THE ENCHANTER FAUSTUS AND QUEEN ELIZABETH.
ANECDOTE EXTRACTED PROM THE DOCTOR'S UNPUBLISHED MEMOIRS.
"I do not say it is possible--I only say it is true."
Elizabeth was a wonderful princess for wisdom, learning, magnificence, and grandeur of soul. All this was fine,--but she was as envious as a decayed beauty--jealous and cruel--and that spoiled all. However, be her defects what they may, her fame had pierced even to the depths of Germany, whence the Enchanter Faustus set off for her court, that great magician wishing to ascertain by his own wits, whether Elizabeth was as gifted with good qualities as she was with bad. No one could judge this for him so well as himself, who read the stars like his A B C, and whom Satan obeyed like his dog--yet, withal, who was not above a thousand pleasant tricks, that make people laugh, and hurt no one: such, for instance, as turning an old lord into an old lady, to elope with his cook-maid--exchanging a handsome wife for an ugly one, &c. &c.
The Queen, charmed with the pretty things which she heard of him, wished much to see him--and from the moment that she did, became quite fascinated. On his side, he found her better than he had expected; not but that he perceived she thought a great deal too much of her wit--though she had a tolerable share of it; and still more of her beauty--of which she had rather less.
One day that she was dressed with extraordinary splendour, to give audience to some ambassadors, she retired into her cabinet at the close of the ceremony, and sent for the Doctor. After having gazed at herself in all the mirrors in the room, and seeming very well pleased with their reflection,--for her roses and lilies were as good as gold could buy, her petticoat high enough to show her ankle, and her frill low to expose her bosom,--she sat down _en attitude_, in her great chair. It was thus the Enchanter Faustus found her. He was the most adroit courtier that you could find, though you searched the world over. For though there are good reasons why a courtier may not be a conjuror, there are none why a conjuror may not be a courtier; and Faustus, both in one--knowing the Queen's foible as to her imaginary beauty--took care not to let slip so fine an opportunity of paying his court. He was wonderstruck, thunderstruck, at such a blaze of perfection. Elizabeth knew how to appreciate the moment of surprise. She drew a magnificent ruby from her finger, which the Doctor, without making difficulties about it, drew on his.