University of Virginia Library

Brilliantly Lighted Halls.
Kaiser and Princes. The Court in motion. Chamberlain, Marshal, Mephistopheles, Blondine, Brunette, Dame, Page.
Chamberlain
(to Mephistopheles).
Give us the Spirit scene without delay—
The Emperor's impatient for the play.

Marshal.
'Twas but a moment since his Grace did ask
About it. Haste! The party was made for
This show of yours, and the thing must be done,
Or you will compromise the emperor.

Mephistopheles.
My friend's this very moment at his task;
He has gone away to work at it—has gone
To his study; has begun it: 'twill go on
Well—I've no doubt of it. Closeted close, none dare
Disturb him as he works in secret there.
Who would raise up such treasure—would bid rise
The Beautiful—needs for the enterprise
The highest Art—the Magic of the Wise.

Marshal.
It matters not what arts you call to aid;
The Emperor's will is that the play be played.

Blondine
(to Mephistopheles).
A word, an't please you, sir. You see my face
Is now quite clear; but 'tis another case
When summer comes. In the hot horrid weather
A hundred brown-red spots sprout out together,
Hiding the white skin, clouding it with freckles.
A cure, sir!

Mephistopheles.
Pity, that a face so pretty,
That smiles so dazzlingly on me to-day,
Should look so in the month of merry May,
Like a young panther's hide—all spots and speckles.
Take frog-spawn, toads' tongues—stew all in a skillet,
And when the moon is at the full distil it;
And in the wane, be sure to spread it on.
Spring comes and goes—the freckles, too, are gone.

Brunette
(having made her way to him).
The crowd throng round, they fawn on you and flatter;
May I a plain word speak? A little matter
Ails me. A cure, my lord! A frozen foot
Mars walking, dancing, spoils even my salute
When I would curtsey.

Mephistopheles.
If you would but grant
Me just to press your foot—

Brunette.
With a gallant—
A lover—I might do it.

Mephistopheles.
Child! the print
Of my foot hath a deeper meaning in't.
A cure will follow if my foot but strike,
Whatever the disease. 'Tis like to like
Forms the great secret of the healing art.
Thus foot cures foot, and so with every part.
Now for the tread, which you need not return.

Brunette
(screaming).
Pain! pain! it was a hard stamp, like a burn,
As of a horse-hoof. How can I endure
The torture?

Mephistopheles.
With the torture take the cure.
At dances you can now with pleasure move,
At table mix feet with the man you love.

Dame
(pressing forward).
Me!—let me through! I cannot bear the pain;
It boils up from my heart—it burns my brain.
Last night he lived but in my glances; he
Chats with her now, and turns his back on me.

Mephistopheles.
A case of difficulty 'tis and doubt.
You must press gently up to him—hear me out—
This cinder keep, and with it on his cloak
Or on his sleeves or shoulder make a stroke,
Or any part that may your fancy take:
Remembrance and repentance will awake.
The cinder you immediately must swallow;
Wine must not touch your lips, nor water follow
This food. He sighs before your door to-night.

Dame.
There is not poison in it?

Mephistopheles
(enraged).
Honour bright!
Think who you speak with. Long enough in vain
Might a man search to find the like again.
It came from one of the old wizard-pyres.
—We've not been lately stirring up the fires.

Page
(approaching).
They scorn my love—they say 'tis but a boy's.

Mephistopheles
(aside).
Whom shall I listen to? What crowds! what noise!
(To the Page)
Tell not to growing girls your hopes and fears;
Youth is not valued but by those in years.
(Others press up to him.)
There—more; no end of comers—age and youth.
My last, sad, only refuge is the truth.
Oh, Mothers! Mothers! let but Faustus loose.
(Looks round.)
The lights already glimmer in the hall.
The whole court's moving thither, one and all.
Each pressing after each in their degrees,
Through the long walks, down the far galleries.
And now they gather in the ample space
Of the old Ritter-saal, and scarce find place.
O'er the broad walls the tapestry hangs rich,
And armour gleams from every nook and niche.
It needs no charm to bid the Spirits come:
Your Ghosts are here if anywhere at home.