Faust Part 22

Ah! I perceive a juggler's trick.

MEPHISTOPHELES (to BRANDER)

And you?

BRANDER

Champagne shall be my wine, And let it sparkle fresh and fine!

 

MEPHISTOPHELES

(bores: in the meantime one has made the wax stoppers, and plugged the holes with them.)

BRANDER

What's foreign one can't always keep quite clear of, For good things, oft, are not so near; A German can't endure the French to see or hear of, Yet drinks their wines with hearty cheer.

SIEBEL

(as MEPHISTOPHELES approaches his seat) For me, I grant, sour wine is out of place; Fill up my gla.s.s with sweetest, will you?

MEPHISTOPHELES (boring)

Tokay shall flow at once, to fill you!

ALTMAYER

No-look me, Sirs, straight in the face!

I see you have your fun at our expense.

MEPHISTOPHELES

O no! with gentlemen of such pretence, That were to venture far, indeed.

Speak out, and make your choice with speed! With what a vintage can I serve you?

ALTMAYER

With any-only satisfy our need.

(After the holes have been bored and plugged)

MEPHISTOPHELES (with singular gestures)

Grapes the vine-stem bears, Horns the he-goat wears!

The grapes are juicy, the vines are wood, The wooden table gives wine as good!

Into the depths of Nature peer,- Only believe there's a miracle here!

Now draw the stoppers, and drink your fill!

ALL

(as they draw out the stoppers, and the wine which has been desired flows into the gla.s.s of each)

O beautiful fountain, that flows at will!

MEPHISTOPHELES

But have a care that you nothing spill!

(They drink repeatedly.)

ALL (sing)

As 'twere five hundred hogs, we feel So cannibalic jolly!

MEPHISTOPHELES

See, now, the race is happy-it is free!

FAUST

To leave them is my inclination.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Take notice, first! their b.e.s.t.i.a.lity Will make a brilliant demonstration.

SIEBEL

(drinks carelessly: the wine spills upon the earth, and turns to flame)

Help! Fire! Help! h.e.l.l-fire is sent!

MEPHISTOPHELES (charming away the flame)

Be quiet, friendly element!

(To the revellers)

A bit of purgatory 'twas for this time, merely.

SIEBEL

What mean you? Wait!-you'll pay for't dearly!

You'll know us, to your detriment.

FROSCH

Don't try that game a second time upon us!