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    "endpoint": "/api/sources/goethe-works/faust/faust-i/08-scene-5-auerbachs-cellar.json"
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  "work": {
    "slug": "faust-i",
    "name": "Faust I (1808)"
  },
  "parents": [
    {
      "slug": "goethe-works",
      "name": "Works of Goethe",
      "url": "/sources/goethe-works/"
    },
    {
      "slug": "faust",
      "name": "Faust (Parts I and II)",
      "url": "/sources/faust/"
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  ],
  "chapter": {
    "num": 8,
    "slug": "08-scene-5-auerbachs-cellar",
    "title": "Scene V — Auerbach's Cellar",
    "of": 28,
    "words": 2397,
    "text": "FRoscu.\nS no one laughing? no one drinking?\nI'll teach you how to grin, I'm thinking.\nTo-day you 're like wet'straw, so tame;\nAnd usually you 're all aflame.\nBRANDER.\nNow that's your fault; from you we nothing see,\nNo beastliness and no stupidity.\nFRoscuH.\n\n(Pours a glass of wine over Brander's head.)\n\nThere 's both together !\n\nBRANDER.\n\nTwice a swine!\n\nScene V. 117\n\nFroscu.\n\nYou wanted them: I've given you mine.\n\nSIEBEL.\n\nTurn out who quarrels — out the door!\nWith open throat sing chorus, drink and roar |!\nUp! holla! ho!\n\nALTMAYER.\n\nWoe's me, the fearful bellow!\nBring cotton, quick! He's split my ears, that fellow.\n\nSIEBEL. |\n\nWhen the vault echoes to the song,\n\nOne first perceives the bass is deep and strong.\n\nFroscuH.\n\nWell said! aid out with him that takes the least offence!\nAh, tara, lara, da!\n\nALTMAYER. ;\n\nAh, tara, lara, da!\n\nFRroscu.\n\nThe throats are tuned, commence!\n\n118 Faust.\n\n( Sings.)\nThe dear old holy Roman realm,\nHow does it hold together ?\n\n.BRANDER.\n\nA nasty song! Fie! a political song 74 —\n\nA most offensive song! Thank God, each morning, there-\nfore,\n\nThat you have not the Roman realm to care for!\n\nAt least, I hold it so much gain for me,\n\nThat I nor Chancellor nor Kaiser be.\n\nYet also we must have a ruling head, I hope,\n\nAnd so we'll choose ourselves a Pope.\n\nYou know the quality that can\n\nDecide the choice, and elevate the man.\n\nFroscu (sings).\nSoar up, soar up, Dame Nightingale 175\n\nTen thousand times my sweetheart hail! |\n\nSIEBEL.\n\nNo, greet my sweetheart not! I tell you, I'll resent it.\n\nFRoscH.\n\nMy sweetheart greet and kiss! I dare you to prevent it!\n\nScene V. 119\n\n( Sings.)\nDraw the latch! the darkness makes:\nDraw the latch! the lover wakes.\nShut the latch! the morning breaks.\n\nSIEBEL.\nYes, sing away, sing on, and praise, and brag of her!\nI 71] wait my proper time for laughter :\nMe by the nose she led, and now she 'll lead you after.\nHer paramour should be an ugly gnome,\nWhere four roads cross, in wanton play to meet her:\nAn old he-goat, from Blocksberg coming home,\nShould his good-night in lustful gallop bleat her!\nA fellow made of genuine flesh and blood\nIs for the wench a deal too good.\nGreet her? Not I: unless, when meeting,\n\nTo smash her windows be a greeting !\n\nBRANDER ( pounding on the table).\n\nAttention! Hearken now to me!\n\nConfess, Sirs, I know how to live.\n\nEnamored persons here have we,\n\nAnd I, as suits their quality,\n\nMust something fresh for their advantage give.\n\n120 Faust.\n\nTake heed! 'T is of the latest cut, my strain,\n\nAnd all strike in at each refrain!\n(He sings.)\n\nThere was a rat in the cellar-nest,7®\nWhom fat and butter made smoother:\nHe had a paunch beneath his vest\nLike that of Doctor Luther.\n\nThe cook laid poison cunningly,\n\nAnd then as sore oppressed was he\n\nAs if he had love in his bosom.\n\nCuorus (shouting).\n\nAs if he had love in his bosom !\n\nBRANDER.\n\nHe ran around, he ran about,\n\nHis thirst in puddles laving ;\n\nHe gnawed and scratched the house throughout,\nBut nothing cured his raving.\n\nHe whirled and jumped, with torment mad,\nAnd soon enough the poor beast had,\n\nAs if he had love in his bosom.\n\nScene V. I2]\n\nCHORUS.\n\nAs if he had love in his bosom!\n\nBRANDER.\nAnd driven at last, in open day,\nHe ran into the kitchen,\nFell on the hearth, and squirming lay,\nIn the last convulsion twitching.\nThen laughed the murderess in her glee:\n\"Ha! ha! he's at his last gasp,\" said she,\n\n\"As if he had love in his bosom!\"\n\nCHorRws.\n\nAs if he had love in his bosom!\n\nSIEBEL.\nHow the dull fools enjoy the matter !\nTo me it 1s a proper art\n\nPoison for such poor rats to scatter.\n\nBRANDER.\n\nPerhaps you 'll warmly take their part?\n\nALTMAYER. °*\nThe bald-pate pot-belly I 'have noted :\n\nMisfortune tames him by degrees ;\n\n122 Faust.\n\nFor in the rat by poison bloated\n\nHis own most natural form he sees.\nFaust AND MEPHISTOPHELES.\n\nMEPHISTOPHELES.\n\nBefore all else, I bring thee hither\n\nWhere boon companions meet together,\nTo let thee see how smooth life runs away.\nHere, for the folk, each day 's a holiday :\nWith little wit, and ease to suit them,\nThey whirl in narrow, circling trails,\n\nLike kittens playing with their tails ;\n\nAnd if no headache persecute them,\n\nSo long the host may credit give,\n\nThey merrily and careless live.\n\nBRANDER.\n\nThe fact is easy to unravel,\nTheir air 's so odd, they 've just returned from travel :\n\nA single hour they 've not been here.\n\nFRoscH.\n\nYou 've verily hit the truth! Leipzig to me 1s dear:\n\nParis in miniature, how it refines its people! 77\n\nScene V. 123\n\nSIEBEL.\n\nWho are the strangers, should you guess?\n\nFRroscu.\n\nLet me alone! Ill set them first to drinking,\n\nAnd then, as one a child's tooth draws, with cleverness,\nIll worm their secret out, I'm thinking.\n\nThey 're of a noble house, that 's very clear:\n\nHaughty and discontented they appear.\n\nBRANDER.\n\nThey 're mountebanks, upon a revel.\n\nALTMAYER.\n\nPerhaps.\nFRoscu.\n\nLook out, Ill smoke them now!\n\nMEPHISTOPHELES (fo Faust).\n\nNot if he had them by the neck, I vow,\nWould e'er these people scent the Devil!\n\nFaust.\n\nFair greeting, gentlemen !\n\n124 Faust.\n\nSIEBEL.\n\nOur thanks: we give the same.\n(Murmurs, inspecting MEPHISTOPHELES from the side.)\nIn one foot is the fellow lame?\n\nMEPHISTOPHELES.\n\nIs it permitted that we share your leisure?\nIn place of cheering drink, which one seeks vainly here,\n\nYour company shall give us pleasure.\n\nALTMAYER.\n\nA most fastidious person you appear.\n\nFroscuH.\n\nNo doubt 't was late when you from Rippach started ? 78\nAnd supping there with Hans occasioned your delay ?\n\nMEPHISTOPHELES.\nWe passed, without a call, to-day.\nAt our last interview, before we parted\nMuch of his cousins did he speak, entreating\nThat we should give to each his kindly greeting.\n\n(He bows to Froscu.)\n\nScene V. 125\n\nALTMAYER (aside).\nYou have it now! he understands.\n\nSIEBEL.\nA knave sharp-set !\n\nFroscu.\n\nJust wait awhile: I'll have him yet.\n\nMEPHISTOPHELES.\n\nIf I am right, we heard the sound\nOf well-trained voices, singing chorus ;\nAnd truly, song must here rebound\n\nSuperbly from the arches o'er us.\n\nFRoscuH.\n\nAre you, perhaps, a virtuoso?\n\nMEPHISTOPHELES.\n\nO no! my wish is great, my power is only so-so.\n\nALTMAYER.,\nGive us a song !\nMEPHISTOPHELES.\n\nIf you desire, a number.\n\n126 Faust.\n\nSIEBEL.\n\nSo that it be a bran-new strain !\n\nMEPHISTOPHELES.\n\nWe 've just retraced our way from Spain,\n\nThe lovely land of wine, and song, and slumber.\n\n( Sings.)\nThere was a king once reigning,79\n\nWho had a big black flea —\n\nFROSCH.\n\nHear, hear! A flea! D' ye rightly take the jest?\nI call a flea a tidy guest.\n\nMEPHISTOPHELES (sings).\n\nThere was a king once reigning,\nWho had a big black flea,\n\nAnd loved him past explaining,\n\nAs his own son were he.\n\nHe called his man of stitches;\nThe tailor came straightway :\nHere, measure the lad for breeches,\n\nAnd measure his coat, I say !\n\nScene V. 127\n\nBRANDER.\n\nBut mind, allow the tailor no caprices :\nEnjoin upon him, as his head is dear,\nTo most exactly measure, sew and shear,\n\nSo that the breeches have no creases !\n\nMEPHISTOPHELES.\n\nIn.silk and velvet gleaming\n\nHe now was wholly drest —\n\nHad a coat with ribbons streaming,\nA cross upon his breast.\n\nHe had the first of stations,\n\nA minister's star and name;\n\nAnd also all his relations\n\nGreat lords at court became.\n\nAnd the lords and ladies of honor\nWere plagued, awake and in bed;\nThe queen she got them upon her,\nThe maids werc bitten and bled.\n\nAnd they did not dare to brush them,\nOr scratch them, day or night:\n\nWe crack them and we crush them,\n\nAt once, whene'er they bite.\n\n128 Faust.\n\nCuorus (shouting).\n\nWe crack them and we crush them,\n\nAt once, whene'er they bite!\n\nFRroscH.\n\nBravo! bravo! that was fine.\n\nSIEBEL.\n\nEvery flea may it so befall!\n\nBRANDER.\n\nPoint your fingers and nip them all!\n\nALTMAYER.\n\nHurrah for Freedom! Hurrah for wine! -\n\nMEPHISTOPHELES.\nI fain would drink with you, my glass to Freedom clink-\ning,\n\nIf 't were a better wine that here I see you drinking.\n\nSIEBEL.\n\nDon't let us hear that speech again !\n\nScene V. 129\n\nMEPHISTOPHELES.\n\nDid I not fear the landlord might complain,\nId treat these worthy guests, with pleasure,\n\nTo some from out our cellar's treasure.\n\nSIEBEL.\n\nJust treat, and let the landlord me arraign !\n\nFroscu.\n\nAnd if the wine be good, our praises shall be ample.\nBut do not give too very small a sample;\n\nFor, if its quality I decide,\n\nWith a good mouthful I must be supplied.\n\nALTMAYER (aside).\n\nThey 're from the Rhine! I guessed as much, before.\n\nMEPHISTOPHELES.\n\nBring me a gimlet here!\n\nBRANDER.\nWhat shall therewith be done?\n\nYou 've riot the casks already at the door?\n\n130 faust.\n\nALTMAYER.\n\nYonder, within the landlord's box of tools, there 's one!\n\nMEPHISTOPHELES (¢akes the gimlet).\n(To Froscu.)\n\nNow, give me of your taste some intimation?\n\nFRoscH.\n\nHow do you mean? Have you so many kinds?\n\nMEPHISTOPHELES.\n\nThe choice is free: make up your minds.\n\nALTMAYER (fo FroscH).\n\nAha! you lick your chops, from sheer anticipation.\n\nFRroscuH.\n\nGood! if I have the choice, so let the wine be Rhenisa!\nOur Fatherland can best the sparkling cup replenish.\n\nMEPHISTOPHELES\n(doring a hole in the edge of the table, at the place where FRoscu\nsits).\n\nGet me a little wax, to make the stoppers, quick !\n\nScene V. 13 I\n\nALTMAYER.\n\nAh! I perceive a juggler's trick.\n\nMEPHISTOPHELES (fo BRANDER).\n\nAnd you?\n\nBRANDER.\n\nChampagne shall be my wine,\nAnd let it sparkle fresh and fine!\n\n| MEPHISTOPHELES\n\n(ores: in the mean time one has made the wax stoppers, and plugged\n\nthe holes with them).\n\nBRANDER.\n\nWhat 's foreign one can't always keep quite clear of,\nFor good things, oft, are not so near;\nA German can't endure the French to see or hear of,°®°\n\nYet drinks their wines with hearty cheer.\n\nSIEBEL\n(as MEPHISTOPHELES approaches his seat).\n\nFor me, I grant, sour wine is out of place;\n\nFill up my glass with sweetest, will you?\n\n132 Faust.\n\nMEPHISTOPHELES (Jdoring).\n\nTokay shall flow at once, to fill you!\n\nALTMAYER.\n\nNo — look me, Sirs, straight in the face!\n\nI see you have your fun at our expense.\n\nMEPHISTOPHELES.\n\nO no! with gentlemen of such pretence,\n\nThat were to venture far, indeed.\n\nSpeak out, and make your choice with speed !\n\nWith what a vintage can I serve you?\n\nALTMAYER.\n\nWith any — only satisfy our need.\n\n(After the holes have been bored and plugged.)\n\nMEPHISTOPHELES\n(with singular gestures).\n\nGrapes the vine-stem bears,\n\nHorns the he-goat wears!\n\nThe grapes are juicy, the vines are wood,\n\nThe wooden table gives wine as good!\n\nScene V. 133\n\nInto the depths of Nature peer, —\n\nOnly believe, there 's a miracle here!\nNow draw the stoppers, and drink your fill! *\n\nALL\n\n(as they draw out the stoppers, and the wine which has been desired\n\nflows into the glass of each).\n\nO beautiful fountain, that flows at will!\nM EPHISTOPHELES.\nBut have a care, that you nothing spill!\n(They drink repeatedly.)\n- ALL (sing).\n\nAs 't were five hundred hogs, we feel\n\nSo cannibalic jolly!\n\nMeEPHISTOPHELES.\n\nSee, now, the race is happy — it 1s free!\n\nFaust.\n\nTo leave them is my inclination.\n\n134 Faust.\n\nMeEPHISTOPHELES.\n\nTake notice, first! their bestiality\n\nWill make a brilliant demonstration.\n\nSIEBEL\n(drinks carelessly: the wine spills upon the earth, and turns to flanie).\n\nHelp! Fire! Help! Hell-fire is sent!\n\nMEPHISTOPHELES\n(charming away the flame).\nBe quiet, friendly element!\n(To the revellers.)\n\nA bit of purgatory 't was for this time, merely.\n\nSIEBEL.\n\nWhat mean you? Wait!— you'll pay for 't dearly!\n\nYou 'Il know us, to your detriment.\n\nFRoscu.\n\nDon't try that game a second time upon us!\n\nALTMAYER.\n\nI think we'd better send him packing quietly.\n\nScene V.\n\nSIEBEL.\n\nWhat, Sir! you dare to make so free,\n\nAnd play your hocus-pocus on us!\n\nMEPHISTOPHELES.\n\nBe still, old wine-tub.\n\nSIEBEL.\nBroomstick, you!\n\nYou face it out, impertinent and heady?\n\nBRANDER.\n\nJust wait! a shower of blows is ready. |\n\nALTMAYER\n\n(draws a stopper out of the table: fire flies in his face).\n\nI burn! I burn!\n\nSIEBEL.\n\nT is magic! Strike —\n\nThe nave is outlawed! Cut him as you like!\n\n(They draw their knives, and rush upon MEPHISTOPHELES. )\n\nMEPHISTOPHELES\n(with solemn gestures).\n\nFalse word and form of air,\n\n136 faust.\n\nChange place, and sense ensnare! *\n\nBe here — and there!\n\n(They stand amazed and look at each other.)\n\nALTMAYER.\n\nWhere am I? What a lovely land!\n\nFroscu.\n\nVines? Can I trust my eyes?\n\nSIEBEL.\n\nAnd purple grapes at hand! |\n\nBRANDER.\n\nHere, over this green arbor bending,\n\nSee, what a vine! what grapes depending !\n\n(He takes S1eBEL by the nose: the others do the same reciprocally,\n\nand raise their knives.)\n\nMEPHISTOPHELES (as above).\n\nLoose, Error, from their eyes the band,\n\nAnd how the Devil jests, be now enlightened !\n\n(He disappears with Faust: the revellers start and separate.)\n\n—_ = = ee Oe\n\nScene V. 137\n\nSIEBEL.\n\nWhat happened?\n\nALTMAYER,\n\nHow?\n\nFROSCH.\n\nWas that your nose I tightened?\n\nBRANDER (fo SIEBEL).\n\nAnd yours that still I have in hand?\n\nALTMAYER.\n\nIt was a blow that went through every limb!\n\nGive mea chair! I sink! my senses swim.\n\nFRroscuH.\n\nBut what has happened, tell me now?\n\nSIEBEL.\n\nWhere is he? If I catch the scoundrel hiding,\n\nHe shall not leave alive, I vow.\n\nALTMAYER.\n\nI saw him with these eyes upon a wine-cask riding\n\n138 faust.\n\nOut of the cellar-door, just now.\n\nStill in my feet the fright like lead is weighing.\n(He turns towards the table.)\n\nWhy! If the fount of wine should still be playing?\n\n@\nSIEBEL.\n\n\"T was all deceit, and lying, false design !\n\nFroscu.\n\nAnd yet it seemed as I were drinking wine.\n\nBRANDER.\n\nBut with the grapes how was it, pray?\n\nALTMAYER.\n\nShall one believe no miracles, just say !\n\nScene VI. 139\n\nVI.\nWITCHES' KITCHEN.33",
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