Faust Part 52

Fly-snout and mosquito-bill, Don't swarm so round the Naked!

Frog in gra.s.s and cricket-trill, Observe the time, and make it!

WEATHERc.o.c.k (towards one side)

Society to one's desire!

Brides only, and the sweetest!

And bachelors of youth and fire.

And prospects the completest!

WEATHERc.o.c.k (towards the other side)

And if the Earth don't open now To swallow up each ranter, Why, then will I myself, I vow, Jump into h.e.l.l instanter!

XENIES

Us as little insects see!

With sharpest nippers flitting, That our Papa Satan we May honor as is fitting.

HENNINGS

How, in crowds together ma.s.sed, They are jesting, shameless!

They will even say, at last, That their hearts are blameless.

MUSAGETES

Among this witches' revelry His way one gladly loses; And, truly, it would easier be Than to command the Muses.

CI-DEVANT GENIUS OF THE AGE

The proper folks one's talents laud: Come on, and none shall pa.s.s us!

The Blocksberg has a summit broad, Like Germany's Parna.s.sus.

INQUISITIVE TRAVELLER

Say, who's the stiff and pompous man?

He walks with haughty paces: He snuffles all he snuffle can: "He scents the Jesuits' traces."

CRANE

Both clear and muddy streams, for me Are good to fish and sport in: And thus the pious man you see With even devils consorting.

WORLDLING

Yes, for the pious, I suspect, All instruments are fitting; And on the Blocksberg they erect Full many a place of meeting.

DANCER

A newer chorus now succeeds!

I hear the distant drumming.

"Don't be disturbed! 'tis, in the reeds, The bittern's changeless booming."

DANCING-MASTER

How each his legs in nimble trip Lifts up, and makes a clearance!

The crooked jump, the heavy skip, Nor care for the appearance.

GOOD FELLOW

The rabble by such hate are held, To maim and slay delights them: As Orpheus' lyre the brutes compelled, The bagpipe here unites them.

DOGMATIST

I'll not be led by any lure Of doubts or critic-cavils: The Devil must be something, sure,- Or how should there be devils?

IDEALIST

This once, the fancy wrought in me Is really too despotic: Forsooth, if I am all I see, I must be idiotic!

REALIST

This racking fuss on every hand, It gives me great vexation; And, for the first time, here I stand On insecure foundation.

SUPERNATURALIST

With much delight I see the play, And grant to these their merits, Since from the devils I also may Infer the better spirits.

SCEPTIC

The flame they follow, on and on, And think they're near the treasure: But Devil rhymes with Doubt alone, So I am here with pleasure.

LEADER OF THE BAND

Frog in green, and cricket-trill.

Such dilettants!-perdition!

Fly-snout and mosquito-bill,- Each one's a fine musician!

THE ADROIT

Sans souci, we call the clan Of merry creatures so, then; Go a-foot no more we can, And on our heads we go, then.

THE AWKWARD

Once many a bit we sponged, but now, G.o.d help us! that is done with: Our shoes are all danced out, we trow, We've but naked soles to run with.

WILL-O'-THE WISPS

From the marshes we appear, Where we originated; Yet in the ranks, at once, we're here As glittering gallants rated.

SHOOTING-STAR