From 1c5685d68f1b73270fb814fe04cbb490eb90ba5f Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: mensonge Date: Fri, 14 Nov 2008 15:39:19 +0000 Subject: Minor fix: Remove DOJO library (60Mo) replaced by link to Google CDN (online DOJO library) git-svn-id: https://semanticscuttle.svn.sourceforge.net/svnroot/semanticscuttle/trunk@159 b3834d28-1941-0410-a4f8-b48e95affb8f --- .../js/dojox/storage/tests/resources/testBook.txt | 7104 -------------------- 1 file changed, 7104 deletions(-) delete mode 100644 includes/js/dojox/storage/tests/resources/testBook.txt (limited to 'includes/js/dojox/storage/tests/resources/testBook.txt') diff --git a/includes/js/dojox/storage/tests/resources/testBook.txt b/includes/js/dojox/storage/tests/resources/testBook.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 40e4aec..0000000 --- a/includes/js/dojox/storage/tests/resources/testBook.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7104 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Faust, by Goethe - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net - - -Title: Faust - -Author: Goethe - -Release Date: December 25, 2004 [EBook #14460] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FAUST *** - - - - -Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Charles Bidwell and the PG Online -Distributed Proofreading Team - - - - - - -FAUST - - -A TRAGEDY - -TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN - -OF - -GOETHE - - -WITH NOTES - -BY - -CHARLES T BROOKS - - -SEVENTH EDITION. - -BOSTON -TICKNOR AND FIELDS - -MDCCCLXVIII. - - - -Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1856, -by CHARLES T. BROOKS, -In the Clerk's Office of the District Court -of the District of Rhode Island. - -UNIVERSITY PRESS: -WELCH, BIGELOW, AND COMPANY, -CAMBRIDGE. - - - - -TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE. - - -Perhaps some apology ought to be given to English scholars, that is, those -who do not know German, (to those, at least, who do not know what sort of -a thing Faust is in the original,) for offering another translation to the -public, of a poem which has been already translated, not only in a literal -prose form, but also, twenty or thirty times, in metre, and sometimes with -great spirit, beauty, and power. - -The author of the present version, then, has no knowledge that a rendering -of this wonderful poem into the exact and ever-changing metre of the -original has, until now, been so much as attempted. To name only one -defect, the very best versions which he has seen neglect to follow the -exquisite artist in the evidently planned and orderly intermixing of -_male_ and _female_ rhymes, _i.e._ rhymes which fall on the last syllable -and those which fall on the last but one. Now, every careful student of -the versification of Faust must feel and see that Goethe did not -intersperse the one kind of rhyme with the other, at random, as those -translators do; who, also, give the female rhyme (on which the vivacity of -dialogue and description often so much depends,) in so small a proportion. - -A similar criticism might be made of their liberty in neglecting Goethe's -method of alternating different measures with each other. - -It seems as if, in respect to metre, at least, they had asked themselves, -how would Goethe have written or shaped this in English, had that been his -native language, instead of seeking _con amore_ (and _con fidelità_) as -they should have done, to reproduce, both in spirit and in form, the -movement, so free and yet orderly, of the singularly endowed and -accomplished poet whom they undertook to represent. - -As to the objections which Hayward and some of his reviewers have -instituted in advance against the possibility of a good and faithful -metrical translation of a poem like Faust, they seem to the present -translator full of paradox and sophistry. For instance, take this -assertion of one of the reviewers: "The sacred and mysterious union of -thought with verse, twin-born and immortally wedded from the moment of -their common birth, can never be understood by those who desire verse -translations of good poetry." If the last part of this statement had read -"by those who can be contented with _prose_ translations of good poetry," -the position would have been nearer the truth. This much we might well -admit, that, if the alternative were either to have a poem like Faust in a -metre different and glaringly different from the original, or to have it -in simple and strong prose, then the latter alternative would be the one -every tasteful and feeling scholar would prefer; but surely to every one -who can read the original or wants to know how this great song _sung -itself_ (as Carlyle says) out of Goethe's soul, a mere prose rendering -must be, comparatively, a _corpus mortuum._ - -The translator most heartily dissents from Hayward's assertion that a -translator of Faust "must sacrifice either metre or meaning." At least he -flatters himself that he has made, in the main, (not a compromise between -meaning and melody, though in certain instances he may have fallen into -that, but) a combination of the meaning with the melody, which latter is -so important, so vital a part of the lyric poem's meaning, in any worthy -sense. "No poetic translation," says Hayward's reviewer, already quoted, -"can give the rhythm and rhyme of the original; it can only substitute the -rhythm and rhyme of the translator." One might just as well say "no -_prose_ translation can give the _sense and spirit_ of the original; it -can only substitute the _sense and spirit of the words and phrases of the -translator's language_;" and then, these two assertions balancing each -other, there will remain in the metrical translator's favor, that he may -come as near to giving both the letter and the spirit, as the effects of -the Babel dispersion will allow. - -As to the original creation, which he has attempted here to reproduce, the -translator might say something, but prefers leaving his readers to the -poet himself, as revealed in the poem, and to the various commentaries of -which we have some accounts, at least, in English. A French translator of -the poem speaks in his introduction as follows: "This Faust, conceived by -him in his youth, completed in ripe age, the idea of which he carried with -him through all the commotions of his life, as Camoens bore his poem with -him through the waves, this Faust contains him entire. The thirst for -knowledge and the martyrdom of doubt, had they not tormented his early -years? Whence came to him the thought of taking refuge in a supernatural -realm, of appealing to invisible powers, which plunged him, for a -considerable time, into the dreams of Illuminati and made him even invent -a religion? This irony of Mephistopheles, who carries on so audacious a -game with the weakness and the desires of man, is it not the mocking, -scornful side of the poet's spirit, a leaning to sullenness, which can be -traced even into the earliest years of his life, a bitter leaven thrown -into a strong soul forever by early satiety? The character of Faust -especially, the man whose burning, untiring heart can neither enjoy -fortune nor do without it, who gives himself unconditionally and watches -himself with mistrust, who unites the enthusiasm of passion and the -dejectedness of despair, is not this an eloquent opening up of the most -secret and tumultuous part of the poet's soul? And now, to complete the -image of his inner life, he has added the transcendingly sweet person of -Margaret, an exalted reminiscence of a young girl, by whom, at the age of -fourteen, he thought himself beloved, whose image ever floated round him, -and has contributed some traits to each of his heroines. This heavenly -surrender of a simple, good, and tender heart contrasts wonderfully with -the sensual and gloomy passion of the lover, who, in the midst of his -love-dreams, is persecuted by the phantoms of his imagination and by the -nightmares of thought, with those sorrows of a soul, which is crushed, but -not extinguished, which is tormented by the invincible want of happiness -and the bitter feeling, how hard a thing it is to receive or to bestow." - - - - -DEDICATION.[1] - -Once more ye waver dreamily before me, -Forms that so early cheered my troubled eyes! -To hold you fast doth still my heart implore me? -Still bid me clutch the charm that lures and flies? -Ye crowd around! come, then, hold empire o'er me, -As from the mist and haze of thought ye rise; -The magic atmosphere, your train enwreathing, -Through my thrilled bosom youthful bliss is breathing. - -Ye bring with you the forms of hours Elysian, -And shades of dear ones rise to meet my gaze; -First Love and Friendship steal upon my vision -Like an old tale of legendary days; -Sorrow renewed, in mournful repetition, -Runs through life's devious, labyrinthine ways; -And, sighing, names the good (by Fortune cheated -Of blissful hours!) who have before me fleeted. - -These later songs of mine, alas! will never -Sound in their ears to whom the first were sung! -Scattered like dust, the friendly throng forever! -Mute the first echo that so grateful rung! -To the strange crowd I sing, whose very favor -Like chilling sadness on my heart is flung; -And all that kindled at those earlier numbers -Roams the wide earth or in its bosom slumbers. - -And now I feel a long-unwonted yearning -For that calm, pensive spirit-realm, to-day; -Like an Aeolian lyre, (the breeze returning,) -Floats in uncertain tones my lisping lay; -Strange awe comes o'er me, tear on tear falls burning, -The rigid heart to milder mood gives way! -What I possess I see afar off lying, -And what I lost is real and undying. - - - - -PRELUDE - -IN THE THEATRE. - - - _Manager. Dramatic Poet. Merry Person._ - -_Manager_. You who in trouble and distress -Have both held fast your old allegiance, -What think ye? here in German regions -Our enterprise may hope success? -To please the crowd my purpose has been steady, -Because they live and let one live at least. -The posts are set, the boards are laid already, -And every one is looking for a feast. -They sit, with lifted brows, composed looks wearing, -Expecting something that shall set them staring. -I know the public palate, that's confest; -Yet never pined so for a sound suggestion; -True, they are not accustomed to the best, -But they have read a dreadful deal, past question. -How shall we work to make all fresh and new, -Acceptable and profitable, too? -For sure I love to see the torrent boiling, -When towards our booth they crowd to find a place, -Now rolling on a space and then recoiling, -Then squeezing through the narrow door of grace: -Long before dark each one his hard-fought station -In sight of the box-office window takes, -And as, round bakers' doors men crowd to escape starvation, -For tickets here they almost break their necks. -This wonder, on so mixed a mass, the Poet -Alone can work; to-day, my friend, O, show it! - -_Poet_. Oh speak not to me of that motley ocean, -Whose roar and greed the shuddering spirit chill! -Hide from my sight that billowy commotion -That draws us down the whirlpool 'gainst our will. -No, lead me to that nook of calm devotion, -Where blooms pure joy upon the Muses' hill; -Where love and friendship aye create and cherish, -With hand divine, heart-joys that never perish. -Ah! what, from feeling's deepest fountain springing, -Scarce from the stammering lips had faintly passed, -Now, hopeful, venturing forth, now shyly clinging, -To the wild moment's cry a prey is cast. -Oft when for years the brain had heard it ringing -It comes in full and rounded shape at last. -What shines, is born but for the moment's pleasure; -The genuine leaves posterity a treasure. - -_Merry Person_. Posterity! I'm sick of hearing of it; -Supposing I the future age would profit, -Who then would furnish ours with fun? -For it must have it, ripe and mellow; -The presence of a fine young fellow, -Is cheering, too, methinks, to any one. -Whoso can pleasantly communicate, -Will not make war with popular caprices, -For, as the circle waxes great, -The power his word shall wield increases. -Come, then, and let us now a model see, -Let Phantasy with all her various choir, -Sense, reason, passion, sensibility, -But, mark me, folly too! the scene inspire. - -_Manager_. But the great point is action! Every one -Comes as spectator, and the show's the fun. -Let but the plot be spun off fast and thickly, -So that the crowd shall gape in broad surprise, -Then have you made a wide impression quickly, -You are the man they'll idolize. -The mass can only be impressed by masses; -Then each at last picks out his proper part. -Give much, and then to each one something passes, -And each one leaves the house with happy heart. -Have you a piece, give it at once in pieces! -Such a ragout your fame increases; -It costs as little pains to play as to invent. -But what is gained, if you a whole present? -Your public picks it presently to pieces. - -_Poet_. You do not feel how mean a trade like that must be! -In the true Artist's eyes how false and hollow! -Our genteel botchers, well I see, -Have given the maxims that you follow. - -_Manager_. Such charges pass me like the idle wind; -A man who has right work in mind -Must choose the instruments most fitting. -Consider what soft wood you have for splitting, -And keep in view for whom you write! -If this one from _ennui_ seeks flight, -That other comes full from the groaning table, -Or, the worst case of all to cite, -From reading journals is for thought unable. -Vacant and giddy, all agog for wonder, -As to a masquerade they wing their way; -The ladies give themselves and all their precious plunder -And without wages help us play. -On your poetic heights what dream comes o'er you? -What glads a crowded house? Behold -Your patrons in array before you! -One half are raw, the other cold. -One, after this play, hopes to play at cards, -One a wild night to spend beside his doxy chooses, -Poor fools, why court ye the regards, -For such a set, of the chaste muses? -I tell you, give them more and ever more and more, -And then your mark you'll hardly stray from ever; -To mystify be your endeavor, -To satisfy is labor sore.... -What ails you? Are you pleased or pained? What notion---- - -_Poet_. Go to, and find thyself another slave! -What! and the lofty birthright Nature gave, -The noblest talent Heaven to man has lent, -Thou bid'st the Poet fling to folly's ocean! -How does he stir each deep emotion? -How does he conquer every element? -But by the tide of song that from his bosom springs, -And draws into his heart all living things? -When Nature's hand, in endless iteration, -The thread across the whizzing spindle flings, -When the complex, monotonous creation -Jangles with all its million strings: -Who, then, the long, dull series animating, -Breaks into rhythmic march the soulless round? -And, to the law of All each member consecrating, -Bids one majestic harmony resound? -Who bids the tempest rage with passion's power? -The earnest soul with evening-redness glow? -Who scatters vernal bud and summer flower -Along the path where loved ones go? -Who weaves each green leaf in the wind that trembles -To form the wreath that merit's brow shall crown? -Who makes Olympus fast? the gods assembles? -The power of manhood in the Poet shown. - -_Merry Person_. Come, then, put forth these noble powers, -And, Poet, let thy path of flowers -Follow a love-adventure's winding ways. -One comes and sees by chance, one burns, one stays, -And feels the gradual, sweet entangling! -The pleasure grows, then comes a sudden jangling, -Then rapture, then distress an arrow plants, -And ere one dreams of it, lo! _there_ is a romance. -Give us a drama in this fashion! -Plunge into human life's full sea of passion! -Each lives it, few its meaning ever guessed, -Touch where you will, 'tis full of interest. -Bright shadows fleeting o'er a mirror, -A spark of truth and clouds of error, -By means like these a drink is brewed -To cheer and edify the multitude. -The fairest flower of the youth sit listening -Before your play, and wait the revelation; -Each melancholy heart, with soft eyes glistening, -Draws sad, sweet nourishment from your creation; -This passion now, now that is stirred, by turns, -And each one sees what in his bosom burns. -Open alike, as yet, to weeping and to laughter, -They still admire the flights, they still enjoy the show; -Him who is formed, can nothing suit thereafter; -The yet unformed with thanks will ever glow. - -_Poet_. Ay, give me back the joyous hours, -When I myself was ripening, too, -When song, the fount, flung up its showers -Of beauty ever fresh and new. -When a soft haze the world was veiling, -Each bud a miracle bespoke, -And from their stems a thousand flowers I broke, -Their fragrance through the vales exhaling. -I nothing and yet all possessed, -Yearning for truth and in illusion blest. -Give me the freedom of that hour, -The tear of joy, the pleasing pain, -Of hate and love the thrilling power, -Oh, give me back my youth again! - -_Merry Person_. Youth, my good friend, thou needest certainly -When ambushed foes are on thee springing, -When loveliest maidens witchingly -Their white arms round thy neck are flinging, -When the far garland meets thy glance, -High on the race-ground's goal suspended, -When after many a mazy dance -In drink and song the night is ended. -But with a free and graceful soul -To strike the old familiar lyre, -And to a self-appointed goal -Sweep lightly o'er the trembling wire, -There lies, old gentlemen, to-day -Your task; fear not, no vulgar error blinds us. -Age does not make us childish, as they say, -But we are still true children when it finds us. - -_Manager_. Come, words enough you two have bandied, -Now let us see some deeds at last; -While you toss compliments full-handed, -The time for useful work flies fast. -Why talk of being in the humor? -Who hesitates will never be. -If you are poets (so says rumor) -Now then command your poetry. -You know full well our need and pleasure, -We want strong drink in brimming measure; -Brew at it now without delay! -To-morrow will not do what is not done to-day. -Let not a day be lost in dallying, -But seize the possibility -Right by the forelock, courage rallying, -And forth with fearless spirit sallying,-- -Once in the yoke and you are free. - Upon our German boards, you know it, -What any one would try, he may; -Then stint me not, I beg, to-day, -In scenery or machinery, Poet. -With great and lesser heavenly lights make free, -Spend starlight just as you desire; -No want of water, rocks or fire -Or birds or beasts to you shall be. -So, in this narrow wooden house's bound, -Stride through the whole creation's round, -And with considerate swiftness wander -From heaven, through this world, to the world down yonder. - - - - - PROLOGUE - - - IN HEAVEN. - - -[THE LORD. THE HEAVENLY HOSTS _afterward_ MEPHISTOPHELES. -_The three archangels_, RAPHAEL, GABRIEL, _and_ MICHAEL, _come forward_.] - -_Raphael_. The sun, in ancient wise, is sounding, - With brother-spheres, in rival song; -And, his appointed journey rounding, - With thunderous movement rolls along. -His look, new strength to angels lending, - No creature fathom can for aye; -The lofty works, past comprehending, - Stand lordly, as on time's first day. - -_Gabriel_. And swift, with wondrous swiftness fleeting, - The pomp of earth turns round and round, -The glow of Eden alternating - With shuddering midnight's gloom profound; -Up o'er the rocks the foaming ocean - Heaves from its old, primeval bed, -And rocks and seas, with endless motion, - On in the spheral sweep are sped. - -_Michael_. And tempests roar, glad warfare waging, - From sea to land, from land to sea, -And bind round all, amidst their raging, - A chain of giant energy. -There, lurid desolation, blazing, - Foreruns the volleyed thunder's way: -Yet, Lord, thy messengers[2] are praising - The mild procession of thy day. - -_All Three_. The sight new strength to angels lendeth, - For none thy being fathom may, -The works, no angel comprehendeth, - Stand lordly as on time's first day. - -_Mephistopheles_. Since, Lord, thou drawest near us once again, -And how we do, dost graciously inquire, -And to be pleased to see me once didst deign, -I too among thy household venture nigher. -Pardon, high words I cannot labor after, -Though the whole court should look on me with scorn; -My pathos certainly would stir thy laughter, -Hadst thou not laughter long since quite forsworn. -Of sun and worlds I've nought to tell worth mention, -How men torment themselves takes my attention. -The little God o' the world jogs on the same old way -And is as singular as on the world's first day. -A pity 'tis thou shouldst have given -The fool, to make him worse, a gleam of light from heaven; -He calls it reason, using it -To be more beast than ever beast was yet. -He seems to me, (your grace the word will pardon,) -Like a long-legg'd grasshopper in the garden, -Forever on the wing, and hops and sings -The same old song, as in the grass he springs; -Would he but stay there! no; he needs must muddle -His prying nose in every puddle. - -_The Lord_. Hast nothing for our edification? -Still thy old work of accusation? -Will things on earth be never right for thee? - -_Mephistopheles_. No, Lord! I find them still as bad as bad can be. -Poor souls! their miseries seem so much to please 'em, -I scarce can find it in my heart to tease 'em. - -_The Lord_. Knowest thou Faust? - -_Mephistopheles_. The Doctor? - -_The Lord_. Ay, my servant! - -_Mephistopheles_. He! -Forsooth! he serves you in a famous fashion; -No earthly meat or drink can feed his passion; -Its grasping greed no space can measure; -Half-conscious and half-crazed, he finds no rest; -The fairest stars of heaven must swell his treasure. -Each highest joy of earth must yield its zest, -Not all the world--the boundless azure-- -Can fill the void within his craving breast. - -_The Lord_. He serves me somewhat darkly, now, I grant, -Yet will he soon attain the light of reason. -Sees not the gardener, in the green young plant, -That bloom and fruit shall deck its coming season? - -_Mephistopheles_. What will you bet? You'll surely lose your wager! -If you will give me leave henceforth, -To lead him softly on, like an old stager. - -_The Lord_. So long as he shall live on earth, -Do with him all that you desire. -Man errs and staggers from his birth. - -_Mephistopheles_. Thank you; I never did aspire -To have with dead folk much transaction. -In full fresh cheeks I take the greatest satisfaction. -A corpse will never find me in the house; -I love to play as puss does with the mouse. - -_The Lord_. All right, I give thee full permission! -Draw down this spirit from its source, -And, canst thou catch him, to perdition -Carry him with thee in thy course, -But stand abashed, if thou must needs confess, -That a good man, though passion blur his vision, -Has of the right way still a consciousness. - -_Mephistopheles_. Good! but I'll make it a short story. -About my wager I'm by no means sorry. -And if I gain my end with glory -Allow me to exult from a full breast. -Dust shall he eat and that with zest, -Like my old aunt, the snake, whose fame is hoary. - -_The Lord_. Well, go and come, and make thy trial; -The like of thee I never yet did hate. -Of all the spirits of denial -The scamp is he I best can tolerate. -Man is too prone, at best, to seek the way that's easy, -He soon grows fond of unconditioned rest; -And therefore such a comrade suits him best, -Who spurs and works, true devil, always busy. -But you, true sons of God, in growing measure, -Enjoy rich beauty's living stores of pleasure! -The Word[3] divine that lives and works for aye, -Fold you in boundless love's embrace alluring, -And what in floating vision glides away, -That seize ye and make fast with thoughts enduring. - -[_Heaven closes, the archangels disperse._] - -_Mephistopheles. [Alone.]_ I like at times to exchange with him a word, -And take care not to break with him. 'Tis civil -In the old fellow[4] and so great a Lord -To talk so kindly with the very devil. - - - - - FAUST. - - - _Night. In a narrow high-arched Gothic room_, - FAUST _sitting uneasy at his desk_. - -_Faust_. Have now, alas! quite studied through -Philosophy and Medicine, -And Law, and ah! Theology, too, -With hot desire the truth to win! -And here, at last, I stand, poor fool! -As wise as when I entered school; -Am called Magister, Doctor, indeed,-- -Ten livelong years cease not to lead -Backward and forward, to and fro, -My scholars by the nose--and lo! -Just nothing, I see, is the sum of our learning, -To the very core of my heart 'tis burning. -'Tis true I'm more clever than all the foplings, -Doctors, Magisters, Authors, and Popelings; -Am plagued by no scruple, nor doubt, nor cavil, -Nor lingering fear of hell or devil-- -What then? all pleasure is fled forever; -To know one thing I vainly endeavor, -There's nothing wherein one fellow-creature -Could be mended or bettered with me for a teacher. -And then, too, nor goods nor gold have I, -Nor fame nor worldly dignity,-- -A condition no dog could longer live in! -And so to magic my soul I've given, -If, haply, by spirits' mouth and might, -Some mysteries may not be brought to light; -That to teach, no longer may be my lot, -With bitter sweat, what I need to be taught; -That I may know what the world contains -In its innermost heart and finer veins, -See all its energies and seeds -And deal no more in words but in deeds. - O full, round Moon, didst thou but thine -For the last time on this woe of mine! -Thou whom so many a midnight I -Have watched, at this desk, come up the sky: -O'er books and papers, a dreary pile, -Then, mournful friend! uprose thy smile! -Oh that I might on the mountain-height, -Walk in the noon of thy blessed light, -Round mountain-caverns with spirits hover, -Float in thy gleamings the meadows over, -And freed from the fumes of a lore-crammed brain, -Bathe in thy dew and be well again! - Woe! and these walls still prison me? -Dull, dismal hole! my curse on thee! -Where heaven's own light, with its blessed beams, -Through painted panes all sickly gleams! -Hemmed in by these old book-piles tall, -Which, gnawed by worms and deep in must, -Rise to the roof against a wall -Of smoke-stained paper, thick with dust; -'Mid glasses, boxes, where eye can see, -Filled with old, obsolete instruments, -Stuffed with old heirlooms of implements-- -That is thy world! There's a world for thee! - And still dost ask what stifles so -The fluttering heart within thy breast? -By what inexplicable woe -The springs of life are all oppressed? -Instead of living nature, where -God made and planted men, his sons, -Through smoke and mould, around thee stare -Grim skeletons and dead men's bones. - Up! Fly! Far out into the land! -And this mysterious volume, see! -By Nostradamus's[5] own hand, -Is it not guide enough for thee? -Then shalt thou thread the starry skies, -And, taught by nature in her walks, -The spirit's might shall o'er thee rise, -As ghost to ghost familiar talks. -Vain hope that mere dry sense should here -Explain the holy signs to thee. -I feel you, spirits, hovering near; -Oh, if you hear me, answer me! - [_He opens the book and beholds the sign of the Macrocosm.[_6]] -Ha! as I gaze, what ecstasy is this, -In one full tide through all my senses flowing! -I feel a new-born life, a holy bliss -Through nerves and veins mysteriously glowing. -Was it a God who wrote each sign? -Which, all my inner tumult stilling, -And this poor heart with rapture filling, -Reveals to me, by force divine, -Great Nature's energies around and through me thrilling? -Am I a God? It grows so bright to me! -Each character on which my eye reposes -Nature in act before my soul discloses. -The sage's word was truth, at last I see: -"The spirit-world, unbarred, is waiting; -Thy sense is locked, thy heart is dead! -Up, scholar, bathe, unhesitating, -The earthly breast in morning-red!" - [_He contemplates the sign._] -How all one whole harmonious weaves, -Each in the other works and lives! -See heavenly powers ascending and descending, -The golden buckets, one long line, extending! -See them with bliss-exhaling pinions winging -Their way from heaven through earth--their singing -Harmonious through the universe is ringing! - Majestic show! but ah! a show alone! -Nature! where find I thee, immense, unknown? -Where you, ye breasts? Ye founts all life sustaining, -On which hang heaven and earth, and where -Men's withered hearts their waste repair-- -Ye gush, ye nurse, and I must sit complaining? - [_He opens reluctantly the book and sees the sign of the earth-spirit._] -How differently works on me this sign! -Thou, spirit of the earth, art to me nearer; -I feel my powers already higher, clearer, -I glow already as with new-pressed wine, -I feel the mood to brave life's ceaseless clashing, -To bear its frowning woes, its raptures flashing, -To mingle in the tempest's dashing, -And not to tremble in the shipwreck's crashing; -Clouds gather o'er my head-- -Them moon conceals her light-- -The lamp goes out! -It smokes!--Red rays are darting, quivering -Around my head--comes down -A horror from the vaulted roof -And seizes me! -Spirit that I invoked, thou near me art, -Unveil thyself! -Ha! what a tearing in my heart! -Upheaved like an ocean -My senses toss with strange emotion! -I feel my heart to thee entirely given! -Thou must! and though the price were life--were heaven! - [_He seizes the book and pronounces mysteriously the sign of the spirit. - A ruddy flame darts out, the spirit appears in the flame._] - -_Spirit_. Who calls upon me? - -_Faust. [Turning away.]_ Horrid sight! - -_Spirit_. Long have I felt the mighty action, -Upon my sphere, of thy attraction, -And now-- - -_Faust_. Away, intolerable sprite! - -_Spirit_. Thou breath'st a panting supplication -To hear my voice, my face to see; -Thy mighty prayer prevails on me, -I come!--what miserable agitation -Seizes this demigod! Where is the cry of thought? -Where is the breast? that in itself a world begot, -And bore and cherished, that with joy did tremble -And fondly dream us spirits to resemble. -Where art thou, Faust? whose voice rang through my ear, -Whose mighty yearning drew me from my sphere? -Is this thing thou? that, blasted by my breath, -Through all life's windings shuddereth, -A shrinking, cringing, writhing worm! - -_Faust_. Thee, flame-born creature, shall I fear? -'Tis I, 'tis Faust, behold thy peer! - -_Spirit_. In life's tide currents, in action's storm, -Up and down, like a wave, -Like the wind I sweep! -Cradle and grave-- -A limitless deep--- -An endless weaving -To and fro, -A restless heaving -Of life and glow,-- -So shape I, on Destiny's thundering loom, -The Godhead's live garment, eternal in bloom. - -_Faust_. Spirit that sweep'st the world from end to end, -How near, this hour, I feel myself to thee! - -_Spirit_. Thou'rt like the spirit thou canst comprehend, -Not me! [_Vanishes._] - -_Faust_. [_Collapsing_.] Not thee? - Whom then? - I, image of the Godhead, - And no peer for thee! - [_A knocking_.] -O Death! I know it!--'tis my Famulus-- -Good-bye, ye dreams of bliss Elysian! -Shame! that so many a glowing vision -This dried-up sneak must scatter thus! - - [WAGNER, _in sleeping-gown and night-cap, a lamp in his hand._ - FAUST _turns round with an annoyed look_.] - -_Wagner_. Excuse me! you're engaged in declamation; -'Twas a Greek tragedy no doubt you read? -I in this art should like initiation, -For nowadays it stands one well instead. -I've often heard them boast, a preacher -Might profit with a player for his teacher. - -_Faust_. Yes, when the preacher is a player, granted: -As often happens in our modern ways. - -_Wagner_. Ah! when one with such love of study's haunted, -And scarcely sees the world on holidays, -And takes a spy-glass, as it were, to read it, -How can one by persuasion hope to lead it? - -_Faust_. What you don't feel, you'll never catch by hunting, -It must gush out spontaneous from the soul, -And with a fresh delight enchanting -The hearts of all that hear control. -Sit there forever! Thaw your glue-pot,-- -Blow up your ash-heap to a flame, and brew, -With a dull fire, in your stew-pot, -Of other men's leavings a ragout! -Children and apes will gaze delighted, -If their critiques can pleasure impart; -But never a heart will be ignited, -Comes not the spark from the speaker's heart. - -_Wagner_. Delivery makes the orator's success; -There I'm still far behindhand, I confess. - -_Faust_. Seek honest gains, without pretence! -Be not a cymbal-tinkling fool! -Sound understanding and good sense -Speak out with little art or rule; -And when you've something earnest to utter, -Why hunt for words in such a flutter? -Yes, your discourses, that are so refined' -In which humanity's poor shreds you frizzle, -Are unrefreshing as the mist and wind -That through the withered leaves of autumn whistle! - -_Wagner_. Ah God! well, art is long! -And life is short and fleeting. -What headaches have I felt and what heart-beating, -When critical desire was strong. -How hard it is the ways and means to master -By which one gains each fountain-head! - -And ere one yet has half the journey sped, -The poor fool dies--O sad disaster! - -_Faust_. Is parchment, then, the holy well-spring, thinkest, -A draught from which thy thirst forever slakes? -No quickening element thou drinkest, -Till up from thine own soul the fountain breaks. - -_Wagner_. Excuse me! in these olden pages -We catch the spirit of the by-gone ages, -We see what wisest men before our day have thought, -And to what glorious heights we their bequests have brought. - -_Faust_. O yes, we've reached the stars at last! -My friend, it is to us,--the buried past,-- -A book with seven seals protected; -Your spirit of the times is, then, -At bottom, your own spirit, gentlemen, -In which the times are seen reflected. -And often such a mess that none can bear it; -At the first sight of it they run away. -A dust-bin and a lumber-garret, -At most a mock-heroic play[8] -With fine, pragmatic maxims teeming, -The mouths of puppets well-beseeming! - -_Wagner_. But then the world! the heart and mind of man! -To know of these who would not pay attention? - -_Faust_. To know them, yes, as weaklings can! -Who dares the child's true name outright to mention? -The few who any thing thereof have learned, -Who out of their heart's fulness needs must gabble, -And show their thoughts and feelings to the rabble, -Have evermore been crucified and burned. -I pray you, friend, 'tis wearing into night, -Let us adjourn here, for the present. - -_Wagner_. I had been glad to stay till morning light, -This learned talk with you has been so pleasant, -But the first day of Easter comes to-morrow. -And then an hour or two I'll borrow. -With zeal have I applied myself to learning, -True, I know much, yet to know all am burning. - [_Exit_.] - -_Faust_. [_Alone_.] See how in _his_ head only, hope still lingers, -Who evermore to empty rubbish clings, -With greedy hand grubs after precious things, -And leaps for joy when some poor worm he fingers! - That such a human voice should dare intrude, -Where all was full of ghostly tones and features! -Yet ah! this once, my gratitude -Is due to thee, most wretched of earth's creatures. -Thou snatchedst me from the despairing state -In which my senses, well nigh crazed, were sunken. -The apparition was so giant-great, -That to a very dwarf my soul had shrunken. - I, godlike, who in fancy saw but now -Eternal truth's fair glass in wondrous nearness, -Rejoiced in heavenly radiance and clearness, -Leaving the earthly man below; -I, more than cherub, whose free force -Dreamed, through the veins of nature penetrating, -To taste the life of Gods, like them creating, -Behold me this presumption expiating! -A word of thunder sweeps me from my course. - Myself with thee no longer dare I measure; -Had I the power to draw thee down at pleasure; -To hold thee here I still had not the force. -Oh, in that blest, ecstatic hour, -I felt myself so small, so great; -Thou drovest me with cruel power -Back upon man's uncertain fate -What shall I do? what slum, thus lonely? -That impulse must I, then, obey? -Alas! our very deeds, and not our sufferings only, -How do they hem and choke life's way! - To all the mind conceives of great and glorious -A strange and baser mixture still adheres; -Striving for earthly good are we victorious? -A dream and cheat the better part appears. -The feelings that could once such noble life inspire -Are quenched and trampled out in passion's mire. - Where Fantasy, erewhile, with daring flight -Out to the infinite her wings expanded, -A little space can now suffice her quite, -When hope on hope time's gulf has wrecked and stranded. -Care builds her nest far down the heart's recesses, -There broods o'er dark, untold distresses, -Restless she sits, and scares thy joy and peace away; -She puts on some new mask with each new day, -Herself as house and home, as wife and child presenting, -As fire and water, bane and blade; -What never hits makes thee afraid, -And what is never lost she keeps thee still lamenting. - Not like the Gods am I! Too deep that truth is thrust! -But like the worm, that wriggles through the dust; -Who, as along the dust for food he feels, -Is crushed and buried by the traveller's heels. - Is it not dust that makes this lofty wall -Groan with its hundred shelves and cases; -The rubbish and the thousand trifles all -That crowd these dark, moth-peopled places? -Here shall my craving heart find rest? -Must I perchance a thousand books turn over, -To find that men are everywhere distrest, -And here and there one happy one discover? -Why grin'st thou down upon me, hollow skull? -But that thy brain, like mine, once trembling, hoping, -Sought the light day, yet ever sorrowful, -Burned for the truth in vain, in twilight groping? -Ye, instruments, of course, are mocking me; -Its wheels, cogs, bands, and barrels each one praises. -I waited at the door; you were the key; -Your ward is nicely turned, and yet no bolt it raises. -Unlifted in the broadest day, -Doth Nature's veil from prying eyes defend her, -And what (he chooses not before thee to display, -Not all thy screws and levers can force her to surrender. -Old trumpery! not that I e'er used thee, but -Because my father used thee, hang'st thou o'er me, -Old scroll! thou hast been stained with smoke and smut -Since, on this desk, the lamp first dimly gleamed before me. -Better have squandered, far, I now can clearly see, -My little all, than melt beneath it, in this Tophet! -That which thy fathers have bequeathed to thee, -Earn and become possessor of it! -What profits not a weary load will be; -What it brings forth alone can yield the moment profit. - Why do I gaze as if a spell had bound me -Up yonder? Is that flask a magnet to the eyes? -What lovely light, so sudden, blooms around me? -As when in nightly woods we hail the full-moon-rise. - I greet thee, rarest phial, precious potion! -As now I take thee down with deep devotion, -In thee I venerate man's wit and art. -Quintessence of all soporific flowers, -Extract of all the finest deadly powers, -Thy favor to thy master now impart! -I look on thee, the sight my pain appeases, -I handle thee, the strife of longing ceases, -The flood-tide of the spirit ebbs away. -Far out to sea I'm drawn, sweet voices listening, -The glassy waters at my feet are glistening, -To new shores beckons me a new-born day. - A fiery chariot floats, on airy pinions, -To where I sit! Willing, it beareth me, -On a new path, through ether's blue dominions, -To untried spheres of pure activity. -This lofty life, this bliss elysian, -Worm that thou waft erewhile, deservest thou? -Ay, on this earthly sun, this charming vision, -Turn thy back resolutely now! -Boldly draw near and rend the gates asunder, -By which each cowering mortal gladly steals. -Now is the time to show by deeds of wonder -That manly greatness not to godlike glory yields; -Before that gloomy pit to stand, unfearing, -Where Fantasy self-damned in its own torment lies, -Still onward to that pass-way steering, -Around whose narrow mouth hell-flames forever rise; -Calmly to dare the step, serene, unshrinking, -Though into nothingness the hour should see thee sinking. - Now, then, come down from thy old case, I bid thee, -Where thou, forgotten, many a year hast hid thee, -Into thy master's hand, pure, crystal glass! -The joy-feasts of the fathers thou hast brightened, -The hearts of gravest guests were lightened, -When, pledged, from hand to hand they saw thee pass. -Thy sides, with many a curious type bedight, -Which each, as with one draught he quaffed the liquor -Must read in rhyme from off the wondrous beaker, -Remind me, ah! of many a youthful night. -I shall not hand thee now to any neighbor, -Not now to show my wit upon thy carvings labor; -Here is a juice of quick-intoxicating might. -The rich brown flood adown thy sides is streaming, -With my own choice ingredients teeming; -Be this last draught, as morning now is gleaming, -Drained as a lofty pledge to greet the festal light! - [_He puts the goblet to his lips_. - -_Ringing of bells and choral song_. - -_Chorus of Angels_. Christ hath arisen! - Joy to humanity! - No more shall vanity, - Death and inanity - Hold thee in prison! - -_Faust_. What hum of music, what a radiant tone, -Thrills through me, from my lips the goblet stealing! -Ye murmuring bells, already make ye known -The Easter morn's first hour, with solemn pealing? -Sing you, ye choirs, e'en now, the glad, consoling song, -That once, from angel-lips, through gloom sepulchral rung, -A new immortal covenant sealing? - -_Chorus of Women_. Spices we carried, - Laid them upon his breast; - Tenderly buried - Him whom we loved the best; - - Cleanly to bind him - Took we the fondest care, - Ah! and we find him - Now no more there. - -_Chorus of Angels_. Christ hath ascended! - Reign in benignity! - Pain and indignity, - Scorn and malignity, - _Their_ work have ended. - -_Faust_. Why seek ye me in dust, forlorn, -Ye heavenly tones, with soft enchanting? -Go, greet pure-hearted men this holy morn! -Your message well I hear, but faith to me is wanting; -Wonder, its dearest child, of Faith is born. -To yonder spheres I dare no more aspire, -Whence the sweet tidings downward float; -And yet, from childhood heard, the old, familiar note -Calls back e'en now to life my warm desire. -Ah! once how sweetly fell on me the kiss -Of heavenly love in the still Sabbath stealing! -Prophetically rang the bells with solemn pealing; -A prayer was then the ecstasy of bliss; -A blessed and mysterious yearning -Drew me to roam through meadows, woods, and skies; -And, midst a thousand tear-drops burning, -I felt a world within me rise -That strain, oh, how it speaks youth's gleesome plays and feelings, -Joys of spring-festivals long past; -Remembrance holds me now, with childhood's fond appealings, -Back from the fatal step, the last. -Sound on, ye heavenly strains, that bliss restore me! -Tears gush, once more the spell of earth is o'er me - -_Chorus of Disciples_. Has the grave's lowly one - Risen victorious? - Sits he, God's Holy One, - High-throned and glorious? - He, in this blest new birth, - Rapture creative knows;[9] - Ah! on the breast of earth - Taste we still nature's woes. - Left here to languish - Lone in a world like this, - Fills us with anguish - Master, thy bliss! - -_Chorus of Angels_. Christ has arisen - Out of corruption's gloom. - Break from your prison, - Burst every tomb! - Livingly owning him, - Lovingly throning him, - Feasting fraternally, - Praying diurnally, - Bearing his messages, - Sharing his promises, - Find ye your master near, - Find ye him here![10] - - - - - BEFORE THE GATE. - - _Pedestrians of all descriptions stroll forth_. - -_Mechanics' Apprentices_. Where are you going to carouse? - -_Others_. We're all going out to the Hunter's House. - -_The First_. We're going, ourselves, out to the Mill-House, brothers. - -_An Apprentice_. The Fountain-House I rather recommend. - -_Second_. 'Tis not a pleasant road, my friend. - -_The second group_. What will you do, then? - -_A Third_. I go with the others. - -_Fourth_. Come up to Burgdorf, there you're sure to find good cheer, -The handsomest of girls and best of beer, -And rows, too, of the very first water. - -_Fifth_. You monstrous madcap, does your skin -Itch for the third time to try that inn? -I've had enough for _my_ taste in that quarter. - -_Servant-girl_. No! I'm going back again to town for one. - -_Others_. Under those poplars we are sure to meet him. - -_First Girl_. But that for me is no great fun; -For you are always sure to get him, -He never dances with any but you. -Great good to me your luck will do! - -_Others_. He's not alone, I heard him say, -The curly-head would be with him to-day. - -_Scholar_. Stars! how the buxom wenches stride there! -Quick, brother! we must fasten alongside there. -Strong beer, good smart tobacco, and the waist -Of a right handsome gall, well rigg'd, now that's my taste. - -_Citizen's Daughter_. Do see those fine, young fellows yonder! -'Tis, I declare, a great disgrace; -When they might have the very best, I wonder, -After these galls they needs must race! - -_Second scholar_ [_to the first_]. -Stop! not so fast! there come two more behind, -My eyes! but ain't they dressed up neatly? -One is my neighbor, or I'm blind; -I love the girl, she looks so sweetly. -Alone all quietly they go, -You'll find they'll take us, by and bye, in tow. - -_First_. No, brother! I don't like these starched up ways. -Make haste! before the game slips through our fingers. -The hand that swings the broom o' Saturdays -On Sundays round thy neck most sweetly lingers. - -_Citizen_. No, I don't like at all this new-made burgomaster! -His insolence grows daily ever faster. -No good from him the town will get! -Will things grow better with him? Never! -We're under more constraint than ever, -And pay more tax than ever yet. - -_Beggar_. [_Sings_.] Good gentlemen, and you, fair ladies, - With such red cheeks and handsome dress, - Think what my melancholy trade is, - And see and pity my distress! - Help the poor harper, sisters, brothers! - Who loves to give, alone is gay. - This day, a holiday to others, - Make it for me a harvest day. - -_Another citizen_. -Sundays and holidays, I like, of all things, a good prattle -Of war and fighting, and the whole array, -When back in Turkey, far away, -The peoples give each other battle. -One stands before the window, drinks his glass, -And sees the ships with flags glide slowly down the river; -Comes home at night, when out of sight they pass, -And sings with joy, "Oh, peace forever!" - -_Third citizen_. So I say, neighbor! let them have their way, -Crack skulls and in their crazy riot -Turn all things upside down they may, -But leave us here in peace and quiet. - -_Old Woman_ [_to the citizen's daughter_]. -Heyday, brave prinking this! the fine young blood! -Who is not smitten that has met you?-- -But not so proud! All very good! -And what you want I'll promise soon to get you. - -_Citizen's Daughter_. Come, Agatha! I dread in public sight -To prattle with such hags; don't stay, O, Luddy! -'Tis true she showed me, on St. Andrew's night, -My future sweetheart in the body. - -_The other_. She showed me mine, too, in a glass, -Right soldierlike, with daring comrades round him. -I look all round, I study all that pass, -But to this hour I have not found him. - -_Soldiers_. Castles with lowering - Bulwarks and towers, - Maidens with towering - Passions and powers, - Both shall be ours! - Daring the venture, - Glorious the pay! - - When the brass trumpet - Summons us loudly, - Joy-ward or death-ward, - On we march proudly. - That is a storming! - - Life in its splendor! - Castles and maidens - Both must surrender. - Daring the venture, - Glorious the pay. - There go the soldiers - Marching away! - - - FAUST _and_ WAGNER. - -_Faust_. Spring's warm look has unfettered the fountains, -Brooks go tinkling with silvery feet; -Hope's bright blossoms the valley greet; -Weakly and sickly up the rough mountains -Pale old Winter has made his retreat. -Thence he launches, in sheer despite, -Sleet and hail in impotent showers, -O'er the green lawn as he takes his flight; -But the sun will suffer no white, -Everywhere waking the formative powers, -Living colors he yearns to spread; -Yet, as he finds it too early for flowers, -Gayly dressed people he takes instead. -Look from this height whereon we find us -Back to the town we have left behind us, -Where from the dark and narrow door -Forth a motley multitude pour. -They sun themselves gladly and all are gay, -They celebrate Christ's resurrection to-day. -For have not they themselves arisen? -From smoky huts and hovels and stables, -From labor's bonds and traffic's prison, -From the confinement of roofs and gables, -From many a cramping street and alley, -From churches full of the old world's night, -All have come out to the day's broad light. -See, only see! how the masses sally -Streaming and swarming through gardens and fields -How the broad stream that bathes the valley -Is everywhere cut with pleasure boats' keels, -And that last skiff, so heavily laden, -Almost to sinking, puts off in the stream; -Ribbons and jewels of youngster and maiden -From the far paths of the mountain gleam. -How it hums o'er the fields and clangs from the steeple! -This is the real heaven of the people, -Both great and little are merry and gay, -I am a man, too, I can be, to-day. - -_Wagner_. With you, Sir Doctor, to go out walking -Is at all times honor and gain enough; -But to trust myself here alone would be shocking, -For I am a foe to all that is rough. -Fiddling and bowling and screams and laughter -To me are the hatefullest noises on earth; -They yell as if Satan himself were after, -And call it music and call it mirth. - - [_Peasants (under the linden). Dance and song._] - -The shepherd prinked him for the dance, -With jacket gay and spangle's glance, -And all his finest quiddle. -And round the linden lass and lad -They wheeled and whirled and danced like mad. -Huzza! huzza! -Huzza! Ha, ha, ha! -And tweedle-dee went the fiddle. - -And in he bounded through the whirl, -And with his elbow punched a girl, -Heigh diddle, diddle! -The buxom wench she turned round quick, -"Now that I call a scurvy trick!" -Huzza! huzza! -Huzza! ha, ha, ha! -Tweedle-dee, tweedle-dee went the fiddle. - -And petticoats and coat-tails flew -As up and down they went, and through, -Across and down the middle. -They all grew red, they all grew warm, -And rested, panting, arm in arm, -Huzza! huzza! -Ta-ra-la! -Tweedle-dee went the fiddle! - -"And don't be so familiar there! -How many a one, with speeches fair, -His trusting maid will diddle!" -But still he flattered her aside-- -And from the linden sounded wide: -Huzza! huzza! -Huzza! huzza! ha! ha! ha! -And tweedle-dee the fiddle. - -_Old Peasant._ Sir Doctor, this is kind of you, -That with us here you deign to talk, -And through the crowd of folk to-day -A man so highly larned, walk. -So take the fairest pitcher here, -Which we with freshest drink have filled, -I pledge it to you, praying aloud -That, while your thirst thereby is stilled, -So many days as the drops it contains -May fill out the life that to you remains. - -_Faust._ I take the quickening draught and call -For heaven's best blessing on one and all. - - [_The people form a circle round him._] - -_Old Peasant._ Your presence with us, this glad day, -We take it very kind, indeed! -In truth we've found you long ere this -In evil days a friend in need! -Full many a one stands living here, -Whom, at death's door already laid, -Your father snatched from fever's rage, -When, by his skill, the plague he stayed. -You, a young man, we daily saw -Go with him to the pest-house then, -And many a corpse was carried forth, -But you came out alive again. -With a charmed life you passed before us, -Helped by the Helper watching o'er us. - -_All._ The well-tried man, and may he live, -Long years a helping hand to give! - -_Faust._ Bow down to Him on high who sends -His heavenly help and helping friends! - [_He goes on with_ WAGNER.] - -_Wagner._ What feelings, O great man, thy heart must swell -Thus to receive a people's veneration! -O worthy all congratulation, -Whose gifts to such advantage tell. -The father to his son shows thee with exultation, -All run and crowd and ask, the circle closer draws, -The fiddle stops, the dancers pause, -Thou goest--the lines fall back for thee. -They fling their gay-decked caps on high; -A little more and they would bow the knee -As if the blessed Host came by. - -_Faust._ A few steps further on, until we reach that stone; -There will we rest us from our wandering. -How oft in prayer and penance there alone, -Fasting, I sate, on holy mysteries pondering. -There, rich in hope, in faith still firm, -I've wept, sighed, wrung my hands and striven -This plague's removal to extort (poor worm!) -From the almighty Lord of Heaven. -The crowd's applause has now a scornful tone; -O couldst thou hear my conscience tell its story, -How little either sire or son -Has done to merit such a glory! -My father was a worthy man, confused -And darkened with his narrow lucubrations, -Who with a whimsical, though well-meant patience, -On Nature's holy circles mused. -Shut up in his black laboratory, -Experimenting without end, -'Midst his adepts, till he grew hoary, -He sought the opposing powers to blend. -Thus, a red lion,[11] a bold suitor, married -The silver lily, in the lukewarm bath, -And, from one bride-bed to another harried, -The two were seen to fly before the flaming wrath. -If then, with colors gay and splendid, -The glass the youthful queen revealed, -Here was the physic, death the patients' sufferings ended, -And no one asked, who then was healed? -Thus, with electuaries so satanic, -Worse than the plague with all its panic, -We rioted through hill and vale; -Myself, with my own hands, the drug to thousands giving, -They passed away, and I am living -To hear men's thanks the murderers hail! - -_Wagner._ Forbear! far other name that service merits! -Can a brave man do more or less -Than with nice conscientiousness -To exercise the calling he inherits? -If thou, as youth, thy father honorest, -To learn from him thou wilt desire; -If thou, as man, men with new light hast blest, -Then may thy son to loftier heights aspire. - -_Faust._ O blest! who hopes to find repose, -Up from this mighty sea of error diving! -Man cannot use what he already knows, -To use the unknown ever striving. -But let not such dark thoughts a shadow throw -O'er the bright joy this hour inspires! -See how the setting sun, with ruddy glow, -The green-embosomed hamlet fires! -He sinks and fades, the day is lived and gone, -He hastens forth new scenes of life to waken. -O for a wing to lift and bear me on, -And on, to where his last rays beckon! -Then should I see the world's calm breast -In everlasting sunset glowing, -The summits all on fire, each valley steeped in rest, -The silver brook to golden rivers flowing. -No savage mountain climbing to the skies -Should stay the godlike course with wild abysses; -And now the sea, with sheltering, warm recesses -Spreads out before the astonished eyes. -At last it seems as if the God were sinking; -But a new impulse fires the mind, -Onward I speed, his endless glory drinking, -The day before me and the night behind, -The heavens above my head and under me the ocean. -A lovely dream,--meanwhile he's gone from sight. -Ah! sure, no earthly wing, in swiftest flight, -May with the spirit's wings hold equal motion. -Yet has each soul an inborn feeling -Impelling it to mount and soar away, -When, lost in heaven's blue depths, the lark is pealing -High overhead her airy lay; -When o'er the mountain pine's black shadow, -With outspread wing the eagle sweeps, -And, steering on o'er lake and meadow, -The crane his homeward journey keeps. - -_Wagner._ I've had myself full many a wayward hour, -But never yet felt such a passion's power. -One soon grows tired of field and wood and brook, -I envy not the fowl of heaven his pinions. -Far nobler joy to soar through thought's dominions -From page to page, from book to book! -Ah! winter nights, so dear to mind and soul! -Warm, blissful life through all the limbs is thrilling, -And when thy hands unfold a genuine ancient scroll, -It seems as if all heaven the room were filling. - -_Faust_. One passion only has thy heart possessed; -The other, friend, O, learn it never! -Two souls, alas! are lodged in my wild breast, -Which evermore opposing ways endeavor, -The one lives only on the joys of time, -Still to the world with clamp-like organs clinging; -The other leaves this earthly dust and slime, -To fields of sainted sires up-springing. -O, are there spirits in the air, -That empire hold 'twixt earth's and heaven's dominions, -Down from your realm of golden haze repair, -Waft me to new, rich life, upon your rosy pinions! -Ay! were a magic mantle only mine, -To soar o'er earth's wide wildernesses, -I would not sell it for the costliest dresses, -Not for a royal robe the gift resign. - -_Wagner_. O, call them not, the well known powers of air, -That swarm through all the middle kingdom, weaving -Their fairy webs, with many a fatal snare -The feeble race of men deceiving. -First, the sharp spirit-tooth, from out the North, -And arrowy tongues and fangs come thickly flying; -Then from the East they greedily dart forth, -Sucking thy lungs, thy life-juice drying; -If from the South they come with fever thirst, -Upon thy head noon's fiery splendors heaping; -The Westwind brings a swarm, refreshing first, -Then all thy world with thee in stupor steeping. -They listen gladly, aye on mischief bent, -Gladly draw near, each weak point to espy, -They make believe that they from heaven are sent, -Whispering like angels, while they lie. -But let us go! The earth looks gray, my friend, -The air grows cool, the mists ascend! -At night we learn our homes to prize.-- -Why dost thou stop and stare with all thy eyes? -What can so chain thy sight there, in the gloaming? - -_Faust_. Seest thou that black dog through stalks and stubble roaming? - -_Wagner_. I saw him some time since, he seemed not strange to me. - -_Faust_. Look sharply! What dost take the beast to be? - -_Wagner_. For some poor poodle who has lost his master, -And, dog-like, scents him o'er the ground. - -_Faust_. Markst thou how, ever nearer, ever faster, -Towards us his spiral track wheels round and round? -And if my senses suffer no confusion, -Behind him trails a fiery glare. - -_Wagner_. 'Tis probably an optical illusion; -I still see only a black poodle there. - -_Faust_. He seems to me as he were tracing slyly -His magic rings our feet at last to snare. - -_Wagner_. To me he seems to dart around our steps so shyly, -As if he said: is one of them my master there? - -_Faust_. The circle narrows, he is near! - -_Wagner_. Thou seest! a dog we have, no spectre, here! -He growls and stops, crawls on his belly, too, -And wags his tail,--as all dogs do. - -_Faust_. Come here, sir! come, our comrade be! - -_Wagner_. He has a poodle's drollery. -Stand still, and he, too, waits to see; -Speak to him, and he jumps on thee; -Lose something, drop thy cane or sling it -Into the stream, he'll run and bring it. - -_Faust_. I think you're right; I trace no spirit here, -'Tis all the fruit of training, that is clear. - -_Wagner_. A well-trained dog is a great treasure, -Wise men in such will oft take pleasure. -And he deserves your favor and a collar, -He, of the students the accomplished scholar. - - [_They go in through the town gate._] - - - - - STUDY-CHAMBER. - - _Enter_ FAUST _with the_ POODLE. - - -I leave behind me field and meadow -Veiled in the dusk of holy night, -Whose ominous and awful shadow -Awakes the better soul to light. -To sleep are lulled the wild desires, -The hand of passion lies at rest; -The love of man the bosom fires, -The love of God stirs up the breast. - -Be quiet, poodle! what worrisome fiend hath possest thee, -Nosing and snuffling so round the door? -Go behind the stove there and rest thee, -There's my best pillow--what wouldst thou more? -As, out on the mountain-paths, frisking and leaping, -Thou, to amuse us, hast done thy best, -So now in return lie still in my keeping, -A quiet, contented, and welcome guest. - -When, in our narrow chamber, nightly, -The friendly lamp begins to burn, -Then in the bosom thought beams brightly, -Homeward the heart will then return. -Reason once more bids passion ponder, -Hope blooms again and smiles on man; -Back to life's rills he yearns to wander, -Ah! to the source where life began. - -Stop growling, poodle! In the music Elysian -That laps my soul at this holy hour, -These bestial noises have jarring power. -We know that men will treat with derision -Whatever they cannot understand, -At goodness and truth and beauty's vision -Will shut their eyes and murmur and howl at it; -And must the dog, too, snarl and growl at it? - -But ah, with the best will, I feel already, -No peace will well up in me, clear and steady. -But why must hope so soon deceive us, -And the dried-up stream in fever leave us? -For in this I have had a full probation. -And yet for this want a supply is provided, -To a higher than earth the soul is guided, -We are ready and yearn for revelation: -And where are its light and warmth so blent -As here in the New Testament? -I feel, this moment, a mighty yearning -To expound for once the ground text of all, -The venerable original -Into my own loved German honestly turning. - [_He opens the volume, and applies himself to the task_.] -"In the beginning was the _Word_." I read. -But here I stick! Who helps me to proceed? -The _Word_--so high I cannot--dare not, rate it, -I must, then, otherwise translate it, -If by the spirit I am rightly taught. -It reads: "In the beginning was the _thought_." -But study well this first line's lesson, -Nor let thy pen to error overhasten! -Is it the _thought_ does all from time's first hour? -"In the beginning," read then, "was the _power_." -Yet even while I write it down, my finger -Is checked, a voice forbids me there to linger. -The spirit helps! At once I dare to read -And write: "In the beginning was the _deed_." - -If I with thee must share my chamber, -Poodle, now, remember, -No more howling, -No more growling! -I had as lief a bull should bellow, -As have for a chum such a noisy fellow. -Stop that yell, now, -One of us must quit this cell now! -'Tis hard to retract hospitality, -But the door is open, thy way is free. -But what ails the creature? -Is this in the course of nature? -Is it real? or one of Fancy's shows? - -How long and broad my poodle grows! -He rises from the ground; -That is no longer the form of a hound! -Heaven avert the curse from us! -He looks like a hippopotamus, -With his fiery eyes and the terrible white -Of his grinning teeth! oh what a fright -Have I brought with me into the house! Ah now, -No mystery art thou! -Methinks for such half hellish brood -The key of Solomon were good. - -_Spirits_ [_in the passage_]. Softly! a fellow is caught there! - Keep back, all of you, follow him not there! - Like the fox in the trap, - Mourns the old hell-lynx his mishap. - But give ye good heed! - This way hover, that way hover, - Over and over, - And he shall right soon be freed. - Help can you give him, - O do not leave him! - Many good turns he's done us, - Many a fortune won us. - -_Faust_. First, to encounter the creature -By the spell of the Four, says the teacher: - Salamander shall glisten,[12] - Undina lapse lightly, - Sylph vanish brightly, - Kobold quick listen. - -He to whom Nature -Shows not, as teacher, -Every force -And secret source, -Over the spirits -No power inherits. - - Vanish in glowing - Flame, Salamander! - Inward, spirally flowing, - Gurgle, Undine! - Gleam in meteoric splendor, - Airy Queen! - Thy homely help render, - Incubus! Incubus! - Forth and end the charm for us! - -No kingdom of Nature -Resides in the creature. -He lies there grinning--'tis clear, my charm -Has done the monster no mite of harm. -I'll try, for thy curing, -Stronger adjuring. - - Art thou a jail-bird, - A runaway hell-bird? - This sign,[13] then--adore it! - They tremble before it - All through the dark dwelling. - -His hair is bristling--his body swelling. - - Reprobate creature! - Canst read his nature? - The Uncreated, - Ineffably Holy, - With Deity mated, - Sin's victim lowly? - -Driven behind the stove by my spells, -Like an elephant he swells; -He fills the whole room, so huge he's grown, -He waxes shadowy faster and faster. -Rise not up to the ceiling--down! -Lay thyself at the feet of thy master! -Thou seest, there's reason to dread my ire. -I'll scorch thee with the holy fire! -Wait not for the sight -Of the thrice-glowing light! -Wait not to feel the might -Of the potentest spell in all my treasure! - - - MEPHISTOPHELES. - [_As the mist sinks, steps forth from behind the stove, - dressed as a travelling scholasticus_.] -Why all this noise? What is your worship's pleasure? - -_Faust_. This was the poodle's essence then! -A travelling clark? Ha! ha! The casus is too funny. - -_Mephistopheles_. I bow to the most learned among men! -'Faith you did sweat me without ceremony. - -_Faust_. What is thy name? - -_Mephistopheles_. The question seems too small -For one who holds the _word_ so very cheaply, -Who, far removed from shadows all, -For substances alone seeks deeply. - -_Faust_. With gentlemen like him in my presence, -The name is apt to express the essence, -Especially if, when you inquire, -You find it God of flies,[14] Destroyer, Slanderer, Liar. -Well now, who art thou then? - -_Mephistopheles_. A portion of that power, -Which wills the bad and works the good at every hour. - -_Faust_. Beneath thy riddle-word what meaning lies? - -_Mephistopheles_. I am the spirit that denies! -And justly so; for all that time creates, -He does well who annihilates! -Better, it ne'er had had beginning; -And so, then, all that you call sinning, -Destruction,--all you pronounce ill-meant,-- -Is my original element. - -_Faust_. Thou call'st thyself a part, yet lookst complete to me. - -_Mephistopheles_. I speak the modest truth to thee. -A world of folly in one little soul, -_Man_ loves to think himself a whole; -Part of the part am I, which once was all, the Gloom -That brought forth Light itself from out her mighty womb, -The upstart proud, that now with mother Night -Disputes her ancient rank and space and right, -Yet never shall prevail, since, do whate'er he will, -He cleaves, a slave, to bodies still; -From bodies flows, makes bodies fair to sight; -A body in his course can check him, -His doom, I therefore hope, will soon o'ertake him, -With bodies merged in nothingness and night. - -_Faust_. Ah, now I see thy high vocation! -In gross thou canst not harm creation, -And so in small hast now begun. - -_Mephistopheles_. And, truth to tell, e'en here, not much have done. -That which at nothing the gauntlet has hurled, -This, what's its name? this clumsy world, -So far as I have undertaken, -I have to own, remains unshaken -By wave, storm, earthquake, fiery brand. -Calm, after all, remain both sea and land. -And the damn'd living fluff, of man and beast the brood, -It laughs to scorn my utmost power. -I've buried myriads by the hour, -And still there circulates each hour a new, fresh blood. -It were enough to drive one to distraction! -Earth, water, air, in constant action, -Through moist and dry, through warm and cold, -Going forth in endless germination! -Had I not claimed of fire a reservation, -Not one thing I alone should hold. - -_Faust_. Thus, with the ever-working power -Of good dost thou in strife persist, -And in vain malice, to this hour, -Clenchest thy cold and devilish fist! -Go try some other occupation, -Singular son of Chaos, thou! - -_Mephistopheles_. We'll give the thing consideration, -When next we meet again! But now -Might I for once, with leave retire? - -_Faust_. Why thou shouldst ask I do not see. -Now that I know thee, when desire -Shall prompt thee, freely visit me. -Window and door give free admission. -At least there's left the chimney flue. - -_Mephistopheles_. Let me confess there's one small prohibition - -Lies on thy threshold, 'gainst my walking through, -The wizard-foot--[15] - -_Faust_. Does that delay thee? -The Pentagram disturbs thee? Now, -Come tell me, son of hell, I pray thee, -If that spell-binds thee, then how enteredst thou? -_Thou_ shouldst proceed more circumspectly! - -_Mephistopheles_. Mark well! the figure is not drawn correctly; -One of the angles, 'tis the outer one, -Is somewhat open, dost perceive it? - -_Faust_. That was a lucky hit, believe it! -And I have caught thee then? Well done! -'Twas wholly chance--I'm quite astounded! - -_Mephistopheles_. The _poodle_ took no heed, -as through the door he bounded; -The case looks differently now; -The _devil_ can leave the house no-how. - -_Faust_. The window offers free emission. - -_Mephistopheles_. Devils and ghosts are bound by this condition: - -The way they entered in, they must come out. Allow -In the first clause we're free, yet not so in the second. - -_Faust_. In hell itself, then, laws are reckoned? -Now that I like; so then, one may, in fact, -Conclude a binding compact with you gentry? - -_Mephistopheles_. Whatever promise on our books finds entry, -We strictly carry into act. -But hereby hangs a grave condition, -Of this we'll talk when next we meet; -But for the present I entreat -Most urgently your kind dismission. - -_Faust_. Do stay but just one moment longer, then, -Tell me good news and I'll release thee. - -_Mephistopheles_. Let me go now! I'll soon come back again, -Then may'st thou ask whate'er shall please thee. - -_Faust_. I laid no snare for thee, old chap! -Thou shouldst have watched and saved thy bacon. -Who has the devil in his trap -Must hold him fast, next time he'll not so soon be taken. - -_Mephistopheles_. Well, if it please thee, I'm content to stay -For company, on one condition, -That I, for thy amusement, may -To exercise my arts have free permission. - -_Faust_. I gladly grant it, if they be -Not disagreeable to me. - -_Mephistopheles_. Thy senses, friend, in this one hour -Shall grasp the world with clearer power -Than in a year's monotony. -The songs the tender spirits sing thee, -The lovely images they bring thee -Are not an idle magic play. -Thou shalt enjoy the daintiest savor, -Then feast thy taste on richest flavor, -Then thy charmed heart shall melt away. -Come, all are here, and all have been -Well trained and practised, now begin! - -_Spirits_. Vanish, ye gloomy - Vaulted abysses! - Tenderer, clearer, - Friendlier, nearer, - Ether, look through! - O that the darkling - Cloud-piles were riven! - Starlight is sparkling, - Purer is heaven, - Holier sunshine - Softens the blue. - Graces, adorning - Sons of the morning-- - Shadowy wavings-- - Float along over; - Yearnings and cravings - After them hover. - Garments ethereal, - Tresses aerial, - Float o'er the flowers, - Float o'er the bowers, - Where, with deep feeling, - Thoughtful and tender, - Lovers, embracing, - Life-vows are sealing. - Bowers on bowers! - Graceful and slender - Vines interlacing! - Purple and blushing, - Under the crushing - Wine-presses gushing, - Grape-blood, o'erflowing, - Down over gleaming - Precious stones streaming, - Leaves the bright glowing - Tops of the mountains, - Leaves the red fountains, - Widening and rushing, - Till it encloses - Green hills all flushing, - Laden with roses. - Happy ones, swarming, - Ply their swift pinions, - Glide through the charming - Airy dominions, - Sunward still fleering, - Onward, where peering - Far o'er the ocean, - Islets are dancing - With an entrancing, - Magical motion; - Hear them, in chorus, - Singing high o'er us; - Over the meadows - Flit the bright shadows; - Glad eyes are glancing, - Tiny feet dancing. - Up the high ridges - Some of them clamber, - Others are skimming - Sky-lakes of amber, - Others are swimming - Over the ocean;-- - All are in motion, - Life-ward all yearning, - Longingly turning - To the far-burning - Star-light of bliss. - -_Mephistopheles_. He sleeps! Ye airy, tender youths, your numbers -Have sung him into sweetest slumbers! -You put me greatly in your debt by this. -Thou art not yet the man that shall hold fast the devil! -Still cheat his senses with your magic revel, -Drown him in dreams of endless youth; -But this charm-mountain on the sill to level, -I need, O rat, thy pointed tooth! -Nor need I conjure long, they're near me, -E'en now comes scampering one, who presently will hear me. - -The sovereign lord of rats and mice, -Of flies and frogs and bugs and lice, -Commands thee to come forth this hour, -And gnaw this threshold with great power, -As he with oil the same shall smear-- -Ha! with a skip e'en now thou'rt here! -But brisk to work! The point by which I'm cowered, -Is on the ledge, the farthest forward. -Yet one more bite, the deed is done.-- -Now, Faust, until we meet again, dream on! - -_Faust_. [_Waking_.] Again has witchcraft triumphed o'er me? -Was it a ghostly show, so soon withdrawn? -I dream, the devil stands himself before me--wake, to find a poodle gone! - - - - - STUDY-CHAMBER. - - FAUST. MEPHISTOPHELES. - - -_Faust_. A knock? Walk in! Who comes again to tease me? - -_Mephistopheles_. 'Tis I. - -_Faust_. Come in! - -_Mephistopheles_. Must say it thrice, to please me. - -_Faust_. Come in then! - -_Mephistopheles_. That I like to hear. -We shall, I hope, bear with each other; -For to dispel thy crotchets, brother, -As a young lord, I now appear, -In scarlet dress, trimmed with gold lacing, -A stiff silk cloak with stylish facing, -A tall cock's feather in my hat, -A long, sharp rapier to defend me, -And I advise thee, short and flat, -In the same costume to attend me; -If thou wouldst, unembarrassed, see -What sort of thing this life may be. - -_Faust_. In every dress I well may feel the sore -Of this low earth-life's melancholy. -I am too old to live for folly, -Too young, to wish for nothing more. -Am I content with all creation? -Renounce! renounce! Renunciation-- -Such is the everlasting song -That in the ears of all men rings, -Which every hour, our whole life long, -With brazen accents hoarsely sings. -With terror I behold each morning's light, -With bitter tears my eyes are filling, -To see the day that shall not in its flight -Fulfil for me one wish, not one, but killing -Every presentiment of zest -With wayward skepticism, chases -The fair creations from my breast -With all life's thousand cold grimaces. -And when at night I stretch me on my bed -And darkness spreads its shadow o'er me; -No rest comes then anigh my weary head, -Wild dreams and spectres dance before me. -The God who dwells within my soul -Can heave its depths at any hour; -Who holds o'er all my faculties control -Has o'er the outer world no power; -Existence lies a load upon my breast, -Life is a curse and death a long'd-for rest. - -_Mephistopheles_. And yet death never proves a wholly welcome guest. - -_Faust_. O blest! for whom, when victory's joy fire blazes, -Death round his brow the bloody laurel windeth, -Whom, weary with the dance's mazes, -He on a maiden's bosom findeth. -O that, beneath the exalted spirit's power, -I had expired, in rapture sinking! - -_Mephistopheles_. And yet I knew one, in a midnight hour, -Who a brown liquid shrank from drinking. - -_Faust_. Eaves-dropping seems a favorite game with thee. - -_Mephistopheles_. Omniscient am I not; yet much is known to me. - -_Faust_. Since that sweet tone, with fond appealing, -Drew me from witchcraft's horrid maze, -And woke the lingering childlike feeling -With harmonies of happier days; -My curse on all the mock-creations -That weave their spell around the soul, -And bind it with their incantations -And orgies to this wretched hole! -Accursed be the high opinion -Hugged by the self-exalting mind! -Accursed all the dream-dominion -That makes the dazzled senses blind! -Curs'd be each vision that befools us, -Of fame, outlasting earthly life! -Curs'd all that, as possession, rules us, -As house and barn, as child and wife! -Accurs'd be mammon, when with treasure -He fires our hearts for deeds of might, -When, for a dream of idle pleasure, -He makes our pillow smooth and light! -Curs'd be the grape-vine's balsam-juices! -On love's high grace my curses fall! -On faith! On hope that man seduces, -On patience last, not least, of all! - -_Choir of spirits_. [_Invisible_.] Woe! Woe! - Thou hast ground it to dust, - The beautiful world, - With mighty fist; - To ruins 'tis hurled; - A demi-god's blow hath done it! - A moment we look upon it, - Then carry (sad duty!) - The fragments over into nothingness, - With tears unavailing - Bewailing - All the departed beauty. - Lordlier - Than all sons of men, - Proudlier - Build it again, - Build it up in thy breast anew! - A fresh career pursue, - Before thee - A clearer view, - And, from the Empyréan, - A new-born Paean - Shall greet thee, too! - -_Mephistopheles_. Be pleased to admire - My juvenile choir! - Hear how they counsel in manly measure - Action and pleasure! - Out into life, - Its joy and strife, - Away from this lonely hole, - Where senses and soul - Rot in stagnation, - Calls thee their high invitation. - -Give over toying with thy sorrow -Which like a vulture feeds upon thy heart; -Thou shalt, in the worst company, to-morrow -Feel that with men a man thou art. -Yet I do not exactly intend -Among the canaille to plant thee. -I'm none of your magnates, I grant thee; -Yet if thou art willing, my friend, -Through life to jog on beside me, -Thy pleasure in all things shall guide me, -To thee will I bind me, -A friend thou shalt find me, -And, e'en to the grave, -Shalt make me thy servant, make me thy slave! - -_Faust_. And in return what service shall I render? - -_Mephistopheles_. There's ample grace--no hurry, not the least. - -_Faust_. No, no, the devil is an egotist, -And does not easily "for God's sake" tender -That which a neighbor may assist. -Speak plainly the conditions, come! -'Tis dangerous taking such a servant home. - -_Mephistopheles_. I to thy service _here_ agree to bind me, -To run and never rest at call of thee; -When _over yonder_ thou shalt find me, -Then thou shalt do as much for me. - -_Faust_. I care not much what's over yonder: -When thou hast knocked this world asunder, -Come if it will the other may! -Up from this earth my pleasures all are streaming, -Down on my woes this earthly sun is beaming; -Let me but end this fit of dreaming, -Then come what will, I've nought to say. -I'll hear no more of barren wonder -If in that world they hate and love, -And whether in that future yonder -There's a Below and an Above. - -_Mephistopheles._ In such a mood thou well mayst venture. -Bind thyself to me, and by this indenture -Thou shalt enjoy with relish keen -Fruits of my arts that man had never seen. - -_Faust_. And what hast thou to give, poor devil? -Was e'er a human mind, upon its lofty level, -Conceived of by the like of thee? -Yet hast thou food that brings satiety, -Not satisfaction; gold that reftlessly, -Like quicksilver, melts down within -The hands; a game in which men never win; -A maid that, hanging on my breast, -Ogles a neighbor with her wanton glances; -Of fame the glorious godlike zest, -That like a short-lived meteor dances-- -Show me the fruit that, ere it's plucked, will rot, -And trees from which new green is daily peeping! - -_Mephistopheles_. Such a requirement scares me not; -Such treasures have I in my keeping. -Yet shall there also come a time, good friend, -When we may feast on good things at our leisure. - -_Faust_. If e'er I lie content upon a lounge of pleasure-- -Then let there be of me an end! -When thou with flattery canst cajole me, -Till I self-satisfied shall be, -When thou with pleasure canst befool me, -Be that the last of days for me! -I lay the wager! - -_Mephistopheles_. Done! - -_Faust_. And heartily! -Whenever to the passing hour -I cry: O stay! thou art so fair! -To chain me down I give thee power -To the black bottom of despair! -Then let my knell no longer linger, -Then from my service thou art free, -Fall from the clock the index-finger, -Be time all over, then, for me! - -_Mephistopheles_. Think well, for we shall hold you to the letter. - -_Faust_. Full right to that just now I gave; -I spoke not as an idle braggart better. -Henceforward I remain a slave, -What care I who puts on the setter? - -_Mephistopheles_. I shall this very day, at Doctor's-feast,[16] -My bounden service duly pay thee. -But one thing!--For insurance' sake, I pray thee, -Grant me a line or two, at least. - -_Faust_. Pedant! will writing gain thy faith, alone? -In all thy life, no man, nor man's word hast thou known? -Is't not enough that I the fatal word -That passes on my future days have spoken? -The world-stream raves and rushes (hast not heard?) -And shall a promise hold, unbroken? -Yet this delusion haunts the human breast, -Who from his soul its roots would sever? -Thrice happy in whose heart pure truth finds rest. -No sacrifice shall he repent of ever! -But from a formal, written, sealed attest, -As from a spectre, all men shrink forever. -The word and spirit die together, -Killed by the sight of wax and leather. -What wilt thou, evil sprite, from me? -Brass, marble, parchment, paper, shall it be? -Shall I subscribe with pencil, pen or graver? -Among them all thy choice is free. - -_Mephistopheles_. This rhetoric of thine to me -Hath a somewhat bombastic savor. -Any small scrap of paper's good. -Thy signature will need a single drop of blood.[17] - -_Faust_. If this will satisfy thy mood, -I will consent thy whim to favor. - -_Mephistopheles._ Quite a peculiar juice is blood. - -_Faust_. Fear not that I shall break this bond; O, never! -My promise, rightly understood, -Fulfils my nature's whole endeavor. -I've puffed myself too high, I see; -To _thy_ rank only I belong. -The Lord of Spirits scorneth me, -Nature, shut up, resents the wrong. -The thread of thought is snapt asunder, -All science to me is a stupid blunder. -Let us in sensuality's deep -Quench the passions within us blazing! -And, the veil of sorcery raising, -Wake each miracle from its long sleep! -Plunge we into the billowy dance, -The rush and roll of time and chance! -Then may pleasure and distress, -Disappointment and success, -Follow each other as fast as they will; -Man's restless activity flourishes still. - -_Mephistopheles_. No bound or goal is set to you; -Where'er you like to wander sipping, -And catch a tit-bit in your skipping, -Eschew all coyness, just fall to, -And may you find a good digestion! - -_Faust_. Now, once for all, pleasure is not the question. -I'm sworn to passion's whirl, the agony of bliss, -The lover's hate, the sweets of bitterness. -My heart, no more by pride of science driven, -Shall open wide to let each sorrow enter, -And all the good that to man's race is given, -I will enjoy it to my being's centre, -Through life's whole range, upward and downward sweeping, -Their weal and woe upon my bosom heaping, -Thus in my single self their selves all comprehending -And with them in a common shipwreck ending. - -_Mephistopheles_. O trust me, who since first I fell from heaven, -Have chewed this tough meat many a thousand year, -No man digests the ancient leaven, -No mortal, from the cradle to the bier. -Trust one of _us_--the _whole_ creation -To God alone belongs by right; -_He_ has in endless day his habitation, -_Us_ He hath made for utter night, -_You_ for alternate dark and light. - -_Faust_. But then I _will!_ - -_Mephistopheles_. Now that's worth hearing! -But one thing haunts me, the old song, -That time is short and art is long. -You need some slight advice, I'm fearing. -Take to you one of the poet-feather, -Let the gentleman's thought, far-sweeping, -Bring all the noblest traits together, -On your one crown their honors heaping, -The lion's mood -The stag's rapidity, -The fiery blood of Italy, -The Northman's hardihood. -Bid him teach thee the art of combining -Greatness of soul with fly designing, -And how, with warm and youthful passion, -To fall in love by plan and fashion. -Should like, myself, to come across 'm, -Would name him Mr. Microcosm. - -_Faust_. What am I then? if that for which my heart -Yearns with invincible endeavor, -The crown of man, must hang unreached forever? - -_Mephistopheles_. Thou art at last--just what thou art. -Pile perukes on thy head whose curls cannot be counted, -On yard-high buskins let thy feet be mounted, -Still thou art only what thou art. - -_Faust_. Yes, I have vainly, let me not deny it, -Of human learning ransacked all the stores, -And when, at last, I set me down in quiet, -There gushes up within no new-born force; -I am not by a hair's-breadth higher, -Am to the Infinite no nigher. - -_Mephistopheles_. My worthy sir, you see the matter -As people generally see; -But we must learn to take things better, -Before life pleasures wholly flee. -The deuce! thy head and all that's in it, -Hands, feet and ------ are thine; -What I enjoy with zest each minute, -Is surely not the less mine? -If I've six horses in my span, -Is it not mine, their every power? -I fly along as an undoubted man, -On four and twenty legs the road I scour. -Cheer up, then! let all thinking be, -And out into the world with me! -I tell thee, friend, a speculating churl -Is like a beast, some evil spirit chases -Along a barren heath in one perpetual whirl, -While round about lie fair, green pasturing places. - -_Faust_. But how shall we begin? - -_Mephistopheles_. We sally forth e'en now. -What martyrdom endurest thou! -What kind of life is this to be living, -Ennui to thyself and youngsters giving? -Let Neighbor Belly that way go! -To stay here threshing straw why car'st thou? -The best that thou canst think and know -To tell the boys not for the whole world dar'st thou. -E'en now I hear one in the entry. - -_Faust_. I have no heart the youth to see. - -_Mephistopheles_. The poor boy waits there like a sentry, -He shall not want a word from me. -Come, give me, now, thy robe and bonnet; -This mask will suit me charmingly. - [_He puts them on_.] -Now for my wit--rely upon it! -'Twill take but fifteen minutes, I am sure. -Meanwhile prepare thyself to make the pleasant tour! - - [_Exit_ FAUST.] - -_Mephistopheles [in_ FAUST'S _long gown_]. -Only despise all human wit and lore, -The highest flights that thought can soar-- -Let but the lying spirit blind thee, -And with his spells of witchcraft bind thee, -Into my snare the victim creeps.-- -To him has destiny a spirit given, -That unrestrainedly still onward sweeps, -To scale the skies long since hath striven, -And all earth's pleasures overleaps. -He shall through life's wild scenes be driven, -And through its flat unmeaningness, -I'll make him writhe and stare and stiffen, -And midst all sensual excess, -His fevered lips, with thirst all parched and riven, -Insatiably shall haunt refreshment's brink; -And had he not, himself, his soul to Satan given, -Still must he to perdition sink! - - [_Enter_ A SCHOLAR.] - -_Scholar_. I have but lately left my home, -And with profound submission come, -To hold with one some conversation -Whom all men name with veneration. - -_Mephistopheles._ Your courtesy greatly flatters me -A man like many another you see. -Have you made any applications elsewhere? - -_Scholar_. Let me, I pray, your teachings share! -With all good dispositions I come, -A fresh young blood and money some; -My mother would hardly hear of my going; -But I long to learn here something worth knowing. - -_Mephistopheles_. You've come to the very place for it, then. - -_Scholar_. Sincerely, could wish I were off again: -My soul already has grown quite weary -Of walls and halls, so dark and dreary, -The narrowness oppresses me. -One sees no green thing, not a tree. -On the lecture-seats, I know not what ails me, -Sight, hearing, thinking, every thing fails me. - -_Mephistopheles_. 'Tis all in use, we daily see. -The child takes not the mother's breast -In the first instance willingly, -But soon it feeds itself with zest. -So you at wisdom's breast your pleasure -Will daily find in growing measure. - -_Scholar_. I'll hang upon her neck, a raptured wooer, -But only tell me, who shall lead me to her? - -_Mephistopheles_. Ere you go further, give your views -As to which faculty you choose? - -_Scholar_. To be right learn'd I've long desired, -And of the natural world aspired -To have a perfect comprehension -In this and in the heavenly sphere. - -_Mephistopheles_. I see you're on the right track here; -But you'll have to give undivided attention. - -_Scholar_. My heart and soul in the work'll be found; -Only, of course, it would give me pleasure, -When summer holidays come round, -To have for amusement a little leisure. - -_Mephistopheles_. Use well the precious time, it flips away so, -Yet method gains you time, if I may say so. -I counsel you therefore, my worthy friend, -The logical leisures first to attend. -Then is your mind well trained and cased -In Spanish boots,[18] all snugly laced, -So that henceforth it can creep ahead -On the road of thought with a cautious tread. -And not at random shoot and strike, -Zig-zagging Jack-o'-lanthorn-like. -Then will you many a day be taught -That what you once to do had thought -Like eating and drinking, extempore, -Requires the rule of one, two, three. -It is, to be sure, with the fabric of thought, -As with the _chef d'œuvre_ by weavers wrought, -Where a thousand threads one treadle plies, -Backward and forward the shuttles keep going, -Invisibly the threads keep flowing, -One stroke a thousand fastenings ties: -Comes the philosopher and cries: -I'll show you, it could not be otherwise: -The first being so, the second so, -The third and fourth must of course be so; -And were not the first and second, you see, -The third and fourth could never be. -The scholars everywhere call this clever, -But none have yet become weavers ever. -Whoever will know a live thing and expound it, -First kills out the spirit it had when he found it, -And then the parts are all in his hand, -Minus only the spiritual band! -Encheiresin naturæ's[19] the chemical name, -By which dunces themselves unwittingly shame. - -_Scholar_. Cannot entirely comprehend you. - -_Mephistopheles_. Better success will shortly attend you, -When you learn to analyze all creation -And give it a proper classification. - -_Scholar_. I feel as confused by all you've said, -As if 'twere a mill-wheel going round in my head! - -_Mephistopheles_. The next thing most important to mention, -Metaphysics will claim your attention! -There see that you can clearly explain -What fits not into the human brain: -For that which will not go into the head, -A pompous word will stand you in stead. -But, this half-year, at least, observe -From regularity never to swerve. -You'll have five lectures every day; -Be in at the stroke of the bell I pray! -And well prepared in every part; -Study each paragraph by heart, -So that you scarce may need to look -To see that he says no more than's in the book; -And when he dictates, be at your post, -As if you wrote for the Holy Ghost! - -_Scholar_. That caution is unnecessary! -I know it profits one to write, -For what one has in black and white, -He to his home can safely carry. - -_Mephistopheles_. But choose some faculty, I pray! - -_Scholar_. I feel a strong dislike to try the legal college. - -_Mephistopheles_. I cannot blame you much, I must acknowledge. -I know how this profession stands to-day. -Statutes and laws through all the ages -Like a transmitted malady you trace; -In every generation still it rages -And softly creeps from place to place. -Reason is nonsense, right an impudent suggestion; -Alas for thee, that thou a grandson art! -Of inborn law in which each man has part, -Of that, unfortunately, there's no question. - -_Scholar_. My loathing grows beneath your speech. -O happy he whom you shall teach! -To try theology I'm almost minded. - -_Mephistopheles_. I must not let you by zeal be blinded. -This is a science through whose field -Nine out of ten in the wrong road will blunder, -And in it so much poison lies concealed, -That mould you this mistake for physic, no great wonder. -Here also it were best, if only one you heard -And swore to that one master's word. -Upon the whole--words only heed you! -These through the temple door will lead you -Safe to the shrine of certainty. - -_Scholar_. Yet in the word a thought must surely be. - -_Mephistopheles_. All right! But one must not perplex himself about it; -For just where one must go without it, -The word comes in, a friend in need, to thee. -With words can one dispute most featly, -With words build up a system neatly, -In words thy faith may stand unshaken, -From words there can be no iota taken. - -_Scholar_. Forgive my keeping you with many questions, -Yet must I trouble you once more, -Will you not give me, on the score -Of medicine, some brief suggestions? -Three years are a short time, O God! -And then the field is quite too broad. -If one had only before his nose -Something else as a hint to follow!-- - -_Mephistopheles_ [_aside_]. I'm heartily tired of this dry prose, -Must play the devil again out hollow. - [_Aloud_.] -The healing art is quickly comprehended; -Through great and little world you look abroad, -And let it wag, when all is ended, -As pleases God. -Vain is it that your science sweeps the skies, -Each, after all, learns only what he can; -Who grasps the moment as it flies -He is the real man. -Your person somewhat takes the eye, -Boldness you'll find an easy science, -And if you on yourself rely, -Others on you will place reliance. -In the women's good graces seek first to be seated; -Their oh's and ah's, well known of old, -So thousand-fold, -Are all from a single point to be treated; -Be decently modest and then with ease -You may get the blind side of them when you please. -A title, first, their confidence must waken, -That _your_ art many another art transcends, -Then may you, lucky man, on all those trifles reckon -For which another years of groping spends: -Know how to press the little pulse that dances, -And fearlessly, with sly and fiery glances, -Clasp the dear creatures round the waist -To see how tightly they are laced. - -_Scholar_. This promises! One loves the How and Where to see! - -_Mephistopheles_. Gray, worthy friend, is all your theory -And green the golden tree of life. - -_Scholar_. I seem, -I swear to you, like one who walks in dream. -Might I another time, without encroaching, -Hear you the deepest things of wisdom broaching? - -_Mephistopheles_. So far as I have power, you may. - -_Scholar_. I cannot tear myself away, -Till I to you my album have presented. -Grant me one line and I'm contented! - -_Mephistopheles_. With pleasure. - [_Writes and returns it_.] - -_Scholar [reads]._ Eritis sicut Deus, scientes bonum et malum. - [_Shuts it reverently, and bows himself out_.] - -_Mephistopheles_. -Let but the brave old saw and my aunt, the serpent, guide thee, -And, with thy likeness to God, shall woe one day betide thee! - -_Faust [enters_]. Which way now shall we go? - -_Mephistopheles_. Which way it pleases thee. -The little world and then the great we see. -O with what gain, as well as pleasure, -Wilt thou the rollicking cursus measure! - -_Faust_. I fear the easy life and free -With my long beard will scarce agree. -'Tis vain for me to think of succeeding, -I never could learn what is called good-breeding. -In the presence of others I feel so small; -I never can be at my ease at all. - -_Mephistopheles_. Dear friend, vain trouble to yourself you're giving; -Whence once you trust yourself, you know the art of living. - -_Faust_. But how are we to start, I pray? -Where are thy servants, coach and horses? - -_Mephistopheles_. We spread the mantle, and away -It bears us on our airy courses. -But, on this bold excursion, thou -Must take no great portmanteau now. -A little oxygen, which I will soon make ready, -From earth uplifts us, quick and steady. -And if we're light, we'll soon surmount the sphere; -I give thee hearty joy in this thy new career. - - - - - AUERBACH'S CELLAR IN LEIPSIC.[20] - - _Carousal of Jolly Companions_. - - -_Frosch_.[21] Will nobody drink? Stop those grimaces! -I'll teach you how to be cutting your faces! -Laugh out! You're like wet straw to-day, -And blaze, at other times, like dry hay. - -_Brander_. 'Tis all your fault; no food for fun you bring, -Not a nonsensical nor nasty thing. - -_Frosch [dashes a glass of wine over his bead_]. There you have both! - -_Brander_. You hog twice o'er! - -_Frosch_. You wanted it, what would you more? - -_Siebel_ Out of the door with them that brawl! -Strike up a round; swill, shout there, one and all! -Wake up! Hurra! - -_Altmayer_. Woe's me, I'm lost! Bring cotton! -The rascal splits my ear-drum. - -_Siebel_. Only shout on! -When all the arches ring and yell, -Then does the base make felt its true ground-swell. - -_Frosch_. That's right, just throw him out, who undertakes to fret! -A! tara! lara da! - -_Altmayer_. A! tara! lara da! - -_Frosch_. Our whistles all are wet. - [_Sings_.] - The dear old holy Romish realm, - What holds it still together? - -_Brander_. A sorry song! Fie! a political song! -A tiresome song! Thank God each morning therefor, -That you have not the Romish realm to care for! -At least I count it a great gain that He -Kaiser nor chancellor has made of me. -E'en we can't do without a head, however; -To choose a pope let us endeavour. -You know what qualification throws -The casting vote and the true man shows. - -_Frosch [sings_]. - Lady Nightingale, upward soar, - Greet me my darling ten thousand times o'er. - -_Siebel_. No greetings to that girl! Who does so, I resent it! - -_Frosch_. A greeting and a kiss! And you will not prevent it! - [_Sings.]_ - Draw the bolts! the night is clear. - Draw the bolts! Love watches near. - Close the bolts! the dawn is here. - -_Siebel_. Ay, sing away and praise and glorify your dear! -Soon I shall have my time for laughter. -The jade has jilted me, and will you too hereafter; -May Kobold, for a lover, be her luck! -At night may he upon the cross-way meet her; -Or, coming from the Blocksberg, some old buck -May, as he gallops by, a good-night bleat her! -A fellow fine of real flesh and blood -Is for the wench a deal too good. -She'll get from me but one love-token, -That is to have her window broken! - -_Brander [striking on the table_]. Attend! attend! To me give ear! -I know what's life, ye gents, confess it: -We've lovesick people sitting near, -And it is proper they should hear -A good-night strain as well as I can dress it. -Give heed! And hear a bran-new song! -Join in the chorus loud and strong! - [_He sings_.] - A rat in the cellar had built his nest, - He daily grew sleeker and smoother, - He lined his paunch from larder and chest, - And was portly as Doctor Luther. - The cook had set him poison one day; - From that time forward he pined away - As if he had love in his body. - -_Chorus [flouting_]. As if he had love in his body. - -_Brander_. He raced about with a terrible touse, - From all the puddles went swilling, - He gnawed and he scratched all over the house, - His pain there was no stilling; - He made full many a jump of distress, - And soon the poor beast got enough, I guess, - As if he had love in his body. - -_Chorus_. As if he had love in his body. - -_Brander_. With pain he ran, in open day, - Right up into the kitchen; - He fell on the hearth and there he lay - Gasping and moaning and twitchin'. - Then laughed the poisoner: "He! he! he! - He's piping on the last hole," said she, - "As if he had love in his body." - -_Chorus_. As if he had love in his body. - -_Siebel_. Just hear now how the ninnies giggle! -That's what I call a genuine art, -To make poor rats with poison wriggle! - -_Brander_. You take their case so much to heart? - -_Altmayer_. The bald pate and the butter-belly! -The sad tale makes him mild and tame; -He sees in the swollen rat, poor fellow! -His own true likeness set in a frame. - - - FAUST _and_ MEPHISTOPHELES. - -_Mephistopheles_. Now, first of all, 'tis necessary -To show you people making merry, -That you may see how lightly life can run. -Each day to this small folk's a feast of fun; -Not over-witty, self-contented, -Still round and round in circle-dance they whirl, -As with their tails young kittens twirl. -If with no headache they're tormented, -Nor dunned by landlord for his pay, -They're careless, unconcerned, and gay. - -_Brander_. They're fresh from travel, one might know it, -Their air and manner plainly show it; -They came here not an hour ago. - -_Frosch_. Thou verily art right! My Leipsic well I know! -Paris in small it is, and cultivates its people. - -_Siebel_. What do the strangers seem to thee? - -_Frosch_. Just let me go! When wine our friendship mellows, -Easy as drawing a child's tooth 'twill be -To worm their secrets out of these two fellows. -They're of a noble house, I dare to swear, -They have a proud and discontented air. - -_Brander_. They're mountebanks, I'll bet a dollar! - -_Altmayer_. Perhaps. - -_Frosch_. I'll smoke them, mark you that! - -_Mephistopheles_ [_to Faust_]. These people never smell the old rat, -E'en when he has them by the collar. - -_Faust_. Fair greeting to you, sirs! - -_Siebel_. The same, and thanks to boot. - [_In a low tone, faking a side look at MEPHISTOPHELES_.] -Why has the churl one halting foot? - -_Mephistopheles_. With your permission, shall we make one party? -Instead of a good drink, which get here no one can, -Good company must make us hearty. - -_Altmayer_. You seem a very fastidious man. - -_Frosch_. I think you spent some time at Rippach[22] lately? -You supped with Mister Hans not long since, I dare say? - -_Mephistopheles_. We passed him on the road today! -Fine man! it grieved us parting with him, greatly. -He'd much to say to us about his cousins, -And sent to each, through us, his compliments by dozens. - [_He bows to_ FROSCH.] - -_Altmayer_ [_softly_]. You've got it there! he takes! - -_Siebel_. The chap don't want for wit! - -_Frosch_. I'll have him next time, wait a bit! - -_Mephistopheles_. If I mistook not, didn't we hear -Some well-trained voices chorus singing? -'Faith, music must sound finely here. -From all these echoing arches ringing! - -_Frosch_. You are perhaps a connoisseur? - -_Mephistopheles_. O no! my powers are small, I'm but an amateur. - -_Altmayer_. Give us a song! - -_Mephistopheles_. As many's you desire. - -_Siebel_. But let it be a bran-new strain! - -_Mephistopheles_. No fear of that! We've just come back from Spain, -The lovely land of wine and song and lyre. - [_Sings_.] - There was a king, right stately, - Who had a great, big flea,-- - -_Frosch_. Hear him! A flea! D'ye take there, boys? A flea! -I call that genteel company. - -_Mephistopheles_ [_resumes_]. There was a king, right stately, - Who had a great, big flea, - And loved him very greatly, - As if his own son were he. - He called the knight of stitches; - The tailor came straightway: - Ho! measure the youngster for breeches, - And make him a coat to-day! - -_Brander_. But don't forget to charge the knight of stitches, -The measure carefully to take, -And, as he loves his precious neck, -To leave no wrinkles in the breeches. - -_Mephistopheles_. In silk and velvet splendid - The creature now was drest, - To his coat were ribbons appended, - A cross was on his breast. - He had a great star on his collar, - Was a minister, in short; - And his relatives, greater and smaller, - Became great people at court. - - The lords and ladies of honor - Fared worse than if they were hung, - The queen, she got them upon her, - And all were bitten and stung, - And did not dare to attack them, - Nor scratch, but let them stick. - We choke them and we crack them - The moment we feel one prick. - -_Chorus_ [_loud_]. We choke 'em and we crack 'em -The moment we feel one prick. - -_Frosch_. Bravo! Bravo! That was fine! - -_Siebel_. So shall each flea his life resign! - -_Brander_. Point your fingers and nip them fine! - -_Altmayer_. Hurra for Liberty! Hurra for Wine! - -_Mephistopheles_. I'd pledge the goddess, too, to show how high I set her, -Right gladly, if your wines were just a trifle better. - -_Siebel_. Don't say that thing again, you fretter! - -_Mephistopheles_. Did I not fear the landlord to affront; -I'd show these worthy guests this minute -What kind of stuff our stock has in it. - -_Siebel_. Just bring it on! I'll bear the brunt. - -_Frosch_. Give us a brimming glass, our praise shall then be ample, -But don't dole out too small a sample; -For if I'm to judge and criticize, -I need a good mouthful to make me wise. - -_Altmayer_ [_softly_]. They're from the Rhine, as near as I can make it. - -_Mephistopheles_. Bring us a gimlet here! - -_Brander_. What shall be done with that? -You've not the casks before the door, I take it? - -_Altmayer_. The landlord's tool-chest there is easily got at. - -_Mephistopheles_ [_takes the gimlet_] (_to Frosch_). -What will you have? It costs but speaking. - -_Frosch_. How do you mean? Have you so many kinds? - -_Mephistopheles_. Enough to suit all sorts of minds. - -_Altmayer_. Aha! old sot, your lips already licking! - -_Frosch_. Well, then! if I must choose, let Rhine-wine fill my beaker, -Our fatherland supplies the noblest liquor. - - MEPHISTOPHELES - [_boring a hole in the rim of the table near the place - where_ FROSCH _sits_]. -Get us a little wax right off to make the stoppers! - -_Altmayer_. Ah, these are jugglers' tricks, and whappers! - -_Mephistopheles_ [_to Brander_]. And you? - -_Brander_. Champaigne's the wine for me, -But then right sparkling it must be! - - [MEPHISTOPHELES _bores; meanwhile one of them has made - the wax-stoppers and stopped the holes_.] - -_Brander_. Hankerings for foreign things will sometimes haunt you, -The good so far one often finds; -Your real German man can't bear the French, I grant you, -And yet will gladly drink their wines. - -_Siebel_ [_while Mephistopheles approaches his seat_]. -I don't like sour, it sets my mouth awry, -Let mine have real sweetness in it! - -_Mephistopheles_ [_bores_]. Well, you shall have Tokay this minute. - -_Altmayer_. No, sirs, just look me in the eye! -I see through this, 'tis what the chaps call smoking. - -_Mephistopheles_. Come now! That would be serious joking, -To make so free with worthy men. -But quickly now! Speak out again! -With what description can I serve you? - -_Altmayer_. Wait not to ask; with any, then. - - [_After all the holes are bored and stopped_.] - -_Mephistopheles_ [_with singular gestures_]. -From the vine-stock grapes we pluck; -Horns grow on the buck; -Wine is juicy, the wooden table, -Like wooden vines, to give wine is able. -An eye for nature's depths receive! -Here is a miracle, only believe! -Now draw the plugs and drink your fill! - - ALL - [_drawing the stoppers, and catching each in his glass - the wine he had desired_]. -Sweet spring, that yields us what we will! - -_Mephistopheles_. Only be careful not a drop to spill! - [_They drink repeatedly_.] - -_All_ [_sing_]. We're happy all as cannibals, - Five hundred hogs together. - -_Mephistopheles_. Look at them now, they're happy as can be! - -_Faust_. To go would suit my inclination. - -_Mephistopheles_. But first give heed, their bestiality -Will make a glorious demonstration. - - SIEBEL - [_drinks carelessly; the wine is spilt upon the ground - and turns to flame_]. -Help! fire! Ho! Help! The flames of hell! - -_Mephistopheles [_conjuring the flame_]. -Peace, friendly element, be still! - [_To the Toper_.] -This time 'twas but a drop of fire from purgatory. - -_Siebel_. What does this mean? Wait there, or you'll be sorry! -It seems you do not know us well. - -_Frosch_. Not twice, in this way, will it do to joke us! - -_Altmayer_. I vote, we give him leave himself here _scarce_ to make. - -_Siebel_. What, sir! How dare you undertake -To carry on here your old hocus-pocus? - -_Mephistopheles_. Be still, old wine-cask! - -_Siebel_. Broomstick, you! -Insult to injury add? Confound you! - -_Brander_. Stop there! Or blows shall rain down round you! - - ALTMAYER - [_draws a stopper out of the table; fire flies at him_]. -I burn! I burn! - -_Siebel_. Foul sorcery! Shame! -Lay on! the rascal is fair game! - - [_They draw their knives and rush at_ MEPHISTOPHELES.] - -_Mephistopheles_ [_with a serious mien_]. -Word and shape of air! -Change place, new meaning wear! -Be here--and there! - - [_They stand astounded and look at each other_.] - -_Altmayer_. Where am I? What a charming land! - -_Frosch_. Vine hills! My eyes! Is't true? - -_Siebel_. And grapes, too, close at hand! - -_Brander_. Beneath this green see what a stem is growing! -See what a bunch of grapes is glowing! - [_He seizes_ SIEBEL _by the nose. The rest do the same to each - other and raise their knives._] - -_Mephistopheles_ [_as above_]. Loose, Error, from their eyes the band! -How Satan plays his tricks, you need not now be told of. - [_He vanishes with_ FAUST, _the companions start back from each - other_.] - -_Siebel_. What ails me? - -_Altmayer_. How? - -_Frosch_. Was that thy nose, friend, I had hold of? - -_Brander_ [_to Siebel_]. And I have thine, too, in my hand! - -_Altmayer_. O what a shock! through all my limbs 'tis crawling! -Get me a chair, be quick, I'm falling! - -_Frosch_. No, say what was the real case? - -_Siebel_. O show me where the churl is hiding! -Alive he shall not leave the place! - -_Altmayer_. Out through the cellar-door I saw him riding-- -Upon a cask--he went full chase.-- -Heavy as lead my feet are growing. - - [_Turning towards the table_.] - -My! If the wine should yet be flowing. - -_Siebel_. 'Twas all deception and moonshine. - -_Frosch_. Yet I was sure I did drink wine. - -_Brander_. But how about the bunches, brother? - -_Altmayer_. After such miracles, I'll doubt no other! - - - - - WITCHES' KITCHEN. - - [_On a low hearth stands a great kettle over the fire. In the smoke, -which rises from it, are seen various forms. A female monkey[28] sits by -the kettle and skims it, and takes care that it does not run over. The -male monkey with the young ones sits close by, warming himself. Walls and -ceiling are adorned 'with the most singular witch-household stuff_.] - - - FAUST. MEPHISTOPHELES. - -_Faust_. Would that this vile witch-business were well over! -Dost promise me I shall recover -In this hodge-podge of craziness? -From an old hag do I advice require? -And will this filthy cooked-up mess -My youth by thirty years bring nigher? -Woe's me, if that's the best you know! -Already hope is from my bosom banished. -Has not a noble mind found long ago -Some balsam to restore a youth that's vanished? - -_Mephistopheles_. My friend, again thou speakest a wise thought! -I know a natural way to make thee young,--none apter! -But in another book it must be sought, -And is a quite peculiar chapter. - -_Faust_. I beg to know it. - -_Mephistopheles_. Well! here's one that needs no pay, -No help of physic, nor enchanting. -Out to the fields without delay, -And take to hacking, digging, planting; -Run the same round from day to day, -A treadmill-life, contented, leading, -With simple fare both mind and body feeding, -Live with the beast as beast, nor count it robbery -Shouldst thou manure, thyself, the field thou reapest; -Follow this course and, trust to me, -For eighty years thy youth thou keepest! - -_Faust_. I am not used to that, I ne'er could bring me to it, -To wield the spade, I could not do it. -The narrow life befits me not at all. - -_Mephistopheles_. So must we on the witch, then, call. - -_Faust_. But why just that old hag? Canst thou -Not brew thyself the needful liquor? - -_Mephistopheles_. That were a pretty pastime now -I'd build about a thousand bridges quicker. -Science and art alone won't do, -The work will call for patience, too; -Costs a still spirit years of occupation: -Time, only, strengthens the fine fermentation. -To tell each thing that forms a part -Would sound to thee like wildest fable! -The devil indeed has taught the art; -To make it not the devil is able. - [_Espying the animals_.] -See, what a genteel breed we here parade! -This is the house-boy! that's the maid! - [_To the animals_.] -Where's the old lady gone a mousing? - -_The animals_. Carousing; -Out she went -By the chimney-vent! - -_Mephistopheles_. How long does she spend in gadding and storming? - -_The animals_. While we are giving our paws a warming. - -_Mephistopheles_ [_to Faust_]. How do you find the dainty creatures? - -_Faust_. Disgusting as I ever chanced to see! - -_Mephistopheles_. No! a discourse like this to me, -I own, is one of life's most pleasant features; - [_To the animals_.] -Say, cursed dolls, that sweat, there, toiling! -What are you twirling with the spoon? - -_Animals_. A common beggar-soup we're boiling. - -_Mephistopheles_. You'll have a run of custom soon. - - THE HE-MONKEY - [_Comes along and fawns on_ MEPHISTOPHELES]. - O fling up the dice, - Make me rich in a trice, - Turn fortune's wheel over! - My lot is right bad, - If money I had, - My wits would recover. - -_Mephistopheles_. The monkey'd be as merry as a cricket, -Would somebody give him a lottery-ticket! - - [_Meanwhile the young monkeys have been playing with a great - ball, which they roll backward and forward_.] - -_The monkey_. 'The world's the ball; - See't rise and fall, - Its roll you follow; - Like glass it rings: - Both, brittle things! - Within 'tis hollow. - There it shines clear, - And brighter here,-- - I live--by 'Pollo!-- - Dear son, I pray, - Keep hands away! - _Thou_ shalt fall so! - 'Tis made of clay, - Pots are, also. - -_Mephistopheles_. What means the sieve? - -_The monkey [takes it down_]. Wert thou a thief, - 'Twould show the thief and shame him. - [_Runs to his mate and makes her look through_.] - Look through the sieve! - Discern'st thou the thief, - And darest not name him? - -_Mephistopheles [approaching the fire_]. And what's this pot? - -_The monkeys_. The dunce! I'll be shot! - He knows not the pot, - He knows not the kettle! - -_Mephistopheles_. Impertinence! Hush! - -_The monkey_. Here, take you the brush, - And sit on the settle! - [_He forces_ MEPHISTOPHELES _to sit down_.] - - FAUST - [_who all this time has been standing before a looking-glass, - now approaching and now receding from it_]. - -What do I see? What heavenly face -Doth, in this magic glass, enchant me! -O love, in mercy, now, thy swiftest pinions grant me! -And bear me to her field of space! -Ah, if I seek to approach what doth so haunt me, -If from this spot I dare to stir, -Dimly as through a mist I gaze on her!-- -The loveliest vision of a woman! -Such lovely woman can there be? -Must I in these reposing limbs naught human. -But of all heavens the finest essence see? -Was such a thing on earth seen ever? - -_Mephistopheles_. Why, when you see a God six days in hard work spend, -And then cry bravo at the end, -Of course you look for something clever. -Look now thy fill; I have for thee -Just such a jewel, and will lead thee to her; -And happy, whose good fortune it shall be, -To bear her home, a prospered wooer! - -[FAUST _keeps on looking into the mirror_. MEPHISTOPHELES -_stretching himself out on the settle and playing with the brush, -continues speaking_.] -Here sit I like a king upon his throne, -The sceptre in my hand,--I want the crown alone. - - THE ANIMALS - [_who up to this time have been going through all sorts of queer antics - with each other, bring_ MEPHISTOPHELES _a crown with a loud cry_]. - O do be so good,-- - With sweat and with blood, - To take it and lime it; - [_They go about clumsily with the crown and break it into two pieces, - with which they jump round_.] - 'Tis done now! We're free! - We speak and we see, - We hear and we rhyme it; - -_Faust [facing the mirror_]. Woe's me! I've almost lost my wits. - -_Mephistopheles [pointing to the animals_]. -My head, too, I confess, is very near to spinning. - -_The animals_. And then if it hits - And every thing fits, - We've thoughts for our winning. - -_Faust [as before_]. Up to my heart the flame is flying! -Let us begone--there's danger near! - -_Mephistopheles [in the former position_]. -Well, this, at least, there's no denying, -That we have undissembled poets here. - -[The kettle, which the she-monkey has hitherto left unmatched, begins to -run over; a great flame breaks out, which roars up the chimney. The_ WITCH -_comes riding down through the flame with a terrible outcry_.] - -_Witch_. Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! - The damned beast! The cursed sow! - Neglected the kettle, scorched the Frau! - The cursed crew! - [_Seeing_ FAUST _and_ MEPHISTOPHELES.] - And who are you? - And what d'ye do? - And what d'ye want? - And who sneaked in? - The fire-plague grim - Shall light on him - In every limb! - - [_She makes a dive at the kettle with the skimmer and spatters flames - at _FAUST, MEPHISTOPHELES_, and the creatures. These last whimper_.] - - MEPHISTOPHELES - [_inverting the brush which he holds in his hand, and striking - among the glasses and pots_]. - - In two! In two! - There lies the brew! - There lies the glass! - This joke must pass; - For time-beat, ass! - To thy melody, 'twill do. - [_While the_ WITCH _starts back full of wrath and horror.] -Skeleton! Scarcecrow! Spectre! Know'st thou me, -Thy lord and master? What prevents my dashing -Right in among thy cursed company, -Thyself and all thy monkey spirits smashing? -Has the red waistcoat thy respect no more? -Has the cock's-feather, too, escaped attention? -Hast never seen this face before? -My name, perchance, wouldst have me mention? - -_The witch_. Pardon the rudeness, sir, in me! -But sure no cloven foot I see. -Nor find I your two ravens either. - -_Mephistopheles_. I'll let thee off for this once so; -For a long while has passed, full well I know, -Since the last time we met together. -The culture, too, which licks the world to shape, -The devil himself cannot escape; -The phantom of the North men's thoughts have left behind them, -Horns, tail, and claws, where now d'ye find them? -And for the foot, with which dispense I nowise can, -'Twould with good circles hurt my standing; -And so I've worn, some years, like many a fine young man, -False calves to make me more commanding. - -_The witch [dancing_]. O I shall lose my wits, I fear, -Do I, again, see Squire Satan here! - -_Mephistopheles_. Woman, the name offends my ear! - -_The witch_. Why so? What has it done to you? - -_Mephistopheles_. It has long since to fable-books been banished; -But men are none the better for it; true, -The wicked _one_, but not the wicked _ones_, has vanished. -Herr Baron callst thou me, then all is right and good; -I am a cavalier, like others. Doubt me? -Doubt for a moment of my noble blood? -See here the family arms I bear about me! - [_He makes an indecent gesture.] - -The witch [laughs immoderately_]. Ha! ha! full well I know you, sir! -You are the same old rogue you always were! - -_Mephistopheles [to Faust_]. I pray you, carefully attend, -This is the way to deal with witches, friend. - -_The witch_. Now, gentles, what shall I produce? - -_Mephistopheles_. A right good glassful of the well-known juice! -And pray you, let it be the oldest; -Age makes it doubly strong for use. - -_The witch_. Right gladly! Here I have a bottle, -From which, at times, I wet my throttle; -Which now, not in the slightest, stinks; -A glass to you I don't mind giving; - [_Softly_.] -But if this man, without preparing, drinks, -He has not, well you know, another hour for living. - -_Mephistopheles_. -'Tis a good friend of mine, whom it shall straight cheer up; -Thy kitchen's best to give him don't delay thee. -Thy ring--thy spell, now, quick, I pray thee, -And give him then a good full cup. - -[_The_ WITCH, _with strange gestures, draws a circle, and places singular -things in it; mean-while the glasses begin to ring, the kettle to sound -and make music. Finally, she brings a great book and places the monkeys in -the circle, whom she uses as a reading-desk and to hold the torches. She -beckons_ FAUST _to come to her_.] - -_Faust [to Mephistopheles_]. -Hold! what will come of this? These creatures, -These frantic gestures and distorted features, -And all the crazy, juggling fluff, -I've known and loathed it long enough! - -_Mephistopheles_. Pugh! that is only done to smoke us; -Don't be so serious, my man! -She must, as Doctor, play her hocus-pocus -To make the dose work better, that's the plan. - [_He constrains_ FAUST _to step into the circle_.] - - THE WITCH - [_beginning with great emphasis to declaim out of the book_] - - Remember then! - Of One make Ten, - The Two let be, - Make even Three, - There's wealth for thee. - The Four pass o'er! - Of Five and Six, - (The witch so speaks,) - Make Seven and Eight, - The thing is straight: - And Nine is One - And Ten is none-- - This is the witch's one-time-one![24] - -_Faust_. The old hag talks like one delirious. - -_Mephistopheles_. There's much more still, no less mysterious, -I know it well, the whole book sounds just so! -I've lost full many a year in poring o'er it, -For perfect contradiction, you must know, -A mystery stands, and fools and wise men bow before it, -The art is old and new, my son. -Men, in all times, by craft and terror, -With One and Three, and Three and One, -For truth have propagated error. -They've gone on gabbling so a thousand years; -Who on the fools would waste a minute? -Man generally thinks, if words he only hears, -Articulated noise must have some meaning in it. - -_The witch [goes on_]. Deep wisdom's power - Has, to this hour, - From all the world been hidden! - Whoso thinks not, - To him 'tis brought, - To him it comes unbidden. - -_Faust_. What nonsense is she talking here? -My heart is on the point of cracking. -In one great choir I seem to hear -A hundred thousand ninnies clacking. - -_Mephistopheles_. Enough, enough, rare Sibyl, sing us -These runes no more, thy beverage bring us, -And quickly fill the goblet to the brim; -This drink may by my friend be safely taken: -Full many grades the man can reckon, -Many good swigs have entered him. - - [_The_ WITCH, _with many ceremonies, pours the drink into a cup; - as she puts it to_ FAUST'S _lips, there rises a light flame_.] - -_Mephistopheles_. Down with it! Gulp it down! 'Twill prove -All that thy heart's wild wants desire. -Thou, with the devil, hand and glove,[25] -And yet wilt be afraid of fire? - - [_The_ WITCH _breaks the circle_; FAUST _steps out_.] - -_Mephistopheles_. Now briskly forth! No rest for thee! - -_The witch_. Much comfort may the drink afford you! - -_Mephistopheles [to the witch_]. And any favor you may ask of me, -I'll gladly on Walpurgis' night accord you. - -_The witch_. Here is a song, which if you sometimes sing, -'Twill stir up in your heart a special fire. - -_Mephistopheles [to Faust_]. Only make haste; and even shouldst thou tire, -Still follow me; one must perspire, -That it may set his nerves all quivering. -I'll teach thee by and bye to prize a noble leisure, -And soon, too, shalt thou feel with hearty pleasure, -How busy Cupid stirs, and shakes his nimble wing. - -_Faust_. But first one look in yonder glass, I pray thee! -Such beauty I no more may find! - -_Mephistopheles_. Nay! in the flesh thine eyes shall soon display thee -The model of all woman-kind. - [_Softly_.] -Soon will, when once this drink shall heat thee, -In every girl a Helen meet thee! - - - - - A STREET. - - FAUST. MARGARET [_passing over_]. - -_Faust_. My fair young lady, will it offend her -If I offer my arm and escort to lend her? - -_Margaret_. Am neither lady, nor yet am fair! -Can find my way home without any one's care. - [_Disengages herself and exit_.] - -_Faust_. By heavens, but then the child _is_ fair! -I've never seen the like, I swear. -So modest is she and so pure, -And somewhat saucy, too, to be sure. -The light of the cheek, the lip's red bloom, -I shall never forget to the day of doom! -How me cast down her lovely eyes, -Deep in my soul imprinted lies; -How she spoke up, so curt and tart, -Ah, that went right to my ravished heart! - [_Enter_ MEPHISTOPHELES.] - -_Faust_. Hark, thou shalt find me a way to address her! - -_Mephistopheles_. Which one? - -_Faust_. She just went by. - -_Mephistopheles_. What! She? -She came just now from her father confessor, -Who from all sins pronounced her free; -I stole behind her noiselessly, -'Tis an innocent thing, who, for nothing at all, -Must go to the confessional; -O'er such as she no power I hold! - -_Faust_. But then she's over fourteen years old. - -_Mephistopheles_. Thou speak'st exactly like Jack Rake, -Who every fair flower his own would make. -And thinks there can be no favor nor fame, -But one may straightway pluck the same. -But 'twill not always do, we see. - -_Faust_. My worthy Master Gravity, -Let not a word of the Law be spoken! -One thing be clearly understood,-- -Unless I clasp the sweet, young blood -This night in my arms--then, well and good: -When midnight strikes, our bond is broken. - -_Mephistopheles_. Reflect on all that lies in the way! -I need a fortnight, at least, to a day, -For finding so much as a way to reach her. - -_Faust_. Had I seven hours, to call my own, -Without the devil's aid, alone -I'd snare with ease so young a creature. - -_Mephistopheles_. You talk quite Frenchman-like to-day; -But don't be vexed beyond all measure. -What boots it thus to snatch at pleasure? -'Tis not so great, by a long way, -As if you first, with tender twaddle, -And every sort of fiddle-faddle, -Your little doll should mould and knead, -As one in French romances may read. - -_Faust_. My appetite needs no such spur. - -_Mephistopheles_. Now, then, without a jest or slur, -I tell you, once for all, such speed -With the fair creature won't succeed. -Nothing will here by storm be taken; -We must perforce on intrigue reckon. - -_Faust_. Get me some trinket the angel has blest! -Lead me to her chamber of rest! -Get me a 'kerchief from her neck, -A garter get me for love's sweet sake! - -_Mephistopheles_. To prove to you my willingness -To aid and serve you in this distress; -You shall visit her chamber, by me attended, -Before the passing day is ended. - -_Faust_. And see her, too? and have her? - -_Mephistopheles_. Nay! -She will to a neighbor's have gone away. -Meanwhile alone by yourself you may, -There in her atmosphere, feast at leisure -And revel in dreams of future pleasure. - -_Faust_. Shall we start at once? - -_Mephistopheles_. 'Tis too early yet. - -_Faust_. Some present to take her for me you must get. - - [_Exit_.] - -_Mephistopheles_. Presents already! Brave! He's on the right foundation! -Full many a noble place I know, -And treasure buried long ago; -Must make a bit of exploration. - - [_Exit_.] - - - - - EVENING. - - _A little cleanly Chamber_. - -MARGARET [_braiding and tying up her hair_.] -I'd give a penny just to say -What gentleman that was to-day! -How very gallant he seemed to be, -He's of a noble family; -That I could read from his brow and bearing-- -And he would not have otherwise been so daring. - [_Exit_.] - - FAUST. MEPHISTOPHELES. - -_Mephistopheles_. Come in, step softly, do not fear! - -_Faust [after a pause_]. Leave me alone, I prithee, here! - -_Mephistopheles [peering round_]. Not every maiden keeps so neat. - [_Exit_.] - -_Faust [gazing round_]. Welcome this hallowed still retreat! -Where twilight weaves its magic glow. -Seize on my heart, love-longing, sad and sweet, -That on the dew of hope dost feed thy woe! -How breathes around the sense of stillness, -Of quiet, order, and content! -In all this poverty what fulness! -What blessedness within this prison pent! - [_He throws himself into a leathern chair by the bed_.] -Take me, too! as thou hast, in years long flown, -In joy and grief, so many a generation! -Ah me! how oft, on this ancestral throne, -Have troops of children climbed with exultation! -Perhaps, when Christmas brought the Holy Guest, -My love has here, in grateful veneration -The grandsire's withered hand with child-lips prest. -I feel, O maiden, circling me, -Thy spirit of grace and fulness hover, -Which daily like a mother teaches thee -The table-cloth to spread in snowy purity, -And even, with crinkled sand the floor to cover. -Dear, godlike hand! a touch of thine -Makes this low house a heavenly kingdom slime! -And here! - [_He lifts a bed-curtain_.] -What blissful awe my heart thrills through! -Here for long hours could I linger. -Here, Nature! in light dreams, thy airy finger -The inborn angel's features drew! -Here lay the child, when life's fresh heavings -Its tender bosom first made warm, -And here with pure, mysterious weavings -The spirit wrought its godlike form! - And thou! What brought thee here? what power -Stirs in my deepest soul this hour? -What wouldst thou here? What makes thy heart so sore? -Unhappy Faust! I know thee thus no more. - Breathe I a magic atmosphere? -The will to enjoy how strong I felt it,-- -And in a dream of love am now all melted! -Are we the sport of every puff of air? - And if she suddenly should enter now, -How would she thy presumptuous folly humble! -Big John-o'dreams! ah, how wouldst thou -Sink at her feet, collapse and crumble! - -_Mephistopheles_. Quick, now! She comes! I'm looking at her. - -_Faust_. Away! Away! O cruel fate! - -_Mephistopheles_. Here is a box of moderate weight; -I got it somewhere else--no matter! -Just shut it up, here, in the press, -I swear to you, 'twill turn her senses; -I meant the trifles, I confess, -To scale another fair one's fences. -True, child is child and play is play. - -_Faust_. Shall I? I know not. - -_Mephistopheles_. Why delay? -You mean perhaps to keep the bauble? -If so, I counsel you to spare -From idle passion hours so fair, -And me, henceforth, all further trouble. -I hope you are not avaricious! -I rub my hands, I scratch my head-- - [_He places the casket in the press and locks it up again_.] - (Quick! Time we sped!)-- -That the dear creature may be led -And moulded by your will and wishes; -And you stand here as glum, -As one at the door of the auditorium, -As if before your eyes you saw -In bodily shape, with breathless awe, -Metaphysics and physics, grim and gray! -Away! - [_Exit_.] - -_Margaret [with a lamp_]. It seems so close, so sultry here. - [_She opens the window_.] -Yet it isn't so very warm out there, -I feel--I know not how--oh dear! -I wish my mother 'ld come home, I declare! -I feel a shudder all over me crawl-- -I'm a silly, timid thing, that's all! - [_She begins to sing, while undressing_.] - There was a king in Thulè, - To whom, when near her grave, - The mistress he loved so truly - A golden goblet gave. - - He cherished it as a lover, - He drained it, every bout; - His eyes with tears ran over, - As oft as he drank thereout. - - And when he found himself dying, - His towns and cities he told; - Naught else to his heir denying - Save only the goblet of gold. - - His knights he straightway gathers - And in the midst sate he, - In the banquet hall of the fathers - In the castle over the sea. - - There stood th' old knight of liquor, - And drank the last life-glow, - Then flung the holy beaker - Into the flood below. - - He saw it plunging, drinking - And sinking in the roar, - His eyes in death were sinking, - He never drank one drop more. - [_She opens the press, to put away her clothes, - and discovers the casket_.] - -How in the world came this fine casket here? -I locked the press, I'm very clear. -I wonder what's inside! Dear me! it's very queer! -Perhaps 'twas brought here as a pawn, -In place of something mother lent. -Here is a little key hung on, -A single peep I shan't repent! -What's here? Good gracious! only see! -I never saw the like in my born days! -On some chief festival such finery -Might on some noble lady blaze. -How would this chain become my neck! -Whose may this splendor be, so lonely? - [_She arrays herself in it, and steps before the glass_.] -Could I but claim the ear-rings only! -A different figure one would make. -What's beauty worth to thee, young blood! -May all be very well and good; -What then? 'Tis half for pity's sake -They praise your pretty features. -Each burns for gold, -All turns on gold,-- -Alas for us! poor creatures! - - - - - PROMENADE. - - - FAUST [_going up and down in thought_.] MEPHISTOPHELES _to him_. - -_Mephistopheles_. By all that ever was jilted! By all the infernal fires! -I wish I knew something worse, to curse as my heart desires! - -_Faust_. What griping pain has hold of thee? -Such grins ne'er saw I in the worst stage-ranter! - -_Mephistopheles_. Oh, to the devil I'd give myself instanter, -If I were not already he! - -_Faust_. Some pin's loose in your head, old fellow! -That fits you, like a madman thus to bellow! - -_Mephistopheles_. Just think, the pretty toy we got for Peg, -A priest has hooked, the cursed plague I-- -The thing came under the eye of the mother, -And caused her a dreadful internal pother: -The woman's scent is fine and strong; -Snuffles over her prayer-book all day long, -And knows, by the smell of an article, plain, -Whether the thing is holy or profane; -And as to the box she was soon aware -There could not be much blessing there. -"My child," she cried, "unrighteous gains -Ensnare the soul, dry up the veins. -We'll consecrate it to God's mother, -She'll give us some heavenly manna or other!" -Little Margaret made a wry face; "I see -'Tis, after all, a gift horse," said she; -"And sure, no godless one is he -Who brought it here so handsomely." -The mother sent for a priest (they're cunning); -Who scarce had found what game was running, -When he rolled his greedy eyes like a lizard, -And, "all is rightly disposed," said he, -"Who conquers wins, for a certainty. -The church has of old a famous gizzard, -She calls it little whole lands to devour, -Yet never a surfeit got to this hour; -The church alone, dear ladies; _sans_ question, -Can give unrighteous gains digestion." - -_Faust_. That is a general pratice, too, -Common alike with king and Jew. - -_Mephistopheles_. Then pocketed bracelets and chains and rings -As if they were mushrooms or some such things, -With no more thanks, (the greedy-guts!) -Than if it had been a basket of nuts, -Promised them all sorts of heavenly pay-- -And greatly edified were they. - -_Faust_. And Margery? - -_Mephistopheles_. Sits there in distress, -And what to do she cannot guess, -The jewels her daily and nightly thought, -And he still more by whom they were brought. - -_Faust._ My heart is troubled for my pet. -Get her at once another set! -The first were no great things in their way. - -_Mephistopheles._ O yes, my gentleman finds all child's play! - -_Faust._ And what I wish, that mind and do! -Stick closely to her neighbor, too. -Don't be a devil soft as pap, -And fetch me some new jewels, old chap! - -_Mephistopheles._ Yes, gracious Sir, I will with pleasure. - [_Exit_ FAUST.] -Such love-sick fools will puff away -Sun, moon, and stars, and all in the azure, -To please a maiden's whimsies, any day. - [_Exit._] - - - - - THE NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE. - - - MARTHA [_alone]._ -My dear good man--whom God forgive! -He has not treated me well, as I live! -Right off into the world he's gone -And left me on the straw alone. -I never did vex him, I say it sincerely, -I always loved him, God knows how dearly. - [_She weeps_.] -Perhaps he's dead!--O cruel fate!-- -If I only had a certificate! - - _Enter_ MARGARET. -Dame Martha! - -_Martha_. What now, Margery? - -_Margaret_. I scarce can keep my knees from sinking! -Within my press, again, not thinking, -I find a box of ebony, -With things--can't tell how grand they are,-- -More splendid than the first by far. - -_Martha_. You must not tell it to your mother, -She'd serve it as she did the other. - -_Margaret_. Ah, only look! Behold and see! - -_Martha [puts them on her_]. Fortunate thing! I envy thee! - -_Margaret._ Alas, in the street or at church I never -Could be seen on any account whatever. - -_Martha._ Come here as often as you've leisure, -And prink yourself quite privately; -Before the looking-glass walk up and down at pleasure, -Fine times for both us 'twill be; -Then, on occasions, say at some great feast, -Can show them to the world, one at a time, at least. -A chain, and then an ear-pearl comes to view; -Your mother may not see, we'll make some pretext, too. - -_Margaret._ Who could have brought both caskets in succession? -There's something here for just suspicion! - [_A knock._ ] -Ah, God! If that's my mother--then! - -_Martha_ [_peeping through the blind_]. -'Tis a strange gentleman--come in! - - [_Enter_ MEPHISTOPHELES.] -Must, ladies, on your kindness reckon -To excuse the freedom I have taken; - [_Steps back with profound respect at seeing_ MARGARET.] -I would for Dame Martha Schwerdtlein inquire! - -_Martha._ I'm she, what, sir, is your desire? - -_Mephistopheles_ [_aside to her_]. I know your face, for now 'twill do; -A distinguished lady is visiting you. -For a call so abrupt be pardon meted, -This afternoon it shall be repeated. - -_Martha [aloud]._ For all the world, think, child! my sakes! -The gentleman you for a lady takes. - -_Margaret_. Ah, God! I am a poor young blood; -The gentleman is quite too good; -The jewels and trinkets are none of my own. - -_Mephistopheles_. Ah, 'tis not the jewels and trinkets alone; -Her look is so piercing, so _distinguè_! -How glad I am to be suffered to stay. - -_Martha_. What bring you, sir? I long to hear-- - -_Mephistopheles_. Would I'd a happier tale for your ear! -I hope you'll forgive me this one for repeating: -Your husband is dead and sends you a greeting. - -_Martha_. Is dead? the faithful heart! Woe! Woe! -My husband dead! I, too, shall go! - -_Margaret_. Ah, dearest Dame, despair not thou! - -_Mephistopheles_ Then, hear the mournful story now! - -_Margaret_. Ah, keep me free from love forever, -I should never survive such a loss, no, never! - -_Mephistopheles_. Joy and woe, woe and joy, must have each other. - -_Martha_. Describe his closing hours to me! - -_Mephistopheles_. In Padua lies our departed brother, -In the churchyard of St. Anthony, -In a cool and quiet bed lies sleeping, -In a sacred spot's eternal keeping. - -_Martha_. And this was all you had to bring me? - -_Mephistopheles_. All but one weighty, grave request! -"Bid her, when I am dead, three hundred masses sing me!" -With this I have made a clean pocket and breast. - -_Martha_. What! not a medal, pin nor stone? -Such as, for memory's sake, no journeyman will lack, -Saved in the bottom of his sack, -And sooner would hunger, be a pauper-- - -_Mephistopheles_. Madam, your case is hard, I own! -But blame him not, he squandered ne'er a copper. -He too bewailed his faults with penance sore, -Ay, and his wretched luck bemoaned a great deal more. - -_Margaret_. Alas! that mortals so unhappy prove! -I surely will for him pray many a requiem duly. - -_Mephistopheles_. You're worthy of a spouse this moment; truly -You are a child a man might love. - -_Margaret_. It's not yet time for that, ah no! - -_Mephistopheles_. If not a husband, say, meanwhile a beau. -It is a choice and heavenly blessing, -Such a dear thing to one's bosom pressing. - -_Margaret_. With us the custom is not so. - -_Mephistopheles_. Custom or not! It happens, though. - -_Martha_. Tell on! - -_Mephistopheles_. I slood beside his bed, as he lay dying, -Better than dung it was somewhat,-- -Half-rotten straw; but then, he died as Christian ought, -And found an unpaid score, on Heaven's account-book lying. -"How must I hate myself," he cried, "inhuman! -So to forsake my business and my woman! -Oh! the remembrance murders me! -Would she might still forgive me this side heaven!" - -_Martha_ [_weeping_]. The dear good man! he has been long forgiven. - -_Mephistopheles_. "But God knows, I was less to blame than she." - -_Martha_. A lie! And at death's door! abominable! - -_Mephistopheles_. If I to judge of men half-way am able, -He surely fibbed while passing hence. -"Ways to kill time, (he said)--be sure, I did not need them; -First to get children--and then bread to feed them, -And bread, too, in the widest sense, -And even to eat my bit in peace could not be thought on." - -_Martha_. Has he all faithfulness, all love, so far forgotten, -The drudgery by day and night! - -_Mephistopheles_. Not so, he thought of you with all his might. -He said: "When I from Malta went away, -For wife and children my warm prayers ascended; -And Heaven so far our cause befriended, -Our ship a Turkish cruiser took one day, -Which for the mighty Sultan bore a treasure. -Then valor got its well-earned pay, -And I too, who received but my just measure, -A goodly portion bore away." - -_Martha_. How? Where? And he has left it somewhere buried? - -_Mephistopheles_. Who knows which way by the four winds 'twas carried? -He chanced to take a pretty damsel's eye, -As, a strange sailor, he through Naples jaunted; -All that she did for him so tenderly, -E'en to his blessed end the poor man haunted. - -_Martha_. The scamp! his children thus to plunder! -And could not all his troubles sore -Arrest his vile career, I wonder? - -_Mephistopheles_. But mark! his death wipes off the score. -Were I in your place now, good lady; -One year I'd mourn him piously -And look about, meanwhiles, for a new flame already. - -_Martha_. Ah, God! another such as he -I may not find with ease on this side heaven! -Few such kind fools as this dear spouse of mine. -Only to roving he was too much given, -And foreign women and foreign wine, -And that accursed game of dice. - -_Mephistopheles_. Mere trifles these; you need not heed 'em, -If he, on his part, not o'er-nice, -Winked at, in you, an occasional freedom. -I swear, on that condition, too, -I would, myself, 'change rings with you! - -_Martha_. The gentleman is pleased to jest now! - -_Mephistopheles [aside_]. I see it's now high time I stirred! -She'd take the very devil at his word. - [_To_ MARGERY.] -How is it with your heart, my best, now? - -_Margaret_. What means the gentleman? - -_Mephistopheles. [aside_]. Thou innocent young heart! - [_Aloud_.] -Ladies, farewell! - -_Margaret_. Farewell! - -_Martha_. But quick, before we part!-- -I'd like some witness, vouching truly -Where, how and when my love died and was buried duly. -I've always paid to order great attention, -Would of his death read some newspaper mention. - -_Mephistopheles_. Ay, my dear lady, in the mouths of two -Good witnesses each word is true; -I've a friend, a fine fellow, who, when you desire, -Will render on oath what you require. -I'll bring him here. - -_Martha_. O pray, sir, do! - -_Mephistopheles_. And this young lady 'll be there too? -Fine boy! has travelled everywhere, -And all politeness to the fair. - -_Margaret_. Before him shame my face must cover. - -_Mephistopheles_. Before no king the wide world over! - -_Martha_. Behind the house, in my garden, at leisure, -We'll wait this eve the gentlemen's pleasure. - - - - - STREET. - - FAUST. MEPHISTOPHELES. - -_Faust_. How now? What progress? Will 't come right? - -_Mephistopheles_. Ha, bravo? So you're all on fire? -Full soon you'll see whom you desire. -In neighbor Martha's grounds we are to meet tonight. -That woman's one of nature's picking -For pandering and gipsy-tricking! - -_Faust_. So far, so good! - -_Mephistopheles_. But one thing we must do. - -_Faust_. Well, one good turn deserves another, true. - -_Mephistopheles_. We simply make a solemn deposition -That her lord's bones are laid in good condition -In holy ground at Padua, hid from view. - -_Faust_. That's wise! But then we first must make the journey thither? - -_Mephistopheles. Sancta simplicitas_! no need of such to-do; -Just swear, and ask not why or whether. - -_Faust_. If that's the best you have, the plan's not worth a feather. - -_Mephistopheles_. O holy man! now that's just you! -In all thy life hast never, to this hour, -To give false witness taken pains? -Have you of God, the world, and all that it contains, -Of man, and all that stirs within his heart and brains, -Not given definitions with great power, -Unscrupulous breast, unblushing brow? -And if you search the matter clearly, -Knew you as much thereof, to speak sincerely, -As of Herr Schwerdtlein's death? Confess it now! - -_Faust_. Thou always wast a sophist and a liar. - -_Mephistopheles_. Ay, if one did not look a little nigher. -For will you not, in honor, to-morrow -Befool poor Margery to her sorrow, -And all the oaths of true love borrow? - -_Faust_. And from the heart, too. - -_Mephistopheles_. Well and fair! -Then there'll be talk of truth unending, -Of love o'ermastering, all transcending-- -Will every word be heart-born there? - -_Faust_. Enough! It will!--If, for the passion -That fills and thrills my being's frame, -I find no name, no fit expression, -Then, through the world, with all my senses, ranging, -Seek what most strongly speaks the unchanging. -And call this glow, within me burning, -Infinite--endless--endless yearning, -Is that a devilish lying game? - -_Mephistopheles_. I'm right, nathless! - -_Faust_. Now, hark to me-- -This once, I pray, and spare my lungs, old fellow-- -Whoever _will_ be right, and has a tongue to bellow, -Is sure to be. -But come, enough of swaggering, let's be quit, -For thou art right, because I must submit. - - - - - GARDEN. - - MARGARET _on_ FAUST'S _arm_. MARTHA _with_ MEPHISTOPHELES. - [_Promenading up and down_.] - -_Margaret_. The gentleman but makes me more confused - -With all his condescending goodness. -Men who have travelled wide are used -To bear with much from dread of rudeness; -I know too well, a man of so much mind -In my poor talk can little pleasure find. - -_Faust_. One look from thee, one word, delights me more -Than this world's wisdom o'er and o'er. - [_Kisses her hand_.] - -_Margaret_. Don't take that trouble, sir! How could you bear to kiss it? -A hand so ugly, coarse, and rough! -How much I've had to do! must I confess it-- -Mother is more than close enough. - [_They pass on_.] - -_Martha_. And you, sir, are you always travelling so? - -_Mephistopheles_. Alas, that business forces us to do it! -With what regret from many a place we go, -Though tenderest bonds may bind us to it! - -_Martha_. 'Twill do in youth's tumultuous maze -To wander round the world, a careless rover; -But soon will come the evil days, -And then, a lone dry stick, on the grave's brink to hover, -For that nobody ever prays. - -_Mephistopheles_. The distant prospect shakes my reason. - -_Martha_. Then, worthy sir, bethink yourself in season. - [_They pass on_.] - -_Margaret_. Yes, out of sight and out of mind! -Politeness you find no hard matter; -But you have friends in plenty, better -Than I, more sensible, more refined. - -_Faust_. Dear girl, what one calls sensible on earth, -Is often vanity and nonsense. - -_Margaret_. How? - -_Faust_. Ah, that the pure and simple never know -Aught of themselves and all their holy worth! -That meekness, lowliness, the highest measure -Of gifts by nature lavished, full and free-- - -_Margaret_. One little moment, only, think of me, -I shall to think of you have ample time and leisure. - -_Faust_. You're, may be, much alone? - -_Margaret_. Our household is but small, I own, -And yet needs care, if truth were known. -We have no maid; so I attend to cooking, sweeping, -Knit, sew, do every thing, in fact; -And mother, in all branches of housekeeping, -Is so exact! -Not that she need be tied so very closely down; -We might stand higher than some others, rather; -A nice estate was left us by my father, -A house and garden not far out of town. -Yet, after all, my life runs pretty quiet; -My brother is a soldier, -My little sister's dead; -With the dear child indeed a wearing life I led; -And yet with all its plagues again would gladly try it, -The child was such a pet. - -_Faust_. An angel, if like thee! - -_Margaret_. I reared her and she heartily loved me. -She and my father never saw each other, -He died before her birth, and mother -Was given up, so low she lay, -But me, by slow degrees, recovered, day by day. -Of course she now, long time so feeble, -To nurse the poor little worm was unable, -And so I reared it all alone, -With milk and water; 'twas my own. -Upon my bosom all day long -It smiled and sprawled and so grew strong. - -_Faust_. Ah! thou hast truly known joy's fairest flower. - -_Margaret_. But no less truly many a heavy hour. -The wee thing's cradle stood at night -Close to my bed; did the least thing awake her, -My sleep took flight; -'Twas now to nurse her, now in bed to take her, -Then, if she was not still, to rise, -Walk up and down the room, and dance away her cries, -And at the wash-tub stand, when morning streaked the skies; -Then came the marketing and kitchen-tending, -Day in, day out, work never-ending. -One cannot always, sir, good temper keep; -But then it sweetens food and sweetens sleep. - [_They pass on_.] - -_Martha_. But the poor women suffer, you must own: -A bachelor is hard of reformation. - -_Mephistopheles_. Madam, it rests with such as you, alone, -To help me mend my situation. - -_Martha_. Speak plainly, sir, has none your fancy taken? -Has none made out a tender flame to waken? - -_Mephistopheles_. The proverb says: A man's own hearth, -And a brave wife, all gold and pearls are worth. - -_Martha_. I mean, has ne'er your heart been smitten slightly? - -_Mephistopheles_. I have, on every hand, been entertained politely. - -_Martha_. Have you not felt, I mean, a serious intention? - -_Mephistopheles_. -Jesting with women, that's a thing one ne'er should mention. - -_Martha_. Ah, you misunderstand! - -_Mephistopheles_. It grieves me that I should! -But this I understand--that you are good. - [_They pass on_.] - -_Faust_. So then, my little angel recognized me, -As I came through the garden gate? - -_Margaret_. Did not my downcast eyes show you surprised me? - -_Faust_. And thou forgav'st that liberty, of late? -That impudence of mine, so daring, -As thou wast home from church repairing? - -_Margaret_. I was confused, the like was new to me; -No one could say a word to my dishonor. -Ah, thought I, has he, haply, in thy manner -Seen any boldness--impropriety? -It seemed as if the feeling seized him, -That he might treat this girl just as it pleased him. -Let me confess! I knew not from what cause, -Some flight relentings here began to threaten danger; -I know, right angry with myself I was, -That I could not be angrier with the stranger. - -_Faust_. Sweet darling! - -_Margaret_. Let me once! - - [_She plucks a china-aster and picks off the leaves one after another_.] - -_Faust_. What's that for? A bouquet? - -_Margaret_. No, just for sport. - -_Faust_. How? - -_Margaret_. Go! you'll laugh at me; away! - [_She picks and murmurs to herself_.] - -_Faust_. What murmurest thou? - -_Margaret [half aloud_]. He loves me--loves me not. - -_Faust_. Sweet face! from heaven that look was caught! - -_Margaret [goes on_]. Loves me--not--loves me--not-- - [_picking off the last leaf with tender joy_] -He loves me! - -_Faust_. Yes, my child! And be this floral word -An oracle to thee. He loves thee! -Knowest thou all it mean? He loves thee! - [_Clasping both her hands_.] - -_Margaret_. What thrill is this! - -_Faust_. O, shudder not! This look of mine. -This pressure of the hand shall tell thee -What cannot be expressed: -Give thyself up at once and feel a rapture, -An ecstasy never to end! -Never!--It's end were nothing but blank despair. -No, unending! unending! - - [MARGARET _presses his hands, extricates herself, and runs away. - He stands a moment in thought, then follows her_]. - -_Martha [coming_]. The night falls fast. - -_Mephistopheles_. Ay, and we must away. - -_Martha_. If it were not for one vexation, -I would insist upon your longer stay. -Nobody seems to have no occupation, -No care nor labor, -Except to play the spy upon his neighbor; -And one becomes town-talk, do whatsoe'er they may. -But where's our pair of doves? - -_Mephistopheles_. Flown up the alley yonder. -Light summer-birds! - -_Martha_. He seems attached to her. - -_Mephistopheles_. No wonder. -And she to him. So goes the world, they say. - - - - - A SUMMER-HOUSE. - - MARGARET [_darts in, hides behind the door, presses the tip of - her finger to her lips, and peeps through the crack_]. - -_Margaret_. He comes! - - _Enter_ FAUST. - -_Faust_. Ah rogue, how sly thou art! -I've caught thee! - [_Kisses her_.] - -_Margaret [embracing him and returning the kiss_]. -Dear good man! I love thee from my heart! - - [MEPHISTOPHELES _knocks_.] - -_Faust [stamping_]. Who's there? - -_Mephistopheles_. A friend! - -_Faust_. A beast! - -_Mephistopheles_. Time flies, I don't offend you? - -_Martha [entering_]. Yes, sir, 'tis growing late. - -_Faust_. May I not now attend you? - -_Margaret_. Mother would--Fare thee well! - -_Faust_. And must I leave thee then? Farewell! - -_Martha_. Adé! - -_Margaret_. Till, soon, we meet again! - - [_Exeunt_ FAUST _and_ MEPHISTOPHELES.] - -_Margaret_. Good heavens! what such a man's one brain -Can in itself alone contain! -I blush my rudeness to confess, -And answer all he says with yes. -Am a poor, ignorant child, don't see -What he can possibly find in me. - - [_Exit_.] - - - - - WOODS AND CAVERN. - -_Faust_ [_alone_]. Spirit sublime, thou gav'st me, gav'st me all -For which I prayed. Thou didst not lift in vain -Thy face upon me in a flame of fire. -Gav'st me majestic nature for a realm, -The power to feel, enjoy her. Not alone -A freezing, formal visit didst thou grant; -Deep down into her breast invitedst me -To look, as if she were a bosom-friend. -The series of animated things -Thou bidst pass by me, teaching me to know -My brothers in the waters, woods, and air. -And when the storm-swept forest creaks and groans, -The giant pine-tree crashes, rending off -The neighboring boughs and limbs, and with deep roar -The thundering mountain echoes to its fall, -To a safe cavern then thou leadest me, -Showst me myself; and my own bosom's deep -Mysterious wonders open on my view. -And when before my sight the moon comes up -With soft effulgence; from the walls of rock, -From the damp thicket, slowly float around -The silvery shadows of a world gone by, -And temper meditation's sterner joy. - O! nothing perfect is vouchsafed to man: -I feel it now! Attendant on this bliss, -Which brings me ever nearer to the Gods, -Thou gav'st me the companion, whom I now -No more can spare, though cold and insolent; -He makes me hate, despise myself, and turns -Thy gifts to nothing with a word--a breath. -He kindles up a wild-fire in my breast, -Of restless longing for that lovely form. -Thus from desire I hurry to enjoyment, -And in enjoyment languish for desire. - - _Enter_ MEPHISTOPHELES. - -_Mephistopheles_. Will not this life have tired you by and bye? -I wonder it so long delights you? -'Tis well enough for once the thing to try; -Then off to where a new invites you! - -_Faust_. Would thou hadst something else to do, -That thus to spoil my joy thou burnest. - -_Mephistopheles_. Well! well! I'll leave thee, gladly too!-- -Thou dar'st not tell me that in earnest! -'Twere no great loss, a fellow such as you, -So crazy, snappish, and uncivil. -One has, all day, his hands full, and more too; -To worm out from him what he'd have one do, -Or not do, puzzles e'en the very devil. - -_Faust_. Now, that I like! That's just the tone! -Wants thanks for boring me till I'm half dead! - -_Mephistopheles_. Poor son of earth, if left alone, -What sort of life wouldst thou have led? -How oft, by methods all my own, -I've chased the cobweb fancies from thy head! -And but for me, to parts unknown -Thou from this earth hadst long since fled. -What dost thou here through cave and crevice groping? -Why like a hornèd owl sit moping? -And why from dripping stone, damp moss, and rotten wood -Here, like a toad, suck in thy food? -Delicious pastime! Ah, I see, -Somewhat of Doctor sticks to thee. - -_Faust_. What new life-power it gives me, canst thou guess-- -This conversation with the wilderness? -Ay, couldst thou dream how sweet the employment, -Thou wouldst be devil enough to grudge me my enjoyment. - -_Mephistopheles_. Ay, joy from super-earthly fountains! -By night and day to lie upon the mountains, -To clasp in ecstasy both earth and heaven, -Swelled to a deity by fancy's leaven, -Pierce, like a nervous thrill, earth's very marrow, -Feel the whole six days' work for thee too narrow, -To enjoy, I know not what, in blest elation, -Then with thy lavish love o'erflow the whole creation. -Below thy sight the mortal cast, -And to the glorious vision give at last-- - [_with a gesture_] -I must not say what termination! - -_Faust_. Shame on thee! - -_Mephistopheles_. This displeases thee; well, surely, -Thou hast a right to say "for shame" demurely. -One must not mention that to chaste ears--never, -Which chaste hearts cannot do without, however. -And, in one word, I grudge you not the pleasure -Of lying to yourself in moderate measure; -But 'twill not hold out long, I know; -Already thou art fast recoiling, -And soon, at this rate, wilt be boiling -With madness or despair and woe. -Enough of this! Thy sweetheart sits there lonely, -And all to her is close and drear. -Her thoughts are on thy image only, -She holds thee, past all utterance, dear. -At first thy passion came bounding and rushing -Like a brooklet o'erflowing with melted snow and rain; -Into her heart thou hast poured it gushing: -And now thy brooklet's dry again. -Methinks, thy woodland throne resigning, -'Twould better suit so great a lord -The poor young monkey to reward -For all the love with which she's pining. -She finds the time dismally long; -Stands at the window, sees the clouds on high -Over the old town-wall go by. -"Were I a little bird!"[26] so runneth her song -All the day, half the night long. -At times she'll be laughing, seldom smile, -At times wept-out she'll seem, -Then again tranquil, you'd deem,-- -Lovesick all the while. - -_Faust_. Viper! Viper! - -_Mephistopheles_ [_aside_]. Ay! and the prey grows riper! - -_Faust_. Reprobate! take thee far behind me! -No more that lovely woman name! -Bid not desire for her sweet person flame -Through each half-maddened sense, again to blind me! - -_Mephistopheles_. What then's to do? She fancies thou hast flown, -And more than half she's right, I own. - -_Faust_. I'm near her, and, though far away, my word, -I'd not forget her, lose her; never fear it! -I envy e'en the body of the Lord, -Oft as those precious lips of hers draw near it. - -_Mephistopheles_. No doubt; and oft my envious thought reposes -On the twin-pair that feed among the roses. - -_Faust_. Out, pimp! - -_Mephistopheles_. Well done! Your jeers I find fair game for laughter. -The God, who made both lad and lass, -Unwilling for a bungling hand to pass, -Made opportunity right after. -But come! fine cause for lamentation! -Her chamber is your destination, -And not the grave, I guess. - -_Faust_. What are the joys of heaven while her fond arms enfold me? -O let her kindling bosom hold me! -Feel I not always her distress? -The houseless am I not? the unbefriended? -The monster without aim or rest? -That, like a cataract, from rock to rock descended -To the abyss, with maddening greed possest: -She, on its brink, with childlike thoughts and lowly,-- -Perched on the little Alpine field her cot,-- -This narrow world, so still and holy -Ensphering, like a heaven, her lot. -And I, God's hatred daring, -Could not be content -The rocks all headlong bearing, -By me to ruins rent,-- -Her, yea her peace, must I o'erwhelm and bury! -This victim, hell, to thee was necessary! -Help me, thou fiend, the pang soon ending! -What must be, let it quickly be! -And let her fate upon my head descending, -Crush, at one blow, both her and me. - -_Mephistopheles_. Ha! how it seethes again and glows! -Go in and comfort her, thou dunce! -Where such a dolt no outlet sees or knows, -He thinks he's reached the end at once. -None but the brave deserve the fair! -Thou _hast_ had devil enough to make a decent show of. -For all the world a devil in despair -Is just the insipidest thing I know of. - - - - - MARGERY'S ROOM. - - MARGERY [_at the spinning-wheel alone_]. - My heart is heavy, - My peace is o'er; - I never--ah! never-- - Shall find it more. - While him I crave, - Each place is the grave, - The world is all - Turned into gall. - My wretched brain - Has lost its wits, - My wretched sense - Is all in bits. - My heart is heavy, - My peace is o'er; - I never--ah! never-- - Shall find it more. - Him only to greet, I - The street look down, - Him only to meet, I - Roam through town. - His lofty step, - His noble height, - His smile of sweetness, - His eye of might, - His words of magic, - Breathing bliss, - His hand's warm pressure - And ah! his kiss. - My heart is heavy, - My peace is o'er, - I never--ah! never-- - Shall find it more. - My bosom yearns - To behold him again. - Ah, could I find him - That best of men! - I'd tell him then - How I did miss him, - And kiss him - As much as I could, - Die on his kisses - I surely should! - - - - - MARTHA'S GARDEN. - - MARGARET. FAUST. - -_Margaret_. Promise me, Henry. - -_Faust_. What I can. - -_Margaret_. How is it now with thy religion, say? -I know thou art a dear good man, -But fear thy thoughts do not run much that way. - -_Faust_. Leave that, my child! Enough, thou hast my heart; -For those I love with life I'd freely part; -I would not harm a soul, nor of its faith bereave it. - -_Margaret_. That's wrong, there's one true faith--one must believe it? - -_Faust_. Must one? - -_Margaret_. Ah, could I influence thee, dearest! -The holy sacraments thou scarce reverest. - -_Faust_. I honor them. - -_Margaret_. But yet without desire. -Of mass and confession both thou'st long begun to tire. -Believest thou in God? - -_Faust_. My. darling, who engages -To say, I do believe in God? -The question put to priests or sages: -Their answer seems as if it sought -To mock the asker. - -_Margaret_. Then believ'st thou not? - -_Faust_. Sweet face, do not misunderstand my thought! -Who dares express him? -And who confess him, -Saying, I do believe? -A man's heart bearing, -What man has the daring -To say: I acknowledge him not? -The All-enfolder, -The All-upholder, -Enfolds, upholds He not -Thee, me, Himself? -Upsprings not Heaven's blue arch high o'er thee? -Underneath thee does not earth stand fast? -See'st thou not, nightly climbing, -Tenderly glancing eternal stars? -Am I not gazing eye to eye on thee? -Through brain and bosom -Throngs not all life to thee, -Weaving in everlasting mystery -Obscurely, clearly, on all sides of thee? -Fill with it, to its utmost stretch, thy breast, -And in the consciousness when thou art wholly blest, -Then call it what thou wilt, -Joy! Heart! Love! God! -I have no name to give it! -All comes at last to feeling; -Name is but sound and smoke, -Beclouding Heaven's warm glow. - -_Margaret_. That is all fine and good, I know; -And just as the priest has often spoke, -Only with somewhat different phrases. - -_Faust_. All hearts, too, in all places, -Wherever Heaven pours down the day's broad blessing, -Each in its way the truth is confessing; -And why not I in mine, too? - -_Margaret_. Well, all have a way that they incline to, -But still there is something wrong with thee; -Thou hast no Christianity. - -_Faust_. Dear child! - -_Margaret_. It long has troubled me -That thou shouldst keep such company. - -_Faust_. How so? - -_Margaret_. The man whom thou for crony hast, -Is one whom I with all my soul detest. -Nothing in all my life has ever -Stirred up in my heart such a deep disfavor -As the ugly face that man has got. - -_Faust_. Sweet plaything; fear him not! - -_Margaret_. His presence stirs my blood, I own. -I can love almost all men I've ever known; -But much as thy presence with pleasure thrills me, -That man with a secret horror fills me. -And then for a knave I've suspected him long! -God pardon me, if I do him wrong! - -_Faust_. To make up a world such odd sticks are needed. - -_Margaret_. Shouldn't like to live in the house where he did! -Whenever I see him coming in, -He always wears such a mocking grin. -Half cold, half grim; -One sees, that naught has interest for him; -'Tis writ on his brow and can't be mistaken, -No soul in him can love awaken. -I feel in thy arms so happy, so free, -I yield myself up so blissfully, -He comes, and all in me is closed and frozen now. - -_Faust_. Ah, thou mistrustful angel, thou! - -_Margaret_. This weighs on me so sore, -That when we meet, and he is by me, -I feel, as if I loved thee now no more. -Nor could I ever pray, if he were nigh me, -That eats the very heart in me; -Henry, it must be so with thee. - -_Faust_. 'Tis an antipathy of thine! - -_Margaret_. Farewell! - -_Faust_. Ah, can I ne'er recline -One little hour upon thy bosom, pressing -My heart to thine and all my soul confessing? - -_Margaret_. Ah, if my chamber were alone, -This night the bolt should give thee free admission; -But mother wakes at every tone, -And if she had the least suspicion, -Heavens! I should die upon the spot! - -_Faust_. Thou angel, need of that there's not. -Here is a flask! Three drops alone -Mix with her drink, and nature -Into a deep and pleasant sleep is thrown. - -_Margaret_. Refuse thee, what can I, poor creature? -I hope, of course, it will not harm her! - -_Faust_. Would I advise it then, my charmer? - -_Margaret_. Best man, when thou dost look at me, -I know not what, moves me to do thy will; -I have already done so much for thee, -Scarce any thing seems left me to fulfil. - [_Exit_.] - - Enter_ MEPHISTOPHELES. - -_Mephtftopheles_. The monkey! is she gone? - -_Faust_. Hast played the spy again? - -_Mephistopheles_. I overheard it all quite fully. -The Doctor has been well catechized then? -Hope it will sit well on him truly. -The maidens won't rest till they know if the men -Believe as good old custom bids them do. -They think: if there he yields, he'll follow our will too. - -_Faust_. Monster, thou wilt not, canst not see, -How this true soul that loves so dearly, -Yet hugs, at every cost, -The faith which she -Counts Heaven itself, is horror-struck sincerely -To think of giving up her dearest man for lost. - -_Mephistopheles_. Thou supersensual, sensual wooer, -A girl by the nose is leading thee. - -_Faust_. Abortion vile of fire and sewer! - -_Mephistopheles_. In physiognomy, too, her skill is masterly. -When I am near she feels she knows not how, -My little mask some secret meaning shows; -She thinks, I'm certainly a genius, now, -Perhaps the very devil--who knows? -To-night then?-- - -_Faust_. Well, what's that to you? - -_Mephistopheles_. I find my pleasure in it, too! - - - - - AT THE WELL. - - MARGERY _and_ LIZZY _with Pitchers._ - -_Lizzy_. Hast heard no news of Barbara to-day? - -_Margery_. No, not a word. I've not been out much lately. - -_Lizzy_. It came to me through Sybill very straightly. -She's made a fool of herself at last, they say. -That comes of taking airs! - -_Margery_. What meanst thou? - -_Lizzy_. Pah! -She daily eats and drinks for two now. - -_Margery_. Ah! - -_Lizzy_. It serves the jade right for being so callow. -How long she's been hanging upon the fellow! -Such a promenading! -To fair and dance parading! -Everywhere as first she must shine, -He was treating her always with tarts and wine; -She began to think herself something fine, -And let her vanity so degrade her -That she even accepted the presents he made her. -There was hugging and smacking, and so it went on-- -And lo! and behold! the flower is gone! - -_Margery_. Poor thing! - -_Lizzy_. Canst any pity for her feel! -When such as we spun at the wheel, -Our mothers kept us in-doors after dark; -While she stood cozy with her spark, -Or sate on the door-bench, or sauntered round, -And never an hour too long they found. -But now her pride may let itself down, -To do penance at church in the sinner's gown! - -_Margery_. He'll certainly take her for his wife. - -_Lizzy_. He'd be a fool! A spruce young blade -Has room enough to ply his trade. -Besides, he's gone. - -_Margery_. Now, that's not fair! - -_Lizzy_. If she gets him, her lot'll be hard to bear. -The boys will tear up her wreath, and what's more, -We'll strew chopped straw before her door. - - [_Exit._] - -_Margery [going home]_. Time was when I, too, instead of bewailing, -Could boldly jeer at a poor girl's failing! -When my scorn could scarcely find expression -At hearing of another's transgression! -How black it seemed! though black as could be, -It never was black enough for me. -I blessed my soul, and felt so high, -And now, myself, in sin I lie! -Yet--all that led me to it, sure, -O God! it was so dear, so pure! - - - - - DONJON.[27] - - [_In a niche a devotional image of the Mater Dolorosa, - before it pots of flowers._] - -MARGERY [_puts fresh flowers into the pots_]. - Ah, hear me, - Draw kindly near me, - Mother of sorrows, heal my woe! - - Sword-pierced, and stricken - With pangs that sicken, - Thou seest thy son's last life-blood flow! - - Thy look--thy sighing--- - To God are crying, - Charged with a son's and mother's woe! - - Sad mother! - What other - Knows the pangs that eat me to the bone? - What within my poor heart burneth, - How it trembleth, how it yearneth, - Thou canst feel and thou alone! - - Go where I will, I never - Find peace or hope--forever - Woe, woe and misery! - - Alone, when all are sleeping, - I'm weeping, weeping, weeping, - My heart is crushed in me. - - The pots before my window, - In the early morning-hours, - Alas, my tears bedewed them, - As I plucked for thee these flowers, - - When the bright sun good morrow - In at my window said, - Already, in my anguish, - I sate there in my bed. - - From shame and death redeem me, oh! - Draw near me, - And, pitying, hear me, - Mother of sorrows, heal my woe! - - - - - NIGHT. - - _Street before_ MARGERY'S _Door._ - - - VALENTINE [_soldier,_ MARGERY'S _brother_]. - -When at the mess I used to sit, -Where many a one will show his wit, -And heard my comrades one and all -The flower of the sex extol, -Drowning their praise with bumpers high, -Leaning upon my elbows, I -Would hear the braggadocios through, -And then, when it came my turn, too, -Would stroke my beard and, smiling, say, -A brimming bumper in my hand: -All very decent in their way! -But is there one, in all the land, -With my sweet Margy to compare, -A candle to hold to my sister fair? -Bravo! Kling! Klang! it echoed round! -One party cried: 'tis truth he speaks, -She is the jewel of the sex! -And the braggarts all in silence were bound. -And now!--one could pull out his hair with vexation, -And run up the walls for mortification!-- -Every two-legged creature that goes in breeches -Can mock me with sneers and stinging speeches! -And I like a guilty debtor sitting, -For fear of each casual word am sweating! -And though I could smash them in my ire, -I dare not call a soul of them liar. - -What's that comes yonder, sneaking along? -There are two of them there, if I see not wrong. -Is't he, I'll give him a dose that'll cure him, -He'll not leave the spot alive, I assure him! - - - FAUST. MEPHISTOPHELES. - -_Faust_. How from yon window of the sacristy -The ever-burning lamp sends up its glimmer, -And round the edge grows ever dimmer, -Till in the gloom its flickerings die! -So in my bosom all is nightlike. - -_Mephistopheles_. A starving tom-cat I feel quite like, -That o'er the fire ladders crawls -Then softly creeps, ground the walls. -My aim's quite virtuous ne'ertheless, -A bit of thievish lust, a bit of wantonness. -I feel it all my members haunting-- -The glorious Walpurgis night. -One day--then comes the feast enchanting -That shall all pinings well requite. - -_Faust_. Meanwhile can that the casket be, I wonder, -I see behind rise glittering yonder.[28] - -_Mephistopheles_. Yes, and thou soon shalt have the pleasure -Of lifting out the precious treasure. -I lately 'neath the lid did squint, -Has piles of lion-dollars[29] in't. - -_Faust_. But not a jewel? Not a ring? -To deck my mistress not a trinket? - -_Mephistopheles_. I caught a glimpse of some such thing, -Sort of pearl bracelet I should think it. - -_Faust_. That's well! I always like to bear -Some present when I visit my fair. - -_Mephistopheles_. You should not murmur if your fate is, -To have a bit of pleasure gratis. -Now, as the stars fill heaven with their bright throng, -List a fine piece, artistic purely: -I sing her here a moral song, -To make a fool of her more surely. - [_Sings to the guitar_.][30] - What dost thou here, - Katrina dear, - At daybreak drear, - Before thy lover's chamber? - Give o'er, give o'er! - The maid his door - Lets in, no more - Goes out a maid--remember! - - Take heed! take heed! - Once done, the deed - Ye'll rue with speed-- - And then--good night--poor thing--a! - Though ne'er so fair - His speech, beware, - Until you bear - His ring upon your finger. - -_Valentine_ [_comes forward_]. -Whom lur'ft thou here? what prey dost scent? -Rat-catching[81] offspring of perdition! -To hell goes first the instrument! -To hell then follows the musician! - -_Mephistopheles_. He 's broken the guitar! to music, then, good-bye, now. - -_Valentine_. A game of cracking skulls we'll try now! - -_Mephistopbeles_ [_to Faust_]. Never you flinch, Sir Doctor! Brisk! -Mind every word I say---be wary! -Stand close by me, out with your whisk! -Thrust home upon the churl! I'll parry. - -_Valentine_. Then parry that! - -_Mephistopheles_. Be sure. Why not? - -_Valentine_. And that! - -_Mephistopheles_. With ease! - -_Valentine_. The devil's aid he's got! -But what is this? My hand's already lame. - -_Mephistopheles_ [_to Faust_]. Thrust home! - -_Valentine_ [_falls_]. O woe! - -_Mephistopheles_. Now is the lubber tame! -But come! We must be off. I hear a clatter; -And cries of murder, too, that fast increase. -I'm an old hand to manage the police, -But then the penal court's another matter. - -_Martha_. Come out! Come out! - -_Margery_ [_at the window_]. Bring on a light! - -_Martha_ [_as above_]. They swear and scuffle, scream and fight. - -_People_. There's one, has got's death-blow! - -_Martha_ [_coming out_]. Where are the murderers, have they flown? - -_Margery_ [_coming out_]. Who's lying here? - -_People_. Thy mother's son. - -_Margery_. Almighty God! What woe! - -_Valentine_. I'm dying! that is quickly said, -And even quicklier done. -Women! Why howl, as if half-dead? -Come, hear me, every one! - [_All gather round him_.] -My Margery, look! Young art thou still, -But managest thy matters ill, -Hast not learned out yet quite. -I say in confidence--think it o'er: -Thou art just once for all a whore; -Why, be one, then, outright. - -_Margery_. My brother! God! What words to me! - -_Valentine_. In this game let our Lord God be! -That which is done, alas! is done. -And every thing its course will run. -With one you secretly begin, -Presently more of them come in, -And when a dozen share in thee, -Thou art the whole town's property. - -When shame is born to this world of sorrow, -The birth is carefully hid from sight, -And the mysterious veil of night -To cover her head they borrow; -Yes, they would gladly stifle the wearer; -But as she grows and holds herself high, -She walks uncovered in day's broad eye, -Though she has not become a whit fairer. -The uglier her face to sight, -The more she courts the noonday light. - -Already I the time can see -When all good souls shall shrink from thee, -Thou prostitute, when thou go'st by them, -As if a tainted corpse were nigh them. -Thy heart within thy breast shall quake then, -When they look thee in the face. -Shalt wear no gold chain more on thy neck then! -Shalt stand no more in the holy place! -No pleasure in point-lace collars take then, -Nor for the dance thy person deck then! -But into some dark corner gliding, -'Mong beggars and cripples wilt be hiding; -And even should God thy sin forgive, -Wilt be curs'd on earth while thou shalt live! - -_Martha_. Your soul to the mercy of God surrender! -Will you add to your load the sin of slander? - -_Valentine_. Could I get at thy dried-up frame, -Vile bawd, so lost to all sense of shame! -Then might I hope, e'en this side Heaven, -Richly to find my sins forgiven. - -_Margery_. My brother! This is hell to me! - -_Valentine_. I tell thee, let these weak tears be! -When thy last hold of honor broke, -Thou gav'st my heart the heaviest stroke. -I'm going home now through the grave -To God, a soldier and a brave. - [_Dies_.] - - - - - CATHEDRAL. - - _Service, Organ, and Singing._ - - - [MARGERY _amidst a crowd of people._ EVIL SPIRIT _behind_ MARGERY.] - -_Evil Spirit_. How different was it with thee, Margy, -When, innocent and artless, -Thou cam'st here to the altar, -From the well-thumbed little prayer-book, -Petitions lisping, -Half full of child's play, -Half full of Heaven! -Margy! -Where are thy thoughts? -What crime is buried -Deep within thy heart? -Prayest thou haply for thy mother, who -Slept over into long, long pain, on thy account? -Whose blood upon thy threshold lies? ---And stirs there not, already -Beneath thy heart a life -Tormenting itself and thee -With bodings of its coming hour? - -_Margery_. Woe! Woe! -Could I rid me of the thoughts, -Still through my brain backward and forward flitting, -Against my will! - -_Chorus_. Dies irae, dies illa -Solvet saeclum in favillâ. - - [_Organ plays_.] - -_Evil Spirit_. Wrath smites thee! -Hark! the trumpet sounds! -The graves are trembling! -And thy heart, -Made o'er again -For fiery torments, -Waking from its ashes -Starts up! - -_Margery_. Would I were hence! -I feel as if the organ's peal -My breath were stifling, -The choral chant -My heart were melting. - -_Chorus_. Judex ergo cum sedebit, -Quidquid latet apparebit. -Nil inultum remanebit. - -_Margery_. How cramped it feels! -The walls and pillars -Imprison me! -And the arches -Crush me!--Air! - -_Evil Spirit_. What! hide thee! sin and shame -Will not be hidden! -Air? Light? -Woe's thee! - -_Chorus_. Quid sum miser tunc dicturus? -Quem patronum rogaturus? -Cum vix justus sit securus. - -_Evil Spirit_. They turn their faces, -The glorified, from thee. -To take thy hand, the pure ones -Shudder with horror. -Woe! - -_Chorus_. Quid sum miser tunc dicturus? - -_Margery_. Neighbor! your phial!-- - [_She swoons._] - - - - - WALPURGIS NIGHT.[32] - - _Harz Mountains._ - - _District of Schirke and Elend._ - - - FAUST. MEPHISTOPHELES. - -_Mephistopheles_. Wouldst thou not like a broomstick, now, to ride on? -At this rate we are, still, a long way off; -I'd rather have a good tough goat, by half, -Than the best legs a man e'er set his pride on. - -_Faust_. So long as I've a pair of good fresh legs to stride on, -Enough for me this knotty staff. -What use of shortening the way! -Following the valley's labyrinthine winding, -Then up this rock a pathway finding, -From which the spring leaps down in bubbling play, -That is what spices such a walk, I say! -Spring through the birch-tree's veins is flowing, -The very pine is feeling it; -Should not its influence set our limbs a-glowing? - -_Mephistopheles_. I do not feel it, not a bit! -My wintry blood runs very slowly; -I wish my path were filled with frost and snow. -The moon's imperfect disk, how melancholy -It rises there with red, belated glow, -And shines so badly, turn where'er one can turn, -At every step he hits a rock or tree! -With leave I'll beg a Jack-o'lantern! -I see one yonder burning merrily. -Heigh, there! my friend! May I thy aid desire? -Why waste at such a rate thy fire? -Come, light us up yon path, good fellow, pray! - -_Jack-o'lantern_. Out of respect, I hope I shall be able -To rein a nature quite unstable; -We usually take a zigzag way. - -_Mephistopheles_. Heigh! heigh! He thinks man's crooked course to travel. -Go straight ahead, or, by the devil, -I'll blow your flickering life out with a puff. - -_Jack-o'lantern_. You're master of the house, that's plain enough, -So I'll comply with your desire. -But see! The mountain's magic-mad to-night, -And if your guide's to be a Jack-o'lantern's light, -Strict rectitude you'll scarce require. - -FAUST, MEPHISTOPHELES, JACK-O'LANTERN, _in alternate song_. - - Spheres of magic, dream, and vision, - Now, it seems, are opening o'er us. - For thy credit, use precision! - Let the way be plain before us - Through the lengthening desert regions. - - See how trees on trees, in legions, - Hurrying by us, change their places, - And the bowing crags make faces, - And the rocks, long noses showing, - Hear them snoring, hear them blowing![33] - - Down through stones, through mosses flowing, - See the brook and brooklet springing. - Hear I rustling? hear I singing? - Love-plaints, sweet and melancholy, - Voices of those days so holy? - All our loving, longing, yearning? - Echo, like a strain returning - From the olden times, is ringing. - - Uhu! Schuhu! Tu-whit! Tu-whit! - Are the jay, and owl, and pewit - All awake and loudly calling? - What goes through the bushes yonder? - Can it be the Salamander-- - Belly thick and legs a-sprawling? - Roots and fibres, snake-like, crawling, - Out from rocky, sandy places, - Wheresoe'er we turn our faces, - Stretch enormous fingers round us, - Here to catch us, there confound us; - Thick, black knars to life are starting, - Polypusses'-feelers darting - At the traveller. Field-mice, swarming, - Thousand-colored armies forming, - Scamper on through moss and heather! - And the glow-worms, in the darkling, - With their crowded escort sparkling, - Would confound us altogether. - - But to guess I'm vainly trying-- - Are we stopping? are we hieing? - Round and round us all seems flying, - Rocks and trees, that make grimaces, - And the mist-lights of the places - Ever swelling, multiplying. - -_Mephistopheles_. Here's my coat-tail--tightly thumb it! -We have reached a middle summit, -Whence one stares to see how shines -Mammon in the mountain-mines. - -_Faust_. How strangely through the dim recesses -A dreary dawning seems to glow! -And even down the deep abysses -Its melancholy quiverings throw! -Here smoke is boiling, mist exhaling; -Here from a vapory veil it gleams, -Then, a fine thread of light, goes trailing, -Then gushes up in fiery streams. -The valley, here, you see it follow, -One mighty flood, with hundred rills, -And here, pent up in some deep hollow, -It breaks on all sides down the hills. -Here, spark-showers, darting up before us, -Like golden sand-clouds rise and fall. -But yonder see how blazes o'er us, -All up and down, the rocky wall! - -_Mephistopheles_. Has not Sir Mammon gloriously lighted -His palace for this festive night? -Count thyself lucky for the sight: -I catch e'en now a glimpse of noisy guests invited. - -_Faust_. How the mad tempest[34] sweeps the air! -On cheek and neck the wind-gusts how they flout me. - -_Mephistopheles_. Must seize the rock's old ribs and hold on stoutly! -Else will they hurl thee down the dark abysses there. -A mist-rain thickens the gloom. -Hark, how the forests crash and boom! -Out fly the owls in dread and wonder; -Splitting their columns asunder, -Hear it, the evergreen palaces shaking! -Boughs are twisting and breaking! -Of stems what a grinding and moaning! -Of roots what a creaking and groaning! -In frightful confusion, headlong tumbling, -They fall, with a sound of thunder rumbling, -And, through the wreck-piled ravines and abysses, -The tempest howls and hisses. -Hearst thou voices high up o'er us? -Close around us--far before us? -Through the mountain, all along, -Swells a torrent of magic song. - -_Witches_ [_in chorus_]. The witches go to the Brocken's top, - The stubble is yellow, and green the crop. - They gather there at the well-known call, - Sir Urian[85] sits at the head of all. - Then on we go o'er stone and stock: - The witch, she--and--the buck. - -_Voice_. Old Baubo comes along, I vow! -She rides upon a farrow-sow. - -_Chorus_. Then honor to whom honor's due! - Ma'am Baubo ahead! and lead the crew! - A good fat sow, and ma'am on her back, - Then follow the witches all in a pack. - -_Voice_. Which way didst thou come? - -_Voice_. By the Ilsenstein! -Peeped into an owl's nest, mother of mine! -What a pair of eyes! - -_Voice_. To hell with your flurry! -Why ride in such hurry! - -_Voice_. The hag be confounded! -My skin flie has wounded! - -_Witches_ [_chorus]._ The way is broad, the way is long, - What means this noisy, crazy throng? - The broom it scratches, the fork it flicks, - The child is stifled, the mother breaks. - -_Wizards_ [_semi-chorus_]. Like housed-up snails we're creeping on, -The women all ahead are gone. -When to the Bad One's house we go, -She gains a thousand steps, you know. - -_The other half_. We take it not precisely so; -What she in thousand steps can go, -Make all the haste she ever can, -'Tis done in just one leap by man. - -_Voice_ [_above_]. Come on, come on, from Felsensee! - -_Voices_ [_from below_]. We'd gladly join your airy way. -For wash and clean us as much as we will, -We always prove unfruitful still. - -_Both chorusses_. The wind is hushed, the star shoots by, - The moon she hides her sickly eye. - The whirling, whizzing magic-choir - Darts forth ten thousand sparks of fire. - -_Voice_ [_from below_]. Ho, there! whoa, there! - -_Voice_ [_from above_]. Who calls from the rocky cleft below there? - -_Voice_ [_below_]. Take me too! take me too! -Three hundred years I've climbed to you, -Seeking in vain my mates to come at, -For I can never reach the summit. - -_Both chorusses_. Can ride the besom, the stick can ride, - Can stride the pitchfork, the goat can stride; - Who neither will ride to-night, nor can, - Must be forever a ruined man. - -_Half-witch_ [_below_]. I hobble on--I'm out of wind-- -And still they leave me far behind! -To find peace here in vain I come, -I get no more than I left at home. - -_Chorus of witches_. The witch's salve can never fail, - A rag will answer for a sail, - Any trough will do for a ship, that's tight; - He'll never fly who flies not to-night. - -_Both chorusses_. And when the highest peak we round, - Then lightly graze along the ground, - And cover the heath, where eye can see, - With the flower of witch-errantry. - [_They alight_.] - -_Mephistopheles._ What squeezing and pushing, what rustling and hustling! -What hissing and twirling, what chattering and bustling! -How it shines and sparkles and burns and stinks! -A true witch-element, methinks! -Keep close! or we are parted in two winks. -Where art thou? - -_Faust_ [_in the distance_]. Here! - -_Mephistopheles_. What! carried off already? -Then I must use my house-right.--Steady! -Room! Squire Voland[36] comes. Sweet people, Clear the ground! -Here, Doctor, grasp my arm! and, at a single bound; -Let us escape, while yet 'tis easy; -E'en for the like of me they're far too crazy. -See! yonder, something shines with quite peculiar glare, -And draws me to those bushes mazy. -Come! come! and let us slip in there. - -_Faust_. All-contradicting sprite! To follow thee I'm fated. -But I must say, thy plan was very bright! -We seek the Brocken here, on the Walpurgis night, -Then hold ourselves, when here, completely isolated! - -_Mephistopheles_. What motley flames light up the heather! -A merry club is met together, -In a small group one's not alone. - -_Faust_. I'd rather be up there, I own! -See! curling smoke and flames right blue! -To see the Evil One they travel; -There many a riddle to unravel. - -_Mephistopheles_. And tie up many another, too. -Let the great world there rave and riot, -We here will house ourselves in quiet. -The saying has been long well known: -In the great world one makes a small one of his own. -I see young witches there quite naked all, -And old ones who, more prudent, cover. -For my sake some flight things look over; -The fun is great, the trouble small. -I hear them tuning instruments! Curs'd jangle! -Well! one must learn with such things not to wrangle. -Come on! Come on! For so it needs must be, -Thou shalt at once be introduced by me. -And I new thanks from thee be earning. -That is no scanty space; what sayst thou, friend? -Just take a look! thou scarce canst see the end. -There, in a row, a hundred fires are burning; -They dance, chat, cook, drink, love; where can be found -Any thing better, now, the wide world round? - -_Faust_. Wilt thou, as things are now in this condition, -Present thyself for devil, or magician? - -_Mephistopheles_. I've been much used, indeed, to going incognito; - -But then, on gala-day, one will his order show. -No garter makes my rank appear, -But then the cloven foot stands high in honor here. -Seest thou the snail? Look there! where she comes creeping yonder! -Had she already smelt the rat, -I should not very greatly wonder. -Disguise is useless now, depend on that. -Come, then! we will from fire to fire wander, -Thou shalt the wooer be and I the pander. - [_To a party who sit round expiring embers_.] -Old gentlemen, you scarce can hear the fiddle! -You'd gain more praise from me, ensconced there in the middle, -'Mongst that young rousing, tousing set. -One can, at home, enough retirement get. - -_General_. Trust not the people's fickle favor! -However much thou mayst for them have done. -Nations, as well as women, ever, -Worship the rising, not the setting sun. - -_Minister_. From the right path we've drifted far away, -The good old past my heart engages; -Those were the real golden ages, -When such as we held all the sway. - -_Parvenu_. We were no simpletons, I trow, -And often did the thing we should not; -But all is turning topsy-turvy now, -And if we tried to stem the wave, we could not. - -_Author_. Who on the whole will read a work today, -Of moderate sense, with any pleasure? -And as regards the dear young people, they -Pert and precocious are beyond all measure. - -_Mephistopheles_ [_who all at once appears very old_]. -The race is ripened for the judgment day: -So I, for the last time, climb the witch-mountain, thinking, -And, as my cask runs thick, I say, -The world, too, on its lees is sinking. - -_Witch-broker_. Good gentlemen, don't hurry by! -The opportunity's a rare one! -My stock is an uncommon fair one, -Please give it an attentive eye. -There's nothing in my shop, whatever, -But on the earth its mate is found; -That has not proved itself right clever -To deal mankind some fatal wound. -No dagger here, but blood has some time stained it; -No cup, that has not held some hot and poisonous juice, -And stung to death the throat that drained it; -No trinket, but did once a maid seduce; -No sword, but hath some tie of sacred honor riven, -Or haply from behind through foeman's neck been driven. - -_Mephistopheles_. You're quite behind the times, I tell you, Aunty! -By-gones be by-gones! done is done! -Get us up something new and jaunty! -For new things now the people run. - -_Faust_. To keep my wits I must endeavor! -Call this a fair! I swear, I never--! - -_Mephistopheles_. Upward the billowy mass is moving; -You're shoved along and think, meanwhile, you're shoving. - -_Faust_. What woman's that? - -_Mephistopheles_. Mark her attentively. -That's Lilith.[37] - -_Faust_. Who? - -_Mephistopbeles_. Adam's first wife is she. -Beware of her one charm, those lovely tresses, -In which she shines preeminently fair. -When those soft meshes once a young man snare, -How hard 'twill be to escape he little guesses. - -_Faust_. There sit an old one and a young together; -They've skipped it well along the heather! - -_Mephistopheles_. No rest from that till night is through. -Another dance is up; come on! let us fall to. - -_Faust_ [_dancing with the young one_]. A lovely dream once came to me; -In it I saw an apple-tree; -Two beauteous apples beckoned there, -I climbed to pluck the fruit so fair. - -_The Fair one_. Apples you greatly seem to prize, -And did so even in Paradise. -I feel myself delighted much -That in my garden I have such. - -_Mephistopheles_ [_with the old hag_]. A dismal dream once came to me; -In it I saw a cloven tree, -It had a ------ but still, -I looked on it with right good-will. - -_The Hog_. With best respect I here salute -The noble knight of the cloven foot! -Let him hold a ------ near, -If a ------ he does not fear. - -_Proctophantasmist_.[38] What's this ye undertake? Confounded crew! -Have we not giv'n you demonstration? -No spirit stands on legs in all creation, -And here you dance just as we mortals do! - -_The Fair one_ [_dancing_]. What does that fellow at our ball? - -_Faust_ [_dancing_]. Eh! he must have a hand in all. -What others dance that he appraises. -Unless each step he criticizes, -The step as good as no step he will call. -But when we move ahead, that plagues him more than all. -If in a circle you would still keep turning, -As he himself in his old mill goes round, -He would be sure to call that sound! -And most so, if you went by his superior learning. - -_Proctophantasmist_. What, and you still are here! Unheard off obstinates! -Begone! We've cleared it up! You shallow pates! -The devilish pack from rules deliverance boasts. -We've grown so wise, and Tegel[39] still sees ghosts. -How long I've toiled to sweep these cobwebs from the brain, -And yet--unheard of folly! all in vain. - -_The Fair one_. And yet on us the stupid bore still tries it! - -_Proctophantasmist_. I tell you spirits, to the face, -I give to spirit-tyranny no place, -My spirit cannot exercise it. - [_They dance on_.] -I can't succeed to-day, I know it; -Still, there's the journey, which I like to make, -And hope, before the final step I take, -To rid the world of devil and of poet. - -_Mephistopheles_. You'll see him shortly sit into a puddle, -In that way his heart is reassured; -When on his rump the leeches well shall fuddle, -Of spirits and of spirit he'll be cured. - [_To_ FAUST, _who has left the dance_.] -Why let the lovely girl slip through thy fingers, -Who to thy dance so sweetly sang? - -_Faust_. Ah, right amidst her singing, sprang -A wee red mouse from her mouth and made me cower. - -_Mephistopheles_. That's nothing wrong! You're in a dainty way; -Enough, the mouse at least wan't gray. -Who minds such thing in happy amorous hour? - -_Faust_. Then saw I-- - -_Mephistopheles_. What? - -_Faust_. Mephisto, seest thou not -Yon pale, fair child afar, who stands so sad and lonely, -And moves so slowly from the spot, -Her feet seem locked, and she drags them only. -I must confess, she seems to me -To look like my own good Margery. - -_Mephistopheles_. Leave that alone! The sight no health can bring. -it is a magic shape, an idol, no live thing. -To meet it never can be good! -Its haggard look congeals a mortal's blood, -And almost turns him into stone; -The story of Medusa thou hast known. - -_Faust_. Yes, 'tis a dead one's eyes that stare upon me, -Eyes that no loving hand e'er closed; -That is the angel form of her who won me, -Tis the dear breast on which I once reposed. - -_Mephistopheles_. 'Tis sorcery all, thou fool, misled by passion's dreams! -For she to every one his own love seems. - -_Faust_. What bliss! what woe! Methinks I never -My sight from that sweet form can sever. -Seeft thou, not thicker than a knife-blade's back, -A small red ribbon, fitting sweetly -The lovely neck it clasps so neatly? - -_Mephistopheles_. I see the streak around her neck. -Her head beneath her arm, you'll next behold her; -Perseus has lopped it from her shoulder,-- -But let thy crazy passion rest! -Come, climb with me yon hillock's breast, -Was e'er the Prater[40] merrier then? -And if no sorcerer's charm is o'er me, -That is a theatre before me. -What's doing there? - -_Servibilis_. They'll straight begin again. -A bran-new piece, the very last of seven; -To have so much, the fashion here thinks fit. -By Dilettantes it is given; -'Twas by a Dilettante writ. -Excuse me, sirs, I go to greet you; -I am the curtain-raising Dilettant. - -_Mephistopheles_. When I upon the Blocksberg meet you, -That I approve; for there's your place, I grant. - - - - - WALPURGIS-NIGHT'S DREAM, OR OBERON AND TITANIA'S GOLDEN NUPTIALS. - - _Intermezzo_. - - -_Theatre manager_. Here, for once, we rest, to-day, -Heirs of Mieding's[41] glory. -All the scenery we display-- -Damp vale and mountain hoary! - -_Herald_. To make the wedding a golden one, -Must fifty years expire; -But when once the strife is done, -I prize the _gold_ the higher. - -_Oberon_. Spirits, if my good ye mean, -Now let all wrongs be righted; -For to-day your king and queen -Are once again united. - -_Puck_. Once let Puck coming whirling round, -And set his foot to whisking, -Hundreds with him throng the ground, -Frolicking and frisking. - -_Ariel_. Ariel awakes the song -With many a heavenly measure; -Fools not few he draws along, -But fair ones hear with pleasure. - -_Oberon_. Spouses who your feuds would smother, -Take from us a moral! -Two who wish to love each other, -Need only first to quarrel. - -_Titania_. If she pouts and he looks grim, -Take them both together, -To the north pole carry him, -And off with her to t'other. - - _Orchestra Tutti_. - -_Fortissimo_. Fly-snouts and gnats'-noses, these, -And kin in all conditions, -Grass-hid crickets, frogs in trees, -We take for our musicians! - -_Solo_. See, the Bagpipe comes! fall back! -Soap-bubble's name he owneth. -How the _Schnecke-schnicke-schnack_ -Through his snub-nose droneth! -_Spirit that is just shaping itself_. Spider-foot, toad's-belly, too, -Give the child, and winglet! -'Tis no animalcule, true, -But a poetic thinglet. - -_A pair of lovers_. Little step and lofty bound -Through honey-dew and flowers; -Well thou trippest o'er the ground, -But soarst not o'er the bowers. - -_Curious traveller_. This must be masquerade! -How odd! -My very eyes believe I? -Oberon, the beauteous God -Here, to-night perceive I! - -_Orthodox_. Neither claws, nor tail I see! -And yet, without a cavil, -Just as "the Gods of Greece"[42] were, he -Must also be a devil. - -_Northern artist_. What here I catch is, to be sure, -But sketchy recreation; -And yet for my Italian tour -'Tis timely preparation. - -_Purist_. Bad luck has brought me here, I see! -The rioting grows louder. -And of the whole witch company, -There are but two, wear powder. - -_Young witch_. Powder becomes, like petticoat, -Your little, gray old woman: -Naked I sit upon my goat, -And show the untrimmed human. - -_Matron_. To stand here jawing[43] with you, we -Too much good-breeding cherish; -But young and tender though you be, -I hope you'll rot and perish. - -_Leader of the music_. Fly-snouts and gnat-noses, please, -Swarm not so round the naked! -Grass-hid crickets, frogs in trees, -Keep time and don't forsake it! - -_Weathercock_ [_towards one side_]. Find better company, who can! -Here, brides attended duly! -There, bachelors, ranged man by man, -Most hopeful people truly! - -_Weathercock [towards the other side_]. -And if the ground don't open straight, -The crazy crew to swallow, -You'll see me, at a furious rate, -Jump down to hell's black hollow. - -_Xenia[_44] We are here as insects, ah! -Small, sharp nippers wielding, -Satan, as our _cher papa_, -Worthy honor yielding. - -_Hennings_. See how naïvely, there, the throng -Among themselves are jesting, -You'll hear them, I've no doubt, ere long, -Their good kind hearts protesting. - -_Musagetes_. Apollo in this witches' group -Himself right gladly loses; -For truly I could lead this troop -Much easier than the muses. - -_Ci-devant genius of the age_. Right company will raise man up. -Come, grasp my skirt, Lord bless us! -The Blocksberg has a good broad top, -Like Germany's Parnassus. - -_Curious traveller_. Tell me who is that stiff man? -With what stiff step he travels! -He noses out whate'er he can. -"He scents the Jesuit devils." - -_Crane_. In clear, and muddy water, too, -The long-billed gentleman fishes; -Our pious gentlemen we view -Fingering in devils' dishes. - -_Child of this world_. Yes, with the pious ones, 'tis clear, -"All's grist that comes to their mill;" -They build their tabernacles here, -On Blocksberg, as on Carmel. - -_Dancer_. Hark! a new choir salutes my ear! -I hear a distant drumming. -"Be not disturbed! 'mong reeds you hear -The one-toned bitterns bumming." - -_Dancing-master._ How each his legs kicks up and flings, -Pulls foot as best he's able! -The clumsy hops, the crooked springs, -'Tis quite disreputable! - -_Fiddler_. The scurvy pack, they hate, 'tis clear, -Like cats and dogs, each other. -Like Orpheus' lute, the bagpipe here -Binds beast to beast as brother. - -_Dogmatist_. You'll not scream down my reason, though, -By criticism's cavils. -The devil's something, that I know, -Else how could there be devils? - -_Idealist_. Ah, phantasy, for once thy sway -Is guilty of high treason. -If all I see is I, to-day, -'Tis plain I've lost my reason. - -_Realist_. To me, of all life's woes and plagues, -Substance is most provoking, -For the first time I feel my legs -Beneath me almost rocking. - -_Supernaturalist_. I'm overjoyed at being here, -And even among these rude ones; -For if bad spirits are, 'tis clear, -There also must be good ones. - -_Skeptic_. Where'er they spy the flame they roam, -And think rich stores to rifle, -Here such as I are quite at home, -For _Zweifel_ rhymes with _Teufel_.[45] - -_Leader of the music_. Grass-hid cricket, frogs in trees, -You cursed dilettanti! -Fly-snouts and gnats'-noses, peace! -Musicians you, right jaunty! - -_The Clever ones_. Sans-souci we call this band -Of merry ones that skip it; -Unable on our feet to stand, -Upon our heads we trip it. - -_The Bunglers_. Time was, we caught our tit-bits, too, -God help us now! that's done with! -We've danced our leathers entirely through, -And have only bare soles to run with. - -_Jack-o'lanterns_. From the dirty bog we come, -Whence we've just arisen: -Soon in the dance here, quite at home, -As gay young _sparks_ we'll glisten. - -_Shooting star_. Trailing from the sky I shot, -Not a star there missed me: -Crooked up in this grassy spot, -Who to my legs will assist me? - -_The solid men_. Room there! room there! clear the ground! -Grass-blades well may fall so; -Spirits are we, but 'tis found -They have plump limbs also. - -_Puck_. Heavy men! do not, I say, -Like elephants' calves go stumping: -Let the plumpest one to-day -Be Puck, the ever-jumping. - -_Ariel_. If the spirit gave, indeed, -If nature gave you, pinions, -Follow up my airy lead -To the rose-dominions! - -_Orchestra_ [_pianissimo_]. Gauzy mist and fleecy cloud -Sun and wind have banished. -Foliage rustles, reeds pipe loud, -All the show has vanished. - - - - - DREARY DAY.[46] - - _Field_. - - - FAUST. MEPHISTOPHELES. - -_Faust_. In wretchedness! In despair! Long hunted up and down the earth, a -miserable fugitive, and caught at last! Locked up as a malefactor in -prison, to converse with horrible torments--the sweet, unhappy creature! -Even to this pass! even to this!--Treacherous, worthless spirit, and this -thou hast hidden from me!--Stand up here--stand up! Roll thy devilish eyes -round grimly in thy head! Stand and defy me with thy intolerable presence! -Imprisoned! In irretrievable misery! Given over to evil spirits and to the -judgment of unfeeling humanity, and me meanwhile thou lullest in insipid -dissipations, concealest from me her growing anguish, and leavest her -without help to perish! - -_Mephistopheles_. She is not the first! - -_Faust_. Dog! abominable monster! Change him, thou Infinite Spirit! change -the worm back into his canine form, as he was often pleased in the night -to trot before me, to roll before the feet of the harmless wanderer, and, -when he fell, to hang on his shoulders. Change him again into his favorite -shape, that he may crawl before me on his belly in the sand, and that I -may tread him under foot, the reprobate!--Not the first! Misery! Misery! -inconceivable by any human soul! that more than one creature ever sank -into the depth of this wretchedness, that the first in its writhing -death-agony did not atone for the guilt of all the rest before the eyes of -the eternally Forgiving! My very marrow and life are consumed by the -misery of this single one; thou grinnest away composedly at the fate of -thousands! - -_Mephistopheles_. Here we are again at our wits' ends already, where the -thread of sense, with you mortals, snaps short. Why make a partnership -with us, if thou canst not carry it through? Wilt fly, and art not proof -against dizziness? Did we thrust ourselves on thee, or thou on us? - -_Faust_. Gnash not so thy greedy teeth against me! It disgusts me!--Great -and glorious spirit, thou that deignedst to appear to me, who knowest my -heart and soul, why yoke me to this shame-fellow, who feeds on mischief -and feasts on ruin? - -_Mephistopheles_. Hast thou done? - -_Faust_. Rescue her! O woe be unto thee! The most horrible curse on thee -for thousands of years! - -_Mephistopheles_. I cannot loose the bonds of the avenger, nor open his -bolts.--Rescue her!--Who was it that plunged her into ruin? I or thou? - [FAUST _looks wildly round_.] -Grasp'st thou after the thunder? Well that it was not given to you -miserable mortals! To crush an innocent respondent, that is a sort of -tyrant's-way of getting room to breathe in embarrassment. - -_Faust_. Lead me to her! She shall be free! - -_Mephistopheles_. And the danger which thou incurrest? Know that the guilt -of blood at thy hand still lies upon the town. Over the place of the -slain, avenging spirits hover and lurk for the returning murderer. - -_Faust_. That, too, from thee? Murder and death of a world upon thee, -monster! Lead me thither, I say, and free her! - -_Mephistopheles_. I will lead thee, and hear what I can do! Have I all -power in heaven and on earth? I will becloud the turnkey's senses; possess -thyself of the keys, and bear her out with human hand. I will watch! The -magic horses shall be ready, and I will bear you away. So much I can do. - -_Faust_. Up and away! - - - - - NIGHT. OPEN FIELD. - - FAUST. MEPHISTOPHELES. - _Scudding along on black horses_. - -_Faust_. What's doing, off there, round the gallows-tree?[47] - -_Mephistopheles_. Know not what they are doing and brewing. - -_Faust_. Up they go--down they go--wheel about, reel about. - -_Mephistopheles_. A witches'-crew. - -_Faust_. They're strewing and vowing. - -_Mephistopheles_. Pass on! Pass on! - - - - - PRISON. - - FAUST [_with a bunch of keys and a lamp, before an iron door_] -A long unwonted chill comes o'er me, -I feel the whole great load of human woe. -Within this clammy wall that frowns before me -Lies one whom blinded love, not guilt, brought low! -Thou lingerest, in hope to grow bolder! -Thou fearest again to behold her! -On! Thy shrinking slowly hastens the blow! - [_He grasps the key. Singing from within_.] -My mother, the harlot, -That strung me up! -My father, the varlet, -That ate me up! -My sister small, -She gathered up all -The bones that day, -And in a cool place did lay; -Then I woke, a sweet bird, at a magic call; -Fly away, fly away! - -_Faust [unlocking_]. She little dreams, her lover is so near, -The clanking chains, the rustling straw can hear; - [_He enters_.] - -_Margaret [burying herself in the bed_]. Woe! woe! -They come. O death of bitterness! - -_Faust_ [_softly_]. Hush! hush! I come to free thee; thou art dreaming. - -_Margaret_ [_prostrating herself before him_]. -Art thou a man, then feel for my distress. - -_Faust_. Thou'lt wake the guards with thy loud screaming! - [_He seizes the chains to tin lock them._] - -_Margaret_ [_on her knees_]. Headsman, who's given thee this right -O'er me, this power! -Thou com'st for me at dead of night; -In pity spare me, one short hour! -Wilt't not be time when Matin bell has rung? - [_She stands up._] -Ah, I am yet so young, so young! -And death pursuing! -Fair was I too, and that was my undoing. -My love was near, far is he now! -Tom is the wreath, the scattered flowers lie low. -Take not such violent hold of me! -Spare me! what harm have I done to thee? -Let me not in vain implore thee. -Thou ne'er till now sawft her who lies before thee! - -_Faust_. O sorrow worse than death is o'er me! - -_Margaret_. Now I am wholly in thy power. -But first I'd nurse my child--do not prevent me. -I hugged it through the black night hour; -They took it from me to torment me, -And now they say I killed the pretty flower. -I shall never be happy again, I know. -They sing vile songs at me! 'Tis bad in them to do it! -There's an old tale that ends just so, -Who gave that meaning to it? - -_Faust [prostrates himself_]. A lover at thy feet is bending, -Thy bonds of misery would be rending. - -_Margaret [flings herself beside him_]. -O let us kneel, the saints for aid invoking! -See! 'neath the threshold smoking, -Fire-breathing, -Hell is seething! -There prowling, -And grim under cover, -Satan is howling! - -_Faust [aloud_]. Margery! Margery! - -_Margaret [listening_]. That was the voice of my lover! - [_She springs up. The chains fall off_.] - -Where is he? Where? He calls. I hear him. -I'm free! Who hinders? I will be near him. -I'll fly to his neck! I'll hold him! -To my bosom I'll enfold him! -He stood on the threshold--called Margery plainly! -Hell's howling and clattering to drown it sought vainly,-- -Through the devilish, grim scoffs, that might turn one to stone, -I caught the sweet, loving, enrapturing tone. - -_Faust_. 'Tis I! - -_Margaret_. 'Tis thou! O say it once again. - [_Clasping again._] -'Tis he! 'tis he! Where now is all my pain? -And where the dungeon's anguish? Joy-giver! -'Tis thou! And come to deliver! -I am delivered! -Again before me lies the street, -Where for the first time thou and I did meet. -And the garden-bower, -Where we spent that evening hour. - -_Faust_ [_trying to draw her away_]. Come! Come with me! - -_Margaret_. O tarry! -I tarry so gladly where thou tarriest. - [_Caressing him._] - -_Faust_. Hurry! -Unless thou hurriest, -Bitterly we both must rue it. - -_Margaret_. Kiss me! Canst no more do it? -So short an absence, love, as this, -And forgot how to kiss? -What saddens me so as I hang about thy neck? -When once, in thy words, thy looks, such a heaven of blisses -Came o'er me, I thought my heart would break, -And it seemed as if thou wouldst smother me with kisses. -Kiss thou me! -Else I kiss thee! - [_She embraces him._] -Woe! woe! thy lips are cold, -Stone-dumb. -Where's thy love left? -Oh! I'm bereft! -Who robbed me? - [_She turns from him_] - -_Faust_. O come! -Take courage, my darling! Let us go; -I clasp-thee with unutterable glow; -But follow me! For this alone I plead! - -_Margaret [turning to him_]. Is it, then, thou? -And is it thou indeed? - -_Faust_. 'Tis I! Come, follow me! - -_Margaret_. Thou break'st my chain, -And tak'st me to thy breast again! -How comes it, then, that thou art not afraid of me? -And dost thou know, my friend, who 'tis thou settest free? - -_Faust_. Come! come! The night is on the wane. - -_Margaret_. Woe! woe! My mother I've slain! -Have drowned the babe of mine! -Was it not sent to be mine and thine? -Thine, too--'tis thou! Scarce true doth it seem. -Give me thy hand! 'Tis not a dream! -Thy blessed hand!--But ah! there's dampness here! -Go, wipe it off! I fear -There's blood thereon. -Ah God! what hast thou done! -Put up thy sword again; -I pray thee, do! - -_Faust_. The past is past--there leave it then, -Thou kill'st me too! - -_Margaret_. No, thou must longer tarry! -I'll tell thee how each thou shalt bury; -The places of sorrow -Make ready to-morrow; -Must give the best place to my mother, -The very next to my brother, -Me a little aside, -But make not the space too wide! -And on my right breast let the little one lie. -No one else will be sleeping by me. -Once, to feel _thy_ heart beat nigh me, -Oh, 'twas a precious, a tender joy! -But I shall have it no more--no, never; -I seem to be forcing myself on thee ever, -And thou repelling me freezingly; -And 'tis thou, the same good soul, I see. - -_Faust_. If thou feelest 'tis I, then come with me - -_Margaret_. Out yonder? - -_Faust_. Into the open air. - -_Margaret_. If the grave is there, -If death is lurking; then come! -From here to the endless resting-place, -And not another pace--Thou -go'st e'en now? O, Henry, might I too. - -_Faust_. Thou canst! 'Tis but to will! The door stands open. - -_Margaret_. I dare not go; for me there's no more hoping. -What use to fly? They lie in wait for me. -So wretched the lot to go round begging, -With an evil conscience thy spirit plaguing! -So wretched the lot, an exile roaming--And -then on my heels they are ever coming! - -_Faust_. I shall be with thee. - -_Margaret_. Make haste! make haste! -No time to waste! -Save thy poor child! -Quick! follow the edge -Of the rushing rill, -Over the bridge -And by the mill, -Then into the woods beyond -On the left where lies the plank -Over the pond. -Seize hold of it quick! -To rise 'tis trying, -It struggles still! -Rescue! rescue! - -_Faust_. Bethink thyself, pray! -A single step and thou art free! - -_Margaret_. Would we were by the mountain. See! -There sits my mother on a stone, -The sight on my brain is preying! -There sits my mother on a stone, -And her head is constantly swaying; -She beckons not, nods not, her head falls o'er, -So long she's been sleeping, she'll wake no more. -She slept that we might take pleasure. -O that was bliss without measure! - -_Faust_. Since neither reason nor prayer thou hearest; -I must venture by force to take thee, dearest. - -_Margaret_. Let go! No violence will I bear! -Take not such a murderous hold of me! -I once did all I could to gratify thee. - -_Faust_. The day is breaking! Dearest! dearest! - -_Margaret_. Day! Ay, it is day! the last great day breaks in! -My wedding-day it should have been! -Tell no one thou hast been with Margery! -Alas for my garland! The hour's advancing! -Retreat is in vain! -We meet again, -But not at the dancing. -The multitude presses, no word is spoke. -Square, streets, all places-- -sea of faces-- -The bell is tolling, the staff is broke. -How they seize me and bind me! -They hurry me off to the bloody block.[48] -The blade that quivers behind me, -Quivers at every neck with convulsive shock; -Dumb lies the world as the grave! - -_Faust_. O had I ne'er been born! - -_Mephistopheles [appears without_]. Up! or thou'rt lost! The morn -Flushes the sky. -Idle delaying! Praying and playing! -My horses are neighing, -They shudder and snort for the bound. - -_Margaret_. What's that, comes up from the ground? -He! He! Avaunt! that face! -What will he in the sacred place? -He seeks me! - -_Faust_. Thou shalt live! - -_Margaret_. Great God in heaven! -Unto thy judgment my soul have I given! - -_Mephistopheles [to Faust_]. -Come! come! or in the lurch I leave both her and thee! - -_Margaret_. Thine am I, Father! Rescue me! -Ye angels, holy bands, attend me! -And camp around me to defend me I -Henry! I dread to look on thee. - -_Mephistopheles_. She's judged! - -_Voice [from above_]. She's saved! - -_Mephistopheles [to Faust_]. Come thou to me! - [_Vanishes with_ FAUST.] - -_Voice [from within, dying away_]. Henry! Henry! - - - - -NOTES. - - -[Footnote 1: Dedication. The idea of Faust had early entered into Goethe's -mind. He probably began the work when he was about twenty years old. It -was first published, as a fragment, in 1790, and did not appear in its -present form till 1808, when its author's age was nearly sixty. By the -"forms" are meant, of course, the shadowy personages and scenes of the -drama.] - -[Footnote 2: --"Thy messengers"-- - "He maketh the winds his-messengers, - The flaming lightnings his ministers." - _Noyes's Psalms_, c. iv. 4.] - -[Footnote 3: "The Word Divine." In translating the German "Werdende" -(literally, the _becoming, developing_, or _growing_) by the term _word_, -I mean the _word_ in the largest sense: "In the beginning was the Word, -&c." Perhaps "nature" would be a pretty good rendering, but "word," being -derived from "werden," and expressing philosophically and scripturally the -going forth or manifestation of mind, seemed to me as appropriate a -translation as any.] - -[Footnote 4: "The old fellow." The commentators do not seem quite agreed -whether "den Alten" (the old one) is an entirely reverential phrase here, -like the "ancient of days," or savors a little of profane pleasantry, like -the title "old man" given by boys to their schoolmaster or of "the old -gentleman" to their fathers. Considering who the speaker is, I have -naturally inclined to the latter alternative.] - -[Footnote 5: "Nostradamus" (properly named Michel Notre Dame) lived -through the first half of the sixteenth century. He was born in the south -of France and was of Jewish extraction. As physician and astrologer, he -was held in high honor by the French nobility and kings.] - -[Footnote 6: The "Macrocosm" is the great world of outward things, in -contrast with its epitome, the little world in man, called the microcosm -(or world in miniature).] - -[Footnote 7: "Famulus" seems to mean a cross between a servant and a -scholar. The Dominie Sampson called Wagner, is appended to Faust for the -time somewhat as Sancho is to Don Quixote. The Doctor Faust of the legend -has a servant by that name, who seems to have been more of a _Sancho_, in -the sense given to the word by the old New England mothers when upbraiding -bad boys (you Sanch'!). Curiously enough, Goethe had in early life a -(treacherous) friend named Wagner, who plagiarized part of Faust and made -a tragedy of it.] - -[Footnote 8: "Mock-heroic play." We have Schlegel's authority for thus -rendering the phrase "Haupt- und Staats-Action," (literally, "head and -State-action,") who says that this title was given to dramas designed for -puppets, when they treated of heroic and historical subjects.] - -[Footnote 9: The literal sense of this couplet in the original is:-- - "Is he, in the bliss of becoming, - To creative joy near--" -"Werde-lust" presents the same difficulty that we found in note 3. This -same word, "Werden," is also used by the poet in the introductory theatre -scene (page 7), where he longs for the time when he himself was -_ripening_, growing, becoming, or _forming_, (as Hayward renders it.) I -agree with Hayward, "the meaning probably is, that our Saviour enjoys, in -coming to life again," (I should say, in being born into the upper life,) -"a happiness nearly equal to that of the Creator in creating."] - -[Footnote 10: The Angel-chorusses in this scene present the only instances -in which the translator, for the sake of retaining the ring and swing of -the melody, has felt himself obliged to give a transfusion of the spirit -of the thought, instead of its exact form. - -The literal meaning of the first chorus is:-- - - Christ is arisen! - Joy to the Mortal, - Whom the ruinous, - Creeping, hereditary - Infirmities wound round. - -Dr. Hedge has come nearer than any one to reconciling meaning and melody -thus:-- - - "Christ has arisen! - Joy to our buried Head! - Whom the unmerited, - Trailing, inherited - Woes did imprison." - -The present translator, without losing sight of the fact that "the Mortal" -means Christ, has taken the liberty (constrained by rhyme,--which is -sometimes more than the _rudder_ of verse,) of making the congratulation -include Humanity, as incarnated in Christ, "the second Adam." - -In the closing Chorus of Angels, the translator found that he could best -preserve the spirit of the five-fold rhyme:-- - - "Thätig ihn preisenden, - Liebe beweisenden, - Brüderlich speisenden, - Predigend reisenden, - Wonne verheissenden," - -by running it into three couplets.] - -[Footnote 11: The prose account of the alchymical process is as follows:-- - -"There was red mercury, a powerfully acting body, united with the tincture -of antimony, at a gentle heat of the water-bath. Then, being exposed to -the heat of open fire in an aludel, (or alembic,) a sublimate filled its -heads in succession, which, if it appeared with various hues, was the -desired medicine."] - -[Footnote 12: "Salamander, &c." The four represent the spirits of the -four elements, fire, water, air, and earth, which Faust successively -conjures, so that, if the monster belongs in any respect to this mundane -sphere, he may be exorcized. But it turns out that he is beyond and -beneath all.] - -[Footnote 13: Here, of course, Faust makes the sign of the cross, or holds -out a crucifix.] - -[Footnote 14: "Fly-God," _i.e._ Beelzebub.] - -[Footnote 15: The "Drudenfuss," or pentagram, was a pentagonal figure -composed of three triangles, thus: -[Illustration] - -[Footnote 16: Doctor's Feast. The inaugural feast given at taking a -degree.] - -[Footnote 17: "Blood." When at the first invention of printing, the art -was ascribed to the devil, the illuminated red ink parts were said by the -people to be done in blood.] - -[Footnote 18: "The Spanish boot" was an instrument of torture, like the -Scottish boot mentioned in Old Mortality.] - -[Footnote 19: "Encheiresin Naturæ." Literally, a handling of nature.] - -[Footnote 20: Still a famous place of public resort and entertainment. On -the wall are two old paintings of Faust's carousal and his ride out of the -door on a cask. One is accompanied by the following inscription, being two -lines (Hexameter and Pentameter) broken into halves:-- - - "Vive, bibe, obgregare, memor - Fausti hujus et hujus - Pœnæ. Aderat clauda haec, - Ast erat ampla gradû. 1525." - - "Live, drink, be merry, remembering - This Faust and his - Punishment. It came slowly - But was in ample measure."] - -[Footnote 21:_Frosch, Brander_, &c. These names seem to be chosen with an -eye to adaptation, Frosch meaning frog, and Brander fireship. "Frog" -happens also to be the nickname the students give to a pupil of the -gymnasium, or school preparatory to the university.] - -[Footnote 22: Rippach is a village near Leipsic, and Mr. Hans was a -fictitious personage about whom the students used to quiz greenhorns.] - -[Footnote 23: The original means literally _sea-cat_. Retzsch says, it is -the little ring-tailed monkey.] - -[Footnote 24: One-time-one, _i.e._ multiplication-table.] - -[Footnote 25: "Hand and glove." The translator's coincidence with Miss -Swanwick here was entirely accidental. The German is "thou and thou," -alluding to the fact that intimate friends among the Germans, like the -sect of Friends, call each other _thou_.] - -[Footnote 26: The following is a literal translation of the song referred -to:-- - - Were I a little bird, - Had I two wings of mine, - I'd fly to my dear; - But that can never be, - So I stay here. - - Though I am far from thee, - Sleeping I'm near to thee, - Talk with my dear; - When I awake again, - I am alone. - - Scarce is there an hour in the night, - When sleep does not take its flight, - And I think of thee, - How many thousand times - Thou gav'st thy heart to me.] - -[Footnote 27: Donjon. The original is _Zwinger_, which Hayward says is -untranslatable. It probably means an old tower, such as is often found in -the free cities, where, in a dark passage-way, a lamp is sometimes placed, -and a devotional image near it.] - -[Footnote 28: It was a superstitious belief that the presence of buried -treasure was indicated by a blue flame.] - -[Footnote 29: Lion-dollars--a Bohemian coin, first minted three centuries -ago, by Count Schlick, from the mines of Joachim's-Thal. The one side -bears a lion, the other a full length image of St. John.] - -[Footnote 30: An imitation of Ophelia's song: _Hamlet_, act 14, scene 5.] - -[Footnote 31: The Rat-catcher was supposed to have the art of drawing rats -after him by his whistle, like a sort of Orpheus.] - -[Footnote 32: Walpurgis Night. May-night. Walpurgis is the female saint -who converted the Saxons to Christianity.--The Brocken or Blocksberg is -the highest peak of the Harz mountains, which comprise about 1350 square -miles.--Schirke and Elend are two villages in the neighborhood.] - -[Footnote 33: Shelley's translation of this couplet is very fine: -("_O si sic omnia!_") - - "The giant-snouted crags, ho! ho! - How they snort and how they blow!"] - -[Footnote 34: The original is _Windsbraut_, (wind's-bride,) the word used -in Luther's Bible to translate Paul's _Euroclydon_.] - -[Footnote 35: One of the names of the devil in Germany.] - -[Footnote 36: One of the names of Beelzebub.] - -[Footnote 37: "The Talmudists say that Adam had a wife called Lilis before -he married Eve, and of her he begat nothing but devils." - _Burton's Anatomy of Melancholy_. - -A learned writer says that _Lullaby_ is derived from "Lilla, abi!" "Begone -Lilleth!" she having been supposed to lie in wait for children to kill -them.] - -[Footnote 38: This name, derived from two Greek words meaning _rump_ and -_fancy_, was meant for Nicolai of Berlin, a great hater of Goethe's -writings, and is explained by the fact that the man had for a long time a -violent affection of the nerves, and by the application he made of leeches -as a remedy, (alluded to by Mephistopheles.)] - -[Footnote 39: Tegel (mistranslated _pond_ by Shelley) is a small place a -few miles from Berlin, whose inhabitants were, in 1799, hoaxed by a ghost -story, of which the scene was laid in the former place.] - -[Footnote 40: The park in Vienna.] - -[Footnote 41: He was scene-painter to the Weimar theatre.] - -[Footnote 42: A poem of Schiller's, which gave great offence to the -religious people of his day.] - -[Footnote 43: A literal translation of _Maulen_, but a slang-term in -Yankee land.] - -[Footnote 44: Epigrams, published from time to time by Goethe and Schiller -jointly. Hennings (whose name heads the next quatrain) was editor of the -_Musaget_, (a title of Apollo, "leader of the muses,") and also of the -_Genius of the Age_. The other satirical allusions to classes of -notabilities will, without difficulty, be guessed out by the readers.] - -[Footnote 45: "_Doubt_ is the only rhyme for devil," in German.] - -[Footnote 46: The French translator, Stapfer, assigns as the probable -reason why this scene alone, of the whole drama, should have been left in -prose, "that it might not be said that Faust wanted any one of the -possible forms of style."] - -[Footnote 47: Literally the _raven-stone_.] - -[Footnote 48: The _blood-seat_, in allusion to the old German custom of -tying a woman, who was to be beheaded, into a wooden chair.] - - * * * * * - -P. S. There is a passage on page 84, the speech of Faust, ending with the -lines:-- - - Show me the fruit that, ere it's plucked, will rot, - And trees from which new green is daily peeping, - -which seems to have puzzled or misled so much, not only English -translators, but even German critics, that the present translator has -concluded, for once, to depart from his usual course, and play the -commentator, by giving his idea of Goethe's meaning, which is this: Faust -admits that the devil has all the different kinds of Sodom-apples which he -has just enumerated, gold that melts away in the hand, glory that vanishes -like a meteor, and pleasure that perishes in the possession. But all these -torments are too insipid for Faust's morbid and mad hankering after the -luxury of spiritual pain. Show me, he says, the fruit that rots _before_ -one can pluck it, and [a still stronger expression of his diseased craving -for agony] trees that fade so quickly as to be every day just putting -forth new green, only to tantalize one with perpetual promise and -perpetual disappointment. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Faust, by Goethe - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FAUST *** - -***** This file should be named 14460-8.txt or 14460-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.net/1/4/4/6/14460/ - -Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Charles Bidwell and the PG Online -Distributed Proofreading Team - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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