them as we do. But
likewise if so be that we see as it were a stream of fire fall from the
firmament, as it oft happeneth, yet are they not stars, but as it were a
flame of fire vanishing, but the stars are substantial; therefore are
they firm and not falling; if there fall any, it is a sign of some great
matter to come, as a scourge to a people or country; and then such stars
falling, and the gates of heaven are opened, and the clouds send forth
floods and other plagues, to the damage of the whole land and people."

CHAPTER XXVIII.

_How Faustus was asked a Question concerning Thunder._

In the month of August there was over Wittenburg a mighty great
lightning and thunder; and as Dr. Faustus was jesting merrily in the
market-place with certain of his friends and companions, being
physicians, they desired him to tell them the cause of that weather.
Faustus answered: "It hath been commonly seen heretofore that, before a
thunder-clap, fell a shower of rain or a gale of wind; for commonly
after a wind falleth rain, and after rain a thunder-clap, such thickness
come to pass when the four winds meet together in the heavens, the airy
clouds are by force beaten against the fixed crystal firmament, but when
the airy clouds meet with the firmament, they are congealed, and so
strike, and rush against the firmament, as great pieces of ice when they
meet on the water; then each other sounded in our ears, and that we call
thunder, which indeed was none other than you have heard."

THE THIRD AND LAST OF DR. FAUSTUS HIS MERRY CONCEITS, SHOWING AFTER WHAT
SORT HE PRACTISED NECROMANCY IN THE COURTS OF GREAT PRINCES: AND,
LASTLY, OF HIS FEARFUL AND PITIFUL END.

CHAPTER XXIX.

_How the Emperor Carolus Quintus requested of Faustus to see some of his
Cunning, whereunto he agreed._

The Emperor Charles the Fifth of that name, was personally, with the
rest of the nobles and gentlemen, at the town of Intzbrack, where he
kept his court, unto the which also Dr. Faustus resorted, and being
there well known of divers nobles and gentlemen, he was invited in the
court to meat, even in the presence of the emperor, whom when the
emperor saw, he looked earnestly upon him, thinking by his looks he was
some wonderful fellow; wherefore he asked one of his nobles whom he
should be? He answered, that he was called Dr. Faustus. Whereupon the
emperor held his peace until he had taken his repast; after which he
called unto him Fa