The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Volume I Part 85

Adam's first wife. Of her rich locks beware!

That charm in which she's parallel'd by few, When in its toils a youth she doth ensnare He will not soon escape, I promise you.

FAUST

There sit a pair, the old one with the young; Already they have bravely danced and sprung!

MEPHISTOPHELES

Here there is no repose today.

Another dance begins; we'll join it, come away!

FAUST (_dancing with the young one_)

Once a fair vision came to me; Therein I saw an apple-tree, Two beauteous apples charmed mine eyes; I climb'd forthwith to reach the prize.

THE FAIR ONE

Apples still fondly ye desire, From paradise it hath been so.

Feelings of joy my breast inspire That such too in my garden grow.

MEPHISTOPHELES (_with the old one_)

Once a weird vision came to me; Therein I saw a rifted tree.

It had a.....; But as it was it pleased me too.

THE OLD ONE

I beg most humbly to salute The gallant with the cloven foot!

Let him ... have ready here, If he a ... does not fear.

PROCTOPHANTASMIST

Accursed mob! How dare ye thus to meet?

Have I not shown and demonstrated too, That ghosts stand not on ordinary feet?

Yet here ye dance, as other mortals do!

THE FAIR ONE (_dancing_)

Then at our ball, what doth he here?

FAUST (_dancing_)

Oh! He must everywhere appear.

He must adjudge, when others dance; If on each step his say's not said, So is that step as good as never made.

He's most annoyed, so soon as we advance; If ye would circle in one narrow round.

As he in his old mill, then doubtless he Your dancing would approve,--especially If ye forthwith salute him with respect profound!

PROCTOPHANTASMIST

Still here! what arrogance! unheard of quite!

Vanish; we now have fill'd the world with light!

Laws are unheeded by the devil's host; Wise as we are, yet Tegel hath its ghost!

How long at this conceit I've swept with all my might, Lost is the labor: 'tis unheard of quite!

THE FAIR ONE

Cease here to tease us any more, I pray.

PROCTOPHANTASMIST

Spirits, I plainly to your face declare: No spiritual control myself will bear, Since my own spirit can exert no sway.

[_The dancing continues._]

Tonight, I see, I shall in naught succeed; But I'm prepar'd my travels to pursue, And hope, before my final step indeed, To triumph over bards and devils too.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Now in some puddle will he take his station, Such is his mode of seeking consolation; Where leeches, feasting on his rump, will drain Spirits alike and spirit from his brain.

(_To_ FAUST, _who has left the dance_)

But why the charming damsel leave, I pray, Who to you in the dance so sweetly sang?

FAUST

Ah! in the very middle of her lay, Out of her mouth a small red mouse there sprang.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Suppose there did! One must not be too nice.

'Twas well it was not gray, let that suffice.

Who 'mid his pleasures for a trifle cares?

FAUST

Then saw I--

MEPHISTOPHELES

What?

FAUST

Mephisto, seest thou there Standing far off, a lone child, pale and fair!

Slow from the spot her drooping form she tears, And seems with shackled feet to move along; I own, within me the delusion's strong, That she the likeness of my Gretchen wears.

MEPHISTOPHELES