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