefully carried about him sewed in a wide German slop,[69]which when they had (they being all muffled and disguised strangely with vizards) they loosed, and then they ran hastily to Wagner’s house, as if they had fled from followers, or else followed some hastily flying, where being come, they opened the gates, and being entered shut them again, this being about eleven of the clock in ye night, and in they went, where they found two Barrels of mighty strong March English Beer of two years old, which they broached, and sat so long drinking till they were all well drunk. And then down they get into a back Court, and having lighted Tapers, having injuriously framed all the circles, squares, triangles, etc., and apparelled with all the conjuring robes that the Art requireth, there they begin in a most dreadful confusion of hellish syllables to inform the Fiend, and after these words followed as if there needs must such things follow after such words, a terrible roar, and then so bright a smothering thick fiery fume ascended out of the earth as if it would have made an eternal night, then a vehement flame followed which with continual motion, ran about the brims of the circle, until as weary it left moving (all this while they continuedreasonably constant, and continued their invocations without any fear), then from beneath was heard most lamentable outcries, from above huge trembling, thunder, and round about nothing but fear and death in a thousand diverse shapes, then they began to quail a little, but yet by encouragement grew hardy by reason of the number, then round about was sounded alarms with drums, and on set with Trumpets, as if there all the World had conflicted, then ye flame which all this while ran about the circle became a body, but such a body, as, if it had been but a Picture, would have madded anyone. At whose sight they wholly overcome with deadly fear forgot the use of their Pentacles or any such gear, but even submitted themselves to the small mercy of the Fiend, who with great violence rent them and tore them most lamentably. Harmarvan who had raised a great many to the intent to follow them suspecting that which indeed was, was after long wandering (for they had caused a Devil descryer to void all within a certain circuit) with his company brought to the house, where round about they might see in the Court wherein these seven were conjuring, huge flames as if some great pile had been made to the burial of a noble Hero, climbing up in huge volumes up into the Air, or if some great store of stubble had been fired, so vehemently furious was the flame that no man there (and there were above thirty) was able once to draw near to any part of ye House, the cry was carried into the City of this fire, whereupon the whole town was assembled with hooks, buckets, ladders, etc., where in vain they emptied many a large Well, till diverslearned Preachers falling down submissively on their knees, with good faith appeased this seeming fire which indeed was none, but a mere diabolical illusion, then they entered into the house, where they found the Barrels brought a bed and delivered, the cups, the whole furniture clean destroyed, broken, and thrown about the House, but drawing near unto the most rueful and lamentable spectacle of all, coming into the yard or grove which was moated about and enclosed with a thick Wall of trees very exceeding high, as Fir trees are, so very thick that no light was pierceable into it, in the very midst whereof was a round plot of some one hundred foot any way from the Centre, there found they the religious Circles, there the strange Characters, names of Angels, a thousand Crosses, there found they the five cross hilted Daggers for the five Kings of Hell, there many a strong bulwark builded with rows of Crosses, there found they the surplices, the stoles, pall, mitres, holy water pots broken, their periapts, seats, signs of the Angels of the seven days, with infinite like trash and damnable roguery, the fruits of the Devil’s rank fancy. But the most lamentable sight of all, the seven Scholars utterly torn in pieces, their blood having changed the colour of the ground into a dark Crimson, all their bodies as black as any coal, as if they had been scorched with a material fire, their flesh violently rent from the bones, and hanging down in morsels like the skirts of a side-coat, their bones all broken, their veins cut in sunder, and their bowels broad shed upon the earth, their brains poured out and covering the red grass all over, their noses stumped, their eyes thrust out, theirmouths widened and slit up to the ears, their teeth dashed out, and their tongues starting out betwixt their gums, their hair clean singed off, in brief imagine with yourselves in your minds, and propound a picture in your thought, the most deformed, torn, and ill-favoured that you can think on, yet shall it not compare to the most lachrimable sight and shew of them, surpassing as much all credit as my skill duly to describe them, whom when they had buried without tarriance, razed the house to the ground, and filled up the moats with earth, heaping upon the place of this murther the stones of the house defaced, then they returned home discoursing with lamentable judgment upon the high and severe revenge of God’s indignation upon them which durst presume to tempt his glorious Majesty. And finally, unless repentance breed a more speedy remorse, such is the fatal end of such proud attempts. And surely this is most true, for I myself have seen the ground where the house stood, and yet the moats dammed up and the Water breaking through the stones even to this day, there did I see a skull and a shank bone of them not yet rotten: and there did I see the huge heap of stones wherewith they are covered, a fearful example of God’s wrath and justice against such infidel Christians.
A CARICATURE OF THE POPE
Footnotes[69]Baggy breeches.
Footnotes[69]Baggy breeches.
Footnotes
[69]Baggy breeches.
[69]Baggy breeches.
Thegreat Turk called Soldan, Alias Chan, comprehending as many victories in his sword as some Emperors in their thoughts, arrived at length aforeVienna, having made his preamble with the destroying and burning of the country before him, thinking upon the ancient politic rule,Better it is to have a spoiled country than a lost, with a brave prepared Army of two hundred thousand Saracens, horse and foot, and so many it is certain he had, because they doubted not but there were 300,000. The mighty Cham having erected his royal Pavilions, and entrenched himself to besiege the noble Vienna, munified his camp with Artillery and deep ditches, and then he sent a Letter of defiance unto the honourable Alphonsus, as being principal in his own City, who was environed within the walls of the City expecting the day of battle, for to this intent the states of Italy and the Emperor of Germany, with the Dukes of Saxony, Bavaria, and the other Provinces near assembled (for now necessity bred unity) with a brave company of Soldiers to exterminate this monster out of their confines: unto the Duke of Austrich only (for he had no intelligence of their assembled forces) he directed his Letters with defiance, meaning to conclude his long travails with a certain victory; fearing neither the peril which so many gallant soldiers thoroughly resolved might bring, nor that ever God or fortune (as they call it) would once shew him any disfavour, whose only favour is only in show. Nor yet that the heaven’s great God would not with severe revengement chastise the Leviathan’s insolency and slaughter of so many Martyrs, rather deferring than forgetting so just a punishment.
Aboutthis time the Messenger and Wagner arrived at Vienna very late in the night and passed through the Turkish Sentinels, and arriving at the City, and for that night they lay at the Pursuivant’s house; no sooner had the approaching Sun sent afore him the Marshals of the morrow light, and a new morning ministered occasion of new matter, but up those two arose and being ready departed for the Court, and now the day was almost in the greatest beauty, when the Messenger was admitted into the Duke’s presence, unto whom he recited whatever was seen and done in that time of his absence (only I forgot to tell you how Wagner raged and stormed, and thundered, when Akercocke brought him word of the destruction of his House at Wittenberg as he was in the way to Austria), wherewith the Duke was wonderfully both delighted and astonished. And having welcomed Wagner very graciously and accordingly rewarded, he dismissed them till further leisure, commanding the Pursuivant to shew him all the pleasure he mought.
Afterall these most excellent Princes were come into the counsel chamber, the Herald sounded his trumpet after the Turkish summons, then did all the states draw into the Great Hall, wherein a high Imperial throne richly ordered with shining cloth of Gold,every noble and estate placed correspondently to his degree, where in presence of them all the Herald was admitted, who coming with his coat of Arms lying upon his right arm into the bottom of the Hall, made three obeisances down with the right knee unto the ground, with a loud and distinct voice spake unto the Duke only, telling him that his sovereign and Master Sultan Alias Chan, the son of Murad Chan, the son of Rabeck Chan, the son of Mahomet Chan, and so upwards till he came to their great Prophet Mahomet, God on the earth, and Emperor of all the East. And then he began to reckon five hundred titles, with a long etc.... Unto thee Alphonsus Arch-Duke of Austrich, and there he declared the whole effects of his message, and at last with a great Bravado ended, and then he did on his gay coat of Arms, expecting their answer. When as the Duke craving licence of the Emperor to speak, answered ye Herald in most gallant and triumphing terms, commanding him to say unto the proud Turk his Master, that ere five days came about, he would trample his victorious horns under his feet, and ride in triumph upon his stubborn neck, and that in defence of himself and of brave Christendom he would leese[70]the uttermost drop of his blood, and to make it good he would not be in quiet till he had met his Master in the midst of the field, and therewith he drew out his sword, and all they with him, crying God and Saint Michael for the right of Christendom: then stood up the Emperor and avowed all that they had said afore him, commanding moreover the Herald to say to the proud Usurper, that seeing the quarrelwould breed great effusion of blood, and yet he never the nearer, that he a man every way equal to himself, not only for the speedier advance of his battles, but also to have a certain end to such an uncertain enterprise, he would fight with him body to body, armed at all points after their own guise at any time within this fortnight, and Herald, bring me word (quoth he) that he will so do, and by my Honour I promise to give thee for thy tidings 10,000 Ducats. Then the Herald being highly rewarded was dismissed, and reported their brave answers unto the Turk, with all the great majesty of the Christian Princes, who presently went to counsel together, and so continued till other like necessary business called them away.