Scene I.—Rome. Enter Chorus.
Chorus: Learned Faustus,
To find the secrets of astronomy
Graven in the book of Jove's high firmament,
Did mount him up to scale Olympus' top;
Where, sitting in a chariot burning bright,
Drawn by the strength of yokéd dragons' necks,
He views the clouds, the planets, and the stars.
From east to west his dragons swiftly glide,
And in eight days did bring him home again.
Now, mounted new upon a dragon's back,
He, as I guess, will first arrive at Rome
To see the Pope and manner of his court,
And take some part of holy Peter's feast,
The which this day is highly solemnised.
[Exit. Enter Faustus and Mephistophilis.
Faustus: Hast thou, as erst I did command,
Conducted me within the walls of Rome?
Mephistophilis: This is the goodly palace of the Pope.
Faustus: Sweet Mephistophilis, thou pleasest me.
Whilst I am here on earth, let me be cloy'd
With all things that delight the heart of man.
My four-and-twenty years of liberty
I'll spend in pleasure and in dalliance.
Now in this show let me an actor be,
That this proud Pope may Faustus' cunning see.
[Enter Pope and others in procession; Bruno, nominated pope in opposition by the Emperor, in chains. Faustus and Mephistophilis, impersonating two cardinals, are given charge of the condemned Bruno, whom they liberate and dispatch magically to the Emperor. Subsequently, both being rendered invisible, they amuse themselves at the expense of the Pope and his guests at a banquet; and then depart to the Emperor's court.
Scene II.—Before the Emperor's palace. Benvolio at a window. Enter the Emperor with his train, including Faustus, Mephistophilis, Bruno.
Emperor: Wonder of men, renowned magician,
Thrice-learned Faustus, welcome to our court.
Now, Faustus, as thou late didst promise us,
We would behold that famous conqueror,
Great Alexander, and his paramour,
In their true shapes and state majestical.