ejoined that it was out of his
power truly to raise the dead, but that he had spirits at his command who
had often seen that great conqueror, and that Faustus would willingly
place him before the emperor as he required. He conditioned that Charles
should not speak to him, nor attempt to touch him. The emperor promised
compliance. After a few ceremonies, therefore, Faustus opened a door, and
brought in Alexander exactly in the form in which he had lived, with the
same garments, and every circumstance corresponding. Alexander made his
obeisance to the emperor, and walked several times round him. The queen of
Alexander was then introduced in the same manner. Charles just then
recollected he had read that Alexander had a wart on the nape of his neck;
and with proper precautions Faustus allowed the emperor to examine the
apparition by this test. Alexander then vanished.
As Faustus was approaching the last year of his term, he seemed resolved
to pamper his appetite with every species of luxury. He carefully
accumulated all the materials of voluptuousness and magnificence. He was
particularly anxious in the selection of women who should serve for his
pleasures. He had one Englishwoman, one Hungarian, one French, two of
Germany, and two from different parts of Italy, all of them eminent for
the perfections which characterized their different countries.
At length he arrived at the end of the term for which he had contracted
with the devil. For two or three years before it expired his character
gradually altered. He became subject to fits of despondency, was no longer
susceptible of mirth and amusement, and reflected with bitter agony on the
close in which the whole must terminate. He assembled his friends together
at a grand entertainment, and when it was over, addressed them, telling
them that this was the last day of his life, reminding them of the wonders
with which he had frequently astonished them, and informing them of the
condition upon which he had held this power. They, one and all, expressed
the deepest sorrow at the intelligence. They had had the idea of something
unlawful in his proceedings; but their notions had been very far from
coming up to the truth. They regretted exceedingly that he had not been
unreserved in his communications at an earlier period. They would have had
recourse in his behalf, to the means of religion, and have applied to
pious men, desiring them to employ their power to intercede with Heaven
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