Faust Part 49

MEPHISTOPHELES

I'm mostly used, 'tis true, to go incognito, But on a gala-day one may his orders show.

The Garter does not deck my suit, But honored and at home is here the cloven foot.

Perceiv'st thou yonder snail? It cometh, slow and steady; So delicately its feelers pry, That it hath scented me already: I cannot here disguise me, if I try.

But come! we'll go from this fire to a newer: I am the go-between, and thou the wooer.

(To some, who are sitting around dying embers:)

Old gentlemen, why at the outskirts? Enter!

I'd praise you if I found you snugly in the centre, With youth and revel round you like a zone: You each, at home, are quite enough alone.

GENERAL

Say, who would put his trust in nations, Howe'er for them one may have worked and planned?

For with the people, as with women, Youth always has the upper hand.

MINISTER

They're now too far from what is just and sage.

I praise the old ones, not unduly: When we were all-in-all, then, truly, Then was the real golden age.

PARVENU

We also were not stupid, either, And what we should not, often did; But now all things have from their bases slid, Just as we meant to hold them fast together.

AUTHOR

Who, now, a work of moderate sense will read?

Such works are held as antiquate and mossy; And as regards the younger folk, indeed, They never yet have been so pert and saucy.

MEPHISTOPHELES

(who all at once appears very old)

I feel that men are ripe for Judgment-Day, Now for the last time I've the witches'-hill ascended: Since to the lees my cask is drained away, The world's, as well, must soon be ended.

HUCKSTER-WITCH

Ye gentlemen, don't pa.s.s me thus!

Let not the chance neglected be!

Behold my wares attentively: The stock is rare and various.

And yet, there's nothing I've collected- No shop, on earth, like this you'll find!- Which has not, once, sore hurt inflicted Upon the world, and on mankind.

No dagger's here, that set not blood to flowing; No cup, that hath not once, within a healthy frame Poured speedy death, in poison glowing: No gems, that have not brought a maid to shame; No sword, but severed ties for the unwary, Or from behind struck down the adversary.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Gossip! the times thou badly comprehendest: What's done has happed-what haps, is done!

'Twere better if for novelties thou sendest: By such alone can we be won.

FAUST

Let me not lose myself in all this pother!

This is a fair, as never was another!

MEPHISTOPHELES

The whirlpool swirls to get above: Thou'rt shoved thyself, imagining to shove.

FAUST

But who is that?

MEPHISTOPHELES

Note her especially, Tis Lilith.

FAUST

Who?

MEPHISTOPHELES

Adam's first wife is she.

Beware the lure within her lovely tresses, The splendid sole adornment of her hair!

When she succeeds therewith a youth to snare, Not soon again she frees him from her jesses.

FAUST

Those two, the old one with the young one sitting, They've danced already more than fitting.

MEPHISTOPHELES

No rest to-night for young or old!

They start another dance: come now, let us take hold!

FAUST (dancing with the young witch)

A lovely dream once came to me; I then beheld an apple-tree, And there two fairest apples shone: They lured me so, I climbed thereon.

THE FAIR ONE

Apples have been desired by you, Since first in Paradise they grew; And I am moved with joy, to know That such within my garden grow.

MEPHISTOPHELES (dancing with the old one)

A dissolute dream once came to me: Therein I saw a cloven tree, Which had a--------; Yet,--as 'twas, I fancied it.

THE OLD ONE

I offer here my best salute Unto the knight with cloven foot!