The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Volume I Part 86

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 illusions 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?

SERVIBILIS

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 a.s.sign'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 t.i.tANIA'S GOLDEN WEDDING-FEAST

INTERMEZZO

THEATRE

MANAGER

Vales, where mists still s.h.i.+ft and play, To ancient hill succeeding,-- These our scenes;--so we, today, 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.

t.i.tANIA

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 a 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 guise, Among the groups parading!

ORTHODOX