MEPHISTOPHELES (with the old one)

Once a weird vision came to me; Therein I saw a rifted tree. I had a . . . . .have ready here, But as it was it pleased me too.

THE OLD ONE

I beg most humbly to salute The gallant with the cloven foot! Let him a . . . have ready here, If he a . . . does not fear.

PROCTOPHANTASMIST

Accursed mob! How dare ye thus to meet? Have I not shown and demonstrated too, That ghosts stand not on ordinary feet? Yet here ye dance, as other mortals do!

THE FAIR ONE (dancing)

Then at our ball, what doth he here?

FAUST (dancing)

Oh! He must everywhere appear. He must adjudge, when others dance; If on each step his say's not said, So is that step as good as never made. He's most annoyed, so soon as we advance; If ye would circle in one narrow round, As he in his old mill, then doubtless he Your dancing would approve,—especially If ye forthwith salute him with respect profound!

PROCTOPHANTASMIST

Still here! what arrogance! unheard of quite! Vanish; we now have fill'd the world with light! Laws are unheeded by the devil's host; Wise as we are, yet Tegel hath its ghost! How long at this conceit I've swept with all my might, Lost is the labour: 'tis unheard of quite!

THE FAIR ONE

Cease here to teaze us any more, I pray.

PROCTOPHANTASMIST

Spirits, I plainly to your face declare: No spiritual control myself will bear, Since my own spirit can exert no sway. (The dancing continues.)

To-night, I see, I shall in naught succeed; But I'm prepar'd my travels to pursue, And hope, before my final step indeed, To triumph over bards and devils too.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Now in some puddle will he take his station, Such is his mode of seeking consolation; Where leeches, feasting on his rump, will drain Spirits alike and spirit from his brain. (To FAUST, who has left the dance.)

But why the charming damsel leave, I pray, Who to you in the dance so sweetly sang?

FAUST

Ah, in the very middle of her lay, Out of her mouth a small red mouse there sprang.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Suppose there did! One must not be too nice. 'Twas well it was not grey, let that suffice. Who 'mid his pleasures for a trifle cares?

FAUST

Then saw I—

MEPHISTOPHELES

What?

FAUST

Mephisto, seest thou there Standing far off, a lone child, pale and fair? Slow from the spot her drooping form she tears, And seems with shackled feet to move along; I own, within me the delusion's strong, That she the likeness of my Gretchen wears.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Gaze not upon her! 'Tis not good! Forbear! 'Tis lifeless, magical, a shape of air, An idol. Such to meet with, bodes no good; That rigid look of hers doth freeze man's blood, And well-nigh petrifies his heart to stone:— The story of Medusa thou hast known.

FAUST

Ay, verily! a corpse's eyes are those, Which there was no fond loving hand to close. That is the bosom I so fondly press'd, That my sweet Gretchen's form, so oft caress'd!

MEPHISTOPHELES

Deluded fool! 'Tis magic, I declare! To each she doth his lov'd one's image wear.

FAUST

What bliss! what torture! vainly I essay To turn me from that piteous look away. How strangely doth a single crimson line Around that lovely neck its coil entwine, It shows no broader than a knife's blunt edge!

MEPHISTOPHELES

Quite right. I see it also, and allege That she beneath her arm her head can bear, Since Perseus cut it off.—But you I swear Are craving for illusion still! Come then, ascend yon little hill! As on the Prater all is gay, And if my senses are not gone, I see a theatre,—what's going on?

SERVIRILIS

They are about to recommence;—the play Will be the last of seven, and spick-span new—' 'Tis usual here that number to present. A dilettante did the piece invent, And dilettanti will enact it too. Excuse me, gentlemen; to me's assign'd As dilettante to uplift the curtain.

MEPHISTOPHELES

You on the Blocksberg I'm rejoiced to find, That 'tis your most appropriate sphere is certain.

WALPURGIS-NIGHT'S DREAM OR OBERON AND TITANIA'S GOLDEN WEDDING-FEAST

Intermezzo

THEATRE

MANAGER

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

HERALD

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

OBERON

Spirits, if present, grace the scene, And if with me united, Then gratulate the king and queen, Their troth thus newly plighted!

PUCK

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

ARIEL

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

OBERON

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

TITANIA

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

THE WHOLE ORCHESTRA (fortissimo)

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

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

EMBRYO SPIRIT

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

A LITTLE PAIR

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

INQUISITIVE TRAVELLER

Can I indeed believe my eyes? Is't not mere masquerading? What! Oberon in beauteous step Among the groups parading!

ORTHODOX

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

NORTHERN ARTIST

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

PURIST

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

YOUNG WITCH

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

MATRON

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

LEADER OF THE BAND

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

WEATHERCOCK (towards one side)

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

WEATHERCOCK (towards the other side)

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

XENIEN

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

HENNINGS

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

MUSAGET

Oneself amid this witchery How pleasantly one loses; For witches easier are to me To govern than the Muses!

CI-DEVANT GENIUS OF THE AGE

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

INQUISITIVE TRAVELLER

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

CRANE

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

WORLDLING

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

DANCER

Another chorus now succeeds, Far off the drums are beating. Be still! The bitterns 'mong the reeds Their one note are repeating.

DANCING MASTER

Each twirls about and never stops, And as he can he fareth. The crooked leaps, the clumsy hops, Nor for appearance careth.

FIDDLER

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

DOGMATIST

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

IDEALIST

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

REALIST

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

SUPERNATURALIST

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

SCEPTIC

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

LEADER OF THE BAND

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

THE KNOWING ONES

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

THE AWKWARD ONES

In seasons past we snatch'd, 'tis true, Some tit-bits by our cunning; Our shoes, alas, are now danced through, On our bare soles we're running.

WILL-O'-THE-WISPS

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

SHOOTING STAR

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

THE MASSIVE ONES

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

PUCK

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

ARIEL

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

ORCHESTRA (pianissimo)

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

A GLOOMY DAY. A PLAIN

FAUST and MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

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

MEPHISTOPHELES

She is not the first.

FAUST

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

MEPHISTOPHELES

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

FAUST

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

MEPHISTOPHELES

Hast done?

FAUST

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

MEPHISTOPHELES

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

(FAUST looks wildly around.)

MEPHISTOPHELES

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

FAUST

Convey me thither! She shall be free!

MEPHISTOPHELES

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

FAUST

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

MEPHISTOPHELES

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

FAUST

Tip and sway!

NIGHT. OPEN COUNTRY

FAUST. MEPHISTOPHELES

(Rushing along on black horses)

FAUST

What weave they yonder round the Ravenstone?

MEPHISTOPHELES

I know not what they shape and brew.

FAUST

They're soaring, swooping, betiding, stooping.

MEPHISTOPHELES

A witches' pack.

FAUST

They charm, they strew.

MEPHISTOPHELES

On! On!

DUNGEON

FAUST (with a bunch of keys and a lamp before a small iron door)

A fear unwonted o'er my spirit falls; Man's concentrated woe o'erwhelms me here! She dwells immur'd within these dripping walls; Her only trespass a delusion dear! Thou lingerest at the fatal door, Thou dread'st to see her face once more? On! While thou dalliest, draws her death-hour near. (He seizes the lock. Singing within.) My mother, the harlot, She took me and slew! My father, the scoundrel, Hath eaten me too! My sweet little sister Hath all my bones laid, Where soft breezes whisper All in the cool shade! Then became I a wood-bird, and sang on the spray, Fly away! little bird, fly away! fly away!

FAUST (opening the lock)

Ah! she forebodes not that her lover's near, The clanking chains, the rustling straw, to hear. (He enters.)

MARGARET (hiding her face in the bed of straw)

Woe! woe! they come! oh bitter 'tis to die!

FAUST (softly)

Hush! hush! be still! I come to set thee free!

MARGARET (throwing herself at his feet)

If thou art human, feel my misery!

FAUST

Thou wilt awake the jailor with thy cry! (He grasps the chains to unlock them.)

MARGARET (on her knees)

Who, headsman, unto thee this power O'er me could give? Thou com'st for me at midnight-hour. Be merciful, and let me live! Is morrow's dawn not time enough? (She stands up.)

I'm still so young, so young— And must so early die! Fair was I too, and that was my undoing. My love is now afar, he then was nigh; Torn lies the garland, the fair blossoms strew'd. Nay, seize me not with hand so rude! Spare me! What harm have I e'er done to thee? Oh let me not in vain implore! I ne'er have seen thee in my life before!

FAUST Can I endure this bitter agony?

MARGARET

I now am at thy mercy quite. Let me my babe but suckle once again! I fondled it the live-long night; They took it from me but to give me pain, And now, they say that I my child have slain. Gladness I ne'er again shall know. Then they sing songs about me,—'tis wicked of the throng— An ancient ballad endeth so; Who bade them thus apply the song?

FAUST (throwing himself on the ground)

A lover at thy feet bends low, To loose the bonds of wretchedness and woe.

MARGARET (throws herself beside him)

Oh, let us kneel and move the saints by prayer! Look! look! yon stairs below, Under the threshold there, Hell's flames are all aglow! Beneath the floor, With hideous noise, The devils roar!

FAUST (aloud)

Gretchen! Gretchen!

MARGARET (listening)

That was my lov'd one's voice! (She springs up, the chains fall off.)

Where is he? I heard him calling me. Free am I! There's none shall hinder me. To his neck will I fly, On his bosom will lie!

Gretchen, he called!— On yon threshold he stood; Amidst all the howling of hell's fiery flood, The scoff and the scorn of its devilish crew, The tones of his voice, sweet and loving, I knew.

FAUST

'Tis I!

MARGARET

'Tis thou! O say so once again! (embracing him.)

'Tis he! 'Tis he! where's now the torturing pain? Where are the fetters? where the dungeon's gloom? 'Tis thou! To save me thou art come! And I am sav'd!— Already now the street I see Where the first time I caught a glimpse of thee. There too the pleasant garden shade, Where I and Martha for thy coming stay'd.

FAUST (endeavouring to lead her away,)

Come! come away!

MARGARET

Oh do not haste! I love to linger where thou stayest. (caressing him.)

FAUST

Ah haste! For if thou still delayest, Our lingering we shall both deplore.

MARGARET

How, dearest? canst thou kiss no more! So short a time away from me, and yet, To kiss thou couldst so soon forget! Why on thy neck so anxious do I feel— When formerly a perfect heaven of bliss From thy dear looks and words would o'er me steal? As thou wouldst stifle me thou then didst kiss!— Kiss me! Or I'll kiss thee! (She embraces him.)

Woe! woe! Thy lips are cold,— Are dumb! Thy love where hast thou left? Who bath me of thy love bereft? (She turns away from him.)

FAUST

Come! Follow me, my dearest love, be bold! I'll cherish thee with ardour thousand-fold; I but entreat thee now to follow me!

MARGARET (turning towards him)

And art thou he? and art thou really he?

FAUST

'Tis I! O come!

MARGARET

Thou wilt strike off my chain, And thou wilt take me to thine arms again. How comes it that thou dost not shrink from me?— And dost thou know, love, whom thou wouldst set free?

FAUST

Come! come! already night begins to wane.

MARGARET

I sent my mother to her grave, I drown'd my child beneath the wave. Was it not given to thee and me—thee too? 'Tis thou thyself! I scarce believe it yet. Give me thy hand! It is no dream! 'Tis true! Thine own dear hand!—But how is this? 'Tis wet? Quick, wipe it off! Meseems that yet There's blood thereon. Ah God! what hast thou done? Put up thy sword, I beg of thee!

FAUST

Oh, dearest, let the past forgotten be! Death is in every word.

MARGARET

No, thou must linger here in sorrow! The graves I will describe to thee, And thou to them must see To-morrow: The best place give to my mother, Close at her side my brother, Me at some distance lay— But not too far away! And the little one place on my right breast. Nobody else will near me lie! To nestle beside thee so lovingly, That was a rapture, gracious and sweet! A rapture I never again shall prove; Methinks I would force myself on thee, love, And thou dost spurn me, and back retreat— Yet 'tis thyself, thy fond kind looks I see.

FAUST

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

MARGARET

What, there? without?

FAUST

Yes, forth in the free air.

MARGARET

Ay, if the grave's without,— If death lurk there! Hence to the everlasting resting-place, And not one step beyond!— Thou'rt leaving me? Oh Henry! would that I could go with thee!

FAUST

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

MARGARET

I dare not go! I've naught to hope for more. What boots it to escape? They lurk for me! 'Tis wretched to beg, as I must do, And with an evil conscience thereto! 'Tis wretched, in foreign lands to stray. And me they will catch, do what I may.

FAUST

With thee will I abide.

MARGARET

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

FAUST

Dear Gretchen, more collected be! One little step, and thou art free!

MARGARET

Were we but only past the hill! There sits my mother upon a stone— My brain, alas, is cold with dread!— There sits my mother upon a stone, And to and fro she shakes her head; She winks not, she nods not, her head it droops sore; She slept so long, she waked no more; She slept, that we might taste of bliss: Ah! those were happy times, I wis!

FAUST

Since here avails nor argument nor prayer, Thee hence by force I needs must bear.

MARGARET

Loose me! I will not suffer violence! With murderous hand hold not so fast! I have done all to please thee in the past!

FAUST

Day dawns! My love! My love!

MARGARET

Yes! day draws near. The day of judgment too will soon appear! It should have been my bridal! No one tell, That thy poor Gretchen thou hast known too well. Woe to my garland! Its bloom is o'er! Though not at the dance— We shall meet once more. The crowd doth gather, in silence it rolls; The squares, the streets, Scarce hold the throng. The staff is broken,—the death-bell tolls,— They bind and seize me! I'm hurried along, To the seat of blood already I'm bound! Quivers each neck as the naked steel Quivers on mine the blow to deal— The silence of the grave now broods around!

FAUST

Would I had never been born!

MEPHISTOPHELES (appears without)

Up! or you're lost. Vain hesitation! Babbling, quaking! My steeds are shivering, Morn is breaking.

MARGARET

What from the floor ascendeth like a ghost? 'Tis he! 'Tis he! Him from my presence chase! What would he in this holy place? It is for me he cometh!

FAUST

Thou shalt live!

MARGARET

Judgment of God! To thee my soul I give!

MEPHISTOPHELES (to FAUST)

Come, come! With her I'll else abandon thee!

MARGARET

Father, I'm thine! Do thou deliver me! Ye angels! Ye angelic hosts! descend, Encamp around to guard me and defend!— Henry! I shudder now to look on thee!

MEPHISTOPHELES

She now is judged!

VOICES (from above)

Is saved!

MEPHISTOPHELES (to FAUST)

Come thou with me! (Vanishes with FAUST)

VOICE (from within, dying away)

Henry! Henry!

THE END