University of Virginia Library

PROLOGUE.

Scene I.

Faust's Study. Faust discovered.
Faust
[gazing into magic mirror].
I look in vain!—All dazzling emptiness!
My magic mirror hath no sign or symbol
Of coming joy to me—false, lying radiance!
Here left, upon this dawning Easter morn,
A man without a fear, without a hope—
A man who neither can believe or tremble—
I have grown white, delving in books for knowledge,
Theology, philosophy, and science:
All on my tongue, in endless flow of words,
A cobweb, vast, of juggle, lies, and mummery.
Must I live on from nothingness to nothingness,
From yesterday to struggle to forget
Unto to-morrow, which I'll meet with loathing.—
Whilst night and morn, with silent hint there stands,
Before mine eye, a gentle, full release.
Thou precious phial! Hail! . . .
With reverent hand
I take thee down, thou fatal sleepy friend.
Here is a brew will mantle in the void
Of the toilworn heart and brain. It is my choice,
And as a solemn greeting to the morn,
With all my soul I quaff.

[About to drink. Sound of bells and Easter Hymn.

Hymn.
Joy unto mortals, He hath arisen
Forth from death's portals—from the grave's prison,
Lo! He ascendeth! Join ye the chorus!
Angels are singing and worshipping o'er us.

Hymn of Women.
With spice we embalmed Him—with linen we swathed Him,
With tears of the loving and faithful we bathed Him;
In burial we laid Him with prayer and with tear—
The stone is uplifted—the Lord is not here!

Faust.
These far clear strains they seem to win my hand
From its intent.
These hollow-sounding bells, proclaim
The sacred hour of Easter Festival!
In white young days, when prayer was joyfulness
Every sweet Sabbath peal upon mine ear,
Seemed to my soul a kiss of heavenly love;
And as the chimes came to me o'er the hills,
Mine eyes have filled with tears of mystic longing.
Peal on! Peal on, ye sweet and holy sounds,
Ye heavenly tones so soft and ravishing!
What's that? a stir of life without—yet not
The footstep of a visitor.
Why, 'tis the hound which followed me last night:
Poor beast—how lean and desolate you look.
Gambolling round my melancholy steps
Upon the mountain path, you gladdened me,
Take in return my hospitality.
Since those sweet Easter strains, there seems
A gentle, peaceful look of home around,
And my lamp burns with quiet, friendly ray.
Still, still contentment dwells not in this breast,
Strange, withering thoughts are there—
Here left in my age, bare, blank, aghast,
A fear unto myself.
This ache pass from my heart.
How dimly burns the lamp—the moon is hid—
And, what grows there—a shadow or a spectre?
The hound transformed to phantom or to demon:—
And I remember, when it met me first
It was the fatal desperate moment when
There burst from me a passionate appeal
To evil powers, if they should hear, to aid me.
Monster! I will unmask thee!

Song of evil spirits without.
Song.
Some one, within, is caught!
Stay without, follow him not!
Like the fox in a snare,
Quakes the old hell-lynx there.
Take heed—look about!

[Faust.]
What sounds are those?
If that thou art a fiend, I will exorcise thee!
My magic power I summon to my aid!
The mighty Spell of Four will I pronounce.


Fiery salamander glow!
Water-nymph in water flow!
Sylph in meteor-flame array!
Incubus! come forth! obey!

[Faust.]
It stirs not! then by a mightier name I swear
To conjure and to charm thee!
By the sign and by the spell,
Before which vanish the black spirits of the air!—
See, see! it rises to the vaulted roof—
It fills the space with mist. Down to my feet!
Dar'st thou endure my spell of strongest might,
With holy fire will I scorch and sting thee!
Down, down at thy master's feet.

[Mephistopheles appears through the mist.
Mephis.
What are my lord's commands?

Faust.
Who art thou?

Mephis.
We have met before?

Faust.
Where? when?

Mephis.
As a black hound I've tracked your steps
And gamboll'd round you in your studious walks.

Faust.
And now thou comest as some travelling scholar?
Tell me thy name and nature.

Mephis.
A frivolous inquiry this from you.
Art thou not he who seeks the heart of things,
And laughs at names?

Faust.
Ha, ha! See here this skull—
Canst thou set eyes within these hollow sockets,
Give it a tongue to tell its earthy secret?

Mephis.
[taking skull].
Who knows? I might,
If these two jaws could wag again to words.
There is no secret worth the telling. Merely
'Twould say—“Doctor, I'm dead and damned.”
This was a woman ruined by her lover.
She died upon the scaffold—for a crime.

Faust.
What art thou?

Mephis.
I am the Spirit that all good denies:
My proper element is Sin, the Bad,
Destruction! for whate'er to light is brought
I strive to kill—destroy.

Faust.
Then I am face to face with thee.

Mephis.
With me, that genial friend, who never fails,
When summoned, to appear.

Faust.
And thou hast but thy clenchèd devil's fist,
To menace with a malice impotent
The great creative Power! Poor son of chaos,
Select thou some more profitable calling.

Mephis.
That we'll discuss hereafter, when I visit you again;
[Sees Pentagram and stops.]
I will not tarry now.—
With your permission, Doctor,
I would now depart.

Faust.
You do not need my leave; why stare and ponder?

Mephis.
There is a trifling obstacle withstands.
That wizard's foot upon your threshold there—
For ghosts and devils 'tis a law
By the same way they enter must they go.

Faust.
So, 'tis the pentagram that puzzles thee.
But how, then, didst thou cross its lines,
When thou, who cannot hence, didst enter here?

Mephis.
A simple answer—the magician bungled,
And left an inner angle slightly open.
It did admit, but will not let me forth.

Faust.
Then even in hell you have your binding laws.
What law, then, governeth a devil's bond?

Mephis.
Release me now—soon will I come again;
When thou shalt question me, at thy free will.

Faust.
It is not every day we catch a fiend;
So I will hold thee fast.

Mephis.
Content thee! since my presence charms thee so,
And I will justify thy good opinion.
In airy bands—I spin an artless charm;
Hark to my spirits' song!
In one short hour thou shalt more pleasure taste
Than a whole year of life like thine can give.

[Song of Spirits. Visions.
Spirits' Chorus.
Vanish, ye darkling
Vaults that hang over him!
Glancingly hither
Let the blue ether
Kindly look in.
Clouds that were darkling
Melt disappearing,
Little stars sparkling,
Glimmer within,
Infinite longing
Soon will have smote him,
Falling like shadows,
Cover the meadows,
Cover the bowers, &c. &c.

Mephis.
He sleeps! My dainty sprites, your slumb'rous melody
Alights upon his eyelids—Hush! he sleeps—
Not yet, good doctor, can you catch the devil!
Now for thy vaunted wizard pentagram.
A rat's quick tooth will break this threshold's spell.
Hark! how my own pet vermin rustles in the casement!
The lord of the frogs and the mice and the rats,
Of the fleas and the flies and the bugs and the bats,
Commands you with your sharp tooth's saw
The threshold of this door to gnaw.
Ha! little minister, here comest thou hopping
To work with tiny saw upon that line—
Come, nibble, nibble—here—another bite,
One more—'tis done—the lock is gone,
Dream, Faust, until we meet again, dream on!

[Exit.
[Vision fades—Pause.]
Faust
(waking).
A voice is in mine ear—I have been sleeping,
There seems to be entrancement in the air.
Stay. . . . Whither is he fled, my visitor?
Is all a cheat? Methought I held him here
In magic barricade—and, lo! he mocks me,—
He's gone. (Looking at hour-glass.)
The sand is run. 'Tis morning!
[Knock.
A knock? Come in.

Mephis.
(outside).
'Tis I.

Faust.
Come in.

Mephis.
Thrice must thou speak the words.

Faust.
Come in, then.

[Enter Mephis.
Mephis.
Good morning, Doctor. We shall soon clasp hands
As the best friends in all the world.
What think you of my transformation?
I come as squire of high degree,
With tall cock's feather in my hat.
Your pedlar with my wishing-box—Come, choose!
Light, life, and laughter, the gay living world.

Faust.
Such worldly lot as thou dost offer
Can never satisfy, and canst but pain.
That thou desirest most must thou renounce;
And then comes death, the one desire fulfilled.

Mephis.
And yet methinks a lonely man last night,
Who raised a certain phial to his lips,
Seemed to reflect that second thoughts were best.

Faust.
If from desperate thoughts
My childhood's well-remembered hymn did win me,
And the old music, like a spell, brought back
Faded remembrances of happier days—
So do I now curse everything that binds
My soul in this accursed den of wretchedness.
Curst be all Knowledge—blasted, root and branch,
That rotten tree, whose fruit crumbles to dust!
Curst be Hope's balsam and its leprous lees,
Which rest like fire upon the shrivelled lip!
Curst be the slavish nature that I own,
Unbidden guest from my Creator's hands,
But on thee, Patience, be my deepest curse!

[Chorus of invisible spirits.
Chorus.
Woe! woe! the beautiful world
By the might of thy hand to ruin is hurled;
A demi-god striketh—to wreck it is tossed.
Weep we and wail we for Beauty that's lost—
Mightiest, proudest one, wisest of men,
Build up the beautiful world again.

Mephis.
Hark, how my little ones do counsel thee;
Hark how they lure to pleasure and to action,
The lowest company that life affords
Would make thee among men, at least a man.
Come, Doctor, come!
Old age draws near. Death plucks thee by the hood.
I offer youth to you—hot, lusty youth!
To leap and run, light as the spotted stag!
The naughty dancing heart of twenty-one
Shall buffet at your ribs!—What say you, Doctor?

Faust.
You offer me a gift beyond all price!
What, in return, do you demand from me?

Mephis.
Oh, a mere trifle; that's an after question.

Faust.
In the Devil's charity I've little faith.
Out with your terms—what is the price you ask?

Mephis.
I'll not insult your grave sagacity
To make pretence that I do aught for pity.
To you I'll bind myself, to be your slave,
To do your bidding, serve you promptly, featly,
And, when we meet together—yonder—you,
Both soul and body shall be mine.

Faust.
That yonder place gives me but small concern—
Your wager I accept!

Mephis.
Think well—I shan't forget.

Faust.
I have thought well—
When I confess that I am happy, fiend,
And ask a joyous hour to linger with me,
Your service then be ended—I am forfeit.

Mephis.
Done!

Faust.
Then done!

Mephis.
Clench we at once the bargain. [Listening.]
Hark!
A pupil in the passage there.

Faust.
I cannot see him.

Mephis.
The poor lad has been waiting a long time—
Put on your travelling gear, 'tis waiting there—
Give me your cap and gown. I'll not discredit you.
Trust to my wits; I rather like the whim;
[Puts on cap and gown.
This masquerade becomes me charmingly.

Faust.
Make brief thy mummery.

[Exit.
Mephis.
Aye, so go on, reason and knowledge scorn,
And soon you will be ripe unto the plucking!
Mine thou shalt be, and mine thou shalt remain.

Student knocks twice—no answer—peeps in, and enters.
Student.
Great master, hail! I have just arrived in town,
And have with much enthusiasm come
To hear the voice of such a mighty scholar.

Mephis.
Indeed! you flatter me—a simple man.

Student.
My mother scarce would give consent,
She would have kept me half-informed at home;
But I love learning, and was resolute,
And came for knowledge and for schooling here.

Mephis.
I fear you should have sought some better teacher.
Which of the faculties, sir, would you choose?

Student.
I would be a logician, as a base
For legal study and deep metaphysics,
The which I quite adore!

Mephis.
Make good use of your time, for fast time flies:—
Therefore begin with discipline and method.
Logic, young friend, is a divided rule,
By which you measure everything you say.—
You speak. Good. Nothing follows from your words:
It therefore follows that you've nothing said.
All nature is analysis and synthesis,
The esoteric and the exoteric method.
“The first was so, the second so;
Therefore the third and fourth are so;
If first and second were not, then
The third and fourth had never been.”

Student.
I don't entirely comprehend.

Mephis.
Indeed!

Student.
It seems as if the room turned round and round.

Mephis.
No matter! Next time you'll get better.

Student.
Theology, I'd almost like to study—
Or Medicine, master, what think you of that?

Mephis.
[Aside].
This nonsense bores me.—I'll frisk my cloven foot.
[Aloud.
The principles of Medicine are most easy.
Nature, Man, study all things, great and small—
Then leave them at the last—just as God will.
A medical degree is most important:
On your imposture stick the genuine label,
And there's no need of skill.—Dose 'em to death!
It is not needful that you have much science;
But study above all things female nature.
With air respectful, tender, fatherly,
And some endearing, reassuring name,
“My dear,” “my child,” “my lamb,” “and how are we?”—
You hold the little pulse with gentle pressure,
Play with the little hand, till palm meets palm,
Sit close, and closer on the couch, to hear,
How beats the timid fluttering little heart,
To feel the waist be not too tightly laced.

Student.
Ah, doctor! I can understand you well,
I think that is the faculty for me.
Good doctor! would you honour my poor book
By just one line of writing?

Mephis.
Most willingly!

[Writes.
Student
[Reading].
“Ye shall be as God, knowing good and evil.”
[Pauses puzzled, repeats text,
“Knowing good and evil, ye shall be,” &c.

Mephis.
Eritis sicut Deus, scientes bonum et malum.

Student.
Ah!

[Slowly exits backwards gazing at Mephistopheles.
Mephis.
Eden's old serpent, he was knavish wise.
Be that your maxim, every stair you climb
Of knowledge, which ascendeth to the gods,
Your steps shall sure be dogged by pale repentance.

Re-enter Faust.
Faust.
Now whither shall we go? How shall I bear me?
Shy and old-fashioned am I—out of date.

Mephis.
A brief receipt I give—the much in little—
Be self-possessed—that's the whole art of living.

Faust.
Let us speed forth at once.

Mephis.
A moment. There's a form yet unfulfill'd.
Oblige me with your signature to this.

Faust.
Dost thou not trust me?

Mephis.
Well, Doctor, no—
I've had some trifling practice in these matters.
And there's a tendency in such small mortgages—
You'd scarce believe it, though—to cheat the Devil.

Faust.
How wilt thou have me sign?
Shall I engrave it upon brass,
Or carve it out in everlasting marble?

Mephis.
A waste of eloquence—a scrap will do.
Sign with a drop of blood.

Faust.
My blood! whatever you may please.

[Baring his arm.
Mephis.
[Touching his arm with his dagger.]
Blood is a juice of curious quality.
Sign there.

Faust
[Signs].
Then, there!

Mephis.
Mine!
Within the hour thy lips shall taste
That wondrous miracle of witches' skill—the draught of youth!
From these old ashes of your body, doctor,
Shall rise a bright young Phœnix all new plumed.
This cloak of mine shall be our magic car
To waft us o'er the plains like two black eagles.
Welcome, my friend, to this new life!
A pleasant change! I wish you joy of it.

[They disappear. Thunder.

Scene 2.

—Nuremberg. Evening. Lorenz Platz. Organ from church. Townspeople, young and old, soldiers, monks, &c. &c.—some entering church.
Dritter, meeting Zweiter.
Dritter.
Good morrow, friend.

Zweiter.
Good morrow.

Dritter.
Well, what think you now of our new Burgomaster?
Art more content with him?

Zweiter.
Content! Why should I be?
The rates and taxes rise from day to day.

Dritter.
Aye, true. This never-ending war is like a sieve—
We pour our taxes in, it never fills.

Zweiter.
Aye, and I'll pay, whilst bloodshed comes not nigh us.
So long as war keeps at respectful distance,
I give them leave to slit each other's throats.
Let us have peace at home; that's all I ask for.

[They enter church.
[Laughter without. Enter Frosch, Altmayer, Brander, and Siebel from tavern; followed by hostess.
Frosch
[Singing].
Fly away, fly away, Lady nightingale,
Over the mountain and over the dale!
Fly to my sweetheart out over the sea,
And greet her a thousand times for me.

Siebel.
Nay, greet my sweetheart not! I tell you I'll resent it.

Frosch.
My sweetheart greet and kiss! I dare you to prevent it.

Chorus.
Draw the latch! The darkness makes.
Draw the latch! The lover wakes.
Shut the latch! The morning breaks.

Siebel.
Yes, sing away, sing on, and praise and brag of her!
I'll wait my proper time. I'll laugh anon.
Me by the nose she led; she'll soon lead you.

[Laughter and clinking of glasses.
Enter Mephistopheles and Faust.
Mephis.
Here is another foretaste of the world you've entered on,
The joyous rollick of these gentlemen.
Free rout and shout—each vie in making noise,
And very little wit goes very far.
[A hush among all.
[Aloud]
Good morrow, gentlemen.

Frosch
[Aside].
A saucy scarecrow. [Aloud]
Sir, you have travell'd, I dare swear,
And seen some curious things, but have you met
Since your arrival here, with our town fool?

Mephis.
We passed him in the street, not long ago;
He sent a greeting to his cousin Frosch.

[Bows to Frosch.
Frosch.
[Aside].
He knows my name.

Altmayer
[Aside].
He had you there.

Frosch.
Sir, do you stare at me?

Mephis.
But admiration—admiration, sir!

Siebel
[Aside].
I'll smoke him—I'll draw him out—
[To Mephis.]
A paunch is weariness and dole, my master,
If I might ask;—how did you get so lean?

Mephis.
Fasting, and piety, and wholesome liquor:
[Taking wine from hostess.
It is such trash as this has blown you out.

Siebel.
Unless you give us better, sir—hang it—
Your manners are but scurvy.

Mephis.
And your wines are but execrable.
But that I fear to anger our good host,
I'd have us drink some choicer wine together.

Siebel.
I'll answer for our host—produce the wine;
Is it in cask, or bottle? I can't see it.

Mephis.
But soon you shall. Where will ye have it from?
The barrel, chairs, or table?

Altmayer.
Oh, you don't know us, if you think we'll brook
Such banter from a stranger.

Mephis.
Eh? Ha, ha! I would not banter such distinguished company.
Bring me a gimlet here.

Brander.
Here in the tool chest, we'll find that.

Frosch
[Aside].
A gimlet! hang him, let us try him!

[Brings tool chest from tavern door.
Brander.
Here is the tool chest.

Mephis.
Good! and here's the gimlet.
Some wax for stoppers—quick! we want that.

Brander.
Here's wax! here's wax in plenty.

Siebel.
Pshaw! a juggler's trick.

Mephis.
Now, gentlemen, the choice is free; make up your minds.
You, noble sir, begin.

Siebel.
Eh? go to the Devil.

Mephis.
Will you try his tap? Come, name your wine—
[Boring table.
Good Rhenish?

Siebel.
Good rotten eggs!

Mephis.
And you, sir—your choice?

[Boring.
Altmayer
[Aside].
Humour him.

Frosch.
Well, if this table be your cask, good Rhenish, sir, for me.

Mephis.
And you, sir?

Altmayer.
Me? oh, something sweet and rare.

Mephis
[Boring].
Tokay! It shall be of the best.

Mephis.
And lastly, you, sir. What wine for you?

[Boring.
Brander.
For me, Oh, anything! whatever I can get.

Mephis.
You're easy satisfied.
[With gestures.
Wine is juice and wood the vine,
Bacchus is the lord of wine,
Drink with faith, nor pause to puzzle,
Here is wine in plenty—guzzle.
Every man withdraw the stopper,
And drink such wine as he thinks proper.

[As each draws stopper, wine runs into glass.
Frosch.
[Holding up glass].
Look there!

Siebel.
Look there!

Brander.
It looks like wine!

Mephis.
Smell it! there's bouquet for a prince!

Siebel
[Drinking].
'Tis Rhenish—superb Rhenish!

Frosch
[Drinking].
Glorious Rhenish!

Siebel.
It is a miracle from heaven or hell!

Mephis.
Drink! but be cautious not to spill.
There's danger in a drop that falls.

All
[Singing].
That we will! That we will!
Like five hundred swine we swill.

[They drink repeatedly.
Mephis.
[To Faust.]
Look at them now; the happiest of men.

Faust.
Come, let us go.

Mephis.
Nay, wait; wait till you see them in their glory.

Siebel
[Singing].
Like five hundred swine we swill.

[Drinking carelessly, spills wine on ground, which turns to flame.
Hollo! hollo! we're drinking fire.
Mephis.
[Aside].
Down friendly element! be still.
[Aloud]
Only a little purgatorial flame.

[Flame dies away. Exit Faust.
Altmayer.
What does the fellow say?

Siebel.
Better take care.

Frosch.
No tricks with us, sir.

Siebel.
Don't you play your hocus-pocus here.

Mephis.
Silence, old wine-tub!

Siebel.
Wine-tub!

Altmayer.
Let's have some more.
[Draws spiggot, fire shoots out towards him.
Ten thousand devils! help! I'm burning, burning!

All.
Kill him! he's a wizard. Kill him! kill him!

[They draw their knives and rush at Mephisto.
Mephis.
[With gestures.]
False pictures form in air,
Change place, sense ensnare,
Shift here, shift there.

[They stand petrified.
Frosch.
Where am I? what strange land is this?

Altmayer.
What vineyards, too!

Siebel.
And see—grapes cluster to my hand.

Altmayer.
What leafy bowers! What a bunch!

[He holds Siebel by the nose. They draw their knives as if to cut down bunches.
Mephis.
[With gestures.]
Error cease, you have awoke;
Mark, how the devil cracks a joke.

[Mephisto disappears.
Siebel.
What is it?

Brander.
What?

Frosch.
Was that your face?

Brander.
And this, your purple nose, I pulled for grapes?

Altmayer.
My head is swimming.

Siebel.
My inside is a-fire.

Altmayer.
And mine.

Brander.
And mine.

Frosch.
What is the matter with you all?

Siebel.
Where is the juggler gone? He'll smart for this, if he meets me.
[Church clock strikes. Organ.
Is the wine running still?

Frosch.
Eh? Wine! No. 'Twas all a cheat.

Altmayer.
I'm sure I tasted wine.

Brander.
And I'm sure I saw grapes.

Siebel.
I thought I saw them, too—big purple bunches.

Altmayer.
Well, miracles have ceased;
No wonders after this.

[Exeunt, confusedly talking to one another. People come out of church. Re-enter Faust.
Faust.
My yoke-fellow is gone, who measures me by his own brutish tastes.

Enter Margaret, dogged by Mephistopheles.
Faust.
What angel walks the street!
Pretty lady, pray accept my escort;
I fain would guard thee home.

Mar.
Sir, I am not pretty, nor yet a lady;
I have no need of any escort home.

[Exit quickly.
Faust.
The air is chiming with her words!

Mephis.
Eh, doctor? What? You're on the scent?

Faust.
Saw you that lovely maid who passed but now?

Mephis.
A creature with pale eyes and yellow hair?

Faust.
The same.

Mephis.
Sweet saint, she's just returned from her confessor,
Who gave her, with a smile, full absolution.
Poor creature, she had nothing to confess.
I have no power over her.

Faust.
Had I but two short hours at the task,
Trust me, I should not ask the devil's aid
To win a simple maiden to my hand.

Mephis.
Spoken like an old French rake, who has no faith
In any female virtue 'neath the sun.

Faust.
Since you and I have been companions
You've led me a dull round of feverish revelry and hollow pleasure.
Now, when I've found a spring
In the dry desert—and I seek to drink—
You hold me back—and you deny me.

Mephis.
Be calm, my friend, be calm! The girl is yours.

Faust.
Fetch me her kerchief, or some withered flowers—
Something her hand hath touched.

Mephis.
I will do better,—for within the hour
I'll give you entrance to her maiden chamber,
And you shall breathe its fragrant atmosphere,
And contemplate the happiness to come.

Faust.
Fetch me some lustrous present to enchant her!

Mephis.
Ah! presents already!
That's the plan—that's the way to woman's heart.
Be she a saint, be she a Magdalen,
A dangling diamond makes her simply—woman.

Faust.
Where is her home?

Mephis.
Yonder! Its windows peep through jessamine—
You'll enter through the garden at the back.

Faust.
Ah, fairest one! my soul doth follow thee.

[Exit after Margaret.
Mephis.
So prone are mortals to their own damnation
It seems as if the Devil's use were gone!

[Bells peal out. Monks enter from church.