s: _Wagner_. O, call them not, the well known powers of air,


s: That swarm through all the middle kingdom, weaving


s: Their fairy webs, with many a fatal snare


s: First, the sharp spirit-tooth, from out the North,


s: And arrowy tongues and fangs come thickly flying;


s: Then from the East they greedily dart forth,


s: Sucking thy lungs, thy life-juice drying;


s: If from the South they come with fever thirst,


s: Upon thy head noon's fiery splendors heaping;


s: The Westwind brings a swarm, refreshing first,


s: Then all thy world with thee in stupor steeping.


s: They listen gladly, aye on mischief bent,


s: Gladly draw near, each weak point to espy,


s: They make believe that they from heaven are sent,


s: But let us go! The earth looks gray, my friend,


s: Why dost thou stop and stare with all thy eyes?


s: What can so chain thy sight there, in the gloaming?


s: _Wagner_. I saw him some time since, he seemed not strange to me.


s: _Faust_. Look sharply! What dost take the beast to be?


s: _Wagner_. For some poor poodle who has lost his master,


s: And, dog-like, scents him o'er the ground.


s: _Faust_. Markst thou how, ever nearer, ever faster,


s: Towards us his spiral track wheels round and round?


s: _Wagner_. 'Tis probably an optical illusion;


s: _Faust_. He seems to me as he were tracing slyly


s: His magic rings our feet at last to snare.


s: _Wagner_. To me he seems to dart around our steps so shyly,


s: As if he said: is one of them my master there?


s: _Faust_. The circle narrows, he is near!


s: _Wagner_. Thou seest! a dog we have, no spectre, here!


s: He growls and stops, crawls on his belly, too,


s: _Faust_. Come here, sir! come, our comrade be!


s: Lose something, drop thy cane or sling it


s: Into the stream, he'll run and bring it.


s: _Faust_. I think you're right; I trace no spirit here,


s: 'Tis all the fruit of training, that is clear.


s: _Wagner_. A well-trained dog is a great treasure,


s: Wise men in such will oft take pleasure.


s: And he deserves your favor and a collar,


s: He, of the students the accomplished scholar.


s: Be quiet, poodle! what worrisome fiend hath possest thee,


s: Go behind the stove there and rest thee,


s: There's my best pillow--what wouldst thou more?


s: As, out on the mountain-paths, frisking and leaping,


s: So now in return lie still in my keeping,


s: Then in the bosom thought beams brightly,


s: Back to life's rills he yearns to wander,


s: Stop growling, poodle! In the music Elysian


s: These bestial noises have jarring power.


s: We know that men will treat with derision


s: At goodness and truth and beauty's vision


s: Will shut their eyes and murmur and howl at it;


s: And must the dog, too, snarl and growl at it?


s: But ah, with the best will, I feel already,


s: No peace will well up in me, clear and steady.


s: And the dried-up stream in fever leave us?


s: For in this I have had a full probation.


s: And yet for this want a supply is provided,


s: To a higher than earth the soul is guided,


s: And where are its light and warmth so blent


s: To expound for once the ground text of all,


s: Into my own loved German honestly turning.


s: "In the beginning was the _Word_." I read.


s: But here I stick! Who helps me to proceed?


s: The _Word_--so high I cannot--dare not, rate it,


s: It reads: "In the beginning was the _thought_."


s: But study well this first line's lesson,


s: Is it the _thought_ does all from time's first hour?


s: "In the beginning," read then, "was the _power_."


s: Yet even while I write it down, my finger


s: Is checked, a voice forbids me there to linger.


s: The spirit helps! At once I dare to read


s: And write: "In the beginning was the _deed_."


s: With his fiery eyes and the terrible white


s: Have I brought with me into the house! Ah now,


s: _Spirits_ [_in the passage_]. Softly! a fellow is caught there!


s: Keep back, all of you, follow him not there!


s: _Faust_. First, to encounter the creature


s: By the spell of the Four, says the teacher:


s: He lies there grinning--'tis clear, my charm


s: His hair is bristling--his body swelling.


s: He fills the whole room, so huge he's grown,


s: Thou seest, there's reason to dread my ire.


s: Of the potentest spell in all my treasure!


s: Why all this noise? What is your worship's pleasure?


s: _Faust_. This was the poodle's essence then!


s: A travelling clark? Ha! ha! The casus is too funny.


s: _Mephistopheles_. I bow to the most learned among men!


s: 'Faith you did sweat me without ceremony.


s: _Mephistopheles_. The question seems too small


s: For one who holds the _word_ so very cheaply,


s: _Faust_. With gentlemen like him in my presence,


s: You find it God of flies, Destroyer, Slanderer, Liar.


s: _Mephistopheles_. A portion of that power,


s: Which wills the bad and works the good at every hour.


s: _Faust_. Beneath thy riddle-word what meaning lies?


s: _Mephistopheles_. I am the spirit that denies!


s: And justly so; for all that time creates,


s: And so, then, all that you call sinning,


s: Destruction,--all you pronounce ill-meant,--


s: _Faust_. Thou call'st thyself a part, yet lookst complete to me.


s: _Mephistopheles_. I speak the modest truth to thee.


s: Part of the part am I, which once was all, the Gloom


s: That brought forth Light itself from out her mighty womb,


s: The upstart proud, that now with mother Night


s: Disputes her ancient rank and space and right,


s: Yet never shall prevail, since, do whate'er he will,


s: From bodies flows, makes bodies fair to sight;


s: His doom, I therefore hope, will soon o'ertake him,


s: With bodies merged in nothingness and night.


s: _Faust_. Ah, now I see thy high vocation!


s: This, what's its name? this clumsy world,


s: By wave, storm, earthquake, fiery brand.


s: Calm, after all, remain both sea and land.


s: And the damn'd living fluff, of man and beast the brood,


s: And still there circulates each hour a new, fresh blood.


s: It were enough to drive one to distraction!


s: Through moist and dry, through warm and cold,


s: Had I not claimed of fire a reservation,


s: _Faust_. Thus, with the ever-working power


s: _Mephistopheles_. We'll give the thing consideration,


s: _Faust_. Why thou shouldst ask I do not see.


s: _Mephistopheles_. Let me confess there's one small prohibition


s: Lies on thy threshold, 'gainst my walking through,


s: If that spell-binds thee, then how enteredst thou?


s: _Thou_ shouldst proceed more circumspectly!


s: _Mephistopheles_. Mark well! the figure is not drawn correctly;


s: _Faust_. That was a lucky hit, believe it!


s: 'Twas wholly chance--I'm quite astounded!


s: _Mephistopheles_.  The _poodle_ took no heed,


s: _Faust_. The window offers free emission.


s: _Mephistopheles_. Devils and ghosts are bound by this condition:


s: The way they entered in, they must come out. Allow


s: In the first clause we're free, yet not so in the second.


s: _Faust_. In hell itself, then, laws are reckoned?


s: Now that I like; so then, one may, in fact,


s: Conclude a binding compact with you gentry?


s: _Mephistopheles_. Whatever promise on our books finds entry,


s: _Faust_. Do stay but just one moment longer, then,


s: Tell me good news and I'll release thee.


s: _Mephistopheles_. Let me go now! I'll soon come back again,


s: Then may'st thou ask whate'er shall please thee.


s: _Faust_. I laid no snare for thee, old chap!


s: Thou shouldst have watched and saved thy bacon.


s: Must hold him fast, next time he'll not so soon be taken.


s: _Mephistopheles_. Well, if it please thee, I'm content to stay


s: To exercise my arts have free permission.


s: _Mephistopheles_. Thy senses, friend, in this one hour


s: Shall grasp the world with clearer power


s: _Mephistopheles_. He sleeps! Ye airy, tender youths, your numbers


s: You put me greatly in your debt by this.


s: Thou art not yet the man that shall hold fast the devil!


s: Still cheat his senses with your magic revel,


s: But this charm-mountain on the sill to level,


s: Nor need I conjure long, they're near me,


s: E'en now comes scampering one, who presently will hear me.


s: And gnaw this threshold with great power,


s: But brisk to work! The point by which I'm cowered,


s: Now, Faust, until we meet again, dream on!


s: _Faust_. [_Waking_.] Again has witchcraft triumphed o'er me?


s: Was it a ghostly show, so soon withdrawn?


s: _Faust_. A knock? Walk in! Who comes again to tease me?


s: _Mephistopheles_. Must say it thrice, to please me.


s: In scarlet dress, trimmed with gold lacing,


s: _Faust_. In every dress I well may feel the sore


s: With terror I behold each morning's light,


s: To see the day that shall not in its flight


s: Fulfil for me one wish, not one, but killing


s: And when at night I stretch me on my bed


s: And darkness spreads its shadow o'er me;


s: Wild dreams and spectres dance before me.


s: Life is a curse and death a long'd-for rest.


s: _Faust_. O blest! for whom, when victory's joy fire blazes,


s: Death round his brow the bloody laurel windeth,


s: O that, beneath the exalted spirit's power,


s: _Mephistopheles_. And yet I knew one, in a midnight hour,


s: Who a brown liquid shrank from drinking.


s: _Faust_. Eaves-dropping seems a favorite game with thee.


s: _Mephistopheles_. Omniscient am I not; yet much is known to me.


s: _Faust_. Since that sweet tone, with fond appealing,


s: And woke the lingering childlike feeling


s: Curs'd all that, as possession, rules us,


s: Curs'd be the grape-vine's balsam-juices!


s: _Choir of spirits_. [_Invisible_.] Woe! Woe!


s: Which like a vulture feeds upon thy heart;


s: Thou shalt, in the worst company, to-morrow


s: I'm none of your magnates, I grant thee;


s: Thy pleasure in all things shall guide me,


s: Shalt make me thy servant, make me thy slave!


s: _Faust_. And in return what service shall I render?


s: _Mephistopheles_. There's ample grace--no hurry, not the least.


s: _Faust_. No, no, the devil is an egotist,


s: And does not easily "for God's sake" tender


s: 'Tis dangerous taking such a servant home.


s: _Mephistopheles_. I to thy service _here_ agree to bind me,


s: _Faust_. I care not much what's over yonder:


s: When thou hast knocked this world asunder,


s: Up from this earth my pleasures all are streaming,


s: Down on my woes this earthly sun is beaming;


s: Then come what will, I've nought to say.


s: _Mephistopheles._ In such a mood thou well mayst venture.


s: Bind thyself to me, and by this indenture


s: Fruits of my arts that man had never seen.


s: _Faust_. And what hast thou to give, poor devil?


s: Was e'er a human mind, upon its lofty level,


s: The hands; a game in which men never win;


s: Ogles a neighbor with her wanton glances;


s: Show me the fruit that, ere it's plucked, will rot,


s: And trees from which new green is daily peeping!


s: _Mephistopheles_. Such a requirement scares me not;


s: Yet shall there also come a time, good friend,


s: When we may feast on good things at our leisure.


s: _Faust_. If e'er I lie content upon a lounge of pleasure--


s: When thou with flattery canst cajole me,


s: When thou with pleasure canst befool me,


s: _Faust_. Full right to that just now I gave;


s: _Mephistopheles_. I shall this very day, at Doctor's-feast,


s: But one thing!--For insurance' sake, I pray thee,


s: _Faust_. Pedant! will writing gain thy faith, alone?


s: In all thy life, no man, nor man's word hast thou known?


s: That passes on my future days have spoken?


s: The world-stream raves and rushes (hast not heard?)


s: Yet this delusion haunts the human breast,


s: Who from his soul its roots would sever?


s: Thrice happy in whose heart pure truth finds rest.


s: But from a formal, written, sealed attest,


s: As from a spectre, all men shrink forever.


s: Brass, marble, parchment, paper, shall it be?


s: Shall I subscribe with pencil, pen or graver?


s: _Mephistopheles_. This rhetoric of thine to me


s: Thy signature will need a single drop of blood.


s: _Mephistopheles._ Quite a peculiar juice is blood.


s: _Faust_. Fear not that I shall break this bond; O, never!


s: Man's restless activity flourishes still.


s: _Mephistopheles_. No bound or goal is set to you;


s: _Faust_. Now, once for all, pleasure is not the question.


s: I'm sworn to passion's whirl, the agony of bliss,


s: The lover's hate, the sweets of bitterness.


s: My heart, no more by pride of science driven,


s: Shall open wide to let each sorrow enter,


s: And all the good that to man's race is given,


s: Through life's whole range, upward and downward sweeping,


s: Their weal and woe upon my bosom heaping,


s: Thus in my single self their selves all comprehending


s: And with them in a common shipwreck ending.


s: _Mephistopheles_. O trust me, who since first I fell from heaven,


s: _Mephistopheles_. Now that's worth hearing!


s: You need some slight advice, I'm fearing.


s: Let the gentleman's thought, far-sweeping,


s: And how, with warm and youthful passion,


s: _Faust_. What am I then? if that for which my heart


s: The crown of man, must hang unreached forever?


s: _Mephistopheles_. Thou art at last--just what thou art.


s: Pile perukes on thy head whose curls cannot be counted,


s: On yard-high buskins let thy feet be mounted,


s: _Faust_. Yes, I have vainly, let me not deny it,


s: Of human learning ransacked all the stores,


s: And when, at last, I set me down in quiet,


s: There gushes up within no new-born force;


s: _Mephistopheles_. My worthy sir, you see the matter


s: But we must learn to take things better,


s: The deuce! thy head and all that's in it,


s: On four and twenty legs the road I scour.


s: I tell thee, friend, a speculating churl


s: Is like a beast, some evil spirit chases


s: Along a barren heath in one perpetual whirl,


s: While round about lie fair, green pasturing places.


s: _Mephistopheles_. We sally forth e'en now.


s: To stay here threshing straw why car'st thou?


s: To tell the boys not for the whole world dar'st thou.


s: _Faust_. I have no heart the youth to see.


s: _Mephistopheles_. The poor boy waits there like a sentry,


s: Come, give me, now, thy robe and bonnet;


s: 'Twill take but fifteen minutes, I am sure.


s: Meanwhile prepare thyself to make the pleasant tour!


s: _Mephistopheles [in_ FAUST'S _long gown_].


s: The highest flights that thought can soar--


s: And with his spells of witchcraft bind thee,


s: That unrestrainedly still onward sweeps,


s: To scale the skies long since hath striven,


s: He shall through life's wild scenes be driven,


s: I'll make him writhe and stare and stiffen,


s: His fevered lips, with thirst all parched and riven,


s: Insatiably shall haunt refreshment's brink;


s: And had he not, himself, his soul to Satan given,


s: _Scholar_. I have but lately left my home,


s: _Mephistopheles._ Your courtesy greatly flatters me


s: Have you made any applications elsewhere?


s: _Scholar_. Let me, I pray, your teachings share!


s: My mother would hardly hear of my going;


s: But I long to learn here something worth knowing.


s: _Mephistopheles_. You've come to the very place for it, then.


s: _Scholar_. Sincerely, could wish I were off again:


s: On the lecture-seats, I know not what ails me,


s: Sight, hearing, thinking, every thing fails me.


s: _Mephistopheles_. 'Tis all in use, we daily see.


s: _Scholar_. I'll hang upon her neck, a raptured wooer,


s: But only tell me, who shall lead me to her?


s: _Mephistopheles_. Ere you go further, give your views


s: _Scholar_. To be right learn'd I've long desired,


s: _Mephistopheles_. I see you're on the right track here;


s: But you'll have to give undivided attention.


s: _Scholar_. My heart and soul in the work'll be found;


s: Only, of course, it would give me pleasure,


s: _Mephistopheles_. Use well the precious time, it flips away so,


s: Yet method gains you time, if I may say so.


s: I counsel you therefore, my worthy friend,


s: Then is your mind well trained and cased


s: On the road of thought with a cautious tread.


s: It is, to be sure, with the fabric of thought,


s: As with the _chef d'uvre_ by weavers wrought,


s: Where a thousand threads one treadle plies,


s: Backward and forward the shuttles keep going,


s: I'll show you, it could not be otherwise:


s: The third and fourth must of course be so;


s: And were not the first and second, you see,


s: The scholars everywhere call this clever,


s: Whoever will know a live thing and expound it,


s: First kills out the spirit it had when he found it,


s: By which dunces themselves unwittingly shame.


s: _Scholar_. Cannot entirely comprehend you.


s: _Mephistopheles_. Better success will shortly attend you,


s: _Scholar_. I feel as confused by all you've said,


s: As if 'twere a mill-wheel going round in my head!


s: _Mephistopheles_. The next thing most important to mention,


s: For that which will not go into the head,


s: To see that he says no more than's in the book;


s: _Mephistopheles_. But choose some faculty, I pray!


s: _Scholar_. I feel a strong dislike to try the legal college.


s: _Mephistopheles_. I cannot blame you much, I must acknowledge.


s: I know how this profession stands to-day.


s: Reason is nonsense, right an impudent suggestion;


s: Alas for thee, that thou a grandson art!


s: Of inborn law in which each man has part,


s: Of that, unfortunately, there's no question.


s: _Scholar_. My loathing grows beneath your speech.


s: _Mephistopheles_. I must not let you by zeal be blinded.


s: Nine out of ten in the wrong road will blunder,


s: And in it so much poison lies concealed,


s: That mould you this mistake for physic, no great wonder.


s: Here also it were best, if only one you heard


s: These through the temple door will lead you


s: _Scholar_. Yet in the word a thought must surely be.


s: The word comes in, a friend in need, to thee.


s: _Scholar_. Forgive my keeping you with many questions,


s: _Mephistopheles_ [_aside_]. I'm heartily tired of this dry prose,


s: The healing art is quickly comprehended;


s: Through great and little world you look abroad,


s: Vain is it that your science sweeps the skies,


s: Each, after all, learns only what he can;


s: In the women's good graces seek first to be seated;


s: Are all from a single point to be treated;


s: You may get the blind side of them when you please.


s: A title, first, their confidence must waken,


s: That _your_ art many another art transcends,


s: Then may you, lucky man, on all those trifles reckon


s: For which another years of groping spends:


s: Know how to press the little pulse that dances,


s: And fearlessly, with sly and fiery glances,


s: Clasp the dear creatures round the waist


s: _Scholar_. This promises!  One loves the How and Where to see!


s: _Mephistopheles_. Gray, worthy friend, is all your theory


s: I swear to you, like one who walks in dream.


s: Might I another time, without encroaching,


s: Hear you the deepest things of wisdom broaching?


s: _Mephistopheles_. So far as I have power, you may.


s: _Scholar [reads]._ Eritis sicut Deus, scientes bonum et malum.


s: Let but the brave old saw and my aunt, the serpent, guide thee,


s: And, with thy likeness to God, shall woe one day betide thee!


s: _Faust [enters_]. Which way now shall we go?


s: _Mephistopheles_. Which way it pleases thee.


s: The little world and then the great we see.


s: Wilt thou the rollicking cursus measure!


s: 'Tis vain for me to think of succeeding,


s: I never could learn what is called good-breeding.


s: In the presence of others I feel so small;


s: _Faust_. But how are we to start, I pray?


s: Where are thy servants, coach and horses?


s: _Mephistopheles_. We spread the mantle, and away


s: A little oxygen, which I will soon make ready,


s: From earth uplifts us, quick and steady.


s: And if we're light, we'll soon surmount the sphere;


s: I give thee hearty joy in this thy new career.


s: _Frosch_. Will nobody drink? Stop those grimaces!


s: I'll teach you how to be cutting your faces!


s: Laugh out! You're like wet straw to-day,


s: And blaze, at other times, like dry hay.


s: _Brander_. 'Tis all your fault; no food for fun you bring,


s: _Frosch_. You wanted it, what would you more?


s: _Siebel_ Out of the door with them that brawl!


s: Strike up a round; swill, shout there, one and all!


s: _Altmayer_. Woe's me, I'm lost! Bring cotton!


s: Then does the base make felt its true ground-swell.


s: _Brander_. A sorry song! Fie! a political song!


s: A tiresome song! Thank God each morning therefor,


s: That you have not the Romish realm to care for!


s: At least I count it a great gain that He


s: E'en we can't do without a head, however;


s: The casting vote and the true man shows.


s: Greet me my darling ten thousand times o'er.


s: _Siebel_. No greetings to that girl! Who does so, I resent it!


s: _Frosch_. A greeting and a kiss! And you will not prevent it!


s: _Siebel_. Ay, sing away and praise and glorify your dear!


s: The jade has jilted me, and will you too hereafter;


s: At night may he upon the cross-way meet her;


s: Or, coming from the Blocksberg, some old buck


s: May, as he gallops by, a good-night bleat her!


s: A good-night strain as well as I can dress it.


s: He lined his paunch from larder and chest,


s: _Chorus [flouting_]. As if he had love in his body.


s: _Brander_. He raced about with a terrible touse,


s: He gnawed and he scratched all over the house,


s: And soon the poor beast got enough, I guess,


s: _Chorus_. As if he had love in his body.


s: _Brander_. With pain he ran, in open day,


s: He's piping on the last hole," said she,


s: _Siebel_. Just hear now how the ninnies giggle!


s: _Brander_. You take their case so much to heart?


s: _Altmayer_. The bald pate and the butter-belly!


s: He sees in the swollen rat, poor fellow!


s: _Mephistopheles_. Now, first of all, 'tis necessary


s: That you may see how lightly life can run.


s: Each day to this small folk's a feast of fun;


s: Still round and round in circle-dance they whirl,


s: As with their tails young kittens twirl.


s: _Brander_. They're fresh from travel, one might know it,


s: _Frosch_. Thou verily art right! My Leipsic well I know!


s: Paris in small it is, and cultivates its people.


s: _Siebel_. What do the strangers seem to thee?


s: _Frosch_. Just let me go! When wine our friendship mellows,


s: Easy as drawing a child's tooth 'twill be


s: To worm their secrets out of these two fellows.


s: They're of a noble house, I dare to swear,


s: _Brander_. They're mountebanks, I'll bet a dollar!


s: _Frosch_. I'll smoke them, mark you that!


s: _Mephistopheles_. With your permission, shall we make one party?


s: Instead of a good drink, which get here no one can,


s: _Altmayer_. You seem a very fastidious man.


s: _Frosch_. I think you spent some time at Rippach lately?


s: You supped with Mister Hans not long since, I dare say?


s: _Mephistopheles_. We passed him on the road today!


s: Fine man! it grieved us parting with him, greatly.


s: He'd much to say to us about his cousins,


s: And sent to each, through us, his compliments by dozens.


s: _Altmayer_ [_softly_]. You've got it there! he takes!


s: _Frosch_. I'll have him next time, wait a bit!


s: _Mephistopheles_. If I mistook not, didn't we hear


s: Some well-trained voices chorus singing?


s: _Frosch_. You are perhaps a connoisseur?


s: _Mephistopheles_. O no! my powers are small, I'm but an amateur.


s: _Siebel_. But let it be a bran-new strain!


s: _Frosch_. Hear him! A flea! D'ye take there, boys? A flea!


s: _Mephistopheles_ [_resumes_]. There was a king, right stately,


s: _Brander_. But don't forget to charge the knight of stitches,


s: _Mephistopheles_. In silk and velvet splendid


s: _Chorus_ [_loud_]. We choke 'em and we crack 'em


s: _Siebel_. So shall each flea his life resign!


s: _Brander_. Point your fingers and nip them fine!


s: _Siebel_. Don't say that thing again, you fretter!


s: _Mephistopheles_. Did I not fear the landlord to affront;


s: I'd show these worthy guests this minute


s: _Siebel_. Just bring it on! I'll bear the brunt.


s: _Mephistopheles_. Bring us a gimlet here!


s: _Brander_. What shall be done with that?


s: You've not the casks before the door, I take it?


s: _Altmayer_. The landlord's tool-chest there is easily got at.


s: _Mephistopheles_ [_takes the gimlet_] (_to Frosch_).


s: What will you have? It costs but speaking.


s: _Frosch_. How do you mean?  Have you so many kinds?


s: _Mephistopheles_. Enough to suit all sorts of minds.


s: _Altmayer_. Aha! old sot, your lips already licking!


s: Get us a little wax right off to make the stoppers!


s: _Altmayer_. Ah, these are jugglers' tricks, and whappers!


s: _Mephistopheles_ [_to Brander_]. And you?


s: _Brander_. Champaigne's the wine for me,


s: the wax-stoppers and stopped the holes_.]


s: Your real German man can't bear the French, I grant you,


s: _Siebel_ [_while Mephistopheles approaches his seat_].


s: I don't like sour, it sets my mouth awry,


s: _Altmayer_. No, sirs, just look me in the eye!


s: I see through this, 'tis what the chaps call smoking.


s: _Mephistopheles_. Come now! That would be serious joking,


s: _Altmayer_. Wait not to ask; with any, then.


s: _Mephistopheles_ [_with singular gestures_].


s: Like wooden vines, to give wine is able.


s: Sweet spring, that yields us what we will!


s: _Mephistopheles_. Only be careful not a drop to spill!


s: _All_ [_sing_]. We're happy all as cannibals,


s: _Mephistopheles_. Look at them now, they're happy as can be!


s: _Faust_. To go would suit my inclination.


s: _Mephistopheles_. But first give heed, their bestiality


s: Help! fire! Ho! Help! The flames of hell!


s: _Mephistopheles [_conjuring the flame_].


s: This time 'twas but a drop of fire from purgatory.


s: _Siebel_. What does this mean? Wait there, or you'll be sorry!


s: _Frosch_. Not twice, in this way, will it do to joke us!


s: _Siebel_. What, sir! How dare you undertake


s: _Mephistopheles_. Be still, old wine-cask!


s: _Brander_. Stop there! Or blows shall rain down round you!


s: _Mephistopheles_ [_with a serious mien_].


s: _Altmayer_. Where am I? What a charming land!


s: _Frosch_. Vine hills! My eyes! Is't true?


s: _Siebel_. And grapes, too, close at hand!


s: _Brander_. Beneath this green see what a stem is growing!


s: _Frosch_. Was that thy nose, friend, I had hold of?


s: _Brander_ [_to Siebel_]. And I have thine, too, in my hand!


s: _Altmayer_. O what a shock! through all my limbs 'tis crawling!


s: _Frosch_. No, say what was the real case?


s: _Siebel_. O show me where the churl is hiding!


s: _Altmayer_. Out through the cellar-door I saw him riding--


s: _Siebel_. 'Twas all deception and moonshine.


s: _Frosch_. Yet I was sure I did drink wine.


s: _Brander_. But how about the bunches, brother?


s: _Altmayer_. After such miracles, I'll doubt no other!


s: _Faust_. Would that this vile witch-business were well over!


s: Some balsam to restore a youth that's vanished?


s: _Mephistopheles_. My friend, again thou speakest a wise thought!


s: I know a natural way to make thee young,--none apter!


s: _Mephistopheles_. Well! here's one that needs no pay,


s: With simple fare both mind and body feeding,


s: Live with the beast as beast, nor count it robbery


s: Shouldst thou manure, thyself, the field thou reapest;


s: For eighty years thy youth thou keepest!


s: _Faust_. I am not used to that, I ne'er could bring me to it,


s: _Mephistopheles_. So must we on the witch, then, call.


s: _Faust_. But why just that old hag? Canst thou


s: _Mephistopheles_. That were a pretty pastime now


s: I'd build about a thousand bridges quicker.


s: Costs a still spirit years of occupation:


s: Time, only, strengthens the fine fermentation.


s: See, what a genteel breed we here parade!


s: _The animals_. While we are giving our paws a warming.


s: _Faust_. Disgusting as I ever chanced to see!


s: _Mephistopheles_. No! a discourse like this to me,


s: I own, is one of life's most pleasant features;


s: Say, cursed dolls, that sweat, there, toiling!


s: _Animals_. A common beggar-soup we're boiling.


s: _Mephistopheles_. You'll have a run of custom soon.


s: _Mephistopheles_. The monkey'd be as merry as a cricket,


s: Would somebody give him a lottery-ticket!


s: ball, which they roll backward and forward_.]


s: _The monkey [takes it down_]. Wert thou a thief,


s: _Mephistopheles [approaching the fire_]. And what's this pot?


s: now approaching and now receding from it_].


s: O love, in mercy, now, thy swiftest pinions grant me!


s: Ah, if I seek to approach what doth so haunt me,


s: Dimly as through a mist I gaze on her!--


s: Must I in these reposing limbs naught human.


s: But of all heavens the finest essence see?


s: Of course you look for something clever.


s: And happy, whose good fortune it shall be,


s: _stretching himself out on the settle and playing with the brush,


s: The sceptre in my hand,--I want the crown alone.


s: _Faust [facing the mirror_]. Woe's me! I've almost lost my wits.


s: _Mephistopheles [pointing to the animals_].


s: My head, too, I confess, is very near to spinning.


s: _Faust [as before_]. Up to my heart the flame is flying!


s: _Mephistopheles [in the former position_].


s: Well, this, at least, there's no denying,


s: Neglected the kettle, scorched the Frau!


s: Skeleton! Scarcecrow! Spectre! Know'st thou me,


s: Thy lord and master? What prevents my dashing


s: Thyself and all thy monkey spirits smashing?


s: Has the red waistcoat thy respect no more?


s: Has the cock's-feather, too, escaped attention?


s: My name, perchance, wouldst have me mention?


s: _The witch_. Pardon the rudeness, sir, in me!


s: _Mephistopheles_. I'll let thee off for this once so;


s: For a long while has passed, full well I know,


s: The culture, too, which licks the world to shape,


s: The phantom of the North men's thoughts have left behind them,


s: Horns, tail, and claws, where now d'ye find them?


s: And for the foot, with which dispense I nowise can,


s: 'Twould with good circles hurt my standing;


s: And so I've worn, some years, like many a fine young man,


s: False calves to make me more commanding.


s: _The witch [dancing_]. O I shall lose my wits, I fear,


s: _Mephistopheles_. Woman, the name offends my ear!


s: _The witch_. Why so? What has it done to you?


s: _Mephistopheles_. It has long since to fable-books been banished;


s: The wicked _one_, but not the wicked _ones_, has vanished.


s: Herr Baron callst thou me, then all is right and good;


s: See here the family arms I bear about me!


s: _Mephistopheles [to Faust_]. I pray you, carefully attend,


s: This is the way to deal with witches, friend.


s: _The witch_. Now, gentles, what shall I produce?


s: _Mephistopheles_. A right good glassful of the well-known juice!


s: _The witch_. Right gladly! Here I have a bottle,


s: From which, at times, I wet my throttle;


s: Which now, not in the slightest, stinks;


s: But if this man, without preparing, drinks,


s: He has not, well you know, another hour for living.


s: 'Tis a good friend of mine, whom it shall straight cheer up;


s: Thy kitchen's best to give him don't delay thee.


s: Thy ring--thy spell, now, quick, I pray thee,


s: Hold! what will come of this? These creatures,


s: These frantic gestures and distorted features,


s: _Mephistopheles_. Pugh! that is only done to smoke us;


s: She must, as Doctor, play her hocus-pocus


s: To make the dose work better, that's the plan.


s: _Faust_. The old hag talks like one delirious.


s: _Mephistopheles_. There's much more still, no less mysterious,


s: I know it well, the whole book sounds just so!


s: I've lost full many a year in poring o'er it,


s: For perfect contradiction, you must know,


s: A mystery stands, and fools and wise men bow before it,


s: They've gone on gabbling so a thousand years;


s: Man generally thinks, if words he only hears,


s: Articulated noise must have some meaning in it.


s: _The witch [goes on_]. Deep wisdom's power


s: _Faust_. What nonsense is she talking here?


s: _Mephistopheles_. Enough, enough, rare Sibyl, sing us


s: These runes no more, thy beverage bring us,


s: And quickly fill the goblet to the brim;


s: This drink may by my friend be safely taken:


s: as she puts it to_ FAUST'S _lips, there rises a light flame_.]


s: _Mephistopheles_. Down with it!  Gulp it down! 'Twill prove


s: _Mephistopheles_. Now briskly forth! No rest for thee!


s: _The witch_. Much comfort may the drink afford you!


s: _Mephistopheles [to the witch_]. And any favor you may ask of me,


s: _The witch_. Here is a song, which if you sometimes sing,


s: 'Twill stir up in your heart a special fire.


s: That it may set his nerves all quivering.


s: I'll teach thee by and bye to prize a noble leisure,


s: And soon, too, shalt thou feel with hearty pleasure,


s: How busy Cupid stirs, and shakes his nimble wing.


s: _Faust_. But first one look in yonder glass, I pray thee!


s: Soon will, when once this drink shall heat thee,


s: _Faust_. My fair young lady, will it offend her


s: If I offer my arm and escort to lend her?


s: _Margaret_. Am neither lady, nor yet am fair!


s: Can find my way home without any one's care.


s: _Faust_. By heavens, but then the child _is_ fair!


s: The light of the cheek, the lip's red bloom,


s: I shall never forget to the day of doom!


s: Ah, that went right to my ravished heart!


s: _Faust_. Hark, thou shalt find me a way to address her!


s: She came just now from her father confessor,


s: 'Tis an innocent thing, who, for nothing at all,


s: _Faust_. But then she's over fourteen years old.


s: _Mephistopheles_. Thou speak'st exactly like Jack Rake,


s: Who every fair flower his own would make.


s: And thinks there can be no favor nor fame,


s: This night in my arms--then, well and good:


s: When midnight strikes, our bond is broken.


s: _Mephistopheles_. Reflect on all that lies in the way!


s: For finding so much as a way to reach her.


s: _Faust_. Had I seven hours, to call my own,


s: I'd snare with ease so young a creature.


s: _Mephistopheles_. You talk quite Frenchman-like to-day;


s: What boots it thus to snatch at pleasure?


s: Your little doll should mould and knead,


s: _Faust_. My appetite needs no such spur.


s: _Mephistopheles_. Now, then, without a jest or slur,


s: _Faust_. Get me some trinket the angel has blest!


s: _Mephistopheles_. To prove to you my willingness


s: You shall visit her chamber, by me attended,


s: _Faust_. And see her, too? and have her?


s: She will to a neighbor's have gone away.


s: There in her atmosphere, feast at leisure


s: _Faust_. Some present to take her for me you must get.


s: MARGARET [_braiding and tying up her hair_.]


s: That I could read from his brow and bearing--


s: And he would not have otherwise been so daring.


s: _Mephistopheles_. Come in, step softly, do not fear!


s: _Faust [after a pause_]. Leave me alone, I prithee, here!


s: _Mephistopheles [peering round_]. Not every maiden keeps so neat.


s: _Faust [gazing round_]. Welcome this hallowed still retreat!


s: Seize on my heart, love-longing, sad and sweet,


s: That on the dew of hope dost feed thy woe!


s: How breathes around the sense of stillness,


s: What blessedness within this prison pent!


s: Take me, too! as thou hast, in years long flown,


s: Ah me! how oft, on this ancestral throne,


s: Have troops of children climbed with exultation!


s: Perhaps, when Christmas brought the Holy Guest,


s: My love has here, in grateful veneration


s: The grandsire's withered hand with child-lips prest.


s: The table-cloth to spread in snowy purity,


s: And even, with crinkled sand the floor to cover.


s: Makes this low house a heavenly kingdom slime!


s: What blissful awe my heart thrills through!


s: Here, Nature! in light dreams, thy airy finger


s: Here lay the child, when life's fresh heavings


s: And thou! What brought thee here? what power


s: What wouldst thou here? What makes thy heart so sore?


s: Unhappy Faust! I know thee thus no more.


s: The will to enjoy how strong I felt it,--


s: And in a dream of love am now all melted!


s: How would she thy presumptuous folly humble!


s: _Mephistopheles_. Quick, now! She comes! I'm looking at her.


s: _Mephistopheles_. Here is a box of moderate weight;


s: And me, henceforth, all further trouble.


s: _Margaret [with a lamp_]. It seems so close, so sultry here.


s: I wish my mother 'ld come home, I declare!


s: How in the world came this fine casket here?


s: I wonder what's inside! Dear me! it's very queer!


s: What's beauty worth to thee, young blood!


s: FAUST [_going up and down in thought_.] MEPHISTOPHELES _to him_.


s: _Faust_. What griping pain has hold of thee?


s: Such grins ne'er saw I in the worst stage-ranter!


s: _Mephistopheles_. Oh, to the devil I'd give myself instanter,


s: _Faust_. Some pin's loose in your head, old fellow!


s: That fits you, like a madman thus to bellow!


s: _Mephistopheles_. Just think, the pretty toy we got for Peg,


s: A priest has hooked, the cursed plague I--


s: The thing came under the eye of the mother,


s: And caused her a dreadful internal pother:


s: Snuffles over her prayer-book all day long,


s: And knows, by the smell of an article, plain,


s: "My child," she cried, "unrighteous gains


s: She'll give us some heavenly manna or other!"


s: 'Tis, after all, a gift horse," said she;


s: The mother sent for a priest (they're cunning);


s: Who scarce had found what game was running,


s: When he rolled his greedy eyes like a lizard,


s: And, "all is rightly disposed," said he,


s: She calls it little whole lands to devour,


s: The church alone, dear ladies; _sans_ question,


s: _Faust_. That is a general pratice, too,


s: _Mephistopheles_. Then pocketed bracelets and chains and rings


s: As if they were mushrooms or some such things,


s: Promised them all sorts of heavenly pay--


s: _Mephistopheles_. Sits there in distress,


s: And he still more by whom they were brought.


s: _Faust._ My heart is troubled for my pet.


s: The first were no great things in their way.


s: _Mephistopheles._ O yes, my gentleman finds all child's play!


s: _Faust._ And what I wish, that mind and do!


s: _Mephistopheles._ Yes, gracious Sir, I will with pleasure.


s: Sun, moon, and stars, and all in the azure,


s: I never did vex him, I say it sincerely,


s: I always loved him, God knows how dearly.


s: _Margaret_. I scarce can keep my knees from sinking!


s: With things--can't tell how grand they are,--


s: _Martha_. You must not tell it to your mother,


s: _Margaret_. Ah, only look! Behold and see!


s: _Martha [puts them on her_]. Fortunate thing! I envy thee!


s: _Margaret._ Alas, in the street or at church I never


s: _Martha._ Come here as often as you've leisure,


s: Before the looking-glass walk up and down at pleasure,


s: Then, on occasions, say at some great feast,


s: Can show them to the world, one at a time, at least.


s: A chain, and then an ear-pearl comes to view;


s: Your mother may not see, we'll make some pretext, too.


s: _Margaret._ Who could have brought both caskets in succession?


s: There's something here for just suspicion!


s: I would for Dame Martha Schwerdtlein inquire!


s: _Martha._ I'm she, what, sir, is your desire?


s: _Martha [aloud]._ For all the world, think, child! my sakes!


s: _Margaret_. Ah, God! I am a poor young blood;


s: Her look is so piercing, so _distinguè_!


s: _Martha_. What bring you, sir? I long to hear--


s: _Mephistopheles_. Would I'd a happier tale for your ear!


s: I hope you'll forgive me this one for repeating:


s: Your husband is dead and sends you a greeting.


s: _Martha_. Is dead? the faithful heart! Woe! Woe!


s: _Margaret_. Ah, dearest Dame, despair not thou!


s: _Mephistopheles_ Then, hear the mournful story now!


s: _Margaret_. Ah, keep me free from love forever,


s: I should never survive such a loss, no, never!


s: _Mephistopheles_. Joy and woe, woe and joy, must have each other.


s: _Martha_. Describe his closing hours to me!


s: _Mephistopheles_. In Padua lies our departed brother,


s: _Martha_. And this was all you had to bring me?


s: _Mephistopheles_. All but one weighty, grave request!


s: "Bid her, when I am dead, three hundred masses sing me!"


s: With this I have made a clean pocket and breast.


s: _Martha_. What! not a medal, pin nor stone?


s: Such as, for memory's sake, no journeyman will lack,


s: _Mephistopheles_. Madam, your case is hard, I own!


s: But blame him not, he squandered ne'er a copper.


s: He too bewailed his faults with penance sore,


s: Ay, and his wretched luck bemoaned a great deal more.


s: _Margaret_. Alas! that mortals so unhappy prove!


s: I surely will for him pray many a requiem duly.


s: _Mephistopheles_. You're worthy of a spouse this moment; truly


s: _Margaret_. It's not yet time for that, ah no!


s: _Mephistopheles_. If not a husband, say, meanwhile a beau.


s: Such a dear thing to one's bosom pressing.


s: _Margaret_. With us the custom is not so.


s: _Mephistopheles_. Custom or not!  It happens, though.


s: _Mephistopheles_. I slood beside his bed, as he lay dying,


s: Half-rotten straw; but then, he died as Christian ought,


s: And found an unpaid score, on Heaven's account-book lying.


s: "How must I hate myself," he cried, "inhuman!


s: Would she might still forgive me this side heaven!"


s: _Mephistopheles_. "But God knows, I was less to blame than she."


s: _Martha_. A lie! And at death's door! abominable!


s: _Mephistopheles_. If I to judge of men half-way am able,


s: "Ways to kill time, (he said)--be sure, I did not need them;


s: First to get children--and then bread to feed them,


s: And even to eat my bit in peace could not be thought on."


s: _Martha_. Has he all faithfulness, all love, so far forgotten,


s: _Mephistopheles_. Not so, he thought of you with all his might.


s: For wife and children my warm prayers ascended;


s: Our ship a Turkish cruiser took one day,


s: Which for the mighty Sultan bore a treasure.


s: And I too, who received but my just measure,


s: _Martha_. How? Where? And he has left it somewhere buried?


s: As, a strange sailor, he through Naples jaunted;


s: E'en to his blessed end the poor man haunted.


s: _Martha_. The scamp! his children thus to plunder!


s: _Mephistopheles_. But mark! his death wipes off the score.


s: And look about, meanwhiles, for a new flame already.


s: I may not find with ease on this side heaven!


s: Few such kind fools as this dear spouse of mine.


s: _Mephistopheles_. Mere trifles these; you need not heed 'em,


s: Winked at, in you, an occasional freedom.


s: I would, myself, 'change rings with you!


s: _Martha_. The gentleman is pleased to jest now!


s: _Mephistopheles [aside_]. I see it's now high time I stirred!


s: How is it with your heart, my best, now?


s: _Mephistopheles. [aside_]. Thou innocent young heart!


s: Where, how and when my love died and was buried duly.


s: I've always paid to order great attention,


s: Would of his death read some newspaper mention.


s: _Mephistopheles_. Ay, my dear lady, in the mouths of two


s: I've a friend, a fine fellow, who, when you desire,


s: _Mephistopheles_. And this young lady 'll be there too?


s: _Margaret_. Before him shame my face must cover.


s: _Mephistopheles_. Before no king the wide world over!


s: _Martha_. Behind the house, in my garden, at leisure,


s: We'll wait this eve the gentlemen's pleasure.


s: _Faust_. How now? What progress? Will 't come right?


s: _Mephistopheles_. Ha, bravo? So you're all on fire?


s: In neighbor Martha's grounds we are to meet tonight.


s: _Mephistopheles_. But one thing we must do.


s: _Faust_. Well, one good turn deserves another, true.


s: _Mephistopheles_. We simply make a solemn deposition


s: That her lord's bones are laid in good condition


s: _Mephistopheles. Sancta simplicitas_! no need of such to-do;


s: _Mephistopheles_. O holy man! now that's just you!


s: In all thy life hast never, to this hour,


s: Have you of God, the world, and all that it contains,


s: Of man, and all that stirs within his heart and brains,


s: Knew you as much thereof, to speak sincerely,


s: As of Herr Schwerdtlein's death? Confess it now!


s: _Faust_. Thou always wast a sophist and a liar.


s: _Mephistopheles_. Ay, if one did not look a little nigher.


s: Then there'll be talk of truth unending,


s: Of love o'ermastering, all transcending--


s: _Faust_. Enough! It will!--If, for the passion


s: That fills and thrills my being's frame,


s: Then, through the world, with all my senses, ranging,


s: Seek what most strongly speaks the unchanging.


s: This once, I pray, and spare my lungs, old fellow--


s: Whoever _will_ be right, and has a tongue to bellow,


s: But come, enough of swaggering, let's be quit,


s: For thou art right, because I must submit.


s: _Margaret_. The gentleman but makes me more confused


s: To bear with much from dread of rudeness;


s: In my poor talk can little pleasure find.


s: _Faust_. One look from thee, one word, delights me more


s: How much I've had to do! must I confess it--


s: _Martha_. And you, sir, are you always travelling so?


s: _Mephistopheles_. Alas, that business forces us to do it!


s: With what regret from many a place we go,


s: Though tenderest bonds may bind us to it!


s: _Martha_. 'Twill do in youth's tumultuous maze


s: To wander round the world, a careless rover;


s: And then, a lone dry stick, on the grave's brink to hover,


s: _Mephistopheles_. The distant prospect shakes my reason.


s: _Martha_. Then, worthy sir, bethink yourself in season.


s: _Margaret_. Yes, out of sight and out of mind!


s: _Faust_. Dear girl, what one calls sensible on earth,


s: _Faust_. Ah, that the pure and simple never know


s: Aught of themselves and all their holy worth!


s: That meekness, lowliness, the highest measure


s: Of gifts by nature lavished, full and free--


s: _Margaret_. One little moment, only, think of me,


s: I shall to think of you have ample time and leisure.


s: _Margaret_. Our household is but small, I own,


s: And yet needs care, if truth were known.


s: We have no maid; so I attend to cooking, sweeping,


s: And mother, in all branches of housekeeping,


s: Not that she need be tied so very closely down;


s: We might stand higher than some others, rather;


s: Yet, after all, my life runs pretty quiet;


s: With the dear child indeed a wearing life I led;


s: And yet with all its plagues again would gladly try it,


s: _Margaret_. I reared her and she heartily loved me.


s: But me, by slow degrees, recovered, day by day.


s: To nurse the poor little worm was unable,


s: It smiled and sprawled and so grew strong.


s: _Faust_. Ah! thou hast truly known joy's fairest flower.


s: _Margaret_. But no less truly many a heavy hour.


s: Close to my bed; did the least thing awake her,


s: 'Twas now to nurse her, now in bed to take her,


s: Walk up and down the room, and dance away her cries,


s: And at the wash-tub stand, when morning streaked the skies;


s: Then came the marketing and kitchen-tending,


s: One cannot always, sir, good temper keep;


s: But then it sweetens food and sweetens sleep.


s: _Martha_. But the poor women suffer, you must own:


s: _Mephistopheles_. Madam, it rests with such as you, alone,


s: _Martha_. Speak plainly, sir, has none your fancy taken?


s: Has none made out a tender flame to waken?


s: _Mephistopheles_. The proverb says: A man's own hearth,


s: And a brave wife, all gold and pearls are worth.


s: _Martha_. I mean, has ne'er your heart been smitten slightly?


s: _Martha_. Have you not felt, I mean, a serious intention?


s: Jesting with women, that's a thing one ne'er should mention.


s: _Mephistopheles_. It grieves me that I should!


s: But this I understand--that you are good.


s: _Faust_. So then, my little angel recognized me,


s: _Margaret_. Did not my downcast eyes show you surprised me?


s: _Faust_. And thou forgav'st that liberty, of late?


s: As thou wast home from church repairing?


s: _Margaret_. I was confused, the like was new to me;


s: Ah, thought I, has he, haply, in thy manner


s: That he might treat this girl just as it pleased him.


s: Let me confess! I knew not from what cause,


s: Some flight relentings here began to threaten danger;


s: That I could not be angrier with the stranger.


s: _Margaret_. Go! you'll laugh at me; away!


s: _Margaret [half aloud_]. He loves me--loves me not.


s: _Faust_. Sweet face! from heaven that look was caught!


s: _Faust_. Yes, my child! And be this floral word


s: Knowest thou all it mean? He loves thee!


s: _Faust_. O, shudder not! This look of mine.


s: This pressure of the hand shall tell thee


s: Give thyself up at once and feel a rapture,


s: Never!--It's end were nothing but blank despair.


s: He stands a moment in thought, then follows her_].


s: _Martha [coming_]. The night falls fast.


s: _Martha_. If it were not for one vexation,


s: Except to play the spy upon his neighbor;


s: And one becomes town-talk, do whatsoe'er they may.


s: _Mephistopheles_. Flown up the alley yonder.


s: And she to him. So goes the world, they say.


s: MARGARET [_darts in, hides behind the door, presses the tip of


s: her finger to her lips, and peeps through the crack_].


s: _Margaret [embracing him and returning the kiss_].


s: Dear good man! I love thee from my heart!


s: _Mephistopheles_. Time flies, I don't offend you?


s: _Martha [entering_]. Yes, sir, 'tis growing late.


s: _Margaret_. Mother would--Fare thee well!


s: _Faust_. And must I leave thee then? Farewell!


s: _Margaret_. Good heavens! what such a man's one brain


s: _Faust_ [_alone_].  Spirit sublime, thou gav'st me, gav'st me all


s: A freezing, formal visit didst thou grant;


s: Thou bidst pass by me, teaching me to know


s: My brothers in the waters, woods, and air.


s: And when the storm-swept forest creaks and groans,


s: The giant pine-tree crashes, rending off


s: The neighboring boughs and limbs, and with deep roar


s: The thundering mountain echoes to its fall,


s: Showst me myself; and my own bosom's deep


s: And when before my sight the moon comes up


s: With soft effulgence; from the walls of rock,


s: From the damp thicket, slowly float around


s: O! nothing perfect is vouchsafed to man:


s: Which brings me ever nearer to the Gods,


s: Thou gav'st me the companion, whom I now


s: No more can spare, though cold and insolent;


s: He makes me hate, despise myself, and turns


s: Thy gifts to nothing with a word--a breath.


s: Of restless longing for that lovely form.


s: _Mephistopheles_. Will not this life have tired you by and bye?


s: 'Tis well enough for once the thing to try;


s: _Faust_. Would thou hadst something else to do,


s: _Mephistopheles_. Well! well! I'll leave thee, gladly too!--


s: Thou dar'st not tell me that in earnest!


s: 'Twere no great loss, a fellow such as you,


s: One has, all day, his hands full, and more too;


s: To worm out from him what he'd have one do,


s: _Faust_. Now, that I like! That's just the tone!


s: Wants thanks for boring me till I'm half dead!


s: _Mephistopheles_. Poor son of earth, if left alone,


s: What sort of life wouldst thou have led?


s: I've chased the cobweb fancies from thy head!


s: Thou from this earth hadst long since fled.


s: What dost thou here through cave and crevice groping?


s: And why from dripping stone, damp moss, and rotten wood


s: _Faust_. What new life-power it gives me, canst thou guess--


s: Ay, couldst thou dream how sweet the employment,


s: Thou wouldst be devil enough to grudge me my enjoyment.


s: _Mephistopheles_. Ay, joy from super-earthly fountains!


s: By night and day to lie upon the mountains,


s: To clasp in ecstasy both earth and heaven,


s: Pierce, like a nervous thrill, earth's very marrow,


s: Feel the whole six days' work for thee too narrow,


s: To enjoy, I know not what, in blest elation,


s: Then with thy lavish love o'erflow the whole creation.


s: And to the glorious vision give at last--


s: _Mephistopheles_. This displeases thee; well, surely,


s: Thou hast a right to say "for shame" demurely.


s: One must not mention that to chaste ears--never,


s: Which chaste hearts cannot do without, however.


s: And, in one word, I grudge you not the pleasure


s: Of lying to yourself in moderate measure;


s: Enough of this! Thy sweetheart sits there lonely,


s: She holds thee, past all utterance, dear.


s: At first thy passion came bounding and rushing


s: Like a brooklet o'erflowing with melted snow and rain;


s: Into her heart thou hast poured it gushing:


s: Methinks, thy woodland throne resigning,


s: For all the love with which she's pining.


s: Stands at the window, sees the clouds on high


s: "Were I a little bird!" so runneth her song


s: At times she'll be laughing, seldom smile,


s: _Mephistopheles_ [_aside_].  Ay! and the prey grows riper!


s: _Faust_. Reprobate! take thee far behind me!


s: Bid not desire for her sweet person flame


s: Through each half-maddened sense, again to blind me!


s: _Mephistopheles_. What then's to do? She fancies thou hast flown,


s: _Faust_. I'm near her, and, though far away, my word,


s: I'd not forget her, lose her; never fear it!


s: Oft as those precious lips of hers draw near it.


s: _Mephistopheles_. No doubt; and oft my envious thought reposes


s: On the twin-pair that feed among the roses.


s: The houseless am I not? the unbefriended?


s: That, like a cataract, from rock to rock descended


s: To the abyss, with maddening greed possest:


s: She, on its brink, with childlike thoughts and lowly,--


s: Perched on the little Alpine field her cot,--


s: Her, yea her peace, must I o'erwhelm and bury!


s: This victim, hell, to thee was necessary!


s: Help me, thou fiend, the pang soon ending!


s: And let her fate upon my head descending,


s: _Mephistopheles_. Ha! how it seethes again and glows!


s: Where such a dolt no outlet sees or knows,


s: Thou _hast_ had devil enough to make a decent show of.


s: MARGERY [_at the spinning-wheel alone_].


s: _Margaret_. How is it now with thy religion, say?


s: But fear thy thoughts do not run much that way.


s: _Faust_. Leave that, my child! Enough, thou hast my heart;


s: For those I love with life I'd freely part;


s: I would not harm a soul, nor of its faith bereave it.


s: _Margaret_. Ah, could I influence thee, dearest!


s: The holy sacraments thou scarce reverest.


s: Of mass and confession both thou'st long begun to tire.


s: _Faust_. Sweet face, do not misunderstand my thought!


s: Upsprings not Heaven's blue arch high o'er thee?


s: Underneath thee does not earth stand fast?


s: Obscurely, clearly, on all sides of thee?


s: Fill with it, to its utmost stretch, thy breast,


s: And in the consciousness when thou art wholly blest,


s: _Margaret_. That is all fine and good, I know;


s: _Faust_. All hearts, too, in all places,


s: Wherever Heaven pours down the day's broad blessing,


s: Each in its way the truth is confessing;


s: _Margaret_. Well, all have a way that they incline to,


s: But still there is something wrong with thee;


s: _Margaret_. The man whom thou for crony hast,


s: Stirred up in my heart such a deep disfavor


s: _Margaret_. His presence stirs my blood, I own.


s: I can love almost all men I've ever known;


s: But much as thy presence with pleasure thrills me,


s: And then for a knave I've suspected him long!


s: _Faust_. To make up a world such odd sticks are needed.


s: _Margaret_. Shouldn't like to live in the house where he did!


s: One sees, that naught has interest for him;


s: 'Tis writ on his brow and can't be mistaken,


s: He comes, and all in me is closed and frozen now.


s: _Faust_. Ah, thou mistrustful angel, thou!


s: Nor could I ever pray, if he were nigh me,


s: One little hour upon thy bosom, pressing


s: My heart to thine and all my soul confessing?


s: _Margaret_. Ah, if my chamber were alone,


s: This night the bolt should give thee free admission;


s: _Faust_. Thou angel, need of that there's not.


s: Into a deep and pleasant sleep is thrown.


s: _Margaret_. Refuse thee, what can I, poor creature?


s: I hope, of course, it will not harm her!


s: _Faust_. Would I advise it then, my charmer?


s: _Margaret_. Best man, when thou dost look at me,


s: I know not what, moves me to do thy will;


s: Scarce any thing seems left me to fulfil.


s: _Mephtftopheles_. The monkey! is she gone?


s: _Mephistopheles_. I overheard it all quite fully.


s: The Doctor has been well catechized then?


s: The maidens won't rest till they know if the men


s: Believe as good old custom bids them do.


s: They think: if there he yields, he'll follow our will too.


s: _Faust_. Monster, thou wilt not, canst not see,


s: How this true soul that loves so dearly,


s: Counts Heaven itself, is horror-struck sincerely


s: To think of giving up her dearest man for lost.


s: _Mephistopheles_. Thou supersensual, sensual wooer,


s: _Faust_. Abortion vile of fire and sewer!


s: _Mephistopheles_. In physiognomy, too, her skill is masterly.


s: When I am near she feels she knows not how,


s: My little mask some secret meaning shows;


s: She thinks, I'm certainly a genius, now,


s: _Mephistopheles_. I find my pleasure in it, too!


s: _Lizzy_. Hast heard no news of Barbara to-day?


s: _Margery_. No, not a word. I've not been out much lately.


s: _Lizzy_. It came to me through Sybill very straightly.


s: She's made a fool of herself at last, they say.


s: _Lizzy_. It serves the jade right for being so callow.


s: How long she's been hanging upon the fellow!


s: He was treating her always with tarts and wine;


s: She began to think herself something fine,


s: That she even accepted the presents he made her.


s: There was hugging and smacking, and so it went on--


s: Our mothers kept us in-doors after dark;


s: Or sate on the door-bench, or sauntered round,


s: To do penance at church in the sinner's gown!


s: _Margery_. He'll certainly take her for his wife.


s: _Lizzy_. He'd be a fool! A spruce young blade


s: _Lizzy_. If she gets him, her lot'll be hard to bear.


s: The boys will tear up her wreath, and what's more,


s: We'll strew chopped straw before her door.


s: When my scorn could scarcely find expression


s: How black it seemed! though black as could be,


s: MARGERY [_puts fresh flowers into the pots_].


s: Thou seest thy son's last life-blood flow!


s: Knows the pangs that eat me to the bone?


s: VALENTINE [_soldier,_ MARGERY'S _brother_].


s: Drowning their praise with bumpers high,


s: Would stroke my beard and, smiling, say,


s: And the braggarts all in silence were bound.


s: And now!--one could pull out his hair with vexation,


s: And run up the walls for mortification!--


s: Every two-legged creature that goes in breeches


s: Can mock me with sneers and stinging speeches!


s: For fear of each casual word am sweating!


s: And though I could smash them in my ire,


s: What's that comes yonder, sneaking along?


s: There are two of them there, if I see not wrong.


s: Is't he, I'll give him a dose that'll cure him,


s: He'll not leave the spot alive, I assure him!


s: _Faust_. How from yon window of the sacristy


s: The ever-burning lamp sends up its glimmer,


s: _Mephistopheles_. A starving tom-cat I feel quite like,


s: A bit of thievish lust, a bit of wantonness.


s: One day--then comes the feast enchanting


s: _Faust_. Meanwhile can that the casket be, I wonder,


s: _Mephistopheles_. Yes, and thou soon shalt have the pleasure


s: _Mephistopheles_. I caught a glimpse of some such thing,


s: Sort of pearl bracelet I should think it.


s: _Faust_. That's well! I always like to bear


s: _Mephistopheles_. You should not murmur if your fate is,


s: Now, as the stars fill heaven with their bright throng,


s: Whom lur'ft thou here? what prey dost scent?


s: _Valentine_. A game of cracking skulls we'll try now!


s: But what is this? My hand's already lame.


s: _Mephistopheles_ [_to Faust_]. Thrust home!


s: _Mephistopheles_. Now is the lubber tame!


s: But come! We must be off. I hear a clatter;


s: And cries of murder, too, that fast increase.


s: But then the penal court's another matter.


s: _Margery_ [_at the window_]. Bring on a light!


s: _Martha_ [_as above_]. They swear and scuffle, scream and fight.


s: _People_. There's one, has got's death-blow!


s: _Margery_ [_coming out_]. Who's lying here?


s: _Valentine_. I'm dying! that is quickly said,


s: _Margery_. My brother! God! What words to me!


s: _Valentine_. In this game let our Lord God be!


s: When shame is born to this world of sorrow,


s: Yes, they would gladly stifle the wearer;


s: But as she grows and holds herself high,


s: Though she has not become a whit fairer.


s: When all good souls shall shrink from thee,


s: Thou prostitute, when thou go'st by them,


s: Thy heart within thy breast shall quake then,


s: Shalt wear no gold chain more on thy neck then!


s: No pleasure in point-lace collars take then,


s: 'Mong beggars and cripples wilt be hiding;


s: Wilt be curs'd on earth while thou shalt live!


s: _Martha_. Your soul to the mercy of God surrender!


s: Will you add to your load the sin of slander?


s: _Valentine_. Could I get at thy dried-up frame,


s: Vile bawd, so lost to all sense of shame!


s: Then might I hope, e'en this side Heaven,


s: _Margery_. My brother! This is hell to me!


s: _Valentine_. I tell thee, let these weak tears be!


s: Thou gav'st my heart the heaviest stroke.


s: _Evil Spirit_. How different was it with thee, Margy,


s: From the well-thumbed little prayer-book,


s: Slept over into long, long pain, on thy account?


s: Still through my brain backward and forward flitting,


s: _Evil Spirit_. What! hide thee! sin and shame


s: I'd rather have a good tough goat, by half,


s: Than the best legs a man e'er set his pride on.


s: _Faust_. So long as I've a pair of good fresh legs to stride on,


s: Following the valley's labyrinthine winding,


s: From which the spring leaps down in bubbling play,


s: Spring through the birch-tree's veins is flowing,


s: Should not its influence set our limbs a-glowing?


s: _Mephistopheles_. I do not feel it, not a bit!


s: I wish my path were filled with frost and snow.


s: The moon's imperfect disk, how melancholy


s: And shines so badly, turn where'er one can turn,


s: Heigh, there! my friend! May I thy aid desire?


s: Come, light us up yon path, good fellow, pray!


s: _Jack-o'lantern_. Out of respect, I hope I shall be able


s: I'll blow your flickering life out with a puff.


s: But see! The mountain's magic-mad to-night,


s: And if your guide's to be a Jack-o'lantern's light,


s: Down through stones, through mosses flowing,


s: Thick, black knars to life are starting,


s: _Mephistopheles_. Here's my coat-tail--tightly thumb it!


s: _Faust_. How strangely through the dim recesses


s: Then, a fine thread of light, goes trailing,


s: Here, spark-showers, darting up before us,


s: _Mephistopheles_. Has not Sir Mammon gloriously lighted


s: I catch e'en now a glimpse of noisy guests invited.


s: _Faust_. How the mad tempest sweeps the air!


s: On cheek and neck the wind-gusts how they flout me.


s: In frightful confusion, headlong tumbling,


s: They fall, with a sound of thunder rumbling,


s: And, through the wreck-piled ravines and abysses,


s: _Witches_ [_in chorus_].  The witches go to the Brocken's top,


s: The stubble is yellow, and green the crop.


s: They gather there at the well-known call,


s: _Chorus_. Then honor to whom honor's due!


s: Peeped into an owl's nest, mother of mine!


s: _Witches_ [_chorus]._ The way is broad, the way is long,


s: The broom it scratches, the fork it flicks,


s: The child is stifled, the mother breaks.


s: _The other half_. We take it not precisely so;


s: _Voice_ [_above_]. Come on, come on, from Felsensee!


s: _Voices_ [_from below_]. We'd gladly join your airy way.


s: For wash and clean us as much as we will,


s: _Both chorusses_. The wind is hushed, the star shoots by,


s: Darts forth ten thousand sparks of fire.


s: _Voice_ [_from below_]. Ho, there! whoa, there!


s: _Voice_ [_below_]. Take me too! take me too!


s: Three hundred years I've climbed to you,


s: _Both chorusses_. Can ride the besom, the stick can ride,


s: Can stride the pitchfork, the goat can stride;


s: Who neither will ride to-night, nor can,


s: _Half-witch_ [_below_]. I hobble on--I'm out of wind--


s: _Chorus of witches_. The witch's salve can never fail,


s: Any trough will do for a ship, that's tight;


s: _Both chorusses_. And when the highest peak we round,


s: How it shines and sparkles and burns and stinks!


s: Keep close! or we are parted in two winks.


s: _Mephistopheles_. What! carried off already?


s: Then I must use my house-right.--Steady!


s: Room!  Squire Voland comes.  Sweet people, Clear the ground!


s: Here, Doctor, grasp my arm! and, at a single bound;


s: See! yonder, something shines with quite peculiar glare,


s: _Faust_. All-contradicting sprite! To follow thee I'm fated.


s: But I must say, thy plan was very bright!


s: We seek the Brocken here, on the Walpurgis night,


s: Then hold ourselves, when here, completely isolated!


s: _Mephistopheles_. What motley flames light up the heather!


s: See! curling smoke and flames right blue!


s: _Mephistopheles_. And tie up many another, too.


s: Let the great world there rave and riot,


s: In the great world one makes a small one of his own.


s: I see young witches there quite naked all,


s: For my sake some flight things look over;


s: I hear them tuning instruments! Curs'd jangle!


s: Well! one must learn with such things not to wrangle.


s: Come on! Come on! For so it needs must be,


s: That is no scanty space; what sayst thou, friend?


s: Just take a look! thou scarce canst see the end.


s: There, in a row, a hundred fires are burning;


s: They dance, chat, cook, drink, love; where can be found


s: Any thing better, now, the wide world round?


s: _Faust_. Wilt thou, as things are now in this condition,


s: But then, on gala-day, one will his order show.


s: But then the cloven foot stands high in honor here.


s: Disguise is useless now, depend on that.


s: Come, then! we will from fire to fire wander,


s: Thou shalt the wooer be and I the pander.


s: Old gentlemen, you scarce can hear the fiddle!


s: You'd gain more praise from me, ensconced there in the middle,


s: 'Mongst that young rousing, tousing set.


s: One can, at home, enough retirement get.


s: _General_. Trust not the people's fickle favor!


s: However much thou mayst for them have done.


s: Worship the rising, not the setting sun.


s: _Minister_. From the right path we've drifted far away,


s: _Parvenu_. We were no simpletons, I trow,


s: And if we tried to stem the wave, we could not.


s: _Author_. Who on the whole will read a work today,


s: And as regards the dear young people, they


s: Pert and precocious are beyond all measure.


s: _Mephistopheles_ [_who all at once appears very old_].


s: The race is ripened for the judgment day:


s: So I, for the last time, climb the witch-mountain, thinking,


s: _Witch-broker_. Good gentlemen, don't hurry by!


s: No dagger here, but blood has some time stained it;


s: No cup, that has not held some hot and poisonous juice,


s: And stung to death the throat that drained it;


s: No sword, but hath some tie of sacred honor riven,


s: Or haply from behind through foeman's neck been driven.


s: _Faust_. To keep my wits I must endeavor!


s: _Mephistopheles_. Upward the billowy mass is moving;


s: You're shoved along and think, meanwhile, you're shoving.


s: _Mephistopbeles_. Adam's first wife is she.


s: Beware of her one charm, those lovely tresses,


s: When those soft meshes once a young man snare,


s: How hard 'twill be to escape he little guesses.


s: _Faust_. There sit an old one and a young together;


s: They've skipped it well along the heather!


s: _Mephistopheles_. No rest from that till night is through.


s: Another dance is up; come on! let us fall to.


s: _The Fair one_. Apples you greatly seem to prize,


s: _The Hog_. With best respect I here salute


s: _Proctophantasmist_. What's this ye undertake? Confounded crew!


s: No spirit stands on legs in all creation,


s: And here you dance just as we mortals do!


s: _The Fair one_ [_dancing_]. What does that fellow at our ball?


s: _Faust_ [_dancing_]. Eh! he must have a hand in all.


s: The step as good as no step he will call.


s: But when we move ahead, that plagues him more than all.


s: If in a circle you would still keep turning,


s: As he himself in his old mill goes round,


s: And most so, if you went by his superior learning.


s: The devilish pack from rules deliverance boasts.


s: We've grown so wise, and Tegel still sees ghosts.


s: How long I've toiled to sweep these cobwebs from the brain,


s: _The Fair one_. And yet on us the stupid bore still tries it!


s: _Proctophantasmist_. I tell you spirits, to the face,


s: Still, there's the journey, which I like to make,


s: _Mephistopheles_. You'll see him shortly sit into a puddle,


s: When on his rump the leeches well shall fuddle,


s: Of spirits and of spirit he'll be cured.


s: Why let the lovely girl slip through thy fingers,


s: _Faust_. Ah, right amidst her singing, sprang


s: A wee red mouse from her mouth and made me cower.


s: _Mephistopheles_. That's nothing wrong! You're in a dainty way;


s: Who minds such thing in happy amorous hour?


s: Yon pale, fair child afar, who stands so sad and lonely,


s: Her feet seem locked, and she drags them only.


s: Its haggard look congeals a mortal's blood,


s: _Faust_. Yes, 'tis a dead one's eyes that stare upon me,


s: That is the angel form of her who won me,


s: Tis the dear breast on which I once reposed.


s: _Faust_. What bliss! what woe!  Methinks I never


s: My sight from that sweet form can sever.


s: Seeft thou, not thicker than a knife-blade's back,


s: _Mephistopheles_. I see the streak around her neck.


s: Her head beneath her arm, you'll next behold her;


s: Perseus has lopped it from her shoulder,--


s: Come, climb with me yon hillock's breast,


s: _Servibilis_. They'll straight begin again.


s: A bran-new piece, the very last of seven;


s: To have so much, the fashion here thinks fit.


s: _Mephistopheles_. When I upon the Blocksberg meet you,


s: That I approve; for there's your place, I grant.


s: _Theatre manager_. Here, for once, we rest, to-day,


s: _Herald_. To make the wedding a golden one,


s: _Puck_. Once let Puck coming whirling round,


s: _Oberon_. Spouses who your feuds would smother,


s: _Titania_. If she pouts and he looks grim,


s: _Fortissimo_. Fly-snouts and gnats'-noses, these,


s: _Solo_. See, the Bagpipe comes! fall back!


s: _A pair of lovers_. Little step and lofty bound


s: _Curious traveller_. This must be masquerade!


s: _Orthodox_. Neither claws, nor tail I see!


s: _Northern artist_. What here I catch is, to be sure,


s: _Purist_. Bad luck has brought me here, I see!


s: _Young witch_. Powder becomes, like petticoat,


s: _Matron_. To stand here jawing with you, we


s: _Leader of the music_. Fly-snouts and gnat-noses, please,


s: _Weathercock_ [_towards one side_]. Find better company, who can!


s: _Hennings_. See how naïvely, there, the throng


s: You'll hear them, I've no doubt, ere long,


s: _Musagetes_. Apollo in this witches' group


s: _Ci-devant genius of the age_. Right company will raise man up.


s: _Curious traveller_. Tell me who is that stiff man?


s: _Crane_. In clear, and muddy water, too,


s: _Child of this world_. Yes, with the pious ones, 'tis clear,


s: _Dancer_. Hark! a new choir salutes my ear!


s: _Dancing-master._ How each his legs kicks up and flings,


s: _Fiddler_. The scurvy pack, they hate, 'tis clear,


s: _Dogmatist_. You'll not scream down my reason, though,


s: _Idealist_. Ah, phantasy, for once thy sway


s: _Realist_. To me, of all life's woes and plagues,


s: _Supernaturalist_. I'm overjoyed at being here,


s: _Skeptic_. Where'er they spy the flame they roam,


s: _Leader of the music_. Grass-hid cricket, frogs in trees,


s: _The Clever ones_. Sans-souci we call this band


s: _The Bunglers_. Time was, we caught our tit-bits, too,


s: We've danced our leathers entirely through,


s: _Jack-o'lanterns_. From the dirty bog we come,


s: _Shooting star_. Trailing from the sky I shot,


s: _The solid men_. Room there! room there! clear the ground!


s: _Orchestra_ [_pianissimo_]. Gauzy mist and fleecy cloud


s: _Faust_. Lead me to her! She shall be free!


s: _Faust_. What's doing, off there, round the gallows-tree?


s: _Mephistopheles_. Know not what they are doing and brewing.


s: _Faust_. Up they go--down they go--wheel about, reel about.


s: FAUST [_with a bunch of keys and a lamp, before an iron door_]


s: I feel the whole great load of human woe.


s: Within this clammy wall that frowns before me


s: Lies one whom blinded love, not guilt, brought low!


s: On! Thy shrinking slowly hastens the blow!


s: Then I woke, a sweet bird, at a magic call;


s: _Faust [unlocking_]. She little dreams, her lover is so near,


s: The clanking chains, the rustling straw can hear;


s: _Margaret [burying herself in the bed_]. Woe! woe!


s: _Margaret_ [_prostrating herself before him_].


s: Art thou a man, then feel for my distress.


s: _Faust_. Thou'lt wake the guards with thy loud screaming!


s: Wilt't not be time when Matin bell has rung?


s: Fair was I too, and that was my undoing.


s: Tom is the wreath, the scattered flowers lie low.


s: Spare me! what harm have I done to thee?


s: Thou ne'er till now sawft her who lies before thee!


s: _Faust_. O sorrow worse than death is o'er me!


s: _Margaret_. Now I am wholly in thy power.


s: But first I'd nurse my child--do not prevent me.


s: I hugged it through the black night hour;


s: And now they say I killed the pretty flower.


s: They sing vile songs at me! 'Tis bad in them to do it!


s: _Faust [prostrates himself_]. A lover at thy feet is bending,


s: O let us kneel, the saints for aid invoking!


s: _Margaret [listening_]. That was the voice of my lover!


s: Where is he? Where? He calls. I hear him.


s: I'm free! Who hinders? I will be near him.


s: He stood on the threshold--called Margery plainly!


s: Hell's howling and clattering to drown it sought vainly,--


s: Through the devilish, grim scoffs, that might turn one to stone,


s: I caught the sweet, loving, enrapturing tone.


s: _Margaret_. 'Tis thou! O say it once again.


s: 'Tis he! 'tis he! Where now is all my pain?


s: And where the dungeon's anguish? Joy-giver!


s: Where for the first time thou and I did meet.


s: _Faust_ [_trying to draw her away_]. Come! Come with me!


s: _Margaret_. Kiss me! Canst no more do it?


s: What saddens me so as I hang about thy neck?


s: When once, in thy words, thy looks, such a heaven of blisses


s: Came o'er me, I thought my heart would break,


s: And it seemed as if thou wouldst smother me with kisses.


s: _Margaret [turning to him_]. Is it, then, thou?


s: How comes it, then, that thou art not afraid of me?


s: And dost thou know, my friend, who 'tis thou settest free?


s: _Faust_. Come! come! The night is on the wane.


s: _Margaret_. Woe! woe! My mother I've slain!


s: Thine, too--'tis thou! Scarce true doth it seem.


s: Thy blessed hand!--But ah! there's dampness here!


s: _Faust_. The past is past--there leave it then,


s: I'll tell thee how each thou shalt bury;


s: And on my right breast let the little one lie.


s: I seem to be forcing myself on thee ever,


s: And 'tis thou, the same good soul, I see.


s: _Faust_. If thou feelest 'tis I, then come with me


s: _Faust_. Thou canst! 'Tis but to will!  The door stands open.


s: _Margaret_. I dare not go; for me there's no more hoping.


s: What use to fly? They lie in wait for me.


s: So wretched the lot to go round begging,


s: With an evil conscience thy spirit plaguing!


s: So wretched the lot, an exile roaming--And


s: _Margaret_. Would we were by the mountain. See!


s: She beckons not, nods not, her head falls o'er,


s: So long she's been sleeping, she'll wake no more.


s: _Faust_.  Since neither reason nor prayer thou hearest;


s: I must venture by force to take thee, dearest.


s: _Margaret_. Let go! No violence will I bear!


s: _Faust_. The day is breaking! Dearest! dearest!


s: _Margaret_. Day! Ay, it is day! the last great day breaks in!


s: Tell no one thou hast been with Margery!


s: Alas for my garland! The hour's advancing!


s: The multitude presses, no word is spoke.


s: The bell is tolling, the staff is broke.


s: Quivers at every neck with convulsive shock;


s: _Mephistopheles [appears without_]. Up! or thou'rt lost! The morn


s: _Margaret_. What's that, comes up from the ground?


s: Come! come! or in the lurch I leave both her and thee!


s: _Mephistopheles [to Faust_]. Come thou to me!


s: _Voice [from within, dying away_]. Henry! Henry!


s: The literal meaning of the first chorus is:--


s: Show me the fruit that, ere it's plucked, will rot,


s: And trees from which new green is daily peeping,


s: which seems to have puzzled or misled so much, not only English


s: H.T. SWEDENBERG, JR., University of California, Los Angeles


s: EMMETT L. AVERY, State College of Washington


s: LOUIS I. BREDVOLD, University of Michigan


s: CLEANTH BROOKS, Louisiana State University


s: JAMES SUTHERLAND, Queen Mary College, London


s: Lithoprinted from copy supplied by author


s: trouble, since no man can rationally doubt of the goodness of my


s: And this must needs be a hard Task, since I have no guide,


s: neither _Aristotle_ nor _Horace_ to direct me.... And I am of


s: opinion that none can treat well and clearly of any kind of


s: _Poetry_ if he hath no helps from these two (p. 16).


s: Yet in this difficulty I will follow _Aristotle's_ Example, who


s: being to lay down Rules concerning _Epicks_, propos'd _Homer_


s: as a Pattern, from whom he deduc'd the whole Art; So I will


s: gather from _Theocritus_ and _Virgil_, those Fathers of


s: _Pastoral_, what I shall deliver on this account (p. 52).


s: Reduced to its simplest terms, Rapin's theory is Virgilian. When


s: deducing his theory from the works of Theocritus and Virgil, his


s: until the time of Dr. Johnson and Joseph Warton.


s: In France the most prominent opponent to the theory formulated by


s: incorrect to imply that Rapin's and Fontenelle's theories of


s: Rapin, and much of the language--terminology and set phrases--of


s: _Rapine's_ Discourse is counted the best on this Poem, for 'tis


s: the longest. You will easily excuse my not mentioning all his


s: Defects and Errors in this Preface. I shall only say then, that


s: instead of looking into the true Nature of the Pastoral Poem,


s: and then judging whether _Theocritus_ or any of his Followers


s: have brought it to it's utmost Perfection or not. _Rapine_


s: takes it for granted that _Theocritus_ and _Virgil_ are


s: infallible; and aim's at nothing beyond showing the Rules which


s: he thinks they observ'd. Facetious Head! (_Works_, Oxford,


s: The influence of Rapin on the development of the pastoral,


s: nevertheless, was salutary. Finding the genre vitiated with wit,


s: And to speak from the very bottome of my heart... methinks he


s: is much more happy in a Wood, that at ease contemplates this


s: universe, as his own, and in it, the Sun and Stars, the


s: pleasing Meadows, shady Groves, green Banks, stately Trees,


s: flowing Springs, and the wanton windings of a River, fit


s: objects for quiet innocence, than he that with Fire and Sword


s: disturbs the World, and measures his possessions by the wast


s: Reprinted here from the copy owned by the Boston Athenaeum by


s: frightful dress, that real, or fancy'd Poverty could put them in.


s: Now to manifest this, I shall not rely on the authority of the


s: His own small Flock each Senator did keep.


s: _Lucretius_ mentions an extraordinary happiness, and as it were


s: Thro Sheapards ease, and their Divine retreats.


s: The Rural Muse upon the Mountains feeds.


s: Taught Trees to sound his _Amaryllis_ name.


s: Here Lowly Innocence makes a sure retreat,


s: A harmless Life, and ignorant of deceit,


s: and free from fears with various sweet's encrease,


s: And all's or'e spread with the soft wings of Peace:


s: Here Oxen low, here Grots, and purling Streams,


s: And Spreading shades invite to easy dreams.


s: {6} And from this head I think the dignity of _Bucolicks_ is


s: explication: for tis not probable that _Asinius Pollio_, _Cinna_,


s: Thro all the Woods they heard the pleasing noise


s: Of chirping Birds, and try'd to frame their voice,


s: And taught them Songs before their Art began.


s: {8} First weary at his Plough the labouring Hind


s: In certain feet his rustick words did bind:


s: His dry reed first he tun'd at sacred feasts


s: To thanks the bounteous Gods, and cheer his Guests.


s: _In certain feet_ according to _Bern Cylenius_ of _Verona_ his


s: Italian Plough-men sprung from antient _Troy_


s: For Whilst soft Evening Gales blew or'e the Plains


s: And shook the sounding Reeds, they taught the Swains,


s: And thus the Pipe was fram'd, and tuneful Reed,


s: And whilst the Flocks did then securely feed,


s: The harmless Sheapards tun'd their Pipes to Love,


s: {9} And Amaryllis name fill'd every Grove.


s: Here underneath a shade by purling Springs


s: The Sheapards Dance, whilst sweet _Amyntas_ sings;


s: Thus first the new found Pipe was tun'd to Love,


s: And Plough-men taught their Sweet hearts to the Grove,


s: arrose, This _Maximus Tyrius_ confirms in his Twenty first


s: determined: _Epicharmus_ one of _Pythagoras_ his School, in his


s: *alkyoni* mentions one _Diomus_ a _Sicilian_, who, if we believe


s: _Diodorus Siculus_ *en tois mythologoumenois*, seems to make


s: _Daphnis_ the son of _Mercury_ and a certain _Nymph_, to be the


s: Author; and agreeable to this, _Theon_ an old _scholiast_ on


s: _Theocritus_, in his notes upon the first _Idyllium_ mentioning


s: _Diodorus Siculus Polydore Virgil_ readily assents.


s: Some ascribe the Honor to _Bacchus_ the President of the _Nymphs,


s: extreamly delighted in solitude and Woods; and some say _Mercury_


s: pretentions, but things and solid truth is that we seek after.


s: _Valla the Placentine_, a curious searcher into Antiquity, thinks


s: afterwards passing into _Italy_ were there named _Bucoliastæ_.


s: afterward expiated by his Sister _Iphigenia_: But how can any one


s: But who soft Elegies was the first that wrote


s: Grammarians doubt, and cannot end the doubt:


s: present Circumstances: to this Solitude invited, and the extream


s: Meditation, Meditation and Invention produc'd a Verse; which is


s: Whilst under _Helicon_ he fed his Lambs.


s: From whence 'tis very plain, that as _Donatus_ himself observ'd,


s: Now let us inquire into the nature of _Pastoral_, in what its


s: But here _Benius_ in his comments upon _Aristotle_ hath started a


s: incomparable Master of _Heroick_ Poetry amongst the _Lyricks_?


s: Others with _Cæsius Bassus_ and _Isacius Tzetzes_ hold that that


s: difficulty I confess, for _Laertius_ who accurately weighs this


s: numbers may be employed is various; either mean and low, as in


s: For as in _Dramatick_ Poetry the Dignity and meanness of the


s: {20} The Goatherd and the heavy Heardsmen came,


s: My present inquiry must be what is the _Subject Matter_ of a


s: And gather'd Greece to prosecute Revenge.


s: And _Theocritus_ his verses are sometimes as sounding and his


s: And gaping Hell received his mighty Soul:


s: For certainly _Pastorals_ ought not to rise to the Majesty of


s: For lo! he sung the Worlds stupendious birth,


s: How scatter'd seeds of sea, of Air, and Earth,


s: From whence th' innumerable race of things


s: How Pyrra's Stony race rose from the ground,


s: And Saturn reign'd with Golden plenty crown'd,


s: How bold _Prometheus_ (whose untam'd desire,


s: Rival'd the Sun with his own Heavenly Fire)


s: Now doom'd the _Scythian_ Vulturs endless prey


s: Alcmaritanus_ in my opinion is a trifler, who, in his comments on


s: The Bushes and the Shrubs that shade the Plain


s: My Song shall make them worth a Consuls Care.


s: My Song shall make them worth a _Consuls_ care.


s: When his _Thalia_ rais'd her bolder voice


s: And Kings and Battles were her lofty choice,


s: _Phoebus_ did twitch his Ear, mean thoughts infuse,


s: And with this whisper check't th' inspiring Muse.


s: A Sheapard, Tityrus, his Sheep should feed,


s: And choose a subject suited to his reed,


s: humble, which _Theocritus_ very happily expresseth by this word


s: *Boukoliasdên* _i.e._ as the interpreters explain it, sing humble


s: Whilst on his Reed he Shepherd's stifes conveys,


s: And soft complaints in smooth Sicilian lays.


s: Baseness was a great wonder in that Age;


s: action of a _Shepherd_; which caution is very necessary to be


s: _Theocritus_ seems to have made that Pipe, on which he tun'd his


s: _Pastorals_ and which he consecrated to _Pan_ of ten Reeds, as


s: _Salmasius_ in his notes on _Theocritus's_ Pipe hath learnedly


s: observed: _in which two Verses always make one Reed of the Pipe,


s: I shall not here enquire, tho it may seem proper, whether we can


s: decently bring into an Eclogue Reapers, Vine-dressers, Gardners,


s: Of Poetry in General _Socrates_, as _Plato_ tells us, would have


s: Poetry is differenc't from _Tragick_ only by {29} the manner of


s: Now I shall explain what sort of _Fable_; _Manners_, _Thought_,


s: Concerning the Fable which _Aristotle_ calls, *synthesin tôn


s: pragmatôn*, I have but one thing to say: this, as the Philosopher


s: Heard all, and bad the Laurels learn the Song.


s: Let each be grac't with that which suits him best.


s: For this, as 'tis a rule relateing to _Poetry_ in general, so it


s: _Italians_ grievously offend, for they make their _Shepherds_ too


s: _Megarensians_, who observ'd no _Decorum_ in their _Theater_, but


s: themselves are rude and unpolisht: And this proves that they


s: Now as too much neatness in _Pastoral_ is not to be allow'd, so


s: That the Thought may be commendable, it must be suitable to the


s: Hast thou no Pitty? I must dye for Love_.


s: He neither Gods, nor yet my Verse regards.


s: pronunciation: and his reflection was very smart.


s: Like Pidgeons you have mouths from Ear to Ear.


s: imaginable: for as Innocence in Life, so purity and simplicity in


s: happy_: Such is this of _Virgil_, unwholsome to us Singers is the


s: Than which in my opinion nothing can be more simply; nothing more


s: _Theocritus deserves the greatest commendation for his happy


s: imitation of the simplicity of his Shepherds_, Virgil _hath mixt


s: Another qualification and excellence of _Pastoral_ is to imitate


s: Colours express'd, and tho his Art was very extraordinary yet his


s: These Fields and Corn shall a Barbarian share?


s: I wonder'd why all thy complaints were made,


s: And the like you may every where meet with, as


s: _Mopsus_ weds _Nisa_, what may'nt Lovers hope?


s: {40} Whom dost thou fly ah frantick! oft the Woods


s: Hold Gods, and _Paris_ equal to the Gods.


s: Let all things change, let Pears the Firs adorn


s: But when she saw, how great was the surprize! &c.


s: And any one may find a great many of the like in _Theocritus_ and


s: delicate Composures: And this I account the greatest grace in


s: Opinion _Virgil_ excells _Theocritus_ in this, for _Virgil_ is


s: Now why _Bucolicks_ should require such Brevity, and be so


s: _Pastoral_ must dissemble, and hide even that which it would {42}


s: And to the Bushes flys, yet would be seen.


s: And _Virgils_ happy Muse in Eclogues plays,


s: Which _Fabius_ takes to signify the most taking neatness and most


s: Interpreters of these words are not of the same mind: But if by


s: Then there are three things in which, as in its parts, the whole


s: {45} _Aristotle_ assigns two efficient Causes of _Poetry_, The


s: groveling mean Actions: And every one, according to the various


s: Not to mention other kinds of _Poetry_, what particular Genius is


s: Discourse, for as every part of it ought to be full of simple and


s: excellent _Arts_ sprang from _Poetry_ at first.


s: Which what is honest, base, or just, or good,


s: Better than _Crantor_, or _Chrysippus_ show'd.


s: notable Exploits; but how can _Bucolicks_ apply these or the like


s: _Modicius_, as _Pontanus_ cites him in his Notes on _Virgil's_


s: But when tis the end of _Comedy_, as _Jerom_ in his Epistle to


s: To look on all mens lives as in a Glass,


s: And take from those Examples for our Own,


s: better pleas'd with the severity of _Philosophy_, and her harsh,


s: proclaim _Poetry_ to be frivolous, and useless.


s: Some thing that's better riseth, and destroys.


s: difficult to be compos'd, especially since the expression must be


s: The first Rule shall be about the _Matter_, which is either the


s: _Character_ might be given, which _Quintilian_ bestow'd on


s: So he invocates _Arethusa_, when _Cornelius Gallus Proconsul of


s: _Pastoral_ is either _Alternate_, or hath but _one Person_, or is


s: Sing _Rural_ strains, for as we march along


s: In which the _Poet_ shows that _alternate_ singing is proper to a


s: A Kid belongs to thee, and Kids are good,


s: This Pail of Milk, these Cakes (_Priapus_) every year


s: Thou'rt Marble now, but if more Land I hold,


s: If my Flock thrive, thou shalt be made of Gold,


s: than which I cannot imagine more simple, and more ingenuous


s: expressions. To which may be added that out of his _Palemon_,


s: And I love _Phyllis_, for her Charms excell;


s: At my departure O what tears there fell!


s: She sigh'd, Farewell Dear Youth, a long Farewell.


s: Pines murmurings, Goatherd, are a pleasing sound,


s: _and most of his expressions, not to say all, are of the same


s: The glossy Plums I'le bring, and juicy Pear,


s: Such as were once delightful to my Dear:


s: I'le crop the Laurel, and the Myrtle tree,


s: Confus'dly set, because their Sweets agree.


s: For since the matter must be low, to avoid being abject, and


s: Therefore never let any one, that designs to write _Pastorals_,


s: Young sportive Creatures, and of spotted hue,


s: Which suckled twice a day, I keep for you:


s: These_ Thestilis _hath beg'd, and beg'd in vain,


s: But now they're Hers, since You my Gifts disdain.


s: For what can be more Rustical, than to design those _Goats_ for


s: _Alexis_, at that very time when {59} he believes _Thestylis's_


s: winning importunity will be able to prevail? yet there is nothing


s: He that loves _Bavius_ Verses, hates not Thine:


s: The Bank may fail, the Ram is hardly dry:


s: To learn this Art what won't _Amyntas_ do?


s: {60} Dear Nymph, dear as my Goats, you dy'd.


s: And how soft and tender is that in the third _Idyllium_,


s: She may be kind, she is not perfect Stone,


s: And in this _concise_, close way of Expression lies the chiefest


s: Or _Daphnis's_ despair, which _Thyrsis_ sings in the first


s: Ye Wolves, and Pards, and Mountain Bores adieu,


s: The Herdsmen now must walk no more with You.


s: I'le dy, yet tell my Love e'en whilst I dy:


s: He lov'd, but could not hope for Love again.


s: For tho _Pastoral_ doth not admit any violent passions, such as


s: Woods, and purling Streams, mourning the unsupportable anger, the


s: His was no common flame, nor could he move


s: In the old Arts, and beaten paths of Love,


s: No Flowers nor Fruits sent to oblige the Fair,


s: For all violent Perturbations are to be diligently avoided by


s: _Bucolicks_, whose nature it is to be _soft_, and _easie_: For in


s: Ah, far from home and me You wander o're


s: The _Alpine_ snows, the farthest Western shore,


s: And frozen _Rhine_. When are we like to meet?


s: To these he may sometimes joyn some short Interrogations made to


s: Did not You Streams, and Hazels, hear the Nymphs?


s: Or give the very Trees, and Fountains sense, as in _Tityrus_,


s: Thee (_Tityrus_) the Pines, and every Vale,


s: The Fountains, Hills, and every shrub did call:


s: {63} When _Phyllis_ comes, my wood will all be green.


s: And this sort of Expressions is frequent in _Theocritus_, and


s: _Virgil_, and in these the delicacy of _Pastoral_ is principally


s: contain'd, as one of the old _Interpreters_ of _Theocritus_ hath


s: observ'd on this line, in the eighth _Idyllium_,


s: His words are soft, and each expression sweet.


s: _Virgil_ useth no Numbers but _Heroick_, from whence it may be


s: Young _Chromis_ and _Mnasylus_ chanct to stray,


s: Where (sleeping in a Cave) _Silenus_ lay,


s: Whose constant Cups fly fuming to his brain,


s: His trusty Flaggon, full of potent Juice,


s: Was hanging by, worn out with Age, and Use, &c.


s: But tho you must be sparing in your _Descriptions_, yet your


s: Rough Storms to Trees, to Birds the treacherous Snare,


s: Are frightful Evils; Springes to the Hare,


s: Woolves sheep destroy, Winds Trees when newly blown,


s: Storms Corn, and me my _Amaryllis_ frown.


s: As Clay grows hard, Wax soft in the same fire,


s: So _Daphnis_ does in one extream desire.


s: _Phyllis_ the Hazel loves; whilst _Phyllis_ loves that Tree,


s: {67} Myrtles than Hazels of less fame shall be.


s: _Innocence_ of the _golden_ Age. There is another thing in which


s: Thus much seem'd necessary to be premis'd out of _RAPIN_, for the


s: _O, do you remember? How it came to be?_


s: _Love sang to me. And I went down the stair_


s: _The dark had left no speech save hand-in-hand_


s: _You, Four Walls, wall not in my heart!_


s: He sang above the vineyards of the world.


s: And after him the vines with woven hands


s: Clambered and clung, and everywhere unfurled


s: Triumphing green above the barren lands;


s: Till high as gardens grow, he climbed, he stood,


s: Sun-crowned with life and strength, and singing toil,


s: And looked upon his work; and it was good:


s: He sang above the noon. The topmost cleft


s: That grudged him footing on the mountain scars


s: He planted and despaired not; till he left


s: His vines soft breathing to the host of stars.


s: He wrought, he tilled; and even as he sang,


s: The creatures of his planting laughed to scorn


s: The ancient threat of deserts where there sprang


s: Took of his tilth. Yet was there still to reap,


s: Of sunlit day, and bread, and human sleep.


s: He sang for strength; for glory of the light.


s: He dreamed above the furrows, 'They are mine!'


s: When all he wrought stood fair before his sight


s: Above all seasons with their fitful grace;


s: Above the chance and change that led his feet


s: To this last ambush of the Market-place.


s: 'Enough for him,' they said--and still they say--


s: 'A crust, with air to breathe, and sun to shine;


s: He asks no more!'--Before they took away


s: He sang. No more he sings now, anywhere.


s: They knew it well, who took away the air,


s: Who took, to serve their soul-devouring greed,


s: Himself, his breath, his bread--the goad of toil;--


s: Who have and hold, before the eyes of Need,


s: This, that a man should earn his bread and eat,


s: Rejoicing in his work which he hath done.


s: This, for his portion now, of all that he hath done.


s: Sea-things, air-things, wrought with steel,


s: Oh, in the wakening thunders of the heart,


s: --The small lost Eden, troubled through the night,


s: Sounds there not now,--forboded and apart,


s: Some voice and portent of a dawn to break?--


s: Searching like God, the ruinous human shard


s: Of that lost Brother-man Himself did make,


s: It sounds!--And may the anguish of that birth


s: Seize on the world; and may all shelters fail,


s: When the high-tides that threaten near and far


s: To sweep away our guilt before the sky,--


s: Flooding the waste of this dishonored Star,


s: Cry, from the deep of world-accusing waves,


s: With longing more than all since Light began,


s: Above the nations,--underneath the graves,--


s: Now comes it that the great ones of the earth


s: Away with them, far off, to orchard-places,--


s: Nor they nor Solomon arrayed like these,--


s: To catch the out-flowing rapture of the trees.


s: For now at last, they have beheld the trees.


s: The men of sounding laughter and low fears;


s: The women of light laughter, and no tears;


s: That once sold doves,--now grown so pennywise


s: To bargain with forlorner merchandise,--


s: They buy and sell, they buy and sell again,


s: Worn with their market strife to dispossess


s: They too go forth, to breathe of budding trees,


s: And woods with beckoning wonders new unfurled.


s: The rulers of the darkness of this world.


s: For now, behold their heart's desire is thrall


s: To simpleness.--O new delight, unguessed,


s: To the green earth! All bountiful to bless


s: To the green earth, whose blithe replenishments


s: To the green earth, the dust-corrupted soul


s: They will go forth, all they, to see a reed


s: The wonder this. For some there are no trees;


s: Or in the trees no beauty and no mirth:--


s: From all the gifts and creatures of the earth,


s: But the Sun sees not, at its going down:--


s: With the poor fruit, after their piteous kind.


s: And if you take some Old One to the fields,


s: With eyes too old,--too old, too dim to see;


s: Proffer those starved eyes your belated cup:


s: _Down in the night and blackness of the heart,


s: Lost things of hope and sorrow without tongue:


s: Where misery blasphemes the sacred young!


s: Small suffering hands defrauded of their rose;


s: For them there is no joy in blossomed trees.


s: We leave them, at the last, for company,


s: Whose two stark boughs no springtime yet unfurled,


s: With His two arms outstretched to fold the world.


s: _O, do you remember?--How it came to be?


s: Far, golden windows gazing from the shore;


s: Golden ebb of daylight; heart could hold no more:


s: _Westward the sun,--low, slow and golden;


s: O do you remember? while our eyes were holden,


s: Wind-swift she came,--thing of living flame,


s: Sea-breathing Glory, to make the heart afraid!


s: A portent from the sky,--gone by, gone by,


s: That shook to golden throbbing all the sea.


s: '_Rich man, Poor man, Beggar man, Thief,


s: '_Rich man--Poor man--Beggar man--Thief: