DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.

Witches, old and young; Wizards, Will-o’-the-Wisp, Witch Pedler, Protophantasmist, Servibilis, Monkeys, Spirits, Journeymen, Country-folk, Citizens, Beggar, Old Fortuneteller, Shepherd, Soldier, Students, etc.

In the Intermezzo.

Oberon.

Titania.

Ariel.

Puck, etc., etc.

DEDICATION.

DIM forms, ye hover near, a shadowy train,

As erst upon my troubl’d sight ye stole.

Say, shall I strive to hold you once again?

Still for the fond illusion yearns my soul?

Ye press around! Come, then, resume your reign,

As upwards from the vapory mist ye roll;

Within my breast youth’s throbbing pulses bound,

Fann’d by the magic air that breathes your march around.

Shades fondly lov’d appear, your train attending,

And visions fair of many a blissful day;

First-love and friendship their fond accents blending,

Like to some ancient, half expiring lay;

Sorrow revives, her wail of anguish sending

Back o’er life’s devious labyrinthine way,

The dear ones naming who, in life’s fair morn,

By Fate beguiled, from my embrace were torn.

They hearken not unto my later song,

The souls to whom my earlier lays I sang;

Dispers’d for ever is the friendly throng,

Mute are the voices that responsive rang.

My song resoundeth stranger crowds among,

E’en their applause is to my heart a pang;

And those who heard me once with joyful heart,

If yet they live, now wander far apart.

A strange unwonted yearning doth my soul,

To yon calm solemn spirit-land, upraise;

In faltering cadence now my numbers roll,

As when, on harp Æolian, Zephyr plays;

My pulses thrill, tears flow without control,

A tender mood my steadfast heart o’ersways;

What I possess as from afar I see;

Those I have lost become realities to me.

PROLOGUE FOR THE THEATRE.

Manager. Dramatic Poet. Merryman.

Manager.

Ye twain, whom I so oft have found

True friends in trouble and distress,

Say, in our scheme on German ground,

What prospect have we of success?

Fain would I please the public, win their thanks;

Because they live and let live, as is meet.

The posts are now erected and the planks,

And all look forward to a festal treat.

Their places taken, they, with eyebrows rais’d,

Sit patiently, and fain would be amaz’d.

I know the art to hit the public taste,

Yet so perplex’d I ne’er have been before;

’Tis true, they’re not accustom’d to the best,

But then they read immensely, that’s the bore.

How make our entertainment striking, new,

And yet significant and pleasing too?

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

As to our booth the living tide progresses;

As wave on wave successive rolls along,

And through heaven’s narrow portal forceful presses;

Still in broad daylight, ere the clock strikes four,

With blows their way towards the box they take;

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

For tickets are content their necks to break.

Such various minds the bard alone can sway,

My friend, oh work this miracle to-day!

Poet.

Oh speak not of the motley multitude,

At whose aspect the spirit wings its flight;

Shut out the noisy crowd, whose vortex rude

Still draws us downward with resistless might.

Lead to some nook, where silence loves to brood,

Where only for the bard blooms pure delight,

Where love and friendship, gracious heavenly pair,

Our hearts true bliss create, and tend with fostering care.

What there up-welleth deep within the breast,

What there the timid lip shap’d forth in sound,

A failure now, now haply well express’d

In the wild tumult of the hour is drown’d;

Oft doth the perfect form then first invest

The poet’s thought, when years have sped their round;

What dazzles satisfies the present hour,

The genuine lives, of coming years the dower.

Merryman.

This cant about posterity I hate;

About posterity were I to prate,

Who then the living would amuse? For they

Will have diversion, ay, and ’tis their due.

A sprightly fellow’s presence at your play,

Methinks, should always go for something too;

Whose genial wit the audience still inspires,

Is not embittered by its changeful mood;

A wider circle he desires,

To move with greater power, the multitude.

To work, then! Prove a master in your art!

Let phantasy with all her choral train,

Sense, reason, feeling, passion, bear their part,

But mark! let folly also mingle in the strain!

Manager.

And, chief, let incidents enough arise!

A show they want; they come to feast their eyes.

When stirring scenes before them are display’d,

At which the gaping crowd may wondering gaze,

Your reputation is already made,

The man you are all love to praise.

The masses you alone through masses can subdue,

Each then selects in time what suits his bent.

Bring much, you somewhat bring to not a few,

And from the house goes every one content.

You give a piece, in pieces give it, friend!

Such a ragout, success must needs attend;

’Tis easy to serve up, as easy to invent.

A finish’d whole what boots it to present!

’Twill be in pieces by the public rent.

Poet.

How mean such handicraft as this you cannot feel!

How it revolts the genuine artist’s mind!

The sorry trash in which these coxcombs deal,

Is here approved on principle, I find.

Manager.

Such a reproof disturbs me not a whit!

Who on efficient work is bent,

Must choose the fittest instrument.

Consider! ’tis soft wood you have to split;

Think too for whom you write, I pray!

One comes to while an hour away;

One from the festive board, a sated guest;

Others, more dreaded than the rest,

From journal-reading hurry to the play.

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

Sheer curiosity their footsteps winging;

Ladies display their persons and their dress,

Actors unpaid their service bringing.

What dreams beguile you on your poet’s height?

What puts a full house in a merry mood?

More closely view your patrons of the night!

The half are cold, the other half are rude.

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

Another a wild night in wanton joy would spend.

Poor fool, the muses’ fair regards

Why court for such a paltry end?

I tell you, give them more, still more, ’tis all I ask,

Thus you will ne’er stray widely from the goal;

Your audience seek to mystify, cajole;—

To satisfy them—that’s a harder task.

What ails thee? art enraptur’d or distress’d?

Poet.

Depart! elsewhere another servant choose!

What! shall the bard his godlike power abuse?

Man’s loftiest right, kind nature’s high bequest,

For your mean purpose basely sport away?

Whence comes his mastery o’er the human breast,

Whence o’er the elements his sway,

But from the harmony that, gushing from his soul,

Draws back into his heart the wondrous whole?

When round her spindle, with unceasing drone,

Nature still whirls th’ unending thread of life;

When Being’s jarring crowds, together thrown,

Mingle in harsh inextricable strife;

Who deals their course unvari’d till it falls,

In rhythmic flow to music’s measur’d tone?

Each solitary note whose genius calls,

To swell the mighty choir in unison?

Who in the raging storm sees passion lour,

Or flush of earnest thought in evening’s glow,

Who, in the springtide, every fairest flower

Along the lov’d one’s path would strow?

From green and common leaves whose hand doth twine,

The wreath of glory, won in every field?

Makes sure Olympos, blends the powers divine?—

Man’s mighty spirit, in the bard reveal’d!

Merryman.

Come then, employ your lofty inspiration,

And carry on the poet’s avocation,

Just as we carry on a love affair.

Two meet by chance, are pleas’d they linger there,

Insensibly are link’d, they scarce know how;

Fortune seems now propitious, adverse now,

Then come alternate rapture and despair;

And ’tis a true romance ere one’s aware.

Just such a drama let us now compose.

Plunge boldly into life—its depths disclose!

Each lives it, not to many is it known,

’Twill interest wheresoever seiz’d and shown;

Bright pictures, but obscure their meaning:

A ray of truth through error gleaming,

Thus you the best elixir brew,

To charm mankind, and edify them too.

Then youth’s fair blossoms crowd to view your play,

And wait as on an oracle; while they,

The tender souls, who love the melting mood,

Suck from your work their melancholy food;

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

Each sees the working of his heart laid bare;

Their tears, their laughter, you command with ease,

The lofty still they honor, the illusive love,

Your finish’d gentlemen you ne’er can please;

A growing mind alone will grateful prove.

Poet.

Then give me back youth’s golden prime,

When my own spirit too was growing,

When from my heart th’ unbidden rhyme

Gush’d forth, a fount for ever flowing;

Then shadowy mist the world conceal’d,

And every bud sweet promise made,

Of wonders yet to be reveal’d,

As through the vales, with blooms inlaid,

Culling a thousand flowers I stray’d.

Naught had I, yet a rich profusion;

The thirst for truth, joy in each fond illusion.

Give me unquell’d those impulses to prove;—

Rapture so deep, its ecstasy was pain,

The power of hate, the energy of love,

Give me, oh give me back my youth again!

Merryman.

Youth, my good friend, you certainly require

When foes in battle round you press,

When a fair maid, her heart on fire,

Hangs on your neck with fond caress,

When from afar, the victor’s crown,

Allures you in the race to run;

Or when in revelry you drown

Your sense, the whirling dance being done.

But the familiar chords among

Boldly to sweep, with graceful cunning,

While to its goal, the verse along

Its winding path is sweetly running;

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

Nor are you therefore in less reverence held;

Age does not make us childish, as folk say,

It finds us genuine children e’en in eld.

Manager.

A truce to words, mere empty sound,

Let deeds at length appear, my friends!

While idle compliments you round,

You might achieve some useful ends.

Why talk of the poetic vein?

Who hesitates will never know it;

If bards ye are, as ye maintain,

Now let your inspiration show it.

To you is known what we require,

Strong drink to sip is our desire;

Come, brew me such without delay!

To-morrow sees undone, what happens not to-day;

Still forward press, nor ever tire!

The possible, with steadfast trust,

Resolve should by the forelock grasp;

Then she will ne’er let go her clasp,

And labors on, because she must.

On German boards, you’re well aware,

The taste of each may have full sway;

Therefore in bringing out your play,

Nor scenes nor mechanism spare!

Heaven’s lamps employ, the greatest and the least,

Be lavish of the stellar lights,

Water, and fire, and rocky heights,

Spare not at all, nor birds nor beast.

Thus let creation’s ample sphere

Forthwith in this our narrow booth appear,

And with considerate speed, through fancy’s spell,

Journey from heaven, thence through the world, to hell!

PROLOGUE IN HEAVEN.

The Lord. The Heavenly Hosts.AfterwardsMephistopheles.

The three Archangels come forward.

Raphael.

Still quiring as in ancient time

With brother spheres in rival song,

The sun with thunder-march sublime

Moves his predestin’d course along.

Angels are strengthen’d by his sight,

Though fathom him no angel may;

Resplendent are the orbs of light,

As on creation’s primal day.

Gabriel.

And lightly spins earth’s gorgeous sphere,

Swifter than thought its rapid flight;

Alternates Eden-brightness clear,

With solemn, dread-inspiring night;

The foaming waves, with murmurs hoarse,

Against the rocks’ deep base are hurl’d;

And in the sphere’s eternal course

Are rocks and ocean swiftly whirl’d.

Michael.

And rival tempests rush amain

From sea to land, from land to sea,

And raging form a wondrous chain

Of deep mysterious agency;

Full in the thunder’s fierce career,

Flaming the swift destructions play;

But, Lord, thy messengers revere

The mild procession of thy day.

The Three.

Angels are strengthened by thy sight,

Though fathom thee no angel may;

Thy works still shine with splendor bright,

As on creation’s primal day.

Mephistopheles.

Since thou, O Lord, approachest us once more,

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

Since thou hast kindly welcom’d me of yore,

Thou seest me also now among thy train.

Excuse me, fine harangues I cannot make,

Though all the circle look on me with scorn;

My pathos soon thy laughter would awake,

Hadst thou the laughing mood not long forsworn.

Of suns and worlds I nothing have to say,

I see alone mankind’s self-torturing pains.

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

And is as wondrous now as on the primal day.

Better he might have fared, poor wight,

Hadst thou not given him a gleam of heavenly light;

Reason he names it, and doth so

Use it, than brutes more brutish still to grow.

With deference to your grace, he seems to me

Like any long-legged grasshopper to be,

Which ever flies, and flying springs,

And in the grass its ancient ditty sings.

Would he but always in the grass repose

In every heap of dung he thrusts his nose.

The Lord.

Hast thou naught else to say? Is blame

In coming here, as ever, thy sole aim?

Does nothing on the earth to thee seem right?

Mephis.

No, Lord! I find things there in miserable plight.

Men’s wretchedness in sooth I so deplore,

Not even I would plague the sorry creatures more.

The Lord.

Know’st thou my servant, Faust?

Mephis.

The doctor?

The Lord.

Right.

Mephis.

He serves thee in strange fashion, as I think.

Poor fool! Not earthly is his food or drink.

An inward impulse hurries him afar,

Himself half conscious of his frenzied mood;

From heaven claimeth he its brightest star,

And from the earth craves every highest good,

And all that’s near, and all that’s far,

Fails to allay the tumult in his blood.

The Lord.

Though now he serves me with imperfect sight,

I will ere long conduct him to the light.

The gard’ner knoweth, when the green appears,

That flowers and fruit will crown the coming years.

Mephis.

What wilt thou wager? Him thou yet shalt lose,

If leave to me thou wilt but give,

Gently to lead him as I choose!

The Lord.

So long as he on earth doth live,

So long ’tis not forbidden thee.

Man still must err, while he doth strive.

Mephis.

I thank you; for not willingly

I traffic with the dead, and still aver

That youth’s plump blooming cheek I very much prefer.

I’m not at home to corpses; ’tis my way,

Like cats with captive mice to toy and play.

The Lord.

Enough! ’tis granted thee! Divert

This mortal spirit from his primal source;

Him, canst thou seize, thy power exert

And lead him on thy downward course,

Then stand abash’d, when thou perforce must own,

A good man, in the direful grasp of ill,

His consciousness of right retaineth still.

Mephis.

Agreed!—the wager will be quickly won.

For my success no fears I entertain;

And if my end I finally should gain,

Excuse my triumphing with all my soul.

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

As did my cousin, the renowned snake.

The Lord.

Here too thou’rt free to act without control;

I ne’er have cherished hate for such as thee.

Of all the spirits who deny,

The scoffer is least wearisome to me.

Ever too prone is man activity to shirk,

In uncondition’d rest he fain would live;

Hence this companion purposely I give,

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

But ye, the genuine sons of heaven, rejoice!

In the full living beauty still rejoice!

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

In bonds of love enfold you, mercy-fraught,

And Seeming’s changeful forms, around you flowing,

Do ye arrest, in ever-during thought!

[Heaven closes, the Archangels disperse.

Mephis.

(Alone.) The ancient one I like sometimes to see,

And not to break with him am always civil;

’Tis courteous in so great a lord as he,

To speak so kindly even to the devil.

Night.

A high vaulted narrow Gothic chamber.

Faust,restless, seated at his desk.

Faust.

ERE have I, alas! Philosophy,

Medicine, Jurisprudence too,

And to my cost Theology,

With ardent labor, studied through.

And yet I stand, with all my lore,

Poor fool, no wiser than before.

Magister, doctor styled, indeed,

Already these ten years I lead,

Up, down, across, and to and fro,

My pupils by the nose,—and learn,

That we in truth can nothing know!

This in my heart like fire doth burn.

’Tis true, I’ve more cunning than all your dull tribe,

Magister and doctor, priest, parson, and scribe;

Scruple or doubt comes not to enthrall me,

Neither can devil nor hell now appall me—

Hence also my heart must all pleasure forego!

I may not pretend, aught rightly to know,

I may not pretend, through teaching, to find

A means to improve or convert mankind.

Then I have neither goods nor treasure,

No worldly honor, rank, or pleasure;

No dog in such fashion would longer live!

Therefore myself to magic I give,

In hope, through spirit-voice and might,

Secrets now veiled to bring to light,

That I no more, with aching brow,

Need speak of what I nothing know;

That I the force may recognize

That binds creation’s inmost energies;

Her vital powers, her embryo seeds survey,

And fling the trade in empty words away.

O full-orb’d moon, did but thy rays

Their last upon mine anguish gaze!

Beside this desk, at dead of night,

Art hovering near!

Unveil thyself!

Ha! How my heart is riven now!

Each sense, with eager palpitation,

Is strain’d to catch some new sensation!

I feel my heart surrender’d unto thee!

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

[He seizes the book, and pronounces mysteriously the sign of the spirit. A ruddy flame flashes up; the spirit appears in the flame.

Spirit.

Who calls me?

Faust.

(Turning aside.) Dreadful shape!

Spirit.

With might,

Thou hast compell’d me to appear,

Long hast been sucking at my sphere,

And now—

Faust.

Woe’s me! I cannot bear thy sight.

Spirit.

To know me thou didst breathe thy prayer,

My voice to hear, to gaze upon my brow;

Me doth thy strong entreaty bow—

Lo! I am here!—What pitiful despair

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

Where is the breast which in its depths a world conceiv’d

And bore and cherish’d; which, with ecstasy,

To rank itself with us, the spirits, heav’d?

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

Who towards me press’d with energy profound?

Art thou he? Thou—whom thus my breath can blight,

Whose inmost being with affright

Trembles, a crush’d and writhing worm!

Faust.

Shall I yield, thing of flame, to thee?

Faust, and thine equal, I am he!

Spirit.

In the currents of life, in action’s storm,

• I float and I wave
• With billowy motion!
• Birth and the grave,
• A limitless ocean,
• A constant weaving,
• With change still rife,
• A restless heaving,
• A glowing life—

Thus time’s whirring loom unceasing I ply,

And weave the life-garment of deity.

Faust.

Thou, restless spirit, dost from end to end

O’ersweep the world; how near I feel to thee!

Spirit.

Thou’rt like the spirit, thou dost comprehend,

Not me!

[Vanishes.

Faust.

(Deeply moved.) Not thee?

Whom then?

I, God’s own image!

And not rank with thee!

[A knock.

O death! I know it—’tis my famulus—

My fairest fortune now escapes!

That all these visionary shapes

A soulless groveller should banish thus!

[Wagnerin his dressing-gown and nightcap, a lamp in his hand.Faustturns round reluctantly.

Wagner.

Pardon! I heard you here declaim;

A Grecian tragedy you doubtless read?

Improvement in this art is now my aim,

For now-a-days it much avails. Indeed

An actor, oft I’ve heard it said at least,

May give instruction even to a priest.

Faust.

Ay, if your priest should be an actor too,

As not improbably may come to pass.

Wagner.

When in his study pent the whole year through,

Man views the world as through an optic glass,

On a chance holiday, and scarcely then,

How by persuasion can be govern men?

Faust.

If feeling prompt not, if it doth not flow

Fresh from the spirit’s depths, with strong control

Swaying to rapture every listener’s soul,

Idle your toil; the chase you may forego!

Brood o’er your task! Together glue,

Cook from another’s feast your own ragout,

Still prosecute your paltry game,

And fan your ash-heaps into flame!

Thus children’s wonder you’ll excite,

And apes’, if such your appetite:

But that which issues from the heart alone

Will bend the hearts of others to your own.

Wagner.

The speaker in delivery will find

Success alone; I still am far behind.

Faust.

A worthy object still pursue!

Be not a hollow tinkling fool!

Sound understanding, judgment true,

Find utterance without art or rule;

And when with earnestness you speak,

Then is it needful cunning words to seek?

Your fine harangues, so polish’d in their kind,

Wherein the shreds of human thought ye twist,

Are unrefreshing as the empty wind,

Whistling through wither’d leaves and autumn mist!

Wagner.

O Heavens! art is long and life is short!

Still as I prosecute with earnest zeal

The critic’s toil, I’m haunted by this thought,

And vague misgivings o’er my spirit steal.

The very means how hardly are they won

By which we to the fountains rise!

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

Check’d in his progress, the poor devil lies.

Faust.

Parchment, is that the sacred fount whence roll

Waters, he thirsteth not who once hath quaffed?

Oh, if it gush not from thine inmost soul,

Thou hast not won the life-restoring draught.

Wagner.

Your pardon! ’tis delightful to transport

One’s self into the spirit of the past,

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

And what a glorious height we have achiev’d at last.

Faust.

Ay truly! even to the loftiest star!

To us, my friend, the ages that are pass’d

A book with seven seals, close-fasten’d, are;

And what the spirit of the times men call,

Is merely their own spirit after all,

Wherein, distorted oft, the times are glass’d.

Then truly, ’tis a sight to grieve the soul!

At the first glance we fly it in dismay;

A very lumber-room, a rubbish-hole;

At best a sort of mock-heroic play,

With saws pragmatical, and maxims sage,

To suit the puppets and their mimic stage.

Wagner.

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

Touching these things all men would something know.

Faust.

Ay! what ’mong men as knowledge doth obtain!

Who on the child its true name dares bestow?

The few who somewhat of these things have known,

Who their full hearts unguardedly reveal’d,

Nor thoughts nor feelings from the mob conceal’d,

Have died on crosses, or in flames been thrown.—

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

For this time we must say adieu.

Wagner.

Still to watch on I had been well content,

Thus to converse so learnedly with you.

But as to-morrow will be Easter-day,

Some further questions grant, I pray;

With diligence to study still I fondly cling;

Already I know much, but would know everything.

[Exit.

Faust.

(Alone.) How he alone is ne’er bereft of hope,

Who clings to tasteless trash with zeal untir’d,

Who doth, with greedy hand, for treasure grope,

And finding earth-worms, is with joy inspir’d!

And dare a voice of merely human birth,

E’en here, where shapes immortal throng’d, intrude?

Yet ah! thou poorest of the sons of earth,

For once, I e’en to thee feel gratitude.

Despair the power of sense did well-nigh blast,

And thou didst save me ere I sank dismay’d;

So giant-like the vision seem’d, so vast,

I felt myself shrink dwarf’d as I survey’d!

I, God’s own image, from this toil of clay

Already freed, with eager joy who hail’d

The mirror of eternal truth unveil’d,

Mid light effulgent and celestial day—

I, more than cherub, whose unfetter’d soul

With penetrative glance aspir’d to flow

Through nature’s veins, and, still creating, know

The life of gods,—how am I punish’d now!

One thunder-word hath hurl’d me from the goal!

Spirit! I dare not lift me to thy sphere.

What though my power compell’d thee to appear,

My art was powerless to detain thee here.

In that great moment, rapture-fraught,

I felt myself so small, so great;

Fiercely didst thrust me from the realm of thought

Back on humanity’s uncertain fate!

Who’ll teach me now? What ought I to forego?

Ought I that impulse to obey?

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

Impedes the tenor of life’s onward way!

E’en to the noblest by the soul conceiv’d,

Some feelings cling of baser quality;

And when the goods of this world are achiev’d,

Each nobler aim is term’d a cheat, a lie.

Our aspirations, our soul’s genuine life,

Grow torpid in the din of earthly strife.

Though youthful phantasy, while hope inspires,

Stretch o’er the infinite her wing sublime,

A narrow compass limits her desires,

When wreck’d our fortunes in the gulf of time.

In the deep heart of man care builds her nest.

O’er secret woes she broodeth there,

Sleepless she rocks herself and scareth joy and rest;

Still is she wont some new disguise to wear;

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

As dagger, poison, fire and flood;

Imagin’d evils chill thy blood,

And what thou ne’er shall lose, o’er that dost shed the tear.

I am not like the gods! Feel it I must;

I’m like the earth-worm, writhing in the dust,

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

Crush’d ’neath the passer’s tread, lies buried there.

Is it not dust, wherewith this lofty wall,

With hundred shelves, confines me round,

Rubbish, in thousand shapes, may I not call

What in this moth-world doth my being bound?

Here, what doth fail me, shall I find?

Read in a thousand tomes that, everywhere,

Self-torture is the lot of human-kind,

With but one mortal happy, here and there?

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

But that thy brain, like mine, of old perplex’d,

Still yearning for the truth, hath sought the light of day,

And in the twilight wander’d, sorely vex’d?

Ye instruments, forsooth, ye mock at me,—

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

To nature’s portals ye should be the key;

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

Inscrutable in broadest light,

To be unveil’d by force she doth refuse,

What she reveals not to thy mental sight,

Thou wilt not wrest from her with levers and with screws.

Old useless furnitures, yet stand ye here,

Because my sire ye serv’d, now dead and gone.

Old scroll, the smoke of years dost wear,

So long as o’er this desk the sorry lamp hath shone.

Better my little means have squander’d quite away,

Than burden’d by that little here to sweat and groan!

Wouldst thou possess thy heritage, essay,

By use to render it thine own!

What we employ not, but impedes our way,

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

But wherefore to yon spot is riveted my gaze?

Is yonder flasket there a magnet to my sight?

Whence this mild radiance that around me plays,

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

Hail, precious phial! Thee, with reverent awe,

Down from thine old receptacle I draw!

Science in thee I hail and human art.

Essence of deadliest powers, refin’d and sure,

Of soothing anodynes abstraction pure,

Now in thy master’s need thy grace impart!

I gaze on thee, my pain is lull’d to rest;

I grasp thee, calm’d the tumult in my breast;

The flood-tide of my spirit ebbs away;

Onward I’m summon’d o’er a boundless main,

Calm at my feet expands the glassy plain,

To shores unknown allures a brighter day.

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

Comes floating towards me! I’m prepar’d to fly

By a new track through ether’s wide dominion,

To distant spheres of pure activity.

This life intense, this godlike ecstasy—

Worm that thou art such rapture canst thou earn?

Only resolve with courage stern and high,

Thy visage from the radiant sun to turn;

Dare with determin’d will to burst the portals

Past which in terror others fain would steal!

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

The calm sublimity of gods can feel;

To shudder not at yonder dark abyss,

Where phantasy creates her own self-torturing brood,

Right onward to the yawning gulf to press,

Around whose narrow jaws rolleth hell’s fiery flood;

With glad resolve to take the fatal leap,

Though danger threaten thee, to sink in endless sleep!

Pure crystal goblet, forth I draw thee now,

From out thine antiquated case, where thou

Forgotten hast reposed for many a year!

Oft at my father’s revels thou didst shine,

To glad the earnest guests was thine,

As each to other pass’d the generous cheer.

The gorgeous brede of figures, quaintly wrought,

Which he who quaff’d must first in rhyme expound,

Then drain the goblet at one draught profound,

Hath nights of boyhood to fond memory brought.

I to my neighbor shall not reach thee now,

Nor on thy rich device shall I my cunning show.

Here is a juice, makes drunk without delay;

Its dark brown flood thy crystal round doth fill;

Let this last draught, the product of my skill,

My own free choice, be quaff’d with resolute will,

A solemn festive greeting, to the coming day!

[He places the goblet to his mouth.

[The ringing of bells, and choral voices.

Chorus of Angels.

Christ is arisen!

Mortal, all hail to thee,

Thou whom mortality,

Earth’s sad reality,

Held as in prison.

Faust.

What hum melodious, what clear silvery chime,

Thus draws the goblet from my lips away?

Ye deep-ton’d bells, do ye with voice sublime,

Announce the solemn dawn of Easter-day?

Sweet choir! are ye the hymn of comfort singing,

Which once around the darkness of the grave,

From seraph-voices, in glad triumph ringing,

Of a new covenant assurance gave?

Chorus of Women.

• We, his true-hearted,
• With spices and myrrh,
• Embalm’d the departed,
• And swath’d Him with care;
• Here we convey’d Him,
• Our Master, so dear;
• Alas! Where we laid Him,
• The Christ is not here.

Chorus of Angels.

• Christ is arisen!
• Perfect through earthly ruth,
• Radiant with love and truth,
• He to eternal youth
• Soars from earth’s prison.

Faust.

Wherefore, ye tones celestial, sweet and strong,

Come ye a dweller in the dust to seek?

Ring out your chimes believing crowds among,

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

From faith her darling, miracle, hath sprung.

Aloft to yonder spheres I dare not soar,

Whence sound the tidings of great joy;

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

Back it recalleth me to life once more.

Then would celestial love, with holy kiss,

Come o’er me in the Sabbath’s stilly hour,

While, fraught with solemn meaning and mysterious power,

Chim’d the deep-sounding bell, and prayer was bliss;

A yearning impulse, undefin’d yet dear,

Drove me to wander on through wood and field;

With heaving breast and many a burning tear,

I felt with holy joy a world reveal’d.

Gay sports and festive hours proclaim’d with joyous pealing,

This Easter hymn in days of old;

And fond remembrance now doth me, with childlike feeling,

Back from the last, the solemn step, withhold.

O still sound on, thou sweet celestial strain!

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

Chorus of Disciples.

• He whom we mourn’d as dead,
• Living and glorious,
• From the dark grave hath fled,
• O’er death victorious;
• Almost creative bliss
• Waits on his growing powers;
• Ah! Him on earth we miss;
• Sorrow and grief are ours.
• Yearning He left his own,
• Mid sore annoy;
• Ah! we must needs bemoan,
• Master, thy joy!

Chorus of Angels.

• Christ is arisen,
• Redeem’d from decay.
• The bonds which imprison
• Your souls, rend away!
• Praising the Lord with zeal,
• By deeds that love reveal,
• Like brethren true and leal
• Sharing the daily meal,
• To all that sorrow feel
• Whisp’ring of heaven’s weal,
• Still is the Master near,
• Still is He here!

Before the Gate.

Promenaders of all sorts pass out.

Artisans.

Why choose ye that direction, pray?

Others.

To the hunting-lodge we’re on our way.

The First.

We towards the mill are strolling on.

A Mechanic.

A walk to Wasserhof were best.

A Second.

The road is not a pleasant one.

The Others.

What will you do?

A Third.

I’ll join the rest.

A Fourth.

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

The prettiest maidens and the best of beer,

And brawls of a prime sort.

A Fifth.

You scapegrace! How!

Your skin still itching for a row?

Thither I will not go, I loathe the place.

Servant Girl.

No, no! I to the town my steps retrace.

Another.

Near yonder poplars he is sure to be.

The First.

And if he is, what matters it to me!

With you he’ll walk, he’ll dance with none but you,

And with your pleasures what have I to do?

The Second.

To-day he will not be alone, he said

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

Student.

Why how those buxom girls step on!

Come, brother, we will follow them anon.

Strong beer, a damsel smartly dress’d,

Stinging tobacco,—these I love the best.

Burgher’s Daughter.

Look at those handsome fellows there!

’Tis really shameful, I declare,

The very best society they shun,

After those servant-girls forsooth, to run.

Second Student.

(To the first) Not quite so fast! for in our rear,

Two girls, well-dress’d, are drawing near;

Not far from us the one doth dwell,

And sooth to say, I like her well.

They walk demurely, yet you’ll see,

That they will let us join them presently.

The First.

Not I! restraints of all kinds I detest.

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

The hand on Saturday the mop that plies

Will on the Sunday fondle you the best.

Burgher.

No, this new Burgomaster, I like him not; each hour

He grows more arrogant, now that he’s rais’d to power;

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

Are not things worse from day to day?

To more restraints we must submit;

And taxes more than ever pay.

Beggar.

(Sings.) Kind gentlemen and ladies fair,

• So rosy-cheek’d and trimly dress’d,
• Be pleas’d to listen to my prayer,
• Relieve and pity the distress’d.
• Let me not vainly sing my lay!
• His heart’s most glad whose hand is free.
• Now when all men keep holiday,
• Should be a harvest-day to me.

Another Burgher.

I know naught better on a holiday,

Than chatting about war and war’s alarms;

When folk in Turkey are all up in arms,

Fighting their deadly battles far away,

We at the window stand, our glasses drain,

And watch adown the stream the painted vessels glide,

Then, blessing peace and peaceful times, again

Homeward we turn our steps at eventide.

Third Burgher.

Ay, neighbor! So let matters stand for me!

There they may scatter one another’s brains,

And wild confusion round them see—

So here at home in quiet all remains!

Old Woman.

(To theBurghers’ Daughters.) Heyday! How smart! The fresh young blood!

Who would not fall in love with you?

Not quite so proud! ’Tis well and good!

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

Burgher’s Daughter.

Come, Agatha! I care not to be seen

Walking in public with these witches. True,

My future lover, last St. Andrew’s E’en,

In flesh and blood she brought before my view.

Another.

And mine she show’d me also in the glass,

A soldier’s figure, with companions bold:

I look around, I seek him as I pass,

In vain, his form I nowhere can behold.

Soldiers.

• • Fortress with turrets
  • Rising in air,
  • Damsel disdainful,
  • Haughty and fair,
  • These be my prey!
  • Bold is the venture,
  • Costly the pay!
• • Hark how the trumpet
  • Thither doth call us,
  • Where either pleasure
  • Or death may befall us.
  • Hail to the tumult!
  • Life’s in the field!
  • Damsel and fortress
  • To us must yield.
  • Bold is the venture,
  • Costly the pay!
  • Gayly the soldier
  • Marches away.

FaustandWagner.

Faust.

Loos’d from their fetters are streams and rills

Through the gracious spring-tide’s all-quickening glow;

Hope’s budding joy in the vale doth blow;

Old Winter back to the savage hills

Withdraweth his force, decrepit now.

Thence only impotent icy grains

Scatters he as he wings his flight,

Striping with sleet the verdant plains;

But the sun endureth no trace of white;

Everywhere growth and movement are rife,

All things investing with hues of life:

Though flowers are lacking, varied of dye,

Their colors the motley throng supply.

Turn thee around, and from this height,

Back to the town direct thy sight.

Forth from the hollow, gloomy gate,

Stream forth the masses, in bright array.

Gladly seek they the sun to-day;

The Resurrection they celebrate:

For they themselves have risen, with joy,

From tenement sordid, from cheerless room,

From bonds of toil, from care and annoy,

From gable and roof’s o’erhanging gloom,

From crowded alley and narrow street,

And from the churches’ awe-breathing night,

All now have issued into the light.

But look! how spreadeth on nimble feet

Through garden and field the joyous throng,

How o’er the river’s ample sheet,

Many a gay wherry glides along!

And see, deep sinking in the tide,

Pushes the last boat now away.

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

Flash the bright hues of garments gay.

Hark! Sounds of village mirth arise;

This is the people’s paradise.

Both great and small send up a cheer;

Here am I man, I feel it here.

Wagner.

Sir Doctor, in a walk with you

There’s honor and instruction too;

Yet here alone I care not to resort,

Because I coarseness hate of every sort.

This fiddling, shouting, skittling, I detest;

I hate the tumult of the vulgar throng;

They roar as by the evil one possess’d,

And call it pleasure, call it song.

Peasants.

(Under the linden tree.)

• Dance and song.
• • The shepherd for the dance was dress’d,
  • With ribbon, wreath and colored vest,
  • A gallant show displaying.
  • And round about the linden tree,
  • They footed it right merrily.
  • Juchhe! Juchhe!
  • Juchheisa! Heisa! He!
  • So fiddle-bow was braying.
• • Our swain amidst the circle press’d,
  • He push’d a maiden trimly dress’d,
  • And jogg’d her with his elbow;
  • The buxom damsel turn’d her head,
  • “Now that’s a stupid trick!” she said,
  • Juchhe! Juchhe!
  • Juchheisa! Heisa! He!
  • Don’t be so rude, good fellow!
• • Swift in the circle they advance,
  • They dance to right, to left they dance,
  • The skirts abroad are swinging.
  • And they grow red, and they grow warm,
  • Elbow on hip, they arm in arm,
  • Juchhe! Juchhe!
  • Juchheisa! Heisa! He!
  • Rest, talking now or singing.
• • Don’t make so free! How many a maid
  • Has been betroth’d and then betray’d;
  • And has repented after!
  • Yet still he flatter’d her aside,
  • And from the linden, far and wide,
  • Juchhe! Juchhe!
  • Juchheisa! Heisa! He!
  • Sound fiddle-bow and laughter.

Old Peasant.

Doctor, ’tis really kind of you,

To condescend to come this way,

A highly learned man like you,

To join our mirthful throng to-day.

Our fairest cup I offer you,

Which we with sparkling drink have crown’d,

And pledging you, I pray aloud,

That every drop within its round,

While it your present thirst allays,

May swell the number of your days.

Faust.

I take the cup you kindly reach,

Thanks and prosperity to each!

[The crowd gather round in a circle.

Old Peasant.

Ay, truly! ’tis well done, that you

Our festive meeting thus attend;

You, who in evil days of yore,

So often show’d yourself our friend!

Full many a one stands living here,

Who from the fever’s deadly blast,

Your father rescued, when his skill

The fatal sickness stay’d at last.

A young man then, each house you sought,

Where reign’d the mortal pestilence.

Corpse after corpse was carried forth,

But still unscath’d you issued thence.

Sore then your trials and severe;

The Helper yonder aids the helper here.

All.

Heaven bless the trusty friend, and long

To help the poor his life prolong!

Faust.

To Him above in homage bend,

Who prompts the helper and Who help doth send.

[He proceeds withWagner.

Wagner.

With what emotions must your heart o’erflow,

Receiving thus the reverence of the crowd!

Great man! How happy, who like you doth know

Such use for gifts by heaven bestow’d!

You to the son the father shows;

They press around, inquire, advance,

Hush’d is the fiddle, check’d the dance.

Still where you pass they stand in rows,

And each aloft his bonnet throws,

They fall upon their knees, almost

As when there passeth by the Host.

Faust.

A few steps further, up to yonder stone!

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

Absorb’d in thought, here oft I sat alone,

And disciplin’d myself with prayer and fast.

Then rich in hope, with faith sincere,

With sighs, and hands in anguish press’d,

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

From heaven’s dread Lord, I sought to wrest.

These praises have to me a scornful tone.

Oh, could’st thou in my inner being read,

How little either sire or son,

Of such renown deserve the meed!

My sire, of good repute, and sombre mood,

O’er nature’s powers and every mystic zone,

With honest zeal, but methods of his own,

With toil fantastic loved to brood;

His time in dark alchemic cell,

With brother adepts he would spend,

And there antagonists compel,

Through numberless receipts to blend.

A ruddy lion there, a suitor bold,

In tepid bath was with the lily wed.

Thence both, while open flames around them roll’d,

Were tortur’d to another bridal bed.

Was then the youthful queen descri’d

With many a hue, to crown the task;—

This was our medicine; the patients died,

“Who were restor’d?” none car’d to ask.

With our infernal mixture thus, ere long,

These hills and peaceful vales among,

We rag’d more fiercely than the pest;

Myself the deadly poison did to thousands give;

They pined away, I yet must live,

To hear the reckless murderers blest.

Wagner.

Why let this thought your soul o’ercast?

Can man do more than with nice skill,

With firm and conscientious will,

Practise the art transmitted from the past?

If duly you revere your sire in youth,

His lore you gladly will receive;

In manhood, if you spread the bounds of truth,

Then may your son a higher goal achieve.

Faust.

O blest, whom still the hope inspires,

To lift himself from error’s turbid flood!

What a man knows not, he to use requires,

And what he knows, he cannot use for good.

But let not moody thoughts their shadow throw

O’er the calm beauty of this hour serene!

In the rich sunset see how brightly glow

Yon cottage homes, girt round with verdant green!

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

Yonder he hastens to diffuse new life.

Oh for a pinion from the earth to soar,

And after, ever after him to strive!

Then should I see the world below,

Bath’d in the deathless evening beams,

The vales reposing, every height a-glow,

The silver brooklets meeting golden streams.

The savage mountain, with its cavern’d side,

Bars not my godlike progress. Lo, the ocean,

Its warm bays heaving with a tranquil motion,

To my rapt vision opes its ample tide!

But now at length the god appears to sink!

A new-born impulse wings my flight,

Onward I press, his quenchless light to drink,

The day before me, and behind the night,

The pathless waves beneath, and over me the skies.

Fair dream, it vanish’d with the parting day!

Alas! that when on spirit-wing we rise,

No wing material lifts our mortal clay.

But ’tis our inborn impulse, deep and strong,

Upwards and onwards still to urge our flight,

When far above us pours its thrilling song

The sky-lark, lost in azure light,

When on extended wing amain

O’er pine-crown’d height the eagle soars,

And over moor and lake, the crane

Still striveth towards its native shores.

Wagner.

To strange conceits oft I myself must own,

But impulse such as this I ne’er have known:

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

Their wings I envy not the feather’d kind;

Far otherwise the pleasures of the mind,

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

Then winter nights grow cheerful; keen delight

Warms every limb; and ah! when we unroll

Some old and precious parchment, at the sight

All heaven itself descends upon the soul.

Faust.

Your heart by one sole impulse is possess’d;

Unconscious of the other still remain!

Two souls, alas! are lodg’d within my breast,

Which struggle there for undivided reign:

One to the world, with obstinate desire,

And closely-cleaving organs, still adheres;

Above the mist, the other doth aspire,

With sacred vehemence, to purer spheres.

Oh, are there spirits in the air,

Who float ’twixt heaven and earth dominion wielding.

Stoop hither from your golden atmosphere,

Lead me to scenes, new life and fuller yielding!

A magic mantle did I but possess,

Abroad to waft me as on viewless wings,

I’d prize it far beyond the costliest dress,

Nor would I change it for the robe of kings.

Wagner.

Call not the spirits who on mischief wait!

Their troop familiar, streaming through the air,

From every quarter threaten man’s estate,

And danger in a thousand forms prepare!

They drive impetuous from the frozen north,

With fangs sharp-piercing, and keen arrowy tongues;

From the ungenial east they issue forth,

And prey, with parching breath, upon your lungs;

If, wafted on the desert’s flaming wing,

They from the south heap fire upon the brain,

Refreshment from the west at first they bring,

Anon to drown thyself and field and plain.

In wait for mischief, they are prompt to hear;

With guileful purpose our behests obey;

Like ministers of grace they oft appear,

And lisp like angels, to betray.

But let us hence! Gray eve doth all things blend,

The air grows chill, the mists descend!

’Tis in the evening first our home we prize—

Why stand you thus, and gaze with wondering eyes?

What in the gloom thus moves you?

Faust.

Yon black hound

Seest thou, through corn and stubble scampering round?

Wagner.

I’ve mark’d him long, naught strange in him I see!

Faust.

Note him! What takest thou the brute to be?

Wagner.

But for a poodle, whom his instinct serves

His master’s track to find once more.

Faust.

Dost mark how round us, with wide spiral curves,

He wheels, each circle closer than before?

And, if I err not, he appears to me

A fiery whirlpool in his track to leave.

Wagner.

Naught but a poodle black of hue I see;

’Tis some illusion doth your sight deceive.

Faust.

Methinks a magic coil our feet around,

He for a future snare doth lightly spread.

Wagner.

Around us as in doubt I see him shyly bound,

Since he two strangers seeth in his master’s stead.

Faust.

The circle narrows, he’s already near.

Wagner.

A dog dost see, no spectre have we here;

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

And wags his tail—as dogs are wont to do.

Faust.

Come hither, Sirrah! join our company!

Wagner.

A very poodle, he appears to be!

Thou standest still, for thee he’ll wait;

Thou speak’st to him, he fawns upon thee straight;

Aught you may lose, again he’ll bring,

And for your stick will into water spring.

Faust.

Thou’rt right indeed; no traces now I see

Whatever of a spirit’s agency.

’Tis training—nothing more.

Wagner.

A dog well taught

E’en by the wisest of us may be sought.

Ay, to your favor he’s entitled too,

Apt scholar of the students, ’tis his due!

[They enter the gate of the town.

Study.

Faust.

(Entering with the poodle.)

Behind me now lie field and plain,

As night her veil doth o’er them draw,

Our better soul resumes her reign

With feelings of foreboding awe.

Lull’d is each stormy deed to rest,

And tranquilliz’d each wild desire;

Pure charity doth warm the breast,

And love to God the soul inspire.

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

Why at the threshold snuffest thou so?

Behind the stove now quietly lay thee,

My softest cushion to thee I’ll throw.

As thou, without, didst please and amuse me,

Running and frisking about on the hill,

Neither shelter will I refuse thee;

A welcome guest, if thou’lt be still.

• Ah! when within our narrow room
• The friendly lamp again doth glow,
• An inward light dispels the gloom
• In hearts that strive themselves to know.
• Reason begins again to speak,
• Again the bloom of hope returns,
• The streams of life we fain would seek,
• Ah, for life’s source our spirit yearns.

Cease, poodle, cease! with the tone that arises,

Hallow’d and peaceful, my soul within,

Accords not thy growl, thy bestial din.

We find it not strange, that man despises

What he conceives not;

The good and the fair he misprizes;

What lies beyond him he doth contemn;

Snarleth the poodle at it, like men?

But ah! E’en now I feel, howe’er I yearn for rest,

Contentment welleth up no longer in my breast.

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

That we once more athirst should lie?

This sad experience oft I’ve approv’d!

The want admitteth of compensation;

We learn to prize what from sense is remov’d,

Our spirits yearn for revelation,

Which nowhere burneth with beauty blent,

More pure than in the New Testament.

To the ancient text an impulse strong

Moves me the volume to explore,

And to translate its sacred lore,

Into the tones beloved of the German tongue.

[He opens a volume and applies himself to it.

’Tis writ, “In the beginning was the Word!”

I pause, perplex’d! Who now will help afford?

I cannot the mere Word so highly prize;

I must translate it otherwise,

If by the spirit guided as I read.

“In the beginning was the Sense!” Take heed,

The import of this primal sentence weigh,

Lest thy too hasty pen be led astray!

Is force creative then of Sense the dower?

“In the beginning was the Power!”

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

A something warns me, once more to efface.

The spirit aids! from anxious scruples freed,

I write, “In the beginning was the Deed!”

Am I with thee my room to share,

Poodle, thy barking now forbear,

Forbear thy howling!

Comrade so noisy, ever growling,

I cannot suffer here to dwell.

One or the other, mark me well,

Forthwith must leave the cell.

I’m loath the guest-right to withhold;

The door’s ajar, the passage clear;

But what must now mine eyes behold!

Are nature’s laws suspended here?

Real is it, or a phantom show?

In length and breadth how doth my poodle grow!

He lifts himself with threat’ning mien,

In likeness of a dog no longer seen!

What spectre have I harbor’d thus!

Huge as a hippopotamus,

With fiery eye, terrific tooth!

Ah! now I know thee, sure enough!

For such a base, half-hellish brood,

The key of Solomon is good.

Spirits.

(Without.)

• Captur’d there within is one!
• Stay without and follow none!
• Like a fox in iron snare,
• Hell’s old lynx is quaking there,
• But take heed!
• Hover round, above, below,
• To and fro,
• Then from durance is he freed!
• Can ye aid him, spirits all,
• Leave him not in mortal thrall!
• Many a time and oft hath he
• Served us, when at liberty.

Faust.

The monster to confront, at first,

The spell of Four must be rehears’d;

• Salamander shall kindle,
• Writhe nymph of the wave,
• In air sylph shall dwindle,
• And Kobold shall slave.

Who doth ignore

The primal Four,

Nor knows aright

Their use and might,

O’er spirits will he

Ne’er master be!

• Vanish in the fiery glow,
• Salamander!
• Rushingly together flow,
• Undine!
• Shimmer in the meteor’s gleam,
• Sylphide!
• Hither bring thine homely aid,
• Incubus! Incubus!
• Step forth! I do adjure thee thus!

None of the Four

Lurks in the beast:

He grins at me, untroubled as before;

I have not hurt him in the least.

A spell of fear

Thou now shalt hear.

• Art thou, comrade fell,
• Fugitive from Hell?
• See then this sign,
• Before which incline
• The murky troops of Hell!

With bristling hair now doth the creature swell.

• Canst thou, reprobate,
• Read the uncreate,
• Unspeakable, diffused
• Throughout the heavenly sphere,
• Shamefully abused,
• Transpierc’d with nail and spear!

Behind the stove, tam’d by my spells,

Like an elephant he swells;

Wholly now he fills the room,

He into mist will melt away.

Ascend not to the ceiling! Come,

Thyself at the master’s feet now lay!

Thou seest that mine is no idle threat.

With holy fire I will scorch thee yet!

Wait not the might

That lies in the triple-glowing light!

Wait not the might

Of all my arts in fullest measure!

Mephis.

(As the mist sinks, comes forward from behind the stove, in the dress of a travelling scholar.)

Why all this uproar? What’s the master’s pleasure?

Faust.

This then the kernel of the brute!

A travelling scholar? Why I needs must smile.

Mephis.

Your learned reverence humbly I salute!

You’ve made me swelter in a pretty style.

Faust.

Thy name?

Mephis.

The question trifling seems from one,

Who it appears the Word doth rate so low;

Who, undeluded by mere outward show,

To Being’s depths would penetrate alone.

Faust.

With gentlemen like you indeed

The inward essence from the name we read,

As all too plainly it doth appear,

When Beelzebub, Destroyer, Liar, meets the ear.

Who then art thou!

Mephis.

Part of that power which still

Produceth good, whilst ever scheming ill.

Faust.

What hidden mystery in this riddle lies?

Mephis.

The spirit I, which evermore denies!

And justly; for whate’er to light is brought

Deserves again to be reduc’d to naught;

Then better ’twere that naught should be.

Thus all the elements which ye

Destruction, Sin, or briefly, Evil, name,

As my peculiar element I claim.

Faust.

Thou nam’st thyself a part, and yet a whole I see.

Mephis.

The modest truth I speak to thee.

Though folly’s microcosm, man, it seems,

Himself to be a perfect whole esteems,

Part of the part am I, which at the first was all.

A part of darkness, which gave birth to light.

Proud light, who now his mother would enthrall,

Contesting space and ancient rank with night.

Yet he succeedeth not, for struggle as he will,

To forms material he adhereth still;

From them he streameth, them he maketh fair,

And still the progress of his beams they check;

And so, I trust, when comes the final wreck,

Light will, ere long, the doom of matter share.

Faust.

Thy worthy avocation now I guess!

Wholesale annihilation won’t prevail,

So thou’rt beginning on a smaller scale.

Mephis.

And, to say truth, as yet with small success.

Oppos’d to nothingness, the world,

This clumsy mass, subsisteth still;

Not yet is it to ruin hurl’d,

Despite the efforts of my will.

Tempests and earthquakes, fire and flood, I’ve tried;

Yet land and ocean still unchang’d abide!

And then of humankind and beasts, the accursed brood,—

Neither o’er them can I extend my sway.

What countless myriads have I swept away!

Yet ever circulates the fresh young blood.

It is enough to drive me to despair!

As in the earth, in water, and in air,

In moisture and in drought, in heat and cold,

Thousands of germs their energies unfold!

If fire I had not for myself retain’d,

No sphere whatever had for me remain’d.

Faust.

So thou with thy cold devil’s fist,

Still clench’d in malice impotent,

Dost the creative power resist,

The active, the beneficent!

Henceforth some other task essay,

Of Chaos thou the wondrous son!

Mephis.

We will consider what you say,

And talk about it more anon!

For this time have I leave to go?

Faust.

Why thou shouldst ask, I cannot see.

Since one another now we know,

At thy good pleasure, visit me.

Here is the window, here the door,

The chimney, too, may serve thy need.

Mephis.

I must confess, my stepping o’er

Thy threshold a slight hindrance doth impede;

The wizard-foot doth me retain.

Faust.

The pentagram thy peace doth mar?

To me, thou son of hell, explain,

How camest thou in, if this thine exit bar!

Could such a spirit aught ensnare?

Mephis.

Observe it well, it is not drawn with care,

One of the angles, that which points without,

Is, as thou seest, not quite closed.

Faust.

Chance hath the matter happily dispos’d!

So thou my captive art? No doubt!

By accident thou thus art caught!

Mephis.

In sprang the dog, indeed, observing naught;

Things now assume another shape,

The devil’s in the house and can’t escape.

Faust.

Why through the window not withdraw?

Mephis.

For ghosts and for the devil ’tis a law,

Where they stole in, there they must forth. We’re free

The first to choose; as to the second, slaves are we.

Faust.

E’en hell hath its peculiar laws, I see!

I’m glad of that! a pact may then be made,

The which, you gentlemen, will surely keep?

Mephis.

Whate’er therein is promis’d thou shalt reap,

No tittle shall remain unpaid.

But such arrangements time require;

We’ll speak of them when next we meet;

Most earnestly I now entreat,

This once permission to retire.

Faust.

Another moment prithee here remain,

Me with some happy word to pleasure.

Mephis.

Now let me go! ere long I’ll come again,

Then thou mayst question at thy leisure.

Faust.

To capture thee was not my will.

Thyself hast freely entered in the snare:

Let him who holds the devil, hold him still!

A second time so soon he will not catch him there.

Mephis.

If it so please thee, I’m at thy command;

Only on this condition, understand;

That worthily thy leisure to beguile,

I here may exercise my arts awhile.

Faust.

Thou’rt free to do so! Gladly I’ll attend;

But be thine art a pleasant one!

Mephis.

My friend,

This hour enjoyment more intense,

Shall captivate each ravish’d sense,

Than thou could’st compass in the bound

Of the whole year’s unvarying round;

And what the dainty spirits sing,

The lovely images they bring,

Are no fantastic sorcery.

Rich odors shall regale your smell,

On choicest sweets your palate dwell,

Your feelings thrill with ecstasy.

No preparation do we need,

Here we together are. Proceed!

Spirits.

• Hence overshadowing gloom
• Vanish from sight!
• O’er us thine azure dome,
• Bend, beauteous light!
• Dark clouds that o’er us spread,
• Melt in thin air!
• Stars, your soft radiance shed,
• Tender and fair.
• Girt with celestial might,
• Winging their airy flight,
• Spirits are thronging.
• Follows their forms of light
• Infinite longing!
• Flutter their vestures bright
• O’er field and grove!
• Where in their leafy bower
• Lovers the livelong hour
• Vow deathless love.
• Soft bloometh bud and bower!
• Bloometh the grove!
• Grapes from the spreading vine
• Crown the full measure;
• Fountains of foaming wine
• Gush from the pressure.
• Still where the currents wind,
• Gems brightly gleam.
• Leaving the hills behind
• On rolls the stream;
• Now into ample seas,
• Spreadeth the flood;
• Laving the sunny leas,
• Mantled with wood.
• Rapture the feather’d throng,
• Gayly careering,
• Sip as they float along;
• Sunward they’re steering;
• On towards the isles of light
• Winging their way,
• That on the waters bright
• Dancingly play.
• Hark to the choral strain,
• Joyfully ringing!
• While on the grassy plain
• Dancers are springing;
• Climbing the steep hill’s side,
• Skimming the glassy tide,
• Wander they there;
• Others on pinions wide
• Wing the blue air;
• On towards the living stream,
• Towards yonder stars that gleam,
• Far, far away;
• Seeking their tender beam
• Wing they their way.

Mephis.

Well done, my dainty spirits! now he slumbers;

Ye have entranc’d him fairly with your numbers;

This minstrelsy of yours I must repay.—

Thou art not yet the man to hold the devil fast!—

With fairest shapes your spells around him cast,

And plunge him in a sea of dreams!

But that this charm be rent, the threshold pass’d,

Tooth of rat the way must clear.

I need not conjure long it seems,

One rustles hitherward, and soon my voice will hear.

The master of the rats and mice,

Of flies and frogs, of bugs and lice,

Commands thy presence; without fear

Come forth and gnaw the threshold here,

Where he with oil has smear’d it.—Thou

Com’st hopping forth already! Now

To work! The point that holds me bound

Is in the outer angle found.

Another bite—so—now ’tis done—

Now, Faustus, till we meet again, dream on.

Faust.

(Awaking.) Am I once more deluded! must I deem

This troop of thronging spirits all ideal?

The devil’s presence, was it nothing real?

The poodle’s disappearance but a dream?

Study.

Faust. Mephistopheles.

Faust.

A knock? Come in! Who now would break my rest?

Mephis.

’Tis I!

Faust.

Come in!

Mephis.

Thrice be the words express’d.

Faust.

Then I repeat, Come in!

Mephis.

’Tis well,

I hope that we shall soon agree!

For now your fancies to expel,

Here, as a youth of high degree,

I come in gold-lac’d scarlet vest,

And stiff silk mantle richly dress’d,

A cock’s gay feather for a plume,

A long and pointed rapier, too;

And briefly I would counsel you

To don at once the same costume,

And, free from trammels, speed away,

That what life is you may essay.

Faust.

In every garb I needs must feel oppress’d,

My heart to earth’s low cares a prey.

Too old the trifler’s part to play,

Too young to live by no desire possess’d.

What can the world to me afford?

Renounce! renounce! is still the word;

This is the everlasting song

In every ear that ceaseless rings,

And which, alas, our whole life long,

Hoarsely each passing moment sings.

But to new horror I awake each morn,

And I could weep hot tears to see the sun

Dawn on another day, whose round forlorn

Accomplishes no wish of mine—not one;

Which still, with froward captiousness, impairs

E’en the presentiment of every joy,

While low realities and paltry cares

The spirit’s fond imaginings destroy.

And must I then, when falls the veil of night,

Stretch’d on my pallet languish in despair;

Appalling dreams my soul affright;

No rest vouchsaf’d me even there.

The god, who thron’d within my breast resides,

Deep in my soul can stir the springs;

With sovereign sway my energies he guides,

He cannot move external things;

And so existence is to me a weight,

Death fondly I desire, and life I hate.

Mephis.

And yet, methinks, by most ’twill be confess’d

That Death is never quite a welcome guest.

Faust.

Happy the man around whose brow he binds

The bloodstain’d wreath in conquest’s dazzling hour;

Or whom, excited by the dance, he finds

Dissolv’d in bliss, in love’s delicious bower!

Oh that before the lofty spirit’s might,

Enraptured, I had render’d up my soul!

Mephis.

Yet did a certain man refrain one night,

Of its brown juice to drain the crystal bowl.

Faust.

To play the spy diverts you then?

Mephis.

I own,

Though not omniscient, much to me is known.

Faust.

If o’er my soul the tone familiar, stealing,

Drew me from harrowing thought’s bewild’ring maze,

Touching the ling’ring chords of childlike feeling,

With the sweet harmonies of happier days:

So curse I all, around the soul that windeth

Its magic and alluring spell,

And with delusive flattery bindeth

Its victim to this dreary cell!

Curs’d before all things be the high opinion,

Wherewith the spirit girds itself around!

Of shows delusive curs’d be the dominion,

Within whose mocking sphere our sense is bound!

Accurs’d of dreams the treacherous wiles,

The cheat of glory, deathless fame!

Accurs’d what each as property beguiles,

Wife, child, slave, plough, whate’er its name!

Accurs’d be mammon, when with treasure

He doth to daring deeds incite:

Or when to steep the soul in pleasure,

He spreads the couch of soft delight!

Curs’d be the grape’s balsamic juice!

Accurs’d love’s dream, of joys the first!

Accurs’d be hope! accurs’d be faith!

And more than all, be patience curs’d!

Chorus of Spirits.

(Invisible.) Woe! woe!

Thou hast destroy’d

The beautiful world

With violent blow;

’Tis shiver’d! ’tis shatter’d!

The fragments abroad by a demigod scatter’d!

Now we sweep

The wrecks into nothingness!

Fondly we weep

The beauty that’s gone!

Thou, ’mongst the sons of earth,

Lofty and mighty one,

Build it once more!

In thine own bosom the lost world restore!

Now with unclouded sense

Enter a new career;

Songs shall salute thine ear,

Ne’er heard before!

Mephis.

My little ones these spirits be.

Hark! with shrewd intelligence,

How they recommend to thee,

Action, and the joys of sense!

In the busy world to dwell,

Fain they would allure thee hence:

For within this lonely cell,

Stagnates sap of life and sense.

Forbear to trifle longer with thy grief,

Which, vulture-like, consumes thee in this den.

The worst society is some relief,

Making thee feel thyself a man with men.

Nathless it is not meant, I trow,

To thrust thee ’mid the vulgar throng.

I to the upper ranks do not belong;

Yet if, by me companion’d, thou

Thy steps through life forthwith wilt take,

Upon the spot myself I’ll make

Thy comrade;—

Should it suit thy need,

I am thy servant, and thy slave indeed!

Faust.

And how must I thy services repay?

Mephis.

Thereto thou lengthen’d respite hast!

Faust.

No! no!

The devil is an egotist I know:

And, for Heaven’s sake, ’tis not his way

Kindness to any one to show.

Let the condition plainly be express’d;

Such a domestic is a dangerous guest.

Mephis.

I’ll pledge myself to be thy servant here,

Still at thy back alert and prompt to be;

But when together yonder we appear,

Then shalt thou do the same for me.

Faust.

But small concern I feel for yonder world;

Hast thou this system into ruin hurl’d,

Another may arise the void to fill.

This earth the fountain whence my pleasures flow,

This sun doth daily shine upon my woe,

And if this world I must forego,

Let happen then,—what can and will.

I to this theme will close mine ears,

If men hereafter hate and love,

And if there be in yonder spheres

A depth below or height above.

Mephis.

In this mood thou mayst venture it. But make

The compact, and at once I’ll undertake

To charm thee with mine arts. I’ll give thee more

Than mortal eye hath e’er beheld before.

Faust.

What, sorry Devil, hast thou to bestow?

Was ever mortal spirit, in its high endeavor,

Fathom’d by Being such as thou?

Yet food thou hast which satisfieth never,

Hast ruddy gold, that still doth flow

Like restless quicksilver away,

A game thou hast, at which none win who play,

A girl who would, with amorous eyen,

E’en from my breast, a neighbor snare,

Lofty ambition’s joy divine,

That, meteor-like, dissolves in air.

Show me the fruit that, ere ’tis pluck’d, doth rot,

And trees, whose verdure daily buds anew.

Mephis.

Such a commission scares me not,

I can provide such treasures, it is true;

But, my good friend, a season will come round

When on what’s good we may regale in peace.

Faust.

If e’er upon my couch, stretch’d at my ease, I’m found,

Then may my life that instant cease;

Me canst thou cheat with glozing wile

Till self-reproach away I cast?—

Me with joy’s lure canst thou beguile?—

Let that day be for me the last!

Be this our wager!

Mephis.

Settl’d!

Faust.

Sure and fast!

When to the moment I shall say,

“Linger awhile, so fair thou art!”

Then mayst thou fetter me straightway,

Then to the abyss will I depart;

Then may the solemn death-bell sound,

Then from thy service thou art free,

The index then may cease its round,

And time be never more for me!

Mephis.

I shall remember: pause, ere ’tis too late.

Faust.

Thereto a perfect right hast thou.

My strength I do not rashly overrate.

Slave am I here, at any rate,

If thine, or whose, it matters not, I trow.

Mephis.

At thine inaugural feast I will this day

Attend, my duties to commence.—

But one thing!—Accidents may happen, hence

A line or two in writing grant, I pray.

Faust.

A writing, Pedant! dost demand from me?

Man, and man’s plighted word, are these unknown to thee?

Is’t not enough, that by the word I gave,

My doom for evermore is cast?

Doth not the world in all its currents rave,

And must a promise hold me fast?

Yet fixed is this delusion in our heart;

Who, of his own free will, therefrom would part?

How blest within whose breast truth reigneth pure!

No sacrifice will he repent when made!

A formal deed, with seal and signature,

A spectre this from which all shrink afraid.

The word its life resigneth in the pen,

Leather and wax usurp the mastery then.

Spirit of evil! what dost thou require?

Brass, marble, parchment, paper, dost desire?

Shall I with chisel, pen, or graver write?

Thy choice is free; to me ’tis all the same.

Mephis.

Wherefore thy passion so excite,

And thus thine eloquence inflame?

A scrap is for our compact good.

Thou undersignest merely with a drop of blood.

Faust.

If this will satisfy thy mind,

Thy whim I’ll gratify, howe’er absurd.

Mephis.

Blood is a juice of very special kind.

Faust.

Be not afraid that I shall break my word!

The scope of all my energy

Is in exact accordance with my vow.

Vainly I have aspir’d too high;

I’m on a level but with such as thou;

Me the great spirit scorn’d, defi’d;

Nature from me herself doth hide;

Rent is the web of thought; my mind

Doth knowledge loathe of every kind.

In depths of sensual pleasure drown’d,

Let us our fiery passions still!

Enwrapp’d in magic’s veil profound,

Let wondrous charms our senses thrill!

Plunge we in time’s tempestuous flow,

Stem we the rolling surge of chance!

There may alternate weal and woe,

Success and failure, as they can,

Mingle and shift in changeful dance!

Excitement is the sphere for man.

Mephis.

Nor goal, nor measure is prescrib’d to you.

If you desire to taste of everything,

To snatch at joy while on the wing,

May your career amuse and profit too!

Only fall to and don’t be over coy!

Faust.

Hearken! The end I aim at is not joy;

I crave excitement, agonizing bliss,

Enamour’d hatred, quickening vexation.

Purg’d from the love of knowledge, my vocation,

The scope of all my powers henceforth be this,

To bare my breast to every pang,—to know

In my heart’s core all human weal and woe,

To grasp in thought the lofty and the deep,

Men’s various fortunes on my breast to heap,

And thus to theirs dilate my individual mind,

And share at length with them the shipwreck of mankind.

Mephis.

Oh, credit me, who still as ages roll,

Have chew’d this bitter fare from year to year,

No mortal, from the cradle to the bier,

Digests the ancient leaven! Know, this Whole

Doth for the Deity alone subsist!

He in eternal brightness doth exist,

Us unto darkness he hath brought, and here

Where day and night alternate, is your sphere.

Faust.

But ’tis my will!

Mephis.

Well spoken, I admit!

But one thing puzzles me, my friend;

Time’s short, art long; methinks ’twere fit

That you to friendly counsel should attend.

A poet choose as your ally!

Let him thought’s wide dominion sweep,

Each good and noble quality,

Upon your honored brow to heap;

The lion’s magnanimity,

The fleetness of the hind,

The fiery blood of Italy,

The Northern’s steadfast mind!

Let him to you the mystery show

To blend high aims and cunning low;

And while youth’s passions are aflame

To fall in love by rule and plan!

I fain would meet with such a man;

Would him Sir Microcosmus name.

Faust.

What then am I, if I aspire in vain

The crown of our humanity to gain,

Towards which my every sense doth strain?

Mephis.

Thou’rt after all—just what thou art.

Put on thy head a wig with countless locks,

Raise to a cubit’s height thy learned socks,

Still thou remainest ever, what thou art.

Faust.

I feel it, I have heap’d upon my brain

The gather’d treasure of man’s thought in vain;

And when at length from studious toil I rest,

No power, new-born, springs up within my breast;

A hair’s breadth is not added to my height,

I am no nearer to the infinite.

Mephis.

Good sir, these things you view indeed,

Just as by other men they’re view’d;

We must more cleverly proceed,

Before life’s joys our grasp elude.

The devil! thou hast hands and feet,

And head and heart are also thine;

What I enjoy with relish sweet,

Is it on that account less mine?

If for six stallions I can pay,

Do I not own their strength and speed?

A proper man I dash away,

As their two dozen legs were mine indeed.

Up then, from idle pondering free,

And forth into the world with me!

I tell you what:—your speculative churl

Is like a beast which some ill spirit leads,

On barren wilderness, in ceaseless whirl,

While all around lie fair and verdant meads.

Faust.

But how shall we begin?

Mephis.

We will go hence with speed,

A place of torment this indeed!

A precious life, thyself to bore,

And some few youngsters evermore!

Leave it to neighbor Paunch;—withdraw,

Why wilt thou plague thyself with thrashing straw?

The very best that thou dost know

Thou dar’st not to the striplings show.

One in the passage now doth wait!

Faust.

I’m in no mood to see him now.

Mephis.

Poor lad! He must be tired, I trow;

He must not go disconsolate.

Hand me thy cap and gown; the mask

Is for my purpose quite first rate.

[He changes his dress.

Now leave it to my wit! I ask

But quarter of an hour; meanwhile equip,

And make all ready for our pleasant trip!

[ExitFaust.

Mephis.

(InFaust’slong gown.) Mortal! the loftiest attributes of men,

Reason and Knowledge, only thus contemn,

Still let the Prince of lies, without control,

With shows, and mocking charms delude thy soul,

I have thee unconditionally then!—

Fate hath endow’d him with an ardent mind,

Which unrestrain’d still presses on for ever,

And whose precipitate endeavor

Earth’s joys o’erleaping, leaveth them behind.

Him will I drag through life’s wild waste,

Through scenes of vapid dulness, where at last

Bewilder’d, he shall falter, and stick fast;

And, still to mock his greedy haste,

Viands and drink shall float his craving lips beyond—

Vainly he’ll seek refreshment, anguish-toss’d,

And were he not the devil’s by his bond,

Yet must his soul infallibly be lost!

AStudententers.

Student.

But recently I’ve quitted home,

Full of devotion am I come

A man to know and hear, whose name

With reverence is known to fame.

Mephis.

Your courtesy much flatters me!

A man like other men you see;

Pray have you yet applied elsewhere?

Student.

I would entreat your friendly care!

I’ve youthful blood and courage high;

Of gold I’bring a fair supply;

To let me go my mother was not fain;

But here I long’d true knowledge to attain.

Mephis.

You’ve hit upon the very place.

Student.

And yet my steps I would retrace.

These walls, this melancholy room,

O’erpower me with a sense of gloom;

The space is narrow, nothing green,

No friendly tree is to be seen:

And in these halls, with benches lin’d,

Sight, hearing fail, fails too my mind.

Mephis.

It all depends on habit. Thus at first

The infant takes not kindly to the breast,

But before long, its eager thirst

Is fain to slake with hearty zest:

Thus at the breasts of wisdom day by day

With keener relish you’ll your thirst allay.

Student.

Upon her neck I fain would hang with joy;

To reach it, say, what means must I employ?

Mephis.

Explain, ere further time we lose,

What special faculty you choose?

Student.

Profoundly learned I would grow,

What heaven contains would comprehend,

O’er earth’s wide realm my gaze extend,

Nature and science I desire to know.

Mephis.

You are upon the proper track, I find,

Take heed, let nothing dissipate your mind.

Student.

My heart and soul are in the chase!

Though to be sure I fain would seize,

On pleasant summer holidays,

A little liberty and careless ease.

Mephis.

Use well your time, so rapidly it flies;

Method will teach you time to win;

Hence, my young friend, I would advise,

With college logic to begin!

Then will your mind be so well brac’d,

In Spanish boots so tightly lac’d,

That on ’twill circumspectly creep,

Thought’s beaten track securely keep,

Nor will it, ignis-fatuus like,

Into the path of error strike.

Then many a day they’ll teach you how

The mind’s spontaneous acts, till now

As eating and as drinking free,

Require a process;—one! two! three!

In truth the subtle web of thought

Is like the weaver’s fabric wrought:

One treadle moves a thousand lines,

Swift dart the shuttles to and fro,

Unseen the threads together flow,

A thousand knots one stroke combines.

Then forward steps your sage to show,

And prove to you, it must be so;

The first being so, and so the second,

The third and fourth deduc’d we see;

And if there were no first and second,

Nor third nor fourth would ever be.

This, scholars of all countries prize,—

Yet ’mong themselves no weavers rise.

He who would know and treat of aught alive,

Seeks first the living spirit thence to drive:

Then are the lifeless fragments in his hand,

There only fails, alas! the spirit-band.

This process, chemists name, in learned thesis,

Mocking themselves, Nature encheiresis.

Student.

Your words I cannot fully comprehend.

Mephis.

In a short time you will improve, my friend,

When of scholastic forms you learn the use;

And how by method all things to reduce.

Student.

So doth all this my brain confound.

As if a mill-wheel there were turning round.

Mephis.

And next, before aught else you learn,

You must with zeal to metaphysics turn!

There see that you profoundly comprehend,

What doth the limit of man’s brain transcend;

For that which is or is not in the head

A sounding phrase will serve you in good stead.

But before all strive this half year

From one fix’d order ne’er to swerve!

Five lectures daily you must hear;

The hour still punctually observe!

Yourself with studious zeal prepare,

And closely in your manual look,

Hereby may you be quite aware

That all he utters standeth in the book;

Yet write away without cessation,

As at the Holy Ghost’s dictation!

Student.

This, Sir, a second time you need not say!

Your counsel I appreciate quite;

What we possess in black and white,

We can in peace and comfort bear away.

Mephis.

A faculty I pray you name.

Student.

For jurisprudence some distaste I own.

Mephis.

To me this branch of science is well known,

And hence I cannot your repugnance blame.

Customs and laws in every place,

Like a disease, an heir-loom dread,

Still trail their curse from race to race,

And furtively abroad they spread.

To nonsense, reason’s self they turn;

Beneficence becomes a pest;

Woe unto thee, that thou’rt a grandson born!

As for the law born with us, unexpressed;—

That law, alas, none careth to discern.

Student.

You deepen my dislike. The youth

Whom you instruct, is blest in sooth.

To try theology I feel inclined.

Mephis.

I would not lead you willingly astray,

But as regards this science, you will find,

So hard it is to shun the erring way,

And so much hidden poison lies therein,

Which scarce can you discern from medicine.

Here too it is the best, to listen but to one,

And by the master’s words to swear alone.

To sum up all—To words hold fast!

Then the safe gate securely pass’d,

You’ll reach the fane of certainty at last.

Student.

But then some meaning must the words convey.

Mephis.

Right! But o’er-anxious thought, you’ll find of no avail,

For there precisely where ideas fail,

A word comes opportunely into play.

Most admirable weapons words are found,

On words a system we securely ground,

In words we can conveniently believe,

Nor of a single jot can we a word bereave.

Student.

Your pardon for my importunity;

Yet once more must I trouble you:

On medicine, I’ll thank you to supply

A pregnant utterance or two!

Three years! how brief the appointed tide!

The field, heaven knows, is all too wide!

If but a friendly hint be thrown,

’Tis easier then to feel one’s way.

Mephis.

(Aside.) I’m weary of the dry pedantic tone,

And must again the genuine devil play.

(Aloud.) Of medicine the spirit’s caught with ease,

The great and little world you study through,

That things may then their course pursue,

As heaven may please.

In vain abroad you range through science’ ample space,

Each man learns only that which learn he can;

Who knows the moment to embrace,

He is your proper man.

In person you are tolerably made,

Nor in assurance will you be deficient:

Self-confidence acquire, be not afraid,

Others will then esteem you a proficient.

Learn chiefly with the sex to deal!

Their thousand ahs and ohs,

These the sage doctor knows,

He only from one point can heal.

Assume a decent tone of courteous ease,

You have them then to humor as you please.

First a diploma must belief infuse,

That you in your profession take the lead:

You then at once those easy freedoms use

For which another many a year must plead;

Learn how to feel with nice address

The dainty wrist;—and how to press,

With ardent furtive glance, the slender waist,

To feel how tightly it is lac’d.

Student.

There is some sense in that one sees the how and why.

Mephis.

Gray is, young friend, all theory:

And green of life the golden tree.

Student.

I swear it seemeth like a dream to me,

May I some future time repeat my visit,

To hear on what your wisdom grounds your views?

Mephis.

Command my humble service when you choose.

Student.

Ere I retire, one boon I must solicit:

Here is my album, do not, Sir, deny

This token of your favor!

Mephis.

Willingly!

[He writes and returns the book.

Student.

(Reads.)Eritis sicut Deus, scientes bonum et malum.

[He reverently closes the book and retires.

Mephis.

Let but this ancient proverb be your rule,

My cousin follow still, the wily snake,

And with your likeness to the gods, poor fool,

Ere long be sure your poor sick heart will quake!

Faust.

(Enters.) Whither away?

Mephis.

’Tis thine our course to steer.

The little world, and then the great we’ll view.

With what delight, what profit too,

Thou’lt revel through thy gay career!

Faust.

Despite my length of beard I need

The easy manners that insure success;

Th’ attempt I fear can ne’er succeed;

To mingle in the world I want address;

I still have an embarrass’d air, and then

I feel myself so small with other men.

Mephis.

Time, my good friend, with all that’s needful give;

Be only self-possess’d, and thou hast learn’d to live.

Faust.

But how are we to start, I pray?

Steeds, servants, carriage, where are they?

Mephis.

We’ve but to spread this mantle wide,

’Twill serve whereon through air to ride,

No heavy baggage need you take,

When we our bold excursion make,

A little gas, which I will soon prepare,

Lifts us from earth; aloft through air,

Light laden, we shall swiftly steer;—

I wish you joy of your new life-career.

UERBACH’S cellar in leipsic.

(A drinking party.)

Frosch.

No drinking? Naught a laugh to raise?

None of your gloomy looks, I pray!

You, who so bright were wont to blaze,

Are dull as wetted straw to-day.

Brander.

’Tis all your fault; your part you do not bear,

No beastliness, no folly.

Frosch.

(Pours a glass of wine over his head.) There,

You have them both!

Brander.

You double beast!

Frosch.

’Tis what you ask’d me for, at least!

Siebel.

Whoever quarrels, turn him out!

With open throat drink, roar and shout.

Hollo! Hollo! Ho!

Altmayer.

Zounds, fellow, cease your deaf’ning cheers!

Bring cotton-wool! He splits my ears.

Siebel.

’Tis when the roof rings back the tone,

Then first the full power of the bass is known.

Frosch.

Right! out with him who takes offence!

A tara lara la!

Altmayer.

A tara lara la!

Frosch.

Our throats are tun’d. Come, let’s commence.

(Sings.)

• The holy Roman empire now,
• How holds it still together?

Brander.

An ugly song! a song political!

A song offensive! Thank God, every morn

To rule the Roman empire, that you were not born!

I bless my stars at least that mine is not

Either a kaiser’s or a chancellor’s lot.

Yet ’mong ourselves should one still lord it o’er the rest;

That we elect a pope I now suggest.

Ye know, what quality ensures

A man’s success, his rise secures.

Frosch.

(Sings.)

• Bear, lady nightingale above
• Ten thousand greetings to my love.

Siebel.

No greetings to a sweetheart! No love-songs shall there be!

Frosch.

Love-greetings and love-kisses! Thou shalt not hinder me!

(Sings.)

• Undo the bolt! in stilly night.
• Undo the bolt! thy love’s awake!
• Shut to the bolt! with morning light—

Siebel.

Ay, sing away, sing on, her praises sound;—the snake!

My turn to laugh will come some day.

Me hath she jilted once, you the same trick she’ll play.

Some gnome her lover be! where cross-roads meet,

With her to play the fool; or old he-goat,

From Blocksberg coming in swift gallop, bleat

A good night to her, from his hairy throat!

A proper lad of genuine flesh and blood

Is for the damsel far too good;

The greeting she shall have from me,

To smash her window-panes will be!

Brander.

(Striking on the table.)

Silence! Attend! to me give ear!

Confess, sirs, I know how to live:

Some love-sick folk are sitting here!

Hence, ’tis but fit, their hearts to cheer,

That I a good-night strain to them should give.

Hark! of the newest fashion is my song!

Strike boldly in the chorus, clear and strong!

(He sings.)

• Once in a cellar lived a rat,
• He feasted there on butter,
• Until his paunch became as fat
• As that of Doctor Luther.
• The cook laid poison for the guest,
• Then was his heart with pangs oppress’d,
• As if his frame love wasted.

Chorus.

(Shouting.) As if his frame love wasted.

Brander.

He ran around, he ran abroad,

Of every puddle drinking.

The house with rage he scratch’d and gnaw’d,

In vain,—he fast was sinking;

Full many an anguish’d bound he gave,

Nothing the hapless brute could save,

As if his frame love wasted.

Chorus.

As if his frame love wasted.

Brander.

By torture driven, in open day,

The kitchen he invaded,

Convuls’d upon the hearth he lay,

With anguish sorely jaded;

The poisoner laugh’d, Ha! ha! quoth she,

His life is ebbing fast, I see,

As if his frame love wasted.

Chorus.

As if his frame love wasted.

Siebel.

How the dull boors exulting shout!

Poison for the poor rats to strew

A fine exploit it is no doubt.

Brander.

They, as it seems, stand well with you!

Altmayer.

Old bald-pate! with the paunch profound!

The rat’s mishap hath tam’d his nature;

For he his counterpart hath found

Depicted in the swollen creature.

FaustandMephistopheles.

Mephis.

I now must introduce to you

Before aught else, this jovial crew,

To show how lightly life may glide away;

With the folk here each day’s a holiday.

With little wit and much content,

Each on his own small round intent,

Like sportive kitten with its tail;

While no sick headache they bewail,

And while their host will credit give,

Joyous and free from care they live.

Brander.

They’re off a journey, that is clear,—

They look so strange; they’ve scarce been here

An hour.

Frosch.

You’re right! Leipsic’s the place for me!

’Tis quite a little Paris; people there

Acquire a certain easy finish’d air.

Siebel.

What take you now these travellers to be?

Frosch.

Let me alone! O’er a full glass you’ll see,

As easily I’ll worm their secret out

As draw an infant’s tooth. I’ve not a doubt

That my two gentlemen are nobly born,

They look dissatisfied and full of scorn.

Brander.

They are but mountebanks, I’ll lay a bet!

Altmayer.

Most like.

Frosch.

Mark me, I’ll screw it from them yet!

Mephis.

(ToFaust.) These fellows would not scent the devil out,

E’en though he had them by the very throat!

Faust.

Good-morrow, gentlemen!

Siebel.

Thanks for your fair salute.

[Aside, glancing atMephistopheles.

How! goes the fellow on a halting foot?

Mephis.

Is it permitted here with you to sit?

Then though good wine is not forthcoming here,

Good company at least our hearts will cheer.

Altmayer.

A dainty gentleman, no doubt of it.

Frosch.

You’re doubtless recently from Rippach? Pray,

Did you with Master Hans there chance to sup?

Mephis.

To-day we pass’d him, but we did not stop!

When last we met him he had much to say

Touching his cousins, and to each he sent

Full many a greeting and kind compliment.

[With an inclination towardsFrosch.

Altmayer.

(Aside toFrosch.) You have it there!

Siebel.

Faith! he’s a knowing one!

Frosch.

Have patience! I will show him up anon!

Mephis.

Unless I err, as we drew near

We heard some practis’d voices pealing.

A song must admirably here

Re-echo from this vaulted ceiling!

Frosch.

That you’re an amateur one plainly sees!

Mephis.

Oh no, though strong the love, I cannot boast much skill.

Altmayer.

Give us a song!

Mephis.

As many as you will.

Siebel.

But be it a brand new one, if you please!

Mephis.

But recently returned from Spain are we,

The pleasant land of wine and minstrelsy.

(Sings.)

• A king there was once reigning,
• Who had a goodly flea—

Frosch.

Hark! did you rightly catch the words? a flea!

An odd sort of a guest he needs must be.

Mephis.

(Sings.)

• A king there was once reigning,
• Who had a goodly flea,
• Him lov’d he without feigning,
• As his own son were he!
• His tailor then he summon’d,
• The tailor to him goes:
• Now measure me the youngster
• For jerkin and for hose!

Brander.

Take proper heed, the tailor strictly charge,

The nicest measurement to take,

And as he loves his head, to make

The hose quite smooth and not too large!

Mephis.

In satin and in velvet,

Behold the younker dressed;

Bedizen’d o’er with ribbons,

A cross upon his breast.

Prime minister they made him,

He wore a star of state!

And all his poor relations

Were courtiers, rich and great.

The gentlemen and ladies

At court were sore distress’d;

The queen and all her maidens

Were bitten by the pest,

And yet they dared not scratch them,

Or chase the fleas away.

If we are bit, we catch them,

And crack without delay.

Chorus.

(Shouting.) If we are bit, etc.

Frosch.

Bravo! That’s the song for me.

Siebel.

Such be the fate of every flea!

Brander.

With clever finger catch and kill.

Altmayer.

Hurrah for wine and freedom still!

Mephis.

Were but your wine a trifle better, friend,

A glass to freedom I would gladly drain.

Siebel.

You’d better not repeat those words again!

Mephis.

I am afraid the landlord to offend!

Else freely would I treat each worthy guest

From our own cellar to the very best.

Siebel.

Out with it then! Your doings I’ll defend.

Frosch.

Give a good glass, and straight we’ll praise you, one and all.

Only let not your samples be too small;

For if my judgment you desire,

Certes, an ample mouthful I require.

Altmayer.

(Aside.) I guess, they’re from the Rhenish land.

Mephis.

Fetch me a gimlet here!

Brander.

Say, what therewith to bore?

You cannot have the wine-casks at the door.

Altmayer.

Our landlord’s tool-basket behind doth yonder stand.

Mephis.

(Takes the gimlet.)(ToFrosch.)

Now only say! what liquor will you take?

Frosch.

How mean you that? have you of every sort?

Mephis.

Each may his own selection make.

Altmayer.

(ToFrosch.) Ha! ha! You lick your lips already at the thought.

Frosch.

Good, if I have my choice, the Rhenish I propose;

For still the fairest gifts the fatherland bestows.

Mephis.

(Boring a hole in the edge of the table opposite to whereFroschis sitting.)

Get me a little wax—and make some stoppers—quick!

Altmayer.

Why, this is nothing but a juggler’s trick!

Mephis.

(ToBrander.) And you?

Brander.

Champagne’s the wine for me;

Right brisk and sparkling let it be!

[Mephistophelesbores; one of the party has in the meantime prepared the wax stoppers and stopped the holes.

Brander.

What foreign is one always can’t decline,

What’s good is often scatter’d far apart.

The French your genuine German hates with all his heart,

Yet has a relish for their wine.

Siebel.

(AsMephistophelesapproaches him.) I like not acid wine, I must allow,

Give me a glass of genuine sweet!

Mephis.

(Bores.)

Tokay

Shall, if you wish it, flow without delay.

Altmayer.

Come! look me in the face! no fooling now!

You are but making fun of us, I trow.

Mephis.

Ah! ah! that would indeed be making free

With such distinguish’d guests. Come, no delay;

What liquor can I serve you with, I pray?

Altmayer.

Only be quick, it matters not to me.

[After the holes are all bored and stopped.

Mephis.

(With strange gestures.)

• Grapes the vine-stock bears,
• Horns the buck-goat wears!
• Wine is sap, the vine is wood,
• The wooden board yields wine as good.
• With a deeper glance and true
• The mysteries of nature view!
• Have faith and here’s a miracle!
• Your stoppers draw and drink your fill!

All.

(As they draw the stoppers, and the wine chosen by each runs into his glass.)

Oh beauteous spring, which flows so fair!

Mephis.

Spill not a single drop, of this beware!

[They drink repeatedly.

All.

(Sing.) Happy as cannibals are we,

Or as five hundred swine.

Mephis.

They’re in their glory, mark their elevation!

Faust.

Let’s hence, nor here our stay prolong.

Mephis.

Attend, of brutishness ere long

You’ll see a glorious revelation.

Siebel.

(Drinks carelessly; the wine is spilt upon the ground, and turns to flame.)

Help! fire! help! Hell is burning!

Mephis.

(Addressing the flames.) Stop,

Kind element, be still, I say!

(To the company.)

Of purgatorial fire as yet ’tis but a drop.

Siebel.

What means the knave! For this you’ll dearly pay!

Us, it appears, you do not know.

Frosch.

Such tricks a second time he’d better show!

Altmayer.

Methinks ’twere well we pack’d him quietly away.

Siebel.

What, sir! with us your hocus-pocus play!

Mephis.

Silence! old wine-cask!

Siebel.

How! add insult too!

Vile broomstick!

Brander.

Hold! or blows shall rain on you!

Altmayer.

(Draws a stopper out of the table: fire springs out against him.)

I burn! I burn!

Siebel.

’Tis sorcery, I vow!

Strike home! The fellow is fair game, I trow!

[Draw knives and attackMephistopheles.

Mephis.

(With solemn gestures.)

• Visionary scenes appear!
• Words delusive cheat the ear!
• Be ye there, and be ye here!

[They stand amazed and gaze on each other.

Altmayer.

Where am I? What a beauteous land!

Frosch.

Vineyards! unless my sight deceives?

Siebel.

And clust’ring grapes too, close at hand!

Brander.

And underneath the spreading leaves,

What stems there be! What grapes I see!

[He seizesSiebelby the nose. The others reciprocally do the same, raising their knives.

Mephis.

(As above.) Delusion, from their eyes the bandage take!

Note how the devil loves a jest to break!

[He disappears withFaust;the fellows draw back from one another.

Siebel.

What was it?

Altmayer.

How?

Frosch.

Was that your nose?

Brander.

(ToSiebel.) And look, my hand doth thine enclose!

Altmayer.

I felt a shock, it went through every limb!

A chair! I’m fainting! All things swim!

Frosch.

Say what has happen’d, what’s it all about?

Siebel.

Where is the fellow? Could I scent him out,

His body from his soul I’d soon divide!

Alt.

With my own eyes, upon a cask astride,

Forth through the cellar-door I saw him ride—

Heavy as lead my feet are growing.

[Turning to the table.

Would that the wine again were flowing!

Siebel.

’Twas all delusion, cheat and lie.

Frosch.

’Twas wine I drank, most certainly.

Brander.

What of the grapes too,—where are they?

Altmayer.

Who now will miracles gainsay?

Witches’ Kitchen.

[A large caldron hangs over the fire on a low hearth; various figures appear in the vapor rising from it. Afemale Monkeysits beside the caldron to skim it, and watch that it does not boil over. Themale Monkeywith the young ones is seated near, warming himself. The walls and ceiling are adorned with the strangest articles of witch-furniture.

Faust, Mephistopheles.

Faust.

This senseless, juggling witchcraft I detest!

Dost promise that in this foul nest

Of madness, I shall be restor’d?

Must I seek counsel from an ancient dame?

And can she, by these rites abhorr’d,

Take thirty winters from my frame?

Woe’s me, if thou naught better canst suggest!

Hope has already fled my breast.

Has neither nature nor a noble mind

A balsam yet devis’d of any kind?

Mephis.

My friend, you now speak sensibly. In truth,

Nature a method giveth to renew thy youth;

But in another book the lesson’s writ;—

It forms a curious chapter, I admit.

Faust.

I fain would know it.

Mephis.

Good! A remedy

Without physician, gold, or sorcery:

Away forthwith, and to the fields repair,

Begin to delve, to cultivate the ground,

Thy senses and thyself confine

Within the very narrowest round,

Support thyself upon the simplest fare,

Live like a very brute the brutes among,

Neither esteem it robbery

The acre thou dost reap, thyself to dung—

This the best method, credit me,

Again at eighty to grow hale and young.

Faust.

I am not used to it, nor can myself degrade

So far as in my hand to take the spade.

For this mean life my spirit soars too high.

Mephis.

Then must we to the witch apply!

Faust.

Will none but this old beldame do?

Canst not thyself the potion brew?

Mephis.

A pretty play our leisure to beguile!

A thousand bridges I could build meanwhile.

Not science only and consummate art,

Patience must also bear her part.

A quiet spirit worketh whole years long;

Time only makes the subtle ferment strong.

And all things that belong thereto

Are wondrous and exceeding rare!

The devil taught her, it is true;

But yet the draught the devil can’t prepare.

[Perceiving the beasts.

Look yonder, what a dainty pair!

Here is the maid! the knave is there!

[To the beasts.

It seems your dame is not at home?

The Monkeys.

Gone to carouse,

• Out of the house,
• Through the chimney and away!

Mephis.

How long is it her wont to roam?

The Monkeys.

While we can warm our paws she’ll stay.

Mephis.

(ToFaust.) What think you of the charming creatures?

Faust.

I loathe alike their form and features!

Mephis.

Nay, such discourse, be it confess’d,

Is just the thing that pleases me the best.

To theMonkeys.

Tell me, ye whelps, accursed crew!

What stir ye in the broth about?

The Monkeys.

Coarse beggar’s gruel here we stew.

Mephis.

Of customers you’ll have a rout.

The he Monkey.

(Approaching and fawning onMephistopheles.)

• Quick! quick! throw the dice,
• Make me rich in a trice,
• Oh give me the prize!
• Alas, for myself!
• Had I plenty of pelf,
• I then should be wise.

Mephis.

How blest the ape would think himself, if he

Could only put into the lottery!

[In the meantime the youngMonkeyshave been playing with a large globe, which they roll forwards.

The he Monkey.

The world behold!

• Unceasingly roll’d,
• It riseth and falleth ever;
• It ringeth like glass!
• How brittle, alas!
• ’Tis hollow, and resteth never.
• How bright the sphere,
• Still brighter here!
• Now living am I!
• Dear son, beware!
• Nor venture there!
• Thou too must die!
• It is of clay;
• ’Twill crumble away;
• There fragments lie.

Mephis.

Of what use is the sieve?

The he Monkey.

(Taking it down.). The sieve would show

If thou wert a thief or no.

[He runs to theshe Monkey,and makes her look through it.

• Look through the sieve!
• Dost know him the thief,
• And dar’st thou not call him so?

Mephis.

(Approaching the fire.) And then this pot?

The Monkeys.

The half-witted sot!

• He knows not the pot!
• He knows not the kettle!

Mephis.

Unmannerly beast!

Be civil at least!

The he Monkey.

Take the whisk and sit down in the settle!

[He makesMephistophelessit down.

Faust.

(Who all this time has been standing before a looking-glass, now approaching, and now retiring from it.) What do I see? What form whose charms transcend

The loveliness of earth, is mirror’d here!

O Love, to waft me to her sphere,

To me the swiftest of thy pinions lend!

Alas! if I remain not rooted to this place,

If to approach more near I’m fondly lur’d,

Her image fades, in veiling mist obscur’d!—

Model of beauty both in form and face!

Is’t possible? Hath woman charms so rare?

Is this recumbent form, supremely fair,

The very essence of all heavenly grace?

Can aught so exquisite on earth be found?

Mephis.

The six days’ labor of a god, my friend,

Who doth himself cry bravo, at the end,

By something clever doubtless should be crown’d.

For this time gaze your fill, and when you please

Just such a prize for you I can provide;

How blest is he to whom kind fate decrees,

To take her to his home, a lovely bride!

[Faustcontinues to gaze into the mirror.Mephistophelesstretching himself on the settle and playing with the whisk, continues to speak.

Here sit I, like a king upon his throne;

My sceptre this;—the crown I want alone.

The Monkeys.

(Who have hitherto been making all sorts of strange gestures, bringMephistophelesa crown, with loud cries.)

• Oh, be so good,
• With sweat and with blood
• The crown to lime!

[They handle the crown awkwardly and break it into two pieces, with which they skip about.

• ’Twas fate’s decree!
• We speak and see!
• We hear and rhyme.

Faust.

(Before the mirror.) Woe’s me! well-nigh distraught I feel!

Mephis.

(Pointing to the beasts.) And even my own head almost begins to reel.

The Monkeys.

If good luck attend,

• If fitly things blend,
• Our jargon with thought
• And with reason is fraught!

Faust.

(As above.) A flame is kindled in my breast!

Let us begone! nor linger here!

Mephis.

(In the same position.) It now at least must be confess’d,

That poets sometimes are sincere.

[The caldron which theshe Monkeyhas neglected begins to boil over; a great flame arises, which streams up the chimney. TheWitchcomes down the chimney with horrible cries.

The Witch.

Ough! ough! ough! ough!

Accursed brute! accursed sow!

Thou dost neglect the pot, for shame!

Accursed brute to scorch the dame!

[PerceivingFaustandMephistopheles.

• Whom have we here?
• Who’s sneaking here?
• Whence are ye come?
• With what desire?
• The plague of fire
• Your bones consume!

[She dips the skimming-ladle into the caldron and throws flames atFaust, Mephistophelesand theMonkeys.TheMonkeyswhimper.

Mephis.

(Twirling the whisk which he holds in his hand, and striking among the glasses and pots.)

• Dash! Smash!
• There lies the glass!
• There lies the slime!
• ’Tis but a jest;
• I but keep time,
• Thou hellish pest,
• To thine own chime!

[While theWitchsteps back in rage and astonishment.

Dost know me? Skeleton! Vile scarecrow, thou!

Thy lord and master dost thou know?

What holds me, that I deal not now

Thee and thine apes a stunning blow?

No more respect to my red vest dost pay?

Does my cock’s feather no allegiance claim?

Have I my visage mask’d to-day?

Must I be forc’d myself to name?

The Witch.

Master, forgive this rude salute!

But I perceive no cloven foot.

And your two ravens, where are they?

Mephis.

This once I must admit your plea—

For truly I must own that we

Each other have not seen for many a day.

The culture, too, that shapes the world, at last

Hath e’en the devil in its sphere embrac’d;

The northern phantom from the scene hath pass’d,

Tail, talons, horns, are nowhere to be traced!

As for the foot, with which I can’t dispense,

’Twould injure me in company, and hence,

Like many a youthful cavalier,

False calves I now have worn for many a year.

The Witch.

(Dancing.) I am beside myself with joy,

To see once more the gallant Satan here!

Mephis.

Woman, no more that name employ!

The Witch.

But why? what mischief hath it done?

Mephis.

To fable it too long hath appertain’d;

But people from the change have nothing won.

Rid of the evil one, the evil has remain’d.

Lord Baron call thou me, so is the matter good;

Of other cavaliers the mien I wear.

Dost make no question of my gentle blood?

See here, this is the scutcheon that I bear!

[He makes an unseemly gesture.

The Witch.

(Laughing immoderately.)

Ha! ha! Just like yourself! You are, I ween,

The same mad wag that you have ever been!

Mephis.

(ToFaust.) My friend, learn this to understand, I pray!

To deal with witches this is still the way.

The Witch.

Now tell me, gentlemen, what you desire?

Mephis.

Of your known juice a goblet we require.

But for the very oldest let me ask;

Double its strength with years doth grow.

The Witch.

Most willingly! And here I have a flask,

From which I’ve sipp’d myself ere now;

What’s more, it doth no longer stink;

To you a glass I joyfully will give.

[Aside.

If unprepar’d, however, this man drink,

He hath not, as you know, an hour to live.

Mephis.

He’s my good friend, with whom ’twill prosper well;

I grudge him not the choicest of thy store.

Now draw thy circle, speak thy spell,

And straight a bumper for him pour!

[TheWitch,with extraordinary gestures, describes a circle, and places strange things within it. The glasses meanwhile begin to ring, the caldron to sound, and to make music. Lastly, she brings a great book; places theMonkeysin the circle to serve her as a desk, and to hold the torches. She beckonsFaustto approach.

Faust.

(ToMephistopheles.) Tell me, to what doth all this tend?

Where will these frantic gestures end?

This loathsome cheat, this senseless stuff

I’ve known and hated long enough.

Mephis.

Mere mummery, a laugh to raise!

Pray don’t be so fastidious! She

But as a leech, her hocus-pocus plays,

That well with you her potion may agree.

[He compelsFaustto enter the circle.

(TheWitch,with great emphasis, begins to declaim from the book.)

• This must thou ken:
• Of one make ten,
• Pass two, and then
• Make square the three,
• So rich thou’lt be.
• Drop out the four!
• From five and six,
• Thus says the witch,
• Make seven and eight.
• So all is straight!
• And nine is one,
• And ten is none,
• This is the witch’s one-time-one!

Faust.

The hag doth as in fever rave.

Mephis.

To these will follow many a stave.

I know it well, so rings the book throughout;

Much time I’ve lost in puzzling o’er its pages,

For downright paradox, no doubt,

A mystery remains alike to fools and sages.

Ancient the art and modern too, my friend.

’Tis still the fashion as it used to be,

Error instead of truth abroad to send

By means of three and one, and one and three.

’Tis ever taught and babbled in the schools.

Who’d take the trouble to dispute with fools?

When words men hear, in sooth, they usually believe,

That there must needs therein be something to conceive.

The Witch.

(Continues.)

• The lofty power
• Of wisdom’s dower,
• From all the world conceal’d!
• Who thinketh not,
• To him I wot,
• Unsought it is reveal’d.

Faust.

What nonsense doth the hag propound?

My brain it doth well-nigh confound.

A hundred thousand fools or more,

Methinks I hear in chorus roar

Mephis.

Incomparable Sibyl cease, I pray!

Hand us thy liquor without more delay.

And to the very brim the goblet crown!

My friend he is, and need not be afraid;

Besides, he is a man of many a grade,

Who hath drunk deep already.

[TheWitch,with many ceremonies, pours the liquor into a cup; asFaustlifts it to his mouth, a light flame arises.

Mephis.

Gulp it down!

No hesitation! It will prove

A cordial, and your heart inspire!

What! with the devil hand and glove,

And yet shrink back afraid of fire?

[TheWitchdissolves the circle.Fauststeps out.

Mephis.

Now forth at once! thou dar’st not rest.

Witch.

And much, sir, may the liquor profit you!

Mephis.

(To theWitch.) And if to pleasure thee I aught can do,

Pray on Walpurgis mention thy request.

Witch.

Here is a song, sung o’er sometimes, you’ll see,

That ’twill a singular effect produce.

Mephis.

(ToFaust.) Come, quick, and let thyself be led by me;

Thou must perspire, in order that the juice

Thy frame may penetrate through every part.

Thy noble idleness I’ll teach thee then to prize,

And soon with ecstasy thou’lt recognize

How Cupid stirs and gambols in thy heart.

Faust.

Let me but gaze one moment in the glass!

Too lovely was that female form!

Mephis.

Nay! nay!

A model which all women shall surpass,

In flesh and blood ere long thou shalt survey.

[Aside.

As works the draught, thou presently shalt greet

A Helen in each woman thou dost meet.

A Street.

Faust.

(Margaretpassing by.)

Faust.

Fair lady, may I thus make free

To offer you my arm and company?

Margaret.

I am no lady, am not fair,

Can without escort home repair.

[She disengages herself and exit.

Faust.

By heaven! This girl is fair indeed!

No form like hers can I recall.

Virtue she hath, and modest heed,

Is piquant too, and sharp withal.

Her cheek’s soft light, her rosy lips,

No length of time will e’er eclipse!

Her downward glance in passing by,

Deep in my heart is stamp’d for aye;

How curt and sharp her answer too!

My ravish’d heart to rapture grew!

[Mephistophelesenters.

Faust.

This girl must win for me! Dost hear?

Mephis.

Which?

Faust.

She who but now pass’d.

Mephis.

What! She?

She from confession cometh here,

From every sin absolv’d and free;

I crept near the confessor’s chair.

All innocence her virgin soul,

For next to nothing went she there;

O’er such as she I’ve no control!

Faust.

She’s past fourteen.

Mephis.

You really talk

Like any gay Lothario,

Who every floweret from its stalk

Would pluck, and deems nor grace nor truth

Secure against his arts, forsooth!

This ne’ertheless won’t always do.

Faust.

Sir Moralizer, prithee pause;

Nor plague me with your tiresome laws!

To cut the matter short, my friend,

She must this very night be mine,—

And if to help me you decline,

Midnight shall see our compact end.

Mephis.

What may occur just bear in mind!

A fortnight’s space, at least, I need,

A fit occasion but to find.

Faust.

With but seven hours I could succeed;

Nor should I want the devil’s wile,

So young a creature to beguile.

Mephis.

Like any Frenchman now you speak,

But do not fret, I pray; why seek

To hurry to enjoyment straight?

The pleasure is not half so great

As when at first, around, above,

With all the fooleries of love,

The puppet you can knead and mould

As in Italian story oft is told.

Faust.

No such incentives do I need.

Mephis.

But now, without offence or jest!

You cannot quickly, I protest,

In winning this sweet child succeed.

By storm we cannot take the fort,

To stratagem we must resort.

Faust.

Conduct me to her place of rest?

Some token of the angel bring!

A kerchief from her snowy breast,

A garter bring me,—anything!

Mephis.

That I my anxious zeal may prove,

Your pangs to sooth and aid your love,

A single moment will we not delay,

Will lead you to her room this very day.

Faust.

And shall I see her?—Have her?

Mephis.

No!

She to a neighbor’s house will go;

But in her atmosphere alone,

The tedious hours meanwhile you may employ,

In blissful dreams of future joy.

Faust.

Can we go now?

Mephis.

’Tis yet too soon.

Faust.

Some present for my love procure!

[Exit.

Mephis.

Presents so soon! ’tis well! success is sure!

I know full many a secret store

Of treasure, buried long before,

I must a little look them o’er.

[Exit.

Evening. A small and neat room.

Margaret.

(Braiding and binding up her hair.) I would give something now to know,

Who yonder gentleman could be!

He had a gallant air, I trow,

And doubtless was of high degree:

That written on his brow was seen—

Nor else would he so bold have been.

[Exit.

Mephis.

Come in! tread softly! be discreet!

Faust.

(After a pause.) Begone and leave me, I entreat!

Mephis.

(Looking round.) Not every maiden is so neat.

[Exit.

Faust.

(Gazing round.) Welcome sweet twilight gloom which reigns,

Through this dim place of hallow’d rest!

Fond yearning love, inspire my breast,

Feeding on hope’s sweet dew thy blissful pains!

What stillness here environs me!

Content and order brood around.

What fulness in this poverty!

In this small cell what bliss profound!

[He throws himself on the leather arm-chair beside the bed.

Receive me thou, who hast in thine embrace,

Welcom’d in joy and grief the ages flown!

How oft the children of a bygone race

Have cluster’d round this patriarchal throne!

Haply she, also, whom I hold so dear,

For Christmas gift, with grateful joy possess’d,

Hath with the full round cheek of childhood, here,

Her grandsire’s wither’d hand devoutly press’d.

Maiden! I feel thy spirit haunt the place,

Breathing of order and abounding grace.

As with a mother’s voice it prompteth thee,

The pure white cover o’er the board to spread,

To strew the crisping sand beneath thy tread.

Dear hand! so godlike in its ministry!

The hut becomes a paradise through thee!

And here—

[He raises the bed-curtain.

How thrills my pulse with strange delight!

Here could I linger hours untold;

Thou, Nature, didst in vision bright,

The embryo angel here unfold.

Here lay the child, her bosom warm

With life; while steeped in slumber’s dew,

To perfect grace her godlike form

With pure and hallow’d weavings grew!

And thou! ah here what seekest thou?

How quails mine inmost being now!

What wouldst thou here? what makes thy heart so sore?

Unhappy Faust! I know thee now no more.

Do I a magic atmosphere inhale?

Erewhile, my passion would not brook delay!

Now in a pure love-dream I melt away.

Are we the sport of every passing gale?

Should she return and enter now,

How wouldst thou rue thy guilty flame!

Proud vaunter—thou wouldst hide thy brow,—

And at her feet sink down with shame.

Mephis.

Quick! quick! below I see her there.

Faust.

Away! I will return no more!

Mephis.

Here is a casket, with a store

Of jewels, which I got elsewhere.

Just lay it in the press; make haste!

I swear to you, ’twill turn her brain;

Therein some trifles I have plac’d,

Wherewith another to obtain.

But child is child, and play is play.

Faust.

I know not—shall I?

Mephis.

Do you ask?

Perchance you would retain the treasure?

If such your wish, why then, I say,

Henceforth absolve me from my task,

Nor longer waste your hours of leisure.

I trust you’re not by avarice led!

I rub my hands, I scratch my head,—

[He places the casket in the press and closes the lock.

Now quick! Away!

That soon the sweet young creature may

The wish and purpose of your heart obey;

Yet stand you there

As would you to the lecture-room repair,

As if before you stood,

Array’d in flesh and blood,

Physics and metaphysics weird and gray!—

Away!

Margaret.

(With a lamp.) It is so close, so sultry now,

[She opens the window.

Yet out of doors ’tis not so warm.

I feel so strange, I know not how—

I wish my mother would come home,

Through me there runs a shuddering—

I’m but a foolish timid thing!

[While undressing herself she begins to sing.

• • There was a king in Thule,
  • True even to the grave;
  • To whom his dying mistress
  • A golden beaker gave.
• • At every feast he drain’d it,
  • Naught was to him so dear,
  • And often as he drain’d it,
  • Gush’d from his eyes the tear.
• • When death he felt approaching,
  • His cities o’er he told;
  • And grudg’s his heir no treasure
  • Except his cup of gold.
• • Girt round with knightly vassals
  • At a royal feast sat he,
  • In yon proud hall ancestral,
  • In his castle o’er the sea.
• • Up stood the jovial monarch,
  • And quaff’d his last life’s glow,
  • Then hurl’d the hallow’d goblet
  • Into the flood below.
• • He saw it splashing, drinking,
  • And plunging in the sea;
  • His eyes meanwhile were sinking,
  • And never again drank he.

[She opens the press to put away her clothes, and perceives the casket.

How comes this lovely casket here? The press

I lock’d, of that I’m confident.

’Tis very wonderful! What’s in it I can’t guess;

Perhaps ’twas brought by some one in distress,

And left in pledge for loan my mother lent.

Here by a ribbon hangs a little key!

I have a mind to open it and see!

Heavens! only look! what have we here!

In all my days ne’er saw I such a sight!

Jewels! which any noble dame might wear,

For some high pageant richly dight!

How would the necklace look on me!

These splendid gems, whose may they be?

[She puts them on and steps before the glass.

Were but the ear-rings only mine!

Thus one has quite another air.

What boots it to be young and fair?

It doubtless may be very fine;

But then, alas, none cares for you,

And praise sounds half like pity too.

Gold all doth lure,

Gold doth secure

All things. Alas, we poor!

Promenade.

Faustwalking thoughtfully up and down.

To himMephistopheles.

Mephis.

By love despis’d! By hell’s fierce fires I curse,

Would I knew aught to make my imprecation worse!

Faust.

What aileth thee? what chafes thee now so sore?

A face like that I never saw before!

Mephis.

I’d yield me to the devil instantly,

Did it not happen that myself am he!

Faust.

There must be some disorder in thy wit!

To rave thus like a madman, is it fit?

Mephis.

Just think! The gems for Gretchen brought,

Them hath a priest now made his own!—

A glimpse of them the mother caught,

And ’gan with secret fear to groan.

The woman’s scent is keen enough;

Doth ever in the prayer-book snuff;

Smells every article to ascertain

Whether the thing is holy or profane,

And scented in the jewels rare,

That there was not much blessing there.

“My child,” she cries, “ill-gotten good

Ensnares the soul, consumes the blood;

With them we’ll deck our Lady’s shrine,

She’ll cheer our souls with bread divine!”

At this poor Gretchen ’gan to pout;

’Tis a gift-horse, at least, she thought,

And sure, he godless cannot be,

Who brought them here so cleverly.

Straight for a priest the mother sent,

Who, when he understood the jest,

With what he saw was well content.

“This shows a pious mind!” Quoth he:

“Self-conquest is true victory.

The Church hath a good stomach; she, with zest,

Hath lands and kingdoms swallow’d down,

And never yet a surfeit known.

The Church alone, be it confess’d,

Daughters, can ill-got wealth digest.”

Faust.

It is a general custom, too,

Practised alike by king and jew.

Mephis.

With that, clasp, chain and ring he swept

As they were mushrooms; and the casket,

Without one word of thanks, he kept,

As if of nuts it were a basket.

Promis’d reward in heaven, then forth he hied:

And greatly they were edified.

Faust.

And Gretchen!

Mephis.

In unquiet mood

Knows neither what she would or should;

The trinkets night and day thinks o’er,

On him who brought them, dwells still more.

Faust.

The darling’s sorrow grieves me, bring

Another set without delay!

The first, methinks, was no great thing.

Mephis.

All’s to my gentleman child’s play!

Faust.

Plan all things to achieve my end!

Engage the attention of her friend!

No milk-and-water devil be,

And bring fresh jewels instantly!

Mephis.

Ay, sir! Most gladly I’ll obey.

[Faustexit.

Mephis.

Your doting love-sick fool, with ease,

Merely his lady-love to please,

Sun, moon and stars in sport would puff away.

[Exit.

The Neighbor’s House.

Martha.

(Alone.) God pardon my dear husband, he

Doth not in truth act well by me!

Forth in the world abroad to roam,

And leave me on the straw at home.

And yet his will I ne’er did thwart,

God knows, I lov’d him from my heart!

[She weeps.

Perchance he’s dead!—oh wretched state!—

Had I but a certificate!

[Margaretcomes.

Margaret.

Dame Martha!

Martha.

Gretchen!

Margaret.

Only think!

My knees beneath me well-nigh sink!

Within my press I’ve found to-day,

Another case, of ebony.

And things—magnificent they are,

More costly than the first, by far.

Martha.

You must not name it to your mother!

It would to shrift, just like the other.

Margaret.

Nay look at them! now only see!

Martha.

(Dresses her up.) Thou happy creature!

Margaret.

Woe is me!

Them in the street I cannot wear,

Or in the church, or anywhere.

Martha.

Come often over here to me,

The gems put on quite privately;

And then before the mirror walk an hour or so,

Thus we shall have our pleasure too.

Then suitable occasions we must seize,

As at a feast, to show them by degrees:

A chain at first, then ear-drops,—and your mother

Won’t see them, or we’ll coin some tale or other.

Margaret.

But who, I wonder, could the caskets bring?

I fear there’s something wrong about the thing!

[A knock.

Good heavens! can that my mother be?

Martha.

(Peering through the blind.) ’Tis a strange gentleman I see.

Come in.

[Mephistophelesenters.

Mephis.

I’ve ventured to intrude to-day.

Ladies, excuse the liberty, I pray.

[He steps back respectfully beforeMargaret.

After dame Martha Schwerdtlein I inquire!

Martha.

’Tis I. Pray what have you to say to me?

Mephis.

(Aside to her.) I know you now,—and therefore will retire;

At present you’ve distinguish’d company.

Pardon the freedom, Madam, with your leave,

I will make free to call again at eve.

Martha.

(Aloud.) Why, child, of all strange notions, he

For some grand lady taketh thee!

Margaret.

I am, in truth, of humble blood—

The gentleman is far too good—

Nor gems nor trinkets are my own.

Mephis.

Oh, ’tis not the mere ornaments alone;

Her glance and mien far more betray.

Rejoic’d I am that I may stay.

Martha.

Your business, Sir? I long to know—

Mephis.

Would I could happier tidings show!

I trust mine errand you’ll not let me rue;

Your husband’s dead, and greeteth you.

Martha.

Is dead? True heart! Oh misery!

My husband dead! Oh, I shall die!

Margaret.

Alas! good Martha! don’t despair!

Mephis.

Now listen to the sad affair!

Margaret.

I for this cause should fear to love.

The loss my certain death would prove.

Mephis.

Joy still must sorrow, sorrow joy attend.

Martha.

Proceed, and tell the story of his end!

Mephis.

At Padua, in St. Anthony’s,

In holy ground his body lies;

Quiet and cool his place of rest,

With pious ceremonials blest.

Martha.

And had you naught besides to bring?

Mephis.

Oh yes! one grave and solemn prayer;

Let them for him three hundred masses sing!

But in my pockets, I have nothing there.

Martha.

No trinket! no love-token did he send!

What every journeyman safe in his pouch will hoard

There for remembrance fondly stor’d,

And rather hungers, rather begs than spend!

Mephis.

Madam, in truth, it grieves me sore,

But he his gold not lavishly hath spent,

His failings too he deeply did repent,

Ay! and his evil plight bewail’d still more.

Margaret.

Alas! That men should thus be doom’d to woe!

I for his soul will many a requiem pray.

Mephis.

A husband you deserve this very day,

A child so worthy to be loved.

Margaret.

Ah no,

That time hath not yet come for me.

Mephis.

If not a spouse, a gallant let it be.

Among heaven’s choicest gifts I place

So sweet a darling to embrace.

Margaret.

Our land doth no such usage know.

Mephis.

Usage or not, it happens so.

Martha.

Go on, I pray!

Mephis.

I stood by his bedside.

Something less foul it was than dung;

’Twas straw half rotten; yet, he as a Christian died.

And sorely hath remorse his conscience wrung.

“Wretch that I was,” quoth he, with parting breath,

“So to forsake my business and my wife!

Ah! the remembrance is my death.

Could I but have her pardon in this life!”—

Martha.

(Weeping.) Dear soul! I’ve long forgiven him, indeed!

Mephis.

“Though she, God knows, was more to blame than I.”

Martha.

What, on the brink of death assert a lie!

Mephis.

If I am skill’d the countenance to read,

He doubtless fabled as he parted hence.—

“No time had I to gape, or take my ease,” he said,

“First to get children, and then get them bread;

And bread, too, in the very widest sense;

Nor could I eat in peace even my proper share.”

Martha.

What, all my truth, my love forgotten quite?

My weary drudgery by day and night!

Mephis.

Not so! He thought of you with tender care.

Quoth he: “Heaven knows how fervently I prayed

For wife and children when from Malta bound;—

The prayer hath Heaven with favor crown’d;

We took a Turkish vessel which convey’d

Rich store of treasure for the Sultan’s court;

Its own reward our gallant action brought;

The captur’d prize was shared among the crew,

And of the treasure I receiv’d my due.”

Martha.

How? Where? The treasure hath he buried, pray?

Mephis.

Where the four winds have blown it, who can say?

In Naples as he stroll’d, a stranger there,—

A comely maid took pity on my friend;

And gave such tokens of her love and care,

That he retain’d them to his blessed end.

Martha.

Scoundrel! to rob his children of their bread!

And all this misery, this bitter need,

Could not his course of recklessness impede!

Mephis.

Well, he hath paid the forfeit, and is dead.

Now were I in your place, my counsel hear;

My weeds I’d wear for one chaste year,

And for another lover meanwhile would look out.

Martha.

Alas, I might search far and near,

Not quickly should I find another like my first!

There could not be a fonder fool than mine,

Only he lov’d too well abroad to roam;

Lov’d foreign women too, and foreign wine,

And lov’d besides the dice accurs’d.

Mephis.

All had gone swimmingly, no doubt,

Had he but given you at home,

On his side, just as wide a range.

Upon such terms, to you I swear,

Myself with you would gladly rings exchange!

Martha.

The gentleman is surely pleas’d to jest!

Mephis.

(Aside.) Now to be off in time, were best!

She’d make the very devil marry her.

[ToMargaret.

How fares it with your heart?

Margaret.

How mean you, Sir?

Mephis.

(Aside.) The sweet young innocent!

[Aloud.

Ladies, farewell!

Margaret.

Farewell!

Martha.

But ere you leave us, quickly tell!

I from a witness fain had heard,

Where, how and when my husband died and was interr’d.

To forms I’ve always been attach’d indeed,

His death I fain would in the journals read.

Mephis.

Ay, madam, what two witnesses declare

Is held as valid everywhere;

A gallant friend I have, not far from here,

Who will for you before the judge appear.

I’ll bring him straight.

Martha.

I pray you do!

Mephis.

And this young lady, we shall find her too?

A noble youth, far travell’d, he,

Shows to the sex all courtesy.

Margaret.

I in his presence needs must blush for shame.

Mephis.

Not in the presence of a crowned king!

Martha.

The garden, then, behind my house we’ll name,

There we’ll await you both this evening.

A Street.

Faust. Mephistopheles.

Faust.

How is it now? How speeds it? Is’t in train?

Mephis.

Bravo! I find you all aflame!

Gretchen full soon your own you’ll name.

This eve, at neighbor Martha’s, her you’ll meet again;

The woman seems expressly made

To drive the pimp and gypsy’s trade.

Faust.

Good!

Mephis.

But from us she something would request.

Faust.

A favor claims return as this world goes.

Mephis.

We have on oath but duly to attest

That her dead husband’s limbs, outstretch’d, repose

In holy ground at Padua.

Faust.

Sage indeed!

So I suppose we straight must journey there!

Mephis.

Sancta simplicitas! For that no need!

Without much knowledge we have but to swear.

Faust.

If you have nothing better to suggest,

Against your plan I must at once protest.

Mephis.

Oh, holy man! methinks I have you there!

In all your life say, have you ne’er

False witness borne, until this hour?

Have you of God, the world, and all it doth contain,

Of man, and that which worketh in his heart and brain,

Not definitions given, in words of weight and power,

With front unblushing, and a dauntless breast?

Yet, if into the depth of things you go,

Touching these matters, it must be confess’d,

As much as of Herr Schwerdtlein’s death you know!

Faust.

Thou art and dost remain liar and sophist too.

Mephis.

Ay, if one did not take a somewhat deeper view!

To-morrow, in all honor, thou

Poor Gretchen wilt befool, and vow

Thy soul’s deep love, in lover’s fashion.

Faust.

And from my heart.

Mephis.

All good and fair!

Then deathless constancy thou’lt swear;

Speak of one all-o’ermastering passion,—

Will that too issue from the heart?

Faust.

Forbear!

When passion sways me, and I seek to frame

Fit utterance for feeling, deep, intense,

And for my frenzy finding no fit name,

Sweep round the ample world with every sense,

Grasp at the loftiest words to speak my flame,

And call the glow, wherewith I burn,

Quenchless, eternal, yea, eterne—

Is that of sophistry a devilish play?

Mephis.

Yet am I right!

Faust.

Mark this, my friend,

And spare my lungs: whoe’er to have the right is fain,

If he have but a tongue, wherewith his point to gain,

Will gain it in the end.

But come, of gossip I am weary quite;

Because I’ve no resource, thou’rt in the right.

Garden.

MargaretonFaust’sarm.MarthawithMephistopheleswalking up and down.

Margaret.

I feel it, you but spare my ignorance,

To shame me, sir, you stoop thus low.

A traveller from complaisance,

Still makes the best of things; I know

Too well, my humble prattle never can

Have power to entertain so wise a man.

Faust.

One glance, one word of thine doth charm me more,

Than the world’s wisdom or the sage’s lore.

[He kisses her hand.

Margaret.

Nay! trouble not yourself! A hand so coarse,

So rude as mine, now can you kiss!

What constant work at home must I not do perforce!

My mother too exacting is.

[They pass on.

Martha.

Thus, sir, unceasing travel is your lot?

Mephis.

Traffic and duty urge us! With what pain

Are we compell’d to leave full many a spot,

Where yet we dare not once remain!

Martha.

In youth’s wild years, with vigor crown’d,

’Tis not amiss thus through the world to sweep;

But ah, the evil days come round!

And to a lonely grave as bachelor to creep,

A pleasant thing has no one found.

Mephis.

The prospect fills me with dismay.

Martha.

Therefore in time, dear sir, reflect, I pray.

[They pass on.

Margaret.

Ay, out of sight is out of mind!

Politeness easy is to you;

Friends everywhere, and not a few,

Wiser than I am, you will find.

Faust.

Trust me, my angel, what doth pass for sense

Full oft is self-conceit and blindness!

Margaret.

How?

Faust.

Simplicity and holy innocence,—

When will ye learn your hallow’d worth to know?

Ah, when will meekness and humility,

Kind and all-bounteous nature’s loftiest dower—

Margaret.

Only one little moment think of me!

To think of you I shall have many an hour.

Faust.

You are perhaps much alone?

Margaret.

Yes, small our household is, I own,

Yet must I see to it. No maid we keep,

And I must cook, sew, knit and sweep,

Still early on my feet and late;

My mother is in all things, great and small,

So accurate!

Not that for thrift there is such pressing need;

Than others we might make more show indeed;

My father left behind a small estate,

A house and garden near the city-wall.

Quiet enough my life has been of late;

My brother for a soldier’s gone;

My little sister’s dead; the babe to rear

Occasion’d me some care and fond annoy;

But I would go through all again with joy,

The darling was to me so dear.

Faust.

An angel, sweet, if it resembled thee!

Margaret.

I rear’d it up, and it grew fond of me.

After my father’s death it saw the day;

We gave my mother up for lost, she lay

In such a wretched plight, and then at length

So very slowly she regain’d her strength.

Weak as she was, ’twas vain for her to try

Herself to suckle the poor babe, so I

Reared it on milk and water all alone;

And thus the child became as ’twere my own;

Within my arms it stretch’d itself and grew,

And smiling, nestled in my bosom too.

Faust.

Doubtless the purest happiness was thine.

Margaret.

But many weary hours, in sooth, were also mine.

At night its little cradle stood

Close to my bed; so was I wide awake

If it but stirr’d;

One while I was oblig’d to give it food,

Or to my arms the darling take;

From bed full oft must rise, whene’er its cry I heard,

And, dancing it, must pace the chamber to and fro;

Stand at the wash-tub early; forthwith go

To market, and then mind the cooking too—

To-morrow like to-day, the whole year through.

Ah, sir, thus living, it must be confess’d

One’s spirits are not always of the best;

Yet it a relish gives to food and rest.

[They pass on.

Martha.

Poor women! we are badly off, I own;

A bachelor’s conversion’s hard, indeed!

Mephis.

Madam, with one like you it rests alone

To tutor me a better course to lead.

Martha.

Speak frankly, sir, none is there you have met?

Has your heart ne’er attach’d itself as yet?

Mephis.

One’s own fireside and a good wife are gold

And pearls of price, so says the proverb old.

Martha.

I mean, has passion never stirr’d your breast?

Mephis.

I’ve everywhere been well receiv’d, I own.

Martha.

Yet hath your heart no earnest preference known?

Mephis.

With ladies one should ne’er presume to jest.

Martha.

Ah! you mistake!

Mephis.

I’m sorry I’m so blind!

But this I know—that you are very kind.

[They pass on.

Faust.

Me, little angel, didst thou recognize,

When in the garden first I came?

Margaret.

Did you not see it? I cast down my eyes.

Faust.

Thou dost forgive my boldness, dost not blame

The liberty I took that day,

When thou from church didst lately wend thy way?

Margaret.

I was confus’d. So had it never been;

No one of me could any evil say.

Alas, thought I, he doubtless in thy mien

Something unmaidenly or bold hath seen?

It seem’d as if it struck him suddenly,

Here’s just a girl with whom one may make free!

Yet I must own that then I scarcely knew

What in your favor here began at once to plead;

Yet I was angry with myself indeed,

That I more angry could not feel with you.

Faust.

Sweet love!

Margaret.

Just wait awhile!

[She gathers a star-flower and plucks off the leaves one after another.

Faust.

A nosegay may that be?

Margaret.

No! It is but a game.

Faust.

How?

Margaret.

Go, you’ll laugh at me!

[She plucks off the leaves and murmurs to herself.

Faust.

What murmurest thou?

Margaret.

(Half aloud.) He loves me,—loves me not.

Faust.

Sweet angel, with thy face of heavenly bliss!

Margaret.

(Continues.) He loves me—not—he loves me—not—

[Plucking off the last leaf with fond joy.

He loves me!

Faust.

Yes!

And this flower-language, darling, let it be,

A heavenly oracle! He loveth thee!

Know’st thou the meaning of, He loveth thee?

[He seizes both her hands.

Margaret.

I tremble so!

Faust.

Nay! do not tremble, love!

Let this hand-pressure, let this glance reveal

Feelings, all power of speech above;

To give one’s self up wholly and to feel

A joy that must eternal prove!

Eternal!—Yes, its end would be despair.

No end!—It cannot end!

[Margaretpresses his hand, extricates herself, and runs away. He stands a moment in thought, and then follows her.

Martha.

(Approaching.) Night’s closing.

Mephis.

Yes, we’ll presently away.

Martha.

I would entreat you longer yet to stay;

But ’tis a wicked place, just here about;

It is as if the folk had nothing else to do,

Nothing to think of too,

But gaping watch their neighbors, who goes in and out;

And scandal’s busy still, do whatsoe’er one may.

And our young couple?

Mephis.

They have flown up there.

The wanton butterflies!

Martha.

He seems to take to her.

Mephis.

And she to him. ’Tis of the world the way!

A Summer-House.

Margaretruns in, hides behind the door, holds the tip of her finger to her lip, and peeps through the crevice.

Margaret.

He comes!

Faust.

Ah, little rogue, so thou

Think’st to provoke me! I have caught thee now!

[He kisses her.

Margaret.

(Embracing him and returning the kiss.) Dearest of men! I love thee from my heart!

[Mephistophelesknocks.

Faust.

(Stamping.) Who’s there?

Mephis.

A friend!

Faust.

A brute!

Mephis.

’Tis time to part.

Martha.

(Comes.) Ay, it is late, good sir.

Faust.

Mayn’t I attend you, then?

Margaret.

Oh no—my mother would—adieu, adieu!

Faust.

And must I really then take leave of you?

Farewell!

Martha.

Good-bye!

Margaret.

Ere long to meet again!

[ExeuntFaustandMephistopheles.

Margaret.

Good heavens! how all things far and near

Must fill his mind,—a man like this!

Abash’d before him I appear,

And say to all things only yes.

Poor simple child, I cannot see

What ’tis that he can find in me.

[Exit.

Forest and Cavern.

Faust.

(Alone.) Spirit sublime! Thou gav’st me, gav’st me all

For which I pray’d! Not vainly hast thou turn’d

To me thy countenance in flaming fire:

Gav’st me glorious nature for my realm,

And also power to feel her and enjoy;

Not merely with a cold and wond’ring glance,

Thou dost permit me in her depths profound,

As in the bosom of a friend, to gaze.

Before me thou dost lead her living tribes,

And dost in silent grove, in air and stream

Teach me to know my kindred. And when roars

The howling storm-blast through the groaning wood,

Wrenching the giant pine, which in its fall

Crashing sweeps down its neighbor trunks and boughs,

While with the hollow noise the hill resounds,

Then thou dost lead me to some shelter’d cave,

Dost there reveal me to myself, and show

Of my own bosom the mysterious depths.

And when, with soothing beam, the moon’s pale orb

Full in my view climbs up the pathless sky,

From crag and dewy grove the silvery forms

Of bygone ages hover, and assuage

The joy austere of contemplative thought.

Oh, that naught perfect is assign’d to man,

I feel, alas! With this exalted joy,

Which lifts me near and nearer to the gods,

Thou gav’st me this companion, unto whom

I needs must cling, though cold and insolent;

He still degrades me to myself, and turns

Thy glorious gifts to nothing with a breath.

He in my bosom with malicious zeal

For that fair image fans a raging fire;

From craving to enjoyment thus I reel,

And in enjoyment languish for desire.

[Mephistophelesenters.

Mephis.

Of this lone life have you not had your fill?

How for so long can it have charms for you?

’Tis well enough to try it if you will;

But then away again to something new!

Faust.

Would you could better occupy your leisure

Than in disturbing thus my hours of joy.

Mephis.

Well! well! I’ll leave you to yourself with pleasure,

A serious tone you hardly dare employ.

To part from one so crazy, harsh and cross

I should not find a grievous loss.

The livelong day, for you I toil and fret;

Ne’er from his worship’s face a hint I get,

What pleases him, or what to let alone.

Faust.

Ay truly! that is just the proper tone!

He wearies me, and would with thanks be paid!

Mephis.

Poor Son of Earth, without my aid,

How would thy weary days have flown?

Thee of thy foolish whims I’ve cur’d,

Thy vain imaginations banish’d,

And but for me, be well assur’d,

Thou from this sphere must soon have vanish’d.

In rocky hollows and in caverns drear,

Why like an owl sit moping here?

Wherefore from dripping stones and moss with ooze imbued,

Dost suck, like any toad, thy food?

A rare, sweet pastime. Verily!

The doctor cleaveth still to thee.

Faust.

Dost comprehend what bliss without alloy

From this wild wand’ring in the desert springs?—

Couldst thou but guess the new life-power it brings,

Thou wouldst be fiend enough to envy me my joy.

Mephis.

What super-earthly ecstasy! at night,

To lie in darkness on the dewy height,

Embracing heaven and earth in rapture high,

The soul dilating to a deity;

With prescient yearnings pierce the core of earth,

Feel in your laboring breast the six-days’ birth,

Enjoy, in proud delight what no one knows,

While your love-rapture o’er creation flows,—

The earthly lost in beatific vision,

And then the lofty intuition—

[With a gesture.

I need not tell you how—to close!

Faust.

Fie on you!

Mephis.

This displeases you? “For shame!”

You are forsooth entitled to exclaim;

We to chaste ears it seems must not pronounce

What, nathless, the chaste heart cannot renounce.

Well, to be brief, the joy as fit occasions rise,

I grudge you not, of specious lies.

But soon the self-deluding vein

Is past, once more thou’rt whirl’d away,

And should it last, thou’lt be the prey

Of frenzy or remorse and pain.

Enough of this! Thy true love dwells apart,

And all to her seems flat and tame;

Alone thine image fills her heart,

She loves thee with an all-devouring flame.

First came thy passion with o’erpowering rush,

Like mountain torrent, swollen by the melted snow;

Full in her heart didst pour the sudden gush,

Now has thy brooklet ceas’d to flow.

Instead of sitting thron’d midst forests wild,

It would become so great a lord

To comfort the enamour’d child,

And the young monkey for her love reward.

To her the hours seem miserably long;

She from the window sees the clouds float by

As o’er the lofty city-walls they fly.

“If I a birdie were!” so runs her song,

Half through the night and all day long;

Cheerful sometimes, more oft at heart full sore;

Fairly outwept seem now her tears,

Anon she tranquil is, or so appears,

And lovesick evermore.

Faust.

Snake! Serpent vile!

Mephis.

(Aside.) Good! If I catch thee with my guile!

Faust.

Vile reprobate! go get thee hence;

Forbear the lovely girl to name!

Nor in my half-distracted sense,

Kindle anew the smouldering flame!

Mephis.

What wouldst thou! She thinks you’ve taken flight;

It seems she’s partly in the right.

Faust.

I’m near her still—and should I distant rove,

Her I can ne’er forget, ne’er lose her love;

And all things touch’d by those sweet lips of hers,

Even the very Host my envy stirs.

Mephis.

’Tis well! I oft have envi’d you indeed,

The twin-pair that among the roses feed.

Faust.

Pander, avaunt!

Mephis.

Go to! I laugh, the while you rail.

The power which fashion’d youth and maid,

Well understood the noble trade;

So neither shall occasion fail.

But hence!—In truth a case for gloom!

Bethink thee, to thy mistress’ room

And not to death shouldst go!

Faust.

What is to me heaven’s joy within her arms?

What though my life her bosom warms!—

Do I not ever feel her woe?

The outcast am I not, who knows no rest,

In human monster, aimless and unblest,

Who, like the greedy surge, from rock to rock,

Sweeps down the dread abyss with desperate shock?

While she, within her lowly cot, which grac’d

The Alpine slope, beside the waters wild,

Her homely cares in that small world embrac’d,

Secluded liv’d, a simple artless child.

Was’t not enough, in thy delirious whirl,

To blast the steadfast rocks?

Her, and her peace as well,

Must I, God-hated one, to ruin hurl!

Dost claim this holocaust, remorseless Hell!

Fiend, help me to cut short the hours of dread!

Let what must happen, happen speedily!

Her direful doom fall crushing on my head,

And into ruin let her plunge with me!

Mephis.

Why how again it seethes and glows!

Away, thou fool! Her torment ease!

When such a head no issue sees,

It pictures straight the final close.

Long life to him who boldly dares!

A devil’s pluck thou’rt wont to show;

As for a devil who despairs,

There’s naught so mawkish here below.

Margaret’s Room.

Margaret.

(Alone at her spinning-wheel.)

• • My peace is gone,
  • My heart is sore,
  • I find it never,
  • And nevermore!
• • Where him I have not,
  • Is the grave to me;
  • And bitter as gall
  • The whole world to me.
• • My wilder’d brain
  • Is overwrought;
  • My feeble senses
  • Are distraught.
• • My peace is gone,
  • My heart is sore,
  • I find it never,
  • And nevermore!
• • For him from the window
  • I gaze, at home;
  • For him and him only
  • Abroad I roam.
• • His lofty step,
  • His bearing high,
  • The smile of his lip,
  • The power of his eye,
• • His witching words,
  • Their tones of bliss,
  • His hand’s fond pressure,
  • And ah—his kiss!
• • My peace is gone,
  • My heart is sore,
  • I find it never,
  • And nevermore.
• • My bosom aches
  • To feel him near;
  • Ah, could I clasp
  • And fold him here!
• • Kiss him and kiss him
  • Again would I,
  • And on his kisses
  • I fain would die!

Martha’s Garden.

MargaretandFaust.

Margaret.

Promise me, Henry—

Faust.

What I can!

Margaret.

How is it with religion in thy mind?

Thou art a dear kind-hearted man,

But I’m afraid not piously inclin’d.

Faust.

Forbear! Thou feel’st I love thee alone;

For those I love, my life I would lay down,

And none would of their faith or church bereave.

Margaret.

That’s not enough, we must ourselves believe!

Faust.

Must we?

Margaret.

Ah, could I but thy soul inspire!

Thou honorest not the sacraments, alas!

Faust.

I honor them.

Margaret.

But yet without desire;

’Tis long since thou hast been either to shrift or mass.

Dost thou believe in God?

Faust.

My darling, who dares say,

Yes, I in God believe?

Question or priest or sage, and they

Seem, in the answer you receive,

To mock the questioner.

Margaret.

Then thou dost not believe?

Faust.

Sweet one! my meaning do not misconceive!

Him who dare name

And who proclaim,

Him I believe?

Who that can feel,

His heart can steel,

To say: I believe him not?

The All-embracer,

All sustainer,

Holds and sustains he not

Thee, me, himself?

Lifts not the Heaven its dome above?

Doth not the firm-set earth beneath us lie?

And beaming tenderly with looks of love,

Climb not the everlasting stars on high?

Do I not gaze into thine eyes?

Nature’s impenetrable agencies,

Are they not thronging on thy heart and brain,

Viewless, or visible to mortal ken,

Around thee weaving their mysterious chain?

Fill thence thy heart, how large soe’er it be;

And in the feeling when thou utterly art blest,

Then call it, what thou wilt,—

Call it Bliss! Heart! Love! God!

I have no name for it!

’Tis feeling all;

Name is but sound and smoke

Shrouding the glow of heaven.

Margaret.

All this is doubtless good and fair;

Almost the same the parson says,

Only in slightly different phrase.

Faust.

Beneath heaven’s sunshine, everywhere,

This is the utterance of the human heart;

Each in his language doth the like impart;

Then why not I in mine?

Margaret.

What thus I hear

Sounds plausible, yet I’m not reconcil’d;

There’s something wrong about it; much I fear

That thou art not a Christian.

Faust.

My sweet child!

Margaret.

Alas! it long hath sorely troubled me,

To see thee in such odious company.

Faust.

How so?

Margaret.

The man who comes with thee, I hate,

Yea, in my spirit’s inmost depths abhor;

As his loath’d visage, in my life before,

Naught to my heart e’er gave a pang so great.

Faust.

Fear not, sweet love!

Margaret.

His presence chills my blood.

Towards all beside I have a kindly mood;

Yet, though I yearn to gaze on thee, I feel

At sight of him strange horror o’er me steal;

That he’s a villain my conviction’s strong.

May Heaven forgive me, if I do him wrong!

Faust.

Yet such strange fellows in the world must be!

Margaret.

I would not live with such an one as he.

If for a moment he but enter here,

He looks around him with a mocking sneer,

And malice ill-conceal’d;

That he, with naught on earth can sympathize is clear;

Upon his brow ’tis legibly reveal’d,

That to his heart no living soul is dear.

So blest I feel, within thine arms,

So warm and happy—free from all alarms;

And still my heart doth close when he comes near.

Faust.

Foreboding angel! check thy fear!

Margaret.

It so o’ermasters me, that when

Or wheresoe’er his step I hear,

I almost think, no more I love thee then.

Besides, when he is near, I ne’er could pray,

This eats into my heart; with thee

The same, my Henry, it must be.

Faust.

This is antipathy!

Margaret.

I must away.

Faust.

For one brief hour then may I never rest,

And heart to heart, and soul to soul be press’d?

Margaret.

Ah, if I slept alone, to-night

The bolt I fain would leave undrawn for thee;

But then my mother’s sleep is light,

Were we surpris’d by her, ah me!

Upon the spot I should be dead.

Faust.

Dear angel! there’s no cause for dread.

Here is a little phial,—if she take

Mix’d in her drink three drops, ’twill steep

Her nature in a deep and soothing sleep.

Margaret.

What do I not for thy dear sake!

To her it will not harmful prove?

Faust.

Should I advise else, sweet love?

Margaret.

I know not, dearest, when thy face I see,

What doth my spirit to thy will constrain;

Already I have done so much for thee,

That scarcely more to do doth now remain.

[Exit.

[Mephistophelesenters.

Mephis.

The monkey! Is she gone?

Faust.

Again hast play’d the spy?

Mephis.

Of all that pass’d I’m well appris’d,

I heard the doctor catechis’d,

And trust he’ll profit much thereby!

Fain would the girls inquire indeed

Touching their lover’s faith, if he

Believe according to the ancient creed;

They think: if pliant there, to us he’ll yielding be.

Faust.

Thou monster, dost not see that this

Pure soul, possess’d by ardent love,

Full of the living faith,

To her of bliss

The only pledge, must holy anguish prove,

Holding the man she loves, fore-doom’d to endless death!

Mephis.

Most sensual, supersensualist! The while

A damsel leads thee by the nose!

Faust.

Of filth and fire abortion vile!

Mephis.

In physiognomy strange skill she shows;

She in my presence feels she knows not how;

My mask it seems a hidden sense reveals;

That I’m a genius she must needs allow,

That I’m the very devil perhaps she feels.

So then to-night—

Faust.

What’s that to you?

Mephis.

I’ve my amusement in it too!

At the Well.

MargaretandBessywith pitchers.

Bessy.

Of Barbara hast nothing heard?

Margaret.

I rarely go from home,—no, not a word.

Bessy.

’Tis true: Sybilla told me so to-day!

That comes of being proud, methinks;

She play’d the fool at last.

Margaret.

How so?

Bessy.

They say

That two she feedeth when she eats and drinks.

Margaret.

Alas!

Bessy.

She’s rightly serv’d, in sooth.

How long she hung upon the youth!

What promenades, what jaunts there were,

To dancing booth and village fair!

The first she everywhere must shine,

He always treating her to pastry and to wine.

Of her good looks she was so vain,

So shameless, too, that she did not disdain

Even his presents to retain;

Sweet words and kisses came anon—

And then the virgin flower was gone!

Margaret.

Poor thing!

Bessy.

Forsooth dost pity her?

At night, when at our wheels we sat,

Abroad our mothers ne’er would let us stir.

Then with her lover she must chat,

Or on the bench, or in the dusky walk,

Thinking the hours too brief for their sweet talk;

Her proud head she will have to bow,

And in white sheet do penance now!

Margaret.

But he will surely marry her?

Bessy.

Not he!

He won’t be such a fool! a gallant lad

Like him can roam o’er land and sea;

Besides, he’s off.

Margaret.

That is not fair!

Bessy.

If she should get him, ’twere almost as bad!

Her myrtle wreath the boys would tear;

And then we girls would plague her too,

For we chopp’d straw before her door would strew!

[Exit.

Margaret.

(Walking towards home.)

How stoutly once I could inveigh,

If a poor maiden went astray!

Not words enough my tongue could find

’Gainst others’ sin to speak my mind;

Black as it seem’d, I blacken’d it still more,

And strove to make it blacker than before,

And did myself securely bless—

Now my own trespass doth appear!

Yet ah!—what urg’d me to transgress,

Sweet heaven, it was so good! so dear!

Zwinger.

Enclosure between the City-wall and the Gate.

[In the niche of the wall a devotional image of the Mater Dolorosa, with flower-pots before it.

Margaret.

(Putting fresh flowers in the pots.)

• • Ah, rich in sorrow, thou,
  • Stoop thy maternal brow,
  • And mark with pitying eye my misery!
• • The sword in thy pierc’d heart,
  • Thou dost with bitter smart,
  • Gaze upwards on thy Son’s death agony.
• • To the dear God on high,
  • Ascends thy piteous sigh,
  • Pleading for his and thy sore misery.
• • Ah, who can know
  • The torturing woe,
  • The pangs that rack me to the bone?
  • How my poor heart, without relief,
  • Trembles and throbs, its yearning grief
  • Thou knowest, thou alone!
• • Ah, wheresoe’er I go,
  • With woe, with woe, with woe,
  • My anguish’d breast is aching!
  • When all alone I creep,
  • I weep, I weep, I weep,
  • Alas! my heart is breaking!
• • The flower-pots at my window
  • Were wet with tears of mine,
  • The while I pluck’d these blossoms,
  • At dawn to deck thy shrine!
• • When early in my chamber
  • Shone bright the rising morn,
  • I sat there on my pallet,
  • My heart with anguish torn.
• • Help! from disgrace and death deliver me!
  • Ah! rich in sorrow, thou,
  • Stoop thy maternal brow,
  • And mark with pitying eye my misery!

Night.

Street beforeMargaret’sdoor.

Valentine.

(A soldier,Margaret’sbrother.)

• • When seated ’mong the jovial crowd
  • Where merry comrades boasting loud,
  • Each nam’d with pride his favorite lass,
  • And in her honor drain’d his glass;
  • Upon my elbows I would lean,
  • With easy quiet view the scene,
  • Nor give my tongue the rein, until
  • Each swaggering blade had talk’d his fill.
  • Then smiling I my beard would stroke,
  • The while, with brimming glass, I spoke;
  • “Each to his taste!—but to my mind,
  • Where in the country will you find,
  • A maid, as my dear Gretchen fair,
  • Who with my sister can compare?”
  • Cling! clang! so rang the jovial sound!
  • Shouts of assent went circling round;
  • Pride of her sex is she!—cried some;
  • Then were the noisy boasters dumb.
• • And now!—I could tear out my hair,
  • Or dash my brains out in despair!—
  • Me every scurvy knave may twit,
  • With stinging jest and taunting sneer!
  • Like skulking debtor I must sit,
  • And sweat each casual word to hear!
  • And though I smash’d them one and all,—
  • Yet them I could not liars call.
• • Who comes this way? who’s sneaking here?
  • If I mistake not, two draw near.
  • If he be one, have at him;—well I wot
  • Alive he shall not leave this spot!

Faust. Mephistopheles.

Faust.

How from yon sacristy, athwart the night,

Its beams the ever-burning taper throws,

While ever waning, fades the glimmering light,

As gathering darkness doth around it close!

So night-like gloom doth in my bosom reign.

Mephis.

I’m like a tom-cat in a thievish vein,

That up fire-ladders tall and steep,

And round the walls doth slyly creep;

Virtuous withal, I feel, with, I confess,

A touch of thievish joy and wantonness.

Thus through my limbs already there doth bound

The glorious Walpurgis night!

After to-morrow it again comes round,

What one doth wake for, then one knows aright!

Faust.

Meanwhile, the flame which I see glimmering there,

Is it the treasure rising in the air?

Mephis.

Ere long, I make no doubt, but you

To raise the chest will feel inclin’d;

Erewhile I peep’d within it too;

With lion-dollars ’tis well lin’d.

Faust.

And not a trinket? not a ring?

Wherewith my lovely girl to deck?

Mephis.

I saw among them some such thing,

A string of pearls to grace her neck.

Faust.

’Tis well! I’m always loath to go,

Without some gift my love to show.

Mephis.

Some pleasures gratis to enjoy,

Should surely cause you no annoy.

While bright with stars the heavens appear,

I’ll sing a masterpiece of art:

A moral song shall charm her ear,

More surely to beguile her heart.

(Sings to the guitar.)

• • Kathrina, say,
  • Why lingering stay
  • At dawn of day
  • Before your lover’s door?
  • Maiden, beware,
  • Nor enter there,
  • Lest forth you fare,
  • A maiden never more.
• • Maiden, take heed!
  • Reck well my rede!
  • Is’t done, the deed?
  • Good-night, you poor, poor thing!
  • The spoiler’s lies,
  • His arts despise,
  • Nor yield your prize,
  • Without the marriage ring!

Valentine.

(Steps forward.) Whom are you luring here? I’ll give it you!

Accursed rat-catchers, your strains I’ll end!

First, to the devil the guitar I’ll send!

Then to the devil with the singer too!

Mephis.

The poor guitar! ’tis done for now.

Valentine.

Your skull shall follow next, I trow!

Mephis.

(ToFaust.) Doctor, stand fast! your strength collect!

Be prompt, and do as I direct.

Out with your whisk! keep close, I pray,

I’ll parry! do you thrust away!

Valentine.

Then parry that!

Mephis.

Why not?

Valentine.

That too!

Mephis.

With ease!

Valentine.

The devil fights for you!

Why how is this? my hand’s already lamed!

Mephis.

(ToFaust.) Thrust home!

Valentine.

(Falls.)

Alas!

Mephis.

There! Now the lubber’s tamed!

But quick, away! We must at once take wing;

A cry of murder strikes upon the ear;

With the police I know my course to steer,

But with the blood-ban ’tis another thing.

Martha.

(At the window.) Without! without!

Margaret.

(At the window.) Quick, bring a light!

Martha.

(As above.) They rail and scuffle, scream and fight!

People.

One lieth here already dead!

Martha.

(Coming out.) Where are the murderers? Are they fled?

Margaret.

(Coming out.) Who lieth here?

People.

Thy mother’s son.

Margaret.

Almighty God! I am undone!

Valentine.

I’m dying—’tis a soon-told tale,

And sooner done the deed.

Why, women, do ye howl and wail?

To my last words give heed!

[All gather round him.

Gretchen, thou’rt still of tender age,

And, well I wot, not over sage,

Thou dost thy matters ill;

Let this in confidence be said:

Since thou the path of shame dost tread,

Tread it with right good will!

Margaret.

My brother! God! what can this mean?

Valentine.

Abstain,

Nor dare God’s holy name profane!

What’s done, alas, is done and past!

Matters will take their course at last;

By stealth thou dost begin with one,

Others will follow him anon;

And when a dozen thee have known,

Thou’lt common be to all the town.

When infamy is newly born,

In secret she is brought to light,

And the mysterious veil of night

O’er head and ears is drawn;

The loathsome birth men fain would slay;

But soon, full grown, she waxes bold,

And though not fairer to behold,

With brazen front insults the day:

The more abhorrent to the sight,

The more she courts the day’s pure light.

The time already I discern,

When thee all honest folk will spurn,

And shun thy hated form to meet,

As when a corpse infects the street.

Thy heart will sink in blank despair,

When they shall look thee in the face!

A golden chain no more thou’lt wear—

Nor near the altar take in church thy place—

In fair lace collar simply dight

Thou’lt dance no more with spirits light—

In darksome corners thou wilt bide,

Where beggars vile and cripples hide—

And e’en though God thy crime forgive,

On earth, a thing accurs’d, thou’lt live!

Martha.

Your parting soul to God commend;

Your dying breath in slander will you spend?

Valentine.

Could I but reach thy wither’d frame,

Thou wretched beldame, void of shame!

Full measure I might hope to win

Of pardon then for every sin.

Margaret.

Brother! what agonizing pain!

Valentine.

I tell thee! from vain tears abstain!

’Twas thy dishonor pierc’d my heart,

Thy fall the fatal death-stab gave.

Through the death-sleep I now depart

To God, a soldier true and brave.

[Dies.

Cathedral.

Service, Organ and Anthem.

Margaretamongst a number of people.

Evil-SpiritbehindMargaret.

Evil-Spirit.

How different, Gretchen, was it once with thee,

When thou, still full of innocence,

Here to the altar camest,

And from the small and well-conn’d book

Didst lisp thy prayer,

Half childish sport,

Half God in thy young heart!

Gretchen!

What thoughts are thine?

What deed of shame

Lurks in thy sinful heart?

Is thy prayer utter’d for thy mother’s soul,

Who into long, long torment slept through thee?

Whose blood is on thy threshold?

—And stirs there not already ’neath thy heart

Another quick’ning pulse, that even now

Tortures itself and thee

With its foreboding presence?

Margaret.

Woe! woe!

Oh, could I free me from the thoughts

That hither, thither, crowd upon my brain,

Against my will!

Chorus.

• Dies iræ, dies illa,
• Solvet sæclum in favilla.

[The organ sounds.

Evil-Spirit.

• Grim horror seizes thee!
• The trumpet sounds!
• The graves are shaken!
• And thy heart
• From ashy rest
• For torturing flames
• Anew created,
• Trembles into life!

Margaret.

• Would I were hence!
• It is as if the organ
• Chok’d my breath,
• As if the choir
• Melted my inmost heart!

Chorus.

• Judex ergo cum sedebit,
• Quidquid latet adparebit,
• Nil inultum remanebit.

Margaret.

• I feel oppress’d!
• The pillars on the wall
• Imprison me!
• The vaulted roof
• Weighs down upon me!—air!

Evil-Spirit.

Wouldst hide thee? sin and shame

Remain not hidden!

Air! light!

Woe’s thee!

Chorus.

• Quid sum miser tunc dicturus?
• Quem patronum regaturus!
• Cum vix justus sit securus.

Evil-Spirit.

The glorified their faces turn

Away from thee!

Shudder the pure to reach

Their hands to thee!

Woe!

Chorus.

Quid sum miser tunc dicturus.—

Margaret.

Neighbor! your smelling bottle!

[She swoons away.

WALPURGIS-NIGHT.

The Hartz Mountains.

District of Schierke and Elend.

FaustandMephistopheles.

Mephis.

A broomstick dost thou not at least desire?

The roughest he-goat fain would I bestride,

By this road from our goal we’re still far wide.

Faust.

While fresh upon my legs, so long I naught require,

Except this knotty staff. Beside,

What boots it to abridge a pleasant way?

Along the labyrinth of these vales to creep,

Then scale these rocks, whence, in eternal spray,

Adown the cliffs the silvery fountains leap:

Such is the joy that seasons paths like these!

Spring weaves already in the birchen trees;

E’en the late pine-grove feels her quickening powers;

Should she not work within these limbs of ours?

Mephis.

Naught of this genial influence do I know!

Within me all is wintry. Frost and snow

I should prefer my dismal path to bound.

How sadly, yonder, with belated glow

Rises the ruddy moon’s imperfect round,

Shedding so faint a light at every tread

One’s sure to stumble ’gainst a rock or tree!

An Ignis Fatuus I must call instead.

Yonder one burning merrily, I see.

Holla! my friend, may I request your light?

Why should you flare away so uselessly?

Be kind enough to show us up the height!

Ignis Fatuus.

Through reverence, I hope I may subdue

The lightness of my nature; true,

Our course is but a zigzag one.

Mephis.

Ho! ho!

So man, forsooth, he thinks to imitate!

Now, in the devil’s name, for once go straight,

Or out at once your flickering life I’ll blow!

Ignis Fatuus.

That you are master here is obvious quite;

To do your will, I’ll cordially essay;

Only reflect! The hill is magic-mad to-night;

And if to show the path you choose a meteor’s light,

You must not wonder should we go astray.

Faust, Mephistopheles, Ignis Fatuus.

[In alternate song.

• • Through this dream and magic-sphere,
  • Lead us on, thou flickering guide.
  • Pilot well our bold career!
  • That we may with onward stride
  • Gain yon vast and desert waste!
• • See how tree on tree with haste
  • Rush amain, the granite blocks
  • Make obeisance as they go!
  • Hark! the grim, long-snouted rocks,
  • How they snort, and how they blow!
• • Brook and brooklet hurrying flow
  • Through the turf and stones along;
  • Hark, the rustling! Hark, the song!
  • Hearken to love’s plaintive lays;
• • Voices of those heavenly days—
  • What we hope, and what we love!
  • Like the song of olden time,
  • Echo’s voice repeats the chime.

To-whit! To-whoo! It sounds more near;

Pewit, owl, and jay appear,

All awake, around, above!

Paunchy salamanders too

Crawl, long-limbed, the bushes through!

And, like snakes, the roots of trees

Coil themselves from rock and sand,

Stretching many a wondrous band,

Us to frighten, us to seize;

From rude knots with life embued,

Polyp-fangs abroad they spread,

To snare the wanderer! ’Neath our tread,

Mice, in myriads, thousand-hued,

Through the heath and through the moss!

And the fire-flies’ glittering throng,

Wildering escort, whirls along,

Here and there, our path across.

Tell me, stand we motionless,

Or still forward do we press?

All things round us whirl and fly,

Rocks and trees make strange grimaces,

Dazzling meteors change their places,

How they puff and multiply!

Mephis.

Now grasp my doublet—we at last

Have reached a central precipice,

Whence we a wondering glance may cast,

How Mammon lights the dark abyss.

Faust.

How through the chasms strangely gleams,

A lurid light, like dawn’s red glow,

Pervading with its quivering beams,

The gorges of the gulf below!

There vapors rise, there clouds float by,

And here through mist the splendor shines;

Now, like a fount, it bursts on high,

Now glideth on in slender lines;

Far-reaching, with a hundred veins,

Through the far valley see it glide,

Here, where the gorge the flood restrains,

At once it scatters far and wide;

Anear, like showers of golden sand

Strewn broadcast, sputter sparks of light:

And mark yon rocky walls that stand

Ablaze, in all their towering height!

Mephis.

Sir Mammon for this festival,

Grandly illumes his palace hall!

To see it was a lucky chance;

E’en now the boist’rous guests advance.

Faust.

How the fierce tempest sweeps around!

Upon my neck it strikes with sudden shock!

Mephis.

Cling to these ancient ribs of granite rock,

Else it will hurl you down to yon abyss profound.

A murky vapor thickens night.

Hark! Through the woods the tempests roar!

The owlets flit in wild affright.

Split are the columns that upbore

The leafy palace, green for aye:

The shiver’d branches whirr and sigh,

Yawn the huge trunks with mighty groan,

The roots, upriven, creak and moan!

In fearful and entangled fall,

One crashing ruin whelms them all,

While through the desolate abyss,

Sweeping the wreck-strown precipice,

The raging storm-blasts howl and hiss!

Hear’st thou voices sounding clear,

Distant now and now more near?

Hark! the mountain ridge along,

Streameth a raving magic-song!

Witches.

(In chorus.) Now to the Brocken the witches hie,

The stubble is yellow, the corn is green;

Thither the gathering legions fly,

And sitting aloft is Sir Urian seen:

O’er stick and o’er stone they go whirling along,

Witches and he-goats, a motley throng.

Voices.

Alone old Baubo’s coming now;

She rides upon a farrow sow.

Chorus.

Honor to her, to whom honor is due!

Forward, Dame Baubo! Honor to you!

A goodly sow and mother thereon,

The whole witch chorus follows anon.

Voice.

Which way didst come?

Voice.

O’er Ilsenstein!

There I peep’d in an owlet’s nest.

With her broad eye she gazed in mine!

Voice.

Drive to the devil, thou hellish pest!

Why ride so hard?

Voice.

She has graz’d my side;

Look at the wounds, how deep and how wide!

Witches.

(In chorus.) The way is broad, the way is long;

What mad pursuit! What tumult wild!

Scratches the besom and sticks the prong;

Crush’d is the mother, and stifled the child.

Wizards.

(Half chorus.) Like house-encumber’d snail we creep;

While far ahead the women keep,

For when to the devil’s house we speed,

By a thousand steps they take the lead.

The Other Half.

Not so, precisely do we view it;—

They with a thousand steps may do it;

But let them hasten as they can,

With one long bound ’tis clear’d by man.

Voices.

(Above.) Come with us, come with us from Felsensee.

Voices.

(From below.) Aloft to you we would mount with glee!

We wash, and free from all stain are we,

Yet barren evermore must be!

Both Choruses.

The wind is hush’d, the stars grow pale,

The pensive moon her light doth veil;

And whirling on, the magic choir,

Sputter forth sparks of drizzling fire.

Voice.

(From below.) Stay! stay!

Voice.

(From above.) What voice of woe

Calls from the cavern’d depths below?

Voice.

(From below.) Take me with you! Oh take me too!

Three centuries I climb in vain,

And yet can ne’er the summit gain!

To be with my kindred I am fain.

Both Choruses.

Broom and pitchfork, goat and prong,

Mounted on these we whirl along;

Who vainly strives to climb to-night,

Is evermore a luckless wight!

Demi-Witch.

(Below.) I hobble after, many a day;

Already the others are far away!

No rest at home can I obtain—

Here too my efforts are in vain!

Chorus of Witches.

Salve gives the witches strength to rise;

A rag for a sail does well enough;

A goodly ship is every trough;

To-night who flies not, never flies.

Both Choruses.

And when the topmost peak we round,

Then alight ye on the ground;

The heath’s wide regions cover ye

With your mad swarms of witchery!

[They let themselves down.

Mephis.

They crowd and jostle, whirl and flutter!

They whisper, babble, twirl and splutter!

They glimmer, sparkle, stink and flare—

A true witch-element! Beware!

Stick close! else we shall sever’d be.

Where art thou?

Faust.

(In the distance.) Here!

Mephis.

Already whirl’d so far away!

The master then indeed I needs must play.

Give ground! Squire Voland comes! Sweet folk, give ground!

Here, doctor, grasp me! With a single bound

Let us escape this ceaseless jar;

Even for me too mad these people are.

Hard by there shineth something with peculiar glare,

Yon brake allureth me; it is not far;

Come, come along with me! we’ll slip in there.

Faust.

Spirit of contradiction! Lead! I’ll follow straight!

’Twas wisely done, however, to repair

On May-night to the Brocken, and when there,

By our own choice ourselves to isolate!

Mephis.

Mark, of those flames the motley glare!

A merry club assembles there.

In a small circle one is not alone.

Faust.

I’d rather be above, though, I must own!

Already fire and eddying smoke I view;

The impetuous millions to the devil ride;

Full many a riddle will be there untied.

Mephis.

Ay! and full many a one be tied anew.

But let the great world rave and riot!

Here will we house ourselves in quiet.

A custom ’tis of ancient date,

Our lesser worlds within the great world to create!

Young witches there I see, naked and bare,

And old ones, veil’d more prudently.

For my sake only courteous be!

The trouble’s small, the sport is rare.

Of instruments I hear the cursed din—

One must get used to it. Come in! come in!

There’s now no help for it. I’ll step before,

And introducing you as my good friend,

Confer on you one obligation more.

How say you now? ’Tis no such paltry room;

Why only look, you scarce can see the end.

A hundred fires in rows disperse the gloom;

They dance, they talk, they cook, make love and drink:

Where could we find aught better, do you think?

Faust.

To introduce us, do you purpose here

As devil or as wizard to appear?

Mephis.

Though I am wont indeed to strict incognito,

Yet upon gala-days one must one’s orders show.

No garter have I to distinguish me,

Nathless the cloven foot doth here give dignity.

Seest thou yonder snail? Crawling this way she hies;

With searching feelers, she, no doubt,

Hath me already scented out;

Here, even if I would, for me there’s no disguise.

From fire to fire, we’ll saunter at our leisure,

The gallant you, I’ll cater for your pleasure.

(To a party seated round some expiring embers.)

Old gentlemen, apart, why sit ye moping here?

Ye in the midst should be of all this jovial cheer,

Girt round with noise and youthful riot;

At home one surely has enough of quiet.

General.

In nations put his trust who may,

Whate’er for them one may have done;

The people are like women, they

Honor your rising stars alone!

Minister.

Too far from truth and right they wander now;

I must extol the good old ways,

For truly when all spoke our praise,

Then was the golden age, I trow.

Parvenu.

Ne’er were we ’mong your dullards found,

And what we ought not, that we did of old;

Yet now are all things turning round,

Just when we most desired them fast to hold.

Author.

Who, as a rule, a treatise now would care

To read, of even moderate sense?

As for the rising generation, ne’er

Has youth displayed such arrogant pretence.

Mephis.

(Suddenly appearing very old.)

Since for the last time I the Brocken scale,

That folk are ripe for doomsday, now one sees;

And just because my cask begins to fail,

So the whole world is also on the lees.

Huckster-Witch.

Stop, gentlemen, nor pass me by,

Of wares I have a choice collection:

Pray honor them with your inspection.

Lose not this opportunity!

No fellow to my booth you’ll find

On earth, for ’mong my store there’s naught,

Which to the world, and to mankind,

Hath not some direful mischief wrought.

No dagger here which hath not flow’d with blood,

No bowl which hath not pour’d into some healthy frame

Hot poison’s life-consuming flood,

No trinket, but hath wrought some woman’s shame,

No weapon but hath cut some sacred tie,

Or from behind hath stabb’d an enemy.

Mephis.

Gossip! For wares like these the time’s gone by.

What’s done is past! what’s past is done!

With novelties your booth supply;

Now novelties attract alone.

Faust.

May this wild scene my senses spare!

This, may in truth be call’d a fair!

Mephis.

Upward the eddying concourse throng;

Thinking to push, thyself art push’d along.

Faust.

Who’s that, pray?

Mephis.

Mark her well! That’s Lilith.

Faust.

Who?

Mephis.

Adam’s first wife. Of her rich locks beware!

That charm in which she’s parallel’d by few;

When in its toils a youth she doth ensnare,

He will not soon escape, I promise you.

Faust.

There sit a pair, the old one with the young;

Already they have bravely danced and sprung!

Mephis.

Here there is no repose to-day.

Another dance begins; we’ll join it, come away!

Faust.

(Dancing with the young one.)

Once a fair vision came to me;

Therein I saw an apple tree,

Two beauteous apples charm’d mine eyes;

I climb’d forthwith to reach the prize.

The Fair One.

Apples still fondly ye desire,

From paradise it hath been so.

Feelings of joy my breast inspire

That such too in my garden grow.

Mephis.

(With the old one.) Once a weird vision came to me;

Therein I saw a rifted tree.

It had a . . . . . ;

But as it was it pleas’d me too.

The Old One.

I beg most humbly to salute

The gallant with the cloven foot!

Let him a . . . have ready here,

If he a . . . does not fear.

Proctophantasmist.

Accursed mob! How dare ye thus to meet?

Have I not shown and demonstrated too,

That ghosts stand not on ordinary feet?

Yet here ye dance, as other mortals do!

The Fair One.

(Dancing.) Then at our ball, what doth he here?

Faust.

(Dancing.) Oh! He must everywhere appear.

He must adjudge, when others dance;

If on each step his say’s not said,

So is that step as good as never made.

He’s most annoy’d, so soon as we advance;

If ye would circle in one narrow round,

As he in his old mill, then doubtless he

Your dancing would approve,—especially

If ye forthwith salute him with respect profound!

Proctophantasmist.

Still here! what arrogance! unheard of quite!

Vanish; we now have fill’d the world with light!

Laws are unheeded by the devil’s host;

Wise as we are, yet Tegel hath its ghost!

How long at this conceit I’ve swept with all my might,

Lost is the labor: ’tis unheard of quite!

The Fair One.

Cease here to teaze us any more, I pray.

Proctophantasmist.

Spirits, I plainly to your face declare:

No spiritual control myself will bear,

Since my own spirit can exert no sway.

[The dancing continues.

To-night, I see, I shall in naught succeed;

But I’m prepar’d my travels to pursue,

And hope, before my final step indeed,

To triumph over bards and devils too.

Mephis.

Now in some puddle will he take his station,

Such is his mode of seeking consolation;

Where leeches, feasting on his blood, will drain

Spirit and spirits from his haunted brain.

(ToFaust,who has left the dance.)

But why the charming damsel leave, I pray,

Who to you in the dance so sweetly sang?

Faust.

Ah! in the very middle of her lay,

Out of her mouth a small red mouse there sprang.

Mephis.

Suppose there did! One must not be too nice:

’Twas well it was not gray, let that suffice.

Who ’mid his pleasures for a trifle cares?

Faust.

Then saw I—

Mephis.

What?

Faust.

Mephisto, seest thou there

Standing far off, a lone child, pale and fair?

Slow from the spot her drooping form she tears,

And seems with shackled feet to move along;

I own, within me the delusion’s strong,

That she the likeness of my Gretchen wears.

Mephis.

Gaze not upon her! ’Tis not good! Forbear!

’Tis lifeless, magical, a shape of air,

An idol. Such to meet with, bodes no good;

That rigid look of hers doth freeze man’s blood,

And well-nigh petrifies his heart to stone:—

The story of Medusa thou hast known.

Faust.

Ay, verily! a corpse’s eyes are those,

Which there was no fond loving hand to close.

That is the bosom I so fondly press’d,

That my sweet Gretchen’s form, so oft caress’d!

Mephis.

Deluded fool! ’Tis magic, I declare!

To each she doth his lov’d one’s image wear.

Faust.

What bliss! what torture! vainly I essay

To turn me from that piteous look away.

How strangely doth a single crimson line

Around that lovely neck its coil entwine,

It shows no broader than a knife’s blunt edge!

Mephis.

Quite right. I see it also, and allege

That she beneath her arm her head can bear,

Since Perseus cut it off.—But you I swear

Are craving for illusion still!

Come then, ascend you little hill!

As on the Prater all is gay,

And if my senses are not gone,

I see a theatre,—what’s going on?

Servibilis.

They are about to recommence;—the play

Will be the last of seven, and spick-span new—

’Tis usual here that number to present—

A dilettante did the piece invent,

And dilettanti will enact it too.

Excuse me, gentlemen; to me’s assign’d

As dilettante to uplift the curtain.

Mephis.

You on the Blocksberg I’m rejoic’d to find,

That ’tis your most appropriate sphere is certain.

WALPURGIS-NIGHT’S DREAM; OR, OBERON AND TITANIA’S Golden Wedding Feast.

INTERMEZZO.

Theatre.

Manager.

• Vales, where mists still shift and play,
• To ancient hill succeeding,—
• These our scenes;—so we, to-day,
• May rest, brave sons of Mieding.

Herald.

• That the marriage golden be,
• Must fifty years be ended;
• More dear this feast of gold to me,
• Contention now suspended.

Oberon.

• Spirits, are ye hovering near,
• Show yourselves around us!
• King and queen behold ye here,
• Love hath newly bound us.

Puck.

• Puck draws near and wheels about,
• In mazy circles dancing!
• Hundreds swell his joyous shout,
• Behind him still advancing.

Ariel.

• Ariel wakes his dainty air,
• His lyre celestial stringing;
• Fools he lureth, and the fair,
• With his celestial singing.

Oberon.

• Wedded ones, would ye agree,
• We court your imitation:
• Would ye fondly love as we,
• We counsel separation.

Titania.

• If husband scold and wife retort,
• Then bear them far asunder;
• Her to the burning South transport,
• And him the North Pole under.

The Whole Orchestra.

(Fortissimo.)

• Flies and midges all unite
• With frog and chirping cricket,
• Our orchestra throughout the night,
• Resounding in the thicket!

(Solo.)

• Yonder doth the bagpipe come!
• Its sack an airy bubble.
• Schnick, schnick, schnack, with nasal hum,
• Its notes it doth redouble.

Embryo Spirit.

• Spider’s foot and midge’s wing,
• A toad in form and feature;
• Together verses it can string,
• Though scarce a living creature.

A Little Pair.

• Tiny step and lofty bound,
• Through dew and exhalation;
• Ye trip it deftly on the ground,
• But gain no elevation.

Inquisitive Traveller.

• Can I indeed believe my eyes?
• Is’t not mere masquerading?
• What! Oberon in beauteous guise,
• Among the groups parading!

Orthodox.

• No claws, no tail to whisk about,
• To fright us at our revel;—
• Yet like the gods of Greece, no doubt,
• He too’s a genuine devil.

Northern Artist.

• These that I’m hitting off to-day
• Are sketches unpretending;
• Towards Italy without delay,
• My steps I think of bending.

Purist.

• Alas! ill-fortune leads me here,
• Where riot still grows louder;
• And ’mong the witches gather’d here,
• But two alone wear powder!

Young Witch.

• Your powder and your petticoat
• Suit hags, there’s no gainsaying;
• Hence I sit fearless on my goat,
• My naked charms displaying.

Matron.

• We’re too well-bred to squabble here,
• Or insult back to render;
• But may you wither soon, my dear,
• Although so young and tender.

Leader of the Band.

• Nose of fly and gnat’s proboscis,
• Throng not the naked beauty!
• Frogs and crickets in the mosses,
• Keep time and do your duty!

Weathercock.

(Towards one side.)

• What charming company I view
• Together here collected!
• Gay bachelors, a hopeful crew,
• And brides so unaffected!

Weathercock.

(Towards the other side.)

• Unless indeed the yawning ground
• Should open to receive them,
• From this vile crew, with sudden bound,
• To hell I’d jump and leave them.

Xenien.

• With small sharp shears, in insect guise,
• Behold us at your revel!
• That we may tender, filial-wise,
• Our homage to the devil.

Hennings.

• Look now at yonder eager crew,
• How naïvely they’re jesting!
• That they have tender hearts and true,
• They stoutly keep protesting!

Musaget.

• One’s self amid this witchery
• How pleasantly one loses;
• For witches easier are to me
• To govern than the Muses!

Ci-Devant Genius of the Age.

• With proper folks when we appear,
• No one can then surpass us!
• Keep close, wide is the Blocksberg here
• As Germany’s Parnassus.

Inquisitive Traveller.

• How name ye that stiff formal man,
• Who strides with lofty paces?
• He tracks the game where’er he can,
• “He scents the Jesuits’ traces.”

Crane.

• Where waters troubled are or clear,
• To fish I am delighted;
• Thus pious gentlemen appear
• With devils here united.

Worldling.

• By pious people, it is true,
• No medium is rejected;
• Conventicles, and not a few,
• On Blocksberg are erected.

Dancer.

• Another choir is drawing nigh,
• Far off the drums are beating.
• Be still! ’tis but the bittern’s cry,
• Its changeless note repeating.

Dancing Master.

• Each twirls about and never stops,
• And as he can advances.
• The crooked leaps, the clumsy hops,
• Nor careth how he dances.

Fiddler.

• To take each other’s life, I trow,
• Would cordially delight them!
• As Orpheus’ lyre the beasts, so now
• The bagpipe doth unite them.

Dogmatist.

• My views, in spite of doubt and sneer,
• I hold with stout persistence,
• Inferring from the devils here,
• The evil one’s existence.

Idealist.

• My every sense rules Phantasy
• With sway quite too potential;
• Sure I’m demented if the I
• Alone is the essential.

Realist.

• This entity’s a dreadful bore,
• And cannot choose but vex me;
• The ground beneath me ne’er before
• Thus totter’d to perplex me.

Supernaturalist.

• Well pleas’d assembled here I view
• Of spirits this profusion;
• From devils, touching angels too,
• I gather some conclusion.

Sceptic.

• The ignis fatuus they track out,
• And think they’re near the treasure.
• Devil alliterates with doubt,
• Here I abide with pleasure.

Leader of the Band.

• Frog and cricket in the mosses,—
• Confound your gasconading!
• Nose of fly and gnat’s proboscis;—
• Most tuneful serenading!

The Knowing Ones.

• Sans-souci, so this host we greet,
• Their jovial humor showing;
• There’s now no walking on our feet,
• So on our heads we’re going.

The Awkward Ones.

• In seasons past we snatch’d, ’tis true,
• Some titbits by our cunning;
• Our shoes, alas, are now danc’d through,
• On our bare soles we’re running.

Will-o’-the-Wisps.

• From marshy bogs we sprang to light,
• Yet here behold us dancing;
• The gayest gallants of the night,
• In glitt’ring rows advancing.

Shooting Star.

• With rapid motion from on high,
• I shot in starry splendor;
• Now prostrate on the grass I lie;—
• Who aid will kindly render?

The Massive Ones.

• Room! wheel round! They’re coming! lo!
• Down sink the bending grasses.
• Though spirits, yet their limbs, we know,
• Are huge substantial masses.

Puck.

• Don’t stamp so heavily, I pray;
• Like elephants you’re treading!
• And ’mong the elves be Puck to-day,
• The stoutest at the wedding!

Ariel.

• If nature boon, or subtle sprite,
• Endow your soul with pinions;—
• Then follow to yon rosy height,
• Through ether’s calm dominions.

Orchestra.

(Pianissimo.)

• Drifting cloud and misty wreathes
• Are fill’d with light elysian;
• O’er reed and leaf the zephyr breathes—
• So fades the fairy vision!

A Gloomy Day.

A Plain.

FaustandMephistopheles.

Faust.

IN misery! despairing! long wandering pitifully on the face of the earth and now imprisoned! This gentle hapless creature, immured in the dungeon as a malefactor and reserved for horrid tortures! That it should come to this! To this!—Perfidious, worthless spirit, and this thou hast concealed from me!—Stand! ay, stand! roll in malicious rage thy fiendish eyes! Stand and brave me with thine insupportable presence! Imprisoned! In hopeless misery! Delivered over to the power of evil spirits and the judgment of unpitying humanity!—And me, the while, thou wert lulling with tasteless dissipations, concealing from me her growing anguish, and leaving her to perish without help!

Mephis.

She is not the first.

Faust.

Hound! Execrable monster!—Back with him, oh thou infinite spirit! back with the reptile into his dog’s shape, in which it was his wont to scamper before me at eventide, to roll before the feet of the harmless wanderer, and to fasten on his shoulders when he fell! Change him again into his favorite shape, that he may crouch on his belly before me in the dust, whilst I spurn him with my foot, the reprobate!—Not the first!—Woe! woe! By no human soul is it conceivable, that more than one human creature has ever sunk into a depth of wretchedness like this, or that the first in her writhing death-agony should not have atoned in the sight of all-pardoning Heaven for the guilt of all the rest! The misery of this one pierces me to the very marrow, and harrows up my soul; thou art grinning calmly over the doom of thousands!

Mephis.

Now we are once again at our wit’s end, just where the reason of you mortals snaps! Why dost thou seek our fellowship, if thou canst not go through with it? Wilt fly, and art not proof against dizziness? Did we force ourselves on thee, or thou on us?

Faust.

Cease thus to gnash thy ravenous fangs at me! I loathe thee!—Great and glorious spirit, thou who didst vouchsafe to reveal thyself unto me, thou who dost know my very heart and soul, why hast thou linked me with this base associate, who feeds on mischief and revels in destruction?

Mephis.

Hast done?

Faust.

Save her!—or woe to thee! The direst of curses on thee for thousands of years!

Mephis.

I cannot loose the bands of the avenger, nor withdraw his bolts.—Save her!—Who was it plunged her into perdition? I or thou?

[Faustlooks wildly around.

Mephis.

Wouldst grasp the thunder? Well for you, poor mortals, that ’tis not yours to wield! To smite to atoms the being, however innocent, who obstructs his path, such is the tyrant’s fashion of relieving himself in difficulties!

Faust.

Convey me thither! She shall be free!

Mephis.

And the danger to which thou dost expose thyself! Know, the guilt of blood, shed by thy hand, lies yet upon the town. Over the place where fell the murdered one, avenging spirits hover and watch for the returning murderer.

Faust.

This too from thee? The death and downfall of a world be on thee, monster! Conduct me thither, I say, and set her free!

Mephis.

I will conduct thee. And what I can do,—hear! Have I all power in heaven and upon earth? I’ll cloud the senses of the warder,—do thou possess thyself of the keys and lead her forth with human hand! I will keep watch! The magic steeds are waiting, I bear thee off. Thus much is in my power.

Faust.

Up and away!

Night.Open country.

Faust. Mephistopheles.

(Rushing along on black horses.)

Faust.

What weave they yonder round the Ravenstone?

Mephis.

I know not what they shape and brew.

Faust.

They’re soaring, swooping, bending, stooping.

Mephis.

A witches’ pack.

Faust.

They charm, they strew.

Mephis.

On! on!

Dungeon.

Faust.

(With a bunch of keys and a lamp before a small iron door.) A fear unwonted o’er my spirit falls;

Man’s concentrated woe o’erwhelms me here!

She dwells immur’d within these dripping walls;

Her only trespass a delusion dear!

Thou lingerest at the fatal door?

Thou dread’st to see her face once more?

On! While thou dalliest, draws her death-hour near.

[He seizes the lock.Margaretsinging within.

• My mother, the harlot,
• She took me and slew!
• My father, the scoundrel,
• Hath eaten me too!
• My sweet little sister
• Hath all my bones laid,
• Where soft breezes whisper
• All in the cool shade!

Then became I a wood-bird, and sang on the spray,

Fly away! little bird, fly away! fly away!

Faust.

(Opening the lock.) Ah! she forebodes not that her lover’s near,

The clanking chains, the rustling straw, to hear.

[He enters.

Margaret.

(Hiding her face in the bed of straw.) Woe! woe! they come! oh bitter ’tis to die!

Faust.

(Softly.) Hush! hush! be still! I come to set thee free!

Margaret.

(Throwing herself at his feet.)

If thou art human, feel my misery!

Faust.

Thou wilt awake the jailor with thy cry!

[He grasps the chains to unlock them.

Margaret.

(On her knees.) Who, headsman, unto thee this power

O’er me could give?

Thou com’st for me at midnight-hour.

Be merciful, and let me live!

Is morrow’s dawn not time enough?

[She stands up.

I’m still so young, so young—

And must so early die!

Fair was I too, and that was my undoing.

My love is now afar, he then was nigh;

Torn lies the garland, the fair blossoms strew’d.

Nay, seize me not with hand so rude!

Spare me! What harm have I e’er done to thee?

Oh, let me not in vain implore!

I ne’er have seen thee in my life before!

Faust.

Can I endure this bitter agony?

Margaret.

I now am at thy mercy quite.

Let me my babe but suckle once again!

I fondled it the livelong night;

They took it from me but to give me pain,

And now they say that I my child have slain.

Gladness I ne’er again shall know.

Then they sing songs about me,—’tis wicked of the throng—

An ancient ballad endeth so;

Who bade them thus apply the song?

Faust.

(Throwing himself on the ground.)

A lover at thy feet bends low,

To loose the bonds of wretchedness and woe.

Margaret.

(Throws herself beside him.)

Oh, let us kneel and move the saints by prayer!

Look! look! yon stairs below,

Under the threshold there,

Hell’s flames are all aglow!

Beneath the floor,

With hideous noise,

The devils roar!

Faust.

(Aloud.) Gretchen! Gretchen!

Margaret.

(Listening.) That was my lov’d one’s voice!

[She springs up, the chains fall off.

Where is he? I heard him calling me.

Free am I! There’s none shall hinder me.

To his neck will I fly,

On his bosom will lie!

Gretchen, he called!—On yon threshold he stood;

Amidst all the howling of hell’s fiery flood,

The scoff and the scorn of its devilish crew,

The tones of his voice, sweet and loving, I knew.

Faust.

’Tis I.

Margaret.

’Tis thou! O say so once again!

[Embracing him.

’Tis he! ’tis he! where’s now the torturing pain?

Where are the fetters? where the dungeon’s gloom?

’Tis thou! To save me thou art come!

And I am sav’d!—

Already now the street I see

Where the first time I caught a glimpse of thee.

There too the pleasant garden shade,

Where I and Martha for thy coming stay’d.

Faust.

(Endeavoring to lead her away.)

Come! come away!

Margaret.

Oh, do not haste!

I love to linger where thou stayest.

[Caressing him.

Faust.

Ah haste! For if thou still delayest,

Our lingering we shall both deplore.

Margaret.

How, dearest? canst thou kiss no more!

So short a time away from me, and yet,

To kiss thou couldst so soon forget!

Why on thy neck so anxious do I feel—

When formerly a perfect heaven of bliss

From thy dear looks and words would o’er me steal?

As thou wouldst stifle me thou then didst kiss!—

Kiss me!

Or I’ll kiss thee!

[She embraces him.

Woe! woe! Thy lips are cold,—

Are dumb!

Thy love where hast thou left?

Who hath me of thy love bereft?

[She turns away from him.

Faust.

Come! Follow me, my dearest love, be bold!

I’ll cherish thee with ardor thousand-fold;

I but entreat thee now to follow me!

Margaret.

(Turning towards him.) And art thou he? and art thou really he?

Faust.

’Tis I! Oh, come!

Margaret.

Thou wilt strike off my chain,

And thou wilt take me to thine arms again.

How comes it that thou dost not shrink from me?—

And dost thou know, love, whom thou wouldst set free?

Faust.

Come! come! already night begins to wane.

Margaret.

I sent my mother to her grave,

I drown’d my child beneath the wave.

Was it not given to thee and me—thee too?

’Tis thou thyself! I scarce believe it yet.

Give me thy hand! It is no dream! ’Tis true!

Thine own dear hand!—But how is this? ’Tis wet!

Quick, wipe it off! Meseems that yet

There’s blood thereon.

Ah God! what hast thou done?

Put up thy sword,

I beg of thee!

Faust.

Oh, dearest, let the past forgotten be!

Death is in every word.

Margaret.

No, thou must linger here in sorrow!

The graves I will describe to thee,

And thou to them must see

To-morrow:

The best place give to my mother,

Close at her side my brother,

Me at some distance lay—

But not too far away!

And the little one place on my right breast.

Nobody else will near me lie!

To nestle beside thee so lovingly,

That was a rapture, gracious and sweet!

A rapture I never again shall prove;

Methinks I would force myself on thee, love,

And thou dost spurn me, and back retreat—

Yet ’tis thyself, thy fond kind looks I see.

Faust.

If thou dost feel ’tis I, then come with me!

Margaret.

What, there? without?

Faust.

Yes, forth in the free air.

Margaret.

Ay, if the grave’s without,—If death lurk there!

Hence to the everlasting resting-place,

And not one step beyond!—Thou’rt leaving me?

Oh, Henry! would that I could go with thee!

Faust.

Thou canst! But will it! Open stands the door.

Margaret.

I dare not go! I’ve naught to hope for more.

What boots it to escape? They lurk for me!

’Tis wretched to beg, as I must do,

And with an evil conscience thereto!

’Tis wretched, in foreign lands to stray;

And me they will catch, do what I may!

Faust.

With thee will I abide.

Margaret.

• Quick! quick!
• Save thy poor child!
• Keep to the path
• The brook along,
• Over the bridge
• To the wood beyond,
• To the left, where the plank is,
• In the pond.
• Seize it at once!
• It fain would rise,
• It struggles still!
• Save it. Oh, save!

Faust.

Dear Gretchen, more collected be!

One little step and thou art free!

Margaret.

Were we but only past the hill!

There sits my mother upon a stone—

My brain, alas, is cold with dread!—

There sits my mother upon a stone,

And to and fro she shakes her head;

She winks not, she nods not, her head it droops sore;

She slept so long, she wak’d no more;

She slept, that we might taste of bliss:

Ah! those were happy times, I wis!

Faust.

Since here avails nor argument nor prayer,

Thee hence by force I needs must bear.

Margaret.

Loose me! I will not suffer violence!

With murderous hand hold not so fast!

I have done all to please thee in the past!

Faust.

Day dawns! My love! my love!

Margaret.

Yes! day draws near.

The day of judgment too will soon appear!

It should have been my bridal! No one tell

That thy poor Gretchen thou hast known too well.

Woe to my garland!

Its bloom is o’er!

Though not at the dance—

We shall meet once more.

The crowd doth gather, in silence it rolls;

The squares, the streets,

Scarce hold the throng.

The staff is broken,—the death-bell tolls,—

They bind and seize me! I’m hurried along,

To the seat of blood already I’m bound!

Quivers each neck as the naked steel

Quivers on mine the blow to deal—

The silence of the grave now broods around!

Faust.

Would I had ne’er been born!

Mephis.

(Appears without.) Up! or you’re lost.

Vain hesitation! Babbling, quaking!

My steeds are shivering,

Morn is breaking.

Margaret.

What from the floor ascendeth like a ghost?

’Tis he! ’Tis he! Him from my presence chase!

What would he in this holy place?

It is for me he cometh!

Faust.

Thou shalt live!

Margaret.

Judgment of God! To thee my soul I give!

Mephis.

(ToFaust.) Come! come! I’ll leave thee else to share her doom!

Margaret.

Father, I’m thine! Save me! To thee I come!

Ye angels! Ye angelic hosts! descend,

Encamp around to guard me and defend!—

Henry! I shudder now to look on thee!

Mephis.

She now is judged!

Voices.

(From above.) Is saved!

Mephis.

(ToFaust.) Come thou with me!

[Vanishes withFaust.

Voice.

(From within, dying away.) Henry! Henry!

END OF PART I.

DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.

Faust.

Mephistopheles(in various disguises).

also in

ACT I.

Ariel.

Emperor.

Fool(Mephistopheles).

Chancellor.

Commander-in-Chief.

Treasurer.

Marshal.

Astrologer.

Various Ladies, Gentlemen and Pages of the court. Also numerous male and female masks.

Scene—Chiefly in the different apartments and Pleasure Garden of the Imperial Palace.

ACT II.

Famulus.

Baccalaureus.

Wagner.

Homunculus.

Numerous mythical personages and monsters appearing in the Classical Walpurgis-Night.

Scene—Faust’sStudy; afterwards the Pharsalian Plains.

ACT III.

Helen.

Phorkyad(Mephistopheles).

Lynceus,the Watchman.

Euphorion, Helen’sSon.

Panthalisand Chorus of Trojan women.

Scene—At first the supposed Palace of Menelaus in Sparta; afterwards the Courtyard of a mediæval castle, and finally a rocky dell.

ACT IV.

The three mighty men:Bully, Havequick,andHoldfast.

Speedquick.

TheEmperor,and other officers of his Court, as inAct I.

Scene—A high mountainous country and the adjacent neighborhood.

ACT V.

Baucis.

Philemon.

A Wanderer.

Lynceus.

The four gray women:Want, Guilt, CareandNeed.

Lemures.

A Penitent,formerlyMargaret.

Dr. Marianus.

Chorus of Angels and Penitents and various Heavenly characters.

Scene—The neighborhood ofFaust’sPalace, afterwards rocky heights and the higher regions of the sky.

ACT I.

A Pleasing Landscape.

Faustreclining upon flowery turf, restless, seeking sleep.

Twilight.

Circle of spirits, hovering, flit around.—Graceful, tiny forms.

Ariel.

(Song, accompanied by Æolian harps.)

• When, in vernal showers descending,
• Blossoms gently veil the earth,
• When the fields’ green wealth, up-tending,
• Gleams on all of mortal birth:
• Tiny elves, where help availeth,
• Large of heart, there fly apace;
• Pity they whom grief assaileth,
• Be he holy, be he base.

Ye round this head on airy wing careering,

Attend, in noble Elfin guise appearing;

Assuage the cruel strife that rends his heart,

The burning shaft remove of keen remorse,

From rankling horror cleanse his inmost part:

Four are the pauses of the nightly course;

Them, without rest, fill up with kindly art.

And first his head upon cool pillow lay,

Then bathe ye him in dew from Lethe’s stream;

His limbs, cramp-stiffen’d, will more freely play,

If sleep-refreshed he wait morn’s wak’ning beam.

Perform the noblest Elfin rite,

Restore ye him to the holy light!

Chorus.

(Singly, two or more, alternately and together.) Softly when warm gales are stealing

O’er the green-environ’d ground,

Twilight sheddeth all-concealing

Mists and balmy odors round:

Whispers low sweet peace to mortals,

Rocks the heart to childlike rest,

And of daylight shuts the portals

To these eyes, with care oppress’d.

Night hath now descended darkling,

Holy star is link’d to star;

Sovereign fires, or faintly sparkling,

Glitter near and shine afar;

Glitter here lake-mirror’d, yonder

Shine adown the clear night sky;

Sealing bliss of perfect slumber,

Reigns the moon’s full majesty.

Now the hours are cancell’d; sorrow,

Happiness, have pass’d away:

Whole thou shalt be on the morrow!

Feel it! Trust the new-born day!

Swell the hills, green grow the valleys,

In the dusk ere breaks the morn;

And in silvery wavelets dallies,

With the wind, the ripening corn.

Cherish hope, let naught appall thee!

Mark the East, with splendor dyed!

Slight the fetters that enthrall thee;

Fling the shell of sleep aside!

Gird thee for the high endeavor;

Shun the crowd’s ignoble ease!

Fails the noble spirit never,

Wise to think, and prompt to seize.

[A tremendous tumult announces the uprising of the sun.

Ariel.

Hark! the horal tempest nears!

Sounding but for spirit ears,

Lo! the new-born day appears;

Clang the rocky portals, climb

Phœbus’ wheels with thund’rous chime:

Breaks with tuneful noise the light!

Blare of trumpet, clarion sounding,

Eyesight dazing, ear astounding!

Hear not the unheard; take flight!

Into petal’d blossoms glide

Deeper, deeper, still to bide,

In the clefts, ’neath thickets! ye,

If it strike you, deaf will be.

Faust.

Life’s pulses reawaken’d freshly bound,

The mild ethereal twilight fain to greet.

Thou, Earth, this night wast also constant found,

And, newly-quicken’d, breathing at my feet,

Beginnest now to gird me with delight:

A strong resolve dost rouse, with noble heat

Aye to press on to being’s sovereign height.

The world in glimmering dawn still folded lies;

With thousand-voiced life the woods resound;

Mist-wreaths the valley shroud; yet from the skies

Sinks heaven’s clear radiance to the depths profound;

And bough and branch from dewy chasms rise,

Where they had droop’d erewhile in slumber furl’d;

Earth is enamell’d with unnumber’d dyes,

Leaflet and flower with dewdrops are impearl’d;

Around me everywhere is paradise.

Gaze now aloft! Each mountain’s giant height

The solemn hour announces, herald-wise;

They early may enjoy the eternal light,

To us below which later finds its way.

Now are the Alpine slopes and valleys dight

With the clear radiance of the new-born day,

Which, downward, step by step, steals on apace.—

It blazes forth,—and, blinded by the ray,

With aching eyes, alas! I veil my face.

So when a hope, the heart hath long held fast,

Trustful, still striving towards its highest goal,

Fulfilment’s portals open finds at last;—

Sudden from those eternal depths doth roll

An overpowering flame;—we stand aghast!

The torch of life to kindle we were fain;—

A fire-sea,—what a fire!—doth round us close;

Love is it? Is it hate? with joy and pain,

In alternation vast, that round us glows?

So that to earth we turn our wistful gaze,

In childhood’s veil to shroud us once again!

So let the sun behind me pour its rays!

The cataract, through rocky cleft that roars,

I view, with growing rapture and amaze.

From fall to fall, with eddying shock, it pours,

In thousand torrents to the depths below,

Aloft in air up-tossing showers of spray.

But see, in splendor bursting from the storm,

Arches itself the many-colored bow,

An ever-changeful, yet continuous form,

Now drawn distinctly, melting now away,

Diffusing dewy coolness all around!

Man’s efforts there are glass’d, his toil and strife;

Reflect, more true the emblem will be found:

This bright reflected glory pictures life!

Imperial Palace. Throne-Room.

Council of State, in expectation of theEmperor.

Trumpets.

Enter courtiers of every grade, splendidly attir’d. The Emperor ascends the throne; to the right theAstrologer.

Emperor.

I greet you, trusty friends and dear,

Assembled thus from far and wide!—

I see the wise man at my side,

But wherefore is the fool not here?

Page.

Entangled in thy mantle’s flow,

He tripped upon the stair below;

The mass of fat they bare away,

If dead or drunken—who can say?

Second Page.

Forthwith another comes apace,

With wondrous speed to take his place;

Costly, yet so grotesque his gear,

All start amaz’d as he draws near.

Crosswise the guards before his face,

Entrance to bar, their halberds hold—

Yet there he is, the fool so bold.

Mephis.

(Kneeling before the throne.)

What is accurs’d and gladly hail’d?

What is desir’d and chas’d away?

What is upbraid’d and assail’d?

What wins protection every day?

Whom darest thou not summon here?

Whose name doth plaudits still command?

What to thy throne now draweth near?

What from this place itself hath bann’d?

Emperor.

For this time thou thy words mayst spare!

This is no place for riddles, friend;

They are these gentlemen’s affair.—

Solve them! an ear I’ll gladly lend.

My old fool’s gone, far, far away, I fear;

Take thou his place, come, stand beside me here!

[Mephistophelesascends and places himself at theEmperor’sleft.

(Murmur of the Crowd.)

Here’s a new fool—for plague anew!

Whence cometh he?—How pass’d he through?

The old one fell—he squander’d hath.—

He was a tub—now ’tis a lath.—

Emperor.

So now, my friends, belov’d and leal,

Be welcome all, from near and far!

Ye meet ’neath an auspicious star;

For us above are written joy and weal.

But tell me wherefore, on this day,

When we all care would cast away,

And don the masker’s quaint array,

And naught desire but to enjoy,

Should we with state affairs ourselves annoy?

But if ye think it so must be indeed,

Why, well and good, let us forthwith proceed!

Chancellor.

The highest virtue circles halo-wise

Our Cæsar’s brow; virtue, which from the throne,

He validly can exercise alone:

Justice!—What all men love and prize,

What all demand, desire, and sorely want,

It lies with him, this to the folk to grant.

But ah! what help can intellect command,

Goodness of heart, or willingness of hand,

When fever saps the state with deadly power,

And mischief breedeth mischief, hour by hour?

To him who downward from this height supreme

Views the wide realm, ’tis like a troubled dream,

Where the deform’d deformity o’ersways,

Where lawlessness, through law, the tyrant plays,

And error’s ample world itself displays.

One steals a woman, one a steer,

Lights from the altar, chalice, cross,

Boasts of his deed full many a year,

Unscath’d in body, without harm or loss.

Now to the hall accusers throng;

On cushion’d throne the judge presides;

Surging meanwhile in eddying tides,

Confusion waxes fierce and strong.

He may exult in crime and shame,

Who on accomplices depends;

Guilty! the verdict they proclaim,

When Innocence her cause defends.

So will the world succumb to ill,

And what is worthy perish quite;

How then may grow the sense which still

Instructs us to discern the right?

E’en the right-minded man, in time,

To briber and to flatterer yields;

The judge, who cannot punish crime,

Joins with the culprit whom he shields.—

I’ve painted black, yet fain had been

A veil to draw before the scene.

[Pause.

Measures must needs be taken; when

All injure or are injur’d, then

E’en Majesty becomes a prey.

Field-Marshal.

In these wild days what tumults reign!

Each smitten is and smites again;

Deaf to command, will none obey.

The burgher, safe behind his wall,

Within his rocky nest, the knight,

Against us have conspir’d, and all

Firmly to hold their own unite.

Impatient is the hireling now,

With vehemence he claims his due;

And did we owe him naught, I trow,

Off he would run, nor bid adieu.

Who thwarts what fondly all expect,

He hath disturb’d a hornet’s nest;

The empire which they should protect,

It lieth plunder’d and oppress’d.

Their furious rage may none restrain;

Already half the world’s undone;

Abroad there still are kings who reign—

None thinks ’tis his concern, not one.

Treasurer.

Who will depend upon allies!

For us their promis’d subsidies

Like conduit-water, will not flow.

Say, Sire, through your dominions vast

To whom hath now possession pass’d!

Some upstart, wheresoe’er we go,

Keeps house, and independent reigns;

We must look on, he holds his own;

So many rights away we’ve thrown,

That for ourselves no right remains.

On so-called parties in the state

There’s no reliance, now-a-days;

They may deal out or blame or praise,

Indifferent are love and hate.

The Ghibelline as well as Guelph

Retire, that they may live at ease!

Who helps his neighbor now? Himself

Each hath enough to do to please.

Barr’d are the golden gates; while each

Scrapes, snatches, gathers all within his reach—

Empty, meanwhile, our chest remains.

Steward.

What worry must I, also, bear!

Our aim each day is still to spare—

And more each day we need; my pains,

Daily renew’d, are never o’er.

The cooks lack nothing;—deer, wild-boar,

Stags, hares, fowls, turkeys, ducks and geese,—

Tribute in kind, sure payment, these

Come fairly in, and none complains.

But now at last wine fails; and if of yore

Up-piled upon the cellar-floor,

Cask rose on cask, a goodly store,

From the best slopes and vintage; now

The swilling of our lords, I trow,

Unceasing, drains the very lees.

E’en the Town-council must give out

Its liquor;—bowls and cups they seize,

And ’neath the table lies the drunken rout.

Now must I pay, whate’er betides;

Me the Jew spares not; he provides

Anticipation-bonds which feed

Each year on that which must succeed;

The swine are never fatten’d now;

Pawn’d is the pillow or the bed,

And to the table comes fore-eaten bread.

Emperor.

(After some reflection toMephistopheles.) Say, fool, another grievance knowest thou?

Mephis.

I, nowise. On this circling pomp to gaze,

On thee and thine! There can reliance fail

Where majesty resistless sways,

And ready power makes foemen quail?

Where loyal will, through reason strong,

And prowess, manifold, unite,

What could together join for wrong,

For darkness, where such stars give light?

(Murmur of the Crowd.)

He is a knave—he comprehends—

He lies—while lying serves his ends—

Full well I know—what lurks behind—

What next?—Some scheme is in the wind!—

Mephis.

Where is not something wanting here on earth?

Here this,—there that: of gold is here the dearth.

It cannot from the floor be scrap’d, ’tis true;

But what lies deepest wisdom brings to view.

In mountain-veins, walls underground,

Is gold, both coin’d and uncoin’d, to be found.

And if ye ask me,—bring it forth who can?

Spirit and nature-power of gifted man.

Chancellor.

Nature and spirit—Christians ne’er should hear

Such words, with peril fraught and fear.

These words doom atheists to the fire.

Nature is sin, spirit is devil; they,

Between them, doubt beget, their progeny,

Hermaphrodite, mis-shapen, dire.

Not so with us! Within our Cæsar’s land

Two orders have arisen, two alone,

Who worthily support his ancient throne:

Clergy and knights, who fearless stand,

Bulwarks ’gainst every storm, and they

Take church and state, as their appropriate pay.

Through lawless men, the vulgar herd

To opposition have of late been stirr’d;

The heretics these are, the wizards, who

The city ruin and the country too.

With thy bold jests, to this high sphere,

Such miscreants wilt smuggle in;

Hearts reprobate to you are dear;

They to the fool are near of kin.

Mephis.

Herein your learned men I recognize!

What you touch not, miles distant from you lies;

What you grasp not, is naught in sooth to you;

What you count not, cannot you deem be true;

What you weigh not, that hath for you no weight;

What you coin not, you’re sure is counterfeit.

Emperor.

Therewith our needs are not one whit the less.

What meanest thou with this thy Lent address?

I’m tired of this eternal If and How.

’Tis gold we lack; so good, procure it thou!

Mephis.

I’ll furnish more, ay, more than all you ask.

Though light it seem, not easy is the task.

There lies the gold, but to procure it thence,

That is the art: who knoweth to commence?

Only consider, in those days of terror,

When human floods swamp’d land and folk together,

How every one, how great soe’er his fear,

All that he treasur’d most, hid there or here;

So was it ’neath the mighty Roman’s sway,

So on till yesterday, ay, till to-day:

That all beneath the soil still buried lies—

The soil is Cæsar’s, his shall be the prize.

Treasurer.

Now for a fool he speaketh not amiss;

Our Cæsar’s ancient right, in sooth, was this.

Chancellor.

Satan for you spreads golden snares; ’tis clear,

Something not right or pious worketh here.

Steward.

To us at court if welcome gifts he bring,

A little wrong is no such serious thing.

Field-Marshal.

Shrewd is the fool, he bids what all desire;

The soldier, whence it comes, will not inquire.

Mephis.

You think yourselves, perchance, deceiv’d by me;

Ask the Astrologer! This man is he!

Circle round circle, hour and house, he knows.—

Then tell us how the heavenly aspect shows.

(Murmur of the Crowd.)

Two rascals—each to other known—

Phantast and fool—so near the throne—

The old old song,—now trite with age—

The fool still prompts—while speaks the sage.

Astrologer.

(Speaks,Mephistophelesprompts.) The sun himself is purest gold; for pay

And favor serves the herald, Mercury;

Dame Venus hath bewitch’d you from above,

Early and late, she looks on you with love;

Chaste Luna’s humor varies hour by hour;

Mars, though he strike not, threats you with his power;

And Jupiter is still the fairest star;

Saturn is great, small to the eye and far;

As metal him we slightly venerate,

Little in worth, though ponderous in weight.

Now when with Sol fair Luna doth unite,

Silver with gold, cheerful the world and bright!

Then easy ’tis to gain whate’er one seeks;

Parks, gardens, palaces, and rosy cheeks;

These things procures this highly learned man.

He can accomplish what none other can.

Emperor.

Double, methinks, his accents ring,

And yet they no conviction bring.

(Murmur.)

Of what avail!—a worn-out tale—

Calendery—and chemistry—

I the false word—full oft have heard—

And as of yore—we’re hoax’d once more.

Mephis.

The grand discovery they misprize,

As, in amaze, they stand around;

One prates of gnomes and sorceries,

Another of the sable hound.

What matters it, though witlings rail,

Though one his suit ’gainst witchcraft press,

If his sole tingle none the less,

If his sure footing also fail?

Ye of all swaying Nature feel

The secret working, never-ending,

And, from her lowest depths up-tending,

E’en now her living trace doth steal.

If sudden cramps your limbs surprise,

If all uncanny seem the spot—

There dig and delve, but dally not!

There lies the fiddler, there the treasure lies!

(Murmur.)

Like lead it lies my foot about—

Cramp’d is my arm—’tis only gout—

Twitchings I have in my great toe—

Down all my back strange pains I know—

Such indications make it clear

That sumless treasuries are here.

Emperor.

To work—the time for flight is past.—

Put to the test your frothy lies!

These treasures bring before our eyes!

Sceptre and sword aside I’ll cast,

And with these royal hands, indeed,

If thou lie not, to work proceed.

Thee, if thou lie, I’ll send to hell!

Mephis.

Thither to find the way I know full well!—

Yet can I not enough declare,

What wealth unown’d lies waiting everywhere:

The countryman, who ploughs the land,

Gold-crocks upturneth with the mould;

Nitre he seeks in lime-walls old,

And findeth, in his meagre hand,

Scar’d, yet rejoic’d, rouleaus of gold.

How many a vault upblown must be,

Into what clefts, what shafts, must he,

Who doth of hidden treasure know,

Descend, to reach the world below!

In cellars vast, impervious made,

Goblets of gold he sees display’d,

Dishes and plates, row after row;

There beakers, rich with rubies, stand;

And would he use them, close at hand

Well stor’d the ancient moisture lies;

Yet—would ye him who knoweth, trust?—

The staves long since have turned to dust,

A tartar cask their place supplies!

Not gold alone and jewels rare,

Essence of noblest wines are there,

In night and horror veiled. The wise

Unwearied here pursues his quest.

To search by day, that were a jest;

’Tis darkness that doth harbor mysteries.

Emperor.

What can the dark avail? Look thou to that!

If aught have worth, it cometh to the light.

Who can detect the rogue at dead of night?

Black are the cows, and gray is every cat.

These pots of heavy gold, if they be there—

Come, drive thy plough, upturn them with thy share!

Mephis.

Take spade and hoe thyself;—dig on—

Great shalt thou be through peasant toil—

A herd of golden calves anon

Themselves shall tear from out the soil;

Then straight, with rapture newly born,

Thyself thou canst, thy sweetheart wilt adorn.

A sparkling gem, lustrous, of varied dye,

Beauty exalts as well as majesty.

Emperor.

To work, to work! How long wilt linger?

Mephis.

Sire,

Relax, I pray, such vehement desire!

First let us see the motley, joyous, show!

A mind distraught conducts not to the goal.

First must we calmness win through self-control,

Through things above deserve what lies below.

Who seeks for goodness must himself be good;

Who seeks for joy must moderate his blood;

Who wine desires, the luscious grape must press;

Who craveth miracles, more faith possess.

Emperor.

So be the interval in gladness spent!

Ash-Wednesday cometh, to our hearts’ content.

Meanwhile we’ll solemnize, whate’er befall,

More merrily the joyous Carnival.

[Trumpets. Exeunt.

Mephis.

That merit and success are link’d together,

This to your fools occurreth never;

Could they appropriate the wise man’s stone,

That, not the wise man, they would prize alone.

[A spacious Hall, with adjoining apartments, arranged and decorated for a masquerade.

Herald.

Think not we hold in Germany our revels;

Where dances reign of death, of fools and devils;

You doth a cheerful festival invite.

Our Cæsar, Romeward turning his campaign,

Hath—for his profit, and for your delight—

Cross’d the high Alps, and won a fair domain.

Before the sacred feet bow’d down,

His right to reign he first hath sought,

And when he went to fetch his crown,

For us the fool’s cap hath he brought.

Now all of us are born anew;

And every world-experienc’d man

Draws it in comfort over head and ears;

A fool beneath it, he appears,

And plays the sage as best he can.

I see them, how they form in groups,

Now they pair off, now wavering sever;

Choir now with choir together troops,

Within, without, unwearied ever!

The world remaineth as of yore,

With fooleries, ten thousand score,

The one great fool, for ever more!

Garden-Girls.

(Song, accompanied by mandolins.) That to us ye praise may render,

Deck’d are we in festive sort;

Girls of Florence, we the splendor

Follow of the German court.

Many a flower, we, Flora’s vassals,

In our dark brown tresses wear;

Silken threads and silken tassels,

Play their part and grace our hair.

For we hold ourselves deserving

All your praises, full and clear;

Since our flowers, their bloom preserving,

Blossom through the livelong year.

Cuttings divers-hued were taken,

And arrang’d with symmetry;

Piece by piece they mirth awaken,

Yet the whole attracts the eye.

Garden-girls and fair to look on,

Fittingly we play our part;

For the natural in woman,

Closely is allied to art.

Herald.

Now from baskets richly laden,

Which, upon her head and arm,

Beareth every lovely maiden,

Let each choose what each doth charm!

Hasten ye, till bower and alley

Aspect of a garden bears!

Worthy are the crowds to dally

Round the sellers and their wares.

Garden-Girls.

In this mart, your flowers unscreening,

Cheapen not, as them you show!

With brief words, but full of meaning,

What he hath, let each one know.

Olive-Branch.

(With fruit.) I of blossoms envy none,

Quarrels studiously I shun;

They against my nature are:

Marrow of the land, in sooth

Pledge I am of peace and ruth,

To all regions near and far.

Be it my good fortune now

To adorn the loveliest brow.

Wheat-Wreath.

(Golden.) Ceres’ gifts, sweet peace expressing,

Would enhance thy charms; be wise!

What is useful, rich in blessing,

As thy best adornment prize!

Fancy-Garland.

Colored flowers, from moss out-peering,

Mallow-like, a wondrous show—

Not in nature’s guise appearing,

Fashion ’tis that makes them blow.

Fancy-Nosegay.

Theophrastus would not venture

Names to give to flowers like these.

Yet, though some perchance may censure,

Many still I hope to please.

Who to wreathe her locks permits me

Straight shall win a heighten’d grace,

Or who near her heart admits me,

Finding on her breast a place.

Challenge.

Be your motley fancies moulded,

For the fashion of the day.

Nature never yet unfolded

Wonders half so strange as they:

Golden bells, green stalks, forth glancing

From rich locks, their charm enhancing.

But we—

Rosebuds.

Hide from mortal eyes.

Happy he who finds the prize!

When draws nigh once more the summer,

Rosebuds greet the bright new-comer.—

Who such happiness would miss?

Promise, then fulfilment,—this

Is the law in Flora’s reign,

Swayeth too sense, heart, and brain.

[The flower-girls tastefully arrange their wares under green, leafy arcades.

Gardeners.

(Song, accompanied by Theorbos.)

• • Mark the blossoms calmly sprouting,
  • Charmingly to wreathe your brow;
  • Fruits will not deceive, I trow;
  • Taste, enjoy them, nothing doubting.
• • Magnum bonums, cherries, peaches,
  • Faces offer sun-embrown’d:
  • Buy, poor judge the eye is found;—
  • Heed what tongue, what palate teaches.
• • Luscious fruits to taste invite them
  • Who behold these rich supplies.
  • We o’er roses poetize;—
  • As for apples, we must bite them.
• • Let us now, with your good pleasure,
  • Join your youthful choir, in pairs;
  • And beside your flowery wares,
  • Thus adorn our riper treasure.
• • Under leaf-adorned bowers,
  • ’Mid the merry windings haste;
  • Each will find what suits his taste;
  • Buds or leafage, fruit or flowers.

[Amid alternate songs, accompanied by guitars and Theorbos, the two choruses proceed to arrange their wares, terrace-wise, and to offer them for sale.

MotherandDaughter.

Mother.

• • Maiden, when thou cam’st to light,
  • Full thy tender form of grace;
  • In its tiny hood bedight,
  • Lovely was thy infant face.
  • Then I thought of thee with pride
  • Of some wealthy youth the bride,
  • Taking as his wife thy place.
• • Ah! full many a year in vain,
  • All unus’d away have pass’d;
  • Of the suitors’ motley train
  • Quickly hath gone by the last!
  • Thou with one didst gaily dance,
  • One didst seek with quiet glance,
  • Or sly elbow-touch, to gain.
• • All the fêtes that we might plan,
  • Vainly did we celebrate;
  • Games of forfeit, or third man,
  • Fruitless were, they brought no mate;
  • Many a fool’s abroad to-day,
  • Dear one, now thy charms display,
  • One thou mayst attach, though late.

[Girlish playfellows, young and beautiful, enter and join the groups; loud confidential chatting is heard. Fishers and bird-catchers with nets, fishing-rods, limed twigs, and other gear, enter and mingle with the maidens. Reciprocal attempts to win, to catch, to escape, and hold fast, give occasion to most agreeable dialogues.

Wood-Cutters.

(Enter, boisterous and uncouth.)

• Place! Give place!
• We must have space!
• Trees we level,
• Down they fall,
• Crashing to the ground;
• As we bear them forth,
• Blows we deal around.
• To our praise, be sure;—
• This proclaim aloud;—
• Labor’d not the boor,
• Where were then the proud!
• How in idless revel
• Could they at their ease!
• Never then forget,—
• If we did not sweat,
• That ye all would freeze.

Punchinelloes.

(Awkward and foolish.)

• Fools are ye, poor hacks!
• Born with curved backs.
• Prudent ones are we,
• From all burdens free;
• For our greasy caps,
• Our jerkins and our traps
• We bear right easily.
• Forthwith at our leisure,
• We with slipper’d feet,
• Saunter at our pleasure,
• On through mart and street,
• Standing still or going,
• At each other crowing;
• When the folk around
• Gather at the sound,
• Slipping then aside,
• Frolicking together,
• Eel-like on we glide.
• And we care not whether
• Ye applaud or blame;
• To us ’tis all the same.

[Editor: illegible word]

(Flattering—lustful.)

• • Porters brave, and you,
  • Charcoal-burners true,
  • Kinsmen, ye indeed
  • Are the men we need.
• • Bowings low,
  • Assenting smiles,
  • Long-drawn phrases,
  • Crooked wiles,
  • Double-breath,
  • That as you please,
  • Blows hot or cold;
  • What profit these?—
• • Down from heaven
  • Must fire be given,
  • Vast, enormous,
  • If, to warm us,
  • We no coal had got,
  • Nor of logs a heap,
  • Warm our hearth to keep,
  • Our furnace to make hot.
• • There is roasting,
  • There is brewing,
  • There is toasting,
  • There is stewing;
  • Your true taster
  • Licks the dish;
  • Sniffs the roast,
  • Forebodes the fish;
  • These for great deeds make him able,
  • Seated at his patron’s table.

Drunken Man.

(Hardly conscious.)

Naught to-day shall mar my pleasure!

Frank I feel myself and free;

Cheerful songs and jovial leisure,

Both I hither bring with me;

Therefore drink I! Drink ye, drink!

Strike your glasses! Clink ye, clink!

You behind there, join the fun!

Strike your glasses; so, ’tis done!

Let my wife, shrill-tongued, assail me,

Sneering at my colored vest,

And, despite my vaunting, hail me

Fool, like masquerader dress’d;

Still I’ll drink! Come drink ye, drink!

Strike your glasses! Clink ye, clink!

Fools in motley, join the fun!

Strike your glasses; so, ’tis done!

Here I’m bless’d, whoever chooses

Me, as erring, to upbraid:

If to score mine host refuses,

Scores the hostess, scores the maid;

Always drink I! drink ye, drink!

Up my comrades! clink ye, clink!

Each to other! Join the fun!

To my thinking now ’tis done!

From this place there’s now no flying,

Here where pleasures are at hand:

Let me lie, where I am lying,

For I can no longer stand.

Chorus.

Brothers all, come drink ye, drink!

One more toast, now clink ye, clink!

Firmly sit on bench and board!

’Neath the table lie who’s floor’d!

[TheHeraldannounces various poets, the Poet of Nature, Court-singers, and Ritter-singers, tender as well as enthusiastic. In the throng of competitors of every kind none will allow the others to be heard. One sneaks past with a few words.

Satirist.

Know ye what would me to-day,

The poet, most rejoice and cheer?

If I dar’d to sing and say,

That which none would like to hear.

[Poets of Night and of the Sepulchre send apologies, inasmuch as they are engaged in a most interesting conversation with a newly-arisen Vampire, wherefrom a new kind of poetry may perhaps be developed; theHeraldmust admit the excuse, and meanwhile summons the Greek Mythology, which, though in modern masks, loses neither character nor charm.

The Graces.

Aglaia.

Charm we bring to life, and grace;

In your gifts let both have place!

Hegemony.

In receiving let the twain,

Preside! ’Tis sweet our wish to gain.

Euphrosyne.

And when benefits you own

Chiefly be these graces shown!

The Fates.

Atropos.

I, the Eldest, am from yonder

Realm invited, here to spin.

Much to think of, much to ponder,

Lieth life’s frail thread within.

That it pliant be and tender,

Finest flax to choose be mine;

That it even be and slender,

Must the cunning finger twine.

If of festive dance and pleasure

Ye too wantonly partake,

Think upon this thread’s just measure;

O be cautious! It may break!

Clotho.

Know ye, to my guidance lately

They the fateful shears confide.

By our elder’s doings greatly

None, in sooth, were edified.

Spinnings, to no issue tending,

Forth she drew to air and light;

Threads of noblest promise rending,

Down she sent to realms of night.

While a novice still in reigning,

I too err’d, in bygone years;

But to-day, myself restraining,

In the sheath I plunge my shears.

Fain I am to wear the bridle,

Kindly I this place survey;

In these seasons, gay and idle,

Give your revelry full play!

Lachesis.

Reason’s laws alone obeying,

Order was to me decreed.

Mine the will that, ever-swaying,

Never errs though over-speed.

Threads are coming; threads are going;

Each one in its course I guide,

None permit I overflowing,

From its skein to swerve aside.

Were I only once to slumber!—

For the world my spirit quakes;

Years we measure, hours we number,

And the hank the weaver takes.

Herald.

How vers’d so e’er in lore of ancient fame,

Those who are coming now ye would not know;

Gazing upon these workers of much woe,

Them, as your welcome guests, ye would proclaim.

The Furies these,—none will believe us;—kind,

Graceful in figure, pretty, young and fair;

If their acquaintance ye would make, beware;

How serpent-like such doves can wound, ye’ll find.

Cunning they are, yet now, when every clown

Boastful, his failings shuns not to proclaim,

They too, desiring not angelic fame,

Own themselves plagues of country and of town.

Alecto.

What help for you? Since young we are and fair,

Ye in such flattering kittens will confide!

Has any here a sweetheart to his side,

Stealing, we gain his ear, until we dare

To tell him, face to face, she may be caught

Winking at this or that one; that ’tis plain,

She halts, is crooked-back’d, and dull of brain,

And, if to him betroth’d, is good for naught.

To vex the bride doth also tax our skill:

We tell what slighting things, some weeks agone,

Her lover said of her, to such an one.—

They’re reconcil’d, yet something rankles still.

Megara.

That’s a mere jest! Let them be mated, then

I go to work, and e’en the fairest joy,

In every case, can through caprice destroy.

The hours are changeful, changeful too are men.

What was desir’d, once grasp’d, its charm hath lost;

Who firmly holds the madly longed-for prize,

Straight for some other blessing fondly sighs;

The sun he flieth, and would warm the frost.

How to arrange, I know, in such affairs;

And here Asmodi lead, my comrade true,

At the right time mischief abroad to strew;

And so destroy the human race in pairs.

Tisiphone.

• • Poison, steel, I mix and whet,
  • Words abjuring,—for the traitor;—
  • Lov’st thou others, sooner, later,
  • Ruin shall o’erwhelm thee yet.
• • All transform’d to gall and foam
  • Is the moment’s sweetest feeling!
  • Here no higgling, here no dealing!
  • Sinn’d he hath, his sin comes home.
• • Let none say: “Forgiveness cherish!”
  • To the rocks my cause I bring;
  • Hark! Revenge, the echoes ring!
  • Who betrayeth, he must perish!

Herald.

Now may it please you, to retire behind;

For what now cometh is not of your kind.—

Ye see a mountain press the crowd among,

Its flanks with brilliant carpet proudly hung;

With lengthen’d tusks, and serpent-trunk below,

A mystery, but I the key will show.

Thron’d on his neck a gentle lady rides,

With a fine wand his onward course she guides.

Aloft the other stands, of stately height,

Girt with a splendor that o’erpowers the sight;

Beside him, chain’d, two noble dames draw near;

Sad is the one, the other blithe of cheer;

The one for freedom yearns, the other feels she’s free.

Let them declare in turn who they may be!

Fear.

Torches, lamps, with lurid sheen,

Through the turmoil gleam around;

These deceitful forms between,

Fetters hold me firmly bound.

Hence, vain laughter-loving brood!

I mistrust your senseless grin!

All my foes, with clamor rude,

Strive to-night to hem me in.

Friend like foeman would betray me,

But his mask I recognize;

There is one who fain would slay me,

Now, unmask’d, away he hies.

Ah, how gladly would I wander

Hence, and leave this lower sphere;

But destruction, threatening yonder,

Holds me ’twixt despair and fear.

Hope.

Hail! Beloved sisters, hail!

If to-day and yesterday

Ye have lov’d this masking play,

Yet to-morrow, trite the tale,

Will your masks aside be thrown;

And if, ’neath the torches’ glare,

We no special joy have known,

Yet will we, in daylight fair,

Just according to our pleasure,

Now with others, now alone,

Wander forth o’er lawn and mead;

Work at will, or take our leisure,

Careless live, exempt from need;

And at last, we’ll aye succeed.

Everywhere, as welcome guest,

Step we in, with easy mind;

Confident that we the best

Somewhere, certainly, may find.

Prudence.

Fear and hope, in chains thus guiding,

Two of man’s chief foes, I bar

From the thronging crowds;—dividing,

Clear the way;—now sav’d ye are!

I this live colosse am leading,

Which, tower-laden, as ye gaze,

Unfatigued is onward speeding,

Step by step, up steepest ways.

But, with broad and rapid pinion,

From the battlement on high,

Gazing on her wide dominion,

Turneth that divinity.

Fame, around her, bright and glorious,

Shining on all sides one sees:

Victory her name,—victorious

Queen of all activities.

Zoilo-Thersites.

Bah! bah! The very time I’ve hit!

You all are wrong, no doubt of it!

Yet what I make my special aim

Is victory, yon stately dame.

She, with her snowy wings, esteems

Herself an eagle, and still deems

That wheresoe’er she bends her sight,

Peoples and land are hers, by right!

But, where a glorious deed is done,

My harness straight I buckle on;

Where high is low, and low is high,

The crooked straight, the straight awry—

Then only am I wholly sound:

So be it on this earthly round.

Herald.

So take thou then, thou ragged hound,

From my good staff, a master-blow!

There crouch and wriggle, bending low!

The double dwarfish form, behold,

Itself to a vile ball hath roll’d!

The ball becomes an egg!—strange wonder!

It now dilates and bursts asunder:

Thence falleth a twin-pair to earth,

Adder and bat;—a hideous birth;

Forth in the dust one creeps, his brother

Doth darkling to the ceiling flee;

Outside they haste to join each other—

The third I am not fain to be!

(Murmur.)

• Come on! Behind they’re dancing—No,
• Not I, from hence I fain would go—
• Dost thou not feel the spectral rout
• Is flitting everywhere about?
• It whistl’d right above my hair—
• Close to my feet,—I felt it there—
• No one is hurt—’tis not denied,—
• But we have all been terrified—
• Wholly the frolic now is ended—
• ’Tis what the brutish pair intended.

Herald.

Since on me, at festive masque,

Laid hath been the Herald’s task,

At the doors I watch with care,

Lest aught harmful, unaware,

Creep into this joyous space;

I nor waver, nor give place.

Yet I fear the spectral brood

Through the window may intrude;

And from trick and sorcery,

I know not how to keep you free.

First the dwarf awaken’d doubt,

Now streams in the spectral rout.

I would show you herald-wise,

What each figure signifies.

But what none can comprehend

I should strive to teach in vain.

All must help me to explain!—

Through the crowd behold ye it wend;

A splendid car is borne along

By a team of four; the throng

Is not parted, nor doth reign

Tumult round the stately wain;

Bright it glitters from afar;

Shineth many a motley star,

As from magic-lantern cast;

On it snorts with stormful blast.—

I needs must shudder! Clear the way!

Boy-Charioteer.

Stay your wings, ye coursers, stay!

Own the bridle’s wonted sway!

Rein yourselves, as you I rein;

When I prompt you, rush amain!—

Honor we this festal ground.

See how press the folk around,

Ring in ring, with wondering eyes.—

Herald, as thy wont is, rise;

From you ere we flee afar,

Tell our name, our meaning show!

Since we allegories are,

’Tis thy duty us to know.

Herald.

I cannot guess how I should name thee;

I to describe thee should prefer.

Boy-Charioteer.

So, try it then!

Herald.

We must proclaim thee,

Firstly to be both young and fair;

A half-grown boy;—yet women own

They fain would see thee fully grown;

A future wooer seemest thou to me,

A gay deceiver out and out to be.

Boy-Charioteer.

Not badly spoken! Pray proceed!

The riddle’s cheerful meaning strive to read.

Herald.

Thine eyes swart flash, thy jewell’d bandlet glowing

Starlike, amid thy night-like hair;

And what a graceful robe dost wear,

Down from thy shoulder to thy buskin flowing,

With purple hem and fringes rare!

Thee as a girl one might misprize;

Yet thou, for weal or woe, wouldst be,

E’en now, of worth in maidens’ eyes;

Thee they would teach the A B C.

Boy-Charioteer.

And he whose stately figure gleams

Enthron’d upon his chariot wain?

Herald.

A monarch, rich and mild, he seems;

Happy who may his grace obtain,

Henceforth they’ve naught for which to strive!

His glance discerns if aught’s amiss;

Greater his pleasure is to give,

Than to possess or wealth or bliss.

Boy-Charioteer.

Suspend not here thy words, I pray,

Him thou more fully must portray.

Herald.

The noble none can paint. Yet there

Glows the round visage, hale and fair,

Full mouth, and blooming cheeks, descried

Beneath the turban’s jewell’d pride;

What ease his mantle folds display!

What of his bearing can I say?

As ruler seems he known to me.

Boy-Charioteer.

Plutus, the god of wealth is he.

Hither he comes in royal state;

Of him the emperor’s need is great.

Herald.

Tell of thyself the what and how to me!

Boy-Charioteer.

I am profusion, I am Poesie;

The bard am I, who to perfection tends

When freely he his inner wealth expends.

I too have riches beyond measure,

And match with Plutus’ wealth my treasure;

For him adorn and quicken dance and show,

And what he lacketh, that do I bestow.

Herald.

Boasting to thee new charm imparts.

Now show us something of thine arts!

Boy-Charioteer.

See me but snap my fingers, lo!

Around the car what splendors glow!

A string of pearls forth leapeth here;

[Continually snapping.

Take golden clasps for neck and ear;

Combs too, and other precious things,

Crowns without flaw, and jewell’d rings!

Flamelets I scatter too, in play,

Awaiting where they kindle may.

Herald.

How the good people snatch and seize!

Almost the donor’s self they squeeze.

As in a dream he gems doth rain,

In the wide space they snatch amain.

But—here new juggling meets mine eye:

What one doth grasp so eagerly,

Doth prove, in sooth, a sorry prize;

Away from him the treasure flies;

The pearls are loosen’d from their band;

Now beetles crawl within his hand;

He shakes them off, poor fool, instead,

Swarming, they buzz around his head;

Others, in place of solid things,

Catch butterflies, with lightsome wings.

Though vast his promises, the knave

To them but golden glitter gave!

Boy-Charioteer.

Masks, I remark, thou canst announce full well;

Only to reach the essence ’neath the shell,

Is not the Herald’s courtly task;

A sharper vision that dost ask.

But I from every quarrel would be free.—

Master, I speech and question turn to thee.

[Turning toPlutus.

The storm-blast didst thou not confide

To me, of this four-yoked car?

Lead I not well, as thou dost guide?

Where thou dost point, thence am I far?

Have I not known, on daring wing

For thee the victor’s palm to wring?

Full often as for thee I’ve fought,

Still have I conquer’d; and if now

The laurel decorates thy brow,

Have not my hand and skill the chaplet wrought?

Plutus.

If need there be, that I should witness bear,—

Soul of my soul, thee gladly I declare:

According to my will thou actest ever;

Art richer than myself denied.

To give thy service its due meed,

Before all crowns the laurel wreath I treasure.

This truthful word let all men hear:

My son art thou, thee doth my soul hold dear.

Boy-Charioteer.

(To the crowd.)

Now of my hand the choicest dower,

I’ve scatter’d in this festive hour;

There glows on this or that one’s head

A flame, which I abroad have shed;

From one to other now it hies,

To this one cleaves, from that one flies,

Seldom aloft its flames aspire;

Sudden they gleam, with transient fire;

With many, ere they know the prize,

It mournfully burns out and dies.

(Clamor of Women.)

• He yonder, on the chariot-van,
• Is, without doubt, a charlatan.
• Behind him, crouching, is the clown,
• By thirst and hunger so worn down,
• The like was never seen till now;
• If pinch’d, he would not feel, I trow.

The Starveling.

Avaunt, ye loathed women-kind!

With you I ne’er a welcome find.—

When rul’d the hearth your thrifty dame,

Then Avaritia was my name;

Then throve our household well throughout;

For much came in, and naught went out!

Great was my zeal for chest and bin—

And that, forsooth, you call a sin!

But in these later years, no more

The wife is thrifty as of yore;

She, like each tardy payer, owns

Far more desires than golden crowns;

This for her spouse much care begets;

Where’er he turneth, there are debts;

What she by spinning earns, she spends

On gay attire, and wanton friends;

Better she feasts, and drinketh too

More wine, with her vile suitor crew:

That rais’d for me of gold the price.

Now, male of sex, I’m Avarice!

Leader of the Women.

Dragon may still with dragon spare;

It’s cheat and lies at last, no more!

He comes to rouse the men; beware!

Full troublesome they were before.

Women.

(All together.) The scarecrow! Box his ears! Make haste!

To threat us does the juggler dare?

Us shall his foolish prating scare?

The dragons are but wood and paste;

Press in upon him, do not spare!

Herald.

Now, by my staff! Keep quiet there!

Yet scarcely needed is my aid.

See, in the quickly opened space,

How the grim monsters move apace!

Their pinions’ double pair display’d!

The dragons shake themselves in ire,

Scale-proof, their jaws exhaling fire—

The crowd recedes; clear is the place.

[Plutusdescends from the chariot.

Herald.

He steps below, a king confess’d!

He nods, the dragons move; the chest

They from the chariot, in a trice,

Have lower’d, with gold and avarice;

Before his feet it standeth now:

How done a marvel is, I trow.

Plutus.

(To theCharioteer.) Now from the burden that oppress’d thee here

Thou’rt frank and free; away to thine own sphere!

Here is it not; distorted, wild, grotesque,

Surrounds us here a motley arabesque.

There fly, where on thy genius thou canst wait,

Lord of thyself; where charm the good, the fair;

Where clear thy vision in the clear calm air;

To solitude—there thine own world create!

Boy-Charioteer.

Myself as trusty envoy I approve;

Thee as my nearest relative I love.

Where thou dost dwell, is fulness; where I reign,

Within himself each feeleth glorious gain;

And ’mid life’s contradictions wavers he:

Shall he resign himself to thee, to me?

Thy votaries may idly rest, ’tis true;

Who follows me, hath always work to do.

My deeds are not accomplish’d in the shade,

I only breathe, and forthwith am betray’d.

Farewell! My bliss thou grudgest not to me;

But whisper low, and straight I’m back with thee.

[Exit as he came.

Plutus.

Now is the time the treasure to set free!

The locks I strike, thus with the Herald’s rod;

’Tis open’d now! In blazing caldrons, see,

It bubbles up, and shows like golden blood;

Next crowns, and chains, and rings, a precious dower:

It swells and fusing threats the jewels to devour.

(Alternate cry of the Crowd.)

Look here! look there! How flows the treasure,

To the chest’s brim in ample measure!—

Vessels of gold are melting, near

Up-surging, coin’d rouleaux appear,

And ducats leap as if impress’d—

O how the vision stirs my breast!—

My heart’s desire now meets mine eye!

They’re rolling on the floor, hard by.—

To you ’tis proffer’d; do not wait,

Stoop only, you are wealthy straight!—

While, quick as lightning, we anon,

The chest itself will seize upon.

Herald.

Ye fools, what ails you? What your quest?

’Tis but a masquerading jest.

To-night no more desire ye may;

Think you that gold we give away,

And things of worth? For such as you,

And at such foolish masking too,

E’en counters were too much to pay.

Blockheads! a pleasing show, forsooth,

Ye take at once for solid truth.

What’s truth to you? Delusion vain

At every turn ye clutch amain.—

Thou, Plutus, hero of the masque,

This folk to chase, be now thy task!

Plutus.

Ready at hand thy staff I see;

For a brief moment lend it me!—

Quickly in fire and seething glare

I’ll dip it.—Now, ye masks, beware!

It sputters, crackles, flares outright;

Bravely the torch is now alight;

And pressing round, who comes too nigh,

Is forthwith scorch’d, relentlessly!—

Now then my circuit is begun.

(Cries and Tumult.)

O misery! We are undone.—

Escape, let each escape who can!

Back! further back! thou hindmost man!—

Hot in my face it sputter’d straight—

Of the red staff I felt the weight—

We all, alas! we all are lost!—

Back, back, thou masquerading host!—

Back, back, unthinking crowd!—Ah me,

Had I but wings, I hence would flee!—

Plutus.

Back is the circle driven now;

And no one has been sing’d, I trow.

The crowds give way,

Scared, with dismay.—

Yet, pledge of order and of law,

A ring invisible I draw.

Herald.

Achiev’d thou hast a noble deed;

For thy sage might be thanks thy meed!

Plutus.

Yet needs there patience, noble friend;

Still many a tumult doth impend.

Avarice.

If it so please us, pleasantly,

We on this living ring may gaze around.

For women ever foremost will be found,

If aught allure the palate or the eye.

Not yet am I grown rusty quite!

A pretty face must always please;

And since it nothing costs to-night,

We’ll go a-wooing at our ease.

Yet as in this o’ercrowded sphere,

Words are not audible to every ear,

Deftly I’ll try,—and can but hope success—

In pantomime my meaning to express.

Hand, foot and gesture will not here suffice,

Hence I must strive to fashion some device:

Like moisten’d clay forthwith I’ll knead the gold;

This metal into all things we can mould.

Herald.

The meagre fool, what doeth he?

Hath such a starveling humor? See,

He kneadeth all the gold to dough,

Beneath his hand ’tis pliant too;

Yet howsoe’er he squeeze and strain,

Misshapen it must still remain.

He to the women turns, but they

All scream, and fain would flee away,

With gestures of aversion. Still

Ready the rascal seems for ill;

Happy, I fear, himself he rates,

When decency he violates.

Silence were wrong in such a case;

Give me my staff, him forth to chase!

Plutus.

What threats us from without, he bodeth not.

Let him play out his pranks a little longer!

Room for his jest will fail him soon, I wot;

Strong as is law, necessity is stronger.

[EnterFauns, Satyrs, Gnomes, Nymphs,etc., attendants onPan,and announcing his approach.

(Tumult and Song.)

• From forest-vale and mountain height,
• Advancing with resistless might,
• The savage host, it cometh straight:
• Their mighty Pan they celebrate.
• They know, what none beside can guess;
• Into the vacant ring they press.

Plutus.

You and your mighty Pan I recognize!

Conjoin’d you’ve enter’d on a bold emprise.

Full well I know, what is not known to all,

And ope this narrow space, at duty’s call.—

O may a happy Fate attend!

Wonders most strange may happen now;

They know not where unto they tend;

Forward they have not look’d, I trow.

(Wild Song.)

Bedizen’d people, glittering brood!

They’re coming rough, they’re coming rude;

With hasty run, with lofty bound,

Stalwart and strong they press around.

Fauns.

Fauns advance,

Their crisp locks bound

With oak-leaves round,—

In merry dance!

A fine and sharply pointed ear,

Forth from their clustering locks doth peer;

A stumpy nose, with breadth of face—

These forfeit not a lady’s grace:

If but his paw the Faun advance,

Not lightly will the fairest shun the dance.

Satyr.

The Satyr now comes hopping in,

With foot of goat, and withered shin;

These sinewy must be and thin.

In chamois-guise, on mountain height,

Around to gaze is his delight;

In freedom’s air, with freshness rife,

Child he despiseth, man and wife,

Who, ’mid the valley’s smoke and steam,

That they too live, contented dream;

On those pure heights, sequester’d, lone,

The upper world is his alone!

Gnomes.

Tripping, here comes a tiny crew.

They like not keeping two and two;

In mossy dress, with lamplet clear,

Commingling swiftly, they career,

Where for himself his task each plies,

Swarming they glitter, emmet-wise;

And ever busy, move about,

With ceaseless bustle in and out.

We the “Good Folk” as kindred own,

As rock-chirurgists well we’re known;

Cupping the lofty hills, we drain,

With cunning, from each well-fill’d vein,

The metals, which aloft we pile,

Shouting, Good luck! Good luck! the while:

Kindness at bottom we intend;

Good men we evermore befriend.

Yet to the light we gold unseal,

That men therewith may pimp and steal;

Nor to the proud, who murder plann’d

Wholesale, shall fail the iron brand;

These three commands who hath transgress’d,

Will take small reckoning of the rest;

Nathless for that we’re not to blame:

Patient we are, be ye the same!

Giants.

The wild men, such in sooth our name,

Upon the Hartzberg known to fame,

Naked, in ancient vigor strong,

Pell-mell we come, a giant throng;

With pine-stem grasp’d in dexter hand,

And round the loins a padded band,

Apron of leaf and bough, uncouth,—

Such guards the pope owns not, in sooth.

Chorus of Nymphs.

(They surround the greatPan.) He draweth near!

In mighty Pan

The All we scan

Of this world-sphere.

All ye of gayest mood advance,

And him surround, in sportive dance!

For since he earnest is and kind,

Joy everywhere he fain would find;

E’en ’neath the blue o’erarching sky,

He watcheth still, with wakeful eye;

Purling to him the brooklet flows,

And zephyrs lull him to repose;

And when he slumbers at mid-day,

Stirs not a leaf upon the spray;

Health-breathing plants, with balsams rare,

Pervade the still and silent air;

The nymph no more gay vigil keeps,

And where she standeth, there she sleeps.

But if, at unexpected hour,

His voice resounds with mighty power,

Like thunder, or the roaring sea,

Then knoweth none, where he may flee;

Panic the valiant host assails,

The hero in the tumult quails.

Then honor to whom honor’s due!

And hail to him, who leads us unto you!

Deputation ofGnomes.

(To the greatPan.)

• • When a treasure, richly shining,
  • Winds through clefts its thread-like way,
  • Sole the cunning rod, divining,
  • Can its labyrinth display.
• • Troglodytes, in caves abiding,
  • We our sunless homes vault o’er;
  • Thou, ’mid day’s pure airs presiding,
  • Graciously thy gifts dost pour.
• • Close at hand, a fount of treasure
  • We have found, a wondrous vein;—
  • Promising in fullest measure,
  • What we scarce might hope to gain.
• • Perfect thou alone canst make it;
  • Every treasure in thy hand,
  • Is a world-wide blessing; take it,
  • Thine it is, Sire, to command!

Plutus.

(To theHerald.) Our self-possession now must be display’d,

And come what may, we must be undismayed;

Still hast thou shown a strong, courageous soul.

A dreadful incident will soon betide;

’Twill be by world and after-world denied;

Inscribe it truly in thy protocol!

Herald.

(Grasping the staff whichPlutusholds in his hand.) The dwarfs conduct the mighty Pan

Softly the source of fire to scan;

It surges from the gulf profound,

Then downward plunges ’neath the ground;

While dark the mouth stands, gaping wide,

Once more uprolls the fiery tide.

The mighty Pan stands well-content,

Rejoicing in the wondrous sight,

While pearl-foam drizzles left and right.

How may he trust such element!

Bending, he stoops to look within.—

But now his beard hath fallen in!—

Who may he be, with shaven chin?

His hand conceals it from our eyes.—

Now doth a dire mishap arise;

His beard takes fire and backward flies;

Wreath, head and breast are all ablaze;

Joy is transformed to dire amaze.—

To quench the fire his followers run;

Free from the flames remaineth none;

Still as they strike from side to side,

New flames are kindled far and wide;

Envelop’d in the fiery shroud,

Burns now the masquerading crowd.

But what’s the tale that’s rumor’d here,

From mouth to mouth, from ear to ear!

O night, for aye with sorrow fraught,

To us what mischief hast thou brought!

The coming morn will tidings voice,

At which, in sooth, will none rejoice.

From every side they cry amain,

“The Emperor suffers grievous pain!”

O were some other tidings true!—

The Emperor burns, his escort too.

Accurs’d be they, for evermore,

Who him seduc’d, with noisy roar,

Abroad, begirt with pitchy bough,

To roam, for general overthrow!

O youth, O youth, and wilt thou never

To joy assign its fitting bound?

O Majesty, with reason never

Will thy omnipotence be crown’d?

The mimic forest hath caught fire;

Tongue-like the flame mounts high and higher;

Now on the wood-bound roof it plays,

And threats one universal blaze!

O’erflows our cup of suffering;

I know not, who may rescue bring;

Imperial pomp, so rich o’er night,

An ash-heap lies in morning’s light.

Plutus.

Long enough hath terror sway’d;

Hither now be help convey’d.

Strike, thou hallow’d staff, the ground,

Till earth tremble and resound!

Cooling vapors everywhere

Fill the wide and spacious air!

Moisture-teeming mist and cloud

Draw anear, and us o’ershroud;

Veil the fiery tumult, veil!

Curling, drizzling, breathing low,

Gracious cloudlets hither sail,

Shedding down the gentle rain!

To extinguish, to allay,

Ye, the assuagers, strive amain;

Into summer-lightning’s glow

Change our empty fiery play!—

Threaten spirits us to hurt,

Magic must its power assert.

Pleasure-Garden.

Morning sun.

[TheEmperor,his court, men and women;Faust, Mephistophelesdressed becomingly, in the usual fashion; both kneel.

Faust.

The flaming juggler’s play dost pardon, Sire?

Emperor.

I of such sports full many should desire.—

I saw myself within a glowing sphere;

Almost it seem’d as if I Pluto were;

A rock abyss there lay, with fire aglow,

Gloomy as night; from many a gulf below,

Seething, a thousand savage flames ascend,

And in a fiery vault together blend;

Up to the highest dome their tongues were toss’d,

Which ever was, and evermore was lost.

In the far space, through spiral shafts of flame,

Peoples I saw, in lengthen’d lines who came;

In the wide circle forward press’d the crowd,

And as their wont hath been, in homage bow’d;

I seem’d, surrounded by my courtly train,

O’er thousand Salamanders king to reign.

Mephis.

Such art thou, Sire! For thee each element

To own as absolute is well content.

Obedient thou hast proven fire to be.

Where it is wildest, leap into the sea—

And scarce thy foot the pearl-strewn floor shall tread,

A glorious, billowy dome o’ervaults thy head;

Wavelets of tender green thou seest swelling,

With purple edge, to form thy beauteous dwelling,

Round thee, the central point; where thou dost wend,

At every step, thy palace homes attend;

The very walls, in life rejoicing, flow

With arrowy swiftness, surging to and fro;

Sea-marvels to the new and gentle light repair;

They dart along, to enter none may dare;

There sports, with scales of gold, the bright-hued snake,

Gapes the fell shark, his jaws thy laughter wake:

Howe’er thy court may round thee now delight,

Such throng as this, before ne’er met thy sight.

Nor long shalt sever’d be from the most fair;

The curious Nereids, to thy dwelling rare,

’Mid the eternal freshness, shall draw nigh;

The youngest, greedy like the fish, and shy;

The elder prudent. Thetis hears the news,

Nor to the second Peleus will refuse

Or hand or lip.—Olympos’ wide domain—

Emperor.

I leave to thee, thou o’er the air mayst reign;

Full early every one must mount that throne.

Mephis.

Earth, noblest Sire! already thou dost own.

Emperor.

Hither what happy Fate, with kindness fraught,

Thee from the thousand nights and one hath brought!

If thou, like Scheherazade, prolific art,

To thee my highest favor I’ll impart;

Be ever near when, as is oft the case,

Most irksome is our world of commonplace!

Marshal.

(Entering in haste.)

Your Highness, never thought I in my life

Tidings to give, with such good fortune rife

As these which, in thy presence, cheer

My raptur’d heart, absolv’d from fear;

All reckonings paid, from debt we’re eased:—

The usurer’s clutches are appeas’d—

From such hell-torment I am free!

In Heaven can none more cheerful be.

Commander-in-Chief.

(Follows hastily.)

Paid in advance the soldiers’ due,

Now the whole army’s pledged anew.

Blood dances in the trooper’s veins;

Vinter and damsel reap their gains.

Emperor.

How freely now your breast doth heave!

The marks of care your visage leave!

How hastily you enter!

Treasurer.

(Entering.) Sire, proceed

These men to question who have done the deed.

Faust.

(To theChancellor.) To you it doth belong the case to state.

Chancellor.

(Who advances slowly.)

In my old days I am with joy elate!

So hear and see this fortune-weighted scroll,

Which hath to happiness transform’d our dole:

(He reads.)

“To all whom it concerneth, be it known:

Who owns this note a thousand crowns doth own.

To him assur’d, as certain pledge, there lies,

Beneath the Emperor’s land, a boundless prize;

It is decreed, this wealth without delay

To raise, therewith the promis’d sum to pay.”

Emperor.

Crime I suspect, some huge deceit!

The Emperor’s name who here doth counterfeit?

Unpunish’d still remains such breach of right?

Treasurer.

Remember, Sire! Thyself but yesternight

Didst sign the note.—Thou stoodst as mighty Pan;

Then spake the Chancellor, whose words thus ran:

“This festive pleasure for thyself obtain,

Thy people’s weal, with a few pen-strokes gain!”

These mad’st thou clearly; thousand-fold last night

Have artists multiplied what thou didst write;

And that to each alike might fall the aid,

To stamp the series, we have not delay’d,

Ten, thirty, fifty, hundreds at a stroke.

You cannot guess, how it rejoic’d the folk:

Behold your town, mouldering half dead that lay,

How full of life and bounding joy to-day!

Long as thy name hath bless’d the world, till now

So gladly was it ne’er beheld, I trow.

The Alphabet is now redundant grown;

Each in this sign finds happiness alone.

Emperor.

My people take it for true gold, you say?

In camp, at court, it passes for full pay?

Much as I wonder, it I must allow.

Marshal.

To stay the flying leaves were hopeless now;

With speed of lightning all abroad they float:

The changers’ banks stand open; every note

Is honored there with silver and with gold;

Discount deducted, if the truth were told.

To butcher, baker, vintner, thence they fare;

With half the world is feasting their sole care;

The other half, new-vestur’d, bravely shows;

The mercer cuts away, the tailor sews.

In cellars still “The Emperor!” they toast,

While, amid clattering plates, they boil and roast.

Mephis.

Alone who treads the terraced promenade,

Sees there the fair one, splendidly array’d;

One eye the peacock’s fan conceals; the while

This note in view, she lures us with her smile,

And swifter than through eloquence or wit,

Love’s richest favor may be won by it.

One’s self with purse and scrip one need not tease.

Hid in the breast, a note is borne with ease,

And with the billet-doux is coupled there;

The priest conveys it in his book of prayer;

The soldier, that his limbs may be more free,

Quickly his girdle lightens. Pardon me,

Your Majesty, if the high work I seem,

Dwelling on these details, to disesteem.

Faust.

This superfluity of wealth, that deep

Imprison’d in its soil thy land doth keep,

Lies all unus’d; wide-reaching thought profound

Is of such treasure but a sorry bound;

In loftiest flight, fancy still strives amain

To reach its limit, but still strives in vain—

Yet minds who dare behind the veil to press,

In the unbounded, boundless faith possess.

Mephis.

Such paper, in the place of pearls and gold,

Convenient is, we know how much we hold;

No need for change or barter, each at will

Of love and wine may henceforth drink his fill.

If coin is needed, stands the changer nigh,

If there it faileth, straight the shovel ply;

Goblet and chain at auction fetch their price;

The paper, forthwith cancell’d, in a trice

The sceptic shames, who us did erst deride;

The people, used to it, wish naught beside:

So henceforth, through the realm, there’s goodly store,

Of jewels, gold, and paper, evermore.

Emperor.

You this high aid have render’d to our state;

Great is the service, be the meed as great!

Our realm’s subsoil confide we to your care;

Best guardians of the treasure buried there.

Full well ye know the vast, well-guarded hoard,

And when men dig, so be it at your word!

ToFaustand theTreasurer.

Ally yourselves, ye masters of our treasure,

The honors of your place fulfil with pleasure,

There where together join’d in blest content,

The upper with the under world is blent!

Treasurer.

Not the most distant strife shall us divide;

As colleague be the conjuror at my side.

[Exit withFaust.

Emperor.

If I at court each man with gifts endow,

Whereto he’ll use them, let each tell me now.

Page.

(Receiving.) Merry I’ll be, and taste life’s pleasant things.

Another.

(The same.) I for my sweetheart will buy chain and rings.

Chamberlain.

(Accepting.) Wine twice as good from this time forth I’ll drink.

Another.

(The same.) The dice already in my pocket clink.

Banneret.

(Thoughtfully.) My field and castle I from debt will free.

Another.

(The same.) I’ll lay my treasure in my treasury.

Emperor.

Courage I hoped, and joy, for new emprise—

But whoso knows you, straight will recognize;

I mark it well, though wealth be multiplied,

Just what ye were, the same will ye abide!

Fool.

(Approaching.) Favors you scatter; grant me some, I pray!

Emperor.

What, living yet? Thou’lt drink them soon away.

Fool.

These magic leaves! I comprehend not quite—

Emperor.

That I believe: them thou’lt not spend aright.

Fool.

There, others drop—I know not what to do—

Emperor.

Take them! They’ve fallen to thy share. Adieu!

[Exit.

Fool.

Five thousand crowns in hand! can it be true?

Mephis.

Thou two-legg’d paunch, art thou then risen anew?

Fool.

As oft before, ne’er happily as now.

Mephis.

So great thy joy, it makes thee sweat, I trow.

Fool.

Is this indeed worth money? art thou sure?

Mephis.

What throat and paunch desire it will procure.

Fool.

Can I then field, and house, and cattle buy?

Mephis.

Of course! Bid only, thee it will not fail.

Fool.

Castle with forest, chase, and fishpond?

Mephis.

Ay!

Thee as your worship I should like to hail!

Fool.

As land-owner I’ll rock myself ere eve!

[Exit.

Mephis.

In our fool’s wit who will not now believe?

Dark Gallery.

Faust. Mephistopheles.

Mephis.

Why drag me these dark corridors along?

Within hast not enough of sport?

Occasion ’mid the motley throng

For jest and lie, hast not at court?

Faust.

Speak not of that; in days of old hast thou

Outworn it to the very soles. But now,

Thy shuffling is a mere pretext

How to evade my questions. Sore perplex’d,

I know not how to act, or what to do;

The marshal urges me, the steward too,

The Emperor wills it—hence it straight must be—

Wills Helena and Paris here to see;

Of man and womankind the true ideal,

He fain would view, in forms distinct and real.

Quick to the work! My word I may not break.

Mephis.

Such promise it was weak, nay, mad to make.

Faust.

Comrade, thou hast not thought, I trow,

Whither these arts of thine must lead:

First we have made him rich, and now

Him to amuse we must proceed.

Mephis.

Thou think’st no sooner said than done;

Here before steeper steps we stand,

A foreign realm must here be won,

New debts wilt add to those of old.

With the same ease dost think I can command

Helen, as phantom-notes evoke for gold!

With wizard, witchery, or ghostly ghost,

Or goiter’d dwarf, I’m ready at my post,

But Devil’s darlings, though we mayn’t abuse them,

Yet cannot we as heroines produce them.

Faust.

Still harping on the ancient lyre!

The father thou of hindrances;—with thee

We needs must fall into uncertainty;

For each expedient thou dost claim new hire!

With little muttering, I know, ’tis done;

Ere one looks round, thou’lt bring them to the spot.

Mephis.

The Heathen-folk I’m glad to let alone,

In their own hell is cast their lot;

Yet are there means—

Faust.

Speak quickly, naught withhold!

Mephis.

Loth am I higher secrets to unfold.

In solitude, where reigns nor space nor time,

Are goddesses enthron’d from early prime;

’Tis hard to speak of beings so sublime—

The Mothers are they.

Faust.

(Terrified.) Mothers!

Mephis.

Tremblest thou?

Faust.

The Mothers! Mothers! strange it sounds, I trow!

Mephis.

And is so: Goddesses, to men unknown,

And by us nam’d unwillingly, I own.

Their home to reach, full deeply must thou mine.

That we have need of them, the fault is thine!

Faust.

The way?

Mephis.

No way; to the untrodden none,

Not to be trodden, neither to be won

By prayer! Art ready for the great emprise?

No locks are there, no bolts thy way to bar;

By solitudes shalt thou be whirl’d afar:

Such void and solitude canst realize?

Faust.

To spare such speeches, it were well!

They of the witches’ kitchen smell,

And of a time long past and gone.

To know the world have I not sought?

The empty learn’d, the empty taught?—

Spake I out plainly, as in reason bound,

Then doubly loud the paradox would sound;

By Fortune’s adverse buffets overborne,

To solitude I fled, to wilds forlorn,

And not in utter loneliness to live,

Myself at last did to the Devil give!

Mephis.

And hadst thou swum to ocean’s utmost verge,

And there the shoreless infinite beheld,

There hadst thou seen surge rolling upon surge,

Though dread of coming doom thy soul had quell’d,

Thou hadst seen something;—dolphins thou hadst seen.

Cleaving the silent sea’s pellucid green,

And flying cloud hadst seen, sun, moon and star;

Naught, in the everlasting void afar,

Wilt see, nor hear thy footfall’s sound,

Nor for thy tread find solid ground!

Faust.

Thou speakest as of mystagogues the first,

True neophytes who gulled—only revers’d:

I to vacuity by thee am sent,

That art as well as strength I may augment;

Thou wouldest, like the cat, make use of me,

The chestnuts from the fire to snatch for thee.

We’ll fathom it! come on, nor look behind!

In this thy naught, the All I hope to find.

Mephis.

Before we part, thy bearing I commend;

I see, the Devil thou dost comprehend.

Here, take this key!

Faust.

That little thing!

Mephis.

First hold it fast, not lightly valuing!

Faust.

It waxes in my hand! It flashes, glows!

Mephis.

Soon shalt thou mark what virtue it bestows.

The key will scent the very place you need;

Follow, thee to the Mothers it will lead.

Faust.

(Shuddering.) The Mothers! Like a blow it strikes mine ear!

What is this word, it troubles me to hear?

Mephis.

So narrow-minded, scar’d by each new word!

Wilt only hear, what hast already heard?

Inur’d to marvels, thee let naught astound;

Be not disturb’d, how strange soe’er the sound!

Faust.

My weal I seek not in torpidity;

Humanity’s best part in awe doth lie:

Howe’er the world the sentiment disown,

Once seiz’d—we deeply feel the vast, the unknown.

Mephis.

Sink then! Arise! This also I might say:—

’Tis all the same. Escaping from the real,

Seek thou the boundless realm of the ideal.

Delight thyself in forms long pass’d away!

The train, like cloud-procession, glides along;

Swing thou the key, hold off the shadowy throng!

Faust.

(Inspired.) Good! firmly grasping it, new strength is mine,

My breast expands! Now for the great design!

Mephis.

A glowing tripod teaches thee thou hast

The deep attain’d, the lowest deep, at last:

There, by its light the Mothers thou wilt see;

Some sit, while others, as the case may be,

Or stand, or walk: formation, transformation,

Of mind etern, eternal recreation!

While forms of being round them hover; thee

Behold they not, phantoms alone they see.

Take courage, for the danger is not slight.

Straight to the tripod press thou on, be brave,

And touch it with the key—

[Faust,with the key, assumes an attitude of determined authority.

Mephis.

(Observing him.) So, that is right!

It cleaves to thee, it follows like a slave;

Calmly dost mount, fortune doth thee upbear,

Back art thou with it, ere they are aware.

And hither hast thou brought it: by its might,

Hero mayst call, and heroine from night;

The first to venture in such enterprise;

’Tis done—with thee the bold achievement lies;

And then by spells, to sorcery allow’d,

To gods shall be transform’d the incensecloud.

Faust.

And now what next?

Mephis.

Downward thy being strain.

Stamping descend, stamping thou’lt rise again.

[Fauststamps and sinks.

In his behoof if worketh but the key!

Whether he will return, I’m fain to see.

Hall.(Brilliantly lighted.)

Emperorand Princes: The Court in movement.

Chamberlain.

(ToMephistopheles.)

You’re still our debtors for the spirit-show;

To work! The Emperor doth impatient grow.

Steward.

His Highness even now hath question’d me;

Delay not, nor affront his Majesty!

Mephis.

My comrade’s for that very purpose gone;

How to commence he knows; he labors on,

Secluded in his study, calm and still,

With mind intensely strung; for who the prize,

Ideal beauty, would evoke at will,

Needs highest art, the magic of the wise.

Steward.

To us it matters not what arts you need;

The Emperor wills that ye forthwith proceed.

A Blonde.

(ToMephistopheles.)

One word, good sir! My visage now is clear—

It is not so when baleful summer’s here:

Then sprout a hundred freckles, brown and red,

Which, to my grief, the white skin overspread.

A cure!

Mephis.

’Tis pity, face so fair to see,

In May like panther’s cub should mottled be!

Take spawn of frog, and tongue of toad, the twain

Under the fullest moon distil with care;

Lay on the mixture, when the moon doth wane—

The spring arrives, no blemishes are there.

Brunette.

To fawn upon you, how the crowds advance;

A remedy I ask! A frozen foot

Hinders me sorely when I walk or dance;

Awkward my movement e’en when I salute.

Mephis.

A single tread allow me with my foot!

Brunette.

Well, betwixt lovers that might come to pass—

Mephis.

A deeper meaning, child, my footprint has:

Like unto like, in sickness is the rede;

Foot healeth foot; with every limb ’tis so.

Draw near! Give heed! My tread return not.

Brunette.

(Screaming.) Woe!

Ah, woe! It burns! A hard tread that indeed,

Like horse’s hoof!

Mephis.

Receive thy cure as meed.

Now mayst thou dance at pleasure; and salute,

Beneath the festal board, thy lover’s foot.

Lady.

(Pressing forward.) Make way for me, too grievous is my smart,

Seething, it rankles in my deepest heart:

Bliss in my looks he sought till yesterday—

With her he talks, and turns from me away!

Mephis.

The case is grave, but this my lore receive:

Thou to his side must stealthily make way;

Take thou this coal, a mark upon his sleeve,

His cloak, or shoulder make, as happen may—

His heart repentant will be thine once more;

The coal thou straight must swallow; after it,

No water near thy lip, no wine, permit—

This very night he’ll sigh before thy door.

Lady.

It is not poison?

Mephis.

(Offended.) Honor where ’tis due!

You for such coal much ground must wander o’er;

It cometh from a pyre, that we of yore

More fiercely stirr’d than now we do.

Page.

I love; as still unripe they scorn my youth!

Mephis.

(Aside.) I know not whom to listen to, in sooth.

(To thePage.)

Not on the youngest set your happiness;

Those more in years your merits will confess.

[Others press up to him.

Others are coming! What a fearful rout!

Myself with truth I must at last help out—

The sorriest shift! Great is the need! Ah me!

O Mothers, Mothers! Only Faust set free.

[Looking round.

The lights are burning dimly in the hall;

At once the court is moving, one and all;

Advancing in due order them I see,

Through long arcade and distant gallery;

Now in the old Baronial hall, the train

Assemble, them it scarcely can contain;

Its ample walls rare tapestries enrich,

While armor decks each corner, every niche;

Here magic-words, methinks, are needed not,

Ghosts, of their own accord, would haunt this spot.

Baronial Hall.(Dimly illuminated.)

Emperorand Court have entered.

Herald.

Mine ancient usage, to announce the play,

The spirits’ secret working mars; in vain

The surging tumult to ourselves, to-day,

Would we, on reasonable grounds, explain.

Seats are arrang’d, ready is every chair;

The Emperor sits before the wall, and there,

On tapestry in comfort may behold

The battles of the glorious days of old.

All now are seated; prince and court around;

While crowded benches fill the hinder ground;

Your lovers too, in these dark hours, will find,

Beside their sweethearts, places to their mind.

So now we’re seated, ready for the play;

The phantoms may appear, without delay!

[Trumpets.

Astrologer.

Now let the drama, ’tis the Sire’s command,

Begin forthwith its course! ye walls expand!

Naught hinders; magic yields what we require.

The curtains vanish, as uproll’d by fire;

The wall splits open, backward it doth wend;

An ample theatre appears to rise;

A mystic lustre gleams before our eyes;

And I to the proscenium ascend.

Mephis.

(Emerging from the prompter’s box.) I hope for general favor in your eyes,

The Devil’s rhetoric in prompting lies!

(To theAstrologer.)

The time dost know, in which the stars proceed,

And, like a master, wilt my whispering read.

Astrologer.

Through magic power, appears before our gaze,

Massive enough, a fane of ancient days;

Like Atlas, who of old the heavens upbare,

Columns, in goodly rows, are standing there;

They for their burden may suffice, when twain

A mighty edifice might well sustain.

Architect.

That the antique—I cannot think it right;

It as unwieldy we should designate;

The rude is noble styled, the clumsy great!

Slim shafts I love, aspiring, infinite;

The pointed zenith lifts the soul on high;

Such building us doth mostly edify.

Astrologer.

Receive with reverence stargranted hours!

By magic word enthrall’d be reason’s powers;

Here, on the other hand, let phantasy,

Noble and daring, roam more wildly free!

What boldly you desir’d, he with your eyes perceiv’d!

Impossible, and hence, by faith to be believ’d.

[Faustrises at the other side of the proscenium.

Astrologer.

In priestly vesture, crown’d, a wondrous man,

Who now achieves, what trustful he began;

A tripod with him from the gulf ascends;

With the surrounding air the incense blends;

He arms himself, the lofty work to bless:

Henceforth we naught can augur but success.

Faust.

In your name, Mothers, ye who on your throne

Dwell in the Infinite, for aye alone,

Yet sociably! Around your heads are rife

Life’s pictures, restless, yet devoid of life;

What was, there moveth, bright with lustrous sheen;

For deathless will abide what once hath been.

This ye dispense, beings of matchless might,

To day’s pavilion, to the vault of night:

Life in its gentle course doth some arrest;

Of others the bold magian goes in quest:

In rich profusion, fearless, he displays

The marvels upon which each longs to gaze.

Astrologer.

Scarcely the glowing key the censer nears,

When o’er the scene a misty shroud appears;

It creepeth in, cloudlike it onward glides,

Expands, upcurls, contracts, unites, divides.

Now recognize a spirit masterpiece:

The clouds make music; wonders never cease;

The airy tones, one knows not how, float by:

Where’er they move, there all is melody;

The pillar’d shaft, the very triglyph rings;

Yea, I believe that the whole temple sings!

The mist subsides; steps forth, in measur’d time,

From the light veil, a youth in beauty’s prime.

Silent mine office here; his name I need not show;

Who doth the gentle Paris fail to know!

First Lady.

O! In his youthful strength what lustrous grace!

Second Lady.

Fresh as a peach, and full of sap his face!

Third Lady.

The finely chisell’d, sweetly swelling lip!

Fourth Lady.

At such a beaker fain wert thou to sip?

Fifth Lady.

Though handsome, quite unpolish’d is his mien.

Sixth Lady.

A little more refin’d he might have been.

Knight.

The shepherd youth, methinks, in him I trace;

Naught of the prince or of the courtier’s grace!

Another Knight.

Half naked, fair the stripling seems to be;

But clad in armor him we first must see!

Lady.

Gently he seats himself, with easy grace.

Knight.

For you his lap were pleasant resting-place?

Another.

Lightly his arm he bendeth o’er his head.

Chamberlain.

That is not here allow’d. ’Tis under-bred!

Lady.

You gentlemen are always hard to please.

Chamberlain.

Before the Emperor to loll at ease!

Lady.

He only acts! He thinks himself alone.

Chamberlain.

The drama should be courtly near the throne.

Lady.

Gently hath sleep o’ercome the gracious youth.

Chamberlain.

He snoreth now; ’tis nature, perfect truth.

Young Lady.

(Enraptured.) What fragrance with the incense sweetly blends.

That to my inmost heart refreshment sends?

Older Lady.

A breath the soul pervades with gracious power!

From him it comes.

Oldest Lady.

Of growth it is the flower;

It like ambrosia from the youth distils,

And the whole atmosphere around him fills.

[Helenasteps forward.

Mephis.

Such then she was! She will not break my rest!

Fair, doubtless; but she is not to my taste.

Astrologer.

For me remains no further duty now,

As man of honor, this I must allow.

The fair one comes; and had I tongues of fire—

Beauty of old did many a song inspire—

Who sees her is enraptur’d; all too bless’d

Was he indeed by whom she was possess’d.

Faust.

Have I still eyes? Is beauty’s very spring,

Full gushing, to mine inmost sense reveal’d?

Most blessed gain doth my dread journey bring.

How blank to me the world, its depths unseal’d!

What is it since my priesthood’s solemn hour!

Enduring, firmly-bas’d, a precious dower!

Vanish from me of life the breathing power,

If, e’en in thought, I e’er from thee decline!—

The gracious form that raptur’d once my sight,

That in the magic mirror wak’d delight,

Was a foam-image to such charms as thine!—

’Tis thou, to whom as tribute now I bring

My passion’s depth, of every power the spring,

Love, adoration, madness, heart and soul!

Mephis.

(From the prompter’s box.)

Collect yourself, and fall not from your rôle!

Elderly Lady.

Tall and well-shap’d! Only too small the head.

Younger Lady.

Her foot! ’Tis clumsy if the truth were said.

Diplomatist.

Princesses of this kind I’ve seen; and she

From head to foot seems beautiful to me.

Courtier.

Softly she nears the sleeper, artful, shy.

Lady.

How hateful near that form of purity!

Poet.

He is illumin’d by her beauty’s sheen.

Lady.

Endymion! Luna!—’Tis the pictur’d scene!

Poet.

Quite right! The goddess downward seems to sink;

O’er him she bends, his balmy breath to drink;

A kiss!—The measure’s full!—O envied youth!

Duenna.

Before the crowd—too bold that is, in sooth!

Faust.

A fearful favor to the boy!—

Mephis.

Be still!

And let the phantom do whate’er it will.

Courtier.

She steals away, light-footed;—he awakes.

Lady.

A backward glance, just as I thought, she takes!

Courtier.

He starts! ’Tis marvellous! he’s all amaze.

Lady.

To her no marvel is what meets her gaze.

Courtier.

To him with coy reserve she turneth now.

Lady.

She takes him into tutelage, it seems;

All men in such a case are fools, I trow;

Himself to be the first, he fondly dreams!

Knight.

Let me admire! Majestically fair—

Lady.

The courtezan! ’Tis vulgar, I declare!

Page.

Now in his place to be, full fain I were!

Courtier.

Who in such net would not be gladly caught?

Lady.

From hand to hand the jewel hath been pass’d;

The very gilding is worn off at last.

Another.

From her tenth year she hath been good for naught.

Knight.

Each takes the best that Fate to him hath sent:

With this fair ruin I were well content.

Learned Man.

Her I behold, yet to confess am free,

Doubts may arise, if she the right one be.

What’s present doth into extremes betray;

Cling closely to the letter, that’s my way;

I to what’s written turn, and there I read:

How she all Troya’s graybeards charm’d indeed.

How perfectly this tallies here, I see—

I am not young, and yet she pleases me.

Astrologer.

A boy no more! A man, heroic, brave,

He claspeth her, who scarce herself can save;

With stalwart arm aloft he raises her.

Thinks he to bear her off?

Faust.

Rash fool! Beware!

Thou darest! Hearest not! Forbear I say!

Mephis.

Why thou thyself dost make the phantom-play!

Astrologer.

Only one word! From what did her befall,

“The rape of Helena,” the piece I call.

Faust.

The rape! Count I for nothing here? This key,

Do I not hold it still within my hand?

Through dreary wastes, through waves, it guided me,

Through solitudes, here to this solid land;

Here is firm footing, here the actual, where

Spirit with spirits to contend may dare,

And for itself a vast, twin-realm prepare.

Far as she was, how can she be more near?

Sav’d, she is doubly mine! I’ll dare it! Hear,

Ye Mothers, Mothers, hear, and grant my quest!

Who once hath known, without her cannot rest!

Astrologer.

What dost thou? Faustus! Faustus!—Her with might,

He seizes; fades the phantom from the sight;

Towards the youth he turneth now the key,

He touches him!—Presto! alas! Woe’s me!

[Explosion,Faustlies upon the ground.

[The phantoms vanish in the air.

Mephis.

(TakingFaustupon his shoulders.) You have it now! With fools one’s self to burden,

May to the devil prove a sorry guerdon.

(Darkness. Tumult.)