Mr. Faust Part 22

YOUNG PLUMBER

Let each dog have his day.

OLD PLUMBER

Sit down! Shut up!

YOUNG PLUMBER

Leave me alone!

SATAN

One moment more, I pray, Of your kind patience. Sir, ere you proceed, I have a word to give you. I have heard Tales of your cleverness in foiling twice The Devil who sought to lead you to resign Your will to his. Perhaps it was not well That you so spurned his euthanasia.

By your own devious path, you come at last To where all facts are vain, all visions fade, And your old wager is a laughing-stock, So valueless your will, so vain your power To shape one end of hope. Life crumbles, falls, Around you; and your kind with horror see Your utter nakedness. But I have brought A little present for you: not so nice As two the Devil once offered in its place; Yet 'twill suffice. Men who would cheat the Devil Come, with a curious unanimity, To where the lump of lead becomes a boon Unto the soul rejecting easier sleep.

The Devil claims his own in his own day.

(_He approaches the platform, and offers to Faust a pistol_)

YOUNG STUDENT

What is he saying?

CHILD

Are they going to shoot?

YOUNG PLUMBER

Bang yourself one! That's what it's for.

BUTCHER

Good riddance!

There isn't room on earth for jokes like you!

FAUST (_accepts the pistol_)

In such a spirit as you offer it, I do accept this token. In my hand At least it shall lie safe, nor be a G.o.d: I wors.h.i.+p not the bullet.... But beware What mummer's part you play in this strange scene.

For by the victory I have won of late, I am your master! And in grovelling dust Before me you shall cringe, though all the world Shun me, your conqueror. Vilest of slaves!

Accept your servitude!

BUTCHER

Here! That's enough!

GIRL

You brute!

SATAN

Your slave. Command, and it shall be Fulfilled. A little snarling now and then Means naught.

YOUNG PLUMBER

I will not let an honest man, A worthy citizen, be spoken to Like that by a d.a.m.n anarchist while I Can raise a hand!

BUTCHER

Nor I!

MERCHANT'S WIFE

Go after him!

FAUST

Silence! Let not your eager efforts prove You are the beast-herd he would bid you be!

YOUNG PLUMBER

What! Let us show him how to talk to us!

SATAN

See, on his forehead, see! Where the deep lines Meet--do you see the blackened cross that grows Each moment darker with the curse of G.o.d!

He is branded, he is Cain!

FAUST

Down, slave! Fulfil Now my command, you who my bondsman are!

Seal on these eyes--too blind to take the light-- Darkness! And let me, turning from them, know They have not peered into my open heart.

You are still my slave--though they are only fools.

YOUNG PLUMBER

d.a.m.n your infernal soul!

BUTCHER

Hit him a crack!

OLD WOMAN

Stop all your noise.

BUTCHER