The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, Volume 01

Whoever quarrels, turn him out!With open throat drink, roar, and shout.Hollo! Hollo! Ho!

ALTMAYER

Zounds, fellow, cease your deaf'ning cheers!Bring cotton-wool! He splits my ears.

SIEBEL

'Tis when the roof rings back the tone,Then first the full power of the bass is known.

FROSCH

Right! out with him who takes offence!A! tara lara da!

ALTMAYER

A! tara lara da!

FROSCH

Our throats are tuned. Come, let's commence!

(Sings)

 The holy Roman empire now, How holds it still together?

BRANDER

An ugly song! a song political!A song offensive! Thank God, every morn,To rule the Roman empire that you were not born!I bless my stars at least that mine is notEither a kaiser's or a chancellor's lot.Yet, 'among ourselves, should one still lord it o'er the rest;That we elect a pope I now suggest.Ye know what quality insuresA man's success, his rise secures.

FROSCH (sings)

 Bear, lady nightingale above, Ten thousand greetings to my love.

SIEBEL

No greetings to a sweetheart! No love-songs shall there be!

FROSCH

Love-greetings and love-kisses! Thou shalt not hinder me!

(Sings)

 Undo the bolt! in stilly night, Undo the bolt! the lover wakes. Shut to the bolt! when morning breaks.

SIEBEL

Ay, sing, sing on, praise her with all thy might!My turn to laugh will come some day.Me hath she jilted once, you the same trick she'll play.Some gnome her lover be! where cross-roads meet,With her to play the fool; or old he-goat,From Blocksberg coming in swift gallop, bleatA good night to her from his hairy throat!A proper lad of genuine flesh and blood,Is for the damsel far too good;The greeting she shall have from me,To smash her window-panes will be!

BRANDER (striking on the table)

Silence! Attend! to me give ear!Confess, sirs, I know how to live:Some love-sick folk are sitting here!Hence, 'tis but fit, their hearts to cheer,That I a good-night strain to them should give.Hark! of the newest fashion is my song!Strike boldly in the chorus, clear and strong!

(He sings)

 Once in a cellar lived a rat, He feasted there on butter, Until his paunch became as fat As that of Doctor Luther. The cook laid poison for the guest, Then was his heart with pangs oppress'd, As if his frame love wasted.

CHORUS (shouting)

As if his frame love wasted.

BRANDER

 He ran around, he ran abroad, Of every puddle drinking. The house with rage he scratch'd and gnaw'd, In vain,—he fast was sinking; Full many an anguish'd bound he gave, Nothing the hapless brute could save, As if his frame love wasted.

CHORUS

As if his frame love wasted.

BRANDER

 By torture driven, in open day, The kitchen he invaded, Convulsed upon the hearth he lay, With anguish sorely jaded; The poisoner laugh'd; Ha! ha! quoth she, His life is ebbing fast, I see, As if his frame love wasted.

CHORUS

As if his frame love wasted.

SIEBEL

How the dull boors exulting shout!Poison for the poor rats to strewA fine exploit it is no doubt.

BRANDER

They, as it seems, stand well with you!

ALTMAYER

Old bald-pate! with the paunch profound!The rat's mishap hath tamed his nature;For he his counterpart hath foundDepicted in the swollen creature.

FAUST AND MEPHISTOPHELES

MEPHISTOPHELES

I now must introduce to youBefore aught else, this jovial crew,To show how lightly life may glide away;With the folk here each day's a holiday.With little wit and much content,Each on his own small round intent,Like sportive kitten with its tail;While no sick-headache they bewail,And while their host will credit give,Joyous and free from care they live.

BRANDER

They're off a journey, that is clear,—From their strange manners; they have scarce been hereAn hour.

FROSCH

 You're right! Leipzig's the place for me!'Tis quite a little Paris; people thereAcquire a certain easy, finish'd air.

SIEBEL

What take you now these travelers to be?

FROSCH

Let me alone! O'er a full glass you'll see,As easily I'll worm their secret outAs draw an infant's tooth. I've not a doubtThat my two gentlemen are nobly born;They look dissatisfied and full of scorn.

BRANDER

They are but mountebanks, I'll lay a bet!

ALTMAYER

Most like.

FROSCH

Mark me, I'll screw it from them yet!

MEPHISTOPHELES (to FAUST)

These fellows would not scent the devil out,E'en though he had them by the very throat!

FAUST

Good-morrow, gentlemen!

STEBEL

Thanks for your fair salute.

[Aside, glancing at MEPHISTOPHELES.]

How! goes the fellow on a halting foot?

MEPHISTOPHELES

Is it permitted here with you to sit?Then, though good wine is not forthcoming here,Good company at least our hearts will cheer.

ALTMAYER

A dainty gentleman, no doubt of it!

FROSCH

You're doubtless recently from Rippach? Pray,Did you with Master Hans there chance to sup?

MEPHISTOPHELES

Today we pass'd him, but we did not stop!When last we met him he had much to sayTouching his cousins, and to each he sentFull many a greeting and kind compliment.

[With an inclination toward FROSCH.]

ALTMAYER (aside to Frosch)

You have it there!

SIEBEL

Faith! he's a knowing one!

FROSCH

Have patience! I will show him up anon!

MEPHISTOPHELES

We heard erewhile, unless I'm wrong,Voices well trained in chorus pealing?Certes, most choicely here must songRe-echo from this vaulted ceiling!

FROSCH

That you're an amateur one plainly sees!

MEPHISTOPHELES

Oh no, though strong the love, I cannot boast much skill.

ALTMAYER

Give us a song!

MEPHISTOPHELES

As many as you will.

SIEBEL

But be it a brand new one, if you please!

MEPHISTOPHELES

But recently returned from Spain are we,The pleasant land of wine and minstrelsy.

(Sings)

  A king there was once reigning,  Who had a goodly flea—

FROSCH

Hark! did you rightly catch the words? a flea!An odd sort of a guest he needs must be.

MEPHISTOPHELES (sings)

 A king there was once reigning, Who had a goodly flea, Him loved he without feigning, As his own son were he! His tailor then he summon'd— The tailor to him goes: Now measure me the youngster For jerkin and for hose!

BRANDER

Take proper heed, the tailor strictly charge,The nicest measurement to take,And as he loves his head, to makeThe hose quite smooth and not too large!

MEPHISTOPHELES

In satin and in velvet,Behold the younker dressed:Bedizen'd o'er with ribbons,A cross upon his breast.Prime minister they made him;He wore a star of state;And all his poor relationsWere courtiers, rich and great.The gentlemen and ladiesAt court were sore distressed;The queen and all her maidensWere bitten by the pest,And yet they dared not scratch themOr chase the fleas away.If we are bit, we catch them,And crack without delay.

CHORUS (shouting)

If we are bit, etc.

FROSCH

Bravo! That's the song for me!

SIEBEL

Such be the fate of every flea!

BRANDER

With clever finger catch and kill!

ALTMAYER

Hurrah for wine and freedom still!

MEPHISTOPHELES

Were but your wine a trifle better, friend,A glass to freedom I would gladly drain.

SIEBEL

You'd better not repeat those words again!

MEPHISTOPHELES

I am afraid the landlord to offend;Else freely would I treat each worthy guestFrom our own cellar to the very best.

SIEBEL

Out with it then! Your doings I'll defend.

FROSCH

Give a good glass, and straight we'll praise you, one and all.Only let not your samples be too small;For if my judgment you desire,Certes, an ample mouthful I require.

ALTMAYER (aside)

I guess, they're from the Rhenish land.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Fetch me a gimlet here!

BRANDER

Say, what therewith to bore?You cannot have the wine-casks at the door?

ALTMAYER

Our landlord's tool-basket behind doth yonder stand.

MEPHISTOPHELES (takes the gimlet) (To FROSCH)

Now only say! what liquor will you take?

FROSCH

How mean you that? Have you of every sort?

MEPHISTOPHELES

Each may his own selection make.

ALTMAYER (to FROSCH)

Ha! Ha! You lick your lips already at the thought.

FROSCH

Good, if I have my choice, the Rhenish I propose;For still the fairest gifts the fatherland bestows.

MEPHISTOPHELES (boring a hole in the edge of the table opposite to where FROSCH is sitting)

Get me a little wax—and make some stoppers—quick!

ALTMAYER

Why, this is nothing but a juggler's trick!

MEPHISTOPHELES (to BRANDER)

And you?

BRANDER

 Champagne's the wine for me;Right brisk, and sparkling let it be!

[MEPHISTOPHELES bores, one of the party has in the meantime prepared the, wax-stoppers and stopped the holes.]

BRANDER

What foreign is one always can't decline,What's good is often scatter'd far apart.The French your genuine German hates with all his heart,Yet has a relish for their wine.

SIEBEL (as MEPHISTOPHELES approaches him)

I like not acid wine, I must allow,Give me a glass of genuine sweet!

MEPHISTOPHELES (bores)

 TokayShall, if you wish it, flow without delay.

ALTMAYER

Come! look me in the face! no fooling now!You are but making fun of us, I trow.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Ah! ah! that would indeed be making freeWith such distinguished guests. Come, no delay;What liquor can I serve you with, I pray?

ALTMAYER

Only be quick, it matters not to me.

[After the holes are all bored and, stopped.]

MEPHISTOPHELES (with strange gestures)

Grapes the vine-stock bears,Horns the buck-goat wears!Wine is sap, the vine is wood,The wooden board yields wine as good.With a deeper glance and trueThe mysteries of nature view!Have faith and here's a miracle!Your stoppers draw and drink your fill!

ALL (as they draw the stoppers and the wine chosen by each runs into his glass)

Oh beauteous spring, which flows so far!

MEPHISTOPHELES

Spill not a single drop, of this beware!

[They drink repeatedly.]

ALL (sing)

Happy as cannibals are we,Or as five hundred swine.

MEPHISTOPHELES

They're in their glory, mark their elevation!

FAUST

Let's hence, nor here our stay prolong.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Attend, of brutishness ere longYou'll see a glorious revelation.

SIEBEL (drinks carelessly; the wine is spilt upon the ground, and turns to fame)

Help! fire! help! Hell is burning!

MEPHISTOPHELES (addressing the flames)

Stop,Kind element, be still, I say!

(To the Company)

Of purgatorial fire as yet 'tis but a drop.

SIEBEL

What means the knave! For this you'll dearly pay!Us, it appears, you do not know.

FROSCH

Such tricks a second time he'd better show!

ALTMAYER

Methinks 'twere well we pack'd him quietly away.

SIEBEL

What, sir! with us your hocus-pocus play!

MEPHISTOPHELES

Silence, old wine-cask!

SIEBEL

How! add insult, too!Vile broomstick!

BRANDER

Hold! or blows shall rain on you!

ALTMAYER (draws a stopper out of the table; fire springs out against him)

I burn! I burn!

SIEBEL

'Tis sorcery, I vow! Strike home! The fellow is fair game, I trow! [They draw their knives and attack MEPHISTOPHELES.]

MEPHISTOPHELES (with solemn gestures)

Visionary scenes appear!Words delusive cheat the ear!Be ye there, and be ye here!

[They stand amazed and gale at one another.]

ALTMAYER

Where am I? What a beauteous land!

FROSCH

Vineyards! unless my sight deceives?

SIEBEL

And clust'ring grapes too, close at hand!

BRANDER

And underneath the spreading leaves,What stems there be! What grapes I see!

[He seizes SIEBEL by the nose. The others reciprocally do the same, and raise, their knives.]

MEPHISTOPHELES (as above)

Delusion, from their eyes the bandage take!Note how the devil loves a jest to break!

[He disappears with FAUST; the fellows draw back from one another.]

SIEBEL

What was it?

ALTMAYER

How?

FROSCH

Was that your nose?

BRANDER (to SIEBEL)

And look, my hand doth thine inclose!

ALTMAYER

I felt a shock, it went through every limb!A chair! I'm fainting! All things swim!

FROSCH

Say! What has happened? What's it all about?

SIEBEL

Where is the fellow? Could I scent him out,His body from his soul I'd soon divide!

ALTMAYER

With my own eyes, upon a cask astride,Forth through the cellar-door I saw him ride—Heavy as lead my feet are growing.

[Turning to the table.]

I wonder is the wine still flowing!

SIEBEL

'Twas all delusion, cheat and lie.

FROSCH

'Twas wine I drank, most certainly.

BRANDER

But with the grapes how was it, pray?

ALTMAYER

That none may miracles believe, who now will say?

WITCHES' KITCHEN

A large caldron hangs over the fire on a low hearth; various figures appear in the vapor rising from it. A FEMALE MONKEY sits beside the caldron to skim it, and watch that it does not boil over. The MALE MONKEY _with the young ones is seated near, warming himself. The walls and ceiling are adorned with the strangest articles of witch-furniture.

FAUST, MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

This senseless, juggling witchcraft I detest!Dost promise that in this foul nestOf madness I shall be restored?Must I seek counsel from an ancient dame?And can she, by these rites abhorred,Take thirty winters from my frame?Woe's me, if thou naught better canst suggest!Hope has already fled my breast.Has neither nature nor a noble mindA balsam yet devis'd of any kind?

MEPHISTOPHELES

My friend, you now speak sensibly. In truth,Nature a method giveth to renew thy youth:But in another book the lesson's writ;—It forms a curious chapter, I admit.

FAUST

I fain would know it.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Good! A remedyWithout physician, gold, or sorcery:Away forthwith, and to the fields repair;Begin to delve, to cultivate the ground;Thy senses and thyself confineWithin the very narrowest round;Support thyself upon the simplest fare;Live like a very brute the brutes among;Neither esteem it robberyThe acre thou dost reap, thyself to dung.This the best method, credit me,Again at eighty to grow hale and young.

FAUST

I am not used to it, nor can myself degradeSo far, as in my hand to take the spade.This narrow life would suit me not at all.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Then we the witch must summon after all.

FAUST

Will none but this old beldame do?Canst not thyself the potion brew?

MEPHISTOPHELES

A pretty play our leisure to beguile!A thousand bridges I could build meanwhile.Not science only and consummate art—Patience must also bear her part.A quiet spirit worketh whole years long;Time only makes the subtle ferment strong.And all things that belong thereto,Are wondrous and exceeding rare!The devil taught her, it is true;But yet the draught the devil can't prepare.

[Perceiving the beasts.]

Look yonder, what a dainty pair!Here is the maid! the knave is there!

(To the beasts)

It seems your dame is not at home?

THE MONKEYS

Gone to carouse,Out of the house,Thro' the chimney and away!

MEPHISTOPHELES

How long is it her wont to roam?

THE MONKEYS

While we can warm our paws she'll stay.

MEPHISTOPHELES (to FAUST)

What think you of the charming creatures?

FAUST

I loathe alike their form and features!

MEPHISTOPHELES

Nay, such discourse, be it confessed,Is just the thing that pleases me the best.

(To the MONKEYS)

Tell me, ye whelps, accursed crew!What stir ye in the broth about?

MONKEYS

Coarse beggar's gruel here we stew.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Of customers you'll have a rout.

THE HE-MONKEY (approaching and fawning on MEPHISTOPHELES)

Quick! quick! throw the dice,Make me rich in a trice,Oh give me the prize!Alas, for myself,Had I plenty of pelf,I then should be wise.

MEPHISTOPHELES

How blest the ape would think himself, if heCould only put into the lottery!

[In the meantime the young MONKEYS have been playing with a large globe, which they roll forward.]

THE HE-MONKEY

The world behold;Unceasingly roll'd,It riseth and falleth ever;It ringeth like glass!How brittle, alas!'Tis hollow, and resteth never.How bright the sphere,Still brighter here!Now living am I!Dear son, beware!Nor venture there!Thou too must die!It is of clay;'Twill crumble away;There fragments lie.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Of what use is the sieve

THE HE-MONKEY (taking it down)

The sieve would show, If thou wert a thief or no? [He runs to the SHE-MONKEY, and makes her look through it.]

Look through the sieve!Dost know him the thief,And dar'st thou not call him so?

MEPHISTOPHELES (approaching the fire)

And then this pot?

THE MONKEYS

The half-witted sot!He knows not the pot!He knows not the kettle!

MEPHISTOPHELES

Unmannerly beast!Be civil at least!

THE HE-MONKEY

Take the whisk and sit down in the settle!

[He makes MEPHISTOPHELES sit down.]

FAUST (who all this time has been standing before a looking-glass, now approaching, and now retiring front it)

What do I see? What form, whose charms transcendThe loveliness of earth, is mirror'd here!O Love, to waft me to her sphere,To me the swiftest of thy pinions lend!Alas! If I remain not rooted to this place,If to approach more near I'm fondly lur'd,Her image fades, in veiling mist obscur'd!—Model of beauty both in form and face!Is't possible? Hath woman charms so rare?In this recumbent form, supremely fair,The essence must I see of heavenly grace?Can aught so exquisite on earth be found?

MEPHISTOPHELES

The six days' labor of a god, my friend,Who doth himself cry bravo, at the end,By something clever doubtless should be crown'd.For this time gaze your fill, and when you pleasejust such a prize for you I can provide;How blest is he to whom kind fate decrees,To take her to his home, a lovely bride!

[FAUST continues to gaze into the mirror.]

MEPHISTOPHELES [stretching himself on the settle and playing with the whisk, continues to speak.]

Here sit I, like a king upon his throne;My sceptre this;—the crown I want alone.

THE MONKEYS (who have hitherto been making all sorts of strange gestures, bring MEPHISTOPHELES _a crown, with loud cries)

Oh, be so good,With sweat and with bloodThe crown to lime!

[They handle the crown awkwardly and break it in two pieces, with which they skip about.]

'Twas fate's decree!We speak and see!We hear and rhyme.

FAUST (before the mirror)

Woe's me! well-nigh distraught I feel!

MEPHISTOPHELES (pointing to the beasts)

And even my own head almost begins to reel.

THE MONKEYS

If good luck attend,If fitly things blend,Our jargon with thoughtAnd with reason is fraught!

FAUST (as above)

A flame is kindled in my breast!Let us begone! nor linger here!

MEPHISTOPHELES (in the same position)

It now at least must be confessed,That poets sometimes are sincere.

[The caldron which the SHE-MONKEY has neglected begins to boil over; a great flame arises, which streams up the chimney. The WITCH comes down the chimney with horrible cries.]

THE WITCH

Ough! ough! ough! ough!Accursed brute! accursed sow!The caldron dost neglect, for shame!Accursed brute to scorch the dame!

(Perceiving FAUST and MEPHISTOPHELES._)

Whom have we here?Who's sneaking here?Whence are ye come?With what desire?The plague of fireYour bones consume!

[She dips the skimming-ladle into the caldron and throws flames at FAUST, MEPHISTOPHELES, and the MONKEYS. The MONKEYS whimper.]

MEPHISTOPHELES (twirling the whisk which he holds in his hand, and striking among the glasses and pots)

Dash! Smash!There lies the glass!There lies the slime!'Tis but a jest;I but keep time,Thou hellish pest,To thine own chime!

[While the WITCH steps back in rage and astonishment.]

Dost know me! Skeleton! Vile scarecrow, thou!Thy lord and master dost thou know?What holds me, that I deal not nowThee and thine apes a stunning blow?No more respect to my red vest dost pay?Does my cock's feather no allegiance claim?Have I my visage masked today?Must I be forced myself to name?

THE WITCH

Master, forgive this rude salute!But I perceive no cloven foot.And your two ravens, where are they?

MEPHISTOPHELES

This once I must admit your plea;—For truly I must own that weEach other have not seen for many a day.The culture, too, that shapes the world, at lastHath e'en the devil in its sphere embraced;The northern phantom from the scene hath pass'd;Tail, talons, horns, are nowhere to be traced!As for the foot, with which I can't dispense,'Twould injure me in company, and hence,Like many a youthful cavalier,False calves I now have worn for many a year.

THE WITCH (dancing)

I am beside myself with joy,To see once more the gallant Satan here!

MEPHISTOPHELES

Woman, no more that name employ!

THE WITCH

But why? what mischief hath it done?

MEPHISTOPHELES

To fable-books it now doth appertain;But people from the change have nothing won.Rid of the evil one, the evil ones remain.Lord Baron call thou me, so is the matter good;Of other cavaliers the mien I wear.Dost make no question of my gentle blood;See here, this is the scutcheon that I bear!

[He makes an unseemly gesture.]

THE WITCH (laughing immoderately)

Ha! Ha! Just like yourself! You are, I ween,The same mad wag that you have ever been!

MEPHISTOPHELES (to FAUST)

My friend, learn this to understand, I pray!To deal with witches this is still the way.

THE WITCH

Now tell me, gentlemen, what you desire?

MEPHISTOPHELES

Of your known juice a goblet we require.But for the very oldest let me ask;Double its strength with years doth grow.

THE WITCH

Most willingly! And here I have a flask,From which I've sipp'd myself ere now;What's more, it doth no longer stink;To you a glass I joyfully will give.

(Aside.)

If unprepar'd, however, this man drink,He hath not, as you know, an hour to live.

MEPHISTOPHELES

He's my good friend, with whom 'twill prosper well;I grudge him not the choicest of thy store.Now draw thy circle, speak thy spell,And straight a bumper for him pour!

[The WITCH, with extraordinary gestures, describes a circle, and places strange things within it. The glasses meanwhile begin to ring, and the caldron to sound and make music. Lastly, she brings a great book; places the MONKEYS in the circle to serve her as a desk, and to hold the torches. She beckons FAUST to approach.]