CHAPTER XV
The gifts of Wagner to the Duke, and three Devils retained for Soldiers to the same Prince
In the next morning Wagner presented himself to the Duke in presence of all the whole Princes of the Christians, whom very graciously he entertained as he might for his good service, and there in presence of them all he desired the Duke to take at his servant’s hands a small gift, which he condescended unto, and then Wagner caused a Chest to be brought in of fine Iron, wrought and enamelled with gold and colour most curiously, then he opened it and took out a whole armour of fine bright steel so light as a common Doublet, but so subtly and excellently framed, that it passed all comparison of hardness, there was a Musket shot at every piece whereon remained no great notice of a blow, but as of a little touch, plain without any broider work or otherwise carved, but so exceeding bright as would well have dazzled the long beholder’s eyes, a shield of the same fashion, made like a tortoise shell, a sword of the like fine temper, with all the furniture of a soldier, then took he out a Plume which he had no sooner put into the crest, but he that stood behind could not see no part of his back, nor he that stood before of his breast, so that thus it made him invisible, there he told him it was fetched out of the great Turk’s armoury, which they say was Mahomet’s, but I say more truly Alias Chan’s, which for himself caused it to be made, having called together the most excellent Philosophers and workmen that were to be found in all his wide Empire. The great rewards the Duke would have given him for it he refused, he was only contented with thanks and favour. And then might they see from the door of the chamber three most gallant men to enter, which were his three Familiars, whom Wagner taking by the hands presented unto the whole assembly of Princes, but more directly to the Duke, assuring them that they were the most fortunate, most valiant, strong, hardy, and puissant men that in the World were to be found, and indeed they seemed to be as goodly swart men as any eye beheld, he told their several names: Mephostophiles he termed Mamri, Akercocke he termed Simionte, Faustus he called Don Infeligo, shewing that they were born in those fortunate Islands, wherein the Poets feigned the Elysian fields to be, joining by West upon the end of Barbary, being from Vienna to those fortunate Islands 35 degrees of longitude and eight minutes, and 48 degrees and 22 minutes from the Equator or Equinoctial, in latitude not then found out. So were they most graciously entertained of all the Nobles, and entertained in the Duke’s most Honourable pay. Wagner said that they three left their country and sought adventures, and by chance coming this way, I knowing of it by secret intelligence, met them and certainly assured of their high valours, thought good to shew them to you, for he that first had spoke to them had been first served, nor cared they whether to serve us or the Infidel.