Faust Part 7

II

BEFORE THE CITY-GATE

(Pedestrians of all kinds come forth.)

SEVERAL APPRENTICES

Why do you go that way?

OTHERS

We're for the Hunters' lodge, to-day.

THE FIRST

We'll saunter to the Mill, in yonder hollow.

AN APPRENTICE

Go to the River Tavern, I should say.

SECOND APPRENTICE

But then, it's not a pleasant way.

THE OTHERS

And what will you?

A THIRD

As goes the crowd, I follow.

A FOURTH

Come up to Burgdorf? There you'll find good cheer, The finest la.s.ses and the best of beer, And jolly rows and squabbles, trust me!

A FIFTH

You swaggering fellow, is your hide A third time itching to be tried?

I won't go there, your jolly rows disgust me!

SERVANT-GIRL

No,-no! I'll turn and go to town again.

ANOTHER

We'll surely find him by those poplars yonder.

THE FIRST

That's no great luck for me, 'tis plain.

You'll have him, when and where you wander: His partner in the dance you'll be,- But what is all your fun to me?

THE OTHER

He's surely not alone to-day: He'll be with Curly-head, I heard him say.

A STUDENT

Deuce! how they step, the buxom wenches!

Come, Brother! we must see them to the benches.

A strong, old beer, a pipe that stings and bites, A girl in Sunday clothes,-these three are my delights.

CITIZEN'S DAUGHTER

Just see those handsome fellows, there!

It's really shameful, I declare;- To follow servant-girls, when they Might have the most genteel society to-day!

SECOND STUDENT (to the First)

Not quite so fast! Two others come behind,- Those, dressed so prettily and neatly.

My neighbor's one of them, I find, A girl that takes my heart, completely.

They go their way with looks demure, But they'll accept us, after all, I'm sure.

THE FIRST

No, Brother! not for me their formal ways.

Quick! lest our game escape us in the press: The hand that wields the broom on Sat.u.r.days Will best, on Sundays, fondle and caress.

CITIZEN

He suits me not at all, our new-made Burgomaster!

Since he's installed, his arrogance grows faster.

How has he helped the town, I say?

Things worsen,-what improvement names he?

Obedience, more than ever, claims he, And more than ever we must pay!

BEGGAR (sings)

Good gentlemen and lovely ladies, So red of cheek and fine of dress, Behold, how needful here your aid is, And see and lighten my distress!

Let me not vainly sing my ditty; He's only glad who gives away: A holiday, that shows your pity, Shall be for me a harvest-day!

ANOTHER CITIZEN

On Sundays, holidays, there's naught I take delight in, Like gossiping of war, and war's array, When down in Turkey, far away, The foreign people are a-fighting.

One at the window sits, with gla.s.s and friends, And sees all sorts of s.h.i.+ps go down the river gliding: And blesses then, as home he wends At night, our times of peace abiding.

THIRD CITIZEN