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Concerning Divers Flora. in Doctor Faustus' Garden. on Christmas Day. Concerning an Army Raised Against. My Lord of Hardeck
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Concerning Divers Flora
in Doctor Faustus' Garden
on Christmas Day
XXXV
In the midst of winter at the Christmas season, several gentlewomen came to Wittemberg to visit their brothers and cousins, all young gentlemen students there who were well-acquainted with Doctor Faustus. He had been invited to their table on more than one occasion, and, desirous now of repaying such social debts, he did invite these lords to bring their ladies to his domicile for an evening draught of wine. To come to his house, they had to trudge through a deep snow which lay over the town, but Doctor Faustus had used his peculiar sorcery to prepare a splendid marvel in his garden for them, and when they arrived there they beheld no snow at all, but a lovely summer day with all manner of flora. The grass was covered all over with many blossoms. Beautiful vines were growing there, all hung with divers sorts of grapes. There were roses, too, white, red and pink, as well as many other sweet smelling flowers, and it was all a great delight to behold.
Concerning an Army Raised Against
My Lord of Hardeck
XXXVI
Doctor Faustus, being on a journey to Eisleben and about halfway there, did see seven horse riding in the distance. He recognized their leader, for it was that Lord of Hardeck upon whose forehead (as we have reported) he had charmed a set of hart's horns while at the Emperor's court. The lord, who knew Faustus quite as well as Faustus knew him, called his men to a halt. When Faustus noticed this action he immediately retired toward a little hill.
The knight ordered a lively charge to intercept him, and also commanded the firing of a musket volley, but although they spurred their mounts hard to overtake Faustus, he achieved the higher ground first, and by the time the horses had topped the rise he was vanished from their sight. Here the knight again called a halt. They were looking about, trying to catch sight of Faustus, when they heard in the copse below a loud noise of horns, trumpets and military drums, all tooting and beating. Some hundred horse came charging in upon them, and the knight with his men took to their heels.
They at first sought to slip around the side of the hill home, but here they encountered a second great armed band all poised for the charge and barring their way. They turned about to dash away--and beheld a third troop of horsemen. They tried still another route, but again found themselves faced with men ready for battle. The same thing happened five times, just as often as they turned in a fresh direction. When the knight saw that he could nowhere escape but was threatened with a charge from every direction, he rode alone right into the main host, ignoring the danger to himself, and asked what might be the cause for his being surrounded and menaced on all quarters.
None would speak to him or say a word until at last Doctor Faustus came riding up to the knight (who was now restrained on all sides) and proposed that he surrender himself as a prisoner or taste the edge of the sword. The knight was convinced that he had encountered a natural army prepared for battle, and when Faustus now demanded their muskets and swords, then took their horses as well, it did not occur to him that it might be naught but sorcery. Presently, Doctor Faustus brought the men fresh, enchanted horses and new muskets and swords, saying to the knight (who no longer even knew him to be Faustus):
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My Lord, the commander of this army hath bid me let you go this time--but upon a condition and probation. Will ye confess that ye did pursue a man who hath sought and received, and is henceforth shielded by, our commander's protection?
The knight had to accept this condition. When they came back to his castle again, his men rode the horses out to drink, but once in the water the horses disappeared. The good fellows almost drowned, and had to ride back home afoot. When the knight beheld his men coming in all muddy and wet, and when he learned the cause of it all, he knew right away that it was Doctor Faustus' sorcery, even of the same sort as had been used to shame and mock him before. But since he had this time given Faustus his pledge, he would not break it. As for Faustus, he hitched the horses together, sold them and got some money in his pockets again. Thus did he heap coals upon the wrath of his enemy.
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