From ae103e2aa47927b6a7213836b6c60332bef8e2f8 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: aiju Date: Mon, 22 Aug 2011 17:52:29 +0200 Subject: [PATCH] added /lib/faust --- lib/faust | 8015 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 8015 insertions(+) create mode 100644 lib/faust diff --git a/lib/faust b/lib/faust new file mode 100644 index 000000000..ad8ece4d4 --- /dev/null +++ b/lib/faust @@ -0,0 +1,8015 @@ +Dedication + + Again you show yourselves, you wavering Forms, + Revealed, as you once were, to clouded vision. + Shall I attempt to hold you fast once more? + Heart’s willing still to suffer that illusion? +5 You crowd so near! Well then, you shall endure, + And rouse me, from your mist and cloud’s confusion: + My spirit feels so young again: it’s shaken + By magic breezes that your breathings waken. + + You bring with you the sight of joyful days, +10 And many a loved shade rises to the eye: + And like some other half-forgotten phrase, + First Love returns, and Friendship too is nigh: + Pain is renewed, and sorrow: all the ways, + Life wanders in its labyrinthine flight, +15 Naming the good, those that Fate has robbed + Of lovely hours, those slipped from me and lost. + + They can no longer hear this latest song, + Spirits, to whom I gave my early singing: + That kindly crowd itself is now long gone, +20 Alas, it dies away, that first loud ringing! + I bring my verses to the unknown throng, + My heart’s made anxious even by their clapping, + And those besides delighted by my verse, + If they still live, are scattered through the Earth. + +25 I feel a long and unresolved desire + For that serene and solemn land of ghosts: + It quivers now, like an Aeolian lyre, + My stuttering verse, with its uncertain notes, + A shudder takes me: tear on tear, entire, +30 The firm heart feels weakened and remote: + What I possess seems far away from me, + And what is gone becomes reality. + +Prelude On Stage + +(Director, Dramatist, Comedian) + +Director + + You two, who’ve often stood by me, + In times of need, when trouble’s breaking, +35 Say what success our undertaking + Will meet with, then, in Germany? + I’d rather like the crowd to enjoy it, + Since they live and let live, truly. + The stage is set, the boards complete, +40 And they await our festivity. + They’re seated already, eyebrows raised, + Calmly hoping they’ll be amazed. + I know how to make the people happy: + But I’ve never been so embarrassed: not +45 That they’ve been used to the best, you see, + Yet they’ve all read such a dreadful lot. + How can we make it all seem fresh and new, + Weighty, but entertaining too? + I’d love to see a joyful crowd, that’s certain, +50 When the waves drive them to our place, + And with tremendous and repeated surging, + Squeeze them through the narrow gate of grace: + In the light of day they’re there already, + Pushing, till they’ve reached the window, +55 As if they’re at the baker’s, starving, nearly + Breaking their necks: just for a ticket. Oh! + Only poets can work this miracle on men + So various: the day is yours, my friend! + +Dramatist + + O, don’t speak to me of that varied crew, +60 The sight of whom makes inspiration fade. + Veil, from me, the surging multitude, + Whose whirling will drives us everyway. + No, some heavenly silence lead me to, + Where for the poet alone pure joy’s at play: +65 Where Love and Friendship too grace our hearts, + Created and inspired by heavenly arts. + + Ah! What springs here from our deepest being, + What the shy trembling lips in speaking meant, + Now falling awry, and now perhaps succeeding, +70 Is swallowed in the fierce Moment’s violence. + Often, when the first years are done, unseeing, + It appears at last, complete, in deepest sense. + What dazzles is a Momentary act: + What’s true is left for posterity, intact. + +Comedian + +75 Don’t speak about posterity to me! + If I went on about posterity, + Where would you get your worldly fun? + Folk want it, and they’ll still have some. + The presence of a fine young man +80 Is nice, I think, for everyone. + Who, comfortably, shares his wit, + And to their moods takes no exception: + He’ll make himself a greater hit, + And win a more secure reception. +85 Be brave, and show them what you’ve got, + Have Fantasy with all her chorus, yes, + Mind, Reason, Passion, Tears, the lot, + But don’t you leave out Foolishness. + +Director + + Make sure, above all, plenty’s happening there! +90 They come to look, and then they want to stare. + Spin endlessly before their faces, + So the people gape amazed, + You’ve won them by your many paces, + You’ll be the man most praised. +95 The mass are only moved by things en masse, + Each one, himself, will choose the bit he needs: + Who brings a lot, brings something that will pass: + And everyone goes home contentedly. + You’ll give a piece, why then give it them in pieces! +100 With such a stew you’re destined for success. + Easy to serve, it’s as easy to invent. + What use to bring them your complete intent? + The Public will soon pick at what you’ve dressed. + +Dramatist + + You don’t see how badly such work will do! +105 How little it suits the genuine creator! + Already, I see, it’s a principle with you. + The finest master is a sloppy worker. + +Director + + Such a reproach leaves me unmoved: + The man who seeks to be approved, +110 Must stick to the best tools for it, + Think, soft wood’s the best to split, + And have a look for whom you write! + See, this is one that boredom drives, + Another’s from some overloaded table, +115 Or, worst of all, he’s one arrives, + Like most, fresh from the daily paper. + They rush here mindlessly, as to a Masque, + And curiosity inspires their hurry: + The ladies bring themselves, and in their best, +120 Come and play their parts and ask no fee. + What dream of yours is this, exalted verse? + Doesn’t a full house make you happy? + Have a good look at your patrons first! + One half are coarse, the rest are chilly. +125 After the show he hopes for card-play: + He hopes for a wild night, and a woman’s kiss. + Why then do so many poor fools plague, + The sweet Muse, for such a goal as this? + I tell you, just give them more and more, +130 So you’ll never stray far from the mark, + Just seek to confuse them, in the dark: + To keep them happy, that’s hard - for sure. + And now what’s wrong? Delight or Pain? + +Dramatist + + Go, look for another scribbler by night! +135 Shall the poet throw away the highest right, + The right of humanity, that Nature gave, + Carelessly, so that you might gain! + How will he move all hearts again? + How will each element be his slave? +140 Is that harmony nothing, from his breast unfurled, + That draws back into his own heart, the world? + When Nature winds the lengthened filaments, + Indifferently, on her eternal spindle, + When all the tuneless mass of elements, +145 In their sullen discord, jar and jangle – + Who parts the ever-flowing ranks of creation, + Stirs them, so rhythmic measure is assured? + Who calls the One to general ordination, + Where it may ring in marvellous accord? +150 Who lets the storm wind rage with passion, + The sunset glow the senses move? + Who scatters every lovely springtime blossom + Beneath the footsteps of the one we love? + Who weaves the slight green wreath of leaves, +155 To honour work well done in every art? + What makes Olympus sure, joins deities? + The power of Man, revealed by the bard. + +Comedian + + So use it then, all this fine energy, + And drive along the work of poetry, +160 To show how we are driven in Love’s play. + By chance we meet, we feel, we stay, + And bit by bit we’re tightly bound: + Happiness grows, and then it’s fenced around: + We’re all inflamed then comes the sorrowing: +165 Before you know it, there’s a novel brewing! + Why don’t we give such a piece! + Grasp the life of man complete! + Everyone lives, though it’s seldom confessed, + And wherever you grasp, there’s interest. +170 In varied pictures there’s little light, + A lot of error, and a gleam of right, + So the best of drinks is brewed, + So the world’s cheered and renewed. + Then see the flower of lovely youth collect, +175 To hear your words, and view the offering, + And every tender nature will extract + A melancholy food from what you bring, + They’ll gain now this and that from your art, + So each sees what is present in their heart. +180 They’re readily moved to weeping or to laughter, + They’ll admire your verve, and enjoy the show: + What’s finished you can never alter after: + Minds still in growth will be grateful, though. + +Dramatist + + So give me back that time again, +185 When I was still ‘becoming’, + When words gushed like a fountain + In new, and endless flowing, + Then for me mists veiled the world, + In every bud the wonder glowed, +190 A thousand flowers I unfurled, + That every valley, richly, showed. + I had nothing, yet enough: + Joy in illusion, thirst for truth. + Give every passion, free to move, +195 The deepest bliss, filled with pain, + The force of hate, the power of love, + Oh, give me back my youth again! + +Comedian + + Youth is what you need, dear friend, + When enemies jostle you, of course, +200 And girls, filled with desire, bend + Their arms around your neck, with force, + When the swift-run race’s garland + Beckons from the hard-won goal, + When from the swirling dance, a man +205 Drinks until the night is old. + But to play that well-known lyre + With courage and with grace, + Moved by self-imposed desire, + At a sweet wandering pace, +210 That is your function, Age, + And our respect won’t lessen. + Age doesn’t make us childish, as they say, + It finds that we’re still children. + +Director + + That’s enough words for the moment, +215 Now let me see some action! + While you’re handing out the compliments, + You should also make things happen. + Why talk so much of inspiration? + Delay won’t make it flow, you see. +220 Since Poetry gave the gift of creation, + Take your orders then from Poetry. + You know what’s wanted here, + We need strong ale to appear: + So brew me a barrel right away! +225 Tomorrow won’t do what’s undone today, + We shouldn’t waste a minute, so + Decide what’s possible, and just + Grasp it firmly like a hoe, + Make sure that you let nothing go, +230 And work it about, because you must. + On the German stage, you see, + Everyone tries out what he can: + Don’t fail to show me, I’m your man, + Your trap-doors, and your scenery. +235 Use heavenly lights, the big and small, + Squander stars in any number, + Rocky cliffs, and fire, and water, + Birds and creatures, use them all. + So in our narrow playhouse waken +240 The whole wide circle of creation, + And stride, deliberately, as well, + From Heaven, through the world, to Hell. + +Prologue In Heaven + +(God, the Heavenly Hosts, and then Mephistopheles.) + +(The Three Archangels step forward.) + +Raphael + + The Sun sings out, in ancient mode, + His note among his brother-spheres, +245 And ends his pre-determined road, + With peals of thunder for our ears. + The sight of him gives Angels power, + Though none can understand the way: + The inconceivable work is ours, +250 As bright as on the primal day. + +Gabriel + + And swift, and swift, beyond conceiving, + The splendour of the Earth turns round, + A Paradisial light is interleaving, + With night’s awesome profound. +255 The ocean breaks with shining foam, + Against the rocky cliffs deep base, + And rock and ocean whirl and go, + In the spheres’ swift eternal race. + +Michael + + And storms are roaring in their race +260 From sea to land, and land to sea, + Their raging forms a fierce embrace, + All round, of deepest energy. + The lightning’s devastations blaze + Along the thunder-crashes’ way: +265 Yet, Lord, your messengers, shall praise + The gentle passage of your day. + +All Three + + The sight of it gives Angels power + Though none can understand the way, + And all your noble work is ours, +270 As bright as on the primal day. + +Mephistopheles + + Since, O Lord, you near me once again, + To ask how all below is doing now, + And usually receive me without pain, + You see me too among the vile crowd. +275 Forgive me: I can’t speak in noble style, + And since I’m still reviled by this whole crew, + My pathos would be sure to make you smile, + If you had not renounced all laughter too. + You’ll get no word of suns and worlds from me. +280 How men torment themselves is all I see. + The little god of Earth sticks to the same old way, + And is as strange as on that very first day. + He might appreciate life a little more: he might, + If you hadn’t lent him a gleam of Heavenly light: +285 He calls it Reason, but only uses it + To be more a beast than any beast as yet. + He seems to me, saving Your Grace, + Like a long-legged grasshopper: through space + He’s always flying: he flies and then he springs, +290 And in the grass the same old song he sings. + If he’d just lie there in the grass it wouldn’t hurt! + But he buries his nose in every piece of dirt. + +God + + Have you nothing else to name? + Do you always come here to complain? +295 Does nothing ever go right on the Earth? + +Mephistopheles + + No, Lord! I find, as always, it couldn’t be worse. + I’m so involved with Man’s wretched ways, + I’ve even stopped plaguing them, myself, these days. + +God + + Do you know, Faust? + +Mephistopheles + + The Doctor? + + God + My servant, first! + +Mephistopheles + +300 In truth! He serves you in a peculiar manner. + There’s no earthly food or drink at that fool’s dinner. + He drives his spirit outwards, far, + Half-conscious of its maddened dart: + From Heaven demands the brightest star, +305 And from the Earth, Joy’s highest art, + And all the near and all the far, + Fails to release his throbbing heart. + +God + + Though he’s still confused at how to serve me, + I’ll soon lead him to a clearer dawning, +310 In the green sapling, can’t the gardener see + The flowers and fruit the coming years will bring. + +Mephistopheles + + What do you wager? I might win him yet! + If you give me your permission first, + I’ll lead him gently on the road I set. + +God + +315 As long as he’s alive on Earth, + So long as that I won’t forbid it, + For while man strives he errs. + +Mephistopheles + + My thanks: I’ve never willingly seen fit + To spend my time amongst the dead, +320 I much prefer fresh cheeks instead. + To corpses, I close up my house: + Or it’s too like a cat with a mouse. + +God + + Well and good, you’ve said what’s needed! + Divert this spirit from his source, + You know how to trap him, lead him, +325 On your downward course, + And when you must, then stand, amazed: + A good man, in his darkest yearning, + Is still aware of virtue’s ways. + +Mephistopheles + +330 That’s fine! There’s hardly any waiting. + My wager’s more than safe I’m thinking. + When I achieve my goal, in winning, + You’ll let me triumph with a swelling heart. + He’ll eat the dust, and with an art, +335 Like the snake my mother, known for sinning. + +God + + You can appear freely too: + Those like you I’ve never hated. + Of all the spirits who deny, it’s you, + The jester, who’s most lightly weighted. +340 Man’s energies all too soon seek the level, + He quickly desires unbroken slumber, + So I gave him you to join the number, + To move, and work, and play the devil. + But you the genuine sons of light, +345 Enjoy the living beauty bright! + Becoming, that works and lives forever, + Embrace you in love’s limits dear, + And all that may as Appearance waver, + Fix firmly with everlasting Idea! + +(Heaven closes, and the Archangels separate.) + +Mephistopheles (alone) + +350 I like to hear the Old Man’s words, from time to time, + And take care, when I’m with him, not to spew. + It’s very nice when such a great Gentleman, + Chats with the devil, in ways so human, too! + +Scene I: Night + +(In a high-vaulted Gothic chamber, Faust, in a chair at his desk, +restless.) + + Ah! Now I’ve done Philosophy, +355 I’ve finished Law and Medicine, + And sadly even Theology: + Taken fierce pains, from end to end. + Now here I am, a fool for sure! + No wiser than I was before: +360 Master, Doctor’s what they call me, + And I’ve been ten years, already, + Crosswise, arcing, to and fro, + Leading my students by the nose, + And see that we can know - nothing! +365 It almost sets my heart burning. + I’m cleverer than all these teachers, + Doctors, Masters, scribes, preachers: + I’m not plagued by doubt or scruple, + Scared by neither Hell nor Devil – +370 Instead all Joy is snatched away, + What’s worth knowing, I can’t say, + I can’t say what I should teach + To make men better or convert each. + And then I’ve neither goods nor gold, +375 No worldly honour, or splendour hold: + Not even a dog would play this part! + So I’ve given myself to Magic art, + To see if, through Spirit powers and lips, + I might have all secrets at my fingertips. +380 And no longer, with rancid sweat, so, + Still have to speak what I cannot know: + That I may understand whatever + Binds the world’s innermost core together, + See all its workings, and its seeds, +385 Deal no more in words’ empty reeds. + O, may you look, full moon that shines, + On my pain for this last time: + So many midnights from my desk, + I have seen you, keeping watch: +390 When over my books and paper, + Saddest friend, you appear! + Ah! If on the mountain height + I might stand in your sweet light, + Float with spirits in mountain caves, +395 Swim the meadows in twilight’ waves, + Free from the smoke of knowledge too, + Bathe in your health-giving dew! + Alas! In this prison must I stick? + This hollow darkened hole of brick, +400 Where even the lovely heavenly light + Shines through stained glass, dull not bright. + Hemmed in, by heaps of books, + Piled to the highest vault, and higher, + Worm eaten, decked with dust, +405 Surrounded by smoke-blackened paper, + Glass vials, boxes round me, hurled, + Stuffed with Instruments thrown together, + Packed with ancestral lumber – + This is my world! And what a world! +410 And need you ask why my heart + Makes such tremors in my breast? + Why all my life-energies are + Choked by some unknown distress? + Smoke and mildew hem me in, +415 Instead of living Nature, then, + Where God once created Men, + Bones of creatures, and dead limbs! + Fly! Upwards! Into Space, flung wide! + Isn’t this book, with secrets crammed, +420 From Nostradamus’ very hand, + Enough to be my guide? + When I know the starry road, + And Nature, you instruct me, + My soul’s power, you shall flow, +425 As spirits can with spirits be. + Useless, this dusty pondering here + To read the sacred characters: + Soar round me, Spirits, and be near: + If you hear me, then answer! + +(He opens the Book, and sees the Symbol of the Macrocosm) + +430 Ah! In a moment, what bliss flows + Through my senses from this Sign! + I feel life’s youthful, holy joy: it glows, + Fresh in every nerve and vein of mine. + This symbol now that calms my inward raging, +435 Perhaps a god deigned to write, + Filling my poor heart with delight, + And with its mysterious urging + Revealing, round me, Nature’s might? + Am I a god? All seems so clear to me! +440 It seems the deepest works of Nature + Lie open to my soul, with purest feature. + Now I understand what wise men see: + “The world of spirits is not closed: + Your senses are: your heart is dead! +445 Rise, unwearied, disciple: bathe instead + Your earthly breast in the morning’s glow!” + +(He gazes at the Symbol.) + + How each to the Whole its selfhood gives, + One in another works and lives! + How Heavenly forces fall and rise, +450 Golden vessels pass each other by! + Blessings from their wings disperse: + They penetrate from Heaven to Earth, + Sounding a harmony through the Universe! + Such a picture! Ah, alas! Merely a picture! +455 How then can I grasp you endless Nature? + Where are your breasts that pour out Life entire, + To which the Earth and Heavens cling so, + Where withered hearts would drink? You flow + You nourish, yet I languish so, in vain desire. + +(He strikes the book indignantly, and catches sight of the Symbol +of the Earth-Spirit.) + +460 How differently it works on me, this Sign! + You, the Spirit of Earth, are nearer: + Already, I feel my power is greater, + Already, I glow, as with fresh wine. + I feel the courage to engage the world, +465 Into the pain and joy of Earth be hurled, + And though the storm wind is unfurled, + Fearless, in the shipwreck’s teeth, be whirled. + There’s cloud above me – + The Moon hides its light – + The lamp flickers! +470 Now it dies! Crimson rays dart + Round my head – Horror + Flickers from the vault above, + And grips me tight! +475 I feel you float around me, + Spirit, I summon to appear, speak to me! + Ah! What tears now at the core of me! + All my senses reeling + With fresh feeling! +480 I feel you draw my whole heart towards you! + You must! You must! Though my Life’s lost, too! + +(He grips the book and speaks the mysterious name of the Spirit. A +crimson flame flashes, the Spirit appears in the flame.) + +Spirit + + Who calls me? + +Faust (Looking away) + + Terrible to gaze at! + +Spirit + + Mightily you have drawn me to you, + Long, from my sphere, snatched your food, + And now – + +Faust + +485 Ah! Endure you, I cannot! + +Spirit + + You beg me to show myself, you implore, + You wish to hear my voice, and see my face: + The mighty prayer of your soul weighs + With me, I am here! – What wretched terror +490 Grips you, the Superhuman! Where is your soul’s calling? + Where is the heart that made a world inside, enthralling: + Carried it, nourished it, swollen with joy, so tremulous, + That you too might be a Spirit, one of us? + Where are you, Faust, whose ringing voice +495 Drew towards me with all your force? + Are you he, who, breathing my breath, + Trembles in all your life’s depths, + A fearful, writhing worm? + +Faust + + Shall I fear you: you form of fire? +500 I am, I am Faust: I am your peer! + +Spirit + + In Life’s wave, in action’s storm, + I float, up and down, + I blow, to and fro! + Birth and the tomb, +505 An eternal flow, + A woven changing, + A glow of Being. + Over Time’s quivering loom intent, + Working the Godhead’s living garment. + +Faust + +510 You who wander the world, on every hand, + Active Spirit, how close to you I feel! + +Spirit + + You’re like the Spirit that you understand + Not me! + +(It vanishes.) + +Faust (Overwhelmed) + + Not you? +515 Who then? + I, the image of the Godhead! + Not even like you? + +(A knock.) + + Oh, fate! I know that sound – it’s my attendant – + My greatest fortune’s ruined! +520 In all the fullness of my doing, + He must intrude, that arid pedant! + +(Wagner enters, in gown and nightcap, lamp in hand. Faust turns to +him impatiently.) + +Wagner + + Forgive me! But I heard you declaim: + Reading, I’m sure, from some Greek tragedy? + To profit from that art is my aim, +525 Nowadays it goes down splendidly. + I’ve often heard it claimed, you see + A priest could learn from the Old Comedy. + +Faust + + Yes, when the priest’s a comedian already: + Which might well seem to be the case. + +Wagner + +530 Ah! When a man’s so penned in his study, + And scarcely sees the world on holidays, + And barely through the glass, and far off then, + How can he lead men, through persuading them? + +Faust + + You can’t, if you can’t feel it, if it never +535 Rises from the soul, and sways + The heart of every single hearer, + With deepest power, in simple ways. + You’ll sit forever, gluing things together, + Cooking up a stew from other’s scraps, +540 Blowing on a miserable fire, + Made from your heap of dying ash. + Let apes and children praise your art, + If their admiration’s to your taste, + But you’ll never speak from heart to heart, +545 Unless it rises up from your heart’s space. + +Wagner + + Still, lecturing brings orators success: + I feel that I am far behind the rest. + +Faust + + Seek to profit honestly! + Don’t be an empty tinkling fool! +550 Understanding, and true clarity, + Express themselves without art’s rule! + And if you mean what you say, + Why hunt for words, anyway? + Yes, your speech, that glitters so, +555 Where you gather scraps for Man, + Is dead as the mist-filled winds that blow + Through the dried-up leaves of autumn! + +Wagner + + Oh, God! Art is long + And life is short. +560 Often the studies that I’m working on + Make me anxious, in my head and heart. + How hard it is to command the means + By which a man attains the very source! + Before a man has travelled half his course, +565 The wretched devil has to die it seems. + +Faust + + Parchment then, is that your holy well, + From which drink always slakes your thirst? + You’ll never truly be refreshed until + It pours itself from your own soul, first. + +Wagner + +570 Pardon me, but it’s a great delight + When, moved by the spirit of the ages, we have sight + Of how a wiser man has thought, and how + Widely at last we’ve spread his word about. + +Faust + + Oh yes, as widely as the constellations! +575 My friend, all of the ages that are gone + Now make up a book with seven seals. + The spirit of the ages, that you find, + In the end, is the spirit of Humankind: + A mirror where all the ages are revealed. +580 And so often it’s all a mere misery + Something we run away from at first sight. + A pile of sweepings, a lumber room, maybe + At best, a puppet show, that’s bright + With maxims, excellent, pragmatic, +585 Suitable when dolls’ mouths wax dramatic! + +Wagner + + But, the world! Men’s hearts and minds! + Something of those, at least, I’d like to know. + +Faust + + Yes, what men choose to understand! + Who dares to name the child’s real name, though? +590 The few who knew what might be learned, + Foolish enough to put their whole heart on show, + And reveal their feelings to the crowd below, + Mankind has always crucified and burned. + I beg you, friend, it’s now the dead of night, +595 We must break up this conversation. + +Wagner + + I would have watched with you, if I might + Speak with you still, so learned in oration. + But tomorrow, on Easter’s first holy day, + I’ll ask my several questions, if I may. +600 I’ve pursued my work, zealously studying: + There’s much I know: yet I’d know everything. +(He leaves.) + +Faust (Alone.) + + That mind alone never loses hope, + That keeps to the shallows eternally, + Grabs, with eager hand, the wealth it sees, +605 And rejoices at the worms for which it gropes! + Dare such a human voice echo, too, + Where this depth of Spirit surrounds me? + Ah yet! For just this once, my thanks to you, + You sorriest of all earth’s progeny! +610 You’ve torn me away from that despair, + That would have soon overwhelmed my senses. + Ah! The apparition was so hugely there, + It might have truly dwarfed my defences. + I, image of the Godhead, already one, +615 Who thought the spirit of eternal truth so near, + Enjoying the light, both heavenly and clear, + Setting to one side the earthbound man: + I, more than Angel, a free force, + Ready to flow through Nature’s veins, +620 And, in creating, enjoy the life divine, + Pulsing with ideas: must atone again! + A word like thunder swept me away. + I dare not measure myself against you. + I possessed the power to summon you, +625 But not the power to make you stay. + In that blissful moment, then + I felt myself so small, so great: + Cruelly you hurled me back again, + Into Man’s uncertain state. +630 What shall I learn from? Or leave? + Shall I obey that yearning? + Ah! Our actions, and not just our grief, + Impede us on life’s journey. + Some more and more alien substance presses +635 On the splendour that the Mind conceives: + And when we gain what this world possesses, + We say the better world’s dream deceives. + The splendid feelings that give us life, + Fade among the crowd’s earthly strife. +640 If imagination flew with courage, once, + And, full of hope, stretched out to eternity, + Now a little room is quite enough, + When joy on joy has gone, in time’s whirling sea. + Care has nested in the heart’s depths, +645 Restless, she rocks there, spoiling joy and rest, + There she works her secret pain, + And wears new masks, ever and again, + Appears as wife and child, fields and houses, + As water, fire, or knife or poison: +650 Still we tremble for what never strikes us, + And must still cry for what has not yet gone. + I am no god: I feel it all too deeply. + I am the worm that writhes in dust: see, + As in the dust it lives, and seeks to eat, +655 It’s crushed and buried by the passing feet. + Is this not dust, what these vaults hold, + These hundred shelves that cramp me: + This junk, and all the thousand-fold + Shapes, of a moth-ridden world, around me? +660 Will I find here what I’m lacking else, + Shall I read, perhaps, as a thousand books insist, + That Mankind everywhere torments itself, + So, here and there, some happy man exists? + What do you say to me, bare grinning skull? +665 Except that once your brain whirled like mine, + Sought the clear day, and in the twilight dull, + With a breath of truth, went wretchedly awry. + For sure, you instruments mock at me, + With cylinders and arms, wheels and cogs: +670 I stand at the door: and you should be the key: + You’re deftly cut, but you undo no locks. + Mysterious, even in broad daylight, + Nature won’t let her veil be raised: + What your spirit can’t bring to sight, +675 Won’t by screws and levers be displayed. + You, ancient tools, I’ve never used + You’re here because my father used you, + Ancient scroll, you’ve darkened too, + From smoking candles burned above you. +680 Better the little I had was squandered, + Than sweat here under its puny weight! + What from your father you’ve inherited, + You must earn again, to own it straight. + What’s never used, leaves us overburdened, +685 But we can use what the Moment may create! + Yet why does that place so draw my sight, + Is that flask a magnet for my gaze? + Why is there suddenly so sweet a light, + As moonlight in a midnight woodland plays? +690 I salute you, phial of rare potion, + I lift you down, with devotion! + In you I worship man’s art and mind, + Embodiment of sweet sleeping draughts: + Extract, with deadly power, refined, +695 Show your master all his craft! + I see you, and my pain diminishes, + I grasp you, and my struggles grow less, + My spirit’s flood tide ebbs, more and more, + I seem to be where ocean waters meet, +700 A glassy flood gleams around my feet, + New day invites me to a newer shore. + A fiery chariot sweeps nearer + On light wings! I feel ready, free + To cut a new path through the ether +705 And reach new spheres of pure activity. + This greater life, this godlike bliss! + You, but a worm, have you earned this? + Choosing to turn your back, ah yes, + On all Earth’s lovely Sun might promise! +710 Let me dare to throw those gates open, + That other men go creeping by! + Now’s the time, to prove through action + Man’s dignity may rise divinely high, + Never trembling at that void where, +715 Imagination damns itself to pain, + Striving towards the passage there, + Round whose mouth all Hell’s fires flame: + Choose to take that step, happy to go + Where danger lies, where Nothingness may flow. +720 Come here to me, cup of crystal, clear! + Free of your ancient cover now appear, + You whom I’ve never, for many a year, + Considered! You shone at ancestral feasts, + Cheering the over-serious guests: +725 One man passing you to another here. + It was the drinker’s duty to explain in rhyme + The splendour of your many carved designs + Or drain it at a draught, and breathe, in time: + You remind me of those youthful nights of mine. +730 Now I will never pass you to a friend, + Or test my wits on your art again. + Here’s a juice will stun any man born: + It fills your hollow with a browner liquid. + I prepared it, now I choose the fluid, +735 At last I drink, and with my soul I bid + A high and festive greeting to the Dawn! + +(He puts the cup to his mouth.) + +(Bells chime and a choir sings.) + +Choir of Angels + + Christ has arisen! + Joy to the One, of us, + Who the pernicious, +740 Ancestral, insidious, + Fault has unwoven. + +Faust + + What deep humming, what shining sound + Strikes the glass from my hand with power? + Already, do the hollow bells resound, +745 Proclaiming Easter’s festive course? Our + Choirs, do you already sing the hymn of consolation, + Which once rang out, in deathly night, in Angels’ oration, + That certainty of a new testament’s hour? + +Chorus of Women + + With pure spices +750 We embalmed him, + We his faithful + We entombed him: + Linen and bindings, + We unwound there, +755 Ah! Now we find + Christ is not here. + +Choir of Angels + + Christ has arisen! + Blissful Beloved, + Out of what grieved, +760 Tested, and healed: + His trial is won. + +Faust + + You heavenly sounds, powerful and mild, + Why, in the dust, here, do you seek me? + Ring out where tender hearts are reconciled. +765 I hear your message, but faith fails me: + The marvellous is faith’s dearest child. + I don’t attempt to rise to that sphere, + From which the message rings: + Yet I know from childhood what it sings, +770 And I’m recalled to life once more. + In other times a Heavenly kiss would fall + On me, in the deep Sabbath silence: + The bell notes filled with presentiments, + And a prayer was pleasure’s call: +775 A sweet yearning, beyond my understanding, + Set me wandering through woods and fields, + And while a thousand tears were burning + I felt a world around me come to be. + Love called out the lively games of youth, +780 The joy of spring’s idle holiday: + Memory’s childish feelings, in truth, + Hold me back from the last sombre way. + O, sing on you sweet songs of Heaven! + My tears flow, Earth claims me again! + +Chorus of Disciples + +785 Has the buried one + Already, living, + Raised himself, alone, + Splendidly soaring: + Is he, in teeming air, +790 Near to creative bliss: + Ah! In sorrow, we’re + Here on Earth’s breast. + Lacking Him, we + Languish, and sigh. +795 Ah! Master we + Cry for your joy! + +Choir of Angels + + Christ has arisen + Out of corruption’s sea. + Tear off your bindings +800 Joyfully free! + Actively praising him, + Lovingly claiming him, + Fraternally aiding him, + Prayerfully journeying, +805 Joyfully promising, + So is the Master near, + So is he here! + +Scene II: In Front Of The City-Gate + +(Passers-by of all kinds appear.) + +Several Apprentices + + So, then, where are you away to? + +Others + + We’re away to the Hunting Lodge. + +The Former + +810 We’re off to saunter by the Mill. + +An Apprentice + + Off to the Riverside Inn, I’d guess. + +A Second Apprentice + + The way there’s not of the best. + +The Others + + What about you? + +A Third + + I’m with the others, still. + +A Fourth + + Come to the Castle, you’ll find there +815 The prettiest girls, the finest beer, + And the best place for a fight. + +A Fifth + + You quarrelsome fool, are you looking + For a third good hiding? + Not for me, that place, I hate its very sight. + +A Maidservant + +820 No, No! I’m going back to town. + +Another + + We’ll find him by those poplar trees for sure. + +The First + + Well that’s no joy for me, now: + He’ll walk by your side, of course, + He’ll dance with you on the green. +825 Where’s the fun in that for me, then! + +The Other + + I’m sure he’s not alone, he said + He’d bring along that Curly-head. + +A Student + + My how they strut those bold women! + Brother, come on! We’ll follow them. +830 Fierce tobacco, strong beer, + And a girl in her finery, I prefer. + +A Citizen’s Daughter + + They are handsome boys there, I see! + But it’s truly a disgrace: + They could have the best of company, +835 And run after a painted face! + +Second Student (to the first) + + Not so fast! Those two behind, + They walk about so sweetly, + One must be that neighbour of mine: + I could fall for her completely. +840 They pass by with demure paces, + But in the end they’ll go with us. + +The First + + Brother, no! I shouldn’t bother, anyway. + Quick! Before our quarry gets away. + The hand that wields a broom on Saturday, +845 Gives the best caress, on Sunday too, I say. + +Citizen + + No, the new mayor doesn’t suit me! + Now he’s there he’s getting cocky. + And what’s he done to help the town? + Isn’t it getting worse each day? +850 As always it’s us who must obey, + And pay more money down. + +A Beggar (sings) + + Fine gentlemen, and lovely ladies, + Rosy-cheeked and finely dressed, + You could help me, for your aid is +855 Needed: see, ease my distress! + Don’t let me throw my song away, + Only he who gives is happy. + A day when all men celebrate, + Will be a harvest day for me! + +Another Citizen + +860 On holidays there’s nothing I like better + Than talking about war and war’s display, + When in Turkey far away, + People one another batter. + You sit by the window: have a glass: +865 See the bright boats glide down the river, + Then you walk back home and bless + Its peacefulness, and peace, forever. + +Third Citizen + + Neighbour, yes! I like that too: + Let them go and break their heads, +870 Make the mess they often do: + So long as we’re safe in our beds. + +An Old Woman (to the citizen’s daughter) + + Ah! So pretty! Sweet young blood! + Who wouldn’t gaze at you? + Don’t be so proud! I’m very good! +875 And what you want, I’ll bring you. + +The Citizen’s Daughter + + Agatha, come away! I must go carefully: + No walking freely with such a witch as her: + For on Saint Andrew’s Night she really + Showed me who’ll be my future Lover. + +The Other + +880 She showed me mine in a crystal ball, + A soldier, with lots of other brave men: + I look around: among them all, + Yet I can never find him. + +The Soldiers + + Castles with towering +885 Ramparts and wall, + Proud girls showing + Disdain for us all, + We want them to fall! + The action is brave, +890 And splendid the pay! + So let the trumpet, + Do our recruiting, + Calling to joy + Calling to ruin. +895 It’s a storm, blowing! + But it’s the life too! + Girls and castles + We must win you. + The action is brave, +900 Splendid the pay! + And the soldiers + Go marching away. + +(Faust and Wagner) + +Faust + + Rivers and streams are freed from ice + By Spring’s sweet enlivening glance. +905 Valleys, green with Hope’s happiness, dance: + Old Winter, in his weakness, sighs, + Withdrawing to the harsh mountains. + From there, retreating, he sends down + Impotent showers of hail that show +910 In stripes across the quickening ground. + But the sun allows nothing white below, + Change and growth are everywhere, + He enlivens all with his colours there, + And lacking flowers of the fields outspread, +915 He takes these gaudy people instead. + Turn round, and from this mountain height, + Look down, where the town’s in sight. + That cavernous, dark gate, + The colourful crowd penetrate, +920 All will take the sun today, + The Risen Lord they’ll celebrate, + And feel they are resurrected, + From low houses, dully made, + From work, where they’re constricted, +925 From the roofs’ and gables’ weight, + From the crush of narrow streets, + From the churches’ solemn night + They’re all brought to the light. + Look now: see! The crowds, their feet +930 Crushing the gardens and meadows, + While on the river a cheerful fleet + Of little boats, everywhere it flows. + And over-laden, ready to sink, + The last barge takes to the stream. + From far off on the mountain’s brink, + All the bright clothing gleams. + I hear the noise from the village risen, + Here is the people’s true Heaven, + High and low shout happily: +940 Here I am Man: here, dare to be! + +Wagner + + Doctor, to take a walk with you, + Is an honour and a prize: + Alone I’d have no business here, true, + Since everything that’s coarse I despise. +945 Shrieking, fiddlers, skittles flying, + To me it’s all a hateful noise: + They rush about possessed, crying, + And call it singing: and call it joy. + +(Farm-workers under the lime tree. Dance and Song.) + + The shepherd for the dance, had on +950 His gaudy jacket, wreath, and ribbon, + Making a fine show, + Under the linden-tree, already, + Everyone was dancing madly. + Hey! Hey! +955 Hurrah! Hurray! + So goes the fiddle-bow. + + In his haste, in a whirl, + He stumbled against a girl, + With his elbow flailing: +960 Lively, she turned, and said: + Mind out, you wooden-head! + Hey! Hey! + Hurrah! Hurray! + Just watch where you’re sailing! + +965 Fast around the circle bright, + They danced to left and right, + Skirts and jackets flying. + They grew red: they grew warm, + They rested, panting, arm on arm +970 Hey! Hey! + Hurrah! Hurray! + And hip, and elbow, lying. + + Don’t be so familiar then! + That’s how many a lying man, +975 Cheated his wife so! + But he soon tempted her aside, + And from the linden echoed wide: + Hey! Hey! + Hurrah! Hurray! +980 So goes the fiddle-bow. + +An Old Farmer + + Doctor, it’s good of you today + Not to shun the crowd, + So that among the folk, at play, + The learned man walks about. +985 Then have some from the finest jug + That we’ve filled with fresh ale first, + I offer it now and wish it would, + Not only quench your thirst: + But the count of drops it holds +990 May it exceed your hours, all told. + +Faust + + I’ll take some of your foaming drink, + And offer you all, health and thanks. + +(The people gather round him in a circle.) + +The Old Farmer + + Truly, it’s a thing well done: + You’re here on our day of happiness, + Since in evil times now gone, + You’ve eased our distress! + Many a man stands here alive, + Whom your father, at the last, + Snatched from the fever’s rage, +1000 While the plague went past. + And you, only a young man, went, + Into every house of sickness, then, + Though many a corpse was carried forth, + You walked safely out again. +1005 Many a hard trial you withstood, + A Helper helped by the Helper above. + +All + + Health to the man who’s proven true, + Long may he help me and you! + +Faust + + To Him above bow down instead, +1010 Who teaches help, and sends his aid. + +(He walks off, with Wagner.) + +Wagner + + How it must feel, O man of genius, + To be respected by the crowd! + O happy he whose gifts endow + Him with such advantages! +1015 The father shows you to his son, now + Each one asks and pushes near, + The fiddle halts, and the dancers there: + You pass: in ranks they stop to see, + And throw their caps high in the air: +1020 A little more and they’d bend the knee, + As if what they worshipped was holy. + +Faust + + Climb these few steps to that stone, + Here we’ll rest from our wandering. + Here I’ve sat often, thoughtful and alone, +1025 Tormenting myself with prayer and fasting. + Rich in hope, and firm of faith, + Wringing my hands, with sighs even, + Tears, to force the end of plague + From the very God of Heaven. +1030 The crowd’s approval now’s like scorn. + O if you could read within me + How little the father and the son + Deserve a fraction of their glory. + My father was a gloomy, honourable man, +1035 Who pondered Nature and the heavenly spheres, + Honestly, in his own fashion, + With eccentric studies it appears: + He, in his adepts’ company, + Locked in his dark workshop, forever +1040 Tried with endless recipes, + To make things opposite flow together. + The fiery Lion, a daring suitor, + Wed the Lily, in a lukewarm bath, there + In a fiery flame, both of them were +1045 Strained from one bride-bed into another, + Until the young Queen was descried, + In a mix of colours, in the glass: + There was the medicine: the patient died. + And who recovered? No one asked. +1050 So we roamed, with our hellish pills, + Among the valleys and the hills, + Worse than the pestilence itself we were. + I’ve poisoned a thousand: that’s quite clear: + And now from the withered old must hear +1055 How men praise a shameless murderer. + +Wagner + + How can you grieve at that! + Isn’t it enough for an honest man + To exercise the skill he has, + Carefully, precisely, as given? +1060 Honour your father as a youth, + And receive his teaching in your soul, + As a man, then, add to scientific truth, + So your son can achieve a higher goal. + +Faust + + O happy the man who still can hope +1065 Though drowned in a sea of error! + Man needs the things he doesn’t know, + What he knows is useless, forever. + But don’t let such despondency + Spoil the deep goodness of the hour! +1070 In the evening glow, we see + The houses gleaming, green-embowered. + Mild it retreats, the day that’s left, + It slips away to claim new being. + Ah, that no wing from earth can lift +1075 Me, closer and closer to it, striving! + I’d see, in eternal evening’s light, + The silent Earth beneath my feet, forever, + The heights on fire, each valley quiet + While silver streams flow to a golden river. +1080 The wild peaks with their deep clefts, + Would cease to bar my godlike way, + Already the sea with its warm depths, + Opens to my astonished gaze. + At last the weary god sinks down to night: +1085 But in me a newer yearning wakes, + I hasten on, drinking his endless light: + The dark behind me: and ahead the day. + Heaven above me: and the waves below, + A lovely dream, although it vanishes. +1090 Ah! Wings of the mind, so weightless + No bodily wings could ever be so. + Yet it’s natural in every spirit, too, + That feeling drives us, up and on, + When over us, lost in the vault of blue, +1095 The lark sings his piercing song, + When over the steep pine-filled peaks, + The eagle widely soars, + And across the plains and seas, + The cranes seek their home shores. + +Wagner + +1100 I’ve often had strange moments, I know, + But I’ve never felt yearnings quite like those: + The joys of woods and fields soon fade + I wouldn’t ask the birds for wings: indeed, + How differently the mind’s raptures lead +1105 Us on, from book to book, and page to page! + Then winter nights are beautiful, and sweet, + A blissful warmth steals through your limbs, too + When you’ve unrolled some noble text, complete, + Oh, how heaven’s light descends on you! + +Faust + +1110 You only feel the one yearning at best, + Oh, never seek to know the other! + Two souls, alas, exist in my breast, + One separated from another: + One, with its crude love of life, just +1115 Clings to the world, tenaciously, grips tight, + The other soars powerfully above the dust, + Into the far ancestral height. + Oh, let the spirits of the air, + Between the heavens and Earth, weaving, +1120 Descend through the golden atmosphere, + And lead me on to new and varied being! + Yes, if a magic cloak were mine, that + Would carry me off to foreign lands, + Not for the costliest garment in my hands, +1125 For the mantle of a king, would I resign it! + +Wagner + + Don’t call to that familiar crowd, + Streaming in misty circles, spreading, + Preparing a thousand dangers now, + On every side, for human beings. +1130 The North winds’ sharp teeth penetrate, + Down here, and spit you with their fangs: + Then the East’s drying winds are at the gate, + To feed themselves on your lungs. + If, from the South, the desert sends them, +1135 And fire on fire burns on your brow, + The West brings a swarm to quench them, + And you and field and meadow drown. + They hear us, while they’re harming us, + Hear us, while they are betraying: +1140 They make out they’re from heaven above, + And lisp like angels when they’re lying. + Let’s go on! The world has darkened, + The air is cool: the mists descend! + Man values his own house at night. +1145 What is it occupies your sight? + What troubles you so, in the evening? + +Faust + + Through corn and stubble, see that black dog running? + +Wagner + + I saw him long ago: he seems a wretched thing. + +Faust + + Look at him closely! What do you make of him? + +Wagner + +1150 A dog that, in the way they do, + Sniffs around to find his master. + +Faust + + See how he winds in wide spirals too, + Round us here, yet always coming nearer? + And if I’m right, I see a swirl of fire +1155 Twisting about, behind his track. + +Wagner + + Perhaps your eyesight proves a liar, + I only see a dog, that’s black. + +Faust + + It seems to me that with a subtle magic, + He winds a fatal knot around our feet. + +Wagner + +1160 I see his timid and uncertain antics, + It’s strangers, not his master, whom he meets. + +Faust + + The circle narrows: now he’s here! + +Wagner + + You see a dog, there’s no spectre near! + He barks uncertainly, lies down and crawls, +1165 Wags his tail. Dogs’ habits, after all. + +Faust + + Come on! Here, now! Here, to me! + +Wagner + + He’s a dogged hound, I agree. + Stand still and he holds his ground: + Talk to him, he dances round: +1170 What you’ve lost, he’ll bring to you: + Retrieve a stick from the water, too. + +Faust + + You’re right: and I see nothing + Like a Spirit there, it’s only training. + +Wagner + + A wise man finds agreeable, +1175 A dog that’s learnt its lesson well. + Yes, he deserves all your favour, + Among the students, the true scholar! + +(They enter the City gate.) + +Scene III: The Study + +(Faust enters, with the dog.) + +Faust + + Fields and meadows now I’ve left + Clothed in deepest night, +1180 Full of presentiments, a holy dread + Wakes the better soul in me to light. + Wild desires no longer stir + At every restless act of mine: + Love for Humanity is here, +1185 And here is Love Divine. + + Quiet, dog! Stop running to and fro! + Why are you snuffling at the door? + Lie down now, behind the stove, + There’s my best cushion on the floor. +1190 Since you amused us running, leaping, + Out on the mountainside, with zest, + Now I take you into my keeping, + A welcome, and a silent guest. + + Ah, when in our narrow room, +1195 The friendly lamp glows on the shelf, + Brightness burns in our inner gloom, + In the Heart, that knows itself. + Reason speaks with insistence, + And Hope once more appears, +1200 We see the River of Existence, + Ah, the founts of Life, are near. + + Don’t growl, dog! With this holy sound + Which I, with all my soul, embrace, + Your bestial noise seems out of place. +1205 Men usually scorn the things, I’ve found, + That, by them, can’t be understood, + Grumbling at beauty, and the good, + That to them seems wearisome: + Can’t a dog, then, snarl like them? + +1210 Oh, yet now I can feel no contentment + Flow through me, despite my best intent. + Why must the stream fail so quickly, + And once again leave us thirsty? + I’ve long experience of it, yet I think +1215 I could supply what’s missing, easily: + We learn to value what’s beyond the earthly, + We yearn to reach revelation’s brink, + That’s nowhere nobler or more excellent + Than where it burns in the New Testament. +1220 I yearn to render the first version, + With true feeling, once and for all, + Translate the sacred original + Into my beloved German. + +(He opens the volume, and begins.) + + It’s written here: ‘In the Beginning was the Word!’ +1225 Here I stick already! Who can help me? It’s absurd, + Impossible, for me to rate the word so highly + I must try to say it differently + If I’m truly inspired by the Spirit. I find + I’ve written here: ‘In the Beginning was the Mind’. +1230 Let me consider that first sentence, + So my pen won’t run on in advance! + Is it Mind that works and creates what’s ours? + It should say: ‘In the beginning was the Power!’ + Yet even while I write the words down, +1235 I’m warned: I’m no closer with these I’ve found. + The Spirit helps me! I have it now, intact. + And firmly write: ‘In the Beginning was the Act!’ + + If I’m to share my room with you, + Dog, you can stop howling too: +1240 Stop your yapping! + A fellow who’s always snapping, + I can’t allow too near me. + One of us you see, + Must leave the other free. +1245 I’ve no more hospitality to show, + The door’s open, you can go. + But what’s this I see! + Can this happen naturally? + Is it a phantom or is it real? +1250 The dog’s growing big and tall. + He rises powerfully, + It’s no doglike shape I see! + What a spectre I brought home! + Like a hippo in the room, +1255 With fiery eyes, and fearful jaws. + Oh! Now, what you are, I’m sure! + The Key of Solomon is good + For conjuring your half-hellish brood. + +Spirits (In the corridor.) + + Something’s trapped inside! +1260 Don’t follow it: stay outside! + Like a fox in a snare + An old lynx from hell trembles there. + Be careful what you’re about! + Float here: float there, +1265 Under and over, + And he’ll work his way out. + If you know how to help him, + Don’t let yourself fail him! + Since it’s all done for sure, +1270 Just for your pleasure. + +Faust + + First speak the Words of the Four + To encounter the creature. + Salamander, be glowing, + Undine, flow near, +1275 Sylph, disappear, + Gnome, be delving. + + Who does not know + The Elements so, + Their power sees, +1280 And properties, + Cannot lord it + Over the Spirits. + + Vanish in flame, + Salamander! +1285 Rush together in foam, + Undine! + Shine with meteor-gleam, + Sylph! + Bring help to the home, +1290 Incubus! Incubus! + Go before and end it thus! + + None of the Four + Show in the creature. + He lies there quietly grinning at me: +1295 I’ve not stirred him enough it seems. + But you’ll hear how + I’ll press him hard now. + My good fellow, are you + Exiled from Hell’s crew? +1300 Witness the Symbol + Before which they bow, + The dark crowd there! + Now it swells, with its bristling hair. + Depraved being! +1305 Can you know what you’re seeing? + The uncreated One + With name unexpressed, + Poured through Heaven, + Pierced without redress? + +1310 Spellbound, behind the stove, + An elephant grows. + It fills the room, completely, + It will vanish like mist, I can see. + Don’t rise to the ceiling! +1315 Lie down at your master’s feet! + You see I don’t threaten you lightly. + I’ll sting you with fire that’s holy! + Don’t wait for the bright + Triple glowing Light! +1320 Don’t wait for + My highest art! + +(As the mist clears, Mephistopheles steps from behind the stove, +dressed as a wandering Scholar.) + +Mephistopheles + + Why such alarms? What command would my lord impart? + +Faust + + This was the dog’s core! + A wandering scholar? The fact makes me smile. + +Mephistopheles + +1325 I bow to the learned lord! + You certainly made me sweat, in style. + +Faust + + How are you named? + +Mephistopheles + + A slight question + For one who so disdains the Word, + Is so distant from appearance: one +1330 Whom only the vital depths have stirred. + +Faust + + We usually gather from your names + The nature of you gentlemen: it’s plain + What you are, we all too clearly recognise + One who’s called Liar, Ruin, Lord of the Flies. +1335 Well, what are you then? + +Mephistopheles + + Part of the Power that would + Always wish Evil, and always works the Good. + +Faust + + What meaning to these riddling words applies? + +Mephistopheles + + I am the spirit, ever, that denies! + And rightly so: since everything created, +1340 In turn deserves to be annihilated: + Better if nothing came to be. + So all that you call Sin, you see, + Destruction, in short, what you’ve meant + By Evil is my true element. + +Faust + + You call yourself a part, yet seem complete to me? + +Mephistopheles + + I’m speaking the truth to you, and modestly. + Even if Man’s accustomed to take + His small world for the Whole, that’s his mistake: + I’m part of the part, that once was - everything, +1350 Part of the darkness, from which Light, issuing, + Proud Light, emergent, disputed the highest place + With its mother Night, the bounds of Space, + And yet won nothing, however hard it tried, + Still stuck to Bodily Things, and so denied. +1355 It flows from bodies, which it beautifies, + And bodies block its way: + I hope the day’s not far away + When it, along with all these bodies, dies. + +Faust + + Now I see the plan you follow! +1360 You can’t destroy it all, and so + You’re working on a smaller scale. + +Mephistopheles + + And frankly it’s a sorry tale. + What’s set against the Nothingness, + The Something, World’s clumsiness, +1365 Despite everything I’ve tried, + Won’t become a nothing: though I’d + Storms, quakes, and fires on every hand, + It deigned to stay as sea and land! + And those Men and creatures, all the damned, +1370 It’s no use my owning any of that crew: + How many I’ve already done with too! + Yet new fresh blood is always going round. + So it goes on, men make me furious! + With water, earth and air, of course, +1375 A thousand buds unfurl + In wet and dry, warm and cold! + And if I hadn’t kept back fire of old, + I’d have nothing left at all. + +Faust + + So you set the Devil’s fist +1380 That vainly clenches itself, + Against the eternally active, + Wholesome, creative force! + Strange son of Chaos, start + On something else instead! + +Mephistopheles + +1385 Truly I’ll think about it: more + Next time, on that head! + Might I be allowed to go? + +Faust + + I see no reason for you to ask it. + Since I’ve learnt to know you now, +1390 When you wish: then make a visit. + There’s the door, here’s the window, + And, of course, there’s the chimney. + +Mephistopheles + + I must confess, I’m prevented though + By a little thing that hinders me, +1395 The Druid’s-foot on your doorsill – + +Faust + + The Pentagram gives you pain? + Then tell me, you Son of Hell, + If that’s the case, how did you gain + Entry? Are spirits like you cheated? + +Mephistopheles + +1400 Look carefully! It’s not completed: + One angle, if you inspect it closely + Has, as you see, been left a little open. + +Faust + + Just by chance as it happens! + And left you prisoner to me? +1405 Success created by approximation! + +Mephistopheles + + The dog saw nothing, in his animation, + Now the affair seems inside out, + The Devil can’t get out of the house. + +Faust + + Why not try the window then? + +Mephistopheles + +1410 To devils and ghosts the same laws appertain: + The same way they enter in, they must go out. + In the first we’re free, in the second slaves to the act. + +Faust + + So you still have laws in Hell, in fact? + That’s good, since it allows a pact, +1415 And one with you gentlemen truly binds? + +Mephistopheles + + What’s promised you’ll enjoy, and find, + There’s nothing mean that we enact. + But it can’t be done so fast, + First we’ll have to talk it through, +1420 Yet, urgently, I beg of you + Let me go my way at last. + +Faust + + Wait a moment now, + Tell me some good news first. + +Mephistopheles + + I’ll soon be back, just let me go: +1425 Then you can ask me what you wish. + +Faust + + I didn’t place you here, tonight. + You trapped yourself in the lime. + Who snares the devil, holds him tight! + He won’t be caught like that a second time. + +Mephistopheles + +1430 I’m willing, if you so wish, + To stay here, in your company: + So long as we pass the time, and I insist, + On arts of mine, exclusively. + +Faust + + Gladly, you’re free to present +1435 Them, as long as they’re all pleasant. + +Mephistopheles + + My friend you’ll win more + For your senses, in an hour, + Than in a whole year’s monotony. + What the tender spirits sing, +1440 The lovely pictures that they bring, + Are no empty wizardry. + First your sense of smell’s invited, + Then your palate is delighted, + And then your touch, you see. +1445 Now, I need no preparation, + We’re all here, so let’s begin! + +Spirits + + Vanish, you shadowy + Vaults above! + Cheerfully show, +1450 The friendliest blue + Of aether, down here. + Would that shadowy + Clouds had gone! + Starlight sparkling +1455 Milder sun + Shining clear. + Heavenly children + In lovely confusion, + Swaying and bending, +1460 Drifting past. + Affectionate yearning, + Following fast: + Their garments flowing + With fluttering ribbons, +1465 Cover the gardens, + Cover the leaves, + Where with each other + In deep conversation + Lover meets lover. +1470 Leaves on leaves! + Tendrils’ elation! + Grapes beneath + Crushed in a stream, + Pressed to extreme, +1475 Crushed to fountain, + Of foaming wine, + Trickling, fine, + Through rocks divine, + Leaving the heights, +1480 Spreading beneath, + Broad as the seas, + Valleys it fills + Round the green hills. + And the wings still, +1485 Blissfully drunk, + Fly to the sun, + Fly to the brightness, + Towards the islands, + Out of the waves +1490 Magically raised: + Now we can hear + The choir of joy near, + Over the meadow, + See how they dance now, +1495 All in the air + Dispersing there. + Some of them climbing + Over the mountains, + Others are swimming +1500 Over the ocean, + Others take flight: + All towards Life, + All towards distant, + Love of the stars, and +1505 Approval’s bliss. + +Mephistopheles + + He’s asleep! Enough, you delicate children of air! + You’ve sung to him faithfully, I declare! + I’m in your debt for all this. + He’s not yet the man to hold devils fast! +1510 Spellbind him with dream-forms, cast + Him deep into illusions’ sea: + Now, for the magic sill I must pass, + I could use rat’s teeth: no need for me + To conjure up a lengthier spell, +1515 One’s rustling here that will do well. + + The Lord of Rats and Mice, + Of Flies, Frogs, Bugs and Lice, + Summons you to venture here, + And gnaw the threshold where +1520 He stains it with a little oil - + You’ve hopped, already, to your toil! + Now set to work! The fatal point, + Is at the edge, it’s on the front. + One more bite, then it’s complete – +1525 Now Faust, dream deeply, till we meet. + +Faust (Waking.) + + Am I cheated then, once again? + Does the Spirit-Realm’s deep yearning fade: + So a mere dream has conjured up the devil, + And only a dog, it was, that ran away? + +Scene IV: The Study + +(Faust, Mephistopheles) + +Faust + +1530 A knock? Enter! Who’s plaguing me again? + +Mephistopheles + + I am + +Faust + + Enter! + +Mephistopheles + + Three times you must say it, then. + +Faust + + So! Enter! + +Mephistopheles + + Ah, now, you please me. + I hope we’ll get along together: + To drive away the gloomy weather, +1535 I’m dressed like young nobility, + In a scarlet gold-trimmed coat, + In a little silk-lined cloak, + A cockerel feather in my hat, + With a long, pointed sword, +1540 And I advise you, at that, + To do as I do, in a word: + So that, footloose, fancy free, + You can experience Life, with me. + +Faust + + This life of earth, its narrowness, +1545 Pains me, however I’m turned out, + I’m too old to play about, + Too young, still, to be passionless. + What can the world bring me again? + Abstain! You shall! You must! Abstain! +1550 That’s the eternal song + That in our ears, forever, rings + The one, that, our whole life long, + Every hour, hoarsely, sings. + I wake in terror with the dawn, +1555 I cry, the bitterest tears, to see + Day grant no wish of mine, not one + As it passes by on its journey. + Even presentiments of joy + Ebb, in wilful depreciation: +1560 A thousand grimaces life employs + To hinder me in creation. + Then when night descends I must + Stretch out, worried, on my bed: + What comes to me is never rest, +1565 But some wild dream instead. + The God that lives inside my heart, + Can rouse my innermost seeing: + The one enthroned beyond my art, + Can’t stir external being: +1570 And so existence is a burden: sated, + Death’s desired, and Life is hated. + +Mephistopheles + + Yet Death’s a guest who’s visit’s never wholly celebrated. + +Faust + + Happy the man whom victory enhances, + Whose brow the bloodstained laurel warms, +1575 Who, after the swift whirling dances, + Finds himself in some girl’s arms! + If only, in my joy, then, I’d sunk down + Before that enrapturing Spirit power! + +Mephistopheles + + Yet someone, from a certain brown +1580 Liquid, drank not a drop, at midnight hour. + +Faust + + It seems that you delight in spying. + +Mephistopheles + + I know a lot: and yet I’m not all-knowing. + +Faust + + When sweet familiar tones drew me, + Away from the tormenting crowd, +1585 Then my other childhood feelings + Better times echoed, and allowed. + So I curse whatever snares the soul, + In its magical, enticing arms, + Banishes it to this mournful hole, +1590 With dazzling, seductive charms! + Cursed be those high Opinions first, + With which the mind entraps itself! + Then glittering Appearance curse, + In which the senses lose themselves! +1595 Curse what deceives us in our dreaming, + With thoughts of everlasting fame! + Curse the flattery of ‘possessing’ + Wife and child, lands and name! + Curse Mammon, when he drives us +1600 To bold acts to win our treasure: + Or straightens out our pillows + For us to idle at our leisure! + Curse the sweet juice of the grape! + Curse the highest favours Love lets fall! +1605 Cursed be Hope! Cursed be Faith, + And cursed be Patience most of all! + +Choir of Spirits (Unseen) + + Sorrow! Sorrow! + You’ve destroyed it, + The beautiful world, +1610 With a powerful fist: + It tumbles, it’s hurled + To ruin! A demigod crushed it! + We carry + Fragments into the void, +1615 And sadly + Lament the Beauty that’s gone. + Stronger + For all of Earth’s sons, + Brighter, +1620 Build it again, + Build, in your heart! + Life’s new start, + Begin again, + With senses washed clean, +1625 And sound, then, + A newer art! + +Mephistopheles + + They’re little, but fine, + These attendants of mine. + Precocious advice they give, listen, +1630 Regarding both action, and passion! + Into the World outside, + From Solitude, that’s dried + Your sap and senses, + They tempt us. +1635 Stop playing with grief, + That feeds, a vulture, on your breast, + The worst society, you’ll find, will prompt belief, + That you’re a Man among the rest. + Not that I mean +1640 To shove you into the mass. + Among ‘the greats’, I’m second-class: + But if you, in my company, + Your path through life would wend, + I’ll willingly condescend +1645 To serve you, as we go. + I’m your man, and so, + If it suits you of course, + I’m your slave: I’m yours! + +Faust + + And what must I do in exchange? + +Mephistopheles + +1650 There’s lots of time: you’ve got the gist. + +Faust + + No, no! The Devil is an egotist, + Does nothing lightly, or in God’s name, + To help another, so I insist, + Speak your demands out loud, +1655 Such servants are risks, in a house. + +Mephistopheles + + I’ll be your servant here, and I’ll + Not stop or rest, at your decree: + When we’re together, on the other side, + You’ll do the same for me. + +Faust + +1660 The ‘other side’ concerns me less: + Shatter this world, in pieces, + The other one can take its place, + The root of my joy’s on this Earth, + And this Sun lights my sorrow: +1665 If I must part from them tomorrow, + What can or will be, that I’ll face. + I’ll hear no more of it, of whether + In that future, men both hate and love, + Or whether in those spheres, forever, +1670 We’re given a below and an above. + +Mephistopheles + + In that case, you can venture all. + Commit yourself: today, you shall + View my arts with joy: I mean + To show you what no man has seen. + +Faust + +1675 Poor devil what can you give? When has ever + A human spirit, in its highest endeavour, + Been understood by such a one as you? + You have a never-satiating food, + You have your restless gold, a slew +1680 Of quicksilver, melting in the hand, + Games whose prize no man can land, + A girl, who while she’s on my arm, + Snares a neighbour, with her eyes: + And Honour’s fine and godlike charm, +1685 That, like a meteor, dies? + Show me fruits then that rot, before they’re ready. + And trees grown green again, each day, too! + +Mephistopheles + + Such commands don’t frighten me: + With such treasures I can truly serve you. +1690 Still, my good friend, a time may come, + When one prefers to eat what’s good in peace. + +Faust + + When I lie quiet in bed, at ease. + Then let my time be done! + If you fool me, with flatteries, +1695 Till my own self’s a joy to me, + If you snare me with luxury – + Let that be the last day I see! + That bet I’ll make! + + Mephistopheles + Done! + + Faust + And quickly! + When, to the Moment then, I say: +1700 ‘Ah, stay a while! You are so lovely!’ + Then you can grasp me: then you may, + Then, to my ruin, I’ll go gladly! + Then they can ring the passing bell, + Then from your service you are free, +1705 The clocks may halt, the hands be still, + And time be past and done, for me! + +Mephistopheles + + Consider well, we’ll not forget. + +Faust + + You have your rights, complete: + I never over-estimate my powers. +1710 I’ll be a slave, in defeat: + Why ask whose slave or yours? + +Mephistopheles + + Today, likewise, at the Doctors’ Feast + I’ll do my duty as your servant. + One thing, though! – Re: life and death, I want +1715 A few lines from you, at the least. + +Faust + + You pedant, you demand it now in writing? + You still won’t take Man’s word for anything? + It’s not enough that the things I say, + Will always accord with my future? +1720 The world never ceases to wear away, + And shall a promise bind me, then, forever? + Yet that’s the illusion in our minds, + And who then would be free of it? + Happy the man, who pure truth finds, +1725 And who’ll never deign to sacrifice it! + Still a document, written and signed, + That’s a ghost makes all men fear it. + The word is already dying in the pen, + And wax and leather hold the power then. +1730 What do you want from me base spirit? + Will iron: marble: parchment: paper do it? + Shall I write with stylus, pen or chisel? + I’ll leave the whole decision up to you. + +Mephistopheles + + Why launch into oratory too? +1735 Hot-tempered: you exaggerate as well. + Any bit of paper’s just as good. + And you can sign it with a drop of blood. + +Faust + + If it will satisfy you, and it should, + Then let’s complete the farce in full. + +Mephistopheles + +1740 Blood is a quite special fluid. + +Faust + + Have no fear I’ll break this pact! + The extreme I can promise you: it is + All the power my efforts can extract. + I’ve puffed myself up so highly +1745 I belong in your ranks now. + The mighty Spirit scorns me + And Nature shuts me out. + The thread of thought has turned to dust, + Knowledge fills me with disgust. +1750 Let the depths of sensuality + Satisfy my burning passion! + And, its impenetrable mask on, + Let every marvel be prepared for me! + Let’s plunge into time’s torrent, +1755 Into the whirlpools of event! + Then let joy, and distress, + Frustration, and success, + Follow each other, as well they can: + Restless activity proves the man! + +Mephistopheles + +1760 No goal or measure’s set for you. + Do as you wish, nibble at everything, + Catch at fragments while you’re flying, + Enjoy it all, whatever you find to do. + Now grab at it, and don’t be stupid! + +Faust + +1765 It’s not joy we’re about: you heard it. + I’ll take the frenzy, pain-filled elation, + Loving hatred, enlivening frustration. + Cured of its urge to know, my mind + In future, will not hide from any pain, +1770 And what is shared by all mankind, + In my innermost self, I’ll contain: + My soul will grasp the high and low, + My heart accumulate its bliss and woe, + So this self will embrace all theirs, +1775 That, in the end, their fate it shares. + +Mephistopheles + + Believe me, many a thousand year + They’ve chewed hard food, and yet + From the cradle to the bier, + Not one has ever digested it! +1780 Trust one of us, this Whole thing + Was only made for a god’s delight! + In eternal splendour he is dwelling, + He placed us in the darkness quite, + And only gave you day and night. + +Faust + +1785 But, I will! + +Mephistopheles + + That’s good to hear! + Yet I’ve a fear, just the one: + Time is short, and art is long. + I think you need instruction. + Join forces with a poet: use poetry, +1790 Let him roam in imagination, + You’ll gain every noble quality + From your honorary occupation, + The lion’s brave attitude + The wild stag’s swiftness, +1795 The Italian’s fiery blood, + The North’s persistence. + Let him find the mysterious + Meeting of generous and devious, + While you, with passions young and hot, +1800 Fall in love, according to the plot. + I’d like to see such a gentleman, among us, + And I’d call him Mister Microcosmus. + +Faust + + What am I then, if it’s a flight too far, + For me to gain that human crown +1805 I yearn towards with every sense I own? + +Mephistopheles + + In the end, you are – what you are. + Set your hair in a thousand curlicues + Place your feet in yard-high shoes, + You’ll remain forever, what you are. + +Faust + +1810 All the treasures of the human spirit + I feel that I’ve expended, uselessly. + And wherever, at the last, I sit, + No new power flows, in me. + I’m not a hair’s breadth taller, as you see, +1815 And I’m no nearer to Infinity. + +Mephistopheles + + My dear sir, you see the thing + Exactly as all men see it: why, + We must re-order everything, + Before the joys of life slip by. +1820 Hang it! Hands and feet, belong to you, + Certainly, a head, and a backside, + Yet everything I use as new + Why is my ownership of it denied? + When I can count on six stallions, +1825 Isn’t their horsepower mine to use? + I drive behind, and am a proper man, + As though I’d twenty-four legs, too. + Look lively! Leave the senses be, + And plunge into the world with me! +1830 I say to you that scholarly fellows + Are like the cattle on an arid heath: + Some evil spirit leads them round in circles, + While sweet green meadows lie beneath. + +Faust + + How shall we begin then? + +Mephistopheles + + From here, we’ll first win free. +1835 What kind of a martyrs’ hole can this be? + What kind of a teacher of life is he, + Who fills young minds with ennui? + Let your neighbours do it, and go! + Do you want to thresh straw forever? +1840 The best things you can ever know, + You dare not tell the youngsters, ever. + I hear one of them arriving, too! + +Faust + + I’ve no desire to see him, though. + +Mephistopheles + + The poor lad’s waited hours for you. +1845 He mustn’t go away un-consoled. + Come: give me your cap and gown. + The mask should look delicious. So! + +(He disguises himself.) + + Now I’ve lost what wit’s my own! + I want fifteen minutes with him, only: +1850 Meanwhile get ready for our journey! + +(Faust exits.) + +Mephistopheles (In Faust’s long gown.) + + Reason and Science you despise, + Man’s highest powers: now the lies + Of the deceiving spirit must bind you + With those magic arts that blind you, +1855 And I’ll have you, totally – + Fate gave him such a spirit + It urges him ever onwards, wildly, + And, in his hasty striving, he has leapt + Beyond all earth’s ecstasies. +1860 I’ll drag him through raw life, + Through the meaningless and shallow, + I’ll freeze him: stick to him: keep him ripe, + Frustrate his insatiable greed, allow + Food and drink to drift before his eyes: +1865 In vain he’ll beg for consummation, + And if he weren’t the devil’s, why + He’d still go to his ruination! + +(A student enters.) + +Student + + I’m only here momentarily, + I’ve come, filled with humility, +1870 To speak to, and to stand before , + One who’s spoken of with awe. + +Mephistopheles + + Your courtesy delights me greatly! + A man like other men you see. + Have you studied then, elsewhere? + +Student + +1875 I beg you, please enrol me, here! + I come to you strong of courage, + Lined in pocket, healthy for my age: + My mother didn’t want to lose me: though, + I’d like to learn what it’s right for me to know. + +Mephistopheles + +1880 Then you’ve come to the right place, exactly. + +Student + + To be honest, I’d like to go already: + There’s little pleasure for me at all, + In these walls, and all these halls. + It’s such a narrow space I find, +1885 You see no trees, no leaves of any kind, + And in the lectures, on the benches, + All thought deserts me, and my senses. + +Mephistopheles + + It will only come to you with habit. + So the child takes its mother’s breast +1890 Quite unwillingly at first, and yet it + Soon sucks away at her with zest. + So will you at Wisdom’s breast, here, + Feel every day a little zestier. + +Student + + I’ll cling to her neck with pleasure: +1895 But only tell me how to find her. + +Mephistopheles + + Explain, before you travel on + What faculty you’ve settled on. + +Student + + I want to be a true scholar, + I want to grasp, by the collar, +1900 What’s on earth, in heaven above, + In Science, and in Nature too. + +Mephistopheles + + Then here’s the very path for you, + But don’t allow yourself to wander off. + +Student + + I’ll be present heart and soul: +1905 Of course I’ll want to play, + Have some fun and freedom, though, + On each sweet summer holiday. + +Mephistopheles + + Use your time well: it slips away so fast, yet + Discipline will teach you how to win it. +1910 My dear friend, I’d advise, in sum, + First, the Collegium Logicum. + There your mind will be trained, + As if in Spanish boots, constrained, + So that painfully, as it ought, +1915 It creeps along the way of thought, + Not flitting about all over, + Wandering here and there. + So you’ll learn, in many days, + What you used to do, untaught, as in a haze, +1920 Like eating now, and drinking, you’ll see + The necessity of One! Two! Three! + Truly the intricacy of logic + Is like a master-weaver’s fabric, + Where the loom holds a thousand threads, +1925 Here and there the shuttles go + And the threads, invisibly, flow, + One pass serves for a thousand instead. + Then the philosopher steps in: he’ll show + That it certainly had to be so: +1930 The first was - so, the second - so, + And so, the third and fourth were - so: + If first and second had never been, + Third and fourth would not be seen. + All praise the scholars, beyond believing, +1935 But few of them ever turn to weaving. + To know and note the living, you’ll find it + Best to first dispense with the spirit: + Then with the pieces in your hand, + Ah! You’ve only lost the spiritual bond. +1940 ‘Natural treatment’, Chemistry calls it + Mocks at herself, and doesn’t know it. + +Student + + I’m not sure that I quite understand. + +Mephistopheles + + You’ll soon know it all, as planned, + When you’ve learnt the science of reduction, +1945 And everything’s proper classification. + +Student + + After all that, I feel as stupid + As if I’d a mill wheel in my head. + +Mephistopheles + + Next, before all else, you’ll fix + Your mind on Metaphysics! +1950 See that you’re profoundly trained + In what never stirs in a human brain: + You’ll learn a splendid word + For what’s occurred or not occurred. + But for the present take six months +1955 To get yourself in order: start at once. + Five hours every day, lock + Yourself in, with a ticking clock! + Make sure you’re well prepared, + Study each paragraph with care, +1960 So afterwards you’ll be certain + Only what’s in the book, was written: + Then be as diligent when you pen it, + As if the Holy Ghost had said it! + +Student + + You won’t need to tell me twice! +1965 I think, myself, it’s very helpful, too + That one can take back home, and use, + What someone’s penned in black and white. + +Mephistopheles + + But choose a faculty, any one! + +Student + + I wouldn’t be comfortable with Law. + +Mephistopheles + +1970 I couldn’t name you anything more + Vile, I know how dogmatic it’s become. + Laws and rights are handed down + It’s an eternal disgrace: + They’re moved round from town to town +1975 Dragged around from place to place. + Reason is nonsense, kindness a disease, + If you’re a grandchild it’s a curse! + The rights we are born with, + To those, alas, no one refers! + +Student + +1980 That just strengthens my disgust. + Happy the student that you instruct! + I’ve nearly settled on Theology. + +Mephistopheles + + I wouldn’t wish to guide you erroneously. + In what that branch of knowledge concerns +1985 It’s so difficult to avoid a fallacious route, + There’s so much poison hidden in what you learn, + And it’s barely distinguishable from the antidote. + The best thing here’s to make a single choice, + Then simply swear by your master’s voice. +1990 On the whole, to words stick fast! + Through the safest gate you’ll pass + To the Temple of Certainty. + +Student + + Yet surely words must have a sense. + +Mephistopheles + + Why, yes! But don’t torment yourself with worry, +1995 Where sense fails it’s only necessary + To supply a word, and change the tense. + With words fine arguments can be weighted, + With words whole Systems can be created, + With words, the mind does its conceiving, +2000 No word suffers a jot from thieving. + +Student + + Forgive me, I delay you with my questions, + But I must trouble you again, + On the subject of Medicine, + Have you no helpful word to say? +2005 Three years, so little time applied, + And, God, the field is rather wide! + If only you had some kind of pointer, + You would feel so much further on. + +Mephistopheles (Aside.) + + I’m tired of this desiccated banter +2010 I really must play the devil, at once. + +(Aloud.) + + To grasp the spirit of Medicine’s easily done: + You study the great and little world, until, + In the end you let it carry on + Just as God wills. +2015 Useless to roam round, scientifically: + Everyone learns only what he can: + The one who grasps the Moment fully, + He’s the proper man. + You’re quite a well-made fellow, +2020 You’re not short of courage too, + And when you’re easy with yourself, + Others will be easy with you. + Study, especially, female behaviour: + Their eternal aches and woes, +2025 All of the thousand-fold, + Rise from one point, and have one cure. + And if you’re half honourable about it + You shall have them in your pocket. + A title first: to give them comfort you +2030 Have skills that far exceed the others, + Then you’re free to touch the goods, and view + What someone else has prowled around for years. + Take the pulse firmly, you understand, + And then, with sidelong fiery glance, +2035 Grasp the slender hips, in haste, + To find out whether she’s tight-laced. + +Student + + That sounds much better! The Where and How, I see. + +Mephistopheles + + Grey, dear friend, is all theory, + And green the golden tree of life. + +Student + +2040 I swear it’s like a dream to me: may I + Trouble you, at some further time, + To expound your wisdom, so sublime? + +Mephistopheles + + As much as I can, I’ll gladly explain. + +Student + + I can’t tear myself away, +2045 I must just pass you my album, sir, + Grant me the favour of your signature! + +Mephistopheles + + Very well. + +(He writes and gives the book back.) + + Student (Reading Mephistopheles’ Latin inscription which means: + ‘You’ll be like God, acquainted with good and evil’.) + + Eritis sicut Deus, scientes bonum et malum. + +(He makes his bows, and takes his leave.) + +Mephistopheles + + Just follow the ancient text, and my mother the snake, too: +2050 And then your likeness to God will surely frighten you! + +(Faust enters.) + +Faust + + Where will we go, then? + +Mephistopheles + + Where you please. + The little world, and then the great, we’ll see. + With what profit and delight, + This term, you’ll be a parasite! + +Faust + +2055 Yet with my long beard, I’ll + Lack life’s superficial style. + My attempt will come to nothing: + I know, in this world, I don’t fit in. + I feel so small next to other men, +2060 It only means embarrassment. + +Mephistopheles + + My friend, just give yourself completely to it: + When you find yourself, you’ll soon know how to live it. + +Faust + + How shall we depart from here, then? + I see not one servant, coach, or horse. + +Mephistopheles + +2065 We’ll just spread this cloak wide open, + Then through the air we’ll take our course. + For a daring trip like this we’re on, + Better not take much baggage along. + A little hot air I’ll ready, first, +2070 To lift us nimbly above the Earth, + And as we’re light we’ll soon get clear: + Congratulations on your new career! + +Scene V: Auerbach’s Cellar in Leipzig + +(Friends happily drinking.) + +Frosch + + Will none of you laugh? Nobody drink? + I’ll have to teach you to smile, I think! +2075 You’re all of you like wet straw today, + And usually you’re well away. + +Brander + + That’s up to you, you bring us nothing. + Nothing dumb, or dirty, nothing. + +Frosch (Pouring a glass of wine over Brander’s head.) + + You can have both! + + Brander + Rotten swine! + +Frosch + +2080 You wanted them both, so you got mine! + +Siebel + + Out the door, whoever fights! Get out! + Let’s sing a heart-felt chorus, drink and shout! + Up! Hurray! Ha! + +Altmayer + + Ah! I’m in agony! + Earplugs, here! This fellow’s deafened me. + +Siebel + +2085 It’s only when it echoes in the tower, + You hear a bass voice’s real power. + +Frosch + + Right, out with him who takes offence! + Ah! Do, re, me! + +Altmayer + + Ah! Do, re, me! + +Fosch + + Our throats are tuned: commence. + +(He sings.) + +2090 ‘Dear Holy Roman Empire, + How do you hold together?’ + +Brander + + A lousy song! Bah! A political song - + A tiresome song! Thank God, every morning, + It isn’t you who must sit there worrying +2095 About the Empire! At least I’m better for + Not being a King or a Chancellor. + But we should have a leader, so + We’ll choose a Pope of our own. + You know the qualities that can +2100 Swing the vote, and elevate the man. + +Frosch (Sings.) + + ‘Sing away, sweet Nightingale, + Greet my girl, and never fail.’ + +Siebel + + Don’t greet my girl! I’ll not allow it! + +Frosch + + Greet and kiss her! You’ll not stop it! + +(He sings.) + +2105 ‘Slip the bolt in deepest night! + Slip it! Wake, the lover bright. + Slip it to! At break of dawn.’ + +Siebel + + Yes, sing in praise of her, and boast: sing on! + I’ll laugh later when it suits: +2110 She leads me a dance, she’ll lead you too. + She should have a dwarf for a lover! + At the crossroads, let him woo her: + An old goat from Blocksberg, galloping over, + Can bleat goodnight, as it passes by her. +2115 An honest man, of flesh and blood, + For a girl like that’s far too good. + I’m not bothered even to say hello + Except perhaps to break her window. + +Brander (Pounding on the table.) + + Quiet! Quiet! Or you won’t hear! +2120 I know about life, you lot, confess. + Besotted persons sit among us, + As fits their status, then, I must + Give them, tonight, of my very best. + Listen! A song in the newest strain! +2125 And you can shout out the refrain! + +(He sings.) + + ‘Once there was a cellar rat, + Who lived on grease, and butter: + He had a belly, round and fat, + Just like Doctor Luther. +2130 The cook set poison round about: + It brought on such a violent bout, + As if he’d love inside him.’ + +Chorus (Shouting.) + + ‘As if he’d love inside him!’ + +Brander + + ‘He ran here, and he ran there, +2135 And drank from all the puddles, + Gnawing, scratching, everywhere, + But nothing cured his shudders. + In torment, he leapt to the roof, + Poor beast, soon he’d had enough, +2140 As if he’d love inside him.’ + +Chorus + + ‘As if he’d love inside him!’ + +Brander + + ‘Fear drove him to the light of day, + Into the kitchen then he ran, + Fell on the hearth and twitched away, +2145 Pitifully weak, and wan. + Then the murderess laughed with glee: + He’s on his last legs, I see, + As if he’d love inside him.’ + +Chorus + + ‘As if he’d love inside him.’ + +Siebel + +2150 How pleased they are, the tiresome fools! + Spreading poison for wretched rats, + To me, that’s the right thing to do! + +Brander + + You’re in sympathy with them, perhaps? + +Altmayer + + That fat belly with a balding head! +2155 Bad luck makes him meek and mild: + From a swollen rat, he sees, with dread, + His own natural likeness is compiled. + +(Faust and Mephistopheles appear.) + + First of all, I had to bring you here, + Where cheerful friends sup together, +2160 To see how happily life slips away. + For these folk every day’s a holiday. + With lots of leisure, and little sense, + They revolve in their round-dance, + Chasing their tails as kittens prance, +2165 If the hangovers aren’t too intense, + If the landlord gives them credit, + They’re cheerful, and unworried by it. + +Brander + + They’re fresh from their travelling days, + You can tell by their foreign ways: +2170 They’ve not been back an hour: you see. + +Frosch + + True, you’re right! My Leipzig’s dear to me! + It’s a little Paris, and educates its people. + +Siebel + + Who do you think the strangers are? + +Frosch + + Let me find out! I’ll draw the truth, +2175 From those two, with a brimming glass, + As easily as you’d pull a child’s tooth. + It seems to me they’re of some noble house, + They look so discontented and so proud. + +Brander + + They’re surely strolling players, I’d guess! + +Altmayer + + Perhaps. + +Frosch + +2180 Watch me screw it out of them, then! + +Mephistopheles (To Faust.) + + These folk wouldn’t feel the devil, even + If he’d got them dangling by the neck. + +Faust + + Greetings, sirs! + +Siebel + + Thank you, and greetings. + +(He mutters away, inspecting Mephistopheles side-on.) + + What’s wrong with his foot: why’s he limping? + +Mephistopheles + +2185 Allow us to sit with you, if you please. + Instead of fine ale that can’t be had, + We can still have good company. + +Altmayer + + You seem a choosy sort of lad. + +Frosch + + Was it late when you started out from Rippach? +2190 Perhaps you dined with Hans there, first? + +Mephistopheles + + We passed straight by, today, without a rest! + We spoke to him last some time back, + When he talked a lot about his cousins, + And he sent to each his kind greetings. + +(He bows to Frosch.) + +Altmayer (Aside.) + + He did you, there! He’s smart! + +Siebel + +2195 A shrewd customer! + +Frosch + + Wait, I’ll have him soon, I’m sure! + +Mephistopheles + + If I’m not wrong, we heard + A tuneful choir singing? + I’m sure, with this vault, the words +2200 Must really set it ringing! + +Frosch + + Are you by any chance a virtuoso? + +Mephistopheles + + No! Though my desire is great, my skill is only so-so. + +Altmayer + + Give us a song! + +Mephistopheles + + If you wish it, a few. + +Siebel + + So long as it’s a brand-new one! + +Mephistopheles + +2205 Well, it’s from Spain that we’ve just come, + The lovely land of wine, and singing too. + +(He sings.) + + ‘There was once a king, who + Had a giant flea’ – + +Frosch + + Listen! Did you get that? A flea. +2210 A flea’s an honest guest to me. + +Mephistopheles (Sings.) + + ‘There was once a king, who + Had a giant flea, + He loved him very much, oh, + He was like a son, you see. +2215 The king called for his tailor, + He came right away: + Now, measure up the lad for + A suit of clothes, I say!’ + +Brander + + Make sure the tailor’s sharp, +2220 And cuts them out precisely, + And, since his son’s dear to his heart, + Make sure there’s never a crease to see. + +Mephistopheles + + ‘All in silk and velvet, + He was smartly dressed, +2225 With ribbons on his coat, + A cross upon his chest. + He was the First Minister, + And so he wore a star: + His brothers and his sisters, +2230 He made noblest by far. + + The lords and the ladies, + They were badly smitten, + The Queen and her maids, + They were stung and bitten. +2235 They didn’t dare to crush them, + Or scratch away, all night. + We smother them, and crush them, + The moment that they bite.’ + +Chorus (Shouted.) + + ‘We smother them, and crush them, +2240 The moment that they bite.’ + +Frosch + + Bravo! Bravo! That went sweetly! + +Siebel + + So shall it be with every flea! + +Brander + + Sharpen your nails, and crush them fine! + +Altmayer + + Long live freedom, and long live wine! + +Mephistopheles + +2245 I’d love to drink a glass, in freedom’s honour, + If only the wine were a little better. + +Siebel + + Not again, we don’t want to hear! + +Mephistopheles + + I fear the landlord might complain + Or I’d give these worthy guests, +2250 One of my cellar’s very best. + +Siebel + + Just bring it on! He’ll accept it: I’ll explain. + +Frosch + + Make it a good glass and we’ll praise it. + But don’t make it so small we can’t taste it. + Because if I’m truly going to decide, +2255 I need a really big mouthful inside. + +Altmayer (Aside.) + + They’re from the Rhine, as I guessed. + +Mephistopheles + + Bring me a corkscrew! + +Brander + + What for? + Is it outside already, this cask? + +Altmayer + + There’s one in the landlord’s toolbox, for sure. + +Mephistopheles (Takes the corkscrew. To Frosch.) + +2260 Now, what would you like to try? + +Frosch + + What? Is there a selection, too? + +Mephistopheles + + There’s a choice for every one of you. + +Altmayer (To Frosch.) + + Ah! You soon catch on: your lips are dry? + +Frosch + + Good! When I’ve a choice, I drink Rhenish. +2265 The Fatherland grants those best gifts to us. + + Mephistopheles (Boring a hole in the table-edge where Frosch is + sitting.) + + Bring me a little wax, to make the seals, as well! + +Altmayer + + Ah, that’s for the conjuring trick, I can tell. + +Mephistopheles (To Brander.) + + And yours? + +Brander + + Champagne for me is fine: + Make it a truly sparkling wine! + +(Mephistopheles bores the holes: one of the others makes the wax +stoppers and stops the holes with them.) + +2270 We can’t always shun what’s foreign, + Things from far away are often fine. + Real Germans can’t abide a Frenchman, + And yet they gladly drink his wine. + +Siebel (As Mephistopheles approaches his seat.) + + I must confess I do dislike the dry, +2275 Give me a glass of the very sweetest! + +Mephistopheles (Boring a hole.) + + I’ll pour an instant Tokay for you, yes? + +Altmayer + + Now, gentlemen, look me in the eye! + I see you’ve had the better of us there. + +Mephistopheles + + Now! Now! With guests so rare, +2280 That would be far too much for me to dare. + Quick! Time for you to declare! + Which wine can I serve you with? + +Altmayer + + Any at all! Don’t make us ask forever. + +(Now all the holes have been stopped and sealed.) + +Mephistopheles (With a strange gesture.) + + Grapes, they are the vine’s load! +2285 Horns, they are the he-goat’s: + Wine is juice: wood makes vines, + The wooden board shall give us wine. + Look deeper into Nature! + Have faith, and here’s a wonder! +2290 Now draw the stoppers, and drink up! + + All (Draw the stoppers, and the wine they chose flows into each + glass.) + + O lovely fount, that flows for us! + +Mephistopheles + + But careful, don’t lose a drop! + +(They drink repeatedly.) + +All (Singing.) + + ‘We’re all of us cannibals now, + We’re like five hundred sows.’ + +Mephistopheles + +2295 The folk are free, and we can go, you see! + +Faust + + I’d like to leave here now. + +Mephistopheles + + Watch first: their bestiality + Will make a splendid show. + +Siebel + +(He drinks carelessly, wine pours on the ground and bursts into +flame.) + + Help! Fire! Hell burns bright! + +Mephistopheles (Charming away the flame.) + +2300 Friendly element, be quiet! + +(To the drinkers.) + + For this time, just a drop of Purgatory. + +Siebel + + What’s that? You wait! You’ll pay dearly! + It seems you don’t quite see us right. + +Frosch + + Try playing that trick a second time, on us! + +Altmayer + +2305 I think we should quietly send him packing. + +Siebel + + What, sir? You think you’re daring, + Tricking us with your hocus-pocus? + +Mephistopheles + + Be quiet, old wine-barrel! + +Siebel + + You broomstick! You’ll show us you’re ill bred? + +Brander + +2310 Just wait, it’ll rain blows, on your head! + +Altmayer (Draws a stopper and fire blazes in his face.) + + I’m burning! Burning! + +Siebel + + It’s magic, strike! + The man’s a rascal! Kick him as you like! + +(They draw knives and rush at Mephistopheles.) + +Mephistopheles (With solemn gestures.) + + Word and Image, ensnare! + Alter, senses and air! +2315 Be here, and there! + +(They look at each other, amazed.) + +Altmayer + + Where am I? What a lovely land! + +Frosch + + Vineyards? Am I seeing straight? + +Siebel + + And, likewise, grapes to hand! + +Brander + + Deep in this green arbour, here, + See, the vines! What grapes appear! + +(He grasps Siebel by the nose: the others do the same reciprocally, +and raise their knives.) + +Mephistopheles + +2320 From their eyes, Error, take the iron band, + And let them see how the Devil plays a joke. + +(He vanishes with Faust: the revellers separate.) + +Siebel + + What’s happening? + + Altmayer + And how? + + Frosch + Was that your nose? + +Brander (To Siebel.) + + And I’ve still got your nose in my hand! + +Altmayer + + It was a tremor, that passed through every limb! +2325 Pass me a stool: I’m sinking in! + +Frosch + + Tell me: what happened there, my friend? + +Siebel + + Where is he? When I catch that fellow, + He won’t leave here alive again! + +Altmayer + + I saw him myself fly out of the cellar +2330 Riding on a barrel – and then – + I feel there’s lead still in my feet. + +(He turns towards the table.) + + Ah! Does the wine still flow as sweet? + +Siebel + + It was deception, cheating, lying. + +Frosch + + Still, it seemed that I drank wine. + +Brander + +2335 And what about all those grapes that hung there? + +Altmayer + + Tell me, now, we shouldn’t believe in wonders! + +Scene VI: The Witches’ Kitchen + +(A giant cauldron stands on a low hearth, with a fire under it. + Various shapes appear in the fumes from the cauldron. A She-Ape sits + next to it, skimming it, watching to see it doesn’t boil over. The + He-Ape, with young ones, sits nearby warming himself. The ceiling and +walls are covered with the Witches’ grotesque instruments.) + +Faust + + These magical wild beasts repel me, too! + Are you telling me I can be renewed, + Wandering around in this mad maze, +2340 Demanding help from some old hag: + That her foul cookery will spirit away + Thirty years from my age, just like that? + It’s sad, if you know of nothing better! + The star of hope has quickly set. +2345 Hasn’t some noble mind, or Nature, + Found some wondrous potion yet? + +Mephistopheles + + My friend, what you say, again, is intelligent! + There’s a natural means to make you younger: + But it’s written, in a book quite different, +2350 And in an odd chapter. + +Faust + + I’ll know it, then. + +Mephistopheles + + Fine! You’ve a method here that needs + No gold, no doctor, no magician: + Take yourself off to the nearest field, + To scratch around, and hoe, and dig in, +2355 Maintain yourself, and constrain + Your senses in a narrow sphere: + Feed yourself on the purest fare, + Be a beast among beasts: think it no robbery, + To manure the fields you harvest, there: +2360 Since that’s the best of ways, believe me, + To keep your youth for eighty years! + +Faust + + I’m not used to it, can’t condescend, + To take a spade in hand, and bend: + That narrow life wouldn’t suit me at all. + +Mephistopheles + +2365 So you must call the witch then, after all. + +Faust + + Why is that old witch necessary! + Why can’t you, yourself, make the brew? + +Mephistopheles + + What a lovely occupation for me! + And build a thousand bridges, meanwhile, too. +2370 It’s not just art and science that tell, + Patience is needed in the work as well. + A calm mind’s busy years in its creation, + Only time strengthens the fermentation. + And everything about it +2375 Is quite a peculiar show! + It’s true the Devil taught it: + The Devil can’t make it though. + +(Seeing the creatures.) + + See what a dainty race I hail! + This is the female: this is the male! + +(To the creatures.) + +2380 The mistress isn’t home, I say? + +The Creatures + + Feasting away, + Gone today, + The Chimney way! + +Mephistopheles + + How long will she be swarming? + +The Creatures + +2385 As long as our paws are warming. + +Mephistopheles (To Faust.) + + What do you think of these tender creatures? + +Faust + + As rude as any I ever saw! + +Mephistopheles + + Ah, but to me this kind of discourse + Shows the most delightful features! + +(To the creatures.) + +2390 Accursed puppets, tell me true, + What are you stirring in that brew? + +The Creatures + + We’re cooking up thick beggars’ soup. + +Mephistopheles + + Then there’ll be thousands in the queue. + +The He-Ape (Approaches and fawns on Mephistopheles.) + + O, throw the dice quick, +2395 And let me be rich! + I’ll be the winner! + It’s all arranged badly, + And if I had money, + I’d be a thinker. + +Mephistopheles + +2400 Why does the ape think he’d be lucky, + If he’d only a chance to try the lottery! + +(Meanwhile the young apes have been playing with a large ball, and +they roll it forward.) + +The He-Ape + + The world’s a ball + It lifts to fall, + Rolls without rest: +2405 Rings like glass, + And breaks as fast! + It’s hollow at best. + It’s shining here, + Here, what’s more: +2410 ‘I am living!’ + A place dear son, + To keep far from! + You must die! + Its clay will soon +2415 In pieces, lie. + +Mephistopheles + + Why the sieve? + +The He-Ape (Lifting it down.) + + If you were a thief + I’d know you this minute. + +(He runs to the She-Ape, and lets her look through the sieve.) + +2420 Look through the sieve! + Can you see the thief, + But daren’t name him? + +Mephistopheles (Approaching the fire.) + + And this pot? + +The He-Ape and She-Ape + + What a silly lot! + Not to know a pot, +2425 Not to know a kettle! + +Mephistopheles + + Rude creature! + +The He-Ape + + Take this brush here, + And sit on the settle. + +(He invites Mephistopheles to sit down.) + + Faust (Who all this time has been standing in front of a mirror, + alternately approaching it and distancing himself from it.) + + What do I see? What heavenly form +2430 Is this that the magic mirror brings! + Love, lend me your swiftest wings, + Then bear me to fields she adorns! + Ah, if I do not stand still here, + If I dare to venture nearer, +2435 I see as if through a mist, no clearer – + The loveliest form of Woman, there! + Is it possible: can Woman be so lovely? + Must I, in her outspread body, declare + The incarnation of all that’s heavenly? +2440 Can any such this earth deliver? + +Mephistopheles + + Naturally, if a God torments himself six days, + And says to himself, Bravo, at last, in praise, + He must have made something clever. + See, this time, what will satisfy you, forever: +2445 I’ll know how to fish that treasure out for you, + Happy, the one who finds good fortune in her, + And carries her home again, as his bride, too. + +(Faust gazes endlessly in the mirror. Mephistopheles stretches +himself on the settle, plays with the brush, and continues to speak.) + + Here I sit like a king on his throne, + The sceptre’s here, but where’s the crown? + + The Creatures (Who up till now have been making all kinds of grotesque + movements together, bring Mephistopheles a crown, with great outcry.) + +2450 Oh, with sweat and with blood, + If you’ll be so good, + Glue on this crown, sublime! + +(They are awkward with the crown, and snap it in two pieces, with +which they leap about.) + + Now that’s out of the way! + We see, and we say, +2455 We hear, and we rhyme - + +Faust (In front of the mirror.) + + Ah! I’ll go completely mad. + +Mephistopheles (Pointing to the creatures.) + + Now my head’s almost spinning. + +The Creatures + + If our luck’s not bad, + If there’s sense to be had, +2460 We must be thinking! + +Faust (As before.) + + My heart pains me with its burning! Quick, + Let’s leave this place, forego it! + +Mephistopheles (Still in the same position.) + + Well, at least one must admit + That they’re honest poets. + +(The cauldron that the She-Ape has forgotten to keep a watch on, now + boils over: a great flame flares from the chimney. The Witch comes +careering down through the flames, with horrendous cries.) + +2465 Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! + Damned creature! Accursed sow! + You left the kettle: you’ve singed me now! + Accursed creature! + +(Seeing Faust and Mephistopheles.) + + What have we here? +2470 Who are you, here? + What do you want? + Who creeps unknown? + The fire’s pain own + In all your bone! + +(She plunges the skimming-ladle into the cauldron, and scatters flame + towards Faust, Mephistopheles and the Creatures. The Creatures +whimper.) + + Mephistopheles (Reversing the brush he holds in his hand, and striking + among the jars and glasses.) + + One, two! One, two! + There lies the brew! + There lies the glass! + A joke at last, + In time, she-ass, +2480 To your melody, too. + +(As the Witch starts back in Anger and Horror.) + + Do you know me? Skeleton! Scarecrow! + Do you know your lord and master? + What stops me from striking you, so, + Crushing you, and your ape-creatures? +2485 Have you no respect for a scarlet coat? + Don’t you understand a cockerel’s feather? + Have I hidden my face, you old she-goat? + Have I to name myself, as ever? + +The Witch + + Oh sir, forgive the rude welcome! +2490 I don’t see a single foot cloven. + And your two ravens - are where? + +Mephistopheles + + This once, you get away with it: + It’s truly a good while, isn’t it, + Since we’ve been seen together. +2495 And Civilisation makes men level, + It even sticks to the Devil: + That Northern demon is no more: + Who sees horns now, or tail or claw? + As for the feet, which I can’t spare, +2500 That would harm me with the people. + So like many a youth, now, I wear, + False calves and false in-steps, as well. + +The Witch (Dancing.) + + Sense and reason flee my brain, + I see young Satan here again! + +Mephistopheles + +2505 Woman, I forbid that name! + +The Witch + + Why? What harm is caused so? + +Mephistopheles + + It’s written in story books, always: + Men are no better for it, though: + The Evil One’s gone: the evil stays. +2510 Call me the Baron: that sounds good: + I’m a gentleman, like the other gentlemen. + Perhaps you doubt my noble blood: + See, here’s the crest I carry, then! + +(He makes an indecent gesture.) + +The Witch (Laughing immoderately.) + + Ha! Ha! That’s your way, as ever. +2515 You’re the same rogue forever! + +Mephistopheles (To Faust.) + + My friend, take note: learn that this is + The proper way to handle witches. + +The Witch + + Now, gentlemen, say how I can be of use. + +Mephistopheles + + A good glass of your well-known juice! +2520 But I must insist on the oldest: + The years double what it can do. + +The Witch + + Gladly! Here’s a flask, on the shelf: + I sometimes drink from it myself, + And it doesn’t really stink at all: +2525 I’ll gladly give him a glass or so. + +(Whispering.) + + If he drinks it unprepared, recall, + He won’t live a single hour, though. + +Mephistopheles + + He’s my good friend: it’ll go down well: + Don’t begrudge the best of your kitchen. +2530 Draw the circle: speak the speech, then + Offer him a glass full! + +(The Witch draws a circle with fantastic gestures, and places + mysterious articles inside it: meanwhile the glasses start to ring, + and the cauldron to echo, and make music. Finally she brings a large + book, sits the Apes in a ring, who serve as a reading desk and hold +torches. She beckons Faust to approach.) + +Faust (To Mephistopheles.) + + Tell me, now, what’s happening? + These wild gestures, crazy things, + All of this tasteless trickery, +2535 Is known, and hateful enough to me. + +Mephistopheles + + A farce! You should be laughing: + Don’t be such a serious fellow! + This hocus-pocus she, the doctor’s, making, + So you’ll be aided by the juice to follow. + +(He persuades Faust to enter the circle.) + +The Witch (Begins to declaim from the book, with much emphasis.) + +2540 You shall see, then! + From one make ten! + Let two go again, + Make three even, + You’re rich again. +2545 Take away four! + From five and six, + So says the Witch, + Make seven and eight, + So it’s full weight: +2550 And nine is one, + And ten is none. + This is the Witch’s one-times-one! + +Faust + + I’m in the dark, the hag babbles with fever. + +Mephistopheles + + There’s still more she’s not gone over, +2555 I know it well, the whole book’s like this: + I’ve wasted time on it before, though, + A perfect contradiction in terms is + Ever a mystery to the wise: fools more so. + My friend, the art’s both old and new, +2560 It’s like this in every age, with two + And one, and one and two, + Scattering error instead of truth. + Men prattle, and teach it undisturbed: + Who wants to be counted with the fools? +2565 Men always believe, when they hear words, + There must be thought behind them, too. + +The Witch (Continuing.) + + The highest skill, + The science, still + Is hidden from the rabble! +2570 One who never thought, + To him it’s brought, + He owns it without trouble. + +Faust + + Why talk this nonsense to us? + My head’s near split in two. +2575 It seems I hear the chorus, + Of a hundred thousand fools. + +Mephistopheles + + Enough, enough, O excellent Sibyl! + Bring the drink along: and fill + The cup, quick, to the very brim: +2580 The drink will bring my friend no harm: + He’s a man of many parts, and him + Many a noble draught has charmed. + +(The Witch, ceremoniously, pours the drink into a cup: as Faust puts +it to his lips, a gentle flame rises.) + + Down it quickly! Every time! It’ll + Likewise, warm your heart, entire. +2585 You’re hand in hand with the Devil: + Will you shrink before the fire? + +(The Witch breaks the circle. Faust steps out.) + + Now, quick, away! You may not rest. + +The Witch + + Much good may that potion do you! + +Mephistopheles (To the Witch.) + + On Walpurgis Night you can tell me best, +2590 What favour I can return to you. + +The Witch + + Here’s a song! Sing it sometimes, and you, + Will feel a peculiar effect: don’t ask me how. + +Mephistopheles (To Faust.) + + Come on, quickly, run about now: + You need to sweat, that will allow +2595 The power to penetrate, through and through. + Later, I’ll teach you to value leisure, + And soon you’ll find with deepest pleasure, + How Cupid stirs, and, now and then, leaps, too. + +Faust + + Let me look quickly in the glass, once more! +2600 How lovely that woman’s form, I descried! + +Mephistopheles + + No! No! The paragon of all women, you’re + About to see before you, personified. + +(Aside.) + + With that drink in your body, well then, + All women will look to you like Helen. + +Scene VII: A Street + +(Faust. Margaret, passing by.) + +Faust + +2605 Lovely lady, may I offer you + My arm, and my protection, too? + +Margaret + + Not lovely, nor the lady you detected, + I can go home, unprotected. + +(She releases herself and exits.) + +Faust + + By Heavens, the child is lovely! +2610 I’ve never seen anything more so. + She’s virtuous, yet innocently + Pert, and quick-tongued though. + Her rosy lips, her clear cheeks, + I’ll not forget them in many a week! +2615 The way she cast down her eyes, + Deep in my heart, imprinted, lies: + How curt in her speech she was, + Well that was quite charming, of course! + +(Mephistopheles enters.) + + Listen, you must get that girl for me! + +Mephistopheles + + Which one? + + Faust +2620 The girl who just went by. + +Mephistopheles + + That one, there? She’s come from the priest, + Absolved of all her sins, while I + Crept into a stall nearby: + She is such an innocent thing, +2625 She’s no need to sit confessing: + I’ve no power with such as those, I mean! + +Faust + + Yet, she’s older than fourteen. + +Mephistopheles + + Now you’re speaking like some Don Juan + Who wants every flower for himself alone, +2630 Conceited enough to think there’s no honour, + To be plucked except by him, nor favour: + But that’s never the case, you know. + +Faust + + Master Moraliser is that so? + With me, best leave morality alone! +2635 I’m telling you, short and sweet, + If that young heart doesn’t beat + Within my arms, tonight - so be it, + At midnight, then our pact is done. + +Mephistopheles + + Think, what a to and fro it will take! +2640 I need at least fourteen days, to make + Some kind of opportunity to meet her. + +Faust + + If I’d seven hours at my call, + I’d not need the Devil at all, + To seduce such a creature. + +Mephistopheles + +2645 You’re almost talking like a Frenchman: + But don’t let yourself get all annoyed: + What’s the use if she’s only part enjoyed? + Your happiness won’t be as prolonged, + As if you were to knead and fashion +2650 That little doll, with every passion, + Up and down, as yearning preaches, + And many a cunning rascal teaches. + +Faust + + I’ve enough appetite without all that. + +Mephistopheles + + Now, without complaint or jesting, what +2655 I’m telling you is, with this lovely child, + Once and for all, you mustn’t be wild. + She won’t be taken by storm, I said: + We’ll need to use cunning instead. + +Faust + + Get me a part of the angels’ treasure! +2660 Lead me to where she lies at leisure! + Get me a scarf from her neck: aspire + To a garter, that’s my heart’s desire. + +Mephistopheles + + So you can see how I will strain + To help you, and ease your pain, +2665 We’ll not let an instant slip away, + I’ll lead you to her room today. + +Faust + + And shall I see her? And have her? + +Mephistopheles + + No! She has to visit a neighbour. + Meanwhile, you can be alone there, +2670 With every hope of future pleasure, + Enjoy her breathing space, at leisure. + +Faust + + Can we go? + +Mephistopheles + + Her room’s not yet free. + +Faust + + Look for a gift for her, from me! + +(He exits.) + +Mephistopheles + + A present? Good! He’s sure to work it! +2675 I know many a lovely place, up here, +And many an ancient buried treasure: + I must have a look around for a bit. +(He exits.) + +Scene VIII: Evening, A small well-kept room. + +(Margaret, plaiting and fastening the braids of her hair.) + +Margaret + + I’d give anything if I could say + Who that gentleman was, today! +2680 He’s brave for certain, I could see, + And from some noble family: + That his face readily told – + Or he wouldn’t have been so bold. + +(She exits.) (Mephistopheles and Faust appear.) + +Mephistopheles + + Come in: but quietly, I mean! + +Faust (After a moment’s silence.) + +2685 I’d ask you, now, to leave me be! + +Mephistopheles (Poking about.) + + Not every girl keeps thing so clean. + +(Mephistopheles exits.) + +Faust + + Welcome, sweet twilight glow, + That weaves throughout this shrine! + Sweet love-pangs grip my heart so, +2690 That on hope’s dew must live, and pine! + How a breath of peace breathes around, + Its order, and contentment! + In this poverty, what wealth is found! + In this prison, what enchantment! + +(He throws himself into a leather armchair near the bed.) + +2695 Accept me now, you, who with open arms + Gathered joy and pain, in past days, where, + How often, ah, with all their childish charms + The little flock hung round their father’s chair! + There my beloved, perhaps, cheeks full, stands, +2700 Grateful for all the gifts of Christmas fare, + Kissing her grandfather’s withered hands. + Sweet girl, I feel your spirit, softly stray, + Through the wealth of order, all around me, + That with motherliness instructs, each day, +2705 The tablecloth to lie smooth, at your say, + And even the wrinkled sand beneath your feet. + O beloved hand, so goddess-like! + This house because of you is Heaven’s like. + And here! + +(He lifts one of the bed curtains.) + + What grips me with its bliss! +2710 Here I could stand, slowly lingering. + Here, Nature, in its gentlest dreaming, + Formed an earthly angel within this. + Here the child lay! Life, warm, + Filled her delicate breast, +2715 And here, in pure and holy form, + A heavenly image was expressed! + And I! What leads me here? + Why do I feel so deeply stirred? + What do I seek? Why such a heavy heart? +2720 Poor Faust! I no longer know who you are. + Is there a magic fragrance round me? + I urged myself on, to the deepest delight, + And feel myself melt in Love’s dreaming flight! + Are we the sport of every lightest breeze? +2725 And if she appeared at this instant, + How to atone for being so indiscreet? + The great man, alas, of little moment! + Would lie here, melting, at her feet. + +Mephistopheles (Appearing.) + + Quick! I see her coming, there. + +Faust + +2730 Away! Away! I’ll not return again. + +Mephistopheles + + Here’s a casket fairly loaded, then, + I’ve taken it from elsewhere. + Put it just here on the chest, + I swear it’ll dazzle her, when she sees: +2735 I’ve put in some trinkets, and the rest, + For you to win another, if you please. + Truly, a child’s a child, and play is play. + +Faust + + I don’t know, shall I? + +Mephistopheles + + Are you asking, pray? + Perhaps you’d like to keep the treasure, too? +2740 Then I’d advise your Lustfulness, + To spare the sweet hours of brightness, + And spare me a heap of trouble over you. + I hope that you’re not full of meanness! + I scratch my head: I rub my hands – + +(He places the casket in the chest, and shuts it again.) + +2745 Now off we go, and go quickly! + Through this you’ll bend the child, you see, + To your wish and will: as any fool understands: + Yet now you seem to me + As if you were heading for the lecture hall, and see +2750 Standing there grey-faced, in front of you, + Physics, and Metaphysics too! + Now, away! + +(They exit.) + +(Margaret with a lamp.) + +Margaret + + It’s so close and sultry, here, + +(She opens the window.) + + And yet it’s not warm outside. +2755 It troubles me so, I don’t know why – + I wish that Mother were near. + A shudder ran through my whole body – + I’m such a foolish girl, so timid! + +(She begins to sing, while undressing.) + + ‘There was a king in Thule, he +2760 Was faithful, to the grave, + To whom his dying lady + A golden goblet gave. + + He valued nothing greater: + At every feast it shone: +2765 His tears were brimming over, + When he drank there-from. + + When he himself was dying + No towns did he with-hold, + No wealth his heir denying, +2770 Except the cup of gold. + + He gave a royal banquet, + His knights around him, all, + In his sea-girt turret, + In his ancestral hall. + +2775 There the old king stood, yet, + Drinking life’s last glow: + Then threw the golden goblet + Into the waves below. + + He saw it falling, drowning, +2780 Sinking in the sea, + Then, his eyelids closing, + Never again drank he.’ + +(She opens the chest in order to arrange her clothes, and sees the +casket.) + + How can this lovely casket be here? I’m sure + I locked the chest when I was here before. +2785 It’s quite miraculous! What can it hold in store? + Perhaps someone brought it as security, + And my mother’s granted a loan on it? + There’s a ribbon hanging from it, there’s a key, + I’m quite determined to open it. +2790 What’s here? Heavens! What a show, + More than I’ve ever seen in all my days! + A jewel box! A noble lady might glow + With all of these on high holidays! + How would this chain look? This display +2795 Of splendour: who owns it, it’s so fine? + +(She puts the jewellery on and stands in front of the mirror.) + + If only the earrings were mine! + At once one looks so different. + What makes us beautiful, young blood? + All that’s fine and good, +2800 But it’s discounted, in the end, + They praise us half in pity. + To gold they tend, + On gold depend, + All things! Oh, poverty! + +Scene IX: Promenade + +(Faust walking about pensively. Mephistopheles appears.) + +Mephistopheles + +2805 Scorned by all love! And by hellfire! What’s worse? + I wish I knew: I could use it in a curse! + +Faust + + What’s wrong? What’s pinching you so badly? + I never, in all my life, saw such a face! + +Mephistopheles + + I’d pack myself off to the Devil, in disgrace, +2810 If I weren’t a Devil myself already! + +Faust + + Is something troubling your brain? + It’s fitting that you’ve a raging pain. + +Mephistopheles + + To think, the priest should get his hands on + Jewellery that was meant for Gretchen! +2815 Her mother snatched it up, to see, + And was gripped by secret anxiety. + That woman’s a marvellous sense of smell, + From nosing round in her prayer-book too well, + And sniffs things, ever and again, +2820 To see if they’re holy or profane: + And about the jewels, she felt, that’s clear, + There’s not much of a blessing here. + ‘My child,’ she said, ‘ill-gotten goods + Snare the soul, and dissipate the blood. +2825 We’ll dedicate it to the Virgin, + She’ll repay us with manna from Heaven!’ + Margaret, grimacing wryly, was quite put out: + Thinking: ‘Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth, + He’s not a godless man, nor one to fear, +2830 He who left these fine things here.’ + Her mother let the parson in: + He’d scarcely let the game begin + Before his eyes filled with enjoyment. + He said: ‘So we see aright, we sinners, +2835 Who overcome themselves are winners. + The Church has a healthy stomach, when, + It gobbles up lands, and don’t forget, + It’s never over-eaten yet. + The Church alone, dear lady, could +2840 Always digest ill-gotten goods.’ + +Faust + + That’s a universal custom, too, my friend, + With all those who rule, and those who lend. + +Mephistopheles + + Then he took the bangles, chains and rings, + As if they were merely trifling things, +2845 Thanked her too, no less nor more + Than if it were a sack of nuts one wore. + Promised them their reward when they died, + And left them suitably edified. + +Faust + + And Gretchen? + +Mephistopheles + + Sits there, restlessly, still +2850 Not knowing what she should do, or will, + Thinks of the jewels night and day, + But more of him who placed them in her way. + +Faust + + The dear girl’s sadness brings me pain. + Find some jewels for her, again! +2855 Those first were not so fine, I’d say. + +Mephistopheles + + Oh yes, to gentlemen it’s child’s play! + +Faust + + Fix it: arrange it, as I want you to, + Attach yourself to her neighbour, too! + Don’t be a devil made of clay, +2860 Get her fresh jewels straight away! + +Mephistopheles + + Yes, gracious sir, gladly, with all my heart. + +(Faust exits.) + + Such a lovesick fool would blow up the Sun, + High up in the air, with the Moon and Stars, + To provide his sweetheart with some diversion. + +(He exits.) + +Scene X: The Neighbour’s House + +Martha (Alone.) + +2865 God forgive that man I love so well, + He hasn’t done right by me at all! + Off into the world he’s gone, + And left me here, in the dust, alone. + Truly I did nothing to grieve him, +2870 I gave him, God knows, fine loving. + +(She weeps.) + + Perhaps, he’s even dead! – Yet, oh! + If I’d only his death certificate to show! + +(Margaret enters.) + +Margaret + + Martha! + + Martha + My little Gretchen, what’s happened? + +Margaret + + My legs are giving way beneath me! +2875 I’ve found another box of jewellery + In the chest: it’s of ebony, fashioned, + Full of quite splendid things, + And richer than the first, I think. + +Martha + + You’d better not tell your mother: +2880 She’ll give it to the Church, like the other. + +Margaret + + Ah, See now! See what a show! + +Martha (Dressing her with jewels.) + + O you’re a lucky creature, though! + +Margaret + + I can’t wear them in the street, alas, + Nor be seen like this, at Mass. + +Martha + +2885 Come often then, to me, as before: + You can put them on, here, secretly: + Stand, for an hour, in front of the mirror, + We’ll take delight in them privately. + Then give us a holiday, an occasion, +2890 When people can see a fraction of them. + A chain first, then a pearl in the ear: your + Mother won’t know, say you’d them before. + +Margaret + + Who could have left the second casket? + There’s something not proper about it! + +(A knock.) + +2895 Good God! Is it my mother, then? + +Martha (Looking through the shutter.) + + It’s a stranger, a gentleman – Come in! + +(Mephistopheles enters.) + +Mephistopheles + + In introducing myself so freely, + I ask you ladies to excuse me. + +(He steps back reverently on seeing Margaret.) + + It’s Martha Schwerdtlein I seek! + +Martha + +2900 I’m she, what do you wish with me? + +Mephistopheles (Aside to her.) + + I know you now: that’s enough for me: + You’ve a distinguished visitor there, I see. + Pardon the liberty I’ve taken, pray, + I’ll return this afternoon, if I may. + +Martha (Aloud.) + +2905 To think, child: of all things: just fancy! + The gentleman takes you for a lady. + +Margaret + + I’m a poor young thing he’ll find: + Heavens! The gentleman’s far too kind: + The jewels and trinkets aren’t mine. + +Mephistopheles + +2910 Ah, it’s not just the jewellery, mind: + The look: the manner: she has a way! + I’m pleased that I’m allowed to stay. + +Martha + + What brings you here? I wish that you – + +Mephistopheles + + I wish I brought you happier news! – +2915 This news I hope you’ll forgive me repeating: + Your husband’s dead, but sends a greeting. + +Martha + + He’s dead? That true heart! Oh! + My man is dead! I’ll die, also! + +Margaret + + Ah! Dear lady, don’t despair! + +Mephistopheles + +2920 Hear the mournful tale I bear! + +Margaret + + That’s why I’ll never love while I’ve breath, + Such a loss would grieve me to death. + +Mephistopheles + + Joy must have sorrows: sorrow its joys, too. + +Martha + + Tell me of his last hours: ah tell me! + +Mephistopheles + +2925 He’s buried in Padua, close to + The blessed Saint Anthony, + In a consecrated space, + A cool eternal resting place. + +Martha + + Have you brought nothing else, from him? + +Mephistopheles + +2930 Yes a request, it’s large and heavy: + For you to sing a hundred masses for him! + Otherwise, no, my pocket’s empty. + +Martha + + What? No piece of show? No jewellery? + What every workman has in his purse, +2935 And keeps with him as his reserve, + Rather than having to starve or beg! + +Mephistopheles + + Madam, it’s a heavy grief to me: + But truly his money wasn’t wasted. + And then, he felt his errors greatly, +2940 Yes, and bemoaned his bad luck lately. + +Margaret + + Ah! How unlucky all men are! I’ll + Be sure to offer many a prayer for him. + +Mephistopheles + + You’re worthy of soon marrying: + You’re such a kindly child. + +Margaret + +2945 Oh, no! That wouldn’t do as yet. + +Mephistopheles + + If not a husband, a lover, while you wait. + It’s heaven’s greatest charm, + To have a dear one on one’s arm. + +Margaret + + That’s not the custom of the country. + +Mephistopheles + +2950 Custom or not! It seems to be. + +Martha + + Go on with your tale! + +Mephistopheles + + I stood beside his death-bed, + Hardly better than a rubbish-tip, poor man, + Of half-rotten straw: yet he died a Christian, + And found that he was even further in debt. +2955 ‘Alas,’ he cried, ‘I hate myself, with good reason, + For leaving, as I did, my wife and my occupation! + Ah the memory of that is killing me, + Would in this life I might be forgiven, though!’ + +Martha (Weeping.) + + The dear man! I forgave him long ago. + +Mephistopheles + +2960 ‘Although, God knows, she was more to blame than me.’ + +Martha + + The liar! What! At death’s door, lies he was telling! + +Mephistopheles + + In his last wanderings, he was rambling, + If I’m any judge myself of the thing. + ‘I had,’ he said, ‘no time to gaze in play: +2965 First children, then bread for them each day, + And I mean bread in the wider sense: + And couldn’t even eat my share in silence.’ + +Martha + + Did he forget the love, the loyalty, + My drudgery, night and day! + +Mephistopheles + +2970 Not at all, he thought of it deeply, in his way. + He said: ‘As I was leaving Malta + I prayed hard for my wife and children: + And favour came to me from heaven, + Since our ship took a Turkish cutter, +2975 Carrying the great Sultan’s treasure. + There was a reward for bravery, + And I received, in due measure, + The generous share that fell to me.’ + +Martha + + What? And where? Has he buried it by chance? + +Mephistopheles + +2980 Who can tell: the four winds know the circumstance. + A lovely girl there took him on, + As he, a stranger, roamed round Naples: + She gave him loyalty, and loved the man, + And he felt it so, till his last hour fell. + +Martha + +2985 He stole from his children, and his wife! + The rogue! All the pain and misery he met, + Couldn’t keep him from that shameful life! + +Mephistopheles + + Ah, but: now he’s died of it! + If I were truly in your place, +2990 I’d mourn him quietly for a year, + And look, meanwhile, for a dear new face. + +Martha + + Ah, sweet God! I’ll not easily find another, + In all the world, such as my first one was! + There never was a dearer fool than mine. +2995 Only he loved roaming too much, at last, + And foreign women, and foreign wine, + And the rolling of those cursed dice. + +Mephistopheles + + Well, that would have still been fine, + If, with you, he’d followed that line, +3000 And noticed nothing, on your side. + I swear that, with that same condition, + I’d swap rings with you, no question! + +Martha + + O, the gentleman’s pleased to jest! + +Mephistopheles (To himself.) + + I must fly from here, swift as a bird! +3005 She might hold the Devil to his word. + +(To Gretchen.) + + How does your heart feel? At rest? + +Margaret + + What does the gentleman mean? + +Mephistopheles (To himself.) + + Sweet, innocent child! + +(Aloud.) + + Farewell, ladies! + + Margaret + Farewell! + + Martha + Oh, speak to me yet, a while! + I’d like a witness, as to where, how, and when +3010 My darling man died and was buried: then, + As I’ve always been a friend of tradition, + Put his death in the paper, the weekly edition. + +Mephistopheles + + Yes, dear lady, two witnesses you need + To verify the truth, or so all agree: +3015 I’ve a rather fine companion, + He can be your second man. + I’ll bring him here. + + Martha + Oh yes, please do! + +Mephistopheles + + That young lady will be here, too? + He’s a brave youth! Travelled, yes, +3020 And with ladies he’s all politeness. + +Margaret + + I’d be shamed before the gentleman. + +Mephistopheles + + Not before any king on earth, madam. + +Martha + + Behind the house, then, in my garden, + Tonight: we’ll expect you gentlemen. + +Scene XI: The Street + +(Faust. Mephistopheles.) + +Faust + +3025 How goes it? Will it be? Will it soon be done? + +Mephistopheles + + Ah, bravo! Do I find you all on fire? + In double-quick time you’ll have your desire. + You’ll meet tonight, at her neighbour Martha’s home: + There’s a woman, who’s the thing, +3030 For procuring and for gipsying! + +Faust + + All right! + + Mephistopheles + But, she needs something from us, too. + +Faust + + One good turn deserves another, true. + +Mephistopheles + + We only have to bear a valid witness, + That her husband’s outstretched members bless +3035 A consecrated place in Padua. + +Faust + + Brilliant! We must first make the journey there! + +Mephistopheles + + Sacred Simplicity! There’s no need to do that. + Just testify, without saying too much to her. + +Faust + + If you can’t do better than that, your pact I’ll tear. + +Mephistopheles + +3040 O holy man! Now I see you there! + Is it the first time in your life, come swear, + That you’ve ever born false witness? + Haven’t you shown skill in definition + Of God, the World, what’s in it, Men, +3045 What moves them, in mind and breast? + With impudent brow, and swollen chest? + And if you look at it more deeply, oh yes, + Did you know as much now - confess, + As you do about Herr Schwerdtlein’s death? + +Faust + +3050 You are, and you’ll remain, a Liar and a Sophist. + +Mephistopheles + + Yes when no one’s the wiser for it. + This coming morn, in all honour though, + Won’t you beguile poor Gretchen so: + And swear you love her with all your soul? + +Faust + + From my heart. + +Mephistopheles + +3055 Well, and good! + And will your eternal Truth and Love, + Your one all-powerful Force, above – + Flow from your heart, too, as it should? + +Faust + + Stop! Stop! It will! If I but feel, +3060 For that emotion, for that throng, + Seek the name, that none reveal, + Roam, with senses, through the world. + Seize on every highest word, + And call the fire, that I’m tasting, +3065 Endless, eternal, everlasting – + Does that to some devil’s game of lies belong? + +Mephistopheles + + Yet, I’m still right! + +Faust + + Hear one thing more, + I beg you, and spare my breath – the one + Who wants to hold fast, and has a tongue, +3070 He’ll hold for sure. + Come, chattering fills me with disgust, + And then you’re right, especially since I must. + +Scene XII: The Garden + +(Margaret on Faust’s arm, Martha and Mephistopheles walking up and +down.) + + I know the gentleman flatters me, + Lowers himself, and shames me, too. +3075 A traveller is used to being + Content, out of courtesy, with any food. + I know too well, so learned a man, + Can’t feed himself on my poor bran. + +Faust + + A glance, a word from you, feeds me more, +3080 Than all the world’s wisest lore. + +(He kisses her hand.) + +Margaret + + Don’t trouble yourself! How could you kiss it? + It’s such a nasty, rough thing! + What work haven’t I done with it! + My mother’s so exacting. + +(They move on.) + +Martha + +3085 And you, sir, you’re always travelling? + +Mephistopheles + + Ah, work and duty are such a bother! + There’s many a place one’s sad at leaving, + And daren’t stay a moment longer! + +Martha + + In youth it’s fine, up and down, +3090 Flitting about, the whole world over: + Then harsher days come round, + And lonely bachelors small joy discover, + In sliding towards their hole in the ground. + +Mephistopheles + + I view the prospect with horror. + +Martha + +3095 Then take advice in time, dear sir. + +(They move on.) + +Margaret + + Yes, out of sight is out of mind! + Politeness comes naturally to you: + But you’ll meet friends, often, who, + Are more sensible than me, you’ll find. + +Faust + +3100 Dearest, believe me, what men call sense, + Is often just vanity and short-sightedness. + + Margaret + How so? + +Faust + + Ah, that simplicity and innocence never know + Themselves, or their heavenly worth! + That humble meekness, the highest grace +3105 That Nature bestows so lovingly – + +Margaret + + It’s only for a moment that you think of me, + I’ve plenty of time to dream about your face. + +Faust + + You’re often alone, then? + +Margaret + + Yes, our household’s a little one, +3110 Yet it has to be cared for by someone. + We have no servant: I sweep, knit, sew, + And cook, I’m working early and late: + And in everything my mother is so + Strict, and straight. +3115 Not that she has to be quite so economical: + We could be more generous than others: + My father left a little fortune for us: + A house and garden by the town-wall. + But now my days are spent quietly: +3120 My brother is a soldier: I’d + A younger sister who died. + The trouble I had with that child: + Yet I’d take it on again, the worry, + She was so dear to me. + + Faust + An angel, if like you. + +Margaret + +3125 I raised her, and she loved me too. + After my father died, she was born, + We gave mother up for lost, so worn + And wretchedly she lay there then, + And slowly, day by day, grew well again. +3130 She couldn’t think of feeding + It herself: that poor little thing, + And so I nursed it all alone, + On milk and water, as if it were my own, + In my arms, in my lap, +3135 It charmed me, tumbling, and grew fat. + +Faust + + You found your greatest happiness there, for sure. + +Margaret + + But also truly many a weary hour. + The baby’s cradle stood at night + Beside my bed: and if it hardly stirred +3140 I woke outright: + Now I nursed it, now laid it beside me: heard + When it cried, and left my bed, and often + Danced it back and forth, in the room: and then, + At break of dawn stood at the washtub, again: +3145 Then the market and the kitchen, oh, + And every day just like tomorrow. + One sometimes lacks the courage, sir, and yet + One appreciates one’s food and rest. + +(They move on.) + +Martha + + Women have the worst of it: it’s true: +3150 A bachelor is hard to change, you see. + +Mephistopheles + + That just depends on the likes of you, + The right teacher might improve me. + +Martha + + Say, have you never found anyone, dear sir? + Has your heart never been captured, anywhere? + +Mephistopheles + +3155 The proverb says: A hearth of your own, + And a good wife, are worth pearls and gold. + +Martha + + I mean: have you never felt desire, even lightly? + +Mephistopheles + + I’ve everywhere been treated most politely. + +Martha + + I meant to say: were you never seriously smitten? + +Mephistopheles + +3160 With ladies, one should never dare be flippant. + +Martha + + Ah, you won’t understand me! + + Mephistopheles + I am sorry! Yet you’ll find + I understand – that you are very kind. + +(They move on.) + +Faust + + And, Angel, did you recognise me again, + As soon as I appeared in the garden? + +Margaret + +3165 Didn’t you see my gaze drop then? + +Faust + + And you forgive the liberty I’ve taken, + The impertinence of it all, + Just as you were leaving the Cathedral? + +Margaret + + I was flustered, such a thing’s never happened to me: +3170 ‘Ah’, I thought, ‘has he seen, in your behaviour, + Something that’s impertinent or improper? + No one could ever say anything bad about me. + He seems to be walking suddenly, with you, + As though he dealt with a girl of easy virtue’. +3175 I confess, I didn’t know what it was, though, + That I began to feel, and to your advantage too, + But certainly I was angry with myself, oh, + That I could not be angrier with you. + +Faust + + Sweet darling! + +Margaret + + Wait a moment! + +(She picks a Marguerite and pulls the petals off one by one.) + + Faust + What’s that for, a bouquet? + +Margaret + + No, it’s a game. + + Faust + What? + + Margaret +3180 No, you’ll laugh if I say! + +(She pulls off the petals, murmuring to herself.) + +Faust + + What are you whispering? + +Margaret (Half aloud.) + + He loves me – he loves me not. + +Faust + + You sweet face that Heaven forgot! + +Margaret (Continuing.) + +Loves me – Not – Loves me – Not + +(She plucks the last petal with delight.) + + He loves me! + +Faust + + Yes, my child! Let this flower-speech +3185 Be heaven’s speech to you. He loves you! + Do you know what that means? He loves you! + +(He grasps her hands.) + +Margaret + + I’m trembling! + + Faust + Don’t tremble, let this look, + Let this clasping of hands tell you +3190 What’s inexpressible: + To give oneself wholly, and feel + A joy that must be eternal! + Eternal! – Its end would bring despair. + No, no end! No end! + +(Margaret presses his hand, frees herself, and runs away. He stands a +moment in thought: then follows her.) + +Martha (Coming forward.) + + Night is falling. + +Mephistopheles + +3195 Yes, and we must away. + +Martha + + I’d ask you to remain here longer, + But this is quite a wicked place. + It’s as if they had nothing to do yonder, + And no work they should be doing +3200 But watching their neighbours’ to-ing and fro-ing, + And whatever one does, insults are hurled. + And our couple, now? + +Mephistopheles + + Flown up the passage, there. + Wilful little birds! + +Martha + + He seems keen on her. + +Mephistopheles + + And she on him. It’s the way of the world. + +Scene XIII: An Arbour in the Garden + +(Margaret comes in, hides behind the door of the garden-house, holds +her fingers to her lips, and peeps through the gaps.) + +Margaret + + He’s coming. + +Faust (Appearing.) + +3205 Ah, rascal, you tease me so! I’ve got you! + +(He kisses her.) + +Margaret (Clasping him, and returning the kiss.) + + Dearest man! With all my heart I love you! + +(Mephistopheles knocks.) + +Faust (Stamping his foot in frustration.) + + Who’s there? + +Mephistopheles + + A dear friend! + + Faust + A creature! + + Mephistopheles + It’s time to go. + +Martha (Appearing.) + + Yes, sir, it’s late! + +Faust + + May I keep company with you, though? + +Margaret + + My mother would tell me, – Farewell! + + Faust + Must I go, then? + Farewell! + +Martha + + Goodbye, now! + +Margaret + +3210 And soon to meet again! + +(Faust and Mephistopheles exit.) + +Margaret + + Dear God! That one man, by thinking, + Can know everything, oh, everything! + I stand in front of him, ashamed + And just say yes to all he says. +3215 I’m such a poor, ignorant child, and he - + I can’t understand what he sees in me. + +Scene XIV: Forest and Cavern + +(Faust, alone.) + + Sublime spirit, you gave me all, all, + I asked for. Not in vain have you + Revealed your face to me in flame. +3220 You gave me Nature’s realm of splendour, + With the power to feel it, and enjoy. + Not merely as a cold, awed stranger, + But allowing me to look deep inside, + Like seeing into the heart of a friend. +3225 You lead the ranks of living creatures + Before me, showing me my brothers + In the silent woods, the air, the water. + And when the storm roars in the forest, + When giant firs fell their neighbours, +3230 Crushing nearby branches in their fall, + Filling the hills with hollow thunder, + You lead me to the safety of a cave, + Show me my own self, and reveal + Your deep, secret wonders in my heart. +3235 And when the pure Moon, to my eyes, + Rises, calming me, the silvery visions + Of former times, drift all around me, + From high cliffs, and moist thickets, + Tempering thought’s austere delight. +3240 Oh, I know now that nothing can be + Perfect for Mankind. You gave me, + With this joy, that brings me nearer, + Nearer to the gods, a companion, + Whom I can no longer do without, + Though he is impudent, and chilling, +3245 Degrades me in my own eyes, and with + A word, a breath, makes your gifts nothing. + He fans a wild fire in my heart, + Always alive to that lovely form. + So I rush from desire to enjoyment, +3250 And in enjoyment pine to feel desire. + +(Mephistopheles enters.) + +Mephistopheles + + Haven’t you had enough of this life yet? + How can you be happy all this time? + It’s fine for a man to try it for a bit, + But then you need a newer clime! + +Faust + +3255 I wish you’d something else to do, + Than plague me on a good day. + +Mephistopheles + + Now, now! I’d gladly ignore you, + You don’t really mean it anyway. + You’d be little loss to me, +3260 A rude, mad, sour companion. + One’s hands are full all day, and see, + What pleases you, or what to let be, + No one can tell from your expression. + +Faust + + So that’s the tone he takes! +3265 I’m to thank him, for boring me. + +Mephistopheles + + Poor Son of Earth, how could you make + Your way through life without me? + I’ve cured you for a while at least + Of your twitches of imagination, +3270 If I weren’t here, you’d certainly + Have walked right off this earthly station. + In rocky hollows, in a hole, + Why sit around here, like an owl? + From soaking moss and dripping stone, +3275 Sucking your nourishment, like a toad? + Spend your time sweeter, better! + Your body’s still stuck there with the Doctor. + +Faust + + Do you understand the new power of being + That a walk in the wilderness can bring? +3280 But then, if you were able to guess, + You’re devil enough to begrudge my happiness. + +Mephistopheles + + An other-worldly pleasure. + Night and day, mountains for leisure. + Clasping heaven and earth, blissfully, +3285 Inflating yourself, becoming a deity. + With expectant urge burrowing through earth’s core, + Feeling all that six days’ work, in yours, + To taste who knows what, in power’s pride, + Overflowing, almost, with the joy of life, +3290 Vanishing, the Earthly Son, + And into some deep Intuition – + +(With a gesture.) + + I can’t say how – passing inside. + +Faust + + Fie, on you! + +Mephistopheles + + Ah, you don’t like it from me! + You’ve the right, to say ‘fie’ to me, politely. +3295 Before chaste ears men daren’t speak aloud, + That which chaste hearts can’t do without: + Short and sweet, I begrudge the pleasure you get + From occasionally lying to yourself, about it. + But you won’t hold out for long, I’m sure. +3300 You’re already over-driven, + Sooner or later you’ll be given + To madness, or to fear and horror. + Enough! Your lover sits inside, + All is dull, oppressive to her, +3305 She can’t get you out of her mind, + Her deep love overwhelms her. + First your love’s flood round her flowed, + As a stream pours from melted snow: + You’ve so filled her heart, and now, +3310 Your stream again is shallow. + Instead of enthroning yourself in the wood, + Let the great gentleman do some good, + To that poor little ape of flesh and blood, + And reward her, I think, for her love. +3315 Her days seem pitifully long: + She sits at the window, cloud drifting + Over the old City wall, sees it lifting. + ‘Would I were a little bird!’ runs her song, + All day long, and all night long. +3320 Sometimes lively, mostly not, + Sometimes crying out, in tears, + Then quiet again, it appears, + And always in love. + +Faust + + You snake! You snake, you! + +Mephistopheles + +3325 A touch! That caught you! + +Faust + + Wretch! Be gone from my presence: + Don’t name that lovely girl to me! + Don’t bring desire for that sweet body + Before every half-maddened sense! + +Mephistopheles + +3330 Well, what then? She thinks you’ve flown away, + And, half and half, you already have, I’d say. + +Faust + + I’m near her, and were I still far, + I can’t lose her or forget her, + I even envy the body of our Lord, +3335 When her lips touch it at the altar. + +Mephistopheles + + Quite so, my friend! My envy often closes + On that pair of twins that feed among the roses. + +Faust + + Away from me, procurer! + +Mephistopheles + + Fine, you curse and I must smile. + The god who made both man and woman, +3340 He likewise knew the noblest profession, + So made the opportunity as well. + Go on, it’s a crying shame! + Since you’re bound, all the same + For your lover’s room, not death. + +Faust + +3345 Where is the heavenly joy in her arms? + Let me warm myself with her charms! + Do I not always feel her absent breath? + Am I not the fugitive? The homeless one? + The creature without aim or rest, +3350 A torrent in the rocks, still thundering down, + Foaming eagerly into the abyss? + And she beside it, with vague childlike mind, + In a hut there, on a little Alpine field, + So, her first homely life you’d find, +3355 Hidden there in that little world. + And I, the god-forsaken, + Was not great enough, + To grasp the cliffs, and take them, + And crush them into dust! +3360 I still must undermine her peaceful life! + You, Hell, must have your sacrifice. + Help, Devil, curtail the anxious moment brewing. + What must be, let it be, and swiftly! + Let her fate also fall on me, +3365 And she and I rush to ruin! + +Mephistopheles + + Again it glows: again it seethes! + Go in and comfort her, you fool! + When a brain, like yours, no exit sees, + It calls it the end of all things, too. +3370 Praise him who keeps his courage fresh! + Or you’ll soon get quite be-devilled, there. + I find nothing in the world so tasteless, + As a Devil, in despair. + +Scene XV: Gretchen’s Room + +(Gretchen alone at the spinning wheel.) + + ‘My peace is gone, +3375 My heart is sore: + I’ll find it, never, + Oh, nevermore. + + When he’s not here, + My grave is near, +3380 The world is all, + A bitter gall. + + My poor head + Feels crazed to me. + My poor brain +3385 Seems dazed to me. + + My peace is gone, + My heart is sore: + I’ll find it, never, + Oh, nevermore. + +3390 Only to see him + I look out. + Only to meet him, + I leave the house. + + His proud steps, +3395 His noble figure, + His smiling lips, + His eyes: their power. + + And all his speech + Like magic is, +3400 His fingers’ touch, + And, oh, his kiss! + + My peace is gone, + My heart is sore: + I’ll find it, never, +3405 Oh, nevermore. + + My heart aches + To be with him, + Oh if I could + Cling to him, + +3410 And kiss him, + The way I wish, + So I might die, + At his kiss! + +Scene XVI: Martha’s Garden + +(Margaret. Faust.) + +Margaret + + Promise me, Heinrich! + + Faust + If I can! + +Margaret + +3415 Say, as regards religion, how you feel. + I know that you are a dear, good man, + Yet, for you, it seems, it has no appeal. + +Faust + + Leave that alone, child! You feel I’m kind to you: + For Love I’d give my blood, my life too. +3420 I’ll rob no man of his church and faith. + +Margaret + + That’s not right, we must have faith. + +Faust + + Must we? + +Margaret + + Ah, if in this I was only fluent! + You don’t respect the Holy Sacrament. + +Faust + + I respect it. + +Margaret + + Without wanting it, though. You’ve passed +3425 So many years without confession, or mass. + Do you believe in God? + +Faust + + My darling, who dare say: + ‘I believe in God’? + Choose priest to ask, or sage, + The answer would seem a joke, would it not, + Played on whoever asks? + +Margaret + +3430 So, you don’t believe? + +Faust + + Sweetest being, don’t misunderstand me! + Who dares name the nameless? + Or who dares to confess: + ‘I believe in him’? +3435 Yet who, in feeling, + Self-revealing, + Says: ‘I don’t believe’? + The all-clasping, + The all-upholding, +3440 Does it not clasp, uphold, + You: me, itself? + Don’t the heavens arch above us? + Doesn’t earth lie here under our feet? + And don’t the eternal stars, rising, +3445 Look down on us in friendship? + Are not my eyes reflected in yours? + And don’t all things press + On your head and heart, + And weave, in eternal mystery, +3450 Visibly: invisibly, around you? + Fill your heart from it: it is so vast, + And when you are blessed by the deepest feeling, + Call it then what you wish, + Joy! Heart! Love! God! +3455 I have no name + For it! Feeling is all: + Names are sound and smoke, + Veiling Heaven’s bright glow. + +Margaret + + That’s all well and good, I know, +3460 The priest says much the same, + Only, in slightly different words. + +Faust + + It’s what all hearts, say, everywhere + Under the heavenly day, + Each in its own speech: +3465 And why not I in mine? + +Margaret + + Listening to you, it almost seems quite fine, + Yet something still seems wrong, to me, + Since you don’t possess Christianity. + +Faust + + Dear child! + +Margaret + + I’ve long been grieved +3470 To see you in such company. + +Faust + + Why, who? + +Margaret + + That man who hangs round you so, + I hate him in my innermost soul: + Nothing in all my life has ever + Given my heart such pain, no, never, +3475 As his repulsive face has done. + +Faust + + Don’t be afraid of him, sweet one! + +Margaret + + His presence here, it chills my blood. + To every other man I wish good: + But much as I’m longing to see you +3480 I’ve a secret horror of seeing him, too, + I’ve thought him a rogue, all along! + God forgive me, if I do him wrong! + +Faust + + There have to be such odd fellows. + +Margaret + + I’d rather not live with such as those! +3485 Once he’s inside the door, again, + He looks around in a mocking way, + And half-severely: + You can see he’s not at all in sympathy: + It’s written on his forehead even, +3490 That there’s no spirit of love within. + I’m so happy in your arms, + Free, untroubled, and so warm, + Yet I’m stifled in his presence. + +Faust + + You angel, full of presentiments! + +Margaret + +3495 It oppresses me, so deeply, too, + That when he meets with us, wherever, + I feel that I no longer love you. + Ah I can’t pray when he’s there, + And that gnaws inside me: oh, +3500 Heinrich, for you too, surely it’s so. + +Faust + + It’s merely an antipathy! + +Margaret + + I must go now. + +Faust + + Ah, will there never be + An hour where I can clasp you to my heart, + And heart to heart, and soul, to soul impart? + +Margaret + +3505 Ah, if I only slept alone! + For you, I’d gladly draw the bolt tonight: + But my mother hears the slightest tone, + And if we were caught outright, + I’d die on the selfsame spot! + +Faust + +3510 You angel: no need for that. + Here is a little phial to keep! + Three drops of this, in her drink, she’ll take, + And Nature will favour her with deepest sleep. + +Margaret + + What would I not do for your sake? +3515 I hope that it won’t harm her though! + +Faust + + Would I advise it, Love, if it were so? + +Margaret + + Ah, I only have to see you, dearest man, + And something bends me to your will, + For you, so much, I have already done, +3520 Little remains for me to do for you still. + +(She exits.) + +(Mephistopheles enters.) + + The little monkey! Has it gone? + +Faust + + Spying again, are you? + +Mephistopheles + + I’ve heard in infinite detail, how + The Doctor works his catechism through, + And I hope it does you good, now. +3525 Girls are always so keen to review + Whether one’s virtuous, and sticks to the rules. + They think if a man can be led, he’ll follow too. + +Faust + + Monster, you can’t see + How this true loving soul, +3530 Full of a belief, + That is wholly + Her salvation, torments herself so, + In case her lover should be lost indeed. + +Mephistopheles + + You sensual wooer, beyond the sensual, +3535 A Magdalen leads you by the nose, I see. + +Faust + + Abortion, of the filth and fire of hell! + +Mephistopheles + + And how well she reads one’s physiognomy: + In my presence, senses, without knowing how, + The hidden mind behind the mask: she feels +3540 That I’m an evil genius, at least, and now + Perhaps, that it’s the Devil it conceals. + So, tonight? – + +Faust + + What’s that to you? + +Mephistopheles + + I take my pleasure in it too! + +Scene XVII: At The Fountain + +(Gretchen and Lisbeth.) + +Lisbeth + + Have you not heard from Barbara? + +Gretchen + +3545 Not a word. I go out so seldom. + +Lisbeth + + It’s certain, Sibyl told me: well then, + She finally fell to that seducer. + There’s a lady for you! + +Gretchen + + How so? + +Lisbeth + + It stinks! + She’s feeding two when she eats and drinks. + +Gretchen + +3550 Oh! + +Lisbeth + + Serves her right then, finally. + She clung to that fellow, oh so tightly! + That was a fine to-ing and fro-ing, + Round the village, and dance-going, +3555 Ahead of us all, they had to shine, + Him treating her always to cakes and wine: + She the picture of loveliness, oh so fine, + So low after all, then, and so shameless, + And the gifts she took from him, nameless. +3560 It was all kissing and carrying on: + But now the flower is gone! + +Gretchen + + The poor thing! + +Lisbeth + + Why are you so pitying? + When each of us was at our spinning, + When mother never let us out, +3565 She and her lover hung about: + On the bench, in a dark alley, + Forgetting the time, he and she. + She can’t raise her head again, + In a sinner’s shift now, penitent. + +Gretchen + +3570 Surely he’ll take her for his wife. + +Lisbeth + + He’d be a fool! A lively fellow + Can ply his trade elsewhere, and so - + He’s gone. + + Gretchen + Oh, that’s not nice! + +Lisbeth + + If she gets him, she’ll reap ill in a trice, +3575 The lads will tear at her wreath, what’s more + We’ll scatter chaff in front of her door! + +(She exits.) + +Gretchen (Walking home.) + + How proudly I’d revile her, then, + Whenever some poor girl had fallen! + I couldn’t find words enough, I mean, +3580 To pour out scorn for another’s sin! + Black as it seemed, I made it blacker, + Not black enough for me: oh never. + It blessed its own being, that proud self, + Yet now I’m the image of sin, myself! +3585 Yet all that drove me on to do it, + God! Was so fine! Oh, so sweet! + +Scene XVIII: A Tower + +(In a niche of its wall a shrine, and image of the Mater Dolorosa, +with flowers in front of it. Gretchen sets out fresh flowers. ) + +Gretchen + + Oh bow down, + Sorrowful one, + Your kind face, to my affliction! + +3590 A sword in your heart, + Where a thousand pains start, + You look up, at your dead Son. + + You look up to the Father, + You send Him your sighs, there, +3595 For His, and for your, affliction. + + Who then can feel, + How like steel, + Is the pain inside my bones? + What my poor heart fears for, +3600 What it quakes for, and longs for + You know, and you alone! + + Wherever I go now, + How sore, sore, sore now + How sore my heart must be! +3605 Ah, when I’m alone here, + I moan, moan, moan here: + My heart it breaks in me. + + The pots before my window! + My tears bedewed them so, +3610 In the early dawn, when + I picked the flowers below. + + The sun it shone so brightly, + And early, in my room, + Where I sat already, +3615 On my bed, in deepest gloom. + + Help me! Oh, save me, from shame and destruction! + Oh, bow down, + Sorrowful one, + Your kind face, to my affliction! + +Scene XIX: Night + +(The Street in front of Gretchen’s door.) + +Valentine (A soldier, Gretchen’s brother.) + +3620 When I have sat, and heard the toasts, + Where everyone makes good his boasts, + And comrades praised, to me, the flower + Of maidenhood, and loud the hour, + With brimming glass that blurred the praise, +3625 And elbows sticking out all ways, + I sat in my own peace secure, + Listening to the boastful roar, + And as I stroked my beard, I’d smile + And take a full glass in my hand, +3630 Saying: ‘Each to his own, but I’ll + Ask if there’s any in this land, + Who, to my Gretel, can compare + Whose worth can ever equal hers?’ + Hear! Hear! Clink! Clang! Went around: +3635 Some cried out: ‘He’s quite correct, + She’s an ornament to all her sex.’ + There sat the boasters, not a sound. + And now! – I could tear my hair out, bawl, + And dash my head against the wall! – +3640 With jeers, they now turn up their noses: + Every rogue can taunt me, he supposes! + Like a bankrupt debtor, when I’m sitting, + A casual word can start me sweating! + And though I thrash them all together, +3645 I’ve still no right to call them liars. + + Who goes there? What’s creeping by? + If I’m not wrong, there’s two I spy. + If it’s him, I’ll have him by the skin, + Alive he’ll not leave the place he’s in! + +(Faust. Mephistopheles) + +Faust + +3650 How the glow of the eternal light + Shines from the Sacristy window, there, + On either side grows fainter, fainter, + And all around draws in the night! + Now it seems as dark within my heart. + +Mephistopheles + +3655 And I’ve a little of the tom-cat’s art, + That creeps around the fire escape, + Then slinks along the wall, a silent shape, + I’m quite virtuous in my way, + A little prone to thieve, and stray. +3660 The splendour of Walpurgis Night, + Already haunts all my members, + It’s the day after tomorrow’s light: + There, why one watches, one remembers. + +Faust + + Meanwhile you’ll bring that wealth to view, +3665 That I see there, glimmering, behind you? + +Mephistopheles + + You’ll soon experience the delight + Of holding this cauldron to the light. + I recently had a squint inside – + Where splendid silver dollars hide. + +Faust + +3670 And not a jewel, or a ring, + To adorn my darling girl? + +Mephistopheles + + Among the rest I saw a thing, + A sort of necklace, made of pearl. + +Faust + + That’s good! It’s painful to me, +3675 To take no gift for her to see. + +Mephistopheles + + You shouldn’t find it so annoying, + To get something now, for nothing. + Now the sky glows, filled with stars, + You’ll hear the work of a master: +3680 I’ll sing a few moralising bars, + All the better to seduce her. + +(Sings to the zither.) + + ‘Why are you here, + Katrina dear, + In daylight clear, +3685 At your lover’s door? + No, no! Not when, + It will let in, + A maid, and then, + Let out a maid no more! + +3690 Take care: for once + It’s over and done, + And it’s all gone, + Goodnight to you, poor thing! + Keep love’s belief, + And pleasure brief, +3695 From every thief, + Unless you’ve a wedding ring.’ + +Valentine (Approaching.) + + Whom do you lure? By every element! + You evil-tongued rat-catcher! +3700 To the devil, with your instrument! + To the devil, too, with the singer! + +Mephistopheles + + The zither’s broken! There’s nothing left of it. + +Valentine + + There’s a still a skull left I’ll need to split! + +Mephistopheles (To Faust.) + + Look lively, Doctor! Don’t give ground. +3705 Stand by: I’ll command this thing. + Out with your fly-whisk, now. + You lunge! I’m parrying. + +Valentine + + Parry, then! + +Mephistopheles + + And why not, indeed? + +Valentine + + And that! + +Mephistopheles + + Ah, yes! + +Valentine + + The devil opposes me! +3710 What’s this? My hand’s already maimed. + +Mephistopheles (To Faust.) + + Thrust, home! + +Valentine (Falls.) + + Ah! + +Mephistopheles + + Now, the lout is tamed! + Away, we must go! Swiftly, of course, + Soon the cries of murder will begin, + With the police, now, I’m well in: +3715 But not so much so with the courts. + +(He exits with Faust.) + +Martha (At the window.) + + Come here! Come here! + +Gretchen (At the window.) + + Here’s a light! + +Martha + + Hear how they swear and struggle, yell and fight. + +On-lookers + + Here’s one dead already! + +Martha (Leaving the house.) + + Where have the murderers gone? + +Gretchen (Leaving the house.) + + Who is it, lying there? + +On-lookers + +3720 Your mother’s son. + +Gretchen + + Almighty God! What misery! + +Valentine + + I’m dying! That’s soon spoken, + And, sooner still, it will be done. + Why stand there, crying, woman? +3725 Come, hear me everyone! + +(They gather round him.) + + You’re still young, my Gretchen, see! + And still haven’t sense enough, to be + Effective in your occupation. + I’ll tell you confidentially: +3730 Now that you’re a whore indeed, + Be one, by proclamation! + +Gretchen + + My brother! God! Why speak to me so? + +Valentine + + In this business, leave God alone! + Sadly, what is done is done, +3735 And what will come: will come. + Begin with one, in secret, then, + Soon you’ll gather other men, + And, when a dozen of them have had you, + All the town can have you too. +3740 When Shame herself appears, + She’s first brought secretly to light, + Then they draw the veil of night + Over both her eyes and ears: + Men would gladly kill her, I say, +3745 But they let her walk about and prosper, + So she goes nakedly by day, + Yet isn’t any lovelier. + She’s the uglier to our sight, + The more it is she seeks the light. +3750 Truly I can see the day + When all honest people + Will turn aside from you, girl, + As from a corpse with plague. + Your heart’s flesh will despair, +3755 When they look you in the face, + You’ll have no golden chain to wear! + At the altar, there, you’ll have no place! + You’ll not be dancing joyfully + In all your lovely finery! +3760 In some wretched gloomy corner, you + Will hide, with cripples and beggars too, + And, though God may still forgive, + Be damned on earth while you live! + +Martha + + Commend your soul to God’s mercy! +3765 Will you end your life with blasphemy? + +Valentine + + If I could destroy your withered body, + Shameless, bawd, I’d hope to see + A full measure of forgiveness + For me, and all my sinfulness. + +Gretchen + +3770 My brother! These are the pains of hell! + +Valentine + + I said, leave off weeping, girl! + When you and honour chose to part, + That was the sword-thrust in my heart. + I go, through a sleep within the grave, +3775 To God, as a soldier, true and brave. + +(He dies.) + +Scene XX: The Cathedral + +(A Mass, with organ and choir.) + +(Gretchen among a large congregation: the Evil Spirit behind +Gretchen.) + +The Evil Spirit + + How different it was, Gretchen, + When you, still innocent, + Came here to the altar, + And from that well-thumbed Book, +3780 Babbled your prayers, + Half, a childish game, + Half, God in your heart! + Gretchen! + What’s in your mind? +3785 In your heart, + What crime? + Do you pray for your mother’s soul, who + Through you, fell asleep to long, long torment? + Whose blood is on your doorstep? +3790 And beneath your heart, + Does not something stir and swell, + And trouble you, and itself, + A presence full of foreboding? + +Gretchen + + Oh! Oh! +3795 Would I were free of the thoughts + That rush here and there inside me, + Despite myself! + + Choir (Singing the Requiem Mass, the verses of Thomas of Celano, which + commence: ‘That day, the day of wrath, will dissolve the world to + ash’.) + + ‘Dies Irae, dies illa, + Solvet saeclum in favilla!’ + +(The organ sounds.) + +The Evil Spirit + +3800 Wrath grasps you! + The trumpet sounds! + The grave trembles! + And your heart, + From ashen rest, +3805 To fiery torment + Brought again, + Shudders! + +Gretchen + + Would I were not here! + It seems to me as if the organ +3810 Steals my breath, + The Hymn dissolves + My heart in the abyss. + +Choir + +(Verse 6:‘So when the Judge takes the chair, whatever is hidden will +appear, nothing is left unpunished there.’) + + ‘Judex ergo cum sedebit, + Quidquid latet adparebit, +3815 Nil unultum remanebit.’ + +Gretchen + + I’m so stifled! + The pillars of the walls + Imprison me! + The arches +3820 Crush me! – Air! + +The Evil Spirit + + Hide yourself! Sin and shame + Cannot be hidden. + Light? Air? + Misery, to you! + + Choir (Verse 7: ‘What shall I say in that misery, who shall I ask to + speak for me, when the righteous will be saved, and barely?’) + +3825 ‘Quid sum miser tunc dicturus, + Quem patronum rogaturus, + Cum vix Justus sit securus?’ + +The Evil Spirit + + The transfigured, turn + Their faces from you. +3830 The pure, shudder + To offer you their hand. + Misery! + +Choir (Repeats: ‘What shall I say in that misery?’) + + ‘Quid sum miser tunc dicturus?’ + +Gretchen + + Neighbour! Your restorative! + +(She falls, fainting.) + +Scene XXI: Walpurgis Night + +(The Hartz Mountains, in the region of Schierke and Elend.) + +(Faust, Mephistopheles.) + +Mephistopheles + +3835 Don’t you just long for a broomstick? + I wish I’d the sturdiest goat to ride. + Like this, the journey’s not so quick. + +Faust + + So long as my legs can do the trick, + This knotted stick will do me fine. +3840 Why do we need a shorter way! – + To wander this labyrinth of valleys, + Climb all these cliffs and gullies, + From which the waters ever spray, + That’s a delight enchants the day! +3845 Spring stirs already in the birches, + And even the fir tree knows it now: + Shouldn’t our limbs feel it search us? + +Mephistopheles + + Truly, I don’t feel a thing! + It’s winter in my body, still, +3850 On my path I want it frosty, snowing. + How sadly the Moon’s imperfect circle + With its red belated glow, is rising, + So dim its light that at every step + You scrape a rock, or else a tree! +3855 Ah, there, a will o’ the wisp leapt! + It’s burning fiercely, now, I see. + Hey! My friend! May I ask your aid? + Would you like to give us a blaze? + Be so good as to light us up the hill! + +Will O’ The Wisp + +3860 With respect, I hope I’ll still be able, + To keep my Natural light quite stable: + We usually zig-zag here, at will. + +Mephistopheles + + Ha, ha! He thinks to play the human game. + Go straight along now, in the Devil’s name! +3865 Or I’ll blow out your flickering spark! + +Will O’ The Wisp + + You’re master of the house, I’ll remark, + And yes, I’ll serve you willingly. + But think! The mount is magically mad today, + And if a will o’ the wisp should lead the way, +3870 You mustn’t judge things too precisely. + +Faust, Mephistopheles, The Will O’ The Wisp (In alternating song.) + + We it seems, now find ourselves. + In the sphere of dreams and magic, + Do us honour, guide us well + So our journey will be quick, +3875 Through the wide, deserted spaces! + Tree on tree now shift their places, + See how fast they open to us + And the cliffs bow down before us, + And their long and rocky noses, +3880 How they whistle and blow, for us! + Through the stones, and through the grasses, + Stream and streamlet, downward, hurrying. + Is that rustling? Is that singing? + Do I hear sweet lovers’ sighing, +3885 Heavenly days, is that their babbling? + What we hope for, what we love! + And the echoes, like the murmuring + Of those other days, are ringing. + ‘Too-wit! Too-woo!’ sounding nearer, +3890 Owl there, and jay, and plover, + Are they all awake above? + A salamander in the scrub, he’s + Long of leg, and fat of belly! + And every root like a snake, +3895 Over sand and rock all bent, + Stretches with a strange intent, + To scare us, of us prisoners make: + From the gnarled and living mass, + Stretching towards those who pass, +3900 Fibrous tentacles. And mice + Multi-coloured, lemming-wise, + In the moss and in the heather! + And all the fire-flies glowing, + Crushed together, tightly crowding, +3905 In their tangled cohorts gather. + Tell me, are we standing still, + Or are we climbing up the hill? + All seems spinning like a mill, + Rocks and trees, with angry faces +3910 Lights, now, wandering in spaces, + Massing: swelling at their will. + +Mephistopheles + + Grasp me bravely by the coat-tail! + Here’s a summit in the middle, + Where, astonished you can see, +3915 Mammon glowing furiously. + +Faust + + How strangely, through the hollow, glows + A sort of dull red morning light! + Into the deepest gorge it flows, + Scenting abysses in their night. +3920 There vapour rises: here cloud sweeps, + Here the glow burns through the haze, + Now like a fragile thread it creeps, + Now like a coloured fountain plays. + Here a vast length winds its way, +3925 In a hundred veins, down the vales, + And here in a corner, locked away, + All at once, now lonely, fails. + Nearby the sparks pour down, + Like showers of golden sand, +3930 But see! On all the heights around, + The cliffs, now incandescent, stand. + +Mephistopheles + + Has Mammon not lit his palace + Splendidly, for this festivity? + It’s fortunate you’re here to see, +3935 I already sense the eager guests. + +Faust + + How the wind roars through the air! + And whips around my head! + +Mephistopheles + + Grasp the ancient stony bed, + Lest you’re thrown in the abyss, there. +3940 Mist dims the night to deepest black. + Hear the forest timbers crack! + The owls are flying off in terror. + Hear, how the columns shatter, + In the vast, evergreen halls. +3945 Now the boughs groan and fall! + All the tree-trunks are thrumming! + All their roots are creaking, gaping! + Sinking in a tangled horror, + Crashing down on each other, +3950 And through the ruined gorges + The wind howls and surges. + Hear the voices on the heights? + Far away, and then nearby? + Yes, a furious magic song +3955 Sweeps the mountain, all along! + +Witches (In chorus.) + + To Brocken’s tip the witches stream, + The stubble’s yellow, the seed is green. + There the crowd of us will meet. + Lord Urian has the highest seat. +3960 So they go, over stone and sticks, + The stinking goat, the farting witch. + +A Voice + + Old Baubo comes, alone, and how: + She’s riding on a mother-sow. + +Chorus + + So honour then, where honour’s due! +3965 Baubo, goes first! Then, all the crew! + A tough old sow, a mother proud, + Then follow, all the witches’ crowd. + +A voice + + Which way did you come? + +A voice + + By the Ilsen Stone! + I gazed at the owl in her nest alone. +3970 What a pair of Eyes she made! + +A Voice + + O, all you who to Hell’s gate go! + Why ride there so quickly though? + +A Voice + + She’s driven me hard: oh, see, + The wounds, all over me! + + Witches, Chorus + + The way is broad: the way is long. + Where is this mad yearning from? + The fork will prick, the broom will scratch, + The child will smother: the mother crack. + + Wizards, Half-Chorus + + Like snails in their shells, we’re crawlers, + All the women are there before us. +3980 At the House of Evil, when we’re callers, + Woman’s a thousand steps before us. + +The Other Half + + We don’t measure with so much care, + In a thousand steps a Woman’s there. + But make whatever speed she can, +3985 A single leap, and there is Man. + +Voice (From above.) + + Come now: come now from stony mere! + +Voice (From below.) + + We’d like to climb the heights from here. + We’re as bright and clean as ever, + But we’re unfruitful still, forever. + +Both Choruses + +3990 The wind is quiet: a star shoots by, + The shadowy Moon departs the sky. + The magic choir’s a rush of sparks, + Thousands shower through the dark. + +Voice (From below.) + + Halt! Halt! + +Voice (From above.) + +3995 Who calls there, from the stony vault? + +Voice (From below.) + + Take me with you! Take me with you! + Climbing for three hundred years, + I haven’t reached the summit yet, + I long to be where my peers are met. + +Both Choruses + +4000 Here’s the broom: and here’s the stick, + The ram is here, the fork to prick. + Tonight, whoever can’t deliver + There’s a man is lost forever. + +Half-witches (Below.) + + I’ve stumbled round so long, down here: +4005 How far ahead the rest appear! + I get no peace around the house, + And get none either hereabouts. + +Chorus of Witches + + An ointment makes the witches hale: + A rag will do them for a sail, +4010 A trough’s a goodly ship, and tight: + He’ll fly not who flies not tonight. + +Both Choruses + + And once we’ve soared around, + So, alight then, on the ground, + Cover the heather, far and wide, +4015 With your swarming witches’ tide. + +(They let themselves fall.) + +Mephistopheles + + They push and shove, they roar and clatter! + They whistle and whirl, jostle and chatter! + They glimmer and sparkle, stink and flare! + The genuine witch-element’s there! +4020 We’ll soon be parted, so stay near! + Where are you? + + Faust (In the distance.) + Here! + +Mephistopheles + + What! Nearly out of sight? + Then I’ll have to use a master’s right. + Ground! Sir Voland comes. Sweet folk, give ground! + Here, Doctor, hold tight! In a single bound, +4025 Far from the crowd, we’ll soon be free: + It’s too much, even for the likes of me. + Something burned there with a special light, + In that thicket, as far then as I could see, + Come on! We can slip inside, all right. + +Faust + +4030 You spirit of contradiction! Go on! I follow you. + I think after all it’s worked out quite cleverly: + We walk the Brocken on Walpurgis Night, yet we + Are as isolated now, as we ever could choose. + +Mephistopheles + + See now, what colours flare! +4035 A lively mob club together there. + In little groups one’s not alone. + +Faust + + I’d still rather be higher, though! + I can see fire and whirling smoke. + There the crowd stream, to the Evil One: +4040 There many a puzzle finds solution. + +Mephistopheles + + But many a puzzle’s knotted so. + Let the whole world have its riot, + Here we’ll house ourselves in quiet. + It’s a long and well-established tradition, +4045 From the great one makes a smaller edition. + I see young witches, naked, bare, + And old ones, veiled cunningly. + For my sake, be a little friendly. + The trouble’s slight, the fun is rare. +4050 I hear instruments being tuned, too! + A cursed din, you’ll soon get used to. + Come, with me! There’s no way otherwise, + I’ll step ahead, lead you to their eyes, + And earn your fresh gratitude, so. +4055 What say you? There’s lots of room, my friend. + Look over there! You can’t see its end. + A hundred fires burning, in a row, + They love, and drink, and dance, and chat, + Tell me where you’ll find better than that? + +Faust + +4060 Will you, as we make our bow, + Play the devil, or wizard now? + +Mephistopheles + + To be sure I’m used to travelling incognito, + But on formal occasions rank’s allowed to show. + I’ve no Knight’s garter to mark me out, +4065 But the cloven foot’s honoured in this house. + Do you see how that snail there crawls to me: + With those delicate feelers on its head, + It’s already scented me, you see, + I can’t deny myself, if I wished. +4070 Come! We’ll go from fire to fire, + I’m the broker: you’re the suitor. + +(To some, sitting by dying embers.) + + Old sirs, what do you sit at the edge for? + I’d praise you, in the middle, more, + Among the youthful buzz, and shout. +4075 You’re alone enough inside the house. + +The General + + Who would trust the Nation! + One’s toiled so long for it: + With the people, as with women, + Youth’s always the best fit. + +The Minister + +4080 From every rule they’ve gone astray, + Me, I praise the good old days, + Then, truly, we were all the rage, + That was a real golden age. + +The Nouveau Riche + + We weren’t so stupid, you’d have found, +4085 And often did, what wasn’t right: + But now it all turns round and round, + Just as we’d like to grasp it tight. + +Author + + Who writes anything good these days, + Or reads with moderate intelligence! +4090 And what the dear young folk all praise, + I’ve never seen such stupid nonsense. + +Mephistopheles (Suddenly looking old.) + + I feel folk are ripe for Judgement Day, + Of Witches’ Mount, I’ve made my last ascent. + And now my cask runs cloudy, anyway, +4095 The world itself is all as good as spent. + +Witch-Marketeer + + Gentlemen: don’t pass me by! + Don’t lose the opportunity! + Inspect my wares attentively, + I’ve a selection for your eye. +4100 There’s nothing on my stall, here, + On Earth, it’s equal you’ll not find, + That hasn’t caused some harm somewhere, + To the world itself, and then, mankind. + No knife that isn’t dyed in gore, +4105 No cup that, through some healthy body, + Hot, gnawing venom hasn’t poured, + No gems that haven’t bought some kindly + Girl, no sword that’s not cut ties that bind, + Or, perhaps, struck an enemy from behind. + +Mephistopheles + +4110 Granny! You misunderstand the age. + What’s gone: is done! What’s done: is gone! + Get novelties they’re all the rage! + Now it’s novelties that lead us on. + +Faust + + Don’t let me lose myself in here! +4115 Now, this is what I call a fair! + +Mephistopheles + + This whole whirlpool’s trying to climb above, + You think you’re shoving, and you’re being shoved! + +Faust + + Who is that, there? + +Mephistopheles + + Note that madam! + That’s Lilith. + + Faust + Who? + +Mephistopheles + + First wife to Adam. +4120 Pay attention to her lovely hair, + The only adornment she need wear. + When she traps a young man in her snare, + She won’t soon let him from her care. + +Faust + + Those two, the old and young one, sitting, +4125 They’ve leapt about more than is fitting! + +Mephistopheles + + No rest tonight for anyone. + Let’s grasp them. There’s a new dance, come! + +Faust (Dancing with the lovely young witch.) + + A lovely dream once came to me, + And there I saw an apple-tree, +4130 Two lovely apples, there, did shine, + Tempting me so, I had to climb. + +The Young Witch + + Apples you love a lot, I know, + That once in Paradise did grow. + I’m deeply moved with joy to feel, +4135 That such my garden does reveal. + +Mephistopheles (Dancing with the old witch.) + + A vile dream once came to me, + In it, I saw an old cleft tree, + A monstrous crack there met my eyes, + It pleased me, though, despite its size. + +The Old Witch + +4140 I offer my best greetings to + The knight of the cloven shoe! + He’ll need to have a real stopper, + If he’s not scared of that whopper. + +A Rationalist (Nicolai) + + Cursed Folk! How do you dare to? +4145 Haven’t we shown, for many a season, + Spirits can’t exist: it stands to reason? + Yet you dance around, just as we do! + +The Lovely Witch (Dancing.) + + Why’s he here then, at our ball? + +Faust (Dancing.) + + Oh! He’s everywhere, and into all. +4150 While others dance, he must reflect. + If he can’t discuss every last step, + It’s as good as if it didn’t happen. + He’s angriest at a forward pattern. + But if you turn around in circles, +4155 As he does in his ancient mills, + He’ll call it excellent, least ways + If you greet with interest what he says. + +The Rationalist + + You’re still there! Oh, it’s quite unheard of. + We’re enlightened now, so take yourselves off! +4160 The Devil’s crew’s discounted by every rule: + Yet though clever, still we’re haunted, in Tegel, too. + +The Young Witch + + Well listen: here we’re bored with it! + +The Rationalist + +4165 I tell you, Spirit, to your face: + For me, spirit-rule has no place: + Because my spirit can’t exercise it. + +(The dance continues.) + + I see, tonight, I’ll have no success: + But I get a bit from every trip, +4170 And hope, before the final step, + I’ll defeat the devils and the poets. + +Mephistopheles + + Now he’ll sit in some wet sump, + And console himself, like that, about you, + And if he sticks leeches on his rump, +4175 He’s cured of the Spirit, and Spirits, too. + +(To Faust, who has left the dance.) + + Why have you deserted that lovely girl, + Who sang so sweetly in the dancing? + +Faust + + Ugh! Right in the middle of her singing + A red mouse sprang out of her mouth. + +Mephistopheles + +4180 That’s fine: don’t brood on it, anyway: + Enough, that the mouse wasn’t grey. + At harvest time who queries a mouse? + +Faust + +Then I saw – + +Mephistopheles + + What? + +Faust + + Mephisto, can you see +4185 That lovely child, far off, alone there, + Travelling slowly, so painfully, + As if her feet were chained together. + I must admit, without question + She’s the image of my sweet Gretchen. + +Mephistopheles + + Forget all that! It benefits no one. +4190 It’s a lifeless magic form, a phantom. + Encountering it will do you no good: + Its fixed stare freezes human blood, + And then one’s almost turned to stone: + Medusa’s story is surely known. + +Faust + +4195 Those are the eyes of the dead, truly, + No loving hand has closed their void. + That’s the breast Gretchen offered to me: + That’s the sweet body I enjoyed. + +Mephistopheles + + It’s magic, fool: you’re an easy one to move! +4200 She comes to all, as if she were their love. + +Faust + + What delight! What pain! + I can’t turn from her, again. + Strange, around her lovely throat, + A single scarlet cord adorns her, +4205 Like a knife-cut, and no wider! + +Mephistopheles + + That’s right! I see it too: and note, + She can carry her head under her arm, + Since Perseus did her that fatal harm. + Always desire for that illusion! +4210 Come on, climb this bit of mountain: + It’s as lively as the Vienna Prater, + And if no one’s deceiving me, + I’m looking at a genuine theatre. + You’re showing? + +Servibilis + + It’ll be on again shortly. +4215 A fresh performance: last of seven. + That number, for us, is traditional. + An amateur’s written it, and then + It’s amateurs who perform it all. + Forgive me, sir, if I break off here, +4220 Since I’m the amateur curtain-raiser. + +Mephistopheles + + That I find you on the Blocksberg’s good, + Since I find you exactly where I should. + +Scene XXII: A Walpurgis Night’s Dream + +Or + + Oberon and Titania’s Golden Wedding. + +An Interlude (Intermezzo) + +Theatre Manager + + You brave stagehands, of Weimar, + Take a rest, at least for today. +4225 Ancient mountains, misty vales are, + All the scenery for our play. + +Herald + + Fifty years we’ve passed by, + To make this wedding golden, + But let some argument arise: +4230 There’s gold in it, for me, then. + +Oberon + + Spirits, where I am, be seen: + Appear, all, at this moment: + Fairy King, and Fairy Queen, + Renew their old intent. + +Puck + +4235 Puck comes shooting through the air, + And moves his feet, in time: + After him a hundred, there, + Share his joyful rhyme. + +Ariel + + Ariel conducts his singing +4240 In pure and heavenly tones: + Ugly faces greet its ringing, + But also lovely ones. + +Oberon + + Partners if you’d get along, + Learn then from the two of us! +4245 If we in pairs would love for long, + Someone needs to separate us. + +Titania + + The sulky man, the wilful wife, + So they might know each other, + I’d show him all the Northern ice, +4250 And show her the Equator. + +The Whole Orchestra (Tutti. Very loud.) + + From fly-snout and midge-nose, + And all of their relations, + Frog and cricket, too, there flow + These musical vibrations! + +Solo + +4255 See, the bagpipes on their way! + Made from a soap-bubble. + Hear the snail’s-twaddle play + Through its stumpy nozzle. + +Spirit (Newly formed.) + + Spider’s-feet and toad’s-belly, + With useless winglets to ’em! + A little creature, it can’t be + But it makes a little poem. + +A Tiny Couple + + Little steps and high leaps, + Through honeydew and fragrance here, +4265 You still won’t do enough it seems, + To climb into the atmosphere. + +A Curious Traveller + + A masquerade of mockery? + Do I dare to trust my eyes? + Oberon, that fair divinity, +4270 Do I see him here, tonight? + +The Orthodox + + He’s no tail, and not a claw! + And yet it’s him, it’s true: + Like the gods of Greece, I’m sure, + He must be a devil too. + +Northern Artist + +4275 What I capture here today, + In truth is only sketchy: + Yet I prepare myself, someday + For my Italian journey. + +Purist + + Ah! My bad luck brings me here: +4280 Since I haven’t been invited! + Of all the witches to appear, + Only two are powdered. + +Young Witch + + Powder like a petticoat + On an old, grey witch you’ll see, +4285 While I sit naked on my goat, + And show a fine young body. + +Married Woman + + We have too much experience, + To moan about you, here, then! + Yet, as young and tender you are, once, +4290 So, I hope you will be, rotten. + +Orchestral Conductor + + Fly-snout and midge-nose, + Don’t swarm around the naked! + Frog and cricket, too, all know + Your time, and don’t mistake it! + +A Wind-Vane (Swinging to one side.) + +4295 Society, as one would like it done: + True pure brides along the slope! + And young fellows, one for one, + People quite brimful of hope! + +The Wind-Vane (Swinging to the other side.) + + And if the ground doesn’t split, +4300 And swallow everyone, + I’ll be so amazed at it, + I’ll leap into hell at once. + +Xenies (Barbed verses: Greek – gifts exchanged.) + + As insects we appear, + With little claws we’re nipping, +4305 To do Satan, our Papa, + Due honour as is fitting. + +Hennings (August Von Hennings, a literary enemy.) + + See them, packed in a crowd, + Naïve, together, poking fun! + At last, they’ll even say, aloud, +4310 Their hearts were blameless ones. + +Musagete (Controller of the Muses: Greek – epithet of Apollo) + + Among this witches’ crew, + I’d gladly lose my way: + They’re easier to manage, too + Than Muses, any day. + +Former ‘Genius of the Age’ + +4315 One was someone, among real folk. + Come on, then: I can hold my end up! + Like Germany’s Parnassus, look, + The Blocksberg’s summit’s broad enough. + +Curious Traveller (Nicolai) + + Say, who’s that haughty man? +4320 He walks with such proud steps. + He sniffs as only a sniffer-out can. + ‘He smells out Jesuits.’ + +A Crane (Lavater) + + I like to fish among the clear + And the muddy levels: +4325 So the pious man appears + Mixing with the devils. + +A Child of This World (Goethe himself.) + + To the pious man, as I’m aware, + Every place is fitting, + So you build, on the Blocksberg here, +4330 Many a house of meeting. + +A Dancer + + Does some new choir succeed? + I hear a distant drum. + ‘No! It’s the booming in the reeds, + Of bitterns, in unison.’ + +A Dancing Master + +4335 How they lift their legs, this lot! + As best they can, they all take flight! + The cripples skip, the clumsy hop, + And don’t care at all what they look like. + +A Fiddle-Player + + The ragged mob all hate so much, +4340 They’d gladly crush the others. + Here the bagpipe draws them, just + As Orpheus’ lyre the creatures. + +The Dogmatist + + I won’t declare it’s madness, now, + Or show myself too critical. +4345 The devil must exist somehow, + Or how could we act the devil? + +The Idealist + + The fantasy in my mind, + For once, is too despotic. + Truly, if I am all, I find +4350 Today I’m idiotic! + +The Realist + + Here’s real pain, at hand, + It annoys me so to see it: + For the first time, here I stand, + Unsteady, on my feet. + +A Believer in the Supernatural + +4355 It’s very pleasant to be here, + And this crowd too has merit: + Since from the devil I infer + Some much more virtuous spirit. + +A Sceptic + + These little flames a-hunting go, +4360 And think they’re near the treasure: + But Devil rhymes with doubtful: so + My being here’s a pleasure. + +Orchestral Conductor + + Frog on leaf, and cricket, oh + You amateur editions! +4365 Fly-snout and midge-nose, + Remember you’re musicians! + +The Skilful + + Carefree, is what they call + This band of happy creatures: + When we can’t go on foot at all +4370 Our head it is that features. + +The Maladroit + + We picked up many a titbit once, + But now, God orders things so, + Our shoes are ragged from the dance, + And we travel on naked soles. + +Will-O’-The-Wisps + +4375 From the swamps we’ve come, + Where we first arose: + In the ranks here, we, at once, + As glittering gallants pose. + +A Shooting Star + + I shoot here from the sky +4380 And star- and firelight meet. + Now across the grass I lie - + Who’ll help me to my feet? + +The Heavy-Footed + + Room, round about us, room! + We crush the grasses under. +4385 Spirits come, and spirits too + Have their bulky members. + +Puck + + Don’t tread so heavily, + Like elephantine calves: let + Puck himself, the sturdy, be, +4390 On this night, the stoutest. + +Ariel + + Loving nature winged your backs, + You spirits, one supposes, + Follow, then, on my light track, + To the hill of roses! + +Orchestra (Quietly: pianissimo) + +4395 Trailing cloud, and misted trees, + Brighten with the day. + Breeze in leaves, and wind in reeds, + And all have flown away. + +Scene XXIII: Gloomy Day + +(A Field. Faust, Mephistopheles.) + +Faust + + In misery! Despair! Wandering wretchedly on the face of the earth, + for ages, and now imprisoned! That kind, unfortunate creature, locked + up in prison as a criminal, and lost in torment! To this! This! – + Treacherous, worthless spirit, you hid it from me! – Stand there, + then! Roll the devil’s eyes in your head, in anger! Stand there, and + defy me with your unbearable presence! Imprisoned! In irredeemable + misery! Delivered up to evil spirits, and the judgement of unfeeling + men! And you’ve troubled me meanwhile with tasteless diversions, + concealed her growing misery from me, and left her helpless in the + face of ruin! + +Mephistopheles + + She is not the first. + +Faust + + Dog! Loathsome Monster! – Change him, infinite Spirit! Change the + worm into his dog-form, in which he often liked to scamper in front of + me, at night, rolling at the feet of the unsuspecting traveller, and + clambering on his shoulders when he fell. Change him into his + favourite likeness, so he can crawl on his belly in the sand in front + of me, and I can trample him, depraved thing, under my feet! – ‘Not + the first!’ – Misery! Misery! That no human spirit can grasp. That + more than one being should sink into the depth of this wretchedness: + that the first, writhing in its death-pangs, under the eyes of Eternal + Forgiveness, did not expiate the guilt of all the others! It pierces + to the marrow of my bones, the misery of this one being – and you + smile calmly at the fate of thousands! + +Mephistopheles + + Now we’re out of our wits again, already, at the point where men’s + brains are cracked. Why did you enter into partnership with us, if + you can’t go through with it? Would you take wing, and yet be free of + dizziness? Did we thrust ourselves on you, or you on us? + +Faust + + Don’t gnash your greedy jaws at me! It disgusts me! – Great and + glorious Spirit, you who revealed yourself to me, nobly, who know my + heart and soul, why shackle me to this disgraceful companion, who + feeds on injury, and at the last on ruin? + +Mephistopheles + + Have you finished? + +Faust + + Save her, or woe to you! May the weightiest curse fall on you for a + thousand ages! + +Mephistopheles + + I can’t undo the bonds of the Avenger, nor loose his bolts. – ‘Save + her!’ – + Who was it dragged her to ruin? I or you? + +(Faust looks around, wildly.) + + Would you grasp the lightning? A good thing it has not been allowed + you miserable mortals! To crush the innocent one who replies is the + tyrant’s way to free oneself of an embarrassment. + +Faust + + Take me to her! She shall be freed! + +Mephistopheles + + And the danger you expose yourself to? Be aware, the guilty blood + from your hands lies on the town. Avenging spirits hover over the + place of death, and lie in wait for the murderer’s return. + +Faust + + And not from yours, too? Murder, and death in this world, be on you, + monster! Take me there, I say, and free her. + +Mephistopheles + + I’ll take you: listen to what I can do! Have I all the powers of + heaven and earth? I’ll confuse the jailor’s mind: you take possession + of the key, and bring her out, hand in human hand! I’ll keep watch: + magic horses are ready: I’ll carry you away. That, I can do. + +Faust + + Away! + +Scene XXIV: Night + +(An open field. Faust and Mephistopheles flying onwards on black +horses.) + +Faust + + What do they weave, round the Ravenstone? + +Mephistopheles + +4400 I don’t know what they’re cooking and brewing. + +Faust + + Soaring up, diving down, bending and bowing. + +Mephistopheles + + A guild of witches. + +Faust + + They scatter, they consecrate. + +Mephistopheles + + Away! Away! + +Scene XXV: A Dungeon + +(Faust, with a bunch of keys and a lamp, in front of an iron door.) + +4405 A long-forgotten shudder grips me, + I’m gripped by all of Mankind’s misery, + Here behind these damp walls, she + Lives: and all her guilt’s illusory. + Do I tremble, then, to free her! +4410 Do I dread, once more, to see her! + On! Fear adds to death’s proximity. + +(He grips the lock. She sings within.) + + My mother, the whore + She killed me! + My father, the rogue, +4415 He gnawed me! + Little sister alone + Laid out the bone + In the cool of the clay: + Then I was a sweet bird on the stone. +4420 Fly away! Fly away! + +Faust (Unlocking the door.) + + She doesn’t know her lover’s listening, + Hears the chains, the straw’s rustling. + +(He enters.) + +Margaret (Hiding herself in the bed of straw.) + + Woe! Woe! It comes. Bitterest Death! + +Faust (Whispering) + + Hush! Hush! It’s I who come, to free you. + +Margaret (Throwing herself down in front of him.) + +4425 Are you a man? Then pity my distress. + +Faust + + Your cries will wake the jailors, too! + +(He grasps the chains, to loose them.) + +Margaret (On her knees.) + + Who gives the executioner + Such power over me! + At midnight you’re already here. +4430 Let me live, have mercy on me! + Won’t it be soon enough when dawn should come? + +(She stands up.) + + I’m still so young, so young! + And yet I’ll die! + I was lovely too, that was my +4435 Ruin. My love was near, now he’s gone: + The garland’s torn: the flowers are done. + Don’t grip me, now, so violently! + What harm have I done you? Spare me! + Don’t let me beg for mercy, in vain, +4440 I’ve never seen you before today! + +Faust + + How shall I endure this misery, say! + +Margaret + + I’m wholly in your power. Oh, + Let me feed my baby first. + I caressed it all night, though, +4445 They told me I caused it hurt, + And now they say I killed it, so, + And now I’ll never be happy again. + They sing songs of me! It’s wicked of folk! + There’s an old story ends this way, +4450 Who told them to tell it so? + +Faust (Falling on his knees.) + + A lover lies at your feet, + Who’ll end your painful slavery. + +Margaret (Throwing herself down next to him.) + + O let’s kneel, the saints will bless! + See here! Under these steps, +4455 Under this sill, + Seethes Hell! + The Evil One + With fierce anger, + Makes his groan! + +Faust (Aloud) + +4460 Gretchen! Gretchen! + +Margaret (Listening closely.) + + The voice of my lover! + +(She leaps to her feet: the chains fall away.) + + Where? I heard him call me. + I’m free! No one holds me. + To his neck, I shall fly, +4465 On his breast, I shall lie! + He called Gretchen! Stood at the sill. + Among the howls and cries of Hell, + Among the devil’s, scornful groans, + I knew his sweet, dear tones. + +Faust + + I’m here! + +Margaret + +4470 Here! O, say it once again! + +(She embraces him.) + + It’s he! It’s he! Where now is all the pain? + Where now the chains, the dungeon’s misery? + You’re here! You come to save me. + I am saved! +4475 Already the street is there again, + Where I first saw you plain, + And the joyful garden, + Where Martha and I waited, then. + +Faust (Struggling to move.) + + Come with me! Come! + +Margaret (Caressing him.) + + O stay, +4480 I’ll gladly stay, if you are with me. + +Faust + + Away! + If you don’t hurry, + We’ll pay for this. + +Margaret + + What? You can no longer kiss? +4485 My dear, so short a time to miss me, + And you’ve forgotten how to kiss me? + Why am I so anxious on your breast? + When, once, at your words, your gaze, + With a whole heaven I was blessed, +4490 And you kissed me, enough to suffocate. + Kiss me! + I kiss you: see! + +(She embraces him.) + + Oh! How cold and silent, + Your lips. +4495 Where has your passion + Gone? + Who brought me this? + +(She turns away from him.) + +Faust + + Come! Follow me! Darling, be bold! + I’ll clasp you with a thousand-fold +4500 Warmth: now follow me! I beg you! + +Margaret (Turning to him.) + + And is it you? Is it really you? + +Faust + + It is! Come, with me! + +Margaret + + You’ll loose the chains, + And take me to your breast, again. + How is it you don’t shrink from me? +4505 Do you know, friend, whom you free? + +Faust + + Come! Come! The night will soon be over. + +Margaret + + I’ve killed my mother, + I’ve drowned my child. + Was it not given to you and I? +4510 You too. - You here! I scarce believe. + Give me your hand! This is no dream. + Your dear hand! – Ah, but it’s damp! + Wipe it clean! Why do I think, + It has blood on. +4515 Ah God! What have you done? + Put your sword away, + I beg you, please! + +Faust + + Let past be past I say! + You’re destroying me! + +Margaret + +4520 No you must live on: must do. + I’ll describe our graves to you. + You must begin them + This very dawn: + The best one is for my mother, +4525 Then, by her, my brother, + Myself, a little further, lay, + But not too far away! + And the little one, at my right breast. + No one else by me will lie! – +4530 Ah, to nestle at your side, + That was a sweet, a darling bliss! + But no more will I achieve it: + It’s as if I must force you to it, + As if you turn aside my kiss: +4535 And yet it’s you, so good, so sweet to see! + +Faust + + You know it is, so come with me! + +Margaret + + Out there? + +Faust + + To Freedom. + +Margaret + + If the grave is there, + Death waiting, then I come! +4540 From here to everlasting rest, + And not a step further would + You go now? O Heinrich, if I could! + +Faust + + You can! Just will it! The door is open! + +Margaret + + I dare not: there’s no hope for me then. +4545 What use is flight? They lie in wait for me. + To be forced to beg is a bitter existence, + And cursed too with an evil conscience! + To wander among strangers, bitter, + And even then I’d still be captured! + +Faust + +4550 I’ll stay beside you. + +Margaret + + Quickly! Quickly! + Save my poor baby! + Away! Down the ridge, + Now, by the brook, +4555 Over the bridge, + Into the wood, + Left, where the plank is, + There, in the pool. + Seize it now: you! +4560 It’s trying to rise, + It’s moving still! + Save it! Save it! + +Faust + + Be sensible! + Only one step, and then you’re free! + +Margaret + +4565 If we were on the mountain, only! + There my mother sits, on a stone, + And oh, the cold, it grips me! + There my mother sits on a stone, + And wags her head, so heavy. +4570 No sign, no nod, for me, I’m sure + Her sleep’s so long: she’ll wake no more. + She slept, while we took our pleasure. + That was such a time to treasure! + +Faust + + Here all’s useless, speech or prayer: +4575 I’ll take you from this place: I’ll dare. + +Margaret + + Let me alone! No, no force! + Don’t grip me so murderously, oh, + I’ve done all else to please you so. + +Faust + + The day breaks! Dearest! Dearest! + +Margaret + +4580 Day! Yes, it’s dawn! The last I’ll see: + My wedding day, that was to be! + Tell no one you’ve been with Gretchen. Ah, bright glance! + It’s done with: all in vain! +4585 We two will meet again: + But not in the dance. + The crowd gather, without speech. + The streets, the square, + Can’t hold them, there. +4590 The bell tolls, the wand breaks. + Now, they seize and tie me! + I’m dragged already to the block. + The blade that quivers over me, + Has quivered before over every neck. +4595 Silent the world, now, as the grave! + +Faust + + Oh, would that I’d never seen the light! + +Mephistopheles (Appears outside.) + + Away! Or you’ll be lost, tonight. + Useless staying and praying! Chattering! + The horses are shivering, +4600 The dawn breaks, clear. + +Margaret + + What rises in the doorway, here? + Him! Him! Send him away! + Why is he here in this holy place? + He wants me! + +Faust + + You will live! + +Margaret + +4605 God of Judgement! To you, myself I give! + +Mephistopheles (To Faust) + + Come! Now! Or I leave you both to stew. + +Margaret + + Father, save me! I belong to you! + Angels! In Holy Company, + Draw round me: guard me! +4610 Heinrich! For you, I fear. + +Mephistopheles + + She is judged! + +A Voice (From above.) + + She is saved! + +Mephistopheles (To Faust.) + + To me, here! + +(He vanishes, with Faust.) + +A Voice (From within, dying away.) + + Heinrich! Heinrich!