s: And wished some Power might take such ones


s: And frizzled her hair to a haze.  With a will


s: She glanced from me to the far-off gray,


s: She told how they used to form for the country dances -


s: To the light of the guttering wax in the panelled manses,


s: She spoke of the wild "poussetting" and "allemanding"


s: And the two long rows of ladies and gentlemen standing,


s: She showed us the spot where the maypole was yearly planted,


s: While breeched and kerchiefed partners whirled, and panted


s: She told of that far-back day when they learnt astounded


s: Of the Terror; and then of Bonaparte's unbounded


s: Of how his threats woke warlike preparations


s: And how each night brought tremors and trepidations


s: She said she had often heard the gibbet creaking


s: Had caught from the neighbouring town a small child's shrieking


s: With cap-framed face and long gaze into the embers -


s: She would dwell on such dead themes, not as one who remembers,


s: She seemed one left behind of a band gone distant


s: Past things retold were to her as things existent,


s: When I should have been distressed by fears


s: He has won that storm-tight roof of hers


s: I pace along, the rain-shafts riddling me,


s: Mile after mile out by the moorland way,


s: And up the hill, and through the ewe-leaze gray


s: Into the lane, and round the corner tree;


s: Where, as my clothing clams me, mire-bestarred,


s: And the enfeebled light dies out of day,


s: Leaving the liquid shades to reign, I say,


s: Yet sires of mine now perished and forgot,


s: When worse beset, ere roads were shapen here,


s: And night and storm were foes indeed to fear,


s: Times numberless have trudged across this spot


s: In sturdy muteness on their strenuous lot,


s: And taking all such toils as trifles mere.


s: And as, indeed, earth's testimonies tell -


s: None knew regret, starved hope, or heart-burnings;


s: If something ceased, no tongue bewailed,


s: If something winced and waned, no heart was wrung;


s: If brightness dimmed, and dark prevailed,


s: And primal rightness took the tinct of wrong;


s: "I have finished another year," said God,


s: Sense-sealed I have wrought, without a guess


s: Hoard these her sweets--?"  He said, "O no,


s: Yea, as I sit here, crutched, and cricked, and bent,


s: Much from insidious aches in his decline;


s: But his aches were not radical like mine;


s: They were the twinges of old wounds--the feel


s: Of the hand he had lost, shorn by barbarian steel,


s: Which came back, so he said, at a change in the air,


s: Fingers and all, as if it still were there.


s: My pains are otherwise:  upclosing cramps


s: And stiffened tendons from this country's damps,


s: The Fates sent him by way of the Levant.


s: He had been blithe in his young manhood's time,


s: And as centurion carried well his prime.


s: He had seen service and had borne him well.


s: Nought shook him then:  he was serene as brave;


s: Yet later knew some shocks, and would grow grave


s: When pondering them; shocks less of corporal kind


s: Than phantom-like, that disarranged his mind;


s: That he recounted them; and one in chief


s: Personal in touch--though I have sometimes thought


s: His mind at last being stressed by ails and age:-


s: Yet his good faith thereon I well could wage.


s: I had said it long had been a wish with me


s: That I might leave a scion--some small tree


s: Ay, offspring even of no legitimate claim,


s: A seer, a doer, a coward, a fool; yea, worse -


s: All unbelieving.  "Friend, you do not know,"


s: He darkly dropt:  "True, I've none now to show,


s: For THE LAW TOOK HIM.  Ay, in sooth, Jove shaped it so!"


s: "This noon is not unlike," he again began,


s: "The noon these pricking memories print on me -


s: Yea, that day, when the sun grew copper-red,


s: And I served in Judaea . . . 'Twas a date


s: Of rest for arms.  The Pax Romana ruled,


s: Palestine was annexed--though sullen yet, -


s: I, being in age some two-score years and ten


s: Quelling some riot, sentrying court and hall,


s: Sending men forth on public meeting-days


s: To maintain order, were my duties there.


s: "Then came a morn in spring, and the cheerful sun


s: And every mountain-road that clambered them,


s: Tincturing the greyness of the olives warm,


s: And the rank cacti round the valley's sides.


s: Were put in force, and here and there were set


s: Since one of the condemned had raised some heat,


s: And crowds surged passionately to see him slain.


s: Had captained the procession through the streets


s: When it came streaming from the judgment-hall


s: It drew to the great gate of the northern way


s: That bears towards Damascus; and to a knoll


s: Upon the common, just beyond the walls -


s: Whence could be swept a wide horizon round


s: Over the housetops to the remotest heights.


s: For city crimes, called then and doubtless now


s: Some three or four were stript, transfixed, and nailed,


s: And no great stir occurred.  A day of wont


s: It was to me, so far, and would have slid


s: Clean from my memory at its squalid close


s: But for an incident that followed these.


s: That hung around the wretches as they writhed,


s: Till thrust back by our spears, one held my eye -


s: A weeping woman, whose strained countenance,


s: Sharpened against a looming livid cloud,


s: Was mocked by the crude rays of afternoon -


s: The mother of one of those who suffered there


s: I had heard her called when spoken roughly to


s: By my ranged men for pressing forward so.


s: It stole upon me hers was a face I knew;


s: Yet when, or how, I had known it, for a while


s: "Some thirty years or more before that noon


s: That marched up from Judaea north to Tyre.


s: We had pierced the old flat country of Jezreel,


s: The great Esdraelon Plain and fighting-floor


s: While crossing there to strike the Assyrian pride.


s: Till bulging Tabor rose, embossed to the top


s: With arbute, terabinth, and locust growths.


s: "Encumbering me were sundry sick, so fallen


s: Through drinking from a swamp beside the way;


s: But we pressed on, till, bearing over a ridge,


s: Which lapped a village on its furthest slopes


s: Called Nazareth, brimmed round by uplands nigh.


s: In the midst thereof a fountain bubbled, where,


s: Lime-dry from marching, our glad halt we made


s: To rest our sick ones, and refresh us all.


s: "Here a day onward, towards the eventide,


s: Trod by their comrades, when the young women came


s: To fill their pitchers, as their custom was.


s: I proffered help to one--a slim girl, coy


s: Her long blue gown, the string of silver coins


s: That hung down by her banded beautiful hair,


s: "Well, I was young, and hot, and readily stirred


s: To quick desire.  'Twas tedious timing out


s: By blissful yieldance to her sweet allure,


s: Who had no arts, but what out-arted all,


s: The tremulous tender charm of trustfulness.


s: We met, and met, and under the winking stars


s: That passed which peoples earth--true union, yea,


s: "Meanwhile the sick found health; and we pricked on.


s: I said we sundered never to meet again -


s: For meet again we did.  Now, guess you aught?


s: Was she I had known--albeit that time and tears


s: Had wasted rudely her once flowerlike form,


s: And her soft eyes, now swollen with sorrowing.


s: "Though I betrayed some qualms, she marked me not;


s: (For so I guessed him).  And inquiry made


s: Brought rumour how at Nazareth long before


s: On finding she had grown pregnant, none knew how,


s: Cared for her child, and loved her till he died.


s: "Well; there it ended; save that then I learnt


s: That he--the man whose ardent blood was mine -


s: And hurled insulting parlance at their god,


s: Whose temple bulked upon the adjoining hill,


s: Vowing that he would raze it, that himself


s: Was god as great as he whom they adored,


s: And by descent, moreover, was their king;


s: With sundry other incitements to misrule.


s: "The impalements done, and done the soldiers' game


s: Of raffling for the clothes, a legionary,


s: Longinus, pierced the young man with his lance


s: Through naysaying the drug they had offered him.


s: It brought the end.  And when he had breathed his last


s: The woman went.  I saw her never again . . .


s: Now glares my moody meaning on you, friend? -


s: That when you talk of offspring as sheer joy


s: Thus Panthera's tale.  'Twas one he seldom told,


s: But yet it got abroad.  He would unfold,


s: Though his was not a heart where jests had room.


s: The Procurator who had condemned his son--


s: Or rather him so deemed.  For there was none


s: To prove that Panthera erred not:  and indeed,


s: When vagueness of identity I would plead,


s: Panther himself would sometimes own as much -


s: Yet lothly.  But, assuming fact was such,


s: Her lover's face, is matter for surprise.


s: However, there's his tale, fantasy or otherwise.


s: Thereafter shone not men of Panthera's kind:


s: The indolent heads at home were ill-inclined


s: To press campaigning that would hoist the star


s: Jealousies kept him irked abroad, controlled


s: Yet in some actions southward he had share -


s: With eagle eye, and sword and steed and spur,


s: Quelling uprisings promptly.  Some small stir


s: In Parthia next engaged him, until maimed,


s: As I have said; and cynic Time proclaimed


s: Of such a Roman!--one in youth-time graced


s: With indescribable charm, so I have heard,


s: When faltering as I saw him.  What a fame,


s: Might the Three so have urged Thee!--Hour by hour


s: His own disorders hampered Panthera's power


s: To brood upon the fate of those he had known,


s: Even of that one he always called his own -


s: An exit rare for ardent soldiers such as he.


s: "He's now just there--by Gib's high rock -


s: Who, when I coaxed them, answered "Aye" to me?


s: While Jane will cry, "If I'd had proof of you,


s: I should have learnt to hold aloof of you!"


s: I joy that, though it brought notoriousness,


s: I knew Love once and all its gloriousness!"


s: Small harm did you, my poor Sweet Heart!


s: A manchild born, now tall and beautiful,


s: So wherefore should you burn down there?


s: And that was ours.  What's done is done, my Love.


s: With you away.  Dear, come, O come to me!"


s: For something troubled him, and troubled me.


s: And shapes long vanished whither vanish all.


s: Were all Life's blossoms, all its dear things dead?'


s: Why, Love, I'll speak, ere time us twain divide.'


s: And honourably condoned what we had done;


s: Sooner entombed than in a stage purlieu!


s: Our chief familiars, next to string and book.


s: But ONCE, to tread the boards I trod before.


s: Seemed linked with me, but how I could not tell.


s: To say what ill I had done, and could undo.


s: "'FAITH--FRANKNESS.  Ah!  Heaven save such!'


s: But you, Dear, not.  For you suspected me.'


s: Led me to pace the hall as once we paced.


s: Half-hid.  And that was why I failed withal!'


s: And follow, furtive, took my heart away!'


s: That faced me, pale,' he urged, 'that night in town.


s: The leading lady, you peeped from the stair.


s: Such well-known raiment.'  But he still went on


s: That he could think thus of the wife he had wed!


s: To my approach, he mused, and moped, and worse.


s: Thither, by my tense brain at home aggrieved.


s: The little vault with room for one beside."


s: In Mellstock Quire with him she loved so true.


s: And reading their twin names we moralize:


s: Some semblant dame?  Or can wraiths really be?


s: (Him only--others as these lines unfold.)


s: That go she did.  She knew her actor best.


s: I looked and thought, "All is too gray and cold


s: Till a voice passed:  "Behind that granite mien


s: Of Her who soothes in stress, who steers in storm,


s: On the grave influence of whose eyes sublime


s: Men count for the stability of the time.


s: The counterfeits that Time will break . . .


s: Through the world's vaporous vitiate air


s: That we come to live, and are called to die,


s: Out of the winter things he fashions a story of modern love.


s: He calls on change through the violence of the elements.


s: nor yet in any spur it may be to ambition.


s: He is no dissenter from the ritualism of nature;


s: nor from the ritualism of youth which is make-believe.


s: Out of old longings he fashions a story.


s: He is shown by a dream how really well it is with him.


s: He is scornful of folk his scorn cannot reach.


s: And again scornful, but there is no one hurt.


s: He takes up life simply with the small tasks.


s: and to know definitely what he thinks about the soul;


s: It is the autumnal mood with a difference.


s: He sees days slipping from him that were the best for what they


s: There are things that can never be the same.


s: ONE of my wishes is that those dark trees,


s: So old and firm they scarcely show the breeze,


s: Were not, as 'twere, the merest mask of gloom,


s: But stretched away unto the edge of doom.


s: I should not be withheld but that some day


s: Into their vastness I should steal away,


s: Or highway where the slow wheel pours the sand.


s: I do not see why I should e'er turn back,


s: Or those should not set forth upon my track


s: And long to know if still I held them dear.


s: They would not find me changed from him they knew--


s: Only more sure of all I thought was true.


s: And a cellar in which the daylight falls,


s: And the purple-stemmed wild raspberries grow.


s: O'er ruined fences the grape-vines shield


s: The woods come back to the mowing field;


s: Of new wood and old where the woodpecker chops;


s: The footpath down to the well is healed.


s: Night comes; the black bats tumble and dart;


s: It is under the small, dim, summer star.


s: Those stones out under the low-limbed tree


s: Doubtless bear names that the mosses mar.


s: They are tireless folk, but slow and sad,


s: Though two, close-keeping, are lass and lad,--


s: He bore a green-white stick in his hand,


s: He asked with the eyes more than the lips


s: And he turned and looked at the road afar


s: The bridegroom came forth into the porch


s: The bridegroom looked at the weary road,


s: The bridegroom thought it little to give


s: Smooth-laid like thatch with the heavy dew,


s: WHEN the wind works against us in the dark,


s: And whispers with a sort of stifled bark,


s: How the cold creeps as the fire dies at length,--


s: Till even the comforting barn grows far away


s: OH, give us pleasure in the flowers to-day;


s: All simply in the springing of the year.


s: Oh, give us pleasure in the orchard white,


s: Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night;


s: The swarm dilating round the perfect trees.


s: The meteor that thrusts in with needle bill,


s: And off a blossom in mid air stands still.


s: For this is love and nothing else is love,


s: A HOUSE that lacks, seemingly, mistress and master,


s: With doors that none but the wind ever closes,


s: Its floor all littered with glass and with plaster;


s: It stands in a garden of old-fashioned roses.


s: I pass by that way in the gloaming with Mary;


s: 'I wonder,' I say, 'who the owner of those is.


s: 'Oh, no one you know,' she answers me airy,


s: 'But one we must ask if we want any roses.'


s: So we must join hands in the dew coming coldly


s: There in the hush of the wood that reposes,


s: And turn and go up to the open door boldly,


s: And knock to the echoes as beggars for roses.


s: 'Pray, are you within there, Mistress Who-were-you?'


s: 'Tis Mary that speaks and our errand discloses.


s: 'Pray, are you within there? Bestir you, bestir you!


s: 'Tis summer again; there's two come for roses.


s: 'A word with you, that of the singer recalling--


s: Old Herrick: a saying that every maid knows is


s: A flower unplucked is but left to the falling,


s: And nothing is gained by not gathering roses.'


s: We do not loosen our hands' intertwining


s: (Not caring so very much what she supposes),


s: There when she comes on us mistily shining


s: And grants us by silence the boon of her roses.


s: WHAT things for dream there are when spectre-like,


s: Moving among tall haycocks lightly piled,


s: From which the laborers' voices late have died,


s: Upon the full moon's side of the first haycock


s: I dream upon the opposing lights of the hour,


s: Preventing shadow until the moon prevail;


s: I dream upon the night-hawks peopling heaven,


s: Each circling each with vague unearthly cry,


s: Or plunging headlong with fierce twang afar;


s: And on the bat's mute antics, who would seem


s: And seek it endlessly with purblind haste;


s: On the last swallow's sweep; and on the rasp


s: In the abyss of odor and rustle at my back,


s: That, silenced by my advent, finds once more,


s: And tries once--twice--and thrice if I be there;


s: I brought not here to read, it seems, but hold


s: And freshen in this air of withering sweetness;


s: For whom these lines when they shall greet her eye.


s: Of things of moment to which, they wist,


s: Where bird and flower were one and the same.


s: Why the flower has odor, the bird has song.


s: You have only to ask me, and I can tell.


s: Was swallowed up in leaves that blew alway;


s: (This was my dream) and looked and pondered long,


s: But did not enter, though the wish was strong:


s: You shook your pensive head as who should say,


s: 'I dare not--too far in his footsteps stray--


s: He must seek me would he undo the wrong.


s: Not far, but near, I stood and saw it all


s: Behind low boughs the trees let down outside;


s: And the sweet pang it cost me not to call


s: And tell you that I saw does still abide.


s: But 'tis not true that thus I dwelt aloof,


s: For the wood wakes, and you are here for proof.


s: As two in whom they were proved mistaken,


s: That we sit sometimes in the wayside nook,


s: With mischievous, vagrant, seraphic look,


s: Well I know where to hie me--in the dawn,


s: To a slope where the cattle keep the lawn.


s: Far off the homes of men, and farther still,


s: And if by moon I have too much of these,


s: The sun-burned hillside sets my face aglow,


s: My breathing shakes the bluet like a breeze,


s: I smell the earth, I smell the bruisèd plant,


s: THERE was never a sound beside the wood but one,


s: And that was my long scythe whispering to the ground.


s: What was it it whispered? I knew not well myself;


s: Perhaps it was something about the heat of the sun,


s: Something, perhaps, about the lack of sound--


s: And that was why it whispered and did not speak.


s: It was no dream of the gift of idle hours,


s: Anything more than the truth would have seemed too weak


s: To the earnest love that laid the swale in rows,


s: Not without feeble-pointed spikes of flowers


s: (Pale orchises), and scared a bright green snake.


s: The fact is the sweetest dream that labor knows.


s: My long scythe whispered and left the hay to make.


s: (Though chill), because the fields were ours,


s: Behind light words that tease and flout,


s: The light of heaven falls whole and white


s: In streams and cross- and counter-streams


s: Sounds nobler there than 'neath the sun;


s: And the mind whirls and the heart sings,


s: With the royal heart of Robert the Bruce


s: That that was the place to carry a heart


s: That a man for God should strike a blow,


s: For the Holy Land where hearts should go.


s: He swung and flung forth into the plain,


s: And followed it crying 'Heart or death!'


s: For a few swift gleams of the angry brand,


s: The dew was gone that made his blade so keen


s: Before I came to view the leveled scene.


s: I looked for him behind an isle of trees;


s: I listened for his whetstone on the breeze.


s: But he had gone his way, the grass all mown,


s: 'As all must be,' I said within my heart,


s: But as I said it, swift there passed me by


s: On noiseless wing a 'wildered butterfly,


s: Seeking with memories grown dim o'er night


s: Some resting flower of yesterday's delight.


s: And once I marked his flight go round and round,


s: As where some flower lay withering on the ground.


s: And then he flew as far as eye could see,


s: And then on tremulous wing came back to me.


s: I thought of questions that have no reply,


s: And would have turned to toss the grass to dry;


s: But he turned first, and led my eye to look


s: At a tall tuft of flowers beside a brook,


s: A leaping tongue of bloom the scythe had spared


s: Beside a reedy brook the scythe had bared.


s: I left my place to know them by their name,


s: Finding them butterfly weed when I came.


s: The mower in the dew had loved them thus,


s: By leaving them to flourish, not for us,


s: Nor yet to draw one thought of ours to him.


s: But from sheer morning gladness at the brim.


s: That made me hear the wakening birds around,


s: And hear his long scythe whispering to the ground,


s: So that henceforth I worked no more alone;


s: But glad with him, I worked as with his aid,


s: And weary, sought at noon with him the shade;


s: And dreaming, as it were, held brotherly speech


s: With one whose thought I had not hoped to reach.


s: 'Men work together,' I told him from the heart,


s: His skin and his hair and his eyes were gray,


s: The gray of the moss of walls were they,--


s: And stood in the sun and looked his fill


s: His heart knew peace, for none came here


s: Or homespun children with clicking pails


s: For a sylvan sign that the blue jay's screech


s: And the world had found new terms of worth.


s: He laid him down on the sun-burned earth


s: I was running with joy on the Demon's trail,


s: Though I knew what I hunted was no true god.


s: It was just as the light was beginning to fail


s: That I suddenly heard--all I needed to hear:


s: The sound was behind me instead of before,


s: The Demon arose from his wallow to laugh,


s: Brushing the dirt from his eye as he went;


s: I shall not forget how his laugh rang out.


s: I felt as a fool to have been so caught,


s: It was something among the leaves I sought


s: (Though doubtful whether he stayed to see).


s: NOW close the windows and hush all the fields;


s: If the trees must, let them silently toss;


s: No bird is singing now, and if there is,


s: So close the windows and not hear the wind,


s: THE line-storm clouds fly tattered and swift,


s: Where a myriad snowy quartz stones lift,


s: The roadside flowers, too wet for the bee,


s: The birds have less to say for themselves


s: Than now these numberless years the elves,


s: All song of the woods is crushed like some


s: Come, be my love in the wet woods; come,


s: And the shallow waters aflutter with wind


s: For wilding brooch shall wet your breast


s: Oh, never this whelming east wind swells


s: To the ancient lands where it left the shells


s: And it seems like the time when after doubt


s: Whose leaves already are burnt with frost,


s: Whose clustered fruit must else be lost--


s: THINE emulous fond flowers are dead, too,


s: That frighted thee so oft, is fled or dead:


s: There is none left to mourn thee in the fields.


s: The gray grass is not dappled with the snow;


s: Its two banks have not shut upon the river;


s: Tossed, tangled, whirled and whirled above,


s: Like a limp rose-wreath in a fairy dance.


s: Thou didst not know, who tottered, wandering on high,


s: That fate had made thee for the pleasure of the wind,


s: It seemed God let thee flutter from his gentle clasp:


s: Snatched thee, o'er eager, with ungentle grasp.


s: The languor of it and the dreaming fond;


s: Surging, the grasses dizzied me of thought,


s: But the wild touch of thy dye-dusty wing!


s: And the dead leaves lie huddled and still,


s: JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE, the greatest of German


s: men of letters, was born at Frank fort-on-the-Main, August 28,


s: personally supervised the early education of his son. The young


s: Weimar, where he held a succession of political offices, becoming


s: The most important of Goethe's works produced before he went to


s: Weimar were his tragedy "Gotz von Berlichingen" (1773), which


s: first brought him fame, and "The Sorrows of Young Werther," a


s: novel which obtained enormous popularity during the so-called


s: "Sturm und Drang" period. During the years at Weimar before he


s: knew Schiller he began "Wilhelm Meister," wrote the dramas,


s: Fuchs." To the period of his friendship with Schiller belong the


s: continuation of "Wilhelm Meister," the beautiful idyl of "Hermann


s: between Schiller's death in 1805 and his own, appeared "Faust,"


s: "Elective Affinities," his autobiographical "Dichtung und


s: Wahrheit" ("Poetry and Truth"), his "Italian Journey," much


s: scientific work, and a series of treatises on German Art.


s: Though the foregoing enumeration contains but a selection front


s: production, yet showed the adaptability of his talent in the most


s: The greatest and most representative expression of Goethe's


s: powers is without doubt to be found in his drama of "Faust"; but


s: who sold his soul to the devil. The historical Dr. Faust seems to


s: in the first half of the sixteenth century, making money by the


s: practise of magic, fortune-telling, and pretended cures. He died


s: mysteriously about 1540, and a legend soon sprang up that the


s: devil, by whose aid he wrought his wonders, had finally carried


s: movement of the time. In this aspect the Faust legend is an


s: While a succession of Faust books were appearing in Germany, the


s: original life was translated into English and dramatized by


s: Marlowe. English players brought Marlowe's work back to


s: Germany, where it was copied by German actors, degenerated into


s: spectacular farce, and finally into a puppet show. Through this


s: puppet show Goethe made acquaintance with the legend.


s: By the time that Goethe was twenty, the Faust legend had


s: fascinated his imagination; for three years before he went to


s: Weimar he had been working on scattered scenes and bits of


s: dialogue; and though he suspended actual composition on it during


s: the task from youth to old age have made it in a unique way the


s: record of Goethe's personality in all its richness and diversity.


s: Writing in "Dichtung und Wahrheit" of the period about 1770,


s: when he was in Strasburg with. Herder, Goethe says, "The


s: significant puppet-play legend . . . echoed and buzzed in many


s: tones within me. I too had drifted about in all knowledge, and


s: early enough had been brought to feel the vanity of it. I too had


s: more unsatisfied and more tormented. I was now carrying these


s: accounted for Goethe's departure from the traditional catastrophe


s: Of the elements in the finished Faust that are derived from the


s: legend a rough idea may be obtained from the "Doctor Faustus" of


s: It need hardly be said that Goethe's "Faust" does not derive its


s: cynically as a monstrosity, and yet he put himself into it as


s: intensely as Dante put himself into "The Divine Comedy." A


s: composition. Goethe began it in his romantic youth, and availed


s: romantic mood. When he returned to it in the beginning of the new


s: makes the career of Faust as a whole emblematic of the triumph of


s: walk, the character and fate of Margaret. It is such elements as


s: shadowed forth in the symbolic parts and elaborated with still


s: that have given the work its place with "Job," with the


s: "Prometheus Bound," with "The Divine Comedy," and with


s: YE wavering shapes, again ye do enfold me,


s: As erst upon my troubled sight ye stole;


s: Shall I this time attempt to clasp, to hold ye?


s: Still for the fond illusion yearns my soul?


s: Ye press around! Come then, your captive hold me,


s: As upward from the vapoury mist ye roll;


s: Within my breast youth's throbbing pulse is bounding,


s: Fann'd by the magic breath your march surrounding.


s: Shades fondly loved appear, your train attending,


s: And visions fair of many a blissful day;


s: First-love and friendship their fond accents blending,


s: Like to some ancient, half-expiring lay;


s: Sorrow revives, her wail of anguish sending


s: Back o'er life's devious labyrinthine way,


s: And names the dear ones, they whom Fate bereaving


s: Of life's fair hours, left me behind them grieving.


s: They hear me not my later cadence singing,


s: The souls to whom my earlier lays I sang;


s: Dispersed the throng, their severed flight now winging;


s: Mute are the voices that responsive rang.


s: For stranger crowds the Orphean lyre now stringing,


s: E'en their applause is to my heart a pang;


s: Of old who listened to my song, glad hearted,


s: If yet they live, now wander widely parted.


s: A yearning long unfelt, each impulse swaying,


s: To yon calm spirit-realm uplifts my soul;


s: In faltering cadence, as when Zephyr playing,


s: Tear follows tear, my steadfast heart obeying


s: Those I have lost become realities to me.


s: Fain would I please the public, win their thanks;


s: They live and let live, hence it is but meet.


s: The posts are now erected, and the planks,


s: Their places taken, they, with eyebrows rais'd,


s: Sit patiently, and fain would be amaz'd.


s: Yet ne'er of failure felt so keen a dread;


s: True, they are not accustomed to the best,


s: But then appalling the amount they've read..


s: How make our entertainment striking, new,


s: For to be plain, I love to see the throng,


s: As to our booth the living tide progresses;


s: And through heaven's narrow portal forceful presses;


s: Still in broad daylight, ere the clock strikes four,


s: With blows their way towards the box they take;


s: And, as for bread in famine, at the baker's door,


s: For tickets are content their necks to break.


s: Such various minds the bard alone can sway,


s: Oh of the motley throng speak not before me,


s: At whose aspect the Spirit wings its flight!


s: Conceal the surging concourse, I implore thee,


s: Whose vortex draws us with resistless might.


s: No, to some peaceful heavenly nook restore me,


s: Where only for the bard blooms pure delight,


s: Where love and friendship yield their choicest blessing,


s: Our heart's true bliss, with god-like hand caressing.


s: What in the spirit's depths was there created,


s: What shyly there the lip shaped forth in sound;


s: A failure now, with words now fitly mated,


s: In the wild tumult of the hour is drown'd;


s: Full oft the poet's thought for years bath waited


s: Until at length with perfect form 'tis crowned;


s: What dazzles, for the moment born, must perish;


s: Who then the living would amuse? For they


s: Will have diversion, ay, and 'tis their due.


s: A sprightly fellow's presence at your play,


s: Methinks should also count for something too;


s: Whose genial wit the audience still inspires,


s: Knows from their changeful mood no angry feeling;


s: To their heart's depths more surely thus appealing.


s: To work, then! Give a master-piece, my friend;


s: Bring Fancy with her choral trains before us,


s: Sense, reason, feeling, passion, but attend!


s: A show they want, they come to gape and stare.


s: Spin for their eyes abundant occupation,


s: SO that the multitude may wondering gaze,


s: You by sheer bulk have won your reputation,


s: By mass alone can you subdue the masses,


s: Each then selects in time what suits his bent.


s: Bring much, you something bring for various classes,


s: And from the house goes every one content.


s: You give a piece, abroad in pieces send it!


s: 'Tis a ragout--success most needs attend it;


s: 'Tis easy to serve up, as easy to invent.


s: A finish'd whole what boots it to present!


s: Full soon the public will in pieces rend it.


s: How mean such handicraft as this you cannot feel!


s: How it revolts the genuine artist's mind!


s: The sorry trash in which these coxcombs deal,


s: Consider! 'tis soft wood you have to split;


s: One from the festive board, a sated guest;


s: As to a masquerade, with absent minds, they press,


s: Sheer curiosity their footsteps winging;


s: Ladies display their persons and their dress,


s: What dreams beguile you on your poet's height?


s: More closely view your patrons of the night!


s: One, the play over, craves a game of cards;


s: Another a wild night in wanton joy would spend.


s: I tell you, give them more, still more, 'tis all I ask,


s: Thus you will ne'er stray widely from the goal;


s: Your audience seek to mystify, cajole;--


s: What ails thee? art enraptured or distressed?


s: Depart! elsewhere another servant choose


s: What! shall the bard his godlike power abuse?


s: Man's loftiest right, kind nature's high bequest,


s: For your mean purpose basely sport away?


s: Whence comes his mastery o'er the human breast,


s: But from the harmony that, gushing from his soul,


s: Draws back into his heart the wondrous whole?


s: With careless hand when round her spindle, Nature


s: When 'mid the clash of Being every creature


s: Who deals their course unvaried till it falleth,


s: In rhythmic flow to music's measur'd tone?


s: Each solitary note whose genius calleth,


s: Who in the raging storm sees passion low'ring?


s: Or flush of earnest thought in evening's glow?


s: Who every blossom in sweet spring-time flowering


s: Who, Nature's green familiar leaves entwining,


s: Wreathe's glory's garland, won on every field?


s: Makes sure Olympus, heavenly powers combining?


s: Man's mighty spirit, in the bard reveal'd!


s: Come then, employ your lofty inspiration,


s: Two meet by chance, are pleased, they linger there,


s: Insensibly are link'd, they scarce know how;


s: Fortune seems now propitious, adverse now,


s: Then come alternate rapture and despair;


s: And 'tis a true romance ere one's aware.


s: Plunge boldly into life--its depths disclose!


s: 'Twill interest wheresoever seiz'd and shown;


s: Bright pictures, but obscure their meaning:


s: Then youth's fair blossoms crowd to view your play,


s: The tender souls, who love the melting mood,


s: Suck from your work their melancholy food;


s: Now this one, and now that, you deeply stir,


s: Each sees the working of his heart laid bare.


s: Their tears, their laughter, you command with ease,


s: The lofty still they honour, the illusive love.


s: Your finish'd gentlemen you ne'er can please;


s: A growing mind alone will grateful prove.


s: As through the vales, with blooms inlaid,


s: The thirst for truth, joy in each fond illusion.


s: Give me unquell'd those impulses to prove;--


s: Give me, oh give me back my youth again!


s: Youth, my good friend, you certainly require


s: Your sense, the night's carouse inviteth.


s: This task is yours, old gentlemen, to-day;


s: Nor are you therefore less in reverence held;


s: Age does not make us childish, as folk say,


s: It finds us genuine children e'en in eld.


s: To-morrow sees undone, what happens not to-day


s: Heaven's lamps employ, the greatest and the least,


s: Forthwith in this our narrow booth appear,


s: And with considerate speed, through fancy's spell,


s: Journey from heaven, thence through the world, to bell!


s: Gives strength, though fathom him none may;


s: With speed, thought baffling, unabating,


s: Earth's splendour whirls in circling flight;


s: Against the rocks' deep base are hurled;


s: And with the spheres, both rock and ocean


s: Gives strength, though fathom thee none may;


s: Since thou, O Lord, approachest us once more,


s: And how it fares with us, to ask art fain,


s: Since thou hast kindly welcom'd me of yore,


s: Thou see'st me also now among thy train.


s: Excuse me, fine harangues I cannot make,


s: Though all the circle look on me with scorn;


s: My pathos soon thy laughter would awake,


s: Hadst thou the laughing mood not long forsworn.


s: Of suns and worlds I nothing have to say,


s: I see alone mankind's self-torturing pains.


s: The little world-god still the self-same stamp retains,


s: And is as wondrous now as on the primal day.


s: Hadst thou not given him a gleam of heavenly light;


s: Use it, than brutes more brutish still to grow.


s: With deference to your grace, he seems to me


s: And in the grass its ancient ditty sings.


s: Would he but always in the grass repose!


s: In every heap of dung he thrusts his nose.


s: Does nothing on the earth to thee seem right?


s: No, Lord! I find things there, as ever, in sad plight.


s: Men, in their evil days, move my compassion;


s: Such sorry things to plague is nothing worth.


s: He serves thee truly in a wondrous fashion.


s: Poor fool! His food and drink are not of earth.


s: Himself half conscious of his frenzied mood;


s: From heaven claimeth he the fairest star,


s: And from the earth craves every highest good,


s: And all that's near, and all that's far,


s: I soon will lead him where more light appears;


s: When buds the sapling, doth the gardener know


s: That flowers and fruit will deck the coming years.


s: What wilt thou wager? Him thou yet shall lose,


s: Man still must err, while he doth strive.


s: That youth's plump blooming cheek I very much prefer.


s: I'm not at home to corpses; 'tis my way,


s: Like cats with captive mice to toy and play.


s: This mortal spirit from his primal source;


s: Then stand abash'd, when thou perforce must own,


s: 'Tis done! Full soon thou'lt see my exultation;


s: Dust he shall eat, ay, and with relish take,


s: Here too thou'rt free to act without control;


s: I ne'er have cherished hate for such as thee.


s: Ever too prone is man activity to shirk,


s: In unconditioned rest he fain would live;


s: Who stirs, excites, and must, as devil, work.


s: But ye, the genuine sons of heaven, rejoice!


s: In the full living beauty still rejoice!


s: May that which works and lives, the ever-growing,


s: In bonds of love enfold you, mercy-fraught,


s: And Seeming's changeful forms, around you flowing,


s: (Heaven closes, the Archangels disperse.)


s: The ancient one I like sometimes to see,


s: And not to break with him am always civil;


s: 'Tis courteous in so great a lord as he,


s: VALENTINE, Margaret's Brother. OLD PEASANT. A


s: STUDENT. ELIZABETH, an Acquaintance of Margaret's.


s: Witches; old and young; Wizards, Will-o'-the-Wisp, Witch Pedlar,


s: Country-folk, Citizens, Beggar, Old Fortune-teller, Shepherd,


s: 'Tis true I've more cunning than all your dull tribe,


s: Magister and doctor, priest, parson, and scribe;


s: Scruple or doubt comes not to enthrall me,


s: Neither can devil nor hell now appal me--


s: Hence also my heart must all pleasure forego!


s: I may not pretend, aught rightly to know,


s: I may not pretend, through teaching, to find


s: No dog in such fashion would longer live!


s: In hope, through spirit-voice and might,


s: Her vital powers, her embryo seeds survey,


s: And fling the trade in empty words away.


s: Then, pensive friend! o'er book and scroll,


s: With soothing power, thy radiance stole!


s: Where heaven's dear light itself doth pass,


s: Which to the high vault's topmost bound,


s: And dead men's bones in smoke and mould.


s: (He opens the book and perceives the sign of the Macrocosmos.)


s: Ah! at this spectacle through every sense,


s: I feel new rapture, hallow'd and intense,


s: Through every nerve and vein with ardour glowing.


s: Was it a god who character'd this scroll,


s: O'er my sad heart with rapture stealing,


s: The powers of nature all around revealing.


s: Now of the wise man's words I learn the sense;


s: Thine earthly breast in the morning-red!"


s: How all things live and work, and ever blending,


s: Weave one vast whole from Being's ample range!


s: How powers celestial, rising and descending,


s: Their golden buckets ceaseless interchange!


s: Their flight on rapture-breathing pinions winging,


s: From heaven to earth their genial influence bringing,


s: Through the wild sphere their chimes melodious ringing!


s: Where shall I grasp thee, infinite nature, where?


s: Ye breasts, ye fountains of all life, whereon


s: Hang heaven and earth, from which the withered heart


s: Your sweet and fostering tides--where are ye--where?


s: Ye gush, and must I languish in despair?


s: (He turns over the leaves of the book impatiently, and perceives


s: How all unlike the influence of this sign!


s: Courage I feel, abroad the world to dare,


s: The woe of earth, the bliss of earth to bear,


s: With storms to wrestle, brave the lightning's glare,


s: And mid the crashing shipwreck not despair.


s: I feel it, spirit, prayer-compell'd, 'tis thou


s: Is strain'd to catch some new sensation!


s: Thou must! Thou must! Though life should be the fee!


s: (He seizes the book, and pronounces mysteriously the sign


s: With might, thou hast compelled me to appear,


s: To see me thou dost breathe thine invocation,


s: Lo! I am here I--What cowering agitation


s: Grasps thee, the demigod! Where's now the soul's deep cry?


s: Where is the breast, which in its depths a world conceiv'd


s: And bore and cherished? which, with ecstasy,


s: To rank itself with us, the spirits, heaved?


s: Where art thou, Faust? whose voice I heard resound,


s: Who towards me press'd with energy profound?


s: Art thou he? Thou,--who by my breath art blighted,


s: In the currents of life, in action's storm,


s: Thus time's whirring loom unceasing I ply,


s: Thou, restless spirit, dost from end to end


s: O'ersweep the world; how near I feel to thee!


s: Thou'rt like the spirit, thou dost comprehend,


s: A soulless groveller should banish thus!


s: (WAGNER in his dressing gown and night-cap, a lamp


s: in his hand. FAUST turns round reluctantly.)


s: An actor, oft I've heard it said, as teacher,


s: Ay, if your priest should be an actor too,


s: When in his study pent the whole year through,


s: Man views the world, as through an optic glass,


s: If feeling prompt not, if it doth not flow


s: Fresh from the spirit's depths, with strong control


s: Swaying to rapture every listener's soul,


s: Idle your toil; the chase you may forego!


s: Cook from another's feast your own ragout,


s: But that which issues from the heart alone,


s: Will bend tile hearts of others to your own.


s: And when in earnest you are moved to speak,


s: Then is it needful cunning words to seek?


s: Your fine harangues, so polish'd in their kind,


s: Wherein the shreds of human thought ye twist,


s: Whistling through wither'd leaves and autumn mist!


s: Still as I ply the critic's task, I feel


s: A strange oppression both of head and heart.


s: And haply, ere one half the course is run,


s: Check'd in his progress, the poor devil dies.


s: Parchment, is that the sacred fount whence roll


s: Waters, he thirsteth not who once hath quaffed?


s: Oh, if it gush not from thine inmost soul,


s: Thou has not won the life-restoring draught.


s: Your pardon! 'tis delightful to transport


s: To see in times before us how a wise man thought,


s: And what a glorious height we have achieved at last.


s: To us, my friend, the ages that are pass'd


s: A book with seven seals, close-fasten'd, are;


s: And what the spirit of the times men call,


s: Wherein, distorted oft, the times are glass'd.


s: Then truly, 'tis a sight to grieve the soul!


s: At the first glance we fly it in dismay;


s: To suit the puppets and their mimic stage.


s: But then the world and man, his heart and brain!


s: Touching these things all men would something know.


s: Ay! what 'mong men as knowledge doth obtain!


s: Who on the child its true name dares bestow?


s: The few who somewhat of these things have known,


s: Who their full hearts unguardedly reveal'd,


s: Nor thoughts, nor feelings, from the mob conceal'd,


s: Have died on crosses, or in flames been thrown.--


s: Excuse me, friend, far now the night is spent,


s: Still to watch on I had been well content,


s: With diligence to study still I fondly cling;


s: Already I know much, but would know everything.


s: To empty trash who clings, with zeal untired,


s: With greed for treasure gropes, and, joy-inspir'd,


s: Exults if earth-worms second his endeavour.


s: E'en here, where shapes immortal throng'd, intrude?


s: Yet ah! thou poorest of the sons of earth,


s: For once, I e'en to thee feel gratitude.


s: Despair the power of sense did well-nigh blast,


s: And thou didst save me ere I sank dismay'd,


s: So giant-like the vision seem'd, so vast,


s: I felt myself shrink dwarf'd as I survey'd!


s: I, God's own image, from this toil of clay


s: Already freed, with eager joy who hail'd


s: Mid light effulgent and celestial day:--


s: I, more than cherub, whose unfetter'd soul


s: Through nature's veins, and, still creating, know


s: The life of gods,--how am I punish'd now!


s: One thunder-word hath hurl'd me from the goal!


s: Spirit! I dare not lift me to thy sphere.


s: What though my power compell'd thee to appear,


s: My art was powerless to detain thee here.


s: Fiercely didst thrust me from the realm of thought


s: Who'll teach me now? What ought Ito forego?


s: Alas! our every deed, as well as every woe,


s: E'en to the noblest by the soul conceiv'd,


s: And when the goods of this world are achiev'd,


s: Each nobler aim is termed a cheat, a lie.


s: Our aspirations, our soul's genuine life,


s: Grow torpid in the din of earthly strife.


s: Though youthful phantasy, while hope inspires,


s: Stretch o'er the infinite her wing sublime,


s: When wreck'd our fortunes in the gulf of time.


s: In the deep heart of man care builds her nest,


s: Sleepless she rocks herself and scareth joy and rest;


s: Still is she wont some new disguise to wear,


s: She may as house and court, as wife and child appear,


s: And what thou ne'er shall lose, o'er that dost shed the tear.


s: I'm like the earth-worm, writhing in the dust,


s: Which, as on dust it feeds, its native fare,


s: Crushed 'neath the passer's tread, lies buried there.


s: Is it not dust, wherewith this lofty wall,


s: With hundred shelves, confines me round;


s: Rubbish, in thousand shapes, may I not call


s: What in this moth-world doth my being bound?


s: Read in a thousand tomes that, everywhere,


s: With but one mortal happy, here and there?


s: Thou hollow skull, that grin, what should it say,


s: But that thy brain, like mine, of old perplexed,


s: Still yearning for the truth, hath sought the light of day.


s: And in the twilight wandered, sorely vexed?


s: Ye instruments, forsooth, ye mock at me,--


s: With wheel, and cog, and ring, and cylinder;


s: To nature's portals ye should be the key;


s: Cunning your wards, and yet the bolts ye fail to stir.


s: To be unveil'd by force she doth refuse,


s: What she reveals not to thy mental sight,


s: Thou wilt not wrest me from her with levers and with screws.


s: Old useless furnitures, yet stand ye here,


s: Because my sire ye served, now dead and gone.


s: Old scroll, the smoke of years dost wear,


s: So long as o'er this desk the sorry lamp hath shone.


s: Better my little means hath squandered quite away,


s: Than burden'd by that little here to sweat and groan!


s: Wouldst thou possess thy heritage, essay,


s: What we employ not, but impedes our way,


s: That which the hour creates, that can it use alone!


s: But wherefore to yon Spot is riveted my gaze?


s: Is yonder flasket there a magnet to my sight?


s: Whence this mild radiance that around me plays,


s: As when, 'mid forest gloom, reigneth the moon's soft light?


s: Hail precious phial! Thee, with reverent awe,


s: Essence of deadliest powers, refin'd and sure,


s: Now in thy master's need thy grace impart!


s: I gaze on thee, my pain is lull'd to rest;


s: I grasp thee, calm'd the tumult in my breast;


s: Onward I'm summon'd o'er a boundless main,


s: Calm at my feet expands the glassy plain,


s: To shores unknown allures a brighter day.


s: Lo, where a car of fire, on airy pinion,


s: Comes floating towards me I I'm prepar'd to fly


s: By a new track through ether's wide dominion,


s: This life intense, this godlike ecstasy--


s: Worm that thou art such rapture canst thou earn?


s: Only resolve with courage stern and high,


s: Thy visage from the radiant sun to turn!


s: Dare with determin'd will to burst the portals


s: Past which in terror others fain would steal


s: Now is the time, through deeds, to show that mortals


s: Where phantasy creates her own self-torturing brood,


s: Right onward to the yawning gulf to press,


s: Around whose narrow jaws rolleth hell's fiery flood;


s: With glad resolve to take the fatal leap,


s: Though danger threaten thee, to sink in endless sleep!


s: Pure crystal goblet! forth I draw thee now,


s: From out thine antiquated case, where thou


s: Oft at my father's revels thou didst shine,


s: As each to other passed the generous cheer.


s: The gorgeous brede of figures, quaintly wrought,


s: Which he who quaff'd must first in rhyme expound,


s: Then drain the goblet at one draught profound,


s: Hath nights of boyhood to fond memory brought.


s: I to my neighbour shall not reach thee now,


s: Nor on thy rich device shall I my cunning show.


s: Here is a juice, makes drunk without delay;


s: Its dark brown flood thy crystal round doth fill;


s: Let this last draught, the product of my skill,


s: My own free choice, be quaff'd with resolute will,


s: A solemn festive greeting, to the coming day!


s: (Tue ringing of bells, and choral voices.)


s: What hum melodious, what clear silvery chime


s: Thus draws the goblet from my lips away?


s: Ye deep-ton'd bells, do ye with voice sublime,


s: Sweet choir! are ye the hymn of comfort singing,


s: Which once around the darkness of the grave,


s: From seraph-voices, in glad triumph ringing,


s: Wherefore, ye tones celestial, sweet and strong,


s: Ring out your chimes believing crowds among,


s: The message well I hear, my faith alone is weak;


s: From faith her darling, miracle, hath sprung.


s: Aloft to yonder spheres I dare not soar,


s: And yet, with this sweet strain familiar when a boy,


s: Then would celestial love, with holy kiss,


s: Come o'er me in the Sabbath's stilly hour,


s: While, fraught with solemn meaning and mysterious


s: Chim'd the deep-sounding bell, and prayer was bliss;


s: Drove me to wander on through wood and field;


s: With heaving breast and many a burning tear,


s: Gay sports and festive hours proclaim'd with joyous pealing,


s: And fond remembrance now doth me, with childlike feeling,


s: Back from the last, the solemn step, withhold.


s: O still sound on, thou sweet celestial strain!


s: The tear-drop flows,--Earth, I am thine again!


s: Let's up to Burghof, there you'll find good cheer,


s: The prettiest maidens and the best of beer,


s: Thither I will not go, I loathe the place.


s: With you he'll walk, he'll dance with none but you,


s: And with your pleasures what have I to do?


s: His friend would be with him, the curly-head.


s: Come, brother, we will follow them anon.


s: Stinging tobacco,--these I love the best.


s: After those servant girls forsooth, to run.


s: Two girls, well-dress'd, are drawing near;


s: That they will let us join them presently.


s: Not I! restraints of all kinds I detest.


s: Quick! let us catch the wild-game ere it flies,


s: The hand on Saturday the mop that plies,


s: No, this new Burgomaster, I like him not, God knows,


s: Now, he's in office, daily more arrogant he grows;


s: And for the town, what doth he do for it?


s: His heart's most glad whose hand is free.


s: On holidays and Sundays naught know I more inviting


s: Than chatting about war and war's alarms,


s: Far off, are 'gainst each other fighting.


s: We at the window stand, our glasses drain,


s: And watch adown the stream the painted vessels gliding,


s: And peaceful times we bless, peace long-abiding.


s: Ay, neighbour! So let matters stand for me!


s: There they may scatter one another's brains,


s: Heyday! How smart! The fresh young blood!


s: And what you wish, that I could help you to.


s: Walking in public with these witches. True,


s: My future lover, last St. Andrew's E'en,


s: In flesh and blood she brought before my view.


s: And mine she show'd me also in the glass,


s: A soldier's figure, with companions bold;


s: Loosed from their fetters are streams and rills


s: Through the gracious spring-tide's all-quickening glow;


s: Hope's budding joy in the vale doth blow;


s: Everywhere growth and movement are rife,


s: Though flowers are lacking, varied of dye,


s: Stream forth the masses, in bright array.


s: For they themselves have risen, with joy,


s: From tenement sordid, from cheerless room,


s: From bonds of toil, from care and annoy,


s: From gable and roof's o'er-hanging gloom,


s: And from the churches' awe-breathing night,


s: Through garden and field how spread the throng,


s: E'en from yon far hill's path-worn side,


s: Because I coarseness hate of every sort.


s: This fiddling, shouting, skittling, I detest;


s: They footed it right merrily. Juchhe! Juchhe!


s: "Now that's a stupid trick!" she said, Juchhe! Juchhe!


s: They danced to right, to left they danced,


s: Panting, they rested arm in arm, Juchhe! Juchhe!


s: And from the linden, far and wide, Juchhe! Juchhe!


s: Which we with sparkling drink have crown'd,


s: A young man then, each house you sought,


s: Heaven bless the trusty friend, and long


s: Who prompts the helper and Who help doth send.


s: What feelings, great man, must thy breast inspire,


s: At homage paid thee by this crowd! Thrice blest


s: Hush'd is the fiddle, check'd the dance.


s: Where thou dost pass they stand in rows,


s: As though the Host came by, would bend the knee.


s: A few steps further, up to yonder stone!


s: Here rest we from our walk. In times long past,


s: Absorb'd in thought, here oft I sat alone,


s: And disciplin'd myself with prayer and fast.


s: With sighs, and hands in anguish press'd,


s: The end of that sore plague, with many a tear,


s: From heaven's dread Lord, I sought to wrest.


s: The crowd's applause assumes a scornful tone.


s: Oh, could'st thou in my inner being read,


s: My sire, of good repute, and sombre mood,


s: O'er nature's powers and every mystic zone,


s: With honest zeal, but methods of his own,


s: Thence both, while open flames around them roll'd,


s: This was our medicine; the patients died,


s: With our infernal mixture thus, ere long,


s: Myself the deadly poison did to thousands give;


s: Why let this thought your soul o'ercast?


s: Practise the art transmitted from the past?


s: If thou thy sire dost honour in thy youth,


s: In manhood, dost thou spread the bounds of truth,


s: From error's sea to rise, hope still renews!


s: What a man knows not, that he doth require,


s: And what he knoweth, that he cannot use.


s: But let not moody thoughts their shadow throw


s: O'er the calm beauty of this hour serene!


s: In the rich sunset see how brightly glow


s: Yon cottage homes, girt round with verdant green!


s: Slow sinks the orb, the day is now no more;


s: The vales reposing, every height a-glow,


s: The silver brooklets meeting golden streams.


s: The savage mountain, with its cavern'd side,


s: Bars not my godlike progress. Lo, the ocean,


s: Its warm bays heaving with a tranquil motion,


s: But now at length the god appears to sink;


s: Onward I press, his quenchless light to drink,


s: The day before me, and behind the night,


s: The pathless waves beneath, and over me the skies.


s: Fair dream, it vanish'd with the parting day!


s: But 'tis our inborn impulse, deep and strong,


s: Upwards and onwards still to urge our flight,


s: When far above us pours its thrilling song


s: O'er pine-crown'd height the eagle soars,


s: Still striveth towards its native shores.


s: To strange conceits oft I myself must own,


s: But impulse such as this I ne'er have known:


s: Nor woods, nor fields, can long our thoughts engage,


s: Their wings I envy not the feather'd kind;


s: Far otherwise the pleasures of the mind,


s: Bear us from book to book, from page to page!


s: Then winter nights grow cheerful; keen delight


s: Warms every limb; and ah! when we unroll


s: Some old and precious parchment, at the sight


s: All heaven itself descends upon the soul.


s: Thy heart by one sole impulse is possess'd;


s: Two souls, alas! are lodg'd within my breast,


s: Which struggle there for undivided reign:


s: One to the world, with obstinate desire,


s: And closely-cleaving organs, still adheres;


s: With sacred vehemence, to purer spheres.


s: Who float 'twixt heaven and earth dominion wielding,


s: Stoop hither from your golden atmosphere,


s: Lead me to scenes, new life and fuller yielding!


s: I'd prize it far beyond the costliest dress,


s: Nor would I change it for the robe of kings.


s: Call not the spirits who on mischief wait!


s: Their troop familiar, streaming through the air,


s: From every quarter threaten man's estate,


s: They drive impetuous from the frozen north,


s: With fangs sharp-piercing, and keen arrowy tongue


s: From the ungenial east they issue forth,


s: And prey, with parching breath, upon thy lungs;


s: If, waft'd on the desert's flaming wing,


s: They from the south heap fire upon the brain,


s: Refreshment from the west at first they bring,


s: Anon to drown thyself and field and plain.


s: In wait for mischief, they are prompt to hear;


s: Like ministers of grace they oft appear,


s: But let us hence! Grey eve doth all things blend,


s: 'Tis in the evening first our home we prize--


s: Why stand you thus, and gaze with wondering eyes?


s: See'st thou, through corn and stubble scampering round?


s: I've mark'd him long, naught strange in him I see!


s: Note him! What takest thou the brute to be?


s: But for a poodle, whom his instinct serves


s: Dost mark how round us, with wide spiral curves,


s: He wheels, each circle closer than before?


s: 'Tis some illusion doth your sight deceive.


s: He for a future snare doth lightly spread.


s: A dog dost see, no spectre have we here;


s: He growls, doubts, lays him on his belly, too,


s: And wags his tail--as dogs are wont to do.


s: Thou standest still, for thee he'll wait;


s: Thou speak'st to him, he fawns upon thee straight;


s: Aught thou mayst lose, again he'll bring,


s: And for thy stick will into water spring.


s: Thou'rt right indeed; no traces now I see


s: Apt scholar of the students, 'tis his due!


s: O'er them deep night her veil doth draw;


s: Peace, poodle, peace! Scamper not thus; obey me!


s: As thou, without, didst please and amuse me


s: Hope's gracious bloom, with promise rife;


s: For streams of life the spirit yearneth,


s: Poodle, snarl not! with the tone that arises.


s: We find it not strange, that man despises


s: But ah! Despite my will, it stands confessed,


s: Contentment welleth up no longer in my breast.


s: Yet wherefore must the stream, alas, so soon be dry,


s: Full oft this sad experience hath been mine;


s: Nathless the want admits of compensation;


s: For things above the earth we learn to pine,


s: Which nowhere burns with purer beauty blent,


s: To ope the ancient text an impulse strong


s: (He opens a volume, and applies himself to it.)


s: 'Tis writ, "In the beginning was the Word!"


s: I pause, perplex'd! Who now will help afford?


s: "In the beginning was the Sense!" Take heed,


s: The import of this primal sentence weigh,


s: Is force creative then of Sense the dower?


s: Thus should it stand: yet, while the line I trace.


s: A something warns me, once more to efface.


s: The spirit aids! from anxious scruples freed,


s: I write, "In the beginning was the Deed!"


s: In length and breadth how doth my poodle grow!


s: With bristling hair now doth the creature swell.


s: (As the mist sinks, comes forward from behind the stove, in the


s: Why all this uproar? What's the master's pleasure?


s: A travelling scholar? Why I needs must smile.


s: You've made me swelter in a pretty style.


s: Who it appears the Word doth rate so low;


s: To Being's depths would penetrate alone.


s: The inward essence from the name we read,


s: When Beelzebub, Destroyer, Liar, meets the ear.


s: Produceth good, whilst ever scheming ill.


s: What hidden mystery in this riddle lies?


s: And justly; for whate'er to light is brought


s: Then better 'twere that naught should be.


s: Destruction, Sin, or briefly, Evil, name,


s: Thou nam'st thyself a part, and yet a whole I see.


s: Though folly's microcosm, man, it seems,


s: Part of the part am I, which at the first was all,


s: A part of darkness, which gave birth to light,


s: Proud light, who now his mother would enthrall,


s: Contesting space and ancient rank with night.


s: Yet he succeedeth not, for struggle as he will,


s: From them he streameth, them he maketh fair,


s: And still the progress of his beams they check;


s: And so, I trust, when comes the final wreck,


s: Light will, ere long, the doom of matter share.


s: So thou'rt beginning on a smaller scale.


s: And, to say truth, as yet with small success.


s: Tempests and earthquakes, fire and flood, I've tried;


s: Yet land and ocean still unchang'd abide!


s: And then of humankind and beasts, brood,--


s: What countless myriads have I swept away!


s: Yet ever circulates the fresh young blood.


s: A thousand germs burst forth spontaneously;


s: In moisture, drought, heat, cold, they still appear!


s: Thy threshold a slight hindrance doth impede;


s: How earnest thou in, if this thine exit bar?


s: Observe it well, it is not drawn with care,


s: One of the angles, that which points without,


s: Chance hath the matter happily dispos'd!


s: In sprang the dog, indeed, observing naught;


s: The devil's in the house and can't escape.


s: For ghosts and f or the devil 'tis a law.


s: Where they stole in, there they must forth. We're free


s: The first to choose; as to the second, slaves are we.


s: E'en hell hath its peculiar laws, I see!


s: I'm glad of that! a pact may then be made,


s: The which you gentlemen will surely keep?


s: What e'er therein is promised thou shalt reap,


s: Now let me go! ere long I'll come again,


s: Then thou may'st question at thy leisure.


s: The snare hast entered of thine own free will:


s: Let him who holds the devil, hold him still!


s: So soon he'll catch him not a second time.


s: If it so please thee, I'm at thy command;


s: Thou'rt free to do so! Gladly I'll attend;


s: All lifeward tending, upward still wending,


s: Well done, my dainty spirits! now he slumbers!


s: Ye have entranc'd him fairly with your numbers!


s: This minstrelsy of yours I must repay,--


s: Thou art not yet the man to hold the devil fast!--


s: With fairest shapes your spells around him cast,


s: But that this charm be rent, the threshold passed,


s: One rustles hitherward, and soon my voice will hear.


s: Now, Faustus, till we meet again, dream on.


s: That thus the throng of spirits disappear?


s: The devil's presence, was it but a dream?


s: Hath but a poodle scap'd and left me here?


s: A knock? Come in! Who now would break my rest?


s: In every garb I needs must feel oppress'd,


s: Too young to live by no desire possess'd.


s: And I could weep hot tears, to see the sun


s: Dawn on another day, whose round forlorn


s: Which still, with froward captiousness, impains


s: Then must I too, when falls the veil of night,


s: Stretch'd on my pallet languish in despair,


s: The god, who throned within my breast resides,


s: With sovereign sway my energies he guides,


s: And yet, methinks, by most 'twill be confess'd


s: That Death is never quite a welcome guest.


s: Happy the man around whose brow he binds


s: The bloodstain'd wreath in conquest's dazzling hour;


s: Dissolv'd in bliss, in love's delicious bower!


s: Yet did a certain man refrain one night,


s: Of its brown juice to drain the crystal bowl.


s: Though not omniscient, much to me is known.


s: If o'er my soul the tone familiar, stealing,


s: Drew me from harrowing thought's bewild'ring maze,


s: Touching the ling'ring chords of childlike feeling,


s: So curse I all, around the soul that windeth


s: Curs'd before all things be the high opinion,


s: Wherewith the spirit girds itself around!


s: Of shows delusive curs'd be the dominion,


s: Within whose mocking sphere our sense is bound!


s: Accurs'd of dreams the treacherous wiles,


s: Accurs'd what each as property beguiles,


s: Wife, child, slave, plough, whate'er its name!


s: Accurs'd love's dream, of joys the first!


s: The fragments abroad by a demigod scatter'd!


s: In thine own bosom the lost world restore!


s: Forbear to trifle longer with thy grief,


s: Which, vulture-like, consumes thee in this den.


s: Making thee feel thyself a man with men.


s: Thy steps through life forthwith wilt take;


s: And, for Heaven's sake, 'tis not his way


s: I'll pledge myself to be thy servant here,


s: Still at thy back alert and prompt to be;


s: But small concern I feel for yonder world;


s: This earth the fountain whence my pleasures flow,


s: In this mood thou mayst venture it. But make


s: To charm thee with mine arts. I'll give thee more


s: Than mortal eye hath e'er beheld before.


s: Was ever mortal spirit, in its high endeavour,


s: Yet food thou hast which satisfieth never,


s: A game thou hast, at which none win who play,


s: Show me the fruit that, ere 'tis pluck'd, doth rot,


s: And trees, whose verdure daily buds anew!


s: I can provide such treasures, it is true;


s: But, my good friend, a season will come round,


s: When on what's good we may regale in peace.


s: If e'er upon my couch, stretched at my ease, I'm found,


s: I shall remember: pause, ere 'tis too late.


s: If thine, or whose, it matters not, I trow.


s: At thine inaugural feast I will this day


s: But one thing!--Accidents may happen, hence


s: Man, and man's plighted word, are these unknown to thee?


s: Is't not enough, that by the word I gave,


s: Doth not the world in all its currents rave,


s: Yet fixed is this delusion in our heart;


s: Who, of his own free will, therefrom would part?


s: How blest within whose breast truth reigneth pure!


s: A spectre this from which all shrink afraid.


s: Spirits of evil! what dost thou require?


s: Brass, marble, parchment, paper, dost desire?


s: Shall I with chisel, pen, or graver write?


s: Thy choice is free; to me 'tis all the same.


s: Thou under-signest merely with a drop of blood.


s: Be not afraid that I shall break my word!


s: Nor goal, nor measure is prescrib'd to you,


s: Purg'd from the love of knowledge, my vocation,


s: The scope of all my powers henceforth be this,


s: To bare my breast to every pang,--to know


s: In my heart's core all human weal and woe,


s: To grasp in thought the lofty and the deep,


s: Men's various fortunes on my breast to heap,


s: And thus to theirs dilate my individual mind,


s: And share at length with them the shipwreck of mankind.


s: Have chew'd this bitter fare from year to year,


s: Digests the ancient leaven! Know, this Whole


s: Us unto darkness he hath brought, and here


s: Where day and night alternate, is your sphere.


s: Time's short, art long; methinks 'twere fit


s: That you to friendly counsel should attend.


s: Towards which my every sense doth strain?


s: Put on thy head a wig with countless locks,


s: And to a cubit's height upraise thy socks,


s: Still thou remainest ever, what thou art.


s: The gather'd treasure of man's thought in vain;


s: And when at length from studious toil I rest,


s: No power, new-born, springs up within my breast;


s: A hair's breadth is not added to my height,


s: As their two dozen legs were mine indeed.


s: I tell you what;--your speculative churl


s: Is like a beast which some ill spirit leads,


s: On barren wilderness, in ceaseless whirl,


s: While all around lie fair and verdant meads.


s: Leave that to neighbour Paunch!--withdraw,


s: Why wilt thou plague thyself with thrashing straw?


s: But quarter of an hour; meanwhile equip,


s: And make all ready for our pleasant trip!


s: Reason and Knowledge, only thus contemn,


s: Still let the Prince of lies, without control,


s: With shows, and mocking charms delude thy soul,


s: Fate hath endow'd him with an ardent mind,


s: Which unrestrain'd still presses on for ever,


s: Earth's joys o'erleaping, leaveth them behind.


s: Him will I drag through life's wild waste,


s: Through scenes of vapid dulness, where at last


s: Bewilder'd, he shall falter, and stick fast;


s: Viands and drink shall float his craving lips beyond--


s: Vainly he'll seek refreshment, anguish-tost,


s: And were he not the devil's by his bond,


s: But here I longed true knowledge to attain.


s: And in these halls, with benches filled, distraught,


s: Sight, hearing fail me, and the power of thought.


s: The infant takes not kindly to the breast,


s: Thus at the breasts of wisdom day by day


s: With keener relish you'll your thirst allay.


s: Upon her neck I fain would hang with joy;


s: To reach it, say, what means must I employ?


s: Take heed, let nothing dissipate your mind.


s: Use well your time, so rapidly it flies;


s: This, scholars of all countries prize,--


s: He who would know and treat of aught alive,


s: Seeks first the living spirit thence to drive:


s: Then are the lifeless fragments in his hand,


s: This process, chemists name, in learned thesis,


s: Mocking themselves, Naturer encheiresis.


s: In a short time you will improve, my friend,


s: When of scholastic forms you learn the use;


s: As if a mill-wheel there were turning round.


s: There see that you profoundly comprehend,


s: What doth the limit of man's brain transcend;


s: A sounding phrase will serve you in good stead.


s: That all he utters standeth in the book;


s: This, Sir, a second time you need not say!


s: To me this branch of science is well known,


s: And hence I cannot your repugnance blame.


s: Still trail their curse from race to race,


s: Woe unto thee, that thou'rt a grandson born!


s: As for the law born with us, unexpressed;--


s: But as regards this science, you will find


s: Which scarce can you discern from medicine.


s: Here too it is the best, to listen but to one,


s: And by the master's words to swear alone.


s: You'll reach the lane of certainty at last.


s: But then some meaning must the words convey.


s: Right! But o'er-anxious thought, you'll find of no avail,


s: Nor of a single jot can we a word bereave.


s: Three years! how brief the appointed tide!


s: The field, heaven knows, is all too wide!


s: Of medicine the spirit's caught with ease,


s: The great and little world you study through,


s: That things may then their course pursue,


s: In vain abroad you range through science' ample space,


s: Each man learns only that which learn he can;


s: Others will then esteem you a proficient.


s: You have them then to humour as you please.


s: That you in your profession take the lead:


s: You then at once those easy freedoms use


s: For which another many a year must plead;


s: With ardent furtive glance, the slender waist,


s: There is some sense in that! one sees the how and why.


s: To hear on what your wisdom grounds your views?


s: Command my humble service when you choose.


s: (He reverently closes the book and retires.)


s: Let but this ancient proverb be your rule,


s: And with your likeness to the gods, poor fool,


s: Ere long be sure your poor sick heart will quake!


s: The little world, and then the great we'll view.


s: I still have an embarrass'd air, and then


s: Time, my good friend, will all that's needful give;


s: Be only self-possessed, and thou hast learn'd to live.


s: Steeds, servants, carriage, where are they?


s: 'Twill serve whereon through air to ride,


s: A little gas, which I will soon prepare,


s: 'Tis all your fault; your part you do not bear,


s: With open throat drink, roar, and shout.


s: Zounds, fellow, cease your deaf'ning cheers!


s: Then first the full power of the bass is known.


s: Our throats are tuned. Come let's commence!


s: To rule the Roman empire, that you were not born!


s: I bless my stars at least that mine is not


s: Either a kaiser's or a chancellor's lot.


s: Yet 'mong ourselves should one still lord it o'er the rest;


s: Love-greetings and love-kisses! Thou shalt not hinder me!


s: Ay, sing, sing on, praise her with all, thy might!!


s: Me hath she jilted once, you the same trick she'll play.


s: Some gnome her lover be! where cross-roads meet,


s: With her to play the fool; or old he-goat,


s: From Blocksberg coming in swift gallop, bleat


s: A good night to her, from his hairy throat!


s: A proper lad of genuine flesh and blood,


s: Hence, 'tis but fit, their hearts to cheer,


s: That I a good-night strain to them should give.


s: Strike boldly in the chorus, clear and strong!


s: Then was his heart with pangs oppress'd,


s: The house with rage he scratch'd and gnaw'd,


s: The poisoner laugh'd, Ha! ha! quoth she,


s: Old bald-pate! with the paunch profound!


s: To show how lightly life may glide away;


s: With the folk here each day's a holiday.


s: From their strange manners; they have scarce been here


s: You're right! Leipzig's the place for me


s: What take you now these travellers to be?


s: Let me alone! O'er a full glass you'll see,


s: As draw an infant's tooth. I've not a doubt


s: They look dissatisfied and full of scorn.


s: They are but mountebanks, I'll lay a bet!


s: These fellows would not scent the devil out,


s: E'en though he had them by the very throat!


s: Then though good wine is not forthcoming here,


s: Good company at least our hearts will cheer.


s: You're doubtless recently from Rippach? Pray,


s: Did you with Master Hans there chance to sup?


s: To-day we pass'd him, but we did not stop!


s: Touching his cousins, and to each he sent


s: Full many a greeting and kind compliment.


s: That you're an amateur one plainly sees!


s: Oh no, though strong the love, I cannot boast much skill.


s: But be it a brand new one, if you please!


s: But recently returned from Spain are we,


s: The pleasant land of wine and minstrelsy.


s: Hark! did you rightly catch the words? a flea!


s: An odd sort of a guest he needs must be.


s: Take proper heed, the tailor strictly charge,


s: The hose quite smooth and not too large!


s: Were but your wine a trifle better, friend,


s: A glass to freedom I would gladly drain.


s: You'd better not repeat those words again t


s: Else freely I would treat each worthy guest


s: Out with it then! Your doings I'll defend.


s: Give a good glass, and straight we'll praise you, one and all.


s: You cannot have the wine-casks at the door?


s: Our landlord's tool-basket behind doth yonder stand.


s: Now only say! what liquor will you take?


s: How mean you that? have you of every sort?


s: Ha! Ha! You lick your lips already at the thought.


s: Good, if I have my choice, the Rhenish I propose;


s: For still the fairest gifts the fatherland bestows.


s: (boring a hole in the edge of the table opposite to where FROSCH


s: Give me a little wax--and make some stoppers--quick!


s: Why, this is nothing but a juggler's trick!


s: (MEPHISTOPHELES bores; one of the party has in the meantime


s: prepared the wax-stoppers and stopped the holes.)


s: What foreign is one always can't decline,


s: What's good is often scatter'd far apart.


s: The French your genuine German hates with all his heart,


s: Shall, if you wish it, flow without delay.


s: Come! look me in the face! no fooling now!


s: Ah! ah! that would indeed be making free


s: With such distinguished guests. Come, no delay;


s: What liquor can I serve you with, I pray?


s: (After the holes are bored and stopped.)


s: (as they draw the stoppers and the wine chosen by each runs into


s: Oh beauteous spring, which flows so far!


s: Spill not a single drop, of this beware! (They drink repeatedly.)


s: They're in their glory, mark their elevation!


s: What means the knave! For this you'll dearly pay!


s: Such tricks a second time he'd better show!


s: Methinks 'twere well we pack'd him quietly away.


s: What, sir! with us your hocus-pocus play!


s: (draws a stopper out of the table; fire springs out against him)


s: Strike home! The fellow is fair game, I trow!


s: (They draw their knives and attack MEPHISTOPHELES.)


s: Words delusive cheat the ear! Be ye there, and be ye here!


s: (They stand amazed and gaze at each other.)


s: And clust'ring grapes too, close at hand!


s: The others reciprocally do the same, and raise their knives.)


s: Delusion, from their eyes the bandage take!


s: Note how the devil loves a jest to break!


s: (He disappears with FAUST; the fellows draw back from one


s: I felt a shock, it went through every limb!


s: Say what has happened, what's it all about?


s: Where is the fellow? Could I scent him out,


s: Forth through the cellar-door I saw him ride--


s: That none may miracles believe, who now will say?


s: warming himself. The walls and ceiling are adorned with the


s: This senseless, juggling witchcraft I detest!


s: Must I seek counsel from an ancient dame?


s: Woe's me, if thou naught better canst suggest!


s: My friend, you now speak sensibly. In truth,


s: Nature a method giveth to renew thy youth:


s: But in another book the lesson's writ;--


s: Away forthwith, and to the fields repair,


s: Begin to delve, to cultivate the ground,


s: Live like a very brute the brutes among,


s: The acre thou dost reap, thyself to dung;


s: I am not used to it, nor can myself degrade


s: This narrow life would suit me not at all.


s: Then we the witch must summon after all.


s: A thousand bridges I could build meanwhile.


s: A quiet spirit worketh whole years long;


s: Time only makes the subtle ferment strong.


s: But yet the draught the devil can't prepare.


s: What think you of the charming creature?


s: Is just the thing that pleases me the best.


s: (approaching and fawning on MEPHISTOPHELES)


s: How blest the ape would think himself, if he


s: (In the meantime the young MONKEYS have been playing with a


s: (He runs to the SHE-MONKEY, and makes her look through it.)


s: Take the whisk and sit down in the settle!


s: (who all this time has been standing before a looking-glass,


s: now approaching, and now retiring from it)


s: What do I see? what form, whose charms transcend


s: The loveliness of earth, is mirror'd here!


s: Alas! If I remain not rooted to this place,


s: If to approach more near I'm fondly lur'd,


s: Her image fades, in veiling mist obscur'd


s: Is't possible? Hath woman charms so rare?


s: The essence must I see of heavenly grace?


s: Can aught so exquisite on earth be found?


s: The six days' labour of a god, my friend,


s: By something clever doubtless should be crown'd.


s: For this time gaze your fill, and when you please


s: Just such a prize for you I can provide;


s: How blest is he to whom kind fate decrees,


s: To take her to his home, a lovely bride!


s: (FAUST continues to gaze into the mirror. MEPHISTOPHELES


s: stretching himself on the settle and playing with the whisk,


s: Here sit I, like a king upon his throne;


s: My sceptre this;--the crown I want alone.


s: (They handle the crown awkwardly and break it in two


s: And even my own head almost begins to reel.


s: (The caldron begins to boil over; a great flame arises,


s: which streams up the chimney. The WITCH comes down the


s: (She dips the skimming-ladle into the caldron and


s: throws flames at FAUST, MEPHISTOPHELES, and


s: (While the WITCH steps back in rage aind astonishment.)


s: Dost know me! Skeleton! Vile scarecrow, thou!


s: No more respect to my red vest dost pay?


s: Does my cock's feather no allegiance claim?


s: Each other have not seen for many a day.


s: The culture, too, that shapes the world, at last


s: Hath e'en the devil in its sphere embraced;


s: The northern phantom from the scene hath pass'd,


s: Tail, talons, horns, are nowhere to be traced!


s: As for the foot, with which I can't dispense,


s: 'Twould injure me in company, and hence,


s: False calves I now have worn for many a year.


s: To see once more the gallant Satan here!


s: But people from the change have nothing won.


s: Rid of the evil one, the evil ones remain.


s: Lord Baron call thou me, so is the matter good;


s: Dost make no question of my gentle blood;


s: See here, this is the scutcheon that I bear!


s: Ha! Ha Just like yourself! You are, I ween,


s: The same mad wag that you have ever been!


s: My friend, learn this to understand, I pray!


s: To deal with witches this is still the way.


s: Now tell me, gentlemen, what you desire?


s: Of your known juice a goblet we require.


s: Double its strength with years doth grow.


s: Most willingly! And here I have a flask,


s: He hath not, as you know, an hour to live.


s: He's my good friend, with whom 'twill prosper well;


s: I grudge him not the choicest of thy store.


s: (The WITCH, with extraordinary gestures, describes a circle, and


s: places strange things within it. The glasses meanwhile begin to


s: desk, and to hold the torches. She beckons FAUST to approach.)


s: This loathsome cheat, this senseless stuff


s: That well with you her potion may agree.


s: (The WITCH, with great emphasis, begins to declaim the book.)


s: I know it well, so rings the book throughout;


s: Much time I've lost in puzzling o'er its pages,


s: A mystery remains alike to fools and sages.


s: Ancient the art and modern too, my friend.


s: 'Tis still the fashion as it used to be,


s: By means of three and one, and one and three.


s: 'Tis ever taught and babbled in the schools.


s: Who'd take the trouble to dispute with fools?


s: When words men hear, in sooth, they usually believe.


s: That there must needs therein be something to conceive.


s: My friend he is, and need not be afraid;


s: (The WITCH, with many ceremonies, pours the liquor into a cup;


s: as FAUST lifts it to his mouth, a light flame arises.)


s: (The WITCH dissolves the circle. FAUST steps Out.)


s: Now forth at once! thou dar'st not rest.


s: And much, sir, may the liquor profit you!


s: Here is a song, sung o'er, sometimes you'll see,


s: Come, quick, and let thyself be led by me;


s: Thou must perspire, in order that the juice


s: Thy frame may penetrate through every part.


s: Then noble idleness I thee will teach to prize,


s: How Cupid stirs and gambols in thy heart.


s: Let me but gaze one moment in the glass!


s: In flesh and blood ere long thou shalt survey.


s: As works the draught, thou presently shalt greet


s: Would pluck, and deems nor grace, nor truth,


s: Will lead you to her room this very day.


s: The tedious hours meanwhile you may employ,


s: Presents so soon! 'tis well! success is sure!


s: Feeding on hope's sweet dew thy blissful pains!


s: (He throws himself on the leather arm-chair beside


s: Receive me thou, who hast in thine embrace,


s: Welcom'd in joy and grief the ages flown!


s: Have cluster'd round this patriarchal throne!


s: For Christmas gift, with grateful joy possess'd,


s: Hath with the full round cheek of childhood, here,


s: Her grandsire's wither'd hand devoutly press'd.


s: Maiden! I feel thy spirit haunt the place,


s: As with a mother's voice it prompteth thee,


s: The pure white cover o'er the board to spread,


s: To strew the crisping sand beneath thy tread.


s: The hut becomes a paradise through thee!


s: How thrills my pulse with strange delight!


s: With life; while steeped in slumber's dew,


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


s: Erewhile, my passion would not brook delay!


s: Proud vaunter--thou wouldst hide thy brow,--


s: Perchance you would retain the treasure?


s: (He places the casket in the press and closes the lock,)


s: The wish and purpose of your heart obey;


s: As would you to the lecture-room repair,


s: Physics and metaphysics weird and grey!--


s: (While undressing herself she begins to sing.)


s: (She opens the press to put away her clothes, and perceives the


s: How comes this lovely casket here? The press


s: 'Tis very wonderful! What's in it I can't guess;


s: Perhaps 'twas brought by some one in distress.


s: And left in pledge for loan my mother lent.


s: In all my days ne'er saw I such a sight!


s: (She puts them on and steps before the glass.)


s: FAUST walking thoughtfully up and down. To him


s: By all rejected love! By hellish fire I curse,


s: Would I knew aught to make my imprecation worse!


s: What aileth thee? what chafes thee now so sore?


s: Think! only think! The gems for Gretchen brought,


s: She'll cheer our souls with bread divine!"


s: 'Tis a gift-horse, at least, she thought,


s: The Church bath a good stomach, she, with zest,


s: With that, clasp, chain, and ring, he swept


s: Promised reward in heaven, then forth he hied--


s: On him who brought them, dwells still more.


s: The first, methinks, was no great thing.


s: Sun, moon, and stars in sport would puff away.


s: Perchance he's dead!--oh wretched state!--


s: It would to shrift, just like the other.


s: And then before the mirror walk an hour or so,


s: A chain at first, pearl ear-drops then,--your mother


s: Won't see them, or we'll coin some tale or other.


s: But, who, I wonder, could the caskets bring?


s: I fear there's something wrong about the thing!


s: (He steps back respectfully before MARGARET.)


s: After dame Martha Schwerdtlein I inquire!


s: 'Tis I. Pray what have you to say to me?


s: I know you now,--and therefore will retire;


s: At present you've distinguished company.


s: Pardon the freedom, Madam, with your leave,


s: I trust mine errand you'll not let me rue;


s: Joy still must sorrow, sorrow joy attend.


s: Let them for him three hundred masses sing!


s: But in my pockets, I have nothing there.


s: What every journeyman safe in his pouch will hoard


s: And rather hungers, rather begs than spend!


s: But he his gold not lavishly bath spent.


s: Ay! and his evil plight bewail'd still more.


s: Alas! That men should thus be doomed to woe!


s: I for his soul will many a requiem pray.


s: I stood by his bedside. Something less foul it was than dung;


s: 'Twas straw half rotten; yet, he as a Christian died.


s: And sorely hath remorse his conscience wrung.


s: "Wretch that I was," quoth he, with parting breath,


s: Could I but have her pardon in this life! "--


s: Dear soul! I've long forgiven him, indeed!


s: "Though she, God knows, was more to blame than I."


s: He lied! What, on the brink of death to lie!


s: If I am skill'd the countenance to read,


s: He doubtless fabled as he parted hence.--


s: "No time had I to gape, or take my ease," he said,


s: "First to get children, and then get them bread;


s: And bread, too, in the very widest sense;


s: Nor could I eat in peace even my proper share."


s: What, all my truth, my love forgotten quite?


s: Not so! He thought of you with tender care.


s: Quoth he: "Heaven knows how fervently I prayed,


s: For wife and children when from Malta bound;--


s: The prayer hath heaven with favour crowned;


s: Rich store of treasure for the Sultan's court;


s: It's own reward our gallant action brought;


s: The captur'd prize was shared among the crew


s: How? Where? The treasure hath he buried, pray?


s: Where the four winds have blown it, who can say?


s: In Naples as he stroll'd, a stranger there,--


s: And gave such tokens of her love and care,


s: That he retained them to his blessed end.


s: Scoundrel! to rob his children of their bread!


s: Could not his course of recklessness impede!


s: Well, he bath paid the forfeit, and is dead.


s: Now were I in your place, my counsel hear;


s: And for another lover meanwhile would look out.


s: Not quickly should I find another like my first!


s: There could not be a fonder fool than mine,


s: Loved foreign women too, and foreign wine.


s: Myself with you would gladly rings exchange!


s: The gentleman is surely pleas'd to jest!


s: Where, how, and when my husband died and was interr'd.


s: To forms I've always been attached indeed,


s: His death I fain would in the journals read.


s: A gallant friend I have, not far from here,


s: Who will for you before the judge appear.


s: And this young lady, we shall find her too?


s: I in his presence needs must blush for shame.


s: The garden, then, behind my house, we'll name,


s: There we'll await you both this evening.


s: How is it now? How speeds it? Is't in train?


s: Gretchen full soon your own you'll name.


s: This eve, at neighbour Martha's, her you'll meet again;


s: But from us she something would request.


s: A favour claims return as this world goes.


s: That her dead husband's limbs, outstretch'd, repose


s: So I suppose we straight must journey there!


s: Without much knowledge we have but to swear.


s: Against your plan I must at once protest.


s: Oh, holy man! methinks I have you there!


s: Have you of God, the world, and all it doth contain,


s: Of man, and that which worketh in his heart and brain,


s: Not definitions given, in words of weight and power,


s: With front unblushing, and a dauntless breast?


s: Yet, if into the depth of things you go,


s: Touching these matters, it must be confess'd,


s: As much as of Herr Schwerdtlein's death you know!


s: Thou art and dost remain liar and sophist too.


s: Ay, if one did not take a somewhat deeper view!


s: Thy soul's deep love, in lover's fashion.


s: Speak of one all o'ermastering passion,--


s: When passion sways me, and I seek to frame


s: Fit utterance for feeling, deep, intense,


s: Sweep round the ample world with every sense,


s: Grasp at the loftiest words to speak my flame,


s: And spare my lungs; who would the right maintain,


s: And hath a tongue wherewith his point to gain,


s: Because I've no resource, thou'rt in the right.


s: The gentleman to shame me stoops thus low.


s: One glance, one word from thee doth charm me more,


s: Than the world's wisdom or the sage's lore.


s: Nay! trouble not yourself! A hand so coarse,


s: What constant work at home must I not do perforce!


s: Thus, sir, unceasing travel is your lot?


s: Traffic and duty urge us! With what pain


s: Are we compelled to leave full many a spot,


s: In youth's wild years, with vigour crown'd,


s: 'Tis not amiss thus through the world to sweep;


s: And to a lonely grave as bachelor to creep,


s: Therefore in time, dear sir, reflect, I pray.


s: O dearest, trust me, what doth pass for sense


s: When will ye learn your hallow'ed worth to know!


s: Kind and all-bounteous nature's loftiest dower--


s: To think of you I shall have many an hour.


s: My mother is in all things, great and small,


s: Not that for thrift there is such pressing need;


s: Than others we might make more show indeed;


s: My little sister's dead; the babe to rear


s: But I would go through all again with joy,


s: In such a wretched plight, and then at length


s: So very slowly she regain'd her strength.


s: Weak as she was, 'twas vain for her to try


s: And thus the child became as 'twere roy own;


s: Within my arms it stretched itself and grew,


s: Doubtless the purest happiness was thine.


s: But many weary hours, in sooth, were also mine.


s: One while I was obliged to give it food,


s: From bed full oft must rise, whene'er its cry I heard,


s: And, dancing it, must pace the chamber to and fro;


s: Stand at the wash-tub early; forthwith go


s: To market, and then mind the cooking too--


s: To-morrow like to-day, the whole year through.


s: Ah, sir, thus living, it must be confess'd


s: One's spirits are not always of the best;


s: Madam, with one like you it rests alone,


s: Speak frankly, sir, none is there you have met?


s: Has your heart ne'er attach'd itself as yet?


s: One's own fire-side and a good wife are gold


s: And pearls of price, so says the proverb old.


s: I mean, has passion never stirred your breast?


s: I've everywhere been well received, I own.


s: Yet hath your heart no earnest preference known?


s: With ladies one should ne'er presume to jest.


s: But this I know--that you are very kind.


s: Did you not see it? I cast down my eyes.


s: Thou dost forgive my boldness, dost not blame


s: When thou from church didst lately wend thy way?


s: Alas, thought I, he doubtless in thy mien,


s: Here's just a girl with whom one may make free!


s: Yet I must own that then I scarcely knew


s: What in your favour here began at once to plead;


s: That I more angry could not feel with you.


s: (She gathers a star-flower and plucks off the leaves one after


s: (She plucks off the leaves and murmurs to herself.)


s: Sweet angel, with thy face of heavenly bliss!


s: (Plucking off the last leaf with fond joy.)


s: And this flower-language, darling, let it be,


s: Know'st thou the meaning of, He loveth thee?


s: Let this hand-pressure, let this glance reveal


s: Eternal!--Yes, its end would be despair.


s: (MARGARET presses his hand, extricates herself,


s: and runs away. He stands a moment in thought, and then follows


s: But 'tis a wicked place, just here about;


s: It is as if the folk had nothing else to do,


s: But gaping watch their neighbours, who goes in and out;


s: And scandal's busy still, do whatsoe'er one may.


s: And she to him. 'Tis of the world the way!


s: (MARGARET runs in, hides behind the door, holds the tip of her


s: finger to her lip, and peeps through the crevice.)


s: Think'st to provoke me! I have caught thee now!


s: Dearest of men! I love thee from my heart!


s: And must I really then take leave of you? Farewell!


s: Good heavens! how all things far and near


s: Spirit sublime! Thou gav'st me, gav'st me all


s: For which I prayed! Not vainly hast thou turn'd


s: Not merely with a cold and wondering glance,


s: Thou dost permit me in her depths profound,


s: Before me thou dost lead her living tribes,


s: And dost in silent grove, in air and stream


s: Teach me to know my kindred. And when roars


s: The howling storm-blast through the groaning wood,


s: Wrenching the giant pine, which in its fall


s: Crashing sweeps down its neighbour trunks and boughs,


s: While hollow thunder from the hill resounds;


s: Then thou dost lead me to some shelter'd cave,


s: Dost there reveal me to myself, and show


s: And when with soothing beam, the moon's pale orb


s: Full in my view climbs up the pathless sky,


s: From crag and dewy grove, the silvery forms


s: The joy austere of contemplative thought.


s: Oh, that naught perfect is assign'd to man,


s: Which lifts me near and nearer to the gods,


s: Thou gav'st me this companion, unto whom


s: I needs must cling, though cold and insolent,


s: He still degrades me to myself, and turns


s: Thy glorious gifts to nothing, with a breath.


s: And in enjoyment languish for desire. (MEPHISTOPHELES


s: Of this lone life have you not had your fill?


s: How for so long can it have charms for you?


s: Would you could better occupy your leisure,


s: Than in disturbing thus my hours of joy.


s: Well! Well! I'll leave you to yourself with pleasure,


s: The live-long day, for you I toil and fret;


s: Ne'er from his worship's face a hint I get,


s: He wearies me, and would with thanks be paid


s: Thou from this sphere must soon have vanished.


s: Wherefore from dripping stones and moss with ooze embued,


s: Dost comprehend what bliss without alloy


s: From this wild wand'ring in the desert springs?--


s: Couldst thou but guess the new life-power it brings,


s: Thou wouldst be fiend enough to envy me my joy.


s: Embracing heaven and earth in rapture high,


s: With prescient yearnings pierce the core of earth,


s: Feel in your labouring breast the six-days' birth,


s: Enjoy, in proud delight what no one knows,


s: While your love-rapture o'er creation flows,--


s: We to chaste ears it seems must not pronounce


s: What, nathless, the chaste heart cannot renounce.


s: Well, to be brief, the joy as fit occasions rise,


s: Enough of this! Thy true love dwells apart,


s: She loves thee with an all-devouring flame.


s: First came thy passion with o'erpowering rush,


s: Like mountain torrent, swollen by the melted snow;


s: Pull in her heart didst pour the sudden gush,


s: Instead of sitting throned midst forests wild,


s: And the young monkey for her love reward.


s: She from the window sees the clouds float by


s: Half through the night and all day long.


s: Cheerful sometimes, more oft at heart full sore;


s: What wouldest thou! She thinks you've taken flight;


s: I'm near her still--and should I distant rove,


s: Her I can ne'er forget, ne'er lose her love;


s: And all things touch'd by those sweet lips of hers,


s: 'Tis well! I oft have envied you indeed,


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


s: The power which fashion'd youth and maid,


s: What is to me heaven's joy within her arms?


s: The outcast am I not, unhoused, unblest,


s: Who, like the greedy surge, from rock to rock,


s: Sweeps down the dread abyss with desperate shock?


s: While she, within her lowly cot, which graced


s: The Alpine slope, beside the waters wild,


s: Her homely cares in that small world embraced,


s: Secluded lived, a simple, artless child.


s: Was't not enough, in thy delirious whirl


s: Dost claim this holocaust, remorseless Hell!


s: Fiend, help me to cut short the hours of dread!


s: Her direful doom fall crushing on my head,


s: How thy religion fares, I fain would hear.


s: Only that way not well-disposed, I fear.


s: Forbear, my child! Thou feelest thee I love;


s: My heart, my blood I'd give, my love to prove,


s: And none would of their faith or church bereave.


s: That's not enough, we must ourselves believe!


s: Thou honourest not the sacraments, alas!


s: 'Tis long since thou hast been either to shrift or mass.


s: Sweet one! my meaning do not misconceive!


s: Doth not the firm-set earth beneath us lie?


s: And beaming tenderly with looks of love,


s: Climb not the everlasting stars on high?


s: Are they not thronging on thy heart and brain,


s: Around thee weaving their mysterious chain?


s: Fill thence thy heart, how large soe'er it be;


s: And in the feeling when thou utterly art blest,


s: This is the utterance of the human heart;


s: Each in his language doth the like impart;


s: Sounds plausible, yet I'm not reconciled;


s: There's something wrong about it; much I fear


s: Yea, in my spirit's inmost depths abhor;


s: As his loath'd visage, in my life before,