Western European stream·Works of Goethe·Faust (Parts I and II)·Faust I (1808)·Scene VII — A Street

Source context

Theme

Faust's first encounter with Gretchen — erotic compulsion as the soul's descent into sensory entanglement

Soul-faculty

Sentient Soul

Steiner

not engaged in the GA corpus

Cross-tradition

• Platonic eros (Phaedrus)Plato's account of eros as a divine madness that can either degrade the soul into appetite or, rightly disciplined, lift it toward the Forms provides a structural parallel to Faust's street-corner compulsion, which in Goethe's dramatic arc remains unredeemed at this moment.
• Sufi maqam doctrineIn Sufi station-psychology, nafs al-ammara designates the commanding lower self that drives the seeker toward unreflective desire before purification begins — a cross-tradition congruence with Faust's immediate, unexamined demand that Mephistopheles procure Gretchen.

Faust.

AIR lady, let it not offend you,

That arm and escort I would lend you!

M ARGARET.93

I'm neither lady, neither fair,

And home I can go without your care.

[She releases herself, and exit.

Faust.

By Heaven, the girl is wondrous fair ! Of all I've seen, beyond compare;

So sweetly virtuous and pure,

snd yet a little pert, be sure!

The lip so red, the cheek's clear dawn, Il] not forget while the world rolls on!

Scene VII. 159

How she cast down her timid eyes, Deep in my heart imprinted lies: How short and sharp of speech was she,*

Why, 't was a real ecstasy ! (MEPHISTOPHELES enters.)

Faust. Hear, of that girl I'd have possession!

MEPHISTOPHELES.

Which, then?

Faust.

The one who just went by.

MEPHISTOPHELES.

She, there? She's coming from confession, Of every sin absolved; for I,

Behind her chair, was listening nigh.

So innocent is she, indeed,

That to confess she had no need.

I have no power o'er souls so green.

Faust.

And yet, she's older than fourteen.

160Faust.
MEPHISTOPHELES. How now! You're talking like Jack Rake, Who every flower for himself would take, And fancies there are no favors more, Nor honors, save for him in store; Yet always does n't the thing succeed. Faust. Most Worthy Pedagogue, take heed ! 95 Let not a word of moral law be spoken! I claim, I tell thee, all my right; And if that image of delight Rest not within mine arms to-night, At midnight is our compact broken. MEPHISTOPHELES. But think, the chances of the case! I need, at least, a fortnight's space, To find an opportune occasion. Faust. Had I but seven hours for all, I should not on the Devil call, But win her by my own persuasion. Scene VI. 161 MEPHISTOPHELES. You almost like a Frenchman prate; Yet, pray, don't take it as annoyance ! Why, all at once, exhaust the joyance? Your bliss is by no means so great As if you'd use, to get control, All sorts of tender rigmarole, And knead and shape her to your thought, As in Italian tales 't is taught.% Faust. Without that, I have appetite. MEPHISTOPHELES. But now, leave jesting out of sight! I tell you, once for all, that speed With this fair girl will not succeed : By storm she cannot captured be; We must make use of strategy. Faust. Get me something the angel keeps! Lead me thither where she sleeps!

162— Faust.
Get me a kerchief from her breast, — A garter that her knee has pressed ! MEPHISTOPHELES. That you may see how much I'd fain Further and satisfy your pain, We will no longer lose a minute ; I'll find her room to-day, and take you in it. Faust. And shall I see — possess her? MEPHISTOPHELES. No! Unto a neighbor she must go, And meanwhile thou, alone, mayst glow With every hope of future pleasure, Breathing her atmosphere in fullest measure. Faust. Can we go thither? MEPHISTOPHELES. 'T is too early yet. Scene VII 163 Faust. A gift for her I bid thee get! [ Exit. MEPHISTOPHELES. Presents at once? That's good: he's certain to get at her! Full many a pleasant place I know, And treasures, buried long ago: I must, perforce, look up the matter. [ Exit.

164faust.
VIII. EVENING. A SMALL, NEATLY KEPT CHAMBER.

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