The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Volume I Part 59

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 cl.u.s.t'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.