The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Volume I Part 55

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, bleat A 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 fas.h.i.+on is my song!

Strike boldly in the chorus, clear and strong!

(_He sings_)

Once in a cellar lived a rat, He feasted there on b.u.t.ter, 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 strew A 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 found Depicted in the swollen creature.

FAUST AND MEPHISTOPHELES

MEPHISTOPHELES

I now must introduce to you Before 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 here An hour.

FROSCH

You're right! Leipzig's the place for me!

'Tis quite a little Paris; people there Acquire a certain easy, finish'd air.

SIEBEL

What take you now these travelers to be?

FROSCH

Let me alone! O'er a full gla.s.s you'll see, As easily I'll worm their secret out As draw an infant's tooth. I've not a doubt That my two gentlemen are n.o.bly born; They look dissatisfied and full of scorn.

BRANDER

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

ALTMAYER

Most like.

FROSCH