Johann Wolfgang von Goethe...Faust, by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe It is twenty years since I first determined to attempt the translation of Faust, in the original metres. At that time,

JohannWolfgangvonGoetheTranslatedintoEnglish,intheoriginalmetres,by

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Preface

AnGoethe

Dedication

PreludeattheTheatre

PrologueinHeaven

FirstPartoftheTragedy

1. Night

2. BeforetheCity–Gate

3. TheStudy

4. TheStudy

5. Auerbach’sCellarinLeipzig

6. Witches’Kitchen

7. Street

8. EveningaSmall,NeatlyKeptChamber

9. Promenade

TABLEOFCONTENTS

https://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/g/goethe/faust/index.html

10. TheNeighbor’sHouse

11. AStreet

12. Garden

13. AGarden–Arbor

14. ForestandCavern

15. Margaret’sRoom

16. Martha’sGarden

17. AttheFountain

18. Donjon

19. Night

20. Cathedral

21. Walpurgis–Night

22. Walpurgis–Night’sDream

23. DrearyDay

24. Night

25. Dungeon

Faust,byJohannWolfgangvonGoethe

ItistwentyyearssinceIfirstdeterminedtoattemptthetranslationofFaust, inthe original metres. At that time, although more than a score of Englishtranslations of the First Part, and three or four of the Second Part, were inexistence,theexperimenthadnotyetbeenmade.TheproseversionofHaywardseemed to have been accepted as the standard, in default of anything moresatisfactory: theEnglishcritics,generally sustaining the translator inhisviewsconcerningthesecondaryimportanceofforminPoetry,practicallydiscouragedanyfurtherattempt;andnoone,familiarwithrhythmicalexpressionthroughtheneeds of his own nature, had devoted the necessary love and patience to anadequatereproductionofthegreatworkofGoethe’slife.

Mr.Brookswas the first toundertake the task, and thepublicationofhistranslationoftheFirstPart(in1856)inducedme,foratime,togiveupmyowndesign.NopreviousEnglishversionexhibitedsuchabnegationofthetranslator’sowntastesandhabitsofthought,suchreverentdesiretopresenttheoriginalinits purest form. The care and conscience with which the work had beenperformedweresoapparent,thatInowstatewithreluctancewhatthenseemed

https://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/g/goethe/faust/preface.html

tometobeitsonlydeficiencies—alackofthelyricalfireandfluencyoftheoriginal in somepassages, and anoccasional loweringof the tone through theuse of words which are literal, but not equivalent. The plan of translationadoptedbyMr.Brookswassoentirelymyown,thatwhenfurtherresidenceinGermanyandamorecarefulstudyofbothpartsofFausthadsatisfiedmethatthefieldwasstillopen—thatthemeansfurnishedbythepoeticalaffinityofthetwo languages had not yet been exhausted—nothing remained formebut tofollowhim inallessentialparticulars.Hisexampleconfirmedme in thebeliefthat there were few difficulties in the way of a nearly literal yet thoroughlyrhythmicalversionofFaust,whichmightnotbeovercomeby loving labor.AcomparisonofseventeenEnglishtranslations,inthearbitrarymetresadoptedbythetranslators,sufficientlyshowedthedangerofallowinglicenseinthisrespect:thewhitelightofGoethe’sthoughtwastherebypassedthroughthetintedglassof other minds, and assumed the coloring of each. Moreover, the plea ofselecting different metres in the hope of producing a similar effect isunreasonable,wheretheidenticalmetresarepossible.

Thevalueofform,inapoeticalwork,isthefirstquestiontobeconsidered.NopoeteverunderstoodthisquestionmorethoroughlythanGoethehimself,orexpressed a more positive opinion in regard to it. The alternative modes oftranslationwhichhepresents(reportedbyRiemer,quotedbyMrs.Austin,inher“Characteristics of Goethe,” and accepted by Mr. Hayward),A are quiteindependent of his views concerning the value of form, which we find givenelsewhere, in the clearest andmost emphaticmanner.B Poetry is not simply afashion of expression: it is the form of expression absolutely required by acertain class of ideas. Poetry, indeed,may be distinguished fromProse by thesingle circumstance, that it is the utterance of whatever in man cannot beperfectlyutteredinanyotherthanarhythmicalform:itisuselesstosaythatthenakedmeaningisindependentoftheform:onthecontrary,theformcontributesessentially to the fullnessof themeaning. InPoetrywhichendures through its

owninherentvitality,thereisnoforcedunionofthesetwoelements.Theyareasintimately blended, and with the samemysterious beauty, as the sexes in theancientHermaphroditus.Toattempt to representPoetry inProse, isverymuchlikeattemptingtotranslatemusicintospeech.C

A “‘There are two maxims of translation,’ says he: ‘the one requires that the author, of aforeignnation,bebrought tous insuchamannerthatwemayregardhimasourown; theother,onthecontrary,demandsofusthatwetransportourselvesovertohim,andadopthissituation,hismodeofspeaking,andhispeculiarities.Theadvantagesofbotharesufficientlyknowntoallinstructedpersons,frommasterlyexamples.’”Isitnecessary,however,thatthereshouldalwaysbethisalternative?Wherethelanguagesarekindred,andequallycapableofall varietiesofmetricalexpression,maynotboth these “maxims”beobserved in thesametranslation?Goethe,itistrue,wasoftheopinionthatFaustoughttobegiven,inFrench,inthemannerofClementMarot;but thiswasundoubtedlybecausehe felt the inadequacyofmodernFrenchtoexpressthenaive,simplerealismofmanypassages.ThesameobjectiondoesnotapplytoEnglish.Thereareafewarchaicexpressions inFaust,butnomorethanarestillallowed—nay,frequentlyencouraged—intheEnglishofourday.

B “You are right,” said Goethe; “there are great and mysterious agencies included in thevariousformsofPoetry.Ifthesubstanceofmy‘RomanElegies’weretobeexpressedinthetone and measure of Byron’s ‘Don Juan,’ it would really have an atrocious effect."—Eckermann.

“Therhythm,”saidGoethe,“isanunconsciousresultofthepoeticmood.Ifoneshouldstoptoconsider itmechanically,when about towrite a poem, onewould become bewildered andaccomplishnothingofrealpoeticalvalue."—Ibid.

“All that is poetic in character should be rythmically treated! Such ismy conviction; and ifeven a sort of poetic prose should be gradually introduced, it would only show that thedistinctionbetweenproseandpoetryhadbeencompletelylostsightof."—GoethetoSchiller,1797.

Tycho Mommsen, in his excellent essay, Die Kunst des Deutschen Uebersetzers ausneuerenSprachen, goesso faras to say: “Themetrical or rhymedmodellingof apoeticalworkissoessentiallythegermofitsbeing,that,ratherthanbygivingitup,wemighthopetoconstructasimilarworkofartbeforetheeyesofourcountrymen,bygivinguporchangingthe substance. The immeasurable result which has followed works wherein the form hasbeenretained—suchastheHomerofVoss,andtheShakespeareofTieckandSchlegel—isanincontrovertibleevidenceofthevitalityoftheendeavor.”

C “Goethe’spoemsexerciseagreatswayoverme,notonlyby theirmeaning,butalsoby

The various theories of translation from theGreek andLatin poets have beenadmirably stated by Dryden in his Preface to the “Translations from Ovid’sEpistles,”andIdonotwishtocontinuetheendlessdiscussion—especiallyasour literature needs examples, not opinions. A recent expression, however,carries with it so much authority, that I feel bound to present someconsiderationswhich the accomplished scholar seems to have overlooked.Mr.LewesD justly says: “The effect of poetry is a compound of music andsuggestion; thismusicand this suggestionare intermingled inwords,which toalter is to alter the effect. For words in poetry are not, as in prose, simplerepresentativesofobjectsandideas:theyarepartsofanorganicwhole—theyare tones in theharmony.”He thereupon illustrates the effectof translationbychangingcertainwell-knownEnglishstanzasintoothers,equivalentinmeaning,but lackingtheirfelicityofwords, theirgraceandmelody.Icannotaccept thisillustrationasvalid,becauseMr.Lewespurposelyomitstheveryqualitywhichan honest translator should exhaust his skill in endeavoring to reproduce. Heturns away from the one best word or phrase in the English lines he quotes,whereas the translatorseeksprecisely thatonebestwordorphrase (havingalltheresourcesofhislanguageatcommand),torepresentwhatissaidinanotherlanguage.Morethanthis,histaskisnotsimplymechanical:hemustfeel,andbeguidedby,asecondaryinspiration.Surrenderinghimselftothefullpossessionofthespiritwhichshallspeakthroughhim,hereceives,also,aportionofthesamecreative power. Mr. Lewes reaches this conclusion: “If, therefore, we reflectwhat a poemFaust is, and that it contains almost every variety of style andmetre,itwillbetolerablyevidentthatnooneunacquaintedwiththeoriginalcanformanadequateideaofitfromtranslation,”Ewhichiscertainlycorrectofanytranslation wherein something of the rhythmical variety and beauty of theoriginal is not retained. That very much of the rhythmical character may beretainedinEnglish,waslongagoshownbyMr.Carlyle,Finthepassageswhich

theirrhythm.Itisalanguagewhichstimulatesmetocomposition."—Beethoven.

hetranslated,bothliterallyandrhythmically,fromtheHelena(PartSecond).Infact,wehavesomanyinstancesofthepossibilityofreciprocallytransferringthefinestqualitiesofEnglishandGermanpoetry,thatthereisnosufficientexcusefor an unmetrical translation of Faust. I refer especially to such subtile andmelodiouslyricsas“TheCastlebytheSea,”ofUhland,andthe“SilentLand”ofSalis,translatedbyMr.Longfellow;Goethe’s“Minstrel”and“CopticSong,”byDr. Hedge; Heine’s “Two Grenadiers,” by Dr. Furness and many of Heine’ssongsbyMrLeland;andalso to theGerman translationsofEnglish lyrics,byFreiligrathandStrodtmann.G

DLifeofGoethe(BookVI.).

EMr.Lewesgivesthefollowingadvice:“TheEnglishreaderwouldperhapsbestsucceedwhoshould first readDr.Anster’sbrilliantparaphrase,and thencarefullygo throughHayward’sprose translation.” This is singularly at variance with the view he has just expressed. Dr.Anster’sversionisanalmostincredibledilutionoftheoriginal,writteninothermetres;whileHayward’sentirelyomitstheelementofpoetry.

FForeignReview,1828.

GWhenFreiligrathcanthusgiveusWalterScott:—

orStrodtmannthusreproduceTennyson:—

“Kommt,wiederWindkommt,WennWäldererzitternKommt,wiedieBrandungWennFlottenzersplittern!Schnellheran,schnellherab,SchnellerkommtAl’e!—HäuptlingundBub’undKnapp,HerrundVasalle!”

“EsfälltderStrahlaufBurgundThal,UndschneeigeGipfel,reichanSagen;Viel’LichterwehnaufblauenSeen,BergabdieWasserstürzejagen!Blas,Hüfthorn,blas,inWiederhallerschallend:Blas,Horn—antwortet,Echos,hallend,hallend,hallend!”

Ihaveamoreseriousobjection,however,tourgeagainstMr.Hayward’sprosetranslation.Wherealltherestraintsofverseareflungaside,weshouldexpect,atleast,asaccurateareproductionofthesense,spirit,andtoneoftheoriginal,asthe genius of our language will permit. So far from having given us such areproduction,Mr.Haywardnotonlyoccasionallymistakestheexactmeaningofthe German text,H but, wherever two phrases may be used to express themeaningwith equal fidelity, he very frequently selects thatwhich has the lessgrace,strength,orbeauty.I

Fortherearefewthingswhichmaynotbesaid,inEnglish,inatwofoldmanner— one poetic, and the other prosaic. In German, equally, a word which in

—itmustbeadullearwhichwouldbesatisfiedwiththeomissionofrhythmandrhyme.

HOnhissecondpage,thelineMeinLiedertöntderunbekanntenMenge,“Mysongsoundstotheunknownmultitude,” istranslated:“Mysorrowvoices itself to thestrange throng.”OtherEnglishtranslators,Inotice,havefollowedMr.HaywardinmistakingLiedforLeid.

I I take but one out of numerous instances, for the sake of illustration. The close of theSoldier’sSong(PartI.SceneII.)is:—

Literally:

ThisMr.Haywardtranslates:—

“KühnisdasMühen,HerrlichderLohn!UnddieSoldatenZiehendavon.”

Boldistheendeavor,Splendidthepay!AndthesoldiersMarchaway.

Boldtheadventure,Noblethereward—AndthesoldiersAreoff.

ordinaryusehasabareprosaiccharactermayreceiveafairerandfinerqualityfromitsplaceinverse.Theprosetranslatorshouldcertainlybeabletofeelthemanifestationofthislawinbothlanguages,andshouldsochoosehiswordsastomeettheirreciprocalrequirements.Aman,however,whoisnotkeenlysensibletothepowerandbeautyandvalueofrhythm,islikelytooverlookthesedelicateyetmostnecessarydistinctions.Theauthor’sthoughtisstrippedofalastgracein passing through his mind, and frequently presents very much the sameresemblance to the original as an unhewn shaft to the fluted column. Mr.Haywardunconsciouslyillustrateshislackofarefinedappreciationofverse,“ingiving,”ashesays,”asortofrhythmicalarrangement tothelyricalparts,”hisobjectbeing“toconveysomenotionofthevarietyofversificationwhichformsone great charm of the poem.” A literal translation is always possible in theunrhymedpassages;butevenhereMr.Hayward’seardidnotdictatetohimthenecessityofpreservingtheoriginalrhythm.

While, therefore, I heartily recognize his lofty appreciation of Faust —whileIhonorhimforthepatientandconscientiouslaborhehasbestoweduponhis translation — I cannot but feel that he has himself illustrated theunsoundness of his argument. Nevertheless, the circumstance that his prosetranslationofFausthas receivedsomuchacceptanceproves thosequalitiesoftheoriginalworkwhichcannotbedestroyedbyatestsoviolent.Fromthecoldbareoutline thusproduced, thereaderunacquaintedwith theGermanlanguagewouldscarcelyguesswhatglowofcolor,whatrichnessofchangefullife,whatfluentgraceandenergyofmovementhavebeenlostintheprocess.Wemust,ofcourse,gratefullyreceivesuchanoutline,whereanearerapproachtotheformoftheoriginalisimpossible,but,untilthelatterhasbeendemonstrated,wearewrongtoremaincontentwiththecheapersubstitute.

ItseemstomethatinalldiscussionsuponthissubjectthecapacitiesoftheEnglishlanguagehavereceivedbutscantyjustice.Theintellectualtendenciesofourracehavealwaysbeensomewhatconservative,anditsstandardsofliterary

tasteorbelief,oncesetup,arenotvariedwithoutastruggle.TheEnglishearissuspicious of new metres and unaccustomed forms of expression: there arecriticaldetectiveson the trackofeveryauthor, andaviolationof theacceptedcanonsisfollowedbyasummonstojudgment.Thusthetendencyistocontractratherthantoexpandtheacknowledgedexcellencesofthelanguage.J

ThedifficultiesinthewayofanearlyliteraltranslationofFaustintheoriginalmetres have been exaggerated, because certain affinities between the twolanguages have not been properly considered. With all the splendor ofversificationinthework,itcontainsbutfewmetresofwhichtheEnglishtongueis not equally capable.Hoodhas familiarizeduswithdactylic (triple) rhymes,and they are remarkably abundant and skillful inMr. Lowell’s “Fable for theCritics”: even the unrhymed iambic hexameter of theHelena occurs now andtheninMilton’sSamsonAgonistes.ItistruethatthemetricalfootintowhichtheGermanlanguagemostnaturallyfalls is the trochaic,while inEnglish it is theiambic: it is true that German is rich, involved, and tolerant of newcombinations,whileEnglishissimple,direct,andrathershyofcompounds;but

JIcannotresistthetemptationofquotingthefollowingpassagefromJacobGrimm:“Nooneof all the modern languages has acquired a greater force and strength than the English,throughthederangementandrelinquishmentof itsancient lawsofsound.Theunteachable(neverthelesslearnable)profusionofitsmiddle-toneshasconferreduponitanintrinsicpowerof expression, such as no other human tongue ever possessed. Its entire, thoroughlyintellectualandwonderfullysuccessfulfoundationandperfecteddevelopmentissuedfromamarvelousunionofthetwonoblesttonguesofEurope,theGermanicandtheRomanic.TheirmutualrelationintheEnglishlanguageiswellknown,sincetheformerfurnishedchieflythematerialbasis,whilethelatteraddedtheintellectualconceptions.TheEnglishlanguage,byandthroughwhichthegreatestandmosteminentpoetofmoderntimes—ascontrastedwithancient classical poetry—(of course I can refer only to Shakespeare) was begotten andnourished, has a just claim to be called a language of the world; and it appears to bedestined,liketheEnglishrace,toahigherandbroaderswayinallquartersoftheearth.Forin richness, in compact adjustment of parts, and in pure intelligence, none of the livinglanguagescanbecomparedwithit—notevenourGerman,whichisdividedevenaswearedivided, and which must cast off many imperfections before it can boldly enter on itscareer."—UeberdenUrsprungderSprache.

preciselythesedifferencesaresomodifiedintheGermanofFaustthatthereisamutual approach of the two languages. In Faust, the iambic measurepredominates; the style iscompact; themany licenseswhich theauthorallowshimself are all directed towards a shortermode of construction. On the otherhand,Englishmetrecompelstheuseofinversions,admitsmanyverballibertiesprohibitedtoprose,andsoinclinestowardsvariousflexiblefeaturesofitssister-tonguethatmanylinesofFaustmayberepeatedinEnglishwithouttheslightestchange of meaning, measure, or rhyme. There are words, it is true, with sodelicateabloomuponthemthat itcan innowisebepreserved;butevensuchwords will always lose less when they carry with them their rhythmicalatmosphere.The flowofGoethe’sverse is sometimes so similar to thatof thecorrespondingEnglishmetre, that not only its harmonies and caesural pauses,butevenitspunctuation,maybeeasilyretained.

IamsatisfiedthatthedifferencebetweenatranslationofFaustinproseormetre is chiefly one of labor — and of that labor which is successful inproportion as it is joyously performed.My own task has been cheered by thediscovery, that themore closely I reproduced the languageof theoriginal, themoreof its rhythmicalcharacterwas transferredat thesame time. If,nowandthen, there was an inevitable alternative of meaning or music, I gave thepreference to the former.By the term“originalmetres” Idonotmeana rigid,unyielding adherence to every foot, line, and rhyme of the German original,although thishasverynearlybeen accomplished.Since thegreaterpart of theworkiswritteninanirregularmeasure,thelinesvaryingfromthreetosixfeet,andtherhymesarrangedaccordingtotheauthor’swill,Idonotconsiderthatanoccasionalchangeinthenumberoffeet,ororderofrhyme,isanyviolationofthemetricalplan.ThesingleslightlibertyIhavetakenwiththelyricalpassagesis in Margaret’s song — “The King of Thule,"— in which, by omitting thealternate feminine rhymes, yet retaining themetre, Iwas enabled tomake thetranslation strictly literal. If, in two or three instances, I have left a line

unrhymed,Ihavebalancedtheomissionbygivingrhymestootherlineswhichstandunrhymedintheoriginaltext.Forthesamereason,Imakenoapologyfortheimperfectrhymes,whicharefrequentlya translationaswellasanecessity.With all its supreme qualities, Faust is far from being a technically perfectwork.K

Thefeminineanddactylicrhymes,whichhavebeenforthemostpartomittedbyallmetrical translatorsexceptMr.Brooks,are indispensable.Thecharacteristictoneofmanypassageswouldbenearlylost,withoutthem.Theygivespiritandgraceto thedialogue,point to theaphoristicportions(especially in theSecondPart),andanever-changingmusictothelyricalpassages.TheEnglishlanguage,though not so rich as the German in such rhymes, is less deficient than isgenerallysupposed.Thedifficultytobeovercomeisoneofconstructionratherthan of the vocabulary. The present participle can only be used to a limitedextent,onaccountofitsweaktermination,andthewantofanaccusativeformtothenounalsorestrictsthearrangementofwordsinEnglishverse.Icannothopetohavebeenalways successful; but I haveat least labored longandpatiently,bearing constantly in mind not only the meaning of the original and themechanicalstructureofthelines,butalsothatsubtileandhauntingmusicwhichseemstogovernrhythminsteadofbeinggovernedbyit.

B.T.

K “At present, everything runs in technical grooves, and the critical gentlemen begin towranglewhetherinarhymeansshouldcorrespondwithansandnotwithsz.IfIwereyoungand reckless enough, I would purposely offend all such technical caprices: I would usealliteration,assonance,falserhyme,justaccordingtomyownwillorconvenience—but,atthesametime,Iwouldattendtothemainthing,andendeavortosaysomanygoodthingsthateveryonewouldbeattractedtoreadandrememberthem."—Goethe,in1831.

❦


II

III

ANGOETHE

I

ErhabenerGeist,imGeisterreichverloren!WoimmerDeinelichteWohnungsey,Zumhöh’renSchaffenbistDuneugeboren,Undsingestdortdievoll’reLitanei.VonjenemStrebendasDuauserkoren,VomreinstenAether,drinDuathmestfrei,OneigeDichzugnädigemErwiedernDesletztenWiederhallsvonDeinenLiedern!

DenaltenMusendiebestäubtenKronenNahmstDu,zuneuemGlanz,mitkühnerHand:DulöstdieRäthselältesterAeonenDurchjüngerenGlauben,hellerenVerstand,Undmachst,woregeMenschengeisterwohnen,DieganzeErdeDirzumVaterland;UndDeineJüngersehninDir,verwundert,VerkörpertschondaswerdendeJahrhundert.

WasDugesungen,AllerLustundKlagen,DesLebensWiedersprüche,neuvermählt—DieHarfetausendstimmigfrischgeschlagen,

https://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/g/goethe/faust/frontmatter.html

B.T.

DieShakspeareeinst,dieeinstHomergewählt—DarfichinfremdeKlängeübertragenDasAlles,wosoMancherschongefehlt?LassDeinenGeistinmeinerStimmeklingen,UndwasDusangst,lassmichesDirnachsingen!


Againyecome,yehoveringForms!Ifindye,Asearlytomycloudedsightyeshone!ShallIattempt,thisonce,toseizeandbindye?Stillo’ermyheartisthatillusionthrown?Yecrowdmorenear!Then,bethereignassignedye,Andswaymefromyourmisty,shadowyzone!Mybosomthrills,withyouthfulpassionshaken,Frommagicairsthatroundyourmarchawaken.

Ofjoyousdaysyebringtheblissfulvision;Thedear,familiarphantomsriseagain,And,likeanoldandhalf-extincttradition,FirstLovereturns,withFriendshipinhistrain.RenewedisPain:withmournfulrepetitionLifetrackshisdevious,labyrinthinechain,AndnamestheGood,whosecheatingfortunetorethem

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Fromhappyhours,andleftmetodeplorethem.

Theyhearnolongerthesesucceedingmeasures,Thesouls,towhommyearliestsongsIsang:

Dispersedthefriendlytroop,withallitspleasures,Andstill,alas!theechoesfirstthatrang!Ibringtheunknownmultitudemytreasures;Theirveryplauditsgivemyheartapang,Andthosebeside,whosejoymySongsoflattered,Ifstilltheylive,widethroughtheworldarescattered.

Andgraspsmenowalong-unwontedyearningForthatsereneandsolemnSpirit-Land:Mysong,tofaintAeolianmurmursturning,Swayslikeaharp-stringbythebreezesfanned.Ithrillandtremble;tearontearisburning,Andthesternheartistenderlyunmanned.WhatIpossess,Iseefardistantlying,AndwhatIlost,growsrealandundying.


MANAGER

MANAGER—DRAMATICPOET—MERRYANDREW

Youtwo,whooftahelpinghandHavelent,inneedandtribulation.Come,letmeknowyourexpectationOfthis,ourenterprise,inGermanland!Iwishthecrowdtofeelitselfwelltreated,Especiallysinceitlivesandletsmelive;Thepostsareset,theboothofboardscompleted.AndeachawaitsthebanquetIshallgive.Alreadythere,withcuriouseyebrowsraised,Theysitsedate,andhopetobeamazed.IknowhowonethePeople’stastemayflatter,YethereahugeembarrassmentIfeel:Whatthey’reaccustomedto,isnogreatmatter,Butthen,alas!they’vereadanawfuldeal.

https://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/g/goethe/faust/prelude.html

POET

MERRY–ANDREW

Howshallweplan,thatallbefreshandnew—Importantmatter,yetattractivetoo?For’tismypleasure-tobeholdthemsurging,Whentoourbooththecurrentsetsapace,Andwithtremendous,oft-repeatedurging,Squeezeonwardthroughthenarrowgateofgrace:Bydaylighteven,theypushandcraminToreachtheseller’sbox,afightinghost,Andasforbread,aroundabaker’sdoor,infamine,Togetaticketbreaktheirnecksalmost.ThismiraclealonecanworkthePoetOnmensovarious:now,myfriend,prayshowit.

Speaknottomeofyondermotleymasses,Whombuttosee,putsoutthefireofSong!Hidefrommyviewthesurgingcrowdthatpasses,Andinitswhirlpoolforcesusalong!No,leadmewheresomeheavenlysilenceglassesThepurerjoysthatroundthePoetthrong—WhereLoveandFriendshipstilldivinelyfashionThebondsthatbless,thewreathsthatcrownhispassion!Ah,everyutterancefromthedepthsoffeelingThetimidlipshavestammeringlyexpressed—Nowfailing,now,perchance,successrevealing—GulpsthewildMomentinitsgreedybreast;Oroft,reluctantyearsitswarrantsealing,Itsperfectstaturestandsatlastconfessed!Whatdazzles,fortheMomentspendsitsspirit:What’sgenuine,shallPosterityinherit.

Posterity!Don’tnamethewordtome!

MANAGER

POET

IfIshouldchoosetopreachPosterity,Wherewouldyougetcontemporaryfun?Thatmenwillhaveit,there’snoblinking:Afineyoungfellow’spresence,tomythinking,Issomethingworth,toeveryone.Whogeniallyhisnaturecanoutpour,TakesfromthePeople’smoodsnoirritation;Thewidercircleheacquires,themoreSecurelyworkshisinspiration.Thenpluckupheart,andgiveussterlingcoin!LetFancybewithherattendantsfitted—Sense,Reason,Sentiment,andPassionjoin—Buthaveacare,lestFollybeomitted!

Chiefly,enoughofincidentprepare!Theycometolook,andtheyprefertostare.Reeloffahostofthreadsbeforetheirfaces,Sothattheygapeinstupidwonder:thenBysheerdiffusenessyouhavewontheirgraces,Andare,atonce,mostpopularofmen.Onlybymassyoutouchthemass;foranyWillfinally,himself,hisbitselect:Whooffersmuch,bringssomethinguntomany,Andeachgoeshomecontentwiththeeffect,Ifyou’veapiece,why,justinpiecesgiveit:Ahash,astew,willbringsuccess,believeit!’Tiseasilydisplayed,andeasytoinvent.Whatuse,aWholecompactlytopresent?Yourhearerspickandpluck,assoonastheyreceiveit!

Youdonotfeel,howsuchatradedebases;

MANAGER

HowillitsuitstheArtist,proudandtrue!ThebotchingworkeachfinepretendertracesIs,Iperceive,aprinciplewithyou.

Suchareproachnotintheleastoffends;AmanwhosomeresultintendsMustusethetoolsthatbestarefitting.Reflect,softwoodisgiventoyouforsplitting,Andthen,observeforwhomyouwrite!Ifonecomesbored,exhaustedquite,Another,satiate,leavesthebanquet’stapers,And,worstofall,fullmanyawightIsfreshfromreadingofthedailypapers.Idlytoustheycome,astoamasquerade,Merecuriositytheirspiritswarming:Theladieswiththemselves,andwiththeirfinery,aid,Withoutasalarytheirpartsperforming.Whatdreamsareyoursinhighpoeticplaces?You’repleased,forsooth,fullhousestobehold?Drawnear,andviewyourpatrons’faces!Thehalfarecoarse,thehalfarecold.One,whentheplayisout,goeshometocards;Awildnightonawench’sbreastanotherchooses:Whyshouldyourack,poor,foolishbards,Forendslikethese,thegraciousMuses?Itellyou,givebutmore—more,evermore,theyask:Thusshallyouhitthemarkofgainandglory.Seektoconfoundyourauditory!Tosatisfythemisatask.—Whatailsyounow?Is’tsuffering,orpleasure?

POET

MERRY–ANDREW

Go,findyourselfamoreobedientslave!What!shallthePoetthatwhichNaturegave,Thehighestright,supremeHumanity,Forfeitsowantonly,toswellyourtreasure?Whenceo’erthehearthisempirefree?TheelementsofLifehowconquershe?Is’tnothisheart’saccord,urgedoutwardfaranddim,Towindtheworldinunisonwithhim?Whenonthespindle,spuntoendlessdistance,ByNature’slistlesshandthethreadistwirled,AndthediscordanttonesofallexistenceInsullenjanglearetogetherhurled,Who,then,thechangelessordersofcreationDivides,andkindlesintorhythmicdance?WhobringstheOnetojointhegeneralordination,Whereitmaythrobingrandestconsonance?Whobidsthestormtopassionstirthebosom?Inbroodingsoulsthesunsetburnabove?WhoscatterseveryfairestAprilblossomAlongtheshiningpathofLove?Whobraidsthenotelessleavestocrowns,requitingDesertwithfame,inAction’severyfield?WhomakesOlympussure,theGodsuniting?ThemightofMan,asintheBardrevealed.

So,thesefineforces,inconjunction,Propelthehighpoeticfunction,Asinalove-adventuretheymightplay!Youmeetbyaccident;youfeel,youstay,Andbydegreesyourheartistangled;

POET

Blissgrowsapace,andthenitscourseisjangled;You’reravishedquite,thencomesatouchofwoe,Andthere’saneatromance,completedereyouknow!Letus,then,suchadramagive!Grasptheexhaustlesslifethatallmenlive!Eachsharestherein,thoughfewmaycomprehend:Where’eryoutouch,there’sinterestwithoutend.Inmotleypictureslittlelight,Mucherror,andoftruthaglimmeringmite,Thusthebestbeverageissupplied,Whencealltheworldischeeredandedified.Then,atyourplay,beholdthefairestflowerOfyouthcollect,toheartherevelation!Eachtendersoul,withsentimentalpower,Sucksmelancholyfoodfromyourcreation;Andnowinthis,nowthat,theleavenworks.Foreachbeholdswhatinhisbosomlurks.Theystillaremovedatoncetoweepingortolaughter,Stillwonderatyourflights,enjoytheshowtheysee:Amind,onceformed,isneversuitedafter;Oneyetingrowthwillevergratefulbe.

Thengivemebackthattimeofpleasures,WhileyetinjoyousgrowthIsang—When,likeafount,thecrowdingmeasuresUninterruptedgushedandsprang!Thenbrightmistveiledtheworldbeforeme,Inopeningbudsamarvelwoke,AsIthethousandblossomsbroke,Whicheveryvalleyrichlyboreme!

MERRYANDREW

MANAGER

Inothinghad,andyetenoughforyouth—JoyinIllusion,ardentthirstforTruth.Give,unrestrained,theoldemotion,Theblissthattouchedthevergeofpain,ThestrengthofHate,Love’sdeepdevotion—O,givemebackmyyouthagain!

Youth,goodmyfriend,youcertainlyrequireWhenfoesincombatsorelypressyou;Whenlovelymaids,infonddesire,Hangonyourbosomandcaressyou;Whenfromthehard-wongoalthewreathBeckonsafar,theraceawaiting;When,afterdancingoutyourbreath,Youpassthenightindissipating:—ButthatfamiliarharpwithsoulToplay—withgraceandboldexpression,Andtowardsaself-erectedgoalTowalkwithmanyasweetdigression—This,agedSirs,belongstoyou,Andwenolessrevereyouforthatreason:Agechildishmakes,theysay,but’tisnottrue;We’reonlygenuinechildrenstill,inAge’sseason!

Thewordsyou’vebandiedaresufficient;’TisdeedsthatIprefertosee:Incomplimentsyou’rebothproficient,Butmight,thewhile,moreusefulbe.WhatneedtotalkofInspiration?’TisnocompanionofDelay.IfPoetrybeyourvocation,

LetPoetryyourwillobey!Fullwellyouknowwhathereiswanting;Thecrowdforstrongestdrinkispanting,Andsuch,forthwith,I’dhaveyoubrew.What’sleftundoneto-day,To-morrowwillnotdo.Wastenotadayinvaindigression:Withresolute,courageoustrustSeizeeverypossibleimpression,Andmakeitfirmlyyourpossession;You’llthenworkon,becauseyoumust.UponourGermanstage,youknowit,Eachtrieshishandatwhathewill;So,takeoftrapsandscenesyourfill,Andallyoufind,besuretoshowit!Useboththegreatandlesserheavenlylight—Squanderthestarsinanynumber,Beasts,birds,trees,rocks,andallsuchlumber,Fire,water,darkness,DayandNight!Thus,inourbooth’scontractedsphere,ThecircleofCreationwillappear,Andmove,aswedeliberatelyimpel,FromHeaven,acrosstheWorld,toHell!


RAPHAEL

GABRIEL

THELORDandTHEHEAVENLYHOST

AFTERWARDSMEPHISTOPHELES

(THETHREEARCHANGELSCOMEFORWARD.)

Thesun-orbsings,inemulation,‘Midbrother-spheres,hisancientround:HispathpredestinedthroughCreationHeendswithstepofthunder-sound.TheangelsfromhisvisagesplendidDrawpower,whosemeasurenonecansay;Theloftyworks,uncomprehended,Arebrightasontheearliestday.

Andswift,andswiftbeyondconceiving,Thesplendoroftheworldgoesround,Day’sEden-brightnessstillrelievingTheawfulNight’sintenseprofound:

https://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/g/goethe/faust/prologue.html

MICHAEL

THETHREE

MEPHISTOPHELES

Theocean-tidesinfoamarebreaking,Againsttherocks’deepbaseshurled,Andboth,thesphericracepartaking,Eternal,swift,areonwardwhirled!

AndrivalstormsabroadaresurgingFromseatoland,fromlandtosea.AchainofdeepestactionforgingRoundall,inwrathfulenergy.Thereflamesadesolation,blazingBeforetheThunder’scrashingway:Yet,Lord,ThymessengersarepraisingThegentlemovementofThyDay.

Thoughstillbythemuncomprehended,Fromthesetheangelsdrawtheirpower,AndallThyworks,sublimeandsplendid,ArebrightasinCreation’shour.

SinceThou,OLord,deign’sttoapproachagainAndaskushowwedo,inmannerkindest,Andheretoforetomeetmyselfwertfain,AmongThymenials,now,myfaceThoufindest.Pardon,thistroopIcannotfollowafterWithloftyspeech,thoughbythemscornedandspurned:MypathoscertainlywouldmoveThylaughter,IfThouhadstnotallmerrimentunlearned.OfsunsandworldsI’venothingtobequoted;Howmentormentthemselves,isallI’venoted.Thelittlegodo’theworldstickstothesameoldway,AndisaswhimsicalasonCreation’sday.Lifesomewhatbettermightcontenthim,

MEPHISTOPHELES

THELORD

THELORD

MEPHISTOPHELES

THELORD

MEPHISTOPHELES

ButforthegleamofheavenlylightwhichThouhastlenthim:HecallsitReason—thencehispower’sincreased,Tobefarbeastlierthananybeast.SavingThyGraciousPresence,hetomeAlong-leggedgrasshopperappearstobe,Thatspringingflies,andflyingsprings,Andinthegrassthesameolddittysings.Wouldhestilllayamongthegrasshegrowsin!Eachbitofdungheseeks,tostickhisnosein.

Hastthou,then,nothingmoretomention?Com’stever,thus,withillintention?Find’stnothingrightonearth,eternally?

No,Lord!Ifindthings,there,stillbadastheycanbe.Man’smiseryeventopitymovesmynature;I’vescarcethehearttoplaguethewretchedcreature.

Know’stFaust?

TheDoctorFaust?

Myservant,he!

Forsooth!Heservesyouafterstrangedevices:Noearthlymeatordrinkthefoolsuffices:Hisspirit’sfermentfaraspireth;Halfconsciousofhisfrenzied,crazedunrest,ThefaireststarsfromHeavenherequireth,FromEarththehighestrapturesandthebest,AndalltheNearandFarthathedesireth

THELORD

MEPHISTOPHELES

THELORD

MEPHISTOPHELES

THELORD

MEPHISTOPHELES

Failstosubduethetumultofhisbreast.

ThoughstillconfusedhisserviceuntoMe,Isoonshallleadhimtoaclearermorning.Seesnotthegardener,evenwhilebudshistree,Bothflowerandfruitthefutureyearsadorning?

Whatwillyoubet?There’sstillachancetogainhim,Ifuntomefullleaveyougive,Gentlyuponmyroadtotrainhim!

Aslongasheonearthshalllive,SolongImakenoprohibition.WhileMan’sdesiresandaspirationsstir,Hecannotchoosebuterr.

Mythanks!Ifindthedeadnoacquisition,Andnevercaredtohavetheminmykeeping.Imuchpreferthecheekswhereruddybloodisleaping,Andwhenacorpseapproaches,closemyhouse:Itgoeswithme,aswiththecatthemouse.

Enough!Whatthouhastaskedisgranted.Turnoffthisspiritfromhisfountain-head;Totraphim,letthysnaresbeplanted,Andhim,withthee,bedownwardled;Thenstandabashed,whenthouartforcedtosay:Agoodman,throughobscurestaspiration,Hasstillaninstinctoftheonetrueway.

Agreed!But’tisashortprobation.AboutmybetIfeelnotrepidation.IfIfulfillmyexpectation,You’llletmetriumphwithaswellingbreast:

MEPHISTOPHELES

THELORD

Dustshallheeat,andwithazest,Asdidacertainsnake,mynearrelation.

Thereinthou’rtfree,accordingtothymerits;ThelikeoftheehavenevermovedMyhate.Ofallthebold,denyingSpirits,Thewaggishknaveleasttroubledothcreate.Man’sactivenature,flagging,seekstoosoonthelevel;Unqualifiedreposehelearnstocrave;Whence,willingly,thecomradehimIgave,Whoworks,excites,andmustcreate,asDevil.Butye,God’ssonsinloveandduty,Enjoytherich,theever-livingBeauty!CreativePower,thatworkseternalschemes,Claspyouinbondsoflove,relaxingnever,AndwhatinwaveringapparitiongleamsFixinitsplacewiththoughtsthatstandforever!

(HEAVENCLOSES:THEARCHANGELSSEPARATE.)

(solus)

Ilike,attimes,tohearTheAncient’sword,Andhaveacaretobemostcivil:It’sreallykindofsuchanobleLordSohumanlytogossipwiththeDevil!

❦


FAUST

FIRSTPARTOFTHETRAGEDY

I

NIGHT

(A LOFTY-ARCHED, NARROW, GOTHIC CHAMBER. FAUST, IN A CHAIR AT HIS DESK,RESTLESS.)

I’vestudiednowPhilosophyAndJurisprudence,Medicine—Andeven,alas!Theology—Fromendtoend,withlaborkeen;Andhere,poorfool!withallmylore

https://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/g/goethe/faust/act1.html

Istand,nowiserthanbefore:I’mMagister—yea,Doctor—hight,Andstraightorcross-wise,wrongorright,Thesetenyearslong,withmanywoes,I’veledmyscholarsbythenose—Andsee,thatnothingcanbeknown!Thatknowledgecutsmetothebone.I’mcleverer,true,thanthosefopsofteachers,DoctorsandMagisters,ScribesandPreachers;Neitherscruplesnordoubtscomenowtosmiteme,NorHellnorDevilcanlongeraffrightme.

Forthis,allpleasureamIforegoing;Idonotpretendtoaughtworthknowing,IdonotpretendIcouldbeateacherTohelporconvertafellow-creature.Then,too,I’veneitherlandsnorgold,Northeworld’sleastpomporhonorhold—Nodogwouldenduresuchacurstexistence!Wherefore,fromMagicIseekassistance,ThatmanyasecretperchanceIreachThroughspirit-powerandspirit-speech,AndthusthebittertaskforegoOfsayingthethingsIdonotknow—ThatImaydetecttheinmostforceWhichbindstheworld,andguidesitscourse;Itsgerms,productivepowersexplore,Andrummageinemptywordsnomore!

OfullandsplendidMoon,whomIHave,fromthisdesk,seenclimbthesky

Somanyamidnight—wouldthyglowForthelasttimebeheldmywoe!Everthineeye,mostmournfulfriend,O’erbooksandpaperssawmebend;ButwouldthatI,onmountainsgrand,Amidthyblessedlightcouldstand,Withspiritsthroughmountain-cavernshover,Floatinthytwilightthemeadowsover,And,freedfromthefumesoflorethatswatheme,Tohealthinthydewyfountainsbatheme!

Ah,me!thisdungeonstillIsee.Thisdrear,accursedmasonry,WhereeventhewelcomedaylightstrainsButdusklythroughthepaintedpanes.HemmedinbymanyatopplingheapOfbooksworm-eaten,graywithdust,Whichtothevaultedceilingcreep,Againstthesmokypaperthrust—Withglasses,boxes,roundmestacked,Andinstrumentstogetherhurled,Ancestrallumber,stuffedandpacked—Suchismyworld:andwhataworld!

AnddoIask,whereforemyheartFalters,oppressedwithunknownneeds?WhysomeinexplicablesmartAllmovementofmylifeimpedes?Alas!inlivingNature’sstead,WhereGodHishumancreatureset,Insmokeandmouldthefleshlessdead

Andbonesofbeastssurroundmeyet!

Fly!Up,andseekthebroad,freeland!AndthisoneBookofMysteryFromNostradamus’veryhand,Is’tnotsufficientcompany?WhenIthestarrycoursesknow,AndNature’swiseinstructionseek,Withlightofpowermysoulshallglow,Aswhentospiritsspiritsspeak.Tisvain,thisemptybroodinghere,Thoughguessedtheholysymbolsbe:Ye,Spirits,come—yehovernear—Oh,ifyouhearme,answerme!

(HEOPENSTHEBOOK,ANDPERCEIVESTHESIGNOFTHEMACROCOSM.)

Ha!whatasuddenraptureleapsfromthisIview,throughallmysensesswiftlyflowing!Ifeelayouthful,holy,vitalblissIneveryveinandfibrenewlyglowing.WasitaGod,whotracedthissign,Withcalmacrossmytumultstealing,Mytroubledhearttojoyunsealing,Withimpulse,mysticanddivine,ThepowersofNaturehere,aroundmypath,revealing?AmIaGod?—soclearmineeyes!InthesepurefeaturesIbeholdCreativeNaturetomysoulunfold.Whatsaysthesage,nowfirstIrecognize:“Thespirit-worldnoclosuresfasten;Thysenseisshut,thyheartisdead:

Disciple,up!untiring,hastenTobathethybreastinmorning-red!”

(HECONTEMPLATESTHESIGN.)

HoweachtheWholeitssubstancegives,Eachintheotherworksandlives!Likeheavenlyforcesrisinganddescending,Theirgoldenurnsreciprocallylending,WithwingsthatwinnowblessingFromHeaventhroughEarthIseethempressing,FillingtheAllwithharmonyunceasing!Howgrandashow!but,ah!ashowalone.Thee,boundlessNature,howmaketheemyown?Whereyou,yebeasts?FountsofallBeing,shining,WhereonhangHeaven’sandEarth’sdesire,Wheretoourwitheredheartsaspire—Yeflow,yefeed:andamIvainlypining?

(HETURNSTHELEAVESIMPATIENTLY,ANDPERCEIVESTHESIGNOFTHEEARTH-SPIRIT.)

Howotherwiseuponmeworksthissign!Thou,SpiritoftheEarth,artnearer:Evennowmypowersareloftier,clearer;Iglow,asdrunkwithnew-madewine:Newstrengthandhearttomeettheworldinciteme,Thewoeofearth,theblissofearth,inviteme,Andthoughtheshockofstormsmaysmiteme,Nocrashofshipwreckshallhavepowertofrightme!Cloudsgatheroverme—Themoonconcealsherlight—Thelamp’sextinguished!—

FAUST

SPIRIT

SPIRIT

FAUST

SPIRIT

Mistsrise—red,angryraysaredartingAroundmyhead!—TherefallsAhorrorfromthevaultedroof,Andseizesme!Ifeelthypresence,SpiritIinvoke!Revealthyself!Ha!inmyheartwhatrendingstroke!WithnewimpulsionMysensesheaveinthisconvulsion!Ifeeltheedrawmyheart,absorb,exhaustme:Thoumust!thoumust!andthoughmylifeitcostme!

(HE SEIZES THE BOOK, ANDMYSTERIOUSLY PRONOUNCES THE SIGN OF THE SPIRIT.ARUDDYFLAMEFLASHES:THESPIRITAPPEARSINTHEFLAME.)

Whocallsme?

(withavertedhead)

Terribletosee!

Mehastthoulongwithmightattracted,Longfrommyspherethyfoodexacted,Andnow—

Woe!Iendurenotthee!

Toviewmeisthineaspiration,Myvoicetohear,mycountenancetosee;Thypowerfulyearningmovethme,HereamI!—whatmeanperturbationThee,superhuman,shakes?Thysoul’shighcalling,where?Whereisthebreast,whichfromitselfaworlddidbear,Andshapedandcherished—whichwithjoyexpanded,

FAUST

FAUST

SPIRIT

FAUST

SPIRIT

Tobeourpeer,withus,theSpirits,banded?Whereartthou,Faust,whosevoicehaspiercedtome,Whotowardsmepressedwithallthineenergy?Heartthou,who,mypresencebreathing,seeing,Tremblesthroughallthedepthsofbeing,Awrithingworm,aterror-strickenform?

Thee,formofflame,shallIthenfear?Yes,IamFaust:Iamthypeer!

ThusatTime’shummingloom’tismyhandprepares

ThegarmentofLifewhichtheDeitywears!

Thou,whoaroundthewideworldwendest,ThoubusySpirit,hownearIfeeltothee!

Thou’rtliketheSpiritwhichthoucomprehendest,Notme!

(DISAPPEARS.)

(overwhelmed)

Notthee!Whomthen?I,imageoftheGodhead!

InthetidesofLife,inAction’sstorm,Afluctuantwave,Ashuttlefree,BirthandtheGrave,Aneternalsea,Aweaving,flowingLife,all-glowing,

WAGNER

FAUST

WAGNER

FAUST

Notevenlikethee!

(AKNOCK).

ODeath!—Iknowit—’tismyFamulus!Myfairestluckfindsnofruition:InallthefullnessofmyvisionThesoullesssneakdisturbsmethus!

(ENTERWAGNER, IN DRESSING-GOWN AND NIGHT-CAP, A LAMP IN HIS HAND. FAUSTTURNSIMPATIENTLY.)

Pardon,Iheardyourdeclamation;’TwassureanoldGreektragedyyouread?InsuchanartIcravesomepreparation,Sincenowitstandsoneingoodstead.I’veoftenhearditsaid,apreacherMightlearn,withacomedianforateacher.

Yes,whenthepriestcomedianisbynature,Ashaplynowandthenthecasemaybe.

Ah,whenonestudiesthus,aprisonedcreature,Thatscarcetheworldonholidayscansee—Scarcethroughaglass,byrareoccasion,Howshalloneleaditbypersuasion?

You’llne’erattainit,saveyouknowthefeeling,Savefromthesoulitrisesclear,Sereneinprimalstrength,compellingTheheartsandmindsofallwhohear.Yousitforevergluing,patching;Youcookthescrapsfromothers’fare;Andfromyourheapofasheshatching

WAGNER

FAUST

WAGNER

FAUST

Astarvelingflame,yeblowitbare!Takechildren’s,monkeys’gazeadmiring,Ifsuchyourtaste,andbecontent;Butne’erfromhearttoheartyou’llspeakinspiring,Saveyourownheartiseloquent!

Yetthroughdeliveryoratorssucceed;IfeelthatIamfarbehind,indeed.

Seekthouthehonestrecompense!Beware,atinklingfooltobe!Withlittleart,clearwitandsenseSuggesttheirowndelivery;Andifthou’rtmovedtospeakinearnest,Whatneed,thatafterwordsthouyearnest?Yes,yourdiscourses,withtheirglitteringshow,Whereyeformentwistshreddedthoughtlikepaper,AreunrefreshingasthewindsthatblowTherustlingleavesthroughchillautumnalvapor!

Ah,God!butArtislong,AndLife,alas!isfleeting.Andoft,withzealmycritic-dutiesmeeting,Inheadandbreastthere’ssomethingwrong.

HowharditistocompasstheassistanceWherebyonerisestothesource!And,haply,ereonetravelshalfthecourseMustthepoordevilquitexistence.

Isparchment,then,theholyfountbeforethee,Adraughtwherefromthythirstforeverslakes?Notruerefreshmentcanrestorethee,

WAGNER

FAUST

WAGNER

FAUST

WAGNER

Savewhatfromthineownsoulspontaneousbreaks.

Pardon!agreatdelightisgrantedWhen,inthespiritoftheagesplanted,Wemarkhow,ereourtimes,asagehasthought,Andthen,howfarhiswork,andgrandly,wehavebrought.

Oyes,uptothestarsatlast!Listen,myfriend:theagesthatarepastArenowabookwithsevensealsprotected:WhatyoutheSpiritoftheAgescallIsnothingbutthespiritofyouall,WhereintheAgesarereflected.So,oftentimes,youmiserablymarit!Atthefirstglancewhoseesitrunsaway.Anoffal-barrelandalumber-garret,Or,atthebest,aPunch-and-Judyplay,Withmaximsmostpragmaticalandhitting,Asinthemouthsofpuppetsarebefitting!

Butthen,theworld—thehumanheartandbrain!Oftheseonecovetssomeslightapprehension.

Yes,ofthekindwhichmenattain!Whodaresthechild’struenameinpublicmention?Thefew,whothereofsomethingreallylearned,Unwiselyfrank,withheartsthatspurnedconcealing,Andtothemoblaidbareeachthoughtandfeeling,Haveevermorebeencrucifiedandburned.Iprayyou,Friend,’tisnowthedeadofnight;Ourconverseheremustbesuspended.

Iwouldhavesharedyourwatcheswithdelight,

FAUST

CHORUSOFWOMEN

Thatsoourlearnedtalkmightbeextended.To-morrow,though,I’llask,inEasterleisure,Thisandtheotherquestion,atyourpleasure.MostzealouslyIseekforerudition:MuchdoIknow—buttoknowallismyambition.

[EXIT.

(solus)

Thatbrain,alone,notloseshope,whosechoiceisTostickinshallowtrashforevermore—Whichdigswitheagerhandforburiedore,And,whenitfindsanangle-worm,rejoices!

Daresuchahumanvoicedisturbtheflow,Aroundmehere,ofspirit-presencefullest?Andyet,thisoncemythanksIoweTothee,ofallearth’ssonsthepoorest,dullest!ForthouhasttornmefromthatdesperatestateWhichthreatenedsoontooverwhelmmysenses:Theapparitionwassogiant-great,Itdwarfedandwitheredallmysoul’spretences!

I,imageoftheGodhead,whobegan—DeemingEternalTruthsecureinnearness—Yechoirs,haveyebegunthesweet,consolingchant,Which,throughthenightofDeath,theangelsministrantSang,God’snewCovenantrepeating?

WithspicesandpreciousBalm,wearrayedhim;Faithfulandgracious,

CHORUSOFANGELS

FAUST Why,hereindust,enticemewithyourspell,Yegentle,powerfulsoundsofHeaven?Pealratherthere,wheretendernaturesdwell.YourmessagesIhear,butfaithhasnotbeengiven;ThedearestchildofFaithisMiracle.IventurenottosoartoyonderregionsWhencethegladtidingshitherfloat;Andyet,fromchildhoodupfamiliarwiththenote,ToLifeitnowrenewstheoldallegiance.OnceHeavenlyLovesentdownaburningkissUponmybrow,inSabbathsilenceholy;And,filledwithmysticpresage,chimedthechurch-bellslowly,Andprayerdissolvedmeinaferventbliss.Asweet,uncomprehendedyearningDroveforthmyfeetthroughwoodsandmeadowsfree,Andwhileathousandtearswereburning,Ifeltaworldariseforme.Thesechants,toyouthandallitssportsappealing,

Wetenderlylaidhim:LinentobindhimCleanlilywoundwe:Ah!whenwewouldfindhim,Christnomorefoundwe!

Christisascended!Blisshathinvestedhim—Woesthatmolestedhim,Trialsthattestedhim,Gloriouslyended!

CHORUSOFDISCIPLES

CHORUSOFANGELS

ProclaimedtheSpring’srejoicingholiday;AndMemoryholdsmenow,withchildishfeeling,Backfromthelast,thesolemnway.Soundon,yehymnsofHeaven,sosweetandmild!Mytearsgushforth:theEarthtakesbackherchild!

HasHe,victoriously,BurstfromthevaultedGrave,andall-gloriouslyNowsitsexalted?IsHe,inglowofbirth,Rapturecreativenear?Ah!tothewoeofearthStillarewenativehere.We,hisaspiringFollowers,Himwemiss;Weeping,desiring,Master,Thybliss!

Christisarisen,OutofCorruption’swomb:Burstyetheprison,Breakfromyourgloom!Praisingandpleadinghim,Lovinglyneedinghim,Brotherlyfeedinghim,Preachingandspeedinghim,Blessing,succeedingHim,ThusistheMasternear—

ThusisHehere!


SEVERALAPPRENTICES

OTHERS

THEFIRST

ANAPPRENTICE

SECONDAPPRENTICE

THEOTHERS

ATHIRD

AFOURTH

II

BEFORETHECITY–GATE

(PEDESTRIANSOFALLKINDSCOMEFORTH.)

Whydoyougothatway?

We’refortheHunters’lodge,to-day.

We’llsauntertotheMill,inyonderhollow.

GototheRiverTavern,Ishouldsay.

Butthen,it’snotapleasantway.

Andwhatwillyou?

Asgoesthecrowd,Ifollow.

ComeuptoBurgdorf?Thereyou’llfindgoodcheer,Thefinestlassesandthebestofbeer,Andjollyrowsandsquabbles,trustme!


SECONDSTUDENT

AFIFTH

SERVANT–GIRL

ANOTHER

THEFIRST

THEOTHER

ASTUDENT

CITIZEN’SDAUGHTER

THEFIRST

Youswaggeringfellow,isyourhideAthirdtimeitchingtobetried?Iwon’tgothere,yourjollyrowsdisgustme!

No—no!I’llturnandgototownagain.

We’llsurelyfindhimbythosepoplarsyonder.

That’snogreatluckforme,’tisplain.You’llhavehim,whenandwhereyouwander:Hispartnerinthedanceyou’llbe—Butwhatisallyourfuntome?

He’ssurelynotaloneto-day:He’llbewithCurly-head,Iheardhimsay.

Deuce!howtheystep,thebuxomwenches!Come,Brother!wemustseethemtothebenches.Astrong,oldbeer,apipethatstingsandbites,AgirlinSundayclothes—thesethreearemydelights.

Justseethosehandsomefellows,there!It’sreallyshameful,Ideclare;—Tofollowservant-girls,whentheyMighthavethemostgenteelsocietyto-day!

(totheFirst)

Notquitesofast!Twootherscomebehind—Those,dressedsoprettilyandneatly.Myneighbor’soneofthem,Ifind,Agirlthattakesmyheart,completely.Theygotheirwaywithlooksdemure,Butthey’llacceptus,afterall,I’msure.

No,Brother!notformetheirformalways.

BEGGAR

CITIZEN

ANOTHERCITIZEN

THIRDCITIZEN

Quick!lestourgameescapeusinthepress:ThehandthatwieldsthebroomonSaturdaysWillbest,onSundays,fondleandcaress.

Hesuitsmenotatall,ournew-madeBurgomaster!Sincehe’sinstalled,hisarrogancegrowsfaster.Howhashehelpedthetown,Isay?Thingsworsen—whatimprovementnameshe?Obedience,morethanever,claimshe,Andmorethaneverwemustpay!

(sings)

OnSundays,holidays,there’snaughtItakedelightin,Likegossipingofwar,andwar’sarray,WhendowninTurkey,faraway,Theforeignpeoplearea-fighting.Oneatthewindowsits,withglassandfriends,Andseesallsortsofshipsgodowntherivergliding:Andblessesthen,ashomehewendsAtnight,ourtimesofpeaceabiding.

Yes,Neighbor!that’smynotion,too:

Goodgentlemenandlovelyladies,Soredofcheekandfineofdress,Behold,howneedfulhereyouraidis,Andseeandlightenmydistress!Letmenotvainlysingmyditty;He’sonlygladwhogivesaway:Aholiday,thatshowsyourpity,Shallbeformeaharvest-day!

OLDWOMAN

CITIZEN’SDAUGHTER

THEOTHER

SOLDIERS

Why,letthembreaktheirheads,letloosetheirpassions,Andmixthingsmadlythroughandthrough,So,here,wekeepourgoodoldfashions!

(totheCitizen’sDaughter)

Dearme,howfine!Sohandsome,andsoyoung!Whowouldn’tlosehisheart,thatmetyou?Don’tbesoproud!I’llholdmytongue,Andwhatyou’dlikeI’llundertaketogetyou.

Come,Agatha!Ishunthewitch’ssightBeforefolks,lesttherebemisgiving:’Tistrue,sheshowedme,onSaintAndrew’sNight,Myfuturesweetheart,justashewereliving.

Sheshowedmemine,incrystalclear,Withseveralwildyoungblades,asoldier-lover:Iseekhimeverywhere,Ipryandpeer,Andyet,somehow,hisfaceIcan’tdiscover.

Castles,withloftyRampartsandtowers,MaidensdisdainfulInBeauty’sarray,Bothshallbeours!Boldistheventure,Splendidthepay!Lads,letthetrumpetsForusbesuing—Callingtopleasure,Callingtoruin.Stormyourlifeis;

FAUSTANDWAGNERFAUST ReleasedfromicearebrookandriverBythequickeningglanceofthegraciousSpring;Thecolorsofhopetothevalleycling,AndweakoldWinterhimselfmustshiver,Withdrawntothemountains,acrownlessking:Whence,everretreating,hesendsagainImpotentshowersofsleetthatdarkleInbeltsacrossthegreeno’theplain.Butthesunwillpermitnowhitetosparkle;Everywhereformindevelopmentmoveth;Hewillbrightentheworldwiththetintsheloveth,And,lackingblossoms,blue,yellow,andred,Hetakesthesegaudypeopleinstead.Turntheeabout,andfromthisheightBackonthetowndirectthysight.Outofthehollow,gloomygate,Themotleythrongscomeforthelate:Eachwillthejoyofthesunshinehoard,TohonortheDayoftheRisenLord!Theyfeel,themselves,theirresurrection:Fromthelow,darkrooms,scarcehabitable;FromthebondsofWork,fromTrade’srestriction;

Suchisitsboon!MaidensandcastlesCapitulatesoon.Boldistheventure,Splendidthepay!Andthesoldiersgomarching,Marchingaway!

PEASANTS,UNDERTHELINDEN-TREE

WAGNER

Fromthepressingweightofroofandgable;Fromthenarrow,crushingstreetsandalleys;Fromthechurches’solemnandreverendnight,Allcomeforthtothecheerfullight.Howlively,see!themultitudesallies,Scatteringthroughgardensandfieldsremote,Whileovertheriver,thatbroadlydallies,Dancessomanyafestiveboat;Andoverladen,nightosinking,Thelastfullwherrytakesthestream.Yonderafar,fromthehill-pathsblinking,Theirclothesarecolorsthatsoftlygleam.Ihearthenoiseofthevillage,even;HereisthePeople’sproperHeaven;Herehighandlowcontentedsee!HereIamMan—daremantobe!

Tostrollwithyou,SirDoctor,flatters;’Tishonor,profit,untome.ButI,alone,wouldshuntheseshallowmatters,Sinceallthat’scoarseprovokesmyenmity.Thisfiddling,shouting,ten-pinrollingIhate—thesenoisesofthethrong:Theyrave,asSatanweretheirsportscontrolling.Andcallitmirth,andcallitsong!

(DanceandSong.)

Allforthedancetheshepherddressed,Inribbons,wreath,andgayestvestHimselfwithcarearraying:

AroundthelindenlassandladAlreadyfooteditlikemad:Hurrah!hurrah!Hurrah—tarara-la!Thefiddle-bowwasplaying.

Hebroketheranks,nowhitafraid,Andwithhiselbowpunchedamaid,Whostood,thedancesurveying:Thebuxomwench,sheturnedandsaid:“Now,youIcallastupid-head!”Hurrah!hurrah!Hurrah—tarara-la!“Bedecentwhileyou’restaying!”

Thenroundthecirclewenttheirflight,Theydancedtoleft,theydancedtoright:Theirkirtlesallwereplaying.Theyfirstgrewred,andthengrewwarm,Andrested,panting,arminarm—Hurrah!hurrah!Hurrah—tarara-la!Andhipsandelbowsstraying.

Now,don’tbesofamiliarhere!Howmanyaonehasfooledhisdear,Waylayingandbetraying!

Andyet,hecoaxedhersoonaside,Androundthelindensoundedwide.Hurrah!hurrah!

OLDPEASANT

FAUST

OLDPEASANT

FAUST

SirDoctor,itisgoodofyou,Thatthusyoucondescend,to-day,Amongthiscrowdofmerryfolk,Ahighly-learnedman,tostray.Thenalsotakethefinestcan,Wefillwithfreshwine,foryoursake:Iofferit,andhumblywishThatnotaloneyourthirstisslake—That,asthedropsbelowitsbrink,Somanydaysoflifeyoudrink!

Itakethecupyoukindlyreach,Withthanksandhealthtoallandeach.

(THEPEOPLEGATHERINACIRCLEABOUTHIM.)

Intruth,’tiswellandfitlytimed,Thatnowourdayofjoyyoushare,Whoheretofore,inevildays,Gaveussomuchofhelpingcare.Stillmanyamanstandslivinghere,Savedbyyourfather’sskillfulhand,Thatsnatchedhimfromthefever’srageAndstayedtheplagueinalltheland.Thenalsoyou,thoughbutayouth,Wentintoeveryhouseofpain:Manythecorpsescarriedforth,Butyouinhealthcameoutagain.

Notestortrialyouevaded:

Hurrah—tarara-la!Andthefiddle-bowwasplaying.

ALL

FAUST

WAGNER

FAUST

AHelpingGodthehelperaided.

Healthtotheman,soskilledandtried.Thatforourhelphelongmayabide!

ToHimabovebowdown,myfriends,Whoteacheshelp,andsuccorsends!

(HEGOESONWITHWAGNER.)

Withwhatafeeling,thougreatman,mustthouReceivethepeople’shonestveneration!Howluckyhe,whosegiftshisstationWithsuchadvantagesendow!Thou’rtshowntoalltheyoungergeneration:Eachasks,andpressesneartogaze;Thefiddlestops,thedancedelays.Thougoest,theystandinrowstosee,Andallthecapsareliftedhigh;Alittlemore,andtheywouldbendthekneeAsiftheHolyHostcameby.

Afewmorestepsascend,asfarasyonderstone!—Herefromourwanderingwillwerestcontented.Here,lostinthought,I’velingeredoftalone,Whenfoolishfastsandprayersmylifetormented.Here,richinhopeandfirminfaith,Withtears,wrunghandsandsighs,I’vestriven,Theendofthatfar-spreadingdeathEntreatingfromtheLordofHeaven!Nowlikecontemptthecrowd’sapplausesseem:Couldstthoubutread,withinmineinmostspirit,HowlittlenowIdeem,

WAGNER

Thatsireorsonsuchpraisesmerit!Myfather’swasasombre,broodingbrain,WhichthroughtheholyspheresofNaturegropedandwandered,Andhonestly,inhisownfashion,ponderedWithlaborwhimsical,andpain:Who,inhisduskywork-shopbending,Withprovedadeptsincompany,Made,fromhisrecipesunending,Opposingsubstancesagree.TherewasaLionred,awooerdaring,WithintheLily’stepidbathespoused,Andboth,tormentedthenbyflameunsparing,Byturnsineitherbridalchamberhoused.Ifthenappeared,withcolorssplendid,TheyoungQueeninhercrystalshell,Thiswasthemedicine—thepatients’woessoonended,Andnonedemanded:whogotwell?Thuswe,ourhellishbolusescompounding,Amongthesevalesandhillssurrounding,Worsethanthepestilence,havepassed.Thousandsweredonetodeathfrompoisonofmygiving;AndImusthear,byalltheliving,Theshamelessmurdererspraisedatlast!

Why,therefore,yieldtosuchdepression?AgoodmandoeshishonestshareInexercising,withthestrictestcare,Theartbequeathedtohispossession!Dostthouthyfatherhonor,asayouth?Thenmayhisteachingcheerfullyimpelthee:

FAUST

Dostthou,asman,increasethestoresoftruth?Thenmaythineownsonafterwardsexcelthee.

Ohappyhe,whostillrenewsThehope,fromError’sdeepstoriseforever!Thatwhichonedoesnotknow,oneneedstouse;Andwhatoneknows,oneusesnever.Butletusnot,bysuchdespondence,soThefortuneofthishourembitter!Markhow,beneaththeeveningsunlight’sglow,Thegreen-embosomedhousesglitter!Theglowretreats,doneisthedayoftoil;Ityonderhastes,newfieldsoflifeexploring;Ah,thatnowingcanliftmefromthesoil,Uponitstracktofollow,followsoaring!ThenwouldIseeeternalEveninggildThesilentworldbeneathmeglowing,Onfireeachmountain-peak,withpeaceeachvalleyfilled,Thesilverbrooktogoldenriversflowing.Themountain-chain,withallitsgorgesdeep,Wouldthennomoreimpedemygodlikemotion;AndnowbeforemineeyesexpandstheoceanWithallitsbays,inshiningsleep!Yet,finally,thewearygodissinking;Thenew-bornimpulsefiresmymind—Ihastenon,hisbeamseternaldrinking,TheDaybeforemeandtheNightbehind,Abovemeheavenunfurled,thefloorofwavesbeneathme—Agloriousdream!thoughnowthegloriesfade.Alas!thewingsthatliftthemindnoaid

WAGNER

FAUST

Ofwingstoliftthebodycanbequeathme.YetineachsoulisbornthepleasureOfyearningonward,upwardandaway,Wheno’erourheads,lostinthevaultedazure,Thelarksendsdownhisflickeringlay—WhenovercragsandpinyhighlandsThepoisingeagleslowlysoars,AndoverplainsandlakesandislandsThecranesailsbytoothershores.

I’vehad,myself,attimes,someoddcaprices,Butneveryetsuchimpulsefelt,asthisis.Onesoonfatigues,onwoodsandfieldstolook,NorwouldIbegthebirdhiswingtospareus:HowotherwisethementalrapturesbearusFrompagetopage,frombooktobook!Thenwinternightstakelovelinessuntold,Aswarmerlifeineverylimbhadcrownedyou;Andwhenyourhandsunrollsomeparchmentrareandold,AllHeavendescends,andopensbrightaroundyou!

Oneimpulseartthouconsciousof,atbest;O,neverseektoknowtheother!Twosouls,alas!residewithinmybreast,Andeachwithdrawsfrom,andrepels,itsbrother.OnewithtenaciousorgansholdsinloveAndclinginglusttheworldinitsembraces;Theotherstronglysweeps,thisdustabove,Intothehighancestralspaces.Iftherebeairyspiritsnear,‘TwixtHeavenandEarthonpotenterrandsfleeing,

WAGNER

FAUST

Letthemdropdownthegoldenatmosphere,Andbearmeforthtonewandvariedbeing!Yea,ifamagicmantleonceweremine,Towaftmeo’ertheworldatpleasure,Iwouldnotforthecostlieststoresoftreasure—Notforamonarch’srobe—thegiftresign.

Invokenotthusthewell-knownthrong,Whichthroughthefirmamentdiffusedisfaring,Anddangerthousand-fold,ourracetowrong.Ineveryquarterispreparing.SwiftfromtheNorththespirit-fangssosharpSweepdown,andwiththeirbarbédpointsassailyou;ThenfromtheEasttheycome,todryandwarpYourlungs,tillbreathandbeingfailyou:IffromtheDesertsendeththemtheSouth,Withfireonfireyourthrobbingforeheadcrowning,TheWestleadsonahost,tocurethedrouthOnlywhenmeadow,field,andyouaredrowning.Theygladlyhearken,promptforinjury—Gladlyobey,becausetheygladlycheatus;FromHeaventheyrepresentthemselvestobe,Andlisplikeangels,whenwithliestheymeetus.But,letusgo!’Tisgrayandduskyall:Theairiscold,thevaporsfall.Atnight,onelearnshishousetoprize:—Whystandyouthus,withsuchastonishedeyes?What,inthetwilight,canyourmindsotrouble?

Seestthoutheblackdogcoursingthere,throughcornandstubble?

WAGNER

FAUST

WAGNER

FAUST

WAGNER

FAUST

WAGNER

FAUST

WAGNER

FAUST

WAGNER

FAUST

Longsince:yetdeemedhimnotimportantintheleast.

Inspecthimclose:forwhattak’stthouthebeast?

Why,forapoodlewhohaslosthismaster,Andscentsabout,histracktofind.

Seestthouthespiralcircles,narrowingfaster,Whichhe,approaching,roundusseemstowind?Astreamingtrailoffire,ifIseerightly,Followshispathofmystery.

Itmaybethatyoureyesdeceiveyouslightly;NaughtbutaplainblackpoodledoIsee.

ItseemstomethatwithenchantedcunningHesnaresourfeet,somefuturechaintobind.

Iseehimtimidly,indoubt,aroundusrunning,Since,inhismaster’sstead,twostrangersdothhefind.

Thecirclenarrows:heisnear!

Adogthouseest,andnotaphantom,here!Beholdhimstop—uponhisbellycrawl—Histailsetwagging:caninehabits,all!

Come,followus!Comehere,atleast!

’Tistheabsurdest,drollestbeast.Standstill,andyouwillseehimwait;Addresshim,andhegambolsstraight;Ifsomething’slost,he’llquicklybringit—Yourcane,ifinthestreamyouflingit.

Nodoubtyou’reright:notraceofmind,Iown,Isinthebeast:Iseebutdrill,alone.

WAGNER Thedog,whenhe’swelleducated,Isbythewisesttolerated.Yes,hedeservesyourfavorthoroughly—Thecleverscholarofthestudents,he!

(THEYPASSINTHECITY-GATE.)


FAUST

III

THESTUDY

(ENTERING,WITHTHEPOODLE.)

Bestill,thoupoodle;makenotsuchracketandriot!Whyatthethresholdwiltsnuffingbe?

Behindme,fieldandmeadowsleeping,Ileaveindeep,propheticnight,WithinwhosedreadandholykeepingThebettersoulawakestolight.Thewilddesiresnolongerwinus,Thedeedsofpassionceasetochain;TheloveofManreviveswithinus,TheloveofGodrevivesagain.


Behindthestovereposetheeinquiet!MysoftestcushionIgivetothee.Asthou,upyonder,withrunningandleapingAmusedushast,onthemountain’screst,

SonowItaketheeintomykeeping,Awelcome,butalsoasilent,guest.

Snarlnot,poodle!Tothesoundthatrises,Thesacredtonesthatmysoulembrace,Thisbestialnoiseisoutofplace.Weareusedtosee,thatMandespisesWhathenevercomprehends,AndtheGoodandtheBeautifulvilipends,Findingthemoftenhardtomeasure:Willthedog,likeman,snarlhisdispleasure?

Butah!Ifeel,thoughwilltheretobestronger,Contentmentflowsfromoutmybreastnolonger.Whymustthestreamsosoonrundryandfailus,Andburningthirstagainassailus?ThereinI’vebornesomuchprobation!Andyet,thiswantmaybesuppliedus;

Ah,when,withinournarrowchamberThelampwithfriendlylustreglows,Flamesinthebreasteachfadedember,Andintheheart,itselfthatknows.ThenHopeagainlendssweetassistance,AndReasonthenresumesherspeech:Oneyearns,theriversofexistence,TheveryfountsofLife,toreach.

WecalltheSupernaturaltoguideus;WepineandthirstforRevelation,Whichnowhereworthieris,morenoblysent,Thanhere,inourNewTestament.Ifeelimpelled,itsmeaningtodetermine—Withhonestpurpose,onceforall,ThehallowedOriginalTochangetomybelovedGerman.

(HEOPENSAVOLUME,ANDCOMMENCES.)

’Tiswritten:“IntheBeginningwastheWord.”HereamIbalked:who,nowcanhelpafford?TheWord?—impossiblesohightorateit;AndotherwisemustItranslateit.IfbytheSpiritIamtrulytaught.Thenthus:“IntheBeginningwastheThought“Thisfirstlineletmeweighcompletely,Lestmyimpatientpenproceedtoofleetly.IsittheThoughtwhichworks,creates,indeed?“IntheBeginningwasthePower,”Iread.Yet,asIwrite,awarningissuggested,ThatIthesensemaynothavefairlytested.TheSpiritaidsme:nowIseethelight!“IntheBeginningwastheAct,”Iwrite.

IfImustsharemychamberwiththee,Poodle,stopthathowling,prithee!Ceasetobarkandbellow!Suchanoisy,disturbingfellowI’llnolongersuffernearme.Oneofus,dosthearme!

SPIRITS

Mustleave,Ifearme.Nolongerguest-rightIbestow;Thedoorisopen,artfreetogo.ButwhatdoIseeinthecreature?Isthatinthecourseofnature?Is’tactualfact?orFancy’sshows?Howlongandbroadmypoodlegrows!Herisesmightily:Acanineformthatcannotbe!WhataspectreI’veharboredthus!Heresemblesahippopotamus,Withfieryeyes,teethterribletosee:O,nowamIsureofthee!Forallofthyhalf-hellishbroodTheKeyofSolomonisgood.

(inthecorridor)

Someone,within,iscaught!Staywithout,followhimnot!Likethefoxinasnare,Quakestheoldhell-lynxthere.Takeheed—lookabout!Backandforthhover,Underandover,Andhe’llworkhimselfout.Ifyouraidavailhim,Letitnotfailhim;Forhe,withoutmeasure,Haswroughtforourpleasure.

FAUST First,toencounterthebeast,TheWordsoftheFourbeaddressed:

Whoknowsnottheirsense(Theseelements)—TheirpropertiesAndpowernotsees—NomasteryheinheritsOvertheSpirits.

OftheFour,nofeatureLurksinthecreature.Quiethelies,andgrinsdisdain:Notyet,itseems,haveIgivenhimpain.Now,toundisguisethee,Hearmeexorcisethee!

Salamander,shineglorious!Wave,Undine,asbidden!Sylph,bethouhidden!Gnome,belaborious!

Vanishinflamingether,Salamander!Flowfoaminglytogether,Undine!Shineinmeteor-sheen,Sylph!Bringhelptohearthandshelf.Incubus!Incubus!Stepforward,andfinishthus!

MEPHISTOPHELES

Artthou,mygayone,Hell’sfugitivestray-one?Thesignwitnessnow,Beforewhichtheybow,ThecohortsofHell!

Withhairallbristling,itbeginstoswell.

Behindthestovestillbanned,Seeit,anelephant,expand!Itfillsthespaceentire,Mist-likemelting,everfaster.’Tisenough:ascendnohigher—LaythyselfatthefeetoftheMaster!Thouseest,notvainthethreatsIbringthee:WithholyfireI’llscorchandstingthee!WaitnottoknowThethreefolddazzlingglow!WaitnottoknowThestrongestartwithinmyhands!

(WHILE THE VAPOR IS DISSIPATING, STEPS FORTH FROM BEHIND THESTOVE,INTHECOSTUMEOFATRAVELLINGSCHOLAR.)

Whysuchanoise?Whataremylord’scommands?

BaseBeing,hearestthou?KnowestandfearestthouTheOne,unoriginate,Namedinexpressibly,ThroughallHeavenimpermeate,Piercedirredressibly!

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

Thiswasthepoodle’srealcore,Atravellingscholar,then?Thecasusisdiverting.

ThelearnedgentlemanIbowbefore:You’vemademeroundlysweat,that’scertain!

Whatisthyname?

Aquestionsmall,itseems,ForonewhosemindtheWordsomuchdespises;Who,scorningallexternalgleams,Thedepthsofbeingonlyprizes.

Withallyougentlemen,thename’satest,Wherebythenatureusuallyisexpressed.ClearlythelatteritimpliesInnameslikeBeelzebub,Destroyer,FatherofLies.Whoartthou,then?

PartofthatPower,notunderstood,WhichalwayswillstheBad,andalwaysworkstheGood.

Whathiddensenseinthisenigmalies?

IamtheSpiritthatDenies!Andjustlyso:forallthings,fromtheVoidCalledforth,deservetobedestroyed:’Twerebetter,then,werenaughtcreated.Thus,allwhichyouasSinhaverated—Destruction—aughtwithEvilblent—Thatismyproperelement.

Thounam’stthyselfapart,yetshow’stcompletetome?

ThemodesttruthIspeaktothee.IfMan,thatmicrocosmicfool,cansee

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

Himselfawholesofrequently,PartofthePartamI,onceAll,inprimalNight—PartoftheDarknesswhichbroughtforththeLight,ThehaughtyLight,whichnowdisputesthespace,AndclaimsofMotherNightherancientplace.Andyet,thestrugglefails;sinceLight,howe’eritweaves,Still,fettered,untobodiescleaves:Itflowsfrombodies,bodiesbeautifies;Bybodiesisitscourseimpeded;Andso,butlittletimeisneeded,Ihope,ere,asthebodiesdie,itdies!

Iseetheplanthouartpursuing:Thoucanstnotcompassgeneralruin,Andhastonsmallerscalebegun.

Andtruly’tisnotmuch,whenallisdone.ThatwhichtoNaughtisinresistanceset—TheSomethingofthisclumsyworld—hasyet,WithallthatIhaveundertaken,Notbeenbymedisturbedorshaken:Fromearthquake,tempest,wave,volcano’sbrand,Backintoquietsettleseaandland!Andthatdamnedstuff,thebestial,humanbrood—Whatuse,inhavingthattoplaywith?HowmanyhaveImadeawaywith!Andevercirculatesanewer,fresherblood.Itmakesmefurious,suchthingsbeholding:FromWater,Earth,andAirunfolding,Athousandgermsbreakforthandgrow,Indry,andwet,andwarm,andchilly;

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

AndhadInottheFlamereserved,why,really,There’snothingspecialofmyowntoshow!

So,totheactivelyeternalCreativeforce,incolddisdainYounowopposethefistinfernal,Whosewickedclenchisallinvain!Someotherlaborseekthourather,QueerSonofChaos,tobegin!

Well,we’llconsider:thoucanstgatherMyviews,whennextIventurein.MightI,perhaps,departatpresent?

Whythoushouldstask,Idon’tperceive.Thoughouracquaintanceissorecent,Forfurthervisitsthouhastleave.Thewindow’shere,thedoorisyonder;Achimney,also,youbehold.

ImustconfessthatforthImaynotwander,Mystepsbyoneslightobstaclecontrolled—Thewizard’s-foot,thatonyourthresholdmadeis.

Thepentagramprohibitsthee?Why,tellmenow,thouSonofHades,Ifthatprevents,howcam’stthouintome?Couldsuchaspiritbesocheated?

Inspectthething:thedrawing’snotcompleted.Theouterangle,youmaysee,Isopenleft—thelinesdon’tfitit.

Well—Chance,thistime,hasfairlyhitit!

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

Andthus,thou’rtprisonertome?Itseemsthebusinesshassucceeded.

Thepoodlenaughtremarked,asaftertheehespeeded;Butotheraspectsnowobtain:TheDevilcan’tgetoutagain.

Try,then,theopenwindow-pane!

ForDevilsandforspectresthisislaw:Wheretheyhaveenteredin,therealsotheywithdraw.Thefirstisfreetous;we’regovernedbythesecond.

InHellitself,then,lawsarereckoned?That’swell!SomightacompactbeMadewithyougentlemen—andbinding—surely?

Allthatispromisedshalldelighttheepurely;Noskinflintbargainshaltthousee.Butthisisnotofswiftconclusion;We’lltalkaboutthemattersoon.Andnow,Idoentreatthisboon—Leavetowithdrawfrommyintrusion.

OnemomentmoreIasktheetoremain,Somepleasantnews,atleast,totellme.

Releaseme,now!Isoonshallcomeagain;Thenthou,atwill,maystquestionandcompelme.

Ihavenotsnaresaroundtheecast;Thyselfhastledthyselfintothemeshes.WhotrapstheDevil,holdhimfast!Notsoonasecondtimehe’llcatchapreysoprecious.

An’tpleasethee,alsoI’mcontenttostay,

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

SPIRITS

Andservetheeinasocialstation;Butstipulating,thatImayWithartsofmineaffordtheerecreation.

TheretoIwillinglyagree,Ifthediversionpleasantbe.

Myfriend,thou’ltwin,pastallpretences,Moreinthishourtosoothethysenses,Thanintheyear’smonotony.Thatwhichthedaintyspiritssingthee,Thelovelypicturestheyshallbringthee,Aremorethanmagic’semptyshow.Thyscentwillbetoblissinvited;Thypalatethenwithtastedelighted,Thynervesoftouchecstaticglow!Allunprepared,thecharmIspin:We’reheretogether,sobegin!

Vanish,yedarkingArchesabovehim!Loveliestweather,Bornofblueether,Breakfromthesky!OthatthedarklingCloudshaddeparted!Starlightissparkling,Tranquiller-heartedSunsareonhigh.Heaven’sownchildrenInbeautybewildering,

Waveringlybending,Passastheyhover;LongingunendingFollowsthemover.They,withtheirglowingGarments,out-flowing,Cover,ingoing,Landscapeandbower,Where,inseclusion,Loversareplighted,Lostinillusion.Boweronbower!Tendrilsunblighted!Lo!inashowerGrapesthato’erclusterGushintomust,orFlowintoriversOffoamingandflashingWine,thatisdashingGems,asitboundethDownthehighplaces,Andspreading,surroundethWithcrystallinespaces,Inhappyembraces,Blossomingforelands,Emeraldshore-lands!AndthewingedracesDrink,andflyonward—FlyeversunwardTotheenticing

MEPHISTOPHELES Hesleeps!Enough,yefays!yourairynumberHavesunghimtrulyintoslumber:ForthisperformanceIyourdebtorprove.—Notyetartthoutheman,tocatchtheFiendandholdhim!—Withfairestimagesofdreamsinfoldhim,Plungehiminseasofsweetuntruth!Yet,forthethreshold’smagicwhichcontrolledhim,TheDevilneedsarat’squicktooth.Iusenolengthenedinvocation:Hererustlesonethatsoonwillworkmyliberation.

Thelordofratsandekeofmice,

Islands,thatflatter,DippingandrisingLightonthewater!Hark,theinspiringSoundoftheirquiring!See,theentrancingWhirloftheirdancing!AllintheairareFreerandfairer.SomeofthemscalingBoldlythehighlands,Othersaresailing,Circlingtheislands;Othersareflying;Life-wardallhieing—AllforthedistantStarofexistentRaptureandLove!

FAUST

Offliesandbed-bugs,frogsandlice,Summonstheehithertothedoor-sill,Tognawitwhere,withjustamorselOfoil,hepaintsthespotforthee:—Therecom’stthou,hoppingontome!Towork,atonce!ThepointwhichmademecravenIsforward,ontheledge,engraven.Anotherbitemakesfreethedoor:So,dreamthydreams,OFaust,untilwemeetoncemore!

(awaking)

AmIagainsofoullycheated?Remainstherenaughtofloftyspirit-sway,ButthatadreamtheDevilcounterfeited,Andthatapoodleranaway?


FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

IV

THESTUDY

FAUST,MEPHISTOPHELES

Aknock?Comein!Againmyquietbroken?

’TisI!

Comein,then!

Comein!

Thricemustthewordsbespoken.

Thusthoupleasestme.Ihopewe’llsuiteachotherwell;Fornow,thyvaporstodispel,


FAUST Thislifeofearth,whatevermyattire,Wouldpainmeinitswontedfashion.ToooldamItoplaywithpassion;Tooyoung,tobewithoutdesire.WhatfromtheworldhaveItogain?Thoushaltabstain—renounce—refrain!SuchistheeverlastingsongThatintheearsofallmenrings—Thatunrelieved,ourwholelifelong,Eachhour,inpassing,hoarselysings.InveryterrorIatmornawake,Uponthevergeofbitterweeping,Toseethedayofdisappointmentbreak,Tonoonehopeofmine—notone—itspromisekeeping:—Thateveneachjoy’spresentimentWithwilfulcavilwoulddiminish,WithgrinningmasksoflifepreventMyminditsfairestworktofinish!Then,too,whennightdescends,howanxiouslyUponmycouchofsleepIlayme:

Icome,asquireofhighdegree,Inscarletcoat,withgoldentrimming,Acloakinsilkenlustreswimming,Atallcock’s-featherinmyhat,Along,sharpswordforshoworquarrel—AndIadvisethee,briefandflat,Todontheself-samegayapparel,That,fromthisdenreleased,andfree,Lifebeatlastrevealedtothee!

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

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MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

There,also,comesnoresttome,Butsomewilddreamissenttofrayme.TheGodthatinmybreastisownedCandeeplystirtheinnersources;TheGod,abovemypowersenthroned,Hecannotchangeexternalforces.So,bytheburdenofmydaysoppressed,Deathisdesired,andLifeathingunblest!

AndyetisneverDeathawhollywelcomeguest.

Ofortunate,forwhom,whenvictoryglances,Thebloodylaurelsonthebrowhebindeth!Whom,afterrapid,maddeningdances,Inclaspingmaiden-armshefindeth!OwouldthatI,beforethatspirit-power,Ravishedandraptfromlife,hadsunken!

Andyet,bysomeone,inthatnightlyhour,Acertainliquidwasnotdrunken.

Eavesdropping,ha!thypleasureseemstobe.

OmniscientamInot;yetmuchisknowntome.

Thoughsomefamiliartone,retrievingMythoughtsfromtorment,ledmeon,Andsweet,clearechoescame,deceivingAfaithbequeathedfromChildhood’sdawn,YetnowIcursewhate’erenticesAndsnaresthesoulwithvisionsvain;WithdazzlingcheatsanddeardevicesConfinesitinthiscaveofpain!Cursedbe,atonce,thehighambition

CHORUSOFSPIRITS

Wherewiththeminditselfdeludes!CursedbetheglareofapparitionThatonthefinersenseintrudes!Cursedbethelyingdream’simpressionOfname,andfame,andlaurelledbrow!Cursed,allthatflattersaspossession,Aswifeandchild,asknaveandplow!CursedMammonbe,whenhewithtreasuresTorestlessactionspursourfate!Cursedwhen,forsoft,indulgentleisures,Helaysforusthepillowsstraight!Cursedbethevine’stranscendentnectar—ThehighestfavorLoveletsfall!Cursed,also,Hope!—cursedFaith,thespectre!AndcursedbePatiencemostofall!

(invisible)

Woe!woe!Thouhastitdestroyed,Thebeautifulworld,Withpowerfulfist:Inruin’tishurled,Bytheblowofademigodshattered!ThescatteredFragmentsintotheVoidwecarry,DeploringThebeautyperishedbeyondrestoring.MightierForthechildrenofmen,Brightlier

MEPHISTOPHELES ThesearethesmalldependantsWhogivemeattendance.Hearthem,todeedsandpassionCounselinshrewdold-fashion!Intotheworldofstrife,OutofthislonelylifeThatofsensesandsaphasbetrayedthee,Theywouldpersuadethee.Thisnursingofthepainforegothee,That,likeavulture,feedsuponthybreast!Theworstsocietythoufind’stwillshowtheeThouartamanamongtherest.But’tisnotmeanttothrustTheeintothemobthouhatest!Iamnotoneofthegreatest,Yet,wiltthoutomeentrustThystepsthroughlife,I’llguidethee—Willwillinglywalkbesidethee—WillservetheeatonceandforeverWithbestendeavor,And,ifthouartsatisfied,Willasservant,slave,withtheeabide.

Builditagain,Inthineownbosombuilditanew!BidthenewcareerCommence,Withclearersense,AndthenewsongsofcheerBesungthereto!

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Andwhatshallbemycounter-servicetherefor?

Thetimeislong:thouneed’stnotnowinsist.

No—no!TheDevilisanegotist,Andisnotapt,withoutawhyorwherefore,“ForGod’ssake,”otherstoassist.Speakthyconditionsplainandclear!Withsuchaservantdangercomes,Ifear.

Here,anunweariedslave,I’llwearthytether,Andtothineeverynodobedientbe:WhenThereagainwecometogether,Thenshaltthoudothesameforme.

TheTheremyscruplesnaughtincreases.Whenthouhastdashedthisworldtopieces,Theother,then,itsplacemayfill.Here,onthisearth,mypleasureshavetheirsources;Yonsunbeholdsmysorrowsinhiscourses;Andwhenfromthesemylifeitselfdivorces,Lethappenallthatcanorwill!I’llhearnomore:’tisvaintoponderIftherewecherishloveorhate,Or,inthesphereswedreamofyonder,AHighandLowoursoulsawait.

Inthissense,even,canstthouventure.Come,bindthyselfbypromptindenture,Andthoumineartswithjoyshaltsee:Whatnomaneversaw,I’llgivetothee.

Canstthou,poorDevil,givemewhatsoever?Whenwasahumansoul,initssupremeendeavor,

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

E’erunderstoodbysuchasthou?Yet,hastthoufoodwhichneversatiates,now—Therestless,ruddygoldhastthou,Thatruns,quicksilver-like,one’sfingersthrough—Agamewhosewinningsnomaneverknew—Amaidthat,evenfrommybreast,Beckonsmyneighborwithherwantonglances,AndHonor’sgodlikezest,Themeteorthatamomentdances—Showmethefruitsthat,erethey’regathered,rot,Andtreesthatdailywithnewleafageclothethem!

Suchademandalarmsmenot:SuchtreasureshaveI,andcanshowthem.Butstillthetimemayreachus,goodmyfriend.Whenpeacewecraveandmoreluxuriousdiet.

Whenonanidler’sbedIstretchmyselfinquiet.Therelet,atonce,myrecordend!Canstthouwithlyingflatteryruleme,Until,self-pleased,myselfIsee—Canstthouwithrichenjoymentfoolme,Letthatdaybethelastforme!ThebetIoffer.

Done!

Andheartily!WhenthusIhailtheMomentflying:“Ah,stilldelay—thouartsofair!”

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

Thenbindmeinthybondsundying,Myfinalruinthendeclare!Thenletthedeath-bellchimethetoken.Thenartthoufromthyservicefree!Theclockmaystop,thehandbebroken,ThenTimebefinisheduntome!

Considerwell:mymemorygoodisrated.

Thouhastaperfectrightthereto.MypowersIhavenotrashlyestimated:AslaveamI,whate’erIdo—Ifthine,orwhose?’tisneedlesstodebateit.

ThenattheDoctors’-banquetI,to-day,Willasaservantwaitbehindthee.Butonethingmore!Beyondallrisktobindthee,Givemealineortwo,Ipray.

Demand’stthou,Pedant,too,adocument?Hastneverknownaman,norprovedhisword’sintent?Is’tnotenough,thatwhatIspeakto-dayShallstand,withallmyfuturedaysagreeing?Inallitstidessweepsnottheworldaway,Andshallapromisebindmybeing?Yetthisdelusioninourheartswebear:Whowouldhimselftherefromdeliver?Blesthe,whosebosomTruthmakespureandfair!Nosacrificeshallherepentofever.Nathlessaparchment,writandstampedwithcare,Aspectreis,whichalltoshunendeavor.Theword,alas!dieseveninthepen,

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FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

Andwaxandleatherkeepthelordshipthen.Whatwiltfromme,BaseSpirit,say?—Brass,marble,parchment,paper,clay?Thetermswithgraver,quill,orchisel,stated?Ifreelyleavethechoicetothee.

Whyheatthyself,thusinstantly,Witheloquenceexaggerated?Eachleafforsuchapactisgood;Andtosubscribethynamethou’lttakeadropofblood.

Ifthoutherewithartfullysatisfied,Soletusbythefarceabide.

Bloodisajuiceofrarestquality.

FearnotthatIthispactshallseektosever?ThepromisethatImaketotheeIsjustthesumofmyendeavor.Ihavemyselfinflatedalltoohigh;Myproperplaceisthyestate:TheMightySpiritdeignsmenoreply,AndNatureshutsonmehergate.ThethreadofThoughtatlastisbroken,Andknowledgebringsdisgustunspoken.Letusthesensualdeepsexplore,Toquenchthefervorsofglowingpassion!LeteverymarveltakeformandfashionThroughtheimperviousveilitwore!PlungeweinTime’stumultuousdance,IntherushandrollofCircumstance!Thenmaydelightanddistress,

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Andworryandsuccess,Alternatelyfollow,asbesttheycan:Restlessactivityprovestheman!

Foryounobound,notermisset.Whetheryoueverywherebetrying,Orsnatcharapidblissinflying,Mayitagreewithyou,whatyouget!Onlyfallto,andshownotimidbalking.

Butthouhastheard,’tisnotofjoywe’retalking.Itakethewilderingwhirl,enjoyment’skeenestpain,Enamoredhate,exhilarantdisdain.Mybosom,ofitsthirstforknowledgesated,Shallnot,henceforth,fromanypangbewrested,AndalloflifeforallmankindcreatedShallbewithinmineinmostbeingtested:Thehighest,lowestformsmysoulshallborrow,Shallheapuponitselftheirblissandsorrow,Andthus,myownsoleselftoalltheirselvesexpanded,Itoo,atlast,shallwiththemallbestranded!

Believeme,whoformanyathousandyearThesametoughmeathavechewedandtested,ThatfromthecradletothebierNomantheancientleavenhasdigested!Trustoneofus,thisWholesupernalIsmadebutforaGod’sdelight!Hedwellsinsplendorsingleandeternal,Butushethrustsindarkness,outofsight,AndyouhedowerswithDayandNight.

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Nay,butIwill!

Agoodreply!Oneonlyfearstillneedsrepeating:Theartislong,thetimeisfleeting.Thenletthyselfbetaught,sayI!Go,leaguethyselfwithapoet,Givethereintohisimagination,Thenwearthecrown,andshowit,Ofthequalitiesofhiscreation—Thecourageofthelion’sbreed,Thewildstag’sspeed,TheItalian’sfieryblood,TheNorth’sfirmfortitude!LethimfindfortheethesecrettetherThatbindstheNobleandMeantogether.AndteachthypulsesofyouthandpleasureTolovebyrule,andhatebymeasure!I’dlike,myself,suchaonetosee:SirMicrocosmhisnameshouldbe.

WhatamI,then,if’tisdeniedmypartThecrownofallhumanitytowinme,Wheretoyearnseverysensewithinme?

Why,onthewhole,thou’rt—whatthouart.Setwigsofmillioncurlsuponthyhead,toraisethee,Wearshoesanellinheight—thetruthbetraysthee,Andthouremainest—whatthouart.

Ifeel,indeed,thatIhavemadethetreasureOfhumanthoughtandknowledgemine,invain;

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FAUST

AndifInowsitdowninrestfulleisure,Nofountofnewerstrengthisinmybrain:Iamnohair’s-breadthmoreinheight,Nornearer,totheInfinite,

GoodSir,youseethefactspreciselyAstheyareseenbyeachandall.Wemustarrangethemnow,morewisely,Beforethejoysoflifeshallpall.Why,Zounds!Bothhandsandfeetare,truly—Andheadandvirileforces—thine:YetallthatIindulgeinnewly,Is’tthencelesswhollymine?IfI’vesixstallionsinmystall,Arenottheirforcesalsolentme?Ispeedalong,completestmanofall,Asthoughmylegswerefour-and-twenty.Takehold,then!letreflectionrest,Andplungeintotheworldwithzest!Isaytothee,aspeculativewightIslikeabeastonmoorlandslean,Thatroundandroundsomefiendmisleadstoevilplight,Whileallaboutliepasturesfreshandgreen.

Thenhowshallwebegin?

We’lltryawidersphere.

Whatplaceofmartyrdomishere!Is’tlife,Iask,is’tevenprudence,Toborethyselfandborethestudents?

FAUST

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LetNeighborPaunchtothatattend!Whyplaguethyselfwiththreshingstrawforever?Thebestthoulearnest,intheendThoudar’stnottelltheyoungsters—never!Ihearone’sfootsteps,hithersteering.

ToseehimnowIhavenoheart.

Solongthepoorboywaitsahearing,Hemustnotunconsoleddepart.Thycapandmantlestraightwaylendme!I’llplaythecomedywithart.

(HEDISGUISESHIMSELF.)

Mywits,becertain,willbefriendme.Butfifteenminutes’timeisallIneed;Forourfinetrip,meanwhile,preparethyselfwithspeed!

[EXITFAUST.

(INFAUST’sLONGMANTLE.)

ReasonandKnowledgeonlythoudespise,Thehigheststrengthinmanthatlies!LetbuttheLyingSpiritbindtheeWithmagicworksandshowsthatblindthee,AndIshallhavetheefastandsure!—Fatesuchabold,untrammelledspiritgavehim,Asforwards,onwards,evermustendure;Whoseover-hastyimpulsedravehimPastearthlyjoyshemightsecure.Draggedthroughthewildestlife,willIenslavehim,

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Throughflatandstaleindifference;Withstruggling,chilling,checking,sodepravehimThat,tohishot,insatiatesense,Thedreamofdrinkshallmock,butneverlavehim:Refreshmentshallhislipsinvainimplore—HadhenotmadehimselftheDevil’s,naughtcouldsavehim,Stillwerehelostforevermore!

(ASTUDENTENTERS.)

Ashorttime,only,amIhere,Andcome,devotedandsincere,Togreetandknowthemanoffame,Whommentomewithreverencename.

Yourcourtesydothflatterme:Youseeaman,asothersbe.Haveyou,perchance,elsewherebegun?

Receivemenow,Ipray,asoneWhocomestoyouwithcouragegood,Somewhatofcash,andhealthyblood:Mymotherwashardlywillingtoletme;ButknowledgeworthhavingIfainwouldgetme.

Thenyouhavereachedtherightplacenow.

I’dliketoleaveit,Imustavow;Ifindthesewalls,thesevaultedspacesAreanythingbutpleasantplaces.Tisallsocrampedandcloseandmean;Oneseesnotree,noglimpseofgreen,Andwhenthelecture-hallsreceiveme,Seeing,hearing,andthinkingleaveme.

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Allthatdependsonhabitude.Sofromitsmother’sbreastsachildAtfirst,reluctant,takesitsfood,Butsoontoseekthemisbeguiled.Thus,atthebreastsofWisdomclinging,Thou’ltfindeachdayagreaterrapturebringing.

I’llhangthereonwithjoy,andfreelydrainthem;Buttellme,pray,thepropermeanstogainthem.

Explain,beforeyoufurtherspeak,Thespecialfacultyyouseek.

Icravethehighesterudition;AndfainwouldmakemyacquisitionAllthatthereisinEarthandHeaven,InNatureandinSciencetoo.

Hereisthegenuinepathforyou;Yetstrictattentionmustbegiven.

BodyandsoulthereonI’llwreak;Yet,truly,I’vesomeinclinationOnsummerholidaystoseekAlittlefreedomandrecreation.

Usewellyourtime!Itfliessoswiftlyfromus;Buttimethroughordermaybewon,Ipromise.So,Friend(myviewstobrieflysum),First,thecollegiumlogicum.Therewillyourmindbedrilledandbraced,AsifinSpanishboots’twerelaced,Andthus,tograverpacesbrought,

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’Twillplodalongthepathofthought,Insteadofshootinghereandthere,Awill-o’-the-wispinmurkyair.Dayswillbespenttobidyouknow,Whatonceyoudidatasingleblow,Likeeatinganddrinking,freeandstrong—Thatone,two,three!theretobelong.TrulythefabricofmentalfleeceResemblesaweaver’smasterpiece,Whereathousandthreadsonetreadlethrows,Whereflytheshuttleshitherandthither.Unseenthethreadsareknittogether.Andaninfinitecombinationgrows.Then,thephilosopherstepsinAndshows,nootherwiseitcouldhavebeen:Thefirstwasso,thesecondso,Thereforethethirdandfourthareso;Werenotthefirstandsecond,thenThethirdandfourthhadneverbeen.Thescholarsareeverywherebelievers,Butneversucceedinbeingweavers.Hewhowouldstudyorganicexistence,Firstdrivesoutthesoulwithrigidpersistence;Thenthepartsinhishandhemayholdandclass,Butthespirituallinkislost,alas!Encheiresinnatures,thisChemistrynames,Norknowshowherselfshebantersandblames!

Icannotunderstandyouquite.

Yourmindwillshortlybesetaright,

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STUDENT

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Whenyouhavelearned,allthingsreducing,Toclassifythemforyourusing.

Ifeelasstupid,fromallyou’vesaid,Asifamill-wheelwhirledinmyhead!

Andafter—firstandforemostduty—OfMetaphysicslearntheuseandbeauty!SeethatyoumostprofoundlygainWhatdoesnotsuitthehumanbrain!Asplendidwordtoserve,you’llfindForwhatgoesin—orwon’tgoin—yourmind.Butfirst,atleastthishalfayear,Toorderrigidlyadhere;Fivehoursaday,youunderstand,Andwhentheclockstrikes,beonhand!PreparebeforehandforyourpartWithparagraphsallgotbyheart,Soyoucanbetterwatch,andlookThatnaughtissaidbutwhatisinthebook:Yetinthywritingasunweariedbe,AsdidtheHolyGhostdictatetothee!

Noneedtotellmetwicetodoit!Ithink,howuseful’tistowrite;Forwhatonehas,inblackandwhite,Onecarrieshomeandthengoesthroughit.

Yetchoosethyselfafaculty!

IcannotreconcilemyselftoJurisprudence.

NorcanIthereforegreatlyblameyoustudents:Iknowwhatsciencethishascometobe.

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AllrightsandlawsarestilltransmittedLikeaneternalsicknessoftherace—Fromgenerationuntogenerationfitted,Andshiftedroundfromplacetoplace.Reasonbecomesasham,Beneficenceaworry:Thouartagrandchild,thereforewoetothee!Therightbornwithus,oursinverity,Thistoconsider,there’s,alas!nohurry.

Myowndisgustisstrengthenedbyyourspeech:Oluckyhe,whomyoushallteach!I’vealmostforTheologydecided.

Ishouldnotwishtoseeyouheremisguided:For,asregardsthisscience,letmehint’Tisveryhardtoshunthefalsedirection;There’ssomuchsecretpoisonlurkingin‘t,Solikethemedicine,itbafflesyourdetection.Hear,therefore,onealone,forthatisbest,insooth,Andsimplytakeyourmaster’swordsfortruth.Onwordsletyourattentioncentre!Thenthroughthesafestgateyou’llenterThetemple-hallsofCertainty.

Yetinthewordmustsomeideabe.

Ofcourse!Butonlyshuntooover-sharpatension,Forjustwherefailsthecomprehension,Awordstepspromptlyinasdeputy.Withwords’tisexcellentdisputing;Systemstowords’tiseasysuiting;Onwords’tisexcellentbelieving;

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Nowordcaneverloseajotfromthieving.

Pardon!WithmanyquestionsIdetainyou.YetmustItroubleyouagain.OfMedicineIstillwouldfainHearonestrongwordthatmightexplainyou.Threeyearsisbutalittlespace.And,God!whocanthefieldembrace?Ifonesomeindexcouldbeshown,’Twereeasiergropingforward,truly.

(aside)

I’mtiredenoughofthisdrytone—MustplaytheDevilagain,andfully.

(Aloud)

TograspthespiritofMedicineiseasy:Learnofthegreatandlittleworldyourfill,Toletitgoatlast,sopleaseye,JustasGodwill!Invainthatthroughtherealmsofscienceyoumaydrift;Eachonelearnsonly—justwhatlearnhecan:YethewhograspstheMoment’sgift,Heistheproperman.Well-madeyouare,’tisnottobedenied,Therestaboldaddresswillwinyou;Ifyoubutinyourselfconfide,Atonceconfideallothersinyou.Toleadthewomen,learnthespecialfeeling!Theireverlastingachesandgroans,Inthousandtones,

STUDENT

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Haveallonesource,onemodeofhealing;Andifyouractsarehalfdiscreet,You’llalwayshavethematyourfeet.Atitlefirstmustdrawandinterestthem,Andshowthatyoursallotherartsexceeds;Then,asagreeting,youarefreetotouchandtestthem,While,thustodo,foryearsanotherpleads.Youpressandcountthepulse’sdances,Andthen,withburningsidelongglances,Youclasptheswellinghips,toseeIftightlylacedhercorsetsbe.

That’sbetter,now!TheHowandWhere,onesees.

Myworthyfriend,grayarealltheories,AndgreenaloneLife’sgoldentree.

Isweartoyou,’tislikeadreamtome.MightIagainpresume,withtrustunbounded,Tohearyourwisdomthoroughlyexpounded?

Mostwillingly,towhatextentImay.

Icannotreallygoaway:AllowmethatmyalbumfirstIreachyou—Grantmethisfavor,Ibeseechyou!

Assuredly.

(HEWRITES,ANDRETURNSTHEBOOK.)

(reads)

EritissicutDeus,scientesbonumetmalum.

(CLOSESTHEBOOKWITHREVERENCE,ANDWITHDRAWS)

FAUST

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Follow the ancient text, and the snake thou wast ordered totrample!WithallthylikenesstoGod,thou’ltyetbeasorryexample!

(ENTERS.)

Now,whithershallwego?

Asbestitpleasesthee.Thelittleworld,andthenthegreat,we’llsee.Withwhatdelight,whatprofitwinning,Shaltthouspongethroughthetermbeginning!

YetwiththeflowingbeardIwear,Botheaseandgracewillfailmethere.Theattempt,indeed,wereafutilestrife;Inevercouldlearnthewaysoflife.Ifeelsosmallbeforeothers,andthenceShouldalwaysfindembarrassments.

Myfriend,thousoonshaltloseallsuchmisgiving:Bethoubutself-possessed,thouhasttheartofliving!

Howshallweleavethehouse,andstart?Wherehastthouservant,coachandhorses?

We’llspreadthiscloakwithproperart,Thenthroughtheairdirectourcourses.Butonly,onsoboldaflight,Besuretohavethyluggagelight.Alittleburningair,whichIshallsoonprepareus,Abovetheearthwillnimblybearus,And,ifwe’relight,we’lltravelswiftandclear:

Igratulatetheeonthynewcareer!


BRANDER

CAROUSALOFJOLLYCOMPANIONSFROSCH

BRANDER

FROSCH

V

AUERBACH’SCELLARINLEIPZIG

Inoonelaughing?noonedrinking?I’llteachyouhowtogrin,I’mthinking.To-dayyou’relikewetstraw,sotame;Andusuallyyou’reallaflame.

Nowthat’syourfault;fromyouwenothingsee,Nobeastlinessandnostupidity.

(POURSAGLASSOFWINEOVERBRANDER’sHEAD.)

There’sbothtogether!

Twiceaswine!


ALTMAYER

FROSCH

SIEBEL

ALTMAYER

SIEBEL

FROSCH

FROSCH

BRANDER

FROSCH

Youwantedthem:I’vegivenyoumine.

Turnoutwhoquarrels—outthedoor!Withopenthroatsingchorus,drinkandroar!Up!holla!ho!

Woe’sme,thefearfulbellow!Bringcotton,quick!He’ssplitmyears,thatfellow.

Whenthevaultechoestothesong,Onefirstperceivesthebassisdeepandstrong.

Wellsaid!andoutwithhimthattakestheleastoffence!

Ah,tara,larada!

Ah,tara,lara,da!

Thethroatsaretuned,commence!

(Sings.)

ThedearoldholyRomanrealm,Howdoesitholdtogether?

Anastysong!Fie!apoliticalsong—Amostoffensivesong!ThankGod,eachmorning,therefore,ThatyouhavenottheRomanrealmtocarefor!Atleast,Iholditsomuchgainforme,ThatInorChancellornorKaiserbe.Yetalsowemusthavearulinghead,Ihope,Andsowe’llchooseourselvesaPope.YouknowthequalitythatcanDecidethechoice,andelevatetheman.

(sings)

BRANDER

SIEBEL

FROSCH

SIEBEL

Soarup,soarup,DameNightingale!Tenthousandtimesmysweethearthail!

No,greetmysweetheartnot!Itellyou,I’llresentit.

Mysweetheartgreetandkiss!Idareyoutopreventit!

(Sings.)

Drawthelatch!thedarknessmakes:Drawthelatch!theloverwakes.Shutthelatch!themorningbreaks

Yes,singaway,singon,andpraise,andbragofher!I’llwaitmypropertimeforlaughter:Mebythenosesheled,andnowshe’llleadyouafter.Herparamourshouldbeanuglygnome,Wherefourroadscross,inwantonplaytomeether:Anoldhe-goat,fromBlocksbergcominghome,Shouldhisgood-nightinlustfulgallopbleather!AfellowmadeofgenuinefleshandbloodIsforthewenchadealtoogood.Greether?NotI:unless,whenmeeting,Tosmashherwindowsbeagreeting!

(poundingonthetable)

Attention!Hearkennowtome!Confess,Sirs,Iknowhowtolive.Enamoredpersonsherehavewe,AndI,assuitstheirquality,Mustsomethingfreshfortheiradvantagegive.Takeheed!’Tisofthelatestcut,mystrain,Andallstrikeinateachrefrain!

CHORUS

BRANDER

CHORUS

BRANDER

(HESINGS.)

(shouting)

Therewasaratinthecellar-nest,Whomfatandbuttermadesmoother:HehadapaunchbeneathhisvestLikethatofDoctorLuther.Thecooklaidpoisoncunningly,AndthenassoreoppressedwasheAsifhehadloveinhisbosom.

Asifhehadloveinhisbosom!

Heranaround,heranabout,Histhirstinpuddleslaving;Hegnawedandscratchedthehousethroughout.Butnothingcuredhisraving.Hewhirledandjumped,withtormentmad,Andsoonenoughthepoorbeasthad,Asifhehadloveinhisbosom.


Anddrivenatlast,inopenday,Heranintothekitchen,Fellonthehearth,andsquirminglay,Inthelastconvulsiontwitching.Thenlaughedthemurderessinherglee:“Ha!ha!he’sathislastgasp,”saidshe,“Asifhehadloveinhisbosom!”

CHORUS

SIEBEL

BRANDER

ALTMAYER

FAUSTANDMEPHISTOPHELESMEPHISTOPHELES

BRANDER

FROSCH

SIEBEL

FROSCH

Howthedullfoolsenjoythematter!TomeitisaproperartPoisonforsuchpoorratstoscatter.

Perhapsyou’llwarmlytaketheirpart?

Thebald-patepot-bellyIhavenoted:Misfortunetameshimbydegrees;ForintheratbypoisonbloatedHisownmostnaturalformhesees.

Beforeallelse,IbringtheehitherWherebooncompanionsmeettogether,Tolettheeseehowsmoothliferunsaway.Here,forthefolk,eachday’saholiday:Withlittlewit,andeasetosuitthem,Theywhirlinnarrow,circlingtrails,Likekittensplayingwiththeirtails?Andifnoheadachepersecutethem,Solongthehostmaycreditgive,Theymerrilyandcarelesslive.

Thefactiseasytounravel,Theirair’ssoodd,they’vejustreturnedfromtravel:Asinglehourthey’venotbeenhere.

You’veverilyhitthetruth!Leipzigtomeisdear:Parisinminiature,howitrefinesitspeople!

Whoarethestrangers,shouldyouguess?

Letmealone!I’llsetthemfirsttodrinking,Andthen,asoneachild’stoothdraws,withcleverness,


MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

ALTMAYER

BRANDER

ALTMAYER

FROSCH

SIEBEL

MEPHISTOPHELES

ALTMAYER

FROSCH

MEPHISTOPHELES

I’llwormtheirsecretout,I’mthinking.They’reofanoblehouse,that’sveryclear:Haughtyanddiscontentedtheyappear.

They’remountebanks,uponarevel.

Perhaps.

Lookout,I’llsmokethemnow!

(toFAUST)

Notifhehadthembytheneck,Ivow,Woulde’erthesepeoplescenttheDevil!

Fairgreeting,gentlemen!

Ourthanks:wegivethesame.

(MURMURS,INSPECTINGMEPHISTOPHELESFROMTHESIDE.)

Inonefootisthefellowlame?

Isitpermittedthatweshareyourleisure?Inplaceofcheeringdrink,whichoneseeksvainlyhere,Yourcompanyshallgiveuspleasure.

Amostfastidiouspersonyouappear.

Nodoubt’twaslatewhenyoufromRippachstarted?AndsuppingtherewithHansoccasionedyourdelay?

Wepassed,withoutacall,to-day.Atourlastinterview,beforewepartedMuchofhiscousinsdidhespeak,entreatingThatweshouldgivetoeachhiskindlygreeting.

(HEBOWSTOFROSCH.)

(aside)

MEPHISTOPHELES

SIEBEL

FROSCH

MEPHISTOPHELES

FROSCH

MEPHISTOPHELES

ALTMAYER

MEPHISTOPHELES

SIEBEL

MEPHISTOPHELES

FROSCH

Youhaveitnow!heunderstands.

Aknavesharp-set!

Justwaitawhile:I’llhavehimyet.

IfIamright,weheardthesoundOfwell-trainedvoices,singingchorus;Andtruly,songmustherereboundSuperblyfromthearcheso’erus.

Areyou,perhaps,avirtuoso?

Ono!mywishisgreat,mypowerisonlyso-so.

Giveusasong!

Ifyoudesire,anumber.

Sothatitbeabran-newstrain!

We’vejustretracedourwayfrom.Spain,Thelovelylandofwine,andsong,andslumber.

(SINGS.)

Hear,hear!Aflea!D’yerightlytakethejest?Icallafleaatidyguest.

(sings)

Therewasakingoncereigning,Whohadabigblackflea—

Therewasakingoncereigning,Whohadabigblackflea,Andlovedhimpastexplaining,Ashisownsonwerehe.

CHORUS

BRANDER

MEPHISTOPHELES

Butmind,allowthetailornocaprices:Enjoinuponhim,ashisheadisdear,Tomostexactlymeasure,sewandshear,Sothatthebreecheshavenocreases!

(shouting)

Hecalledhismanofstitches;Thetailorcamestraightway:Here,measuretheladforbreeches.Andmeasurehiscoat,Isay!

InsilkandvelvetgleamingHenowwaswhollydrest—Hadacoatwithribbonsstreaming,Acrossuponhisbreast.Hehadthefirstofstations,Aminister’sstarandname;AndalsoallhisrelationsGreatlordsatcourtbecame.

AndthelordsandladiesofhonorWereplagued,awakeandinbed;Thequeenshegotthemuponher,Themaidswerebittenandbled.Andtheydidnotdaretobrushthem,Orscratchthem,dayornight:Wecrackthemandwecrushthem,Atonce,whene’ertheybite.

Wecrackthemandwecrushthem,

FROSCH

ALTMAYER

MEPHISTOPHELES

SIEBEL

BRANDER

ALTMAYER

MEPHISTOPHELES

SIEBEL

MEPHISTOPHELES

SIEBEL

FROSCH

MEPHISTOPHELES

BRANDER

ALTMAYER

Bravo!bravo!thatwasfine.

Everyfleamayitsobefall!

Pointyourfingersandnipthemall!

HurrahforFreedom!Hurrahforwine!

Ifainwoulddrinkwithyou,myglasstoFreedomclinking,If’twereabetterwinethathereIseeyoudrinking.

Don’tletushearthatspeechagain!

DidInotfearthelandlordmightcomplain,I’dtreattheseworthyguests,withpleasure,Tosomefromoutourcellar’streasure.

Justtreat,andletthelandlordmearraign!

Andifthewinebegood,ourpraisesshallbeample.Butdonotgivetooverysmallasample;For,ifitsqualityIdecide,WithagoodmouthfulImustbesupplied.

(aside)

They’refromtheRhine!Iguessedasmuch,before.

Bringmeagimlethere!

Whatshalltherewithbedone?

You’venotthecasksalreadyatthedoor?

Yonder,withinthelandlord’sboxoftools,there’sone!

(takesthegimlet)

(TOFROSCH.)

Atonce,whene’ertheybite!

ALTMAYER

MEPHISTOPHELES

FROSCH

MEPHISTOPHELES

FROSCH

MEPHISTOPHELES

ALTMAYER

BRANDER

MEPHISTOPHELES

BRANDER

SIEBEL

Now,givemeofyourtastesomeintimation.

Howdoyoumean?Haveyousomanykinds?

Thechoiceisfree:makeupyourminds.

(toFROSCH)

Aha!youlickyourchops,fromsheeranticipation.

Good!ifIhavethechoice,soletthewinebeRhenish!OurFatherlandcanbestthesparklingcupreplenish.

(BORING A HOLE IN THE EDGE OF THE TABLE, AT THE PLACEWHERE

FROSCHSITS)

Getmealittlewax,tomakethestoppers,quick!

Ah!Iperceiveajuggler’strick.

(toBRANDER)

Andyou?

Champagneshallbemywine,Andletitsparklefreshandfine!

(BORES: IN THE MEANTIME ONE HAS MADE THEWAX STOPPERS, ANDPLUGGEDTHEHOLESWITHTHEM.)

What’sforeignonecan’talwayskeepquiteclearof,Forgoodthings,oft,arenotsonear;AGermancan’tenduretheFrenchtoseeorhearof,Yetdrinkstheirwineswithheartycheer.

(ASMEPHISTOPHELESAPPROACHESHISSEAT)

Forme,Igrant,sourwineisoutofplace;Fillupmyglasswithsweetest,willyou?

MEPHISTOPHELES

MEPHISTOPHELES

ALL

ALTMAYER

MEPHISTOPHELES

ALTMAYER

ALL

MEPHISTOPHELES

(boring)

Tokayshallflowatonce,tofillyou!

No—lookme,Sirs,straightintheface!Iseeyouhaveyourfunatourexpense.

Ono!withgentlemenofsuchpretence,Thatweretoventurefar,indeed.Speakout,andmakeyourchoicewithspeed!Withwhatavintagecan I serveyou?

Withany—onlysatisfyourneed.

(AFTERTHEHOLESHAVEBEENBOREDANDPLUGGED)

(withsingulargestures)

Nowdrawthestoppers,anddrinkyourfill!

(ASTHEYDRAWOUTTHESTOPPERS,ANDTHEWINEWHICHHASBEENDESIREDFLOWS

INTOTHEGLASSOFEACH)

Obeautifulfountain,thatflowsatwill!

Buthaveacarethatyounothingspill!

(THEYDRINKREPEATEDLY.)

(sing)

Grapesthevine-stembears,Hornsthehe-goatwears!Thegrapesarejuicy,thevinesarewood,Thewoodentablegiveswineasgood!IntothedepthsofNaturepeer—Onlybelievethere’samiraclehere!

MEPHISTOPHELES

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

SIEBEL

SIEBEL

FROSCH

ALTMAYER

SIEBEL

MEPHISTOPHELES

SIEBEL

BRANDER

ALTMAYER

See,now,theraceishappy—itisfree!

Toleavethemismyinclination.

Takenotice,first!theirbestialityWillmakeabrilliantdemonstration.

(DRINKSCARELESSLY:THEWINESPILLSUPONTHEEARTH,ANDTURNSTOFLAME)

Help!Fire!Help!Hell-fireissent!

(charmingawaytheflame)

Bequiet,friendlyelement!

(TOTHEREVELLERS)

Abitofpurgatory’twasforthistime,merely.

Whatmeanyou?Wait!—you’llpayfor’tdearly!You’llknowus,toyourdetriment.

Don’ttrythatgameasecondtimeuponus!

Ithinkwe’dbettersendhimpackingquietly.

What,Sir!youdaretomakesofree,Andplayyourhocus-pocusonus!

Bestill,oldwine-tub.

Broomstick,you!Youfaceitout,impertinentandheady?

Justwait!ashowerofblowsisready.

(DRAWSASTOPPEROUTOFTHETABLE:FIREFLIESINHISFACE.)

As’twerefivehundredhogs,wefeelSocannibalicjolly!

MEPHISTOPHELES

MEPHISTOPHELES

BRANDER

SIEBEL

ALTMAYER

FROSCH

SIEBEL

BRANDER

SIEBEL

ALTMAYER

FROSCH

Iburn!Iburn!

’Tismagic!Strike—Theknaveisoutlawed!Cuthimasyoulike!(Theydrawtheirknives,andrushuponMEPHISTOPHELES.)

(withsolemngestures)

(THEYSTANDAMAZEDANDLOOKATEACHOTHER.)

WhereamI?Whatalovelyland!

Vines?CanItrustmyeyes?

Andpurplegrapesathand!

Here,overthisgreenarborbending,Seewhatavine!whatgrapesdepending!

(HETAKESSIEBELBYTHENOSE:THEOTHERSDOTHESAMERECIPROCALLY,ANDRAISETHEIRKNIVES.)

(asabove)

Loose,Error,fromtheireyestheband,AndhowtheDeviljests,benowenlightened!

(HEDISAPPEARSWITHFAUST:THEREVELLERSSTARTANDSEPARATE.)

Whathappened?

How?

WasthatyournoseItightened?

(toSIEBEL)

Falsewordandformofair,Changeplace,andsenseensnare!Behere—andthere!

ALTMAYER

FROSCH

SIEBEL

ALTMAYER

SIEBEL

FROSCH

BRANDER

ALTMAYER

AndyoursthatstillIhaveinhand?

Itwasablowthatwentthrougheverylimb!Givemeachair!Isink!mysensesswim.

Butwhathashappened,tellmenow?

Whereishe?IfIcatchthescoundrelhiding,Heshallnotleavealive,Ivow.

Isawhimwiththeseeyesuponawine-caskridingOutofthecellar-door,justnow.Stillinmyfeetthefrightlikeleadisweighing.

(Heturnstowardsthetable.)

Why!Ifthefountofwineshouldstillbeplaying?

’Twasalldeceit,andlying,falsedesign!

AndyetitseemedasIweredrinkingwine.

Butwiththegrapeshowwasit,pray?

Shallonebelievenomiracles,justsay!


FAUST

VI

WITCHES’KITCHEN

(UPONA LOWHEARTH STANDSAGREAT CALDRON,UNDERWHICHA FIRE IS BURNING.VARIOUSFIGURESAPPEARINTHEVAPORSWHICHRISEFROMTHECALDRON.ANAPESITSBESIDE IT,SKIMS IT,ANDWATCHESLEST ITBOILOVER.THEHE-APE,WITHTHEYOUNGONES, SITS NEAR ANDWARMS HIMSELF. CEILING ANDWALLS ARE COVEREDWITH THEMOSTFANTASTICWITCH-IMPLEMENTS.)


Thesecrazysignsofwitches’craftrepelme!Ishallrecover,dostthoutellme,Throughthisinsane,chaoticplay?FromanoldhagshallIdemandassistance?AndwillherfoulmesstakeawayFullthirtyyearsfrommyexistence?


MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

Woe’sme,canstthounaughtbetterfind!Anotherbaffledhopemustbelamented:HasNature,then,andhasanoblemindNotanypotentbalsamyetinvented?

Oncemore,myfriend,thoutalkestsensibly.Thereis,tomaketheeyoung,asimplermodeandapter;Butinanotherbook’tiswritforthee,Andisamosteccentricchapter.

YetwillIknowit.

Good!themethodisrevealedWithoutorgoldormagicorphysician.Betakethyselftoyonderfield,Therehoeanddig,asthycondition;Restrainthyself,thysenseandwillWithinanarrowspheretoflourish;Withunmixedfoodthybodynourish;Livewiththeoxasox,andthinkitnotatheftThatthoumanur’sttheacrewhichthoureapest;—That,trustme,isthebestmodeleft,Wherebyforeightyyearsthyyouththoukeepest!

Iamnotusedtothat;Icannotstooptotryit—Totakethespadeinhand,andplyit.Thenarrowbeingsuitsmenotatall.

Thentothineaidthewitchmustcall.

Whereforethehag,andheralone?Canstthouthyselfnotbrewthepotion?

Thatwereacharmingsport,Iown:

MEPHISTOPHELES

THEANIMALS

MEPHISTOPHELES

THEANIMALS

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

I’dbuildathousandbridgesmeanwhile,I’veanotion.NotArtandScienceserve,alone;Patiencemustintheworkbeshown.Longisthecalmbrainactiveincreation;Time,only,strengthensthefinefermentation.Andall,belongingthereunto,Israreandstrange,howe’eryoutakeit:TheDeviltaughtthething,’tistrue,AndyettheDevilcannotmakeit.(PerceivingtheAnimals)See,whatadelicateracetheybe!Thatisthemaid!themanishe!(TotheAnimals)Itseemsthemistresshasgoneaway?

Carousing,to-day!Offandabout,Bythechimneyout!

Whattimetakesshefordissipating?

Whilewetowarmourpawsarewaiting.

(toFAUST)

Howfindestthouthetendercreatures?

AbsurderthanIeveryetdidsee.

Why,justsuchtalkasthis,forme,Isthatwhichhasthemostattractivefeatures!

(TOTHEANIMALS)

Buttellmenow,yecursedpuppets,Whydoyestirtheporridgeso?

THEANIMALS

MEPHISTOPHELES

THEHE–APE

MEPHISTOPHELES

THEHE–APE

We’recookingwaterysoupforbeggars.

Thenagreatpublicyoucanshow.

(COMESUPANDFAWNSONMEPHISTOPHELES)

Howwouldtheapebesurehisluckenhances.Couldhebuttrythelottery’schances!

(INTHEMEANTIMETHEYOUNGAPESHAVEBEENPLAYINGWITHALARGEBALL,WHICH

THEYNOWROLLFORWARD.)

Ocastthouthedice!Makemerichinatrice,Letmewiningoodseason!Thingsarebadlycontrolled,AndhadIbutgold,SohadImyreason.

Theworld’stheball:Dothriseandfall,Androllincessant:Likeglassdothring,Ahollowthing—Howsoonwill’tspring,Anddrop,quiescent?Herebrightitgleams,Herebrighterseems:Iliveatpresent!Dearson,Isay,Keepthouaway!Thydoomisspoken!

THEHE–APE

MEPHISTOPHELES

MEPHISTOPHELES

HE–APEANDSHE–APE

MEPHISTOPHELES

THEHE–APE

FAUST

Whatmeansthesieve?

(takingitdown)

(HERUNSTOTHESHE–APE,ANDLETSHERLOOKTHROUGHIT.)

(approachingthefire)

Andwhat’sthispot?

Impertinentbeast!

Takethebrushhere,atleast,Andsitdownonthesettle!

(HEINVITESMEPHISTOPHELESTOSITDOWN.)

(WHO DURING ALL THIS TIME HAS BEEN STANDING BEFORE A MIRROR, NOWAPPROACHINGANDNOWRETREATINGFROMIT)

WhatdoIsee?WhatheavenlyformrevealedShowsthroughtheglassfromMagic’sfairdominions!

’Tismadeofclay,Andwillbebroken.

Wertthouthethief,I’dknowhimandshamehim.

Lookthroughthesieve!Know’stthouthethief,Anddarestnotnamehim?

Thefoolknowsitnot!Heknowsnotthepot,Heknowsnotthekettle!

FAUSTMEPHISTOPHELES

MEPHISTOPHELES

MEPHISTOPHELES

THEANIMALS

Olendme,Love,theswiftestofthypinions,Andbearmetoherbeauteousfield!Ah,ifIleavethisspotwithfonddesigning,IfIattempttoventurenear,Dim,asthroughgatheringmist,hercharmsappear!—Awoman’sform,inbeautyshining!Canwoman,then,solovelybe?AndmustIfindherbody,therereclining,Ofalltheheavensthebrightepitome?CanEarthwithsuchathingbemated?

Why,surely,ifaGodfirstplaguesHimselfsixdays,Then,self-contented,Bravo!says,Mustsomethingcleverbecreated.Thistime,thineeyesbesatiate!I’llyetdetectthysweetheartandensnareher,Andblestishe,whohastheluckyfate,Someday,asbridegroom,hometobearher.

(GAZESCONTINUALLYINTHEMIRROR.,STRETCHINGHIMSELFOUTONTHESETTLE,ANDPLAYINGWITHTHEBRUSH,CONTINUESTOSPEAK.)

SositI,liketheKinguponhisthrone:Iholdthesceptre,here—andlackthecrownalone.

(WHO UP TO THIS TIME HAVE BEEN MAKING ALL KINDS OF FANTASTICMOVEMENTSTOGETHERBRINGACROWNTOWITHGREATNOISE.)

ObethousogoodWithsweatandwithbloodThecrowntobelime!

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

THEANIMALS

THEWITCH

(THEYHANDLETHECROWNAWKWARDLYANDBREAK IT INTOTWOPIECES,WITHWHICH

THEYSPRINGAROUND.)

(beforethemirror)

Woe’sme!Ifeartolosemywits.

(pointingtotheAnimals)

Myownhead,now,isreallynightosinking.

(asabove)

Mybosomburnswiththatsweetvision;Letus,withspeed,awayfromhere!

(inthesameattitude)

Onemust,atleast,makethisadmission—They’repoets,genuineandsincere.

(THE CALDRON, WHICH THE SHE–APE HAS UP TO THIS TIME NEGLECTED TO WATCH,BEGINSTOBOILOVER:THEREENSUESAGREATFLAME,WHICHBLAZESOUTTHECHIMNEY.THEWITCHCOMESCAREERINGDOWNTHROUGHTHEFLAME,WITHTERRIBLECRIES.)

’Tisdone,letitbe!Wespeakandwesee,Wehearandwerhyme!

Ifluckyourhits,Andeverythingfits,’Tisthoughts,andwe’rethinking!

Ow!ow!ow!ow!Thedamnédbeast—thecursédsow!Toleavethekettle,andsingetheFrau!

MEPHISTOPHELES

MEPHISTOPHELES

(PERCEIVINGFAUSTAND.)

(SHE PLUNGES THE SKIMMING-LADLE INTO THE CALDRON, AND SCATTERS FLAMES

TOWARDSFAUST,MEPHISTOPHELES,ANDTHEANIMALS.THEANIMALSWHIMPER.)

(REVERSING THE BRUSH,WHICH HE HAS BEEN HOLDING IN HIS HAND,ANDSTRIDINGAMONGTHEJARSANDGLASSES)

(ASTHEWITCHSTARTSBACK,FULLOFWRATHANDHORROR)

Ha!know’stthoume?Abomination,thou!Know’stthou,atlast,thyLordandMaster?WhathindersmefromsmitingnowTheeandthymonkey-spriteswithfelldisaster?Hastforthescarletcoatnoreverence?Dostrecognizenomorethetallcock’s-feather?HaveIconcealedthiscountenance?—

Accursédfere!

Whatisthathere?Whoareyouhere?Whatwantyouthus?Whosneakstous?Thefire-painBurnboneandbrain!

Intwo!intwo!Thereliesthebrew!Thereliestheglass!Thejokewillpass,Astime,foulass!Tothesingingofthycrew.

THEWITCH

THEWITCH

MEPHISTOPHELES

MEPHISTOPHELES

THEWITCH

MEPHISTOPHELES

Musttellmyname,oldfaceofleather?

Opardon,Sir,theroughsalute!YetIperceivenoclovenfoot;Andbothyourravens,wherearetheynow?

Thistime,I’llletthee‘scapethedebt;Forsincewetwotogethermet,’Tisverilyfullmanyadaynow.Culture,whichsmooththewholeworldlicks,AlsountotheDevilsticks.ThedaysofthatoldNorthernphantomnowareover:Wherecanstthouhornsandtailandclawsdiscover?And,asregardsthefoot,whichIcan’tspare,intruth,’Twouldonlymakethepeopleshunme;ThereforeI’veworn,likemanyaspindlyyouth,Falsecalvesthesemanyyearsuponme.

(dancing)

Reasonandsenseforsakemybrain,SinceIbeholdSquireSatanhereagain!

Woman,fromsuchanamerefrain!

Whyso?Whathasitdonetothee?

It’slongbeenwrittenintheBookofFable;Yet,therefore,nowhitbettermenwesee:TheEvilOnehasleft,theevilonesarestable.SirBaroncallmethou,thenisthemattergood;AcavalieramI,likeothersinmybearing.Thouhastnodoubtaboutmynobleblood:See,here’sthecoat-of-armsthatIamwearing!

THEWITCH

MEPHISTOPHELES

THEWITCH

MEPHISTOPHELES

THEWITCH

MEPHISTOPHELES

THEWITCH

(Hemakesanindecentgesture.)

(laughsimmoderately)

Ha!ha!That’sjustyourway,Iknow:Arogueyouare,andyouwerealwaysso.

(toFAUST)

Myfriend,takeproperheed,Ipray!Tomanagewitches,thisisjusttheway.

Wherein,Sirs,canIbeofuse?

Giveusagobletofthewell-knownjuice!But,Imustbegyou,oftheoldestbrewage;Theyearsadoublestrengthproduce.

Withallmyheart!Now,here’sabottle,Wherefrom,sometimes,Iwetmythrottle,Which,also,nottheslightest,stinks;AndwillinglyaglassI’llfillhim.

(WHISPERING)

Yet,ifthismanwithoutduepreparationdrinks,Aswellthouknow’st,withinanhour’twillkillhim.

Heisafriendofmine,withwhomitwillagree,Andhedeservesthykitchen’sbestpotation:Come,drawthycircle,speakthineadjuration,Andfillthygobletfullandfree!

(WITH FANTASTIC GESTURES DRAWS A CIRCLE AND PLACES MYSTERIOUS

ARTICLESTHEREIN;MEANWHILETHEGLASSESBEGINTORING,THECALDRONTOSOUND,AND MAKE A MUSICAL ACCOMPANIMENT. FINALLY SHE BRINGS A GREAT BOOK, ANDSTATIONSINTHECIRCLETHEAPES,WHOAREOBLIGEDTOSERVEASREADING-DESK,AND

FAUST

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

THEWITCH

FAUST

TOHOLDTHETORCHES.SHETHENBECKONSTOAPPROACH.)

(toMEPHISTOPHELES)

Now,whatshallcomeofthis?thecreaturesantic,Thecrazystuff,thegesturesfrantic—AlltherepulsivecheatsIview—Areknowntome,andhated,too.

O,nonsense!That’sathingforlaughter;Don’tbesoterriblysevere!Shejugglesyouasdoctornow,that,after,Thebeveragemayworkthepropercheer.

(HEPERSUADESFAUSTTOSTEPINTOTHECIRCLE.)

(BEGINSTODECLAIM,WITHMUCHEMPHASIS,FROMTHEBOOK)

Shetalkslikeonewhoravesinfever.

See,thusit’sdone!Maketenofone,Andtwoletbe,Makeeventhree,Andrichthou‘Itbe.Casto’erthefour!Fromfiveandsix(Thewitch’stricks)Makesevenandeight,’Tisfinishedstraight!Andnineisone,Andtenisnone.Thisisthewitch’sonce-one’s-one!

THEWITCH

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

Thou’lthearmuchmorebeforeweleaveher.’Tisallthesame:thebookIcanrepeat,SuchtimeI’vesquanderedo’erthehistory:AcontradictionthuscompleteIsalwaysforthewise,nolessthanfools,amystery.Theartisoldandnew,forverilyAllageshavebeentaughtthematter—ByThreeandOne,andOneandThree,ErrorinsteadofTruthtoscatter.Theyprateandteach,andnooneinterferes;Allfromthefellowshipoffoolsareshrinking.Manusuallybelieves,ifonlywordshehears,Thatalsowiththemgoesmaterialforthinking!

(continues)

Whatnonsenseshedeclaimsbeforeus!Myheadisnightosplit,Ifear:ItseemstomeasifIhearAhundredthousandfoolsinchorus.

OSibylexcellent,enoughofadjuration!Buthitherbringusthypotation,Andquicklyfillthebeakertothebrim!Thisdrinkwillbringmyfriendnoinjuries:

TheloftyskillOfScience,stillFromallmendeeplyhidden!Whotakesnothought,Tohim’tisbrought,’Tisgivenunsought,unbidden!

MEPHISTOPHELES

MEPHISTOPHELES

MEPHISTOPHELES

THEWITCH

THEWITCH

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

Heisamanofmanifolddegrees,Andmanydraughtsareknowntohim.

(THEWITCH,WITHMANYCEREMONIES,POURSTHEDRINKINTOACUP;ASFAUSTSETSITTOHISLIPS,ALIGHTFLAMEARISES.)

Downwithitquickly!Drainitoff!’Twillwarmthyheartwithnewdesire:ArtwiththeDevilhandandglove,Andwiltthoubeafraidoffire?

(THEWITCHBREAKSTHECIRCLE:FAUSTSTEPSFORTH.)

Andnow,away!Thoudar’stnotrest.

Andmuchgoodmaytheliquordothee!

(totheWITCH)

ThywishbeonWalpurgisNightexpressed;WhatboonIhave,shallthenbegivenuntothee.

Hereisasong,which,ifyousometimessing,You’llfinditofpeculiaroperation.

(toFAUST)

Come,walkatonce!ArapidoccupationMuststarttheneedfulperspiration,Andthroughthyframetheliquor’spotencefling.ThenobleindolenceI’llteachtheethentotreasure,Andsoonthou’ltbeaware,withkeenestthrillsofpleasure,HowCupidstirsandleaps,onlightandrestlesswing.

Onerapidglancewithinthemirrorgiveme,Howbeautifulthatwoman-form!

No,no!Theparagonofall,believeme,

Thousoonshaltsee,aliveandwarm.

(Aside)

Thou’ltfind,thisdrinkthybloodcompelling,EachwomanbeautifulasHelen!


FAUSTMARGARET

FAUST

MARGARET

FAUST

VII

STREET

(PASSINGBY)

Fairlady,letitnotoffendyou,ThatarmandescortIwouldlendyou!

I’mneitherlady,neitherfair,AndhomeIcangowithoutyourcare.

[Shereleasesherself,andexit.

ByHeaven,thegirliswondrousfair!OfallI’veseen,beyondcompare;Sosweetlyvirtuousandpure,Andyetalittlepert,besure!Thelipsored,thecheek’scleardawn,


I’llnotforgetwhiletheworldrollson!Howshecastdownhertimideyes,Deepinmyheartimprintedlies:Howshortandsharpofspeechwasshe,

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

Why,’twasarealecstasy!

(ENTERS)

Hear,ofthatgirlI’dhavepossession!

Which,then?

Theonewhojustwentby.

She,there?She’scomingfromconfession,Ofeverysinabsolved;forI,Behindherchair,waslisteningnigh.Soinnocentisshe,indeed,Thattoconfessshehadnoneed.Ihavenopowero’ersoulssogreen.

Andyet,she’solderthanfourteen.

Hownow!You’retalkinglikeJackRake,Whoeveryflowerforhimselfwouldtake,Andfanciestherearenofavorsmore,Norhonors,saveforhiminstore;Yetalwaysdoesn’tthethingsucceed.

MostWorthyPedagogue,takeheed!Letnotawordofmorallawbespoken!Iclaim,Itellthee,allmyright;AndifthatimageofdelightRestnotwithinminearmsto-night,Atmidnightisourcompactbroken.

Butthink,thechancesofthecase!Ineed,atleast,afortnight’sspace,Tofindanopportuneoccasion.

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

HadIbutsevenhoursforall,IshouldnotontheDevilcall,Butwinherbymyownpersuasion.

YoualmostlikeaFrenchmanprate;Yet,pray,don’ttakeitasannoyance!Why,allatonce,exhaustthejoyance?YourblissisbynomeanssogreatAsifyou’duse,togetcontrol,Allsortsoftenderrigmarole,Andkneadandshapehertoyourthought,AsinItaliantales’tistaught.

Withoutthat,Ihaveappetite.

Butnow,leavejestingoutofsight!Itellyou,onceforall,thatspeedWiththisfairgirlwillnotsucceed;Bystormshecannotcapturedbe;Wemustmakeuseofstrategy.

Getmesomethingtheangelkeeps!Leadmethitherwhereshesleeps!Getmeakerchieffromherbreast—Agarterthatherkneehaspressed!

ThatyoumayseehowmuchI’dfainFurtherandsatisfyyourpain,Wewillnolongerloseaminute;I’llfindherroomto-day,andtakeyouinit.

AndshallIsee—possessher?

No!

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

Untoaneighborshemustgo,Andmeanwhilethou,alone,maystglowWitheveryhopeoffuturepleasure,Breathingheratmosphereinfullestmeasure.

Canwegothither?

’Tistooearlyyet.

AgiftforherIbidtheeget!

[Exit.

Presentsatonce?That’sgood:he’scertaintogetather!FullmanyapleasantplaceIknow,Andtreasures,buriedlongago:Imust,perforce,lookupthematter.[Exit.


MARGARET

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

VIII

EVENINGASMALL,NEATLYKEPTCHAMBER

(PLAITINGANDBINDINGUPTHEBRAIDSOFHERHAIR)

I’dsomethinggive,couldIbutsayWhowasthatgentleman,to-day.Surelyagallantmanwashe,Andofanoblefamily;AndmuchcouldIinhisfacebehold—Andhewouldn’t,else,havebeensobold!

[EXIT

MEPHISTOPHELES,FAUST

Comein,butgently:followme!

(afteramoment’ssilence)


MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

Leavemealone,Ibegofthee!

(pryingabout)

Noteverygirlkeepsthingssoneat.

(lookingaround)

Owelcome,twilightsoftandsweet,Thatbreathesthroughoutthishallowedshrine!Sweetpainoflove,bindthouwithfettersfleetTheheartthatonthedewofhopemustpine!HowallaroundasenseimpressesOfquiet,order,andcontent!Thispovertywhatbountyblesses!Whatblisswithinthisnarrowdenispent!

(HETHROWSHIMSELFINTOALEATHERNARM-CHAIRNEARTHEBED.)

Receiveme,thou,thatinthineopenarmsDepartedjoyandpainwertwonttogather!Howoftthechildren,withtheirruddycharms,Hunghere,aroundthisthrone,wheresatthefather!Perchancemylove,amidthechildishband,GratefulforgiftstheHolyChristmasgaveher,Heremeeklykissedthegrandsire’switheredhand.Ifeel,Omaid!thyverysoulOforderandcontentaroundmewhisper—Whichleadstheewithitsmotherlycontrol,Theclothuponthyboardbidssmoothlytheeunroll,Thesandbeneaththyfeetmakeswhiter,crisper.Odearesthand,tothee’tisgivenTochangethishutintoalowerheaven!Andhere!

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

(HELIFTSONEOFTHEBED-CURTAINS.)

Whatsweetestthrillisinmyblood!HerecouldIspendwholehours,delaying:HereNatureshaped,asifinsportiveplaying,Theangelblossomfromthebud.Herelaythechild,withLife’swarmessenceThetenderbosomfilledandfair,Andherewaswrought,throughholier,purerpresence,Theformdivinerbeingswear!

AndI?Whatdrewmeherewithpower?HowdeeplyamImoved,thishour!WhatseekI?Whysofullmyheart,andsore?MiserableFaust!Iknowtheenownomore.

Isthereamagicvaporhere?Icame,withlustofinstantpleasure,Andliedissolvedindreamsoflove’ssweetleisure!Arewethesportofeverychangefulatmosphere?

Andif,thismoment,camesheintome,HowwouldIforthefaultatonementrender!Howsmallthegiantloutwouldbe,Proneatherfeet,relaxedandtender!

Bequick!Iseeherthere,returning.

Go!go!Ineverwillretreat.

Hereisacasket,notunmeet,WhichelsewhereIhavejustbeenearning.Here,setitinthepress,withhaste!Iswear,’twillturnherhead,tospyit:

MARGARET

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

SomebaublesIthereinhadplaced,Thatyoumightwinanotherbyit.True,childischild,andplayisplay.

Iknownot,shouldIdoit?

Askyou,pray?

Yourself,perhaps,wouldkeepthebubble?ThenIsuggest,’twerefairandjustTosparethelovelydayyourlust,Andsparetomethefurthertrouble.Youarenotmiserly,Itrust?Irubmyhands,inexpectationtender—

(HEPLACESTHECASKETINTHEPRESS,ANDLOCKSITAGAIN.)

Nowquick,away!Thesweetyoungmaidentobetray,Sothatbywishandwillyoubendher;AndyoulookasthoughTothelecture-hallyouwereforcedtogo—Asifstoodbeforeyou,grayandloath,PhysicsandMetaphysicsboth!Butaway!

[Exeunt.

(withalamp)

Itissoclose,sosultry,here!

(SHEOPENSTHEWINDOW)

Andyet’tisnotsowarmoutside.Ifeel,Iknownotwhy,suchfear!—

Wouldmothercame!—wherecanshebide?Mybody’schillandshuddering—I’mbutasilly,fearsomething!

(SHEBEGINSTOSINGWHILEUNDRESSING)

TherewasaKinginThule,Wasfaithfultillthegrave—Towhomhismistress,dying,Agoldengobletgave.

Naughtwastohimmoreprecious;Hedraineditateverybout:Hiseyeswithtearsranover,Asoftashedrankthereout.

Whencamehistimeofdying,Thetownsinhislandhetold,NaughtelsetohisheirdenyingExceptthegobletofgold.

HesatattheroyalbanquetWithhisknightsofhighdegree,IntheloftyhallofhisfathersIntheCastlebytheSea.

Therestoodtheoldcarouser,Anddrankthelastlife-glow;AndhurledthehallowedgobletIntothetidebelow.

Hesawitplungingandfilling,

(SHEOPENSTHEPRESSINORDERTOARRANGEHERCLOTHES,ANDPERCEIVESTHECASKETOFJEWELS.)

Howcomesthatlovelycasketheretome?Ilockedthepress,mostcertainly.’Tistrulywonderful!Whatcanwithinitbe?Perhaps’twasbroughtbysomeoneasapawn,Andmothergavealoanthereon?Andheretherehangsakeytofit:Ihaveamindtoopenit.Whatisthat?GodinHeaven!WhencecameSuchthings?NeverbeheldIaughtsofair!Richornaments,suchasanobledameOnhighestholidaysmightwear!Howwouldthepearl-chainsuitmyhair?Ah,whomayallthissplendorown?

(SHEADORNSHERSELFWITHTHEJEWELRY,ANDSTEPSBEFORETHEMIRROR.)

Werebuttheear-ringsmine,alone!Onehasatonceanotherair.Whathelpsone’sbeauty,youthfulblood?Onemaypossessthem,wellandgood;Butnonethemoredootherscare.Theypraiseushalfinpity,sure:Togoldstilltends,OngolddependsAll,all!Alas,wepoor!

Andsinkingdeepinthesea:Thenfellhiseyelidsforever,Andnevermoredrankhe!


MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

IX

PROMENADE

(FAUST,WALKINGTHOUGHTFULLYUPANDDOWN.TOHIMMEPHISTOPHELES.)

Byallloveeverrejected!Byhell-firehotandunsparing!IwishIknewsomethingworse,thatImightuseitforswearing!

Whatailsthee?Whatis’tgripesthee,elf?AfacelikethinebeheldInever.

IwouldmyselfuntotheDevildeliver,IfIwerenotaDevilmyself!

Thyheadisoutoforder,sadly:Itmuchbecomestheetoberavingmadly.

Justthink,thepocketofapriestshouldget


FAUST

ThetrinketsleftforMargaret!Themothersawthem,and,instanter,Asecretdreadbegantohaunther.Keenscenthasshefortaintedair;Shesnuffswithinherbookofprayer,Andsmellseacharticle,toseeIfsacredorprofaneitbe;Soheresheguessed,fromeverygem,Thatnotmuchblessingcamewiththem.“Mychild,”shesaid,“ill-gottengoodEnsnaresthesoul,consumestheblood.BeforetheMotherofGodwe’lllayit;Withheavenlymannashe’llrepayit!”ButMargaretthought,withsourgrimace,“Agift-horseisnotoutofplace,And,truly!godlesscannotbeTheonewhobroughtsuchthingstome.”Aparsoncame,bythemotherbidden:Hesaw,atonce,wherethegamewashidden,Andvieweditwithafavorstealthy.Hespake:“Thatistheproperview—Whoovercometh,winnethtoo.TheHolyChurchhasastomachhealthy:Hatheatenmanyalandasforfeit,Andneveryetcomplainedofsurfeit:TheChurchalone,beyondallquestion,Hasforill-gottengoodstherightdigestion.”

Ageneralpracticeisthesame,WhichJewandKingmayalsoclaim.

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

Thenbaggedthespangles,chains,andrings,Asifbuttoadstoolswerethethings,Andthankednoless,andthankednomoreThanifasackofnutshebore—Promisedthemfullestheavenlypay,Anddeeplyedifiedwerethey.

AndMargaret?

Sitsunrestfulstill,Andknowsnotwhatsheshould,orwill;Thinksonthejewels,dayandnight,Butmoreonhimwhogavehersuchdelight.

Thedarling’ssorrowgivesmepain.Getthouasetforheragain!Thefirstwasnotagreatdisplay.

Oyes,thegentlemanfindsitallchild’s-play!

Fixandarrangeittomywill;Andonherneighbortrythyskill!Don’tbeaDevilstiffaspaste,Butgetfreshjewelstohertaste!

Yes,graciousSir,inallobedience!

[ExitFAUST.

SuchanenamoredfoolinairwouldblowSun,moon,andallthestarrylegions,Togivehissweetheartadivertingshow.

[Exit.


MARTHA

MARGARET

X

THENEIGHBOR’SHOUSE

(solus)

Godforgivemyhusband,yetheHasn’tdonehisdutybyme!Offintheworldhewentstraightway—LeftmelieinthestrawwhereIlay.And,truly,Ididnaughttofrethim:GodknowsIloved,andcan’tforgethim!

(SHEWEEPS.)

Perhapshe’sevendead!Ah,woe!—HadIacertificatetoshow!

(comes)


MARTHA

MARTHA

MARGARET

MARTHA

MARGARET

MARGARET

MARTHA

MARGARET

DameMartha!

Margaret!what’shappenedthee?

Iscarcecanstand,mykneesaretrembling!Ifindabox,thefirstresembling,Withinmypress!Ofebony—Andthings,allsplendidtobehold,Andricherfarthanweretheold.

Youmustn’ttellittoyourmother!’Twouldgotothepriest,asdidtheother.

Ah,lookandsee—justlookandsee!

(adorningher)

O,whatablessedluckforthee!

But,ah!inthestreetsIdarenotbearthem,Norinthechurchbeseentowearthem.

Yetthoucanstoftenthiswaywander,Andsecretlythejewelsdon,Walkupanddownanhour,beforethemirroryonder—We’llhaveourprivatejoythereon.Andthenachancewillcome,aholiday,When,piecebypiece,canonethethingsabroaddisplay,Achainatfirst,thenotherornament:Thymotherwillnotsee,andstorieswe’llinvent.

Whoevercouldhavebroughtmethingssoprecious?Thatsomething’swrong,Ifeelsuspicious.

(AKNOCK)

GoodHeaven!Mymothercanthathavebeen?

MARTHA

MEPHISTOPHELES

MEPHISTOPHELES

MARTHA

MEPHISTOPHELES

MARTHA

MARGARET

MEPHISTOPHELES

MARTHA

MEPHISTOPHELES

(peepingthroughtheblind)

’Tissomestrangegentleman.—Comein!

(ENTERS.)

ThatIsoboldlyintroduceme,Ibegyou,ladies,toexcuseme.

(STEPSBACKREVERENTLY,ONSEEINGMARGARET.)

ForMarthaSchwerdtleinI’dinquire!

I’mshe:whatdoesthegentlemandesire?

(asidetoher)

Itisenoughthatyouareshe:You’veavisitorofhighdegree.PardonthefreedomIhaveta’en—Willafternoonreturnagain.

(aloud)

Ofallthingsintheworld!Justhear—Hetakestheeforalady,dear!

Iamacreatureyoungandpoor:Thegentleman’stookind,I’msure.Thejewelsdon’tbelongtome.

Ah,notalonethejewelry!Thelook,themanner,bothbetray—RejoicedamIthatImaystay!

Whatisyourbusiness?Iwouldfain—

IwouldIhadamorecheerfulstrain!Takenotunkindlyitsrepeating:

MARTHA

MARGARET

MEPHISTOPHELES

MARGARET

MEPHISTOPHELES

MARTHA

MEPHISTOPHELES

MARTHA

MEPHISTOPHELES

MARTHA

MEPHISTOPHELES

MARGARET

Yourhusband’sdead,andsendsagreeting.

Isdead?Alas,thatheartsotrue!Myhusbanddead!Letmedie,too!

Ah,dearestdame,letnotyourcouragefail!

Hearmerelatethemournfultale!

ThereforeI’dneverlove,believeme!Alosslikethistodeathwouldgrieveme.

Joyfollowswoe,woeafterjoycomesflying.

Relatehislife’ssadclosetome!

InPaduaburied,heislyingBesidethegoodSaintAntony,Withinagravewellconsecrated,Forcool,eternalrestcreated.

Hegaveyou,further,nocommission?

Yes,oneofweight,withmanysighs:Threehundredmassesbuy,tosavehimfromperdition!Myhandsareempty,otherwise.

What!Notapocket-piece?nojewelry?Whateveryjourneymanwithinhiswalletspares,Andasatokenwithhimbears,Andratherstarvesorbegs,thanloses?

Madam,itisagrieftome;Yet,onmyword,hiscashwasputtoproperuses.Besides,hispenitencewasverysore,Andhelamentedhisillfortuneallthemore.

Alack,thatmenaresounfortunate!

MARTHA

MEPHISTOPHELES

MARGARET

MEPHISTOPHELES

MARGARET

MEPHISTOPHELES

MARTHA

MEPHISTOPHELES

MEPHISTOPHELES

MARTHA

MEPHISTOPHELES

Surelyforhissoul’ssakefullmanyaprayerI’llproffer.

Youwelldeserveaspeedymarriage-offer:Youaresokind,compassionate.

O,no!Asyet,itwouldnotdo.

Ifnotahusband,thenabeauforyou!Itisthegreatestheavenlyblessing,Tohaveadearthingforone’scaressing.

Thecountry’scustomisnotso.

Custom,ornot!Ithappens,though.

Continue,pray!

Istoodbesidehisbedofdying.’Twassomethingbetterthanmanure—Half-rottenstraw:andyet,hediedaChristian,sure,Andfoundthatheavierscorestohisaccountwerelying.Hecried:“Ifindmyconductwhollyhateful!Toleavemywife,mytrade,inmannersoungrateful!Ah,theremembrancemakesmedie!WouldofmywrongtoherImightbeshriven!”

(weeping)

Thedear,goodman!Longsincewasheforgiven.

“Yetshe,Godknows!wasmoretoblamethanI.”

Helied!What!Onthebrinkofdeathheslandered?

Inthelastthroeshissenseswandered,IfIsuchthingsbuthalfcanjudge.Hesaid:“Ihadnotimeforplay,forgapingfreedom:Firstchildren,andthenworkforbreadtofeed’em—

MARTHA

MEPHISTOPHELES

MARTHA

MEPHISTOPHELES

MARTHA

MEPHISTOPHELES

MARTHA

Forbread,inthewidestsense,todrudge,Andcouldnoteveneatmyshareinpeaceandquiet!”

Hadhealllove,allfaithforgotteninhisriot?Myworkandworry,dayandnight?

Notso:thememoryofittouchedhimquite.Saidhe:“WhenIfromMaltawentawayMyprayersforwifeandlittleoneswerezealous,AndsuchaluckfromHeavenbefellus,WemadeaTurkishmerchantmanourprey,ThattotheSoldanboreamightytreasure.ThenIreceived,aswasmostfit,Sincebraverywaspaidinfullestmeasure,Mywell-apportionedshareofit.”

Say,how?Say,where?Ifburied,didheownit?

Whoknows,now,whitherthefourwindshaveblownit?Afairyoungdamseltookhiminhercare,AsheinNapleswanderedround,unfriended;Andshemuchlove,muchfaithtohimdidbear,Sothathefeltittillhisdayswereended.

Thevillain!Fromhischildrenthieving!EvenallthemiseryonhimcastCouldnotpreventhisshamefulwayofliving!

Butsee!He’sdeadtherefrom,atlast.WereIinyourplace,donotdoubtme,I’dmournhimdecentlyayear,Andforanotherkeep,meanwhile,myeyesaboutme.

Ah,God!anotheronesodear

MEPHISTOPHELES

MEPHISTOPHELES

MARTHA

MEPHISTOPHELES

MARGARET

MARGARET

MARTHA

Aswasmyfirst,thisworldwillhardlygiveme.Thereneverwasasweeterfoolthanmine,Onlyhelovedtoroamandleaveme,Andforeignwenchesandforeignwine,Andthedamnedthrowofdice,indeed.

Well,well!Thatmighthavedone,however,Ifhehadonlybeenasclever,Andtreatedyourslipswithaslittleheed.Iswear,withthiscondition,too,Iwould,myself,changeringswithyou.

Thegentlemanispleasedtojest.

I’llcutaway,betimes,fromhere:She’dtaketheDevilathisword,Ifear.

(TOMARGARET)

Howfarestheheartwithinyourbreast?

Whatmeansthegentleman?

(aside)

Sweetinnocent,thouart!

(ALOUD.)

Ladies,farewell!

Farewell!

Amoment,erewepart!

I’dliketohavealegalwitness,Where,how,andwhenhedied,tocertifyhisfitness.IrregularwaysI’vealwayshated;

MEPHISTOPHELES

MARTHA

MEPHISTOPHELES

MARGARET

MEPHISTOPHELES

MARTHA

Iwanthisdeathintheweeklypaperstated.

Yes,mygooddame,apairofwitnessesAlwaysthetruthestablishes.Ihaveafriendofhighcondition,Who’llalsoaddhisdeposition.I’llbringhimhere.

GoodSir,praydo!

Andthisyoungladywillbepresent,too?Agallantyouth!hastravelledfar:Ladieswithhimdelightedare.

BeforehimIshouldblush,ashamed.

Beforenokingthatcouldbenamed!

Behindthehouse,inmygarden,then,Thisevewe’llexpectthegentlemen.


FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

XI

ASTREET


Howisit?underway?andsooncomplete?

Ah,bravo!DoIfindyouburning?Well,Margaretsoonwillstillyouryearning:AtNeighborMartha’syou’llthiseveningmeet.Afitterwomanne’erwasmadeToplythepimpandgypsytrade!

Tiswell.

Yetsomethingisrequiredfromus.

Oneservicepaystheotherthus.


MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

We’vebuttomakeadepositionvalidThatnowherhusband’slimbs,outstretchedandpallid,AtPaduarest,inconsecratedsoil.

Mostwise!Andfirst,ofcourse,we’llmakethejourneythither?

Sanctasimplicitas!noneedofsuchatoil;Depose,withknowledgeorwithoutit,either!

Ifyou’venaughtbetter,then,I’lltearyourprettyplan!

Now,thereyouare!Oholyman!Isitthefirsttimeinyourlifeyou’redrivenTobearfalsewitnessinacase?OfGod,theworldandallthatinithasaplace,OfMan,andallthatmovesthebeingofhisrace,HaveyounottermsanddefinitionsgivenWithbrazenforehead,daringbreast?And,ifyou’llprobethethingprofoundly,Knewyousomuch—andyou’llconfessitroundly!—AshereofSchwerdtlein’sdeathandplaceofrest?

Thouart,andthouremain’st,asophist,liar.

Yes,knewInotmoredeeplythydesire.Forwiltthounot,noloverfairer,PoorMargaretflatter,andensnareher,Andallthysoul’sdevotionswearher?

Andfrommyheart.

’Tisveryfine!

Thineendlesslove,thyfaithassuring,Theonealmightyforceenduring—

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

Willthat,too,promptthisheartofthine?

Hold!hold!Itwill!—Ifsuchmyflame,AndforthesenseandpowerintenseIseek,andcannotfind,aname;Thenrangewithallmysensesthroughcreation,Cravingthespeechofinspiration,Andcallthisardor,sosupernal,Endless,eternalandeternal—Isthatadevilishlyinggame?

AndyetI’mright!

Markthis,Ibegofthee!

Andsparemylungshenceforth:whoeverIntendstohavetheright,ifbuthistonguebeclever,Willhaveit,certainly.Butcome:thefurthertalkingbringsdisgust,Forthouartright,especiallysinceImust.


MARGARET

FAUST

MARGARET

XII

GARDEN

(MARGARETONFAUST’sARM.MARTHAANDMEPHISTOPHELESWALKINGUPANDDOWN.)

Ifeel,thegentlemanallowsforme,Demeanshimself,andshamesmebyit;AtravellerissousedtobeKindlycontentwithanydiet.IknowtoowellthatmypoorgossipcanNe’erentertainsuchanexperiencedman.

Alookfromthee,aword,moreentertainsThanalltheloreofwisestbrains.

(HEKISSESHERHAND.)

Don’tincommodeyourself!Howcouldyoueverkissit!


MARTHA

MEPHISTOPHELES

MARTHA

MEPHISTOPHELES

MARTHA

MARGARET

FAUST

MARGARET

FAUST

Itissougly,roughtosee!WhatworkIdo—howhardandsteadyisit!Motherismuchtooclosewithme.

[Theypass.

Andyou,Sir,travelalways,doyounot?

Alas,thattradeanddutyussoharry!Withwhatapangoneleavessomanyaspot,Anddaresnotevennowandthentotarry!

Inyoung,wildyearsitsuitsyourways,Thisroundandroundtheworldinfreedomsweeping;Butthencomeontheevildays,Andso,asbachelor,intohisgravea-creeping,Noneeverfoundathingtopraise.

Idreadtoseehowsuchafateadvances.

Then,worthySir,improvebetimesyourchances!

[Theypass.

Yes,outofsightisoutofmind!Yourcourtesyaneasygraceis;Butyouhavefriendsinotherplaces,AndsensiblerthanI,you’llfind.

Trustme,dearheart!whatmencallsensibleIsoftmerevanityandnarrowness.

Howso?

Ah,thatsimplicityandinnocencene’erknowThemselves,theirholyvalue,andtheirspell!Thatmeekness,lowliness,thehighestgraces

MARGARET

FAUST

MARGARET

FAUST

MARGARET

WhichNatureportionsoutsolovingly—

Soyoubutthinkamoment’sspaceonme,AlltimesI’llhavetothinkonyou,allplaces!

Nodoubtyou’remuchalone?

Yes,forourhouseholdsmallhasgrown,Yetmustbecaredfor,youwillown.Wehavenomaid:Idotheknitting,sewing,sweeping,Thecooking,earlyworkandlate,infact;Andmother,inhernotionsofhousekeeping,Issoexact!Notthatsheneedssomuchtokeepexpensesdown:We,morethanothers,mighttakecomfort,rather:Aniceestatewasleftusbymyfather,Ahouse,alittlegardennearthetown.Butnowmydayshavelessofnoiseandhurry;Mybrotherisasoldier,Mylittlesister’sdead.True,withthechildatroubledlifeIled,YetIwouldtakeagain,andwilling,alltheworry,Soverydearwasshe.

Anangel,iflikethee!

Ibroughtitup,anditwasfondofme.Fatherhaddiedbeforeitsawthelight,Andmother’scaseseemedhopelessquite,Soweakandmiserableshelay;Andsherecovered,then,soslowly,daybyday.Shecouldnotthink,herself,ofgivingThepoorweethingitsnaturalliving;

FAUST

MARGARET

MARTHA

MEPHISTOPHELES

MARTHA

MEPHISTOPHELES

MARTHA

AndsoInurseditallaloneWithmilkandwater:’twasmyown.Lulledinmylapwithmanyasong,Itsmiled,andtumbled,andgrewstrong.

Thepurestblisswassurelythenthydower.

Butsurely,also,manyawearyhour.Ikeptthebaby’scradlenearMybedatnight:if‘tevenstirred,I’dguessit,Andwaking,hear.AndImustnurseit,warmbesidemepressit,Andoft,toquietit,mybedforsake,Anddandlingbackandforththerestlesscreaturetake,Thenatthewash-tubstand,atmorning’sbreak;Andthenthemarketingandkitchen-tending,Dayafterday,thesamething,never-ending.One’sspirits,Sir,arethusnotalwaysgood,Butthenonelearnstorelishrestandfood.

[Theypass.

Yes,thepoorwomenarebadoff,’tistrue:Astubbornbachelorthere’snoconverting.

Itbutdependsuponthelikeofyou,AndIshouldturntobetterwaysthanflirting.

Speakplainly,Sir,haveyounoonedetected?Hasnotyourheartbeenanywheresubjected?

Theproverbsays:One’sownwarmhearthAndagoodwife,aregoldandjewelsworth.

Imean,haveyounotfeltdesire,thoughne’ersoslightly?

MARTHA

MEPHISTOPHELES

MARTHA

MEPHISTOPHELES

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MARGARET

FAUST

MARGARET

FAUST

MARGARET

I’veeverywhere,infact,beenentertainedpolitely.

Imeanttosay,wereyounottouchedinearnest,ever?

Oneshouldallowone’sselftojestwithladiesnever.

Ah,youdon’tunderstand!

I’msorryI’msoblind:ButIamsure—thatyouareverykind.

[Theypass.

Andme,thouangel!didstthourecognize,Asthroughthegarden-gateIcame?

Didyounotseeit?Icastdownmyeyes.

Andthouforgiv’stmyfreedom,andtheblameTomyimpertinencebefitting,AstheCathedralthouwertquitting?

Iwasconfused,thelikene’erhappenedme;Noonecouldeverspeaktomydiscredit.Ah,thoughtI,inmyconducthashereadit—Somethingimmodestorunseemlyfree?HeseemedtohavethesuddenfeelingThatwiththiswench’twereveryeasydealing.Iwillconfess,IknewnotwhatappealOnyourbehalf,here,inmybosomgrew;ButIwasangrywithmyself,tofeelThatIcouldnotbeangrierwithyou.

Sweetdarling!

Waitawhile!

(SHEPLUCKSASTAR-FLOWER,ANDPULLSOFFTHELEAVES,ONEAFTERTHEOTHER.)

MARGARET

MARGARET

FAUST

MARGARET

FAUST

MARGARET

FAUST

FAUST

FAUST

MARGARET

FAUST

Shallthatanosegaybe?

No,itisjustinplay.

How?

Go!you’lllaughatme.

(SHEPULLSOFFTHELEAVESANDMURMURS.)

Whatmurmurestthou?

(halfaloud)

Helovesme—lovesmenot.

Thousweet,angelicsoul!

(continues)

Lovesme—not—lovesme—not—(pluckingthelastleaf,shecrieswithfrankdelight:)

Helovesme!

Yes,child!andletthisblossom-wordFortheebespeechdivine!Helovesthee!Ah,know’stthouwhatitmeans?Helovesthee!

(HEGRASPSBOTHHERHANDS.)

I’malla-tremble!

Otremblenot!butletthislook,LetthiswarmclaspofhandsdeclaretheeWhatisunspeakable!Toyieldonewholly,andtofeelaraptureInyielding,thatmustbeeternal!Eternal!—fortheendwouldbedespair.No,no—noending!noending!

MARTHA

MEPHISTOPHELES

MARTHA

MEPHISTOPHELES

MARTHA

MEPHISTOPHELES

(comingforward)

Thenightisfalling.

Ay!wemustaway.

I’daskyou,longerheretotarry,Buteviltonguesinthistownhavefullplay.It’sasifnobodyhadnothingtofetchandcarry,Norotherlabor,Butspyingallthedoingsofone’sneighbor:Andonebecomesthetalk,dowhatsoe’eronemay.Whereisourcouplenow?

Flownupthealleyyonder,

Thewilfulsummer-birds!

Heseemsofherstillfonder.

Andsheofhim.Sorunstheworldaway!


MARGARET

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MARGARET

MARGARET

XIII

AGARDEN–ARBOR

(COMESIN,CONCEALSHERSELFBEHINDTHEDOOR,PUTSHERFINGERTOHERLIPS,ANDPEEPSTHROUGHTHECRACK.)

Hecomes!

(entering)

Ah,rogue!ateasethouart:

Ihavethee!(Hekissesher.)

(CLASPINGHIM,ANDRETURNINGTHEKISS)

Dearestman!Ilovetheefrommyheart.

(KNOCKS)

(stampinghisfoot)


MARTHA

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MARGARET

FAUST

MARTHA

MARGARET

MARGARET

Who’sthere?

Afriend!

Abeast!

Tistimetoseparate.

(coming)

Yes,Sir,’tislate.

MayInot,then,uponyouwait?

Mymotherwould—farewell!

Ah,canInotremain?

Farewell!

Adieu!

Andsoontomeetagain!

[ExeuntFAUSTandMEPHISTOPHELES.

DearGod!Howeverisit,suchAmancanthinkandknowsomuch?Istandashamedandinamaze,Andanswer“Yes”toallhesays,Apoor,unknowingchild!andhe—Ican’tthinkwhathefindsinme![Exit.


FAUST

XIV

FORESTANDCAVERN

(solus)

Spiritsublime,thougav’stme,gav’stmeallForwhichIprayed.NotuntomeinvainHastthouthycountenancerevealedinfire.Thougav’stmeNatureasakingdomgrand,Withpowertofeelandtoenjoyit.ThouNotonlycold,amazedacquaintanceyield’st,Butgrantest,thatinherprofoundestbreastIgaze,asinthebosomofafriend.TheranksoflivingcreaturesthoudostleadBeforeme,teachingmetoknowmybrothersInairandwaterandthesilentwood.


Andwhenthestorminforestsroarsandgrinds,Thegiantfirs,infalling,neighborboughsAndneighbortrunkswithcrushingweightbeardown,Andfalling,fillthehillswithhollowthunders—Thentothecavesecurethouleadestme,Thenshow’stmemineownself,andinmybreastThedeep,mysteriousmiraclesunfold.AndwhentheperfectmoonbeforemygazeComesupwithsoothinglight,aroundmefloatFromeveryprecipiceandthicketdampThesilveryphantomsoftheagespast,Andtempertheausteredelightofthought.

ThatnothingcanbeperfectuntoManInowamconscious.Withthisecstasy,WhichbringsmenearandnearertotheGods,Thougav’stthecomrade,whomInownomoreCandowithout,though,coldandscornful,heDemeansmetomyself,andwithabreath,Aword,transformsthygiftstonothingness.Withinmybreasthefansalawlessfire,Unwearied,forthatfairandlovelyform:ThusindesireIhastentoenjoyment,Andinenjoymentpinetofeeldesire.

MEPHISTOPHELES

MEPHISTOPHELES

(ENTERS.)

Haveyounotledthislifequitelongenough?Howcanafurthertestdelightyou?’Tisverywell,thatonceonetriesthestuff,Butsomethingnewmustthenrequiteyou.

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

Wouldtherewereotherworkforthee!Toplaguemydayauspiciousthoureturnest.

Well!I’llengagetolettheebe:Thoudarestnottellmesoinearnest.Thelossoftheeweretrulyveryslight—comradecrazy,rude,repelling:

FAUST

Onehasone’shandsfullallthedayandnight;Ifwhatonedoes,orleavesundone,isright,Fromsuchafaceasthinethereisnotelling.

Thereis,again,thypropertone!—

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

Thatthouhastboredme,Imustthankfulbe!

PoorSonofEarth,howcouldstthouthusaloneHaveledthylife,bereftofme?I,foratime,atleast,haveworkedthycure;Thyfancy’sricketsplaguetheenotatall:HadInotbeen,sohadstthou,sure,WalkedthyselfoffthisearthlyballWhyheretocaverns,rockyhollowsslinking,Sit’stthou,as’twereanowla-blinking?Whysuck’st,fromsoddenmossanddrippingstone,Toad-like,thynourishmentalone?Afineway,this,thytimetofill!TheDoctor’sinthybodystill.

Whatfreshandvitalforces,canstthouguess,Springfrommycommercewiththewilderness?But,ifthouhadstthepowerofguessing,Thouwouldstbedevilenoughtogrudgemysoultheblessing.

Ablessingdrawnfromsupernaturalfountains!Innightanddewtolieuponthemountains;AllHeavenandEarthinrapturepenetrating;ThyselftoGodhoodhaughtilyinflating;TogrubwithyearningforcethroughEarth’sdarkmarrow,Compressthesixdays’workwithinthybosomnarrow—Totaste,Iknownotwhat,inhaughtypower,Thineownecstaticlifeonallthingsshower,Thineearthlyselfbehindtheecast,Andthentheloftyinstinct,thus—

(Withagesture:)

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

atlast—

Idaren’tsayhow—topluckthefinalflower!

Shameonthee!

Yes,thoufindestthatunpleasant!Thouhastthemoralrighttocryme“shame!”atpresent.Onedaresnotthatbeforechasteearsdeclare,Whichchastehearts,notwithstanding,cannotspare;And,onceforall,IgrudgetheenotthepleasureOflyingtothyselfinmoderatemeasure.Butsuchacoursethouwiltnotlongendure;Alreadyartthouo’er-excited,And,ifitlast,wiltsoonbeplightedTomadnessandtohorror,sure.Enoughofthat!Thylovesitslonelyyonder,Byallthingssaddenedandoppressed;Herthoughtsandyearningsseekthee,tenderer,fonder—mightyloveisinherbreast.Firstcamethypassion’sfloodandpouredaroundherAswhenfrommeltedsnowastreamletoverflows;Thouhasttherewithsofilledanddrownedher,Thatnowthystreamallshallowshows.Methinks,insteadofintheforestslording,ThenobleSirshouldfinditgood,TheloveofthisyoungsillybloodAtoncetosetaboutrewarding.Hertimeismiserablylong;Shehauntsherwindow,watchingcloudsthatstrayO’ertheoldcity-wall,andfaraway.“WereIalittlebird!”sorunshersong,

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

Daylong,andhalfnightlong.Nowsheislively,mostlysad,Now,weptbeyondhertears;Thenagainquietsheappears—Alwayslove-mad.

Serpent!Serpent!

(aside)

Ha!doItrapthee!

Gettheeawaywiththineoffences,Reprobate!Namenotthatfairestthing,NorthedesireforhersweetbodybringAgainbeforemyhalf-distractedsenses!

Whatwouldstthou,then?Shethinksthatthouartflown;Andhalfandhalfthouart,Iown.

YetamInear,andlovekeepswatchandward;ThoughIwerene’ersofar,itcannotfalter:IenvyeventheBodyoftheLordThetouchingofherlips,beforethealtar.

’Tisverywell!MyenvyoftreposesOnyourtwin-pair,thatfeedamongtheroses.

Away,thoupimp!

Yourail,anditisfuntome.TheGod,whofashionedyouthandmaid,PerceivedthenoblestpurposeofHistrade,Andalsomadetheiropportunity.Goon!Itisawoeprofound!

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

’Tisforyoursweetheart’sroomyou’rebound,Andnotfordeath,indeed.

Whatare,withinherarms,theheavenlyblisses?ThoughIbeglowingwithherkisses,DoInotalwaysshareherneed?Iamthefugitive,allhouselessroaming,Themonsterwithoutairorrest,Thatlikeacataract,downrocksandgorgesfoaming,Leaps,maddened,intotheabyss’sbreast!Andside-wardsshe,withyoungunwakenedsenses,WithinhercabinontheAlpinefieldHersimple,homelylifecommences,Herlittleworldthereinconcealed.AndI,God’shateflungo’erme,Hadnotenough,tothrustThestubbornrocksbeforemeAndstrikethemintodust!SheandherpeaceIyetmustundermine:Thou,Hell,hastclaimedthissacrificeasthine!Help,Devil!throughthecomingpangstopushme;Whatmustbe,letitquicklybe!Letfallonmeherfate,andalsocrushme—Oneruinwhelmbothherandme!

Againitseethes,againitglows!Thoufool,goinandcomforther!Whensuchaheadasthinenooutletknows,Itthinkstheendmustsoonoccur.Hailhim,whokeepsasteadfastmind!Thou,else,dostwellthedevil-naturewear:

NaughtsoinsipidintheworldIfindAsisadevilindespair.


MARGARET

XV

MARGARET’SROOM

(ATTHESPINNING-WHEEL,ALONE)

Mypeaceisgone,Myheartissore:Inevershallfindit,Ah,nevermore!

SaveIhavehimnear.Thegraveishere;TheworldisgallAndbitternessall.

MypoorweakheadIsrackedandcrazed;


Mythoughtislost,Mysensesmazed.


Toseehim,himonly,AtthepaneIsit;Tomeethim,himonly,ThehouseIquit.

Hisloftygait,Hisnoblesize,Thesmileofhismouth,Thepowerofhiseyes,

AndthemagicflowOfhistalk,theblissIntheclaspofhishand,And,ah!hiskiss!


MybosomyearnsForhimalone;Ah,daredIclasphim,Andhold,andown!

Andkisshismouth,Toheart’sdesire,AndonhiskissesAtlastexpire!


MARGARET

FAUST

MARGARET

FAUST

MARGARET

FAUST

XVI

MARTHA’SGARDEN

MARGARET,FAUST

Promiseme,Henry!—

WhatIcan!

Howis’twiththyreligion,pray?Thouartadear,good-heartedman,Andyet,Ithink,dostnotinclinethatway.

Leavethat,mychild!Thouknow’stmyloveistender;Forlove,mybloodandlifewouldIsurrender,AndasforFaithandChurch,Igranttoeachhisown.

That’snotenough:wemustbelievethereon.

Mustwe?


MARGARET

FAUST

MARGARET

FAUST

MARGARET

FAUST

WouldthatIhadsomeinfluence!Then,too,thouhonorestnottheHolySacraments.

Ihonorthem.

Desiringnopossession’Tislongsincethouhastbeentomassortoconfession.BelievestthouinGod?

Mydarling,whoshalldare“IbelieveinGod!”tosay?Askpriestorsagetheanswertodeclare,Anditwillseemamockingplay,Asarcasmontheasker.

Thenthoubelievestnot!

Hearmenotfalsely,sweetestcountenance!WhodareexpressHim?AndwhoprofessHim,Saying:IbelieveinHim!Who,feeling,seeing,DenyHisbeing,Saying:IbelieveHimnot!TheAll-enfolding,TheAll-upholding,FoldsandupholdshenotThee,me,Himself?Archesnottheretheskyaboveus?Liesnotbeneathus,firm,theearth?Andrisenot,onusshining,Friendly,theeverlastingstars?LookInot,eyetoeye,onthee,

MARGARET

FAUST

MARGARET

FAUST

MARGARET

FAUST

MARGARET

Andfeel’stnot,throngingToheadandheart,theforce,Stillweavingitseternalsecret,Invisible,visible,roundthylife?Vastasitis,fillwiththatforcethyheart,Andwhenthouinthefeelingwhollyblessedart,Callit,then,whatthouwilt—CallitBliss!Heart!Love!God!Ihavenonametogiveit!Feelingisallinall:TheNameissoundandsmoke,ObscuringHeaven’sclearglow.

Allthatisfineandgood,tohearitso:Muchthesamewaythepreacherspoke,Onlywithslightlydifferentphrases.

Thesamething,inallplaces,Allheartsthatbeatbeneaththeheavenlyday—Eachinitslanguage—say;ThenwhynotI,inmine,aswell?

Tohearitthus,itmayseempassable;Andyet,somehitchin’ttheremustbeForthouhastnoChristianity.

Dearlove!

I’velongbeengrievedtoseeThatthouartinsuchcompany.

Howso?

Themanwhowiththeegoes,thymate,

FAUST

MARGARET

FAUST

MARGARET

FAUST

MARGARET

Withinmydeepest,inmostsoulIhate.Inallmylifethere’snothingHasgivenmyheartsokeenapangofloathing,Ashisrepulsivefacehasdone.

Nay,fearhimnot,mysweetestone!

Ifeelhispresencelikesomethingill.I’veelse,forall,akindlywill,But,muchasmyhearttoseetheeyearneth,Thesecrethorrorofhimreturneth;AndIthinkthemanaknave,asIlive!IfIdohimwrong,mayGodforgive!

Theremustbesuchqueerbirds,however.

Livewiththelikeofhim,mayInever!Whenonceinsidethedoorcomeshe,Helooksaroundsosneeringly,Andhalfinwrath:Oneseesthatinnothingnointeresthehath:’TiswrittenonhisveryforeheadThatlove,tohim,isathingabhorréd.Iamsohappyonthinearm,Sofree,soyielding,andsowarm,Andinhispresencestifledseemsmyheart.

Forebodingangelthatthouart!

Itovercomesmeinsuchdegree,Thatwheresoe’erhemeetsus,even,IfeelasthoughI’dlostmyloveforthee.Whenheisby,IcouldnotpraytoHeaven.Thatburnswithinmelikeaflame,

FAUST

MARGARET

FAUST

MARGARET

FAUST

MARGARET

FAUST

MARGARET

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

Andsurely,Henry,’tiswiththeethesame.

There,now,isthineantipathy!

ButImustgo.

Ah,shallthereneverbeAquiethour,toseeusfondlyplighted,Withbreasttobreast,andsoultosoulunited?

Ah,ifIonlysleptalone!I’ddrawtheboltsto-night,forthydesire;Butmother’ssleepsolighthasgrown,Andifwewerediscoveredbyher,’Twouldbemydeathuponthespot!

Thouangel,fearitnot!Hereisaphial:inherdrinkButthreedropsofitmeasure,Anddeepestsleepwillonhersensessink.

WhatwouldInot,togivetheepleasure?Itwillnotharmher,whenonetriesit?

If’twould,mylove,wouldIadviseit?

Ah,dearestman,ifbutthyfaceIsee,Iknownotwhatcompelsmetothywill:SomuchhaveIalreadydoneforthee,Thatscarcelymoreisleftmetofulfil.

[EXIT.

(ENTERMEPHISTOPHELES.)

Themonkey!Isshegone?

Hastplayedthespyagain?

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

I’veheard,mostfully,howshedrewthee.TheDoctorhasbeencatechised,’tisplain;Greatgood,Ihope,thethingwilldothee.ThegirlshavemuchdesiretoascertainIfoneisprimandgood,asancientrulescompel:Iftherehe’sled,theythink,he’llfollowthemaswell.

Thou,monster,wiltnorseenorownHowthispuresoul,offaithsolowly,Solovingandineffable—ThefaithaloneThathersalvationis—withscruplesholyPines,lestsheholdaslostthemanshelovessowell!

Thou,fullofsensual,super-sensualdesire,Agirlbythenoseisleadingthee.

Abortion,thou,offilthandfire!

Andthen,howmasterlyshereadsphysiognomy!WhenIampresentshe’simpressed,sheknowsnothow;Sheinmymaskahiddensensewouldread:ShefeelsthatsurelyI’mageniusnow—PerhapstheveryDevil,indeed!Well,well—to-night—?

What’sthattothee?

Yetmydelight’twillalsobe!


LISBETH

MARGARET

LISBETH

MARGARET

LISBETH

MARGARET

LISBETH

XVII

ATTHEFOUNTAIN

MARGARETANDLISBETHWITHPITCHERS.

HastnothingheardofBarbara?

No,notaword.Igosolittleout.

It’strue,Sibyllasaid,to-day.She’splayedthefoolatlast,there’snotadoubt.Suchtaking-onofairs!

Howso?

Itstinks!She’sfeedingtwo,whene’ersheeatsanddrinks.

Ah!

Andso,atlast,itservesherrightly.


MARGARET

LISBETH

MARGARET

LISBETH

MARGARET

LISBETH

Sheclungtothefellowsolongandtightly!Thatwasapromenading!Atvillageanddanceparading!Asthefirsttheymusteverywhereshine,Andhetreatedheralwaystopiesandwine,Andshemadeato-dowithherfacesofine;Someanandshamelesswasherbehavior,Shetookallthepresentsthefellowgaveher.’Twaskissingandcoddling,onandon!Sonow,attheend,theflowerisgone.

Thepoor,poorthing!

Dostpityher,atthat?Whenoneofusatspinningsat,Andmother,nights,ne’erletusoutthedoorShesportedwithherparamour.Onthedoor-bench,inthepassagedark,Thelengthofthetimethey’dnevermark.Sonowherheadnomoreshe’lllift,Butdochurch-penanceinhersinner’sshift!

He’llsurelytakeherforhiswife.

He’dbeafool!AbriskyoungbladeHasroom,elsewhere,toplyhistrade.Besides,he’sgone.

Thatisnotfair!

Ifhimshegets,whyletherbeware!Theboysshalldashherwreathonthefloor,Andwe’llscatterchaffbeforeherdoor!

MARGARET

[Exit.

(returninghome)

HowscornfullyIoncereviled,Whensomepoormaidenwasbeguiled!MorespeechthananytonguesufficesIcraved,tocensureothers’vices.Blackasitseemed,Iblackenedstill,Andblackeryetwasinmywill;Andblessedmyself,andboastedhigh—Andnow—alivingsinamI!Yet—allthatdrovemyheartthereto,God!wassogood,sodear,sotrue!


MARGARET

XVIII

DONJON

(INANICHEOFTHEWALLASHRINE,WITHANIMAGEOFTHEMATERDOLOROSA.POTSOFFLOWERSBEFOREIT.)

(PUTTINGFRESHFLOWERSINTHEPOTS)

Incline,OMaiden,Thousorrow-laden,Thygraciouscountenanceuponmypain!

TheswordThyheartin,Withanguishsmarting,ThoulookestuptowhereThySonisslain!

ThouseesttheFather;


Thysadsighsgather,AndbearaloftThysorrowandHispain!

Ah,pastguessing,Beyondexpressing,Thepangsthatwringmyfleshandbone!Whythisanxiousheartsoburneth,Whyittrembleth,whyityearneth,KnowestThou,andThoualone!

Where’erIgo,whatsorrow,Whatwoe,whatwoeandsorrowWithinmybosomaches!Alone,andah!unsleeping,I’mweeping,weeping,weeping,Theheartwithinmebreaks.

Thepotsbeforemywindow,Alas!mytearsdidwet,AsintheearlymorningFortheetheseflowersIset.

WithinmylonelychamberThemorningsunshonered:Isat,inuttersorrow,Alreadyonmybed.

Help!rescuemefromdeathandstain!OMaiden!Thousorrow-laden,InclineThycountenanceuponmypain!


VALENTINE

XIX

NIGHT

StreetBeforeMargaret’sDoor

(asoldier,MARGARET’sbrother)

WhenIhavesatatsomecarouse.Whereeachtoeachhisbragallows,AndmanyacomradepraisedtomeHispinkofgirlsrightlustily,Withbrimmingglassthatspilledthetoast,Andelbowsplantedasinboast:Isatinunconcernedrepose,Andheardtheswaggerasitrose.Andstrokingthenmybeard,I’dsay,Smiling,thebumperinmyhand:


FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

“Eachwellenoughinherownway.ButisthereoneinallthelandLikesisterMargaret,goodasgold—Onethattohercanacandlehold?”Cling!clang!“Here’stoher!”wentaroundTheboard:“Hespeaksthetruth!”criedsome;“Inhertheflowero’thesexisfound!”Andalltheswaggerersweredumb.Andnow!—Icouldtearmyhairwithvexation.Anddashoutmybrainsindesperation!Withturned-upnoseeachscampmayfaceme,Withsneersandstingingtauntsdisgraceme,And,likeabankruptdebtorsitting,Achance-droppedwordmaysetmesweating!Yet,thoughIthreshthemalltogether,Icannotcallthemliars,either.

Butwhatcomessneaking,there,toview?IfImistakenot,therearetwo.Ifhe’sone,letmeathimdrive!Heshallnotleavethespotalive.


HowfromthewindowofthesacristyUpwardth’eternallampsendsforthaglimmer,That,lesseningside-wards,faintergrowsanddimmer,Tilldarknessclosesfromthesky!Theshadowsthuswithinmybosomgather.

I’mlikeasentimentaltom-cat,rather,Thatroundthetallfire-ladderssweeps,

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

Andstealthy,then,alongthecopingcreeps:Quitevirtuous,withal,Icome,Alittlethievishandalittlefrolicsome.IfeelineverylimbthepresageForerunningthegrandWalpurgis-Night:Dayafterto-morrowbringsitsmessage,Andonekeepswatchthenwithdelight.

Meanwhile,maynotthetreasurerisenbe,Whichthere,behind,Iglimmeringsee?

Shaltsoonexperiencethepleasure,Toliftthekettlewithitstreasure.Ilatelygavethereinasquint—Sawsplendidlion-dollarsin‘t.

Notevenajewel,notaring,Todecktherewithmydarlinggirl?

Isaw,amongtherest,athingThatseemedtobeachainofpearl.

That’swell,indeed!ForpainfulisitTobringnogiftwhenherIvisit.

Thoushouldstnotfinditsoannoying,Withoutreturntobeenjoying.Now,whiletheskyleadsforthitsstarrythrong,Thou’lthearamasterpiece,noworkcompleter:I’llsingher,first,amoralsong,Thesurer,afterwards,tocheather.

(Singstothecither.)

Whatdostthouhere

VALENTINE

MEPHISTOPHELES

MEPHISTOPHELES

VALENTINE

(comesforward)

Whomwiltthoulure?God’selement!Rat-catchingpiper,thou!—perdition!TotheDevil,first,theinstrument!TotheDevil,then,thecurstmusician!

Thecither’ssmashed!Fornothingmore’tisfitting.

There’syetaskullImustbesplitting!

(toFAUST)

SirDoctor,don’tretreat,Ipray!Standby:I’lllead,ifyou’llbuttarry:Outwithyourspit,withoutdelay!You’vebuttolunge,andIwillparry.

Indaybreakclear,Kathrinadear,Beforethylover’sdoor?Beware!thebladeLetsinamaid.ThatoutamaidDepartethnevermore!

ThecoaxingshunOfsuchanone!Whenonce’tisdoneGood-nighttothee,poorthing!Love’stimeisbrief:UntonothiefBewarmandlief,Butwiththewedding-ring!

MEPHISTOPHELES

VALENTINE

MARTHA

MARGARET

MARTHA

VALENTINE

MEPHISTOPHELES

VALENTINE

MEPHISTOPHELES

VALENTINE

MEPHISTOPHELES

PEOPLE

Thenparrythat!

Whynot?’tislight.

That,too!

Ofcourse.

IthinktheDevilmustfight!

Howisit,then?myhand’salreadylame:

(toFAUST)

Thrusthome!

(jails)

OGod!

Nowisthelubbertame!

Butcome,away!’Tistimeforustofly;Fortherearisesnowamurderouscry.Withthepolice’twereeasytocompoundit,Butherethepenalcourtwillsiftandsoundit.

[EXITWITHFAUST.

(atthewindow)

Comeout!Comeout!

(atthewindow)

Quick,bringalight!

(asabove)

Theyswearandstorm,theyyellandfight!

Hereliesonedeadalready—see!

MARTHA

MARGARET

PEOPLE

MARGARET

VALENTINE

MARGARET

VALENTINE

(comingfromthehouse)

Themurderers,whitherhavetheyrun?

(comingout)

Wholieshere?

’Tisthymother’sson!

AlmightyGod!whatmisery!

I’mdying!Thatisquicklysaid,Andquickeryet’tisdone.Whyhowl,youwomenthere?Instead,Comehereandlisten,everyone!

(ALLGATHERAROUNDHIM)

MyMargaret,see!stillyoungthouart,Butnottheleastbitshrewdorsmart,Thybusinessthustoslight:SothisadviceIbidtheeheed—Nowthatthouartawhoreindeed,Why,beonethen,outright!

Mybrother!God!suchwordstome?

InthisgameletourLordGodbe!What’sdone’salreadydone,alas!Whatfollowsit,mustcometopass.Withonebegin’stthousecretly,Thensoonwillotherscometothee,Andwhenadozentheehaveknown,Thou’rtalsofreetoallthetown.WhenShameisbornandfirstappears,

MARTHA

VALENTINE

Sheisinsecretbroughttolight,AndthentheydrawtheveilofnightOverherheadandears;Herlife,infact,they’reloathtospareher.Butlethergrowthandstrengthdisplay,Shewalksabroadunveiledbyday,Yetisnotgrownawhitthefairer.Theugliersheistosight,Themoresheseekstheday’sbroadlight.ThetimeIverilycandiscernWhenallthehonestfolkwillturnFromthee,thoujade!andseekprotectionAsfromacorpsethatbreedsinfection.Thyguiltyheartshallthendismaythee.Whentheybutlooktheeintheface:—Shaltnotinagoldenchainarraythee,Noratthealtartakethyplace!Shaltnot,inlaceandribbonsflowing,Makemerrywhenthedanceisgoing!Butinsomecorner,woebetidethee!Amongthebeggarsandcrippleshidethee;Andso,thoughevenGodforgive,Onearthadamnedexistencelive!

CommendyoursoultoGodforpardon,Thatyouyourheartwithslanderharden!

Thoupimpmostinfamous,bestill!CouldIthywitheredbodykill,’Twouldbring,forallmysinfulpleasure,Forgivenessintherichestmeasure.

MARGARET

VALENTINE

Mybrother!ThisisHell’sownpain!

Itellthee,fromthytearsrefrain!WhenthoufromhonordidstdepartItstabbedmetotheveryheart.NowthroughtheslumberofthegraveIgotoGodasasoldierbrave.

(Dies.)


EVILSPIRIT

XX

CATHEDRAL

Service,OrganANDAnthem.

(MARGARETAMONGMUCHPEOPLE:THEEVILSPIRITBEHINDMARGARET.)

HOWotherwisewasit,Margaret,Whenthou,stillinnocent,Heretothealtarcam’st,AndfromthewornandfingeredbookThyprayersdidstprattle,Halfsportofchildhood,HalfGodwithinthee!Margaret!Wheretendsthythought?Withinthybosom


MARGARET

CHORUS

EVILSPIRIT

MARGARET

Whathiddencrime?Pray’stthouformercyonthymother’ssoul,Thatfellasleeptolong,longtorment,andthroughthee?Uponthythresholdwhosetheblood?AndstirrethnotandquickensSomethingbeneaththyheart,ThylifedisquietingWithmostforebodingpresence?

Woe!woe!WouldIwerefreefromthethoughtsThatcrossme,drawinghitherandthitherDespiteme!

(SOUNDOFTHEORGAN.)

Wrathtakesthee!Thetrumpetpeals!Thegravestremble!AndthyheartFromashyrestTofierytormentsNowagainrequickened,Throbstolife!

WouldIwereforth!IfeelasiftheorganhereMybreathtakesfromme,Myveryheart

Diesira,diesilla,Solvetsoecluminfavilla!

CHORUS

MARGARET

EVILSPIRIT

CHORUS

EVILSPIRIT

CHORUS

MARGARET

Dissolvedbytheanthem!

Icannotbreathe!ThemassypillarsImprisonme!ThevaultedarchesCrushme!—Air!

Hidethyself!SinandshameStayneverhidden.Air?Light?Woetothee!

Theyturntheirfaces,Theglorified,fromthee:Thepure,theirhandstooffer,Shuddering,refusethee!Woe!

Neighbor!yourcordial!(Shefallsinaswoon.)

Judexergocumsedebit,Quidquidlatet,adparebit,Nilinultumremanebit.

Quidsummisertuncdicturus,Quempatronemrogaturus,CumvixJustussitsecurus

Quidsummisertunedicturus?


MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

XXI

WALPURGIS–NIGHT

TheHartzMountains.

DISTRICTOFSCHIERKEANDELEND.


DOSTthounotwishabroomstick-steed’sassistance?Thesturdiesthe-goatIwouldgladlysee:Thewaywetake,ourgoalisyetsomedistance.

SolongasinmylegsIfeelthefreshexistence.Thisknottedstaffsufficesme.Whatneedtoshortensotheway?Alongthislabyrinthofvalestowander,Thenclimbtherockyrampartsyonder,


MEPHISTOPHELES

WILL-O’-THE–WISP

MEPHISTOPHELES

WILL-O’-THE–WISP

Wherefromthefountainflingseternalspray,Issuchdelight,mystepswouldfaindelay.Thespring-timestirswithinthefragrantbirches,Andeventhefir-treefeelsitnow:Shouldthenourlimbsescapeitsgentlesearches?

Inoticenosuchthing,Ivow!’Tiswinterstillwithinmybody:UponmypathIwishforfrostandsnow.Howsadlyrises,incompleteandruddy,Themoon’slonedisk,withitsbelatedglow,Andlightssodimly,that,asoneadvances,Ateverysteponestrikesarockortree!Letus,then,useaJack-o’-lantern’sglances:Iseeoneyonder,burningmerrily.Ho,there!myfriend!I’lllevythineattendance:Whywastesovainlythyresplendence?Bekindenoughtolightusupthesteep!

Myreverence,Ihope,willmeenableTocurbmytemperamentunstable;Forzigzagcourseswearewonttokeep.

Indeed?he’dlikemankindtoimitate!Now,intheDevil’sname,gostraight,OrI’llblowouthisbeing’sflickeringspark!

Youarethemasterofthehouse,Imark,AndIshalltrytoserveyounicely.Butthen,reflect:themountain’smagic-madto-day,Andifawill-o’-the-wispmustguideyouontheway,Youmustn’ttakethingstooprecisely.

FAUST,MEPHISTOPHELES,WILL-O’-THE–WISP (INALTERNATINGSONG)

We,itseems,haveenterednewlyInthesphereofdreamsenchanted.Dothybidding,guideustruly,ThatourfeetbeforwardsplantedInthevast,thedesertspaces!Seethemswiftlychangingplaces,Treesontreesbesideustrooping,Andthecragsaboveusstooping,Andtherockysnouts,outgrowing—Hearthemsnoring,hearthemblowing!O’erthestones,thegrasses,flowingStreamandstreamletseekthehollow.HearInoises?songsthatfollow?HearItenderlove-petitions?Voicesofthoseheavenlyvisions?Soundsofhope,ofloveundying!Andtheechoes,liketraditionsOfolddays,comefaintandhollow.

Hoo-hoo!Shoo-hoo!NearerhoverJayandscreech-owl,andtheplover—Aretheyallawakeandcrying?Is’tthesalamanderpushes,Bloated-bellied,throughthebushes?Andtheroots,likeserpentstwisted,Throughthesandandboulderstoiling,Frightus,weirdestlinksuncoilingToentrapus,unresisted:

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

Graspmyskirtwithheartundaunted!Hereamiddle-peakisplanted,Whenceoneseeth,withamaze,Mammoninthemountainblaze.

HowstrangelyglimmersthroughthehollowsAdrearylight,likethatofdawn!ItsexhalationtracksandfollowsThedeepestgorges,faintandwan.Heresteam,thererollingvaporsweepeth;Hereburnstheglowthroughfilmandhaze:Nowlikeatenderthreaditcreepeth,Nowlikeafountainleapsandplays.Herewindsaway,andinahundred

LivingknotsandgnarlsuncannyFeelwithpolypus-antennaeForthewanderer.Miceareflying,Thousand-colored,herd-wisehieingThroughthemossandthroughtheheather!

Andthefire-flieswinkanddarkle,Crowdedswarmsthatsoarandsparkle,Andinwilderingescortgather!

Tellme,ifwestillarestanding,Oriffurtherwe’reascending?Allisturning,whirling,blending,Treesandrockswithgrinningfaces,Wanderinglightsthatspininmazes,Stillincreasingandexpanding!

Dividedveinsthevalleybraids:There,inacornerpressedandsundered,Itselfdetaches,spreadsandfades.HeregushthesparklesincandescentLikescatteredshowersofgoldensand;—But,see!inalltheirheight,atpresent,Therockyrampartsblazingstand.

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

HasnotSirMammongrandlylightedHispalaceforthisfestalnight?’Tisluckythouhastseenthesight;Theboisterousguestsapproachthatwereinvited.

Howravesthetempestthroughtheair!

Undertheoldribsoftherockretreating

WITCHES

MEPHISTOPHELES

AVOICE

Withwhatfierceblowsuponmyneck’tisbeating!

Undertheoldribsoftherockretreating,Holdfast,lestthoubehurleddowntheabyssesthere!Thenightwiththemistisblack;Hark!howtheforestsgrindandcrack!Frightened,theowletsarescattered:Hearken!thepillarsareshattered.Theevergreenpalacesshaking!Boughsaregroaningandbreaking,Thetree-trunksterriblythunder,Therootsaretwistingasunder!InfrightfullyintricatecrashingEachontheotherisdashing,Andoverthewreck-strewngorgesThetempestwhistlesandsurges!Hear’stthouvoiceshigherringing?Faraway,ornearersinging?Yes,themountain’ssidealong,Sweepsaninfuriateglamouringsong!

(inchorus)

ThewitchesridetotheBrocken’stop,Thestubbleisyellow,andgreenthecrop.Theregathersthecrowdforcarnival:SirUriansitsoverall.

Andsotheygooverstoneandstock;Thewitchshe——s,and——sthebuck.

Alone,oldBaubo’scomingnow;

WITCHES

WIZARDS

CHORUS

AVOICE

VOICE

VOICE

VOICE

OTHERSEMICHORUS

Whichwaycom’stthouhither?

O’ertheIlsen-stone.Ipeepedattheowlinhernestalone:Howshestaredandglared!

BetaketheetoHell!Whysofastandsofell?

Shehasscoredandhasflayedme:Seethewoundsshehasmademe!

(chorus)

(semichorus)

Sheridesuponafarrow-sow.

Thenhonortowhomthehonorisdue!DameBaubofirst,toleadthecrew!Atougholdsowandthemotherthereon,Thenfollowthewitches,everyone.

Thewayiswide,thewayislong:See,whatawildandcrazythrong!Thebroomitscratches,theforkitthrusts,Thechildisstifled,themotherbursts.

Asdoththesnailinshell,wecrawl:Beforeusgothewomenall.WhentowardstheDevil’sHousewetread,Woman’sathousandstepsahead.

Wedonotmeasurewithsuchcare:

VOICE

VOICE

VOICE

VOICE

VOICE

BOTHCHORUSES

BOTHCHORUSES

(fromabove)

Comeon,comeon,fromRockyLake!

(frombelow)

Aloftwe’dfainourselvesbetake.We’vewashed,andarebrightaseveryouwill,Yetwe’reeternallysterilestill.

(frombelow)

Halt,there!Ho,there!

(fromabove)

Whocallsfromtherockycleftbelowthere?

(below)

Takeme,too!takeme,too!I’mclimbingnowthreehundredyears,Andyetthesummitcannotsee:AmongmyequalsIwouldbe.

Womaninthousandstepsistheft.Buthowsoe’ershehastenmay,Maninoneleaphasclearedtheway.

Thewindishushed,thestarshootsby.Thedrearymoonforsakesthesky;Themagicnotes,likesparkonspark,Drizzle,whistlingthroughthedark.

Bearsthebroomandbearsthestock,Bearstheforkandbearsthebuck:

HALF-WITCH

FAUST

CHORUSOFWITCHES

BOTHCHORUSES

MEPHISTOPHELES

MEPHISTOPHELES

(below)

SolongIstumble,illbestead,Andtheothersarenowsofarahead!AthomeI’veneitherrestnorcheer,AndyetIcannotgainthemhere.

(THEYSETTLEDOWN.)

Theycrowdandpush,theyroarandclatter!Theywhirlandwhistle,pullandchatter!Theyshine,andspirt,andstink,andburn!Thetruewitch-elementwelearn.Keepclose!orweareparted,inourturn,Whereartthou?

(inthedistance)

Here!

What!whirledsofarastray?

Whocannotraisehimselfto-nightIsevermorearuinedwight.

Tocheerthewitchwillsalveavail;Aragwillanswerforasail;Eachtroughagoodlyshipsupplies;Hene’erwillfly,whonownotflies.

Whenroundthesummitwhirlsourflight,Thenlower,andonthegroundalight;AndfarandwidetheheatherpressWithwitchhood’sswarmsofwantonness!

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

Thenhouse-rightImustuse,andcleartheway.Makeroom!SquireVolandcomes!Room,gentlerabble,room!

Here,Doctor,holdtome:inonejumpwe’llresumeAneasierspace,andfromthecrowdbefree:It’stoomuch,evenforthelikeofme.Yonder,withspeciallight,there’ssomethingshiningclearerWithinthosebushes;I’veamindtosee.Comeon!wellslipalittlenearer.

SpiritofContradiction!On!I’llfollowstraight.’Tisplannedmostwisely,ifIjudgearight:WeclimbtheBrocken’stopintheWalpurgis-Night,Thatarbitrarily,here,ourselvesweisolate.

Butsee,whatmotleyflamesamongtheheather!Thereisalivelyclubtogether:Insmallercirclesoneisnotalone.

Betterthesummit,Imustown:TherefireandwhirlingsmokeIsee.TheyseektheEvilOneinwildconfusion:Manyenigmastheremightfindsolution.

Butthereenigmasalsoknottedbe.Leavetothemultitudetheirriot!Herewillwehouseourselvesinquiet.Itisanold,transmittedtrade,Thatinthegreaterworldthelittleworldsaremade.Iseestark-nudeyoungwitchescongregate,Andoldones,veiledandhiddenshrewdly:Onmyaccountbekind,nortreatthemrudely!Thetrouble’ssmall,thefunisgreat.

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

GENERAL

Ihearthenoiseofinstrumentsattuning—Viledin!yetonemustlearntobearthecrooning.Come,comealong!Itmustbe,Ideclare!I’llgoaheadandintroducetheethere,Thineobligationnewlyearning.Thatisnolittlespace:whatsay’stthou,friend?Lookyonder!thoucanstscarcelyseetheend:Ahundredfiresalongtheranksareburning.Theydance,theychat,theycook,theydrink,theycourt:Nowwhere,justtellme,istherebettersport?

Wiltthou,tointroduceustotherevel,Assumethepartofwizardorofdevil?

I’mmostlyused,’tistrue,togoincognito,Butonagala-dayonemayhisordersshow.TheGarterdoesnotdeckmysuit,Buthonoredandathomeisheretheclovenfoot.Perceiv’stthouyondersnail?Itcometh,slowandsteady;Sodelicatelyitsfeelerspry,Thatithathscentedmealready:Icannotheredisguiseme,ifItry.Butcome!we’llgofromthisfiretoanewer:Iamthego-between,andthouthewooer.

(TOSOME,WHOARESITTINGAROUNDDYINGEMBERS:)

Oldgentlemen,whyattheoutskirts?Enter!I’dpraiseyouifIfoundyousnuglyinthecentre,Withyouthandrevelroundyoulikeazone:Youeach,athome,arequiteenoughalone.

Say,whowouldputhistrustinnations,

MINISTER

PARVENU

AUTHOR

MEPHISTOPHELES

HUCKSTER–WITCH

Howe’erforthemonemayhaveworkedandplanned?Forwiththepeople,aswithwomen,Youthalwayshastheupperhand.

They’renowtoofarfromwhatisjustandsage.Ipraisetheoldones,notunduly:Whenwewereall-in-all,then,truly,Thenwastherealgoldenage.

Wealsowerenotstupid,either,Andwhatweshouldnot,oftendid;Butnowallthingshavefromtheirbasesslid,Justaswemeanttoholdthemfasttogether.

Who,now,aworkofmoderatesensewillread?Suchworksareheldasantiquateandmossy;Andasregardstheyoungerfolk,indeed,Theyneveryethavebeensopertandsaucy.

(WHOALLATONCEAPPEARSVERYOLD)

IfeelthatmenareripeforJudgment-Day,NowforthelasttimeI’vethewitches’-hillascended:Sincetotheleesmycaskisdrainedaway,Theworld’s,aswell,mustsoonbeended.

Yegentlemen,don’tpassmethus!Letnotthechanceneglectedbe!Beholdmywaresattentively:Thestockisrareandvarious.Andyet,there’snothingI’vecollected—Noshop,onearth,likethisyou’llfind!—Whichhasnot,once,sorehurtinflictedUpontheworld,andonmankind.

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

Nodagger’shere,thatsetnotbloodtoflowing;Nocup,thathathnotonce,withinahealthyframePouredspeedydeath,inpoisonglowing:Nogems,thathavenotbroughtamaidtoshame;Nosword,butseveredtiesfortheunwary,Orfrombehindstruckdowntheadversary.

Gossip!thetimesthoubadlycomprehendest:What’sdonehashapped—whathaps,isdone!’Twerebetteriffornoveltiesthousendest:Bysuchalonecanwebewon.

Letmenotlosemyselfinallthispother!Thisisafair,asneverwasanother!

Thewhirlpoolswirlstogetabove:Thou’rtshovedthyself,imaginingtoshove.

Butwhoisthat?

Noteherespecially,TisLilith.

Who?

Adam’sfirstwifeisshe.

Bewarethelurewithinherlovelytresses,Thesplendidsoleadornmentofherhair!Whenshesucceedstherewithayouthtosnare,Notsoonagainshefreeshimfromherjesses.

Thosetwo,theoldonewiththeyoungonesitting,They’vedancedalreadymorethanfitting.

Norestto-nightforyoungorold!

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

THEFAIRONE

THEFAIRONE

THEOLDONE

PROKTOPHANTASMIST

Theystartanotherdance:comenow,letustakehold!

(dancingwiththeyoungwitch)

(dancingwiththeoldone)

Accursédfolk!Howdareyouventurethus?Hadyounot,longsince,demonstrationThatghostscan’tstandonordinaryfoundation?Andnowyouevendance,likeoneofus!

(dancing)

Whydoeshecome,then,toourball?

Alovelydreamoncecametome;Ithenbeheldanapple-tree,Andtheretwofairestapplesshone:Theyluredmeso,Iclimbedthereon.

Appleshavebeendesiredbyyou,SincefirstinParadisetheygrew;AndIammovedwithjoy,toknowThatsuchwithinmygardengrow.

Adissolutedreamoncecametome:ThereinIsawacloventree,Whichhada————————;Yet——as’twas,Ifanciedit.

IofferheremybestsaluteUntotheknightwithclovenfoot!Lethima—————prepare,Ifhim—————————doesnotscare.

FAUST

PROKTOPHANTASMIST

THEFAIRONE

PROKTOPHANTASMIST

MEPHISTOPHELES

(dancing)

O,everywhereonhimyoufall!Whenothersdance,heweighsthematter:Ifhecan’teverystepbechatter,Then’tisthesameaswerethestepnotmade;Butifyouforwardsgo,hisireismostdisplayed.IfyouwouldwhirlinregulargyrationAshedoesinhisdulloldmill,He’dshow,atanyrate,good-will—Especiallyifyouheardandheededhishortation.

Youstillarehere?Nay,’tisathingunheard!Vanish,atonce!We’vesaidtheenlighteningword.Thepackofdevilsbynorulesisdaunted:Wearesowise,andyetisTegelhaunted.Toclearthefollyout,howhaveIsweptandstirred!Twillne’erbeclean:why,’tisathingunheard!

Thenceasetoboreusatourball!

Itellyou,spirits,toyourface,Igivetospirit-despotismnoplace;Myspiritcannotpractiseitatall.

(THEDANCECONTINUES)

Naughtwillsucceed,Isee,amidsuchrevels;YetsomethingfromatourIalwayssave,Andhope,beforemylaststeptothegrave,Toovercomethepoetsandthedevils.

Henowwillseathiminthenearestpuddle;Thesolacethis,whereofhe’smostassured:

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

Andwhenuponhisrumptheleecheshangandfuddle,He’llbeofspiritsandofSpiritcured.

(TOFAUST,WHOHASLEFTTHEDANCE:)

Whereforeforsakestthouthelovelymaiden,Thatinthedancesosweetlysang?

Ah!inthemidstofittheresprangAredmousefromhermouth—sufficientreason.

That’snothing!Onemustnotsosqueamishbe;Sothemousewasnotgray,enoughforthee.Who’dthinkofthatinlove’sselectedseason?

ThensawI—.

What?

Mephisto,seestthouthere,

Aloneandfar,agirlmostpaleandfair?Shefalterson,herwayscarceknowing,Asifwithfetteredfeetthatstayhergoing.Imustconfess,itseemstomeAsifmykindlyMargaretwereshe.

Letthethingbe!Allthencehaveevildrawn:Itisamagicshape,alifelesseidolon.Suchtoencounterisnotgood:Theirblank,setstarebenumbsthehumanblood,Andoneisalmostturnedtostone.Medusa’staletotheeisknown.

Forsooth,theeyestheyareofonewhom,dying,Nohandwithlovingpressureclosed;

MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

MEPHISTOPHELES

SERVIBILIS

MEPHISTOPHELES

ThatisthebreastwhereonIoncewaslying—Thebodysweet,besidewhichIreposed!

Tismagicall,thoufool,seducedsoeasily!Untoeachmanhislovesheseemstobe.

Thewoe,therapture,soensnareme,ThatfromhergazeIcannottearme!And,strange!aroundherfairestthroatAsinglescarletbandisgleaming,Nobroaderthanaknife-bladeseeming!

Quiteright!ThemarkIalsonote.Herheadbeneathherarmshe’llsometimescarry;TwasPerseusloppedit,heroldadversary.Thoucrav’stthesameillusionstill!Come,letusmountthislittlehill;ThePratershowsnolivelierstir,And,ifthey’venotbewitchedmysense,Iverilyseeatheatre.What’sgoingon?

’Twillshortlyrecommence:

Anewperformance—’tisthelastofseven.Togivethatnumberisthecustomhere:’TwasbyaDilettantewritten,AndDilettantiinthepartsappear.ThatnowIvanish,pardon,Ientreatyou!AsDilettanteIthecurtainraise.

WhenIupontheBlocksbergmeetyou,Ifinditgood:forthat’syourproperplace.


INTERMEZZOMANAGER

XXII

WALPURGIS–NIGHT’SDREAM

OBERONandTITANIA’sGoldenWedding

SonsofMieding,restto-day!Needlessyourmachinery:Mistyvaleandmountaingray,Thatisallthescenery.

HERALD

Thattheweddinggoldenbe.Mustfiftyyearsberounded:ButtheGoldengivetome,Whenthestrife’scompounded.


OBERON

Spirits,ifyou’rehere,beseen—Showyourselves,delighted!Fairykingandfairyqueen,Theyarenewlyplighted.

PUCK

ComethPuck,and,lightoflimb,Whisksandwhirlsinmeasure:Comeahundredafterhim,Tosharewithhimthepleasure.

ARIEL

Ariel’ssongisheavenly-pure,Histonesaresweetandrareones:Thoughuglyfacesheallure,Yethealluresthefairones.

OBERON

Spouses,whowouldfainagree,Learnhowweweremated!Ifyourpairswouldlovingbe,Firstbeseparated!

TITANIA

Ifherwhimsthewifecontrol,Andthemanberateher,TakehimtotheNorthernPole,

AndhertotheEquator!

ORCHESTRA,TUTTI Fortissimo.

Snoutoffly,mosquito-bill,Andkinofallconditions,Frogingrass,andcricket-trill—Thesearethemusicians!

SOLO

Seethebagpipeonourtrack!’Tisthesoap-blownbubble:Heartheschnecke-schnicke-schnackThroughhisnostrilsdouble!

SPIRIT,JUSTGROWINGINTOFORM

Spider’sfootandpaunchoftoad,Andlittlewings—weknow’em!Alittlecreature’twillnotbe,Butyet,alittlepoem.

ALITTLECOUPLE

LittlestepandloftyleapThroughhoney-dewandfragrance:You’llnevermounttheairysteepWithallyourtrippingvagrance.

INQUISITIVETRAVELLER

Is’tbutmasqueradingplay?

SeeIwithprecision?Oberon,thebeauteousfay,Meets,to-night,myvision!

ORTHODOX

Notaclaw,notailIsee!Andyet,beyondacavil,Like“theGodsofGreece,”mustheAlsobeadevil.

NORTHERNARTIST

Ionlyseize,withsketchyair,Someoutlinesofthetourney;YetIbetimesmyselfprepareFormyItalianjourney.

PURIST

Mybadluckbringsmehere,alas!Howroarstheorgylouder!Andofthewitchesinthemass,Butonlytwowearpowder.

YOUNGWITCH

Powderbecomes,likepetticoat,Agrayandwrinklednoddy;SoIsitnakedonmygoat,Andshowastrappingbody.

MATRON

We’vetoomuchtactandpolicyToratewithgibesascolder;Yet,youngandtenderthoughyoube,Ihopetoseeyoumoulder.

LEADEROFTHEBAND

Fly-snoutandmosquito-bill,Don’tswarmsoroundtheNaked!Frogingrassandcricket-trill,Observethetime,andmakeit!

WEATHERCOCK (towardsoneside)

Societytoone’sdesire!Bridesonly,andthesweetest!Andbachelorsofyouthandfire.Andprospectsthecompletest!

WEATHERCOCK (towardstheotherside)

AndiftheEarthdon’topennowToswallowupeachranter,Why,thenwillImyself,Ivow,Jumpintohellinstanter!

XENIES

Usaslittleinsectssee!Withsharpestnippersflitting,ThatourPapaSatanweMayhonorasisfitting.

HENNINGS

How,incrowdstogethermassed,Theyarejesting,shameless!Theywillevensay,atlast,Thattheirheartsareblameless.

MUSAGETES

Amongthiswitches’revelryHiswayonegladlyloses;And,truly,itwouldeasierbeThantocommandtheMuses.

CI–DEVANTGENIUSOFTHEAGE

Theproperfolksone’stalentslaud:Comeon,andnoneshallpassus!TheBlocksberghasasummitbroad,LikeGermany’sParnassus.

INQUISITIVETRAVELLER

Say,who’sthestiffandpompousman?Hewalkswithhaughtypaces:Hesnufflesallhesnufflecan:“HescentstheJesuits’traces.”

CRANE

Bothclearandmuddystreams,formeAregoodtofishandsportin:

AndthusthepiousmanyouseeWithevendevilsconsorting.

WORLDLING

Yes,forthepious,Isuspect,Allinstrumentsarefitting;AndontheBlocksbergtheyerectFullmanyaplaceofmeeting.

DANCER

Anewerchorusnowsucceeds!Ihearthedistantdrumming.“Don’tbedisturbed!’tis,inthereeds,Thebittern’schangelessbooming.”

DANCING–MASTER

HoweachhislegsinnimbletripLiftsup,andmakesaclearance!Thecrookedjump,theheavyskip,Norcarefortheappearance.

GOODFELLOW

Therabblebysuchhateareheld,Tomaimandslaydelightsthem:AsOrpheus’lyrethebrutescompelled,Thebagpipehereunitesthem.

DOGMATIST

I’llnotbeledbyanylureOfdoubtsorcritic-cavils:TheDevilmustbesomething,sure—Orhowshouldtherebedevils?

IDEALIST

Thisonce,thefancywroughtinmeIsreallytoodespotic:Forsooth,ifIamallIsee,Imustbeidiotic!

REALIST

Thisrackingfussoneveryhand,Itgivesmegreatvexation;And,forthefirsttime,hereIstandOninsecurefoundation.

SUPERNATURALIST

WithmuchdelightIseetheplay,Andgranttothesetheirmerits,SincefromthedevilsIalsomayInferthebetterspirits.

SCEPTIC

Theflametheyfollow,onandon,Andthinkthey’renearthetreasure:ButDevilrhymeswithDoubtalone,SoIamherewithpleasure.

LEADEROFTHEBAND

Frogingreen,andcricket-trill.Suchdilettants!—perdition!Fly-snoutandmosquito-bill—Eachone’safinemusician!

THEADROIT

Sanssouci,wecalltheclanOfmerrycreaturesso,then;Goa-footnomorewecan,Andonourheadswego,then.

THEAWKWARD

Oncemanyabitwesponged,butnow,Godhelpus!thatisdonewith:Ourshoesarealldancedout,wetrow,We’vebutnakedsolestorunwith.

WILL-O’-THEWISPS

Fromthemarshesweappear,Whereweoriginated;Yetintheranks,atonce,we’rehereAsglitteringgallantsrated.

SHOOTING–STAR

Dartinghitherfromthesky,Instarandfirelightshooting,Cross-wisenowingrassIlie:

Who’llhelpmetomyfooting?

THEHEAVYFELLOWS

Room!androundaboutus,room!Troddenarethegrasses:Spiritsalso,spiritscome,Andtheyarebulkymasses.

PUCK

Enternotsostall-fedquite,Likeelephant-calvesaboutone!Andtheheaviestweightto-nightBePuck,himself,thestoutone!

ARIEL

IflovingNatureatyourback,OrMind,thewingsuncloses,FollowupmyairytrackTothemountofroses!

ORCHESTRA pianissimo

Cloudandtrailingmisto’erheadArenowilluminated:Airinleaves,andwindinreed,Andallisdissipated.


AFIELD

FAUST

XXIII

DREARYDAY


Inmisery!Indespair!Longwretchedlyastrayonthefaceoftheearth,andnow imprisoned! That gracious, ill-starred creature shut in a dungeon as acriminal, and given up to fearful torments! To this has it come! to this! —Treacherous,contemptiblespirit,andthouhastconcealeditfromme!—Stand,then—stand!Rollthedevilisheyeswrathfullyinthyhead!Standanddefymewith thine intolerable presence! Imprisoned! In irretrievablemisery!Delivereduptoevilspirits,andtocondemning,unfeelingMan!Andthouhastlulledme,meanwhile, with the most insipid dissipations, hast concealed from me herincreasingwretchedness,andsufferedhertogohelplesslytoruin!


MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

Sheisnotthefirst.

Dog!Abominablemonster!Transformhim,thouInfiniteSpirit!transformthe reptile again into his dog-shape? inwhich it pleased himoften at night toscamperonbeforeme,torollhimselfatthefeetoftheunsuspectingwanderer,

Rollthedevilisheyeswrathfullyinthyhead

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andhanguponhisshoulderswhenhefell!Transformhimagainintohisfavoritelikeness, thathemaycrawluponhisbellyin thedustbeforeme—thatImaytrample him, the outlawed, under foot! Not the first! O woe! woe which nohumansoulcangrasp, thatmorethanonebeingshouldsinkinto thedepthsofthismisery— that the first, in itswrithing death-agony under the eyes of theEternalForgiver,didnotexpiatetheguiltofallothers!Themiseryofthissingleonepierces to theverymarrowofmy life;and thouartcalmlygrinningat thefateofthousands!

Now we are already again at the end of our wits, where theunderstandingofyoumenrunswild.Whydidstthouenterintofellowshipwithus,ifthoucanstnotcarryitout?Wiltfly,andartnotsecureagainstdizziness?Didwethrustourselvesuponthee,orthouthyselfuponus?

Gnashnotthusthydevouringteethatme?Itfillsmewithhorribledisgust.Mighty, glorious Spirit, who hast vouchsafed to me Thine apparition, whoknowestmyheartandmysoul,whyfettermetothefelon-comrade,whofeedsonmischiefandglutshimselfwithruin?

Hastthoudone?

Rescue her, or woe to thee! The fearfullest curse be upon thee forthousandsofages!

I cannot loosen the bonds of the Avenger, nor undo his bolts.Rescueher?Whowasitthatplungedherintoruin?I,orthou?

(LOOKSAROUNDWILDLY.)

Wilt thougrasp the thunder?Well that ithasnotbeengiven toyou,miserablemortals!Tocrushtopiecestheinnocentrespondent—thatisthetyrant-fashionofrelievingone’sselfinembarrassments.

Takemethither!Sheshallbefree!

Andthedangertowhichthouwiltexposethyself?Knowthatthe

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guilt of blood, from thyhand, still lies upon the town!Avenging spirits hoveroverthespotwherethevictimfell,andlieinwaitforthereturningmurderer.

That, too, from thee?Murder and death of aworld upon thee,monster!Takemethither,Isay,andliberateher!

Iwillconveytheethere;andhear,whatIcando!HaveIallthepowerinHeavenandonEarth?Iwillbecloudthejailer’ssenses:getpossessionof thekey, and leadher forthwithhumanhand! Iwill keepwatch: themagicsteedsareready,Iwillcarryyouoff.Somuchisinmypower.

Upandaway!


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XXIV

NIGHT

OpenField

(FAUSTANDMEPHISTOPHELESSPEEDINGONWARDONBLACKHORSES.)

Whatweavetheythereroundtheraven-stone?

Iknownotwhattheyarebrewinganddoing.

Soaringup,sweepingdown,bowingandbending!

Awitches’-guild.

Theyscatter,devoteanddoom!

On!on!



FAUST

XXV

DUNGEON

(WITHABUNCHOFKEYSANDALAMP,BEFOREANIRONDOOR)

Ashudder,longunfelt,comeso’erme;Mankind’scollectedwoeo’erwhelmsme,here.Shedwellswithinthedark,dampwallsbeforeme,Andallhercrimewasadelusiondear!What!Idelaytofreeher?Idread,onceagaintoseeher?On!myshrinkingbutlingersDeathmorenear.

(HEGRASPSTHELOCK:THESOUNDOFSINGINGISHEARDINSIDE.)

Mymother,theharlot,Whoputmetodeath;


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(unlocking)

Shedoesnotdreamherloverlistensnear;Thathetherattlingchain,therustlingstraw,canhear.

(Heenters.)

(hidingherselfonthepallet)Woe!woe!Theycome.Odeathofbitterness!

(whispering)Hush!hush!Thehouriscomethatfreesthee.

(throwingherselfbeforehim)Artthouaman,thenpitymydistress!

Thycrieswillwaketheguards,andtheywillseizethee!(Hetakesholdofthefetterstounlockthem.)

(onherknees)

Who,headsman!untotheesuchpowerOvermecouldgive?Thou’rtcomeformeatmidnight-hour:Havemercyonme,letmelive!Is’tnotsoonenoughwhenmorningchimehasrun?

Myfather,thevarlet,Whoeatenmehath!Littlesister,sogood,Laidmybonesinthewood,Inthedampmossandclay:ThenwasIabeautifulbirdo’thewood;Flyaway!Flyaway!

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(SHERISES.)

AndIamyetsoyoung,soyoung!AndnowDeathcomes,andruin!I,too,wasfair,andthatwasmyundoing.Mylovewasnear,butnowhe’sfar;Tornliesthewreath,scatteredtheblossomsare.Seizemenotthussoviolently!Spareme!WhathaveIdonetothee?Letmenotvainlyentreatthee!Ineverchanced,inallmydays,tomeetthee!

ShallIoutlivethismisery?

NowamIwhollyinthymight.Butletmesuckle,first,mybaby!Iblisseditallthislivelongnight;Theytook‘taway,tovexme,maybe,AndnowtheysayIkilledthechildoutright.AndnevershallIbegladagain.Theysingsongsaboutme!’tisbadofthefolktodoit!There’sanoldstoryhasthesamerefrain;Whobadethemsoconstrueit?

(fallinguponhisknees)

Hereliethonewholovestheeever,Thethraldomofthywoetosever.

(flingingherselfbesidehim)

Oletuskneel,andcalltheSaintstohideus!Underthestepsbesideus,Thethresholdunder,

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Hellheavesinthunder!TheEvilOneWithterriblewrathSeekethapathHispreytodiscover!

(aloud)

Margaret!Margaret!

(attentivelylistening)

Thatwasthevoiceofmylover!

(SHESPRINGSTOHERFEET:THEFETTERSFALLOFF.)

Whereishe?Iheardhimcallme.Iamfree!Nooneshallenthrallme.TohisneckwillIfly,Onhisbosomlie!Onthethresholdhestood,andMargaret!calling,MidstofHell’showlingandnoisesappalling,Midstofthewrathful,infernalderision,Iknewthesweetsoundofthevoiceofthevision!

’TisI!

’Tisthou!O,sayitonceagain!

(CLASPINGHIM.)

’Tishe!’tishe!Wherenowisallmypain?Theanguishofthedungeon,andthechain?’Tisthou!Thoucomesttosaveme,AndIamsaved!—AgainthestreetIsee

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WherefirstIlookedonthee;Andthegarden,brightlyblooming,WhereIandMarthawaitthycoming.

(strugglingtoleave)

Come!Comewithme!

Delay,now!SofainIstay,whenthoudelayest!

(CARESSINGHIM.)

Away,now!Iflongerherethoustayest,Weshallbemadetodearlyrueit.

Kissme!—canstnolongerdoit?Myfriend,soshortatimethou’rtmissing,Andhastunlearnedthykissing?Whyismyheartsoanxious,onthybreast?Whereonceaheaventhyglancesdidcreateme,Aheaventhylovingwordsexpressed,Andthoudidstkiss,asthouwouldstsuffocateme—Kissme!OrI’llkissthee!

(SHEEMBRACESHIM.)

Ah,woe!thylipsarechill,Andstill.HowchangedinfashionThypassion!Whohasdonemethisill?

(SHETURNSAWAYFROMHIM.)

MARGARET

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Come,followme!Mydarling,bemorebold:I’llclaspthee,soon,withwarmthathousand-fold;Butfollownow!’TisallIbegofthee.

(turningtohim)

Andisitthou?Thou,surely,certainly?

’TisI!Comeon!

Thouwiltunloosemychain,

Andinthylapwilttakemeonceagain.Howcomesitthatthoudostnotshrinkfromme?—Say,dostthouknow,myfriend,whomthoumak’stfree?

Come!come!Thenightalreadyvanisheth.

MymotherhaveIputtodeath;I’vedrownedthebabyborntothee.Wasitnotgiventotheeandme?Thee,too!—’Tisthou!Itscarcelytruedothseem—Givemethyhand!’Tisnotadream!Thydear,dearhand!—But,ah,’tiswet!Why,wipeitoff!MethinksthatyetThere’sbloodthereon.Ah,God!whathastthoudone?Nay,sheathethyswordatlast!Donotaffrayme!

O,letthepastbepast!Thywordswillslayme!

No,no!Thoumustoutliveus.NowI’lltelltheethegravestogiveus:

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Thoumustbeginto-morrowTheworkofsorrow!Thebestplacegivetomymother,Thencloseathersidemybrother,Andmealittleaway,Butnottooveryfar,Ipray!Andhere,onmyrightbreast,mybabylay!Nobodyelsewillliebesideme!—Ah,withinthinearmstohideme,Thatwasasweetandagraciousbliss,Butnomore,nomorecanIattainit!Iwouldforcemyselfontheeandconstrainit,Anditseemsthourepellestmykiss:Andyet’tisthou,sogood,sokindtosee!

Ifthoufeel’stitisI,thencomewithme!

Outyonder?

Tofreedom.

Ifthegraveisthere,Deathlyinginwait,thencome!Fromheretoeternalrest:Nofurtherstep—no,no!Thougoestaway!OHenry,ifIcouldgo!

Thoucanst!Justwillit!Openstandsthedoor.

Idarenotgo:there’snohopeanymore.WhyshouldIfly?They’llstillmystepswaylay!Itissowretched,forcedtobegmyliving,Andabadconsciencesharpermiserygiving!Itissowretched,tobestrange,forsaken,

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AndI’dstillbefollowedandtaken!

I’llstaywiththee.

Bequick!Bequick!Savethyperishingchild!Away!FollowtheridgeUpbythebrook,

Overthebridge,Intothewood,Totheleft,wheretheplankisplacedInthepool!Seizeitinhaste!

Ifthegraveisthere,Deathlyinginwait,thencome!

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’Tistryingtorise,’Tisstrugglingstill!Saveit!Saveit!

Recallthywanderingwill!Onestep,andthouartfreeatlast!

Ifthemountainwehadonlypassed!Theresitsmymotheruponastone—Ifeelanicyshiver!Theresitsmymotheruponastone,Andherheadiswaggingever.Shebeckons,shenodsnot,herheavyheadfallso’er;Shesleptsolongthatshewakesnomore.Sheslept,whilewewerecaressing:Ah,thosewerethedaysofblessing!

Herewordsandprayersarenothingworth;I’llventure,then,tobeartheeforth.

No—letmego!I’llsuffernoforce!Graspmenotsomurderously!I’vedone,else,allthingsfortheloveofthee.

Thedaydawns:Dearest!Dearest!

Day?Yes,thedaycomes—thelastdaybreaksforme!Mywedding-dayitwastobe!TellnoonethouhasbeenwithMargaret!Woeformygarland!ThechancesAreover—’tisallinvain!Weshallmeetonceagain,Butnotatthedances!Thecrowdisthronging,nowordisspoken:

MEPHISTOPHELES

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ThesquarebelowAndthestreetsoverflow:Thedeath-belltolls,thewandisbroken.Iamseized,andbound,anddelivered—Shovedtotheblock—theygivethesign!NowovereachneckhasquiveredThebladethatisquiveringovermine.Dumbliestheworldlikethegrave!

OhadIne’erbeenborn!

(appearsoutside)

Off!oryou’relosteremorn.Uselesstalking,delayingandpraying!Myhorsesareneighing:Themorningtwilightisnear.

Whatrisesupfromthethresholdhere?He!he!sufferhimnot!Whatdoeshewantinthisholyspot?Heseeksme!

Thoushaltlive.

JudgmentofGod!myselftotheeIgive.

(toFAUST)

Come!orI’llleaveherinthelurch,andthee!

ThineamI,Father!rescueme!Yeangels,holycohorts,guardme,Camparound,andfromevilwardme!Henry!Ishuddertothinkofthee.

VOICE

MEPHISTOPHELES

VOICE

MEPHISTOPHELES Sheisjudged!

(fromabove)

Sheissaved!

(toFAUST)

Hithertome!

(HEDISAPPEARSWITHFAUST.)

(fromwithin,dyingaway)

Henry!Henry!

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