Right! But o'er - anxious thought, you'll find of no avail, For there precisely
where ideas fail, A word comes opportunely into play Most admirable
weapons words are found, On words a system we securely ground, In words
we can conveniently believe, Nor of a single jot can we a word bereave.
Student
Your pardon for my importunity; Yet once more must I trouble you: On
medicine, I'll thank you to supply A pregnant utterance or two! Three years!
how brief the appointed tide! The field, heaven knows, is all too wide! If but a
friendly hint be thrown, 'Tis easier then to feel one's way.
Mephistopheles (aside)
I'm weary of the dry pedantic tone, And must again the genuine devil play.
(Aloud)
Of medicine the spirit's caught with ease, The great and little world you study
through, That things may then their course pursue, As heaven may please. In
vain abroad you range through science' ample space, Each man learns only
that which learn he can; Who knows the moment to embrace, He is your
proper man. In person you are tolerably made, Nor in assurance will you be
deficient: Self - confidence acquire, be not afraid, Others will then esteem you
a proficient. Learn chiefly with the sex to deal! Their thousands ahs and ohs,
These the sage doctor knows, He only from one point can heal. Assume a
decent tone of courteous ease, You have them then to humour as you please.
First a diploma must belief infuse, That you in your profession take the lead:
You then at once those easy freedoms use For which another many a year
must plead; Learn how to feel with nice address The dainty wrist; - and how
to press, With ardent furtive glance, the slender waist, To feel how tightly it is
laced.
Student
There is some sense in that! one sees the how and why.
Mephistopheles
Grey is, young friend, all theory: And green of life the golden tree.
Student
I swear it seemeth like a dream to me. May I some future time repeat my visit,
To hear on what your wisdom grounds your views?
Mephistopheles
Command my humble service when you choose.
Student
Ere I retire, one boon I must solicit: Here is my album, do not, Sir, deny This
token of your favour!
Mephistopheles
Willingly!
(He writes and returns the book.)
Student (reads)
Eritis Sicut Deus, Scientes Bonum Et Malum (He reverently closes the book
and retires.)
Mephistopheles
Let but this ancient proverb be your rule, My cousin follow still, the wily
snake, And with your likeness to the gods, poor fool, Ere long be sure your
poor sick heart will quake!
Faust (enters)
Whither away?
Mephistopheles
"Tis thine our course to steer. The little world, and then the great we'll view.
With what delight, what profit too, Thou'lt revel through thy gay career!
Faust
Despite my length of beard I need The easy manners that insure success; Th'
attempt I fear can ne'er succeed; To mingle in the world I want address; I still
have an embarrass'd air, and then I feel myself so small with other men.
Mephistopheles
Time, my good friend, will all that's needful give; Be only self - possessed, and
thou hast learn'd to live.
Faust
But how are we to start, I pray? Steeds, servants, carriage, where are they?
Mephistopheles
We've but to spread this mantle wide, 'Twill serve whereon through air to
ride, No heavy baggage need you take, When we our bold excursion make,
A little gas, which I will soon prepare, Lifts us from earth; aloft through air,
Light laden we shall swiftly steer; I wish you joy of your new life - career.
Auerbach's Cellar In Leipzig
A Drinking Party
Frosch
No drinking? Naught a laugh to raise? None of your gloomy looks, I pray!
You, who so bright were wont to blaze, Are dull as wetted straw to - day.
Brander
'Tis all your fault; your part you do not bear, No beastliness, no folly.
Frosch
(pours a glass of wine over his head)
There, You have them both!
Brander
You double beast!
Frosch
'Tis what you ask'd me for, at least!
Siebel
Whoever quarrels, turn him out! With open throat drink, roar, and shout.
Hollo! Hollo! Ho!
Altmayer
Zounds, fellow, cease your deaf'ning cheers! Bring cotton - wool! He splits
my ears.
Siebel
'Tis when the roof rings back the tone, Then first the full power of the bass is
known.
Frosch
Right! out with him who takes offence! A! tara lara da!
Altmayer
A! tara lara da!
Frosch
Our throats are tuned. Come let's commence!
(Sings)
The holy Roman empire now, How holds it still together?
Brander
An ugly song! a song political! A song offensive! Thank God, every morn To
rule the Roman empire, that you were not born! I bless my stars at least that
mine is not Either a kaiser's or a chancellor's lot. Yet 'mong ourselves should
one still lord it o'er the rest; That we elect a pope I now suggest. Ye know,
what quality ensures A man's success, his rise secures.
Frosch (sings)
Bear, lady nightingale above, Ten thousand greetings to my love.
Siebel
No greetings to a sweetheart! No love - songs shall there be!
Frosch
Love - greetings and love kisses! Thou shalt not hinder me!
(Sings)
Undo the bolt! in silly night, Undo the bolt! the lover wakes. Shut to the bolt!
when morning breaks.
Siebel
Ay, sing, sing on, praise her with all thy might! My turn to laugh will come
some day. Me hath she jilted once, you the same trick she'll play. Some
gnome her lover be! where cross - roads meet,
With her to play the fool; or old he - goat, From Blocksberg coming in swift
gallop, bleat A good night to her, from his hairy throat! A proper lad of
genuine flesh and blood, Is for the damsel far too good; The greeting she shall
have from me, To smash her window - panes will be!
Brander (striking on the table)
Silence! Attend! to me give ear! Confess, sirs, I know how to live: Some love
- sick folk are sitting here! Hence, 'tis but fit, their hearts to cheer, That I a
good - night strain to them should give. Hark! of the newest fashion is my
song! Strike boldly in the chorus, clear and strong!
(He sings)
Once in a cellar lived a rat, He feasted there on butter, Until his paunch
became as fat As that of Doctor Luther. The cook laid poison for the guest,
Then was his heart with pangs oppress'd, As if his frame love wasted.
Chorus (shouting)
As if his frame love wasted.
Brander
He ran around, he ran abroad, Of every puddle drinking. The house with rage
he scratch'd and gnaw'd, In vain, - he fast was sinking; Full many an anguish'd
bound he gave, Nothing the hapless brute could save, As if his frame love
wasted.
Chorus
As if his frame love wasted.
Brander
By torture driven, in open day, The kitchen he invaded, Convulsed upon the
hearth he lay, With anguish sorely jaded; The poisoner laugh'd, Ha! ha! quoth
she, His life is ebbing fast, I see, As if his frame love wasted.
Chorus
As if his frame love wasted.
Siebel
How the dull boors exulting shout! Poison for the poor rats to strew A fine
exploit it is no doubt.
Brander
They, as it seems, stand well with you!
Altmayer
Old bald - pate! with the paunch profound! The rat's mishap hath tamed his
nature; For he his counterpart hath found Depicted in the swollen creature.
Auerbach's Cellar - Faust And Mephistopheles Enter
Faust And Mephistopheles
Mephistopheles
I now must introduce to you Before aught else, this jovial crew, To show how
lightly life may glide away; With tse folk here each day's a holiday. With little
wit and much content, Each on his own small round intent, Like sportive kitten
with its tail; While no sick - headache they bewail, And while their host will
credit give, Joyous and free from care they live.
Brander
They're off a journey, that is clear, From their strange manners; they have
scarce been here An hour.
Frosch
You're right! Leipzig's the place for me! 'Tis quite a little Paris; people there
Acquire a certain easy finish'd air.
Siebel
What take you now these travellers to be?
Frosch
Let me alone! O'er a full glass you'll see, As easily I'll worm their secret out,
As draw an infant's tooth. I've not a doubt That my two gentlemen are nobly
born, They look dissatisfied and full of scorn.
Brander
They are but mountebanks, I'll lay a bet!
Altmayer
Most like.
Frosch
Mark me, I'll screw it from them yet!
Mephistopheles (to Faust)
These fellows would not scent the devil out, E'en though he had them by the
very throat!
Faust
Good - morrow, gentlemen!
Siebel
Thanks for your fair salute.
(Aside, glancing at Mephistopheles,)
How! goes the fellow on a halting foot?
Mephistopheles
Is it permitted here with you to sit? Then though good wine is not forthcoming
here, Good company at least our hearts will cheer.
Altmayer
A dainty gentleman, no doubt of it.
Frosch
You're doubtless recently from Rippach? Pray, Did you with Master Hans
there chance to sup?
Mephistopheles
To - day we pass'd him, but we did not stop! When last we met him he had
much to say Touching his cousins, and to each he sent Full many a greeting
and kind compliment. (With an inclination towards Frosch.)
Altmayer (aside to Frosch)
You have it there!
Siebel
Faith! he's a knowing one!
Frosch
Have patience! I will show him up anon!
Mephistopheles
We heard erewhile, unless I'm wrong, Voices well trained in chorus pealing?
Certes, most choicely here must song Re - echo from this vaulted ceiling!
Frosch
That you're an amateur one plainly sees!
Mephistopheles
Oh no, though strong the love, I cannot boast much skill.
Altmayer
Give us a song!
Mephistopheles
As many as you will.
Siebel
But be it a brand new one, if you please!
Mephistopheles
But recently returned from Spain are we, The pleasant land of wine and
minstrelsy.
(Sings)
A king there was once reigning, Who had a goodly flea
Frosch
Hark! did you rightly catch the words? a flea! An odd sort of a guest he
needs must be.
Mephistopheles (sings)
A king there was once reigning, Who had a goodly flea, Him loved he without
feigning, As his own son were he! His tailor then he summon'd, The tailor to
him goes: Now measure me the youngster For jerkin and for hose!
Brander
Take proper heed, the tailor strictly charge, The nicest measurement to take,
And as he loves his head, to make The hose quite smooth and not too large!
Mephistopheles
In satin and in velvet, Behold the yonker dressed; Bedizen'd o'er with ribbons,
A cross upon his breast. Prime minister they made him, He wore a star of
state; And all his poor relations Were courtiers, rich and great.
The gentlemen and ladies At court were sore distressed; The queen and all
her maidens Were bitten by the pest, And yet they dared not scratch them,
Or chase the fleas away. If we are bit, we catch them, And crack without
delay.
Chorus (shouting)
If we are bit, &c.
Frosch
Bravo! That's the song for me!
Siebel
Such be the fate of every flea!
Brander
With clever finger catch and kill!
Altmayer
Hurrah for wine and freedom still!
Mephistopheles
Were but your wine a trifle better, friend, A glass to freedom I would gladly
drain,
Siebel
You'd better not repeat those words again!
Mephistopheles
I am afraid the landlord to offend; Else freely I would treat each worthy guest
From our own cellar to the very best.
Siebel
Out with it then! Your doings I'll defend.
Frosch
Give a good glass, and straight we'll praise you, one and all. Only let not your
samples be too small; For if my judgment you desire, Certes, an ample
mouthful I require.
Altmayer (aside)
I guess they're from the Rhenish land.
Mephistopheles
Fetch me a gimlet here!
Brander
Say, what therewith to bore? You cannot have the wine - casks at the door?
Altmayer
Our landlord's tool - basket behind doth yonder stand.
Mephistopheles (takes the gimlet)
(To Frosch)
Now only say! what liquor will you take?
Frosch
How mean you that? have you of every sort?
Mephistopheles
Each may his own selection make.
Altmayer (to Frosch)
Ha! Ha! You lick your lips already at the thought.
Frosch
Good, If I have my choice, the Rhenish I propose; For still the fairest gifts the
fatherland bestows.
Mephistopheles
(boring a hole in the edge of the table opposite to where Frosch is sitting)
Give me a little wax - and make some stoppers - quick!
Altmayer
Why, this is nothing but a juggler's trick!
Mephistopheles (to Brander)
And you?
Brander
Champagne's the wine for me; Right brisk, and sparkling let it be!
(Mephistopheles bores; one of the party has in the meantime prepared the
wax - stoppers and stopped the holes.)
Brander
What foreign is one always can't decline, What's good is often scatter'd far
