 | Goethe's Faust : First Part |  |
51
SCENE IV.
Faust's Study. Faust, Mephistopheles.Faust.
Who knocks? Come in! What new plague must I dread?
Mephistopheles.
'Tis I!
Faust.
Come in!
Mephistopheles.
Thrice must the word be said.
Faust.
Come in, then!
Mephistopheles.
So you humour me.
We soon shall come to terms, I trust!
To drive the dumps away from thee,
I am here, a gallant squire, with gust
Wear this red gold-laced jerkin smart,
In stiff silk mantle play my part,
With a cock's feather in my cap,
And long, sharp rapier at my side;
And now I counsel thee to swap
Thy gown for garb like mine, that wide,
Untrammeled, thou mayst wander free,
Experience all that life can be.
Faust.
In any garments I should feel the pain
Of Earth's crampt life too bitterly
Too old to take my fling, I see,
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What can the world promise me now?
Renounce must thou! renounce must thou!
That is the everlasting song
Ringing in every mortal ear,
Which sings to us our whole life long,
And every hour more hoarse and drear.
Each morn I wake in horror and despair,
In bitter tears would burst out weeping,
To see each day that on its course will fare,
And grant no wish, not one, within me sleeping,
Each hope of joy, even, from me wrest,
With captious wrangling still destroying,
Thwart the dreams of my labouring breast
With thousand, paltry tasks annoying.
And I must even, when o'er me sinks the night,
In anguish stretched upon my bed,
Even there find no rest for my head,
And from wild dreams awake in fright.
The God who in my bosom dwells
Can rouse my inmost energies;
He who o'er all my active powers is throned
Can move the outer world nowise;
And so, for me, with Being's burden opprest,
Death I desire, hate Life, and so would rest.
Mephistopheles.
Yet Death, it seems is never a really welcome guest.
Faust.
Oh! blest is he, in victory's glory
Whose temples Death with bloody laurels binds,
Whom when the swift rushing dance is over,
Clasped in a maiden's arms he finds!
Oh! were I, by the highest Spirit's power,
Entranced, struck dead, far hence were sunk.
Mephistopheles.
Yet someone, at a certain hour,
That night a brown juice left undrunk.
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It is thy sport, it seems, to play the spy.
Mephistopheles.
Omniscient am I not, though much, 'tis true know I.
Faust.
When, from the terrible turmoil,
A sweet, remembered sound attracted me,
Ghosts of my old childish emotions
Breathed cheating echoes of bygone glee;
And so I curse all that the soul
With cheating jugglery would bind,
And in this miserable hole
With flattering self-delusion blind,
Curséd be first high aspirations,
With which the Spirit herself arrays!
Curst the vain mockeries of appearance,
Thronging each gate of sense always!
Curst all that comes in dreams deceiving,
Those old delusions, Name, and Fame!
Curst all that flatters as possession,
As wife, child, servant, plough land-claim!
Accurst be Mammon, when with treasures
He goads us to foolhardy deeds,
When he entices to vain pleasures,
Serves with soft cushions our lazy needs!
Curse on the grape's bright juice balsamic!
Curse on Love's noblest graces first,
Curséd be Hope! Be Faith accursèd,
And, above all, be Patience curst!
Invisible Choir of Spirits.
Woe! Woe!
Thou hast destroyed it
The beautiful world,
With powerful fist;
To destruction 'tis hurled!
Ruined by a Demigod's despair
We must bear
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Weeping there
O'er the beauty, lost, foredone.
Mightier
Than the Sons of Earth,
Lovelier
Build it again,
Within thy breast build it once more!
New paths of life to explore
Begin! Go hence
With clearer sense,
While new songs then
Above it soar!
Mephistopheles.
These spirits fine
Are elves of mine.
Hear how they to action's joys
Counsel thee in cunning wise!
To the world wide,
From thy loneliness
Where thy blood stagnates, dull grows each sense
They would lure thee hence.
[Mephistopheles]
Hear now, to deal with thy vain sorrow,
Which like a vulture feeds upon thy heart,
The worst of company would rouse the feeling
That among men a man thou art.
But 'tis not in my mind
With vulgar folk to class thee,
Not one of the great I may be;
But take me as partner now,
Through life thy footsteps to guide,
I'll serve thee well-satisfied,
On the spot I agree
Thy comrade to be,
Suit myself to thee willingly now,
I'll be thy servant, thy slave, I vow!
55
And how shall I requite thy service?
Mephistopheles.
Take as long credit as you list.
Faust.
Nay, nay! the Devil is an egoist,
And for God's sake will do but little
To help another when he comes here.
Name thy conditions to a tittle,
Such slaves are dangerous in one's house, I fear.
Mephistopheles.
Here I will bind myself to be thy servant,
Come at thy call, and rest not, nor delay;
When, in the world up there we meet,
My service here thou shalt repay.
Faust.
Little to me up there it matters,
And torest thou this world to tatters,
From them another may arise.
Out of this Earth my joy's clear founts outstart,
And this bright Sun shines on my grief of heart;
Can I but soon from them depart,
Let hap what will in any guise.
No more of this I wish to hear,
Whether the dead love, hate, desire,
Or whether in each far-off sphere
There is a lower, and a higher.
Mephistopheles.
In this sense, then, venture you surely may,
Bind yourself, and, this very day,
Gladly my sorcery thou shalt see.
What no man ever saw I'll give to thee.
Faust.
What, then, poor Devil talk'st of giving?
Was any man's free spirit after things highest striving,
Ever been trapt by Spirits like thee?
56
And ruddy gold that changes fast
To quicksilver, and runs out of your hand,
A game to cheat the winner planned,
A wench, who, clinging to your breast,
Ogling your neighbour, plights her troth away
Honour the demigod's joyous quest,
That, like a meteor fades in day.
Show me the fruit that, 'ere 'tis plucked, will rot,
The trees that every day grow green again!
Mephistopheles.
Such a strange order frights me not,
Such treasures for you I can obtain.
But, my good friend, the time is come, I see,
When something good we may enjoy at leisure.
Faust.
If e'er on slothful bed I loll with pleasure,
In that base hour all's up with me!
Can'st thou with flattery so deceive me,
That satisfy myself I may,
Canst thou with all Earth's joys befraud me,
Be that for me my life's last day!
Take you my wager?
Mephistopheles.
Done!
Faust.
And done with thee!
If to the moment I shall say:
“Tarry, so beautiful thou art!”
Bind me in fetters then ye may,
And back to earth go brain and heart!
Then for me may the death-bell toll,
Then from thy service thou art free,
The clock may stop, hands mark life's goal,
And Time shall be no more for me!
Mephistopheles.
Ponder it well! this we shall not forget.
57
I grant thy right to have thy hire.
Not wantonly did I incur this debt,
To thee or others, I don't inquire.
Mephistopheles.
I'll go to-day to the new Doctor's feast,
And serve thee there with all goodwill.
But one thing, live thou or die, at least,
Give me but two strokes of thy quill.
Faust.
Pedant, thou cravest a written bond, I see,
Hast thou ne'er known a man, known what his word can be?
Is not my spoken word enough as gage
Valid through all the days assigned me?
Does not the world through all its arteries rage,
And shall a promise for ever bind me?
Yet this delusion makes our hearts its nest;
Who shall get free, when its webs enwind me?
Happy the man, true honour in his breast
Who rues no loss incurred thereby!
But a mere parchment, signed and sealed, at best,
Is but a ghost, whereof all men fight shy.
The word's already dead in the goose-feather,
The world is ruled by wax and leather.
What wilt thou Evil Spirit from me?
Bronze, marble, parchment, paper, shall it be?
Style, chisel, quill, to write with shall I use?
Thy choice is free, pray take thy pick!
Mephistopheles.
Why these hot floods of rhetoric
Exaggerated and profuse?
A single leaflet is just as good
So you but sign it with a little drop of blood.
Faust.
If this will fully satisfy thee,
The trifle I will not deny thee.
58
Blood is a quite peculiar juice.
Faust
(signing the bond.)
Then have no fear that I this bond will break.
My utmost power I'll strive to use,
To keep the promises I make.
I have swelled too high in vanity,
Among thy peers only I take my place.
That mighty Spirit flung scorn on me.
Nature before me veils her face.
The thread of thought is rent in twain,
Long have loathed all our Science vain.
In the depths of sensuality
Let my glowing passions be stilled for ever,
Behind the magic veil, rent never
Each miracle promptly prepare for me!
In the rushing of Time let us plunge straightway,
In the world of action our part let's play!
So then may sorrow and joy,
Success and heart's annoy,
Change with each other as they can,
Restless endeavour tests the man.
Mephistopheles.
Measure nor limit bounds you nowise,
Range where you will, and take your fling,
Catch every moment on the wing
Have every thing that most your prize,
And fear not while to me you cling.
Faust.
Nay, hear me, mere delight is not the question,
To Life's wild drunkenness myself I consecrate,
To fond hates, quickening griefs, joys that are pain.
My breast, from learning's dull oppression healing,
To no man's woe shall e'er be closed again.
And what to all mankind is dealt by Fate
I, in my inmost self will joy in feeling,
With my own Spirit grasp all things, high or low
59
So my own self through their selves shall extend,
Till, even as they, I am shattered at life's end.
Mephistopheles.
Oh! trust me, who for many a thousand year,
This hard and bitter cud have chewed,
None, from the cradle to the bier,
Could e'er digest this yeasty food.
This Whole, if you'll believe my story,
Was only fashioned for a God!
He finds Himself throned in Eternal Glory,
In utter darkness, us He hath pent from Light,
While ye are fashioned for day and night.
Faust.
I'll work my will!
Mephistopheles.
Well, that may be!
One thing I fear, though will be strong,
That Time is short, and Art is long,
I think, you'll now be schooled by me.
Take some Poet as partner and share your views,
Let the gentleman, roving, think in your stead,
Each noble quality you choose
Heap them upon your honoured head:
The Lion's courage,
The Stag's swift flight,
The Italian's blood of fire
The North's enduring might.
Let him for you the secret find,
Nobility with craft to bind,
And with warm impulses of youth
Make you a love-making plan, forsooth.
If such a Lord himself might know,
“Lord Microcosm” I'd style him, though.
Faust.
What am I, then, if 'tis not in my power
The crown of manhood even to gain,
Tow'rd which all senses strive in vain?
60
Thou art in the end—just what thou art.
Put then upon thy head a wig with million locks,
Prop thy feet on a pair of yard-high socks,
Thou still remainest—just what thou art.
Faust.
I feel it, vainly have I at every treasure
Of man's keen spirit snatched as it went by,
And now at last, when I sit down at leisure,
No new power springs within me as they fly.
I am not by a hairsbreadth higher,
Nor to the Infinite am I nigher.
Mephistopheles.
My good Sir, you but see the matter
As everyone the matter sees;
We must be cleverer in our scheming,
Before the joy of living flees.
Hast thou not hands, feet, head—deuce take it?
And other organs too are thine!
But all things while I can enjoy them,
Are they therefore less truly mine?
If I, forsooth, can buy six stallions,
Are not mine then their strength and speed?
As though on four and twenty feet careering
I drive along and am a man indeed.
Up then! let all this thinking be,
Come straight into the world with me!
I tell thee a fellow lost in thoughts profound
Is like a beast on a rough heath astray,
And which some Evil Spirit drives always round and round,
While pastures green lie all about his way.
Faust.
Where then shall we begin?
Mephistopheles.
Forth now, out of this tomb.
What kind of torture-chamber is this room?
61
Thyself thy pupils ever boring?
Leave that to Master Bug, thy neighbour!
Why wilt thou plague thyself in threshing straw?
What's best in the knowledge gained by thy labour,
Thou durst not share with boys quite raw.
I hear one at the door already.
Faust.
I really can't see him to-day.
Mephistopheles.
So long the poor young chap has waited,
He shan't go unconsoled away.
Come, give me your cap and gown; and flit!
This masquerade's a treat for me.
(He puts on Faust's cap and gown.)
Now leave it to my mother-wit!
But fifteen minutes will suffice me quite
Meanwhile get ready for our pleasant flight.
[Exit Faust]
Mephistopheles
(in Faust's long gown.)
Contemn only reason and learning's dower,
Of all mankind supremest power,
Be thou in magical delusion
Confirmed still by the Spirit of Lies,
So thou art mine without conditions—
Fate has endowed him with a spirit that flies
Ever upon its path, restless, straight forward,
And in its ever-hastening flight
Springs over all the joys of Earth.
I'll drag him through wild life with me
Through dullest scenes of vulgar mirth,
Flounder, grow numb, stick fast shall he;
For his insatiate appetite
Meat and drink 'fore his greedy lips shall hover;
For refreshment then he will pray in vain;
And even had he not himself to the Devil made over,
Still he must perish utterly!
62
Student.
I came here some few days ago,
With deep respect I wait on you,
To speak with you, a man to know,
Whose name all mention with reverence due.
Mephistopheles.
Your courtesy much pleases me!
A man like other men you see.
Have you looked round, seeking your way?
Student.
For your kind interest let me pray!
I come here in a quite earnest mood,
With little money and fresh young blood;
My Mother would hardly let me go:
Mephistopheles.
Here is the very place for you.
Student.
I wish I were out of it, 'tis true:
Within each portico, each hall,
No pleasure I can feel at all.
Pent in such cells I've never been,
Without a tree with nothing green.
The Lecture Room, with narrow benches
Dulls sight, mars hearing and thinking quenches.
Mephistopheles.
Custom alone cures that, my boy.
The baby takes its mother's breast,
When given it first, with little joy,
But soon it feeds with hungry zest.
So at the Breasts of Wisdom, you
Will find each day your thirst renew.
Student.
Around her neck will I most gladly cling
But tell me how to approach her—that's the thing.
63
Ere you go further enlighten me,
What do you choose for your Faculty?
Student.
Thoroughly learned I wish to be
All things on Earth I fain would know,
All things in Heaven would comprehend
Science and Nature investigate.
Mephistopheles.
There you're on the right track, my friend;
But time and strength you must not dissipate.
Student.
I am with you there in body and soul
But frankly I should like some pleasure
A little freedom when at leisure
In the warm summer holidays to stroll.
Mephistopheles.
Use well your time, it runs so fast away,
Order will teach you to save time each day.
And, my dear friend, my advice is this,
Your College Logic pray do not miss.
Then will your intellect be well braced,
In Spanish boots tightly enlaced,
That you discreetly, as one ought
May creep along the Path of Thought.
And don't go roving here and there,
Will-o-the-wisping every where.
Then they will teach you many a day
What at one blow achieve you may
As easily as eat and drink,
One! Two! Three! useful don't you think?
'Tis true that the great web of thought
Like a weaver's masterpiece should be wrought,
Where a thousand threads at one stroke unwind,
The shuttle over and under plying,
The unseen threads up, downward flying,
Each stroke a thousand threads will bind.
64
Steps in and tells you “so it must be”:
The first was so, the second so,
Therefore the third and fourth are so.
And, were the first and second not there,
The third and fourth would be nowhere.”
This everywhere the Scholars extol,
Yet grow not weavers after all.
Who wishes things living to know and to portray,
Seeks first their spirit to drive away
Then, in his hand as he holds each part,
Naught lacks but the spirit's combining art.
Self-styled Encheiresin Naturae, chemistry
Makes a mock of herself and naught of it knows she.
Student.
I can't quite understand you here.
Mephistopheles.
The next time all will grow more clear,
When all things you can reduce to terms,
And classify your learning's germs.
Student.
So stupified by all this I feel,
As if in my head whirled a water-wheel.
Mephistopheles.
Next, before all things, you must perforce
Get through your Metaphysical course.
See you profoundly comprehend
What puzzles all human brains, my friend;
For what goes through them, and what goes not,
A splendid and useful word we've got.
But, above this, all first half-year,
Come regularly each course to hear!
Five hours they'll give you every day,
Be there at the first clock-stroke, pray!
Be well prepared before you go,
Each paragraph you well should know,
That you may see, while there you sit,
65
Take pains your text be neatly engrossed,
As 'twere dictated by the Holy Ghost!
Student.
You need not say that twice to me!
I feel how useful that must be;
For what one has in black and white
One can take home, contented quite.
Mephistopheles.
And now, pray choose your Faculty.
Student.
For Law I must confess no prepossession.
Mephistopheles.
I blame not your dislike to that profession.
I know how things are done in law, you see.
Statutes and rights all men inherit,
Like an eternal dire disease;
They drag from generation to generation,
And still they change by slow degrees.
Reason grows folly, kindness a curse's mask.
Woe to you, your forefathers' heir!
The rights born with us are no man's care,
Of these, alas! none deigns to ask.
Student.
My loathing is by you increased.
Happy is he you teach at least!
Perhaps Theology would be more in my way?
Mephistopheles.
I do not wish to lead your steps astray.
As to that science I can scarce advise;
It is so difficult to shun false paths, you see.
Here so much deeply hidden poison lies,
That from the medicine scarce discerned can be.
Here also it were best if you but One will hear,
And by the Master's Word shall swear.
In fine then—by the Word, hold fast!
66
Into the Temple of certainty.
Student.
But some clear concept in the Word must be.
Mephistopheles.
True, but one need not ply self-torture too severe;
When one's conception is not clear
A word turns up at the right time, you see,
With words one can fence finely ever,
With words can fashion a system clever
In words one can firmly believe,
No jot from a word you can slyly thieve.
Student.
Pardon my interrupting with more questions
But I must trouble you once more.
Concerning Medicine and its lore
I beg some valuable suggestions.
Three short years soon away will glide,
And God! The field is quite too wide.
Had one some finger post, I own,
I might begin to find my way.
Mephistopheles
(aside).
I'm getting tired of this dry tone,
And now again the Devil must play.
(aloud)
The Spirit of Medicine you soon may seize;
The great world and the small profoundly know,
And at the end let all things go,
As God may please.
In vain you rove through all the sciences,
Everyone only learns just what he can
But he who can the moment seize,
He is the real man.
You seem well-built, as young men go,
Not without boldness, I surmise,
Dare then to trust yourself. If so
Others will trust in you likewise.
'Fore all learn how to manage women,
67
Their thousand various diseases
Are curable at one point, where they arise;
And when you treat them half-modestly
You have them well in hand, you'll see.
First make your title good to be familiar,
That your skill may surpass that of your peers;
You are welcome then to feel your way to many a trifle,
For which another man might strive for years.
Learn then their languid pulses well to squeeze,
Then, with sly, ardent eyes, fast as you please,
Grip them around the slender waist,
To see how tightly they are laced.
Student.
Well, that looks better! The how and why one sees.
Mephistopheles.
Grey, my dear friend, are all fine theories,
While ever Life's golden tree is green.
Student.
It seems, I vow, that dreaming I have been.
Might I but come to trouble you once more!
To hear on what you found your wisdom's lore?
Mephistopheles.
I'll do for you whate'er I may.
Student.
I scarce can tear myself away.
I must present my Album, ere I go,
And beg from you a line or so?
Mephistopheles.
With pleasure! (He writes and returns the book.)
Student
(reads.)
“Eritis sicut Deus, scientes bonum et malum.”
[He respectfully takes his leave]
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Follow the ancient tale, and my good cousin the Snake then,
Spite of the likeness to God thy heart with horror shall quake then!
(Re-enter Faust.
Faust.
Well, where now shall we go?
Mephistopheles.
Where'er it pleases thee.
The little World and then the Great we'll see.
With how much profit, how much pleasure,
We'll sponge upon the whole World's treasure.
Faust.
But with this long beard that I wear
I lack the worldling's easy air.
Small joy this rash attempt will bring me
I know not how into the World to fling me.
With others so small I feel myself,
I shall get laid upon the shelf.
Mephistopheles.
My good friend, all gives way to those who strive.
When thou canst trust thyself, then thou hast learnt to live.
Faust.
How shall we from the house get clear?
Where hast thou coachman, coach and pair?
Mephistopheles.
We just unfold this mantle here,
Which soon will waft us through the air.
But take with thee in our bold flight
No heavy luggage, something light.
A little hydrogen, that I'll prepare before,
And nimbly from the Earth we'll soar.
If we are light, aloft we'll quickly fly,
And joy in thy new life I wish thee heartily!
| Goethe's Faust : First Part | |