Western European stream·Works of Goethe·Faust (Parts I and II)·Faust II (1832)·Act I — Pleasure-Garden (Paper Money)

Source context

Theme

Mephistophelean conjuration of paper money as phantom-wealth and its corruption of the imperial court

Soul-faculty

Consciousness Soul (distorted) — abstract financial instrument substituting sign for substance, bypassing direct sense-experience of value

Steiner

• GA 95, 1906-08-23Steiner cites Act I of Faust Part II in the context of spiritual-scientific commentary, indicating familiarity with this scene's imagery as a site of Ahrimanic illusion.

Cross-tradition

• Nominalism / Scholastic realism debateThe paper-money episode dramatises the nominalist position that signs can stand independently of real substance — a structural parallel to the scholastic warning that names without referents generate phantom realities.
• Kabbalistic concept of KlipotThe hollow shell of paper standing in for gold corresponds structurally to the Kabbalistic klipot — husks that imitate the form of a sefira while severed from its living light.

THE MORNING SUN.

The Emperor, his Court, Gentlemen and Ladies: Faust, MEpuis- TOPHELES, becomingly, according to the mode, not showily dressed: both kneel,

Faust.

GRE pardon'st thou the jugglery of flame?

EMPEROR (Zeckoning him to rise).

I wish more exhibitions of the same.

A-sudden stood I in a glowing sphere;

It almost seemed as if I Pluto were.

There lay, like night, with little fires besprent,

A rocky bottom. Out of many a vent, Whirling, a thousand savage flames ascended, Till in a single vault their streamers blended. The tongues even to the highest dome were shot, That ever was, and ever then was not.

Through the far space of spiral shafts of flame

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The long processions of the people came; Crowding, till all the circle was o'errun, They did me homage, as they 've ever done. Some from my Court I knew: to speak with candor, A Prince I seemed o'er many a salamander. MEPHISTOPHELES. That art thou, Sire! Because each element Fully accepts thy Majesty's intent. Obedient Fire is tested now by thee: Where wildest heaving, leap into the Sea, And scarce the pearly floor thy foot shall tread, A grand rotunda rises o'er thy head: Thou seest the green, translucent billows swelling, With purple edge, for thy delightful dwelling, Round thee, the central point. Walk thou at will, The liquid palaces go with thee still ! The very walls rejoice in life, disporting In arrowy flight, in chasing and consorting: Sea-marvels crowd around the glory new and fair, Shoot from all sides, yet none can enter there. There gorgeous dragons, golden-armored, float ; There gapes the shark, thou laughest in his throat. However much this Court thy pride may please, Act I. Yet hast thou never seen such throngs as these. Nor from the loveliest shalt thou long be parted ; The curious Nereids come, the wild, shy-hearted, To thy bright dwelling in the endless waters, — Timid and sly as fish the youngest daughters, The elder cunning: Thetis hears the news And will, at once, her second Peleus choose. The seat, then, on Olympus high and free — EMPEROR. The spaces of the air I leave to thee: One all too early must ascend that throne. MEPHISTOPHELES. And Earth, high Prince! already is thine own. E/MPEROR. What fortune brought thee here, for our delights, Directly from the One and Thousand Nights? If thou like Scheherazade art rich in stories, My favor shall insure thee higher glories. Be ready always, when your world of day, As often haps, disgusts me every way! Lorp Hicu Stewarp (enters hastily). Highness Serene, I never dared expect

78Faust.
To trumpet forth a fortune so select As this, supremely blessing me, Which I announce with joy to thee: Reckoning on reckoning 's balanced squarely ; The usurer's claws are blunted rarely ; I'm from my hellish worry free: Things can't in Heaven more cheerful be. GENERAL-IN-CHIEF (follows hastily). Arrears of pay are settled duly, The army is enlisted newly ; The trooper's blood is all alive, The landlords and the wenches thrive. . EMPEROR. How breathe your breasts in broader spaces! How cheerful are your furrowed faces! How ye advance with nimble speed! TREASURER (appearing). Ask these, 't is they have done the deed ! Faust. It is the Chancellor's place the matter to present. Act J. 79 CHANCELLOR (who comes forward slowly). In my old days I'm blest, and most content. So hear and see the fortune-freighted leaf # Which has transformed to happiness our grief. (He reads.) "To all to whom this cometh, be it known: A thousand crowns in worth this note doth own. It to secure, as certain pledge, shall stand All buried treasure in the Emperor's land: And 't is decreed, perfecting thus the scheme, The treasure, soon as raised, shall this redeem." EMPEROR. A most enormous cheat —a crime, I fear! Who forged the Emperor's sign-manual here? Has there not been a punishment condign ? TREASURER. Remember! Thou the note didst undersign ; Last night, indeed. Thou stood'st as mighty Pan, And thus the Chancellor's speech, before thee, ran: 'Grant to thyself the festal pleasure, then The People's good —a few strokes of the pen!" These didst thou give: they were, ere night retreated,

80Faust.
By skilful conjurers thousandfold repeated ; And, that a like advantage all might claim, We stamped at once the series with thy name: Tens, Thirties, Fifties, Hundreds, are prepared. Thou canst not think how well the folk have fared. Behold thy town, half-dead once, and decaying, How all, alive, enjoying life, are straying! Although thy name long since the world made glad, Such currency as now it never had. No longer needs the alphabet thy nation, For in this sign each findeth his salvation. EMPEROR. And with my people does it pass for gold? For pay in court and camp, the notes they hold? Then I must yield, although the thing 's amazing. Lorp Hicnr STEwarRD. "T was scattered everywhere, like wild-fire blazing, As currency, and none its course may stop. A crowd surrounds each money-changer's shop, And every note is there accepted duly For gold and silver's worth — with discount, truly. Thence is it spread to landlords, butchers, bakers : Act I. 81 One half the people feast as pleasure-takers ; In raiment new the others proudly go, — The tradesmen cut their cloth, the tailors sew. | The crowd " The Emperor's health!" in cellars wishes, Midst cooking, roasting, rattling of the dishes. MEPHISTOPHELES. If one along the lonely terrace stray, He sees the lady, in superb array, With brilliant peacock-fan before one eye; A note she looks for, as she simpers by, And readier than by wit or eloquence Before Love's favor falls the last defence. One is not plagued his purse or sack to carry; Such notes one lightly in his bosom bears, Or them with fond epistles neatly pairs: The priest devoutly in his breviary Bears his: the soldier would more freely trip, And lightens thus the girdle round his hip. Your Majesty will pardon, if my carriage Seems as it might the lofty work disparage. Faust. The overplus of wealth, in torpor bound,

82Faust.
Which in thy lands lies buried in the ground, Is all unused; nor boldest thought can measure The narrowest boundaries of such a treasure. Imagination, in its highest flight, Exerts itself, but cannot grasp it quite ; Yet minds, that dare explore the secrets soundless, — In boundless things possess a faith that 's boundless. MEPHISTOPHELES. Such paper, stead of gold and jewelry, So handy is— one knows one's property : One has no need of bargains or exchanges, But drinks of love or wine, as fancy ranges. If one needs coin, the brokers ready stand, And if it fail, one digs awhile the land. Goblet and chain one then at auction sells, And paper, liquidated thus, compels The shame of doubters and their scornful wit. The people wish naught else; they 're used to it: From this time forth, your borders, far and wide, With jewels, gold, and paper are supplied. EMPEROR. You ve given our empire this prosperity ; Act T. | 83 The pay, then, equal to the service be! The soil intrusted to your keeping, shall you The best custodians be, to guard its value. You know the hoards, well-kept, of all the land, And when men dig, 't is you must give command. Unite then now, ye masters of our treasure, This, your new dignity, to wear with pleasure, And bring the Upper World, erewhile asunder, In happiest conjunction with the Under ! TREASURER. No further strife shall shake our joint position : I like to have as partner the magician. [Exit with Faust. EMPEROR. ~ Man after man, the Court will I endow: Let each confess for what he 'll spend, and how! Pace (receiving). I'll lead a jolly life, enjoy good cheer. A SeEconp (the same). Ill buy at once some trinkets for my dear. CHAMBERLAIN (accepting). Wines twice as good shall down my throat go trickling. )

84- faust.
A SEconp (the same). I feel the dice within my pockets tickling. KNIGHT BaNnNERET (reflectively). My lands and castle shall be free of debt. ANOTHER (the same). Ill add to other wealth the wealth I get. EMPEROR. I hoped the gifts to bolder deeds would beckon ; But he who knows you, knows whereon to reckon. I see that, spite of all this treasure-burst, You stay exactly as you were at first. Foo. (approaching). You scatter favors: grant me also some! EMPEROR. Thou 'rt come to life? "T would go at once for rum. Foot. The magic leaves! I don't quite comprehend. EMPEROR. That I believe; for them thou 'It badly spend. Act I. 85 Foot. There others drop: I don't know what to do. EMPEROR. Just pick them up! they fall to thy share, too. [Lxit. Foot. Five thousand crowns are mine? How unexpected | MEPHISTOPHELES. Two-leggéd wine-skin, art thou resurrected ? Foot. Much luck I've had, but like this never yet. MEPHISTOPHELES. Thou 'rt so rejoiced, it puts thee in a sweat. Foot. But look at this, is 't money's-worth, indeed? MEPHISTOPHELES "T will bring thee what thy throat and belly need. Foot. And cattle can I buy, and house and land?

86Faust.
MEPHISTOPHELES. Of course! just make an offer once, off-hand! Foo.' Castle and wood, and chase, and fishing? MepuisTopHELes. All! Id like upon Your Worship then to call, Foo.. To-night as landed owner I shall sit. [ Exit. MEPHISTOPHELES (so/us). Who now will doubt that this our Fool has wit? Act I, 87 V. A GLOOMY GALLERY. Faust. MEPHISTOPHELES. MEPHISTOPHELES. \ \ JHAT wilt thou with me in this gloomy gallery? Is there not still enough of sport — There, in the crowded, motley Court, — Not chance for tricks, and fun, and raillery? Faust. Don't tell me that !— In our old days the fun of it Didst thou wear out, and I 'll have none of it. Thy wandering here and there is planned Just to evade what I demand. But I'm tormented something to obtain ; The Marshal drives me, and the Chamberlain. The Emperor orders, he will instantly Helen and Paris here before him see, — The model forms of Man and Woman, wearing, Distinctly shown, their ancient shape and bearing. Now to the work! I dare not break my word.

88Faust.
MEPHISTOPHELES. So thoughtlessly to promise was absurd. Faust. Thou hast not, comrade, well reflected What comes of having used thy powers: We 've made him rich; 't is now expected That we amuse his idle hours. MEPHISTOPHELES. Thou deem'st the thing is quickly fixed: Here before steeper ways we 're standing ; With strangest spheres wouldst thou be mixed, And, sinful, addest new debts to the old, — Think'st Helen will respond to thy commanding As freely as the paper-ghosts of gold! With witches'-riches and with spectre-pictures, And changeling-dwarfs, I 'll give no cause for strictures ; But Devil's-darlings, though you may not scold 'em, You cannot quite as heroines behold 'em. Faust. The old hand-organ still I hear thee play ! From thee one always gets uncertain sense, Act I. 89 The father, thou, of all impediments : For every means thou askest added pay. A little muttering, and the thing takes place; Ere one can turn, beside us here her shade is. MEeEPHISTOPHELES. I've no concern with the old heathen race; They house within their special Hades.*3 ' Yet there 's a way. Faust. Speak, nor delay thy history ! MEPHISTOPHELES. Unwilling, I reveal a loftier mystery. — In solitude are throned the Goddesses, No Space around them, Place and Time still less ; Only to speak of them embarrasses. They are Toe MorTuers! "4 Faust (terrified). Mothers! MEPHISTOPHELES. Hast thou dread ? Faust. The Mothers! Mothers !—a strange word is said.

90Faust.
MEPHISTOPHELES. It is so. Goddesses, unknown to ye, The Mortals, — named by us unwillingly. Delve in the deepest depths must thou, to reach them : T is thine own fault that we for help beseech them. Faust. Where is the way? MEPHISTOPHELES. No way !— To the Unreachable, Ne'er to be trodden! A way to the Unbeseechable, Never to be besought! Art thou prepared? There are no locks, no latches to be lifted ; Through endless solitudes shalt thou be drifted. Hast thou through solitudes and deserts fared ? Faust. I think 't were best to spare such speeches ; They smell too strongly of the witches, Of cheats that long ago insnared. Have I not known all earthly vanities? Learned the inane, and taught inanities? When as I felt I spake, with sense as guide, The contradiction doubly shrill replied ; Act I. gI Enforced by odious tricks, have I not fled To solitudes and wildernesses dread, And that I might not live alone, unheeded, Myself at last unto the Devil deeded! MEPHISTOPHELES. And hadst thou swum to farthest verge of ocean, And there the boundless space beheld, Still hadst thou seen wave after wave in motion, Even though impending doom thy fear compelled. Thou hadst seen something, —in the beryl dim Of peace-lulled seas the sportive dolphins swim ; Hadst seen the flying clouds, sun, moon, and star : Naught shalt thou see in endless Void afar, — Not hear thy footstep fall, nor meet A stable spot to rest thy feet. Faust. Thou speak'st, as of all mystagogues the chief, Who e'er brought faithful neophytes to grief ; Only reversed : —I to the Void am sent, That Art and Power therein I may augment : To use me like the cat is thy desire, To scratch for thee the chestnuts from the fire.

92| faust.
Come on, then! we'll explore, whate'er befall : In this, thy Nothing, may I find my All! MEPHISTOPHELES. I 'll praise thee, ere we separate: I see Thou knowest the Devil thoroughly. Here, take this key ! 45 Faust. That little thing? MEPHISTOPHELES. Take hold of it, not undervaluing |! Faust. It glows, it shines, — increases in my hand! MEPHISTOPHELES. How much 't is worth, thou soon shalt understand. The Key will scent the true place from all others : Follow it down ! —'t will lead thee to the Mothers. Faust (shuddering). The Mothers! Like a blow it strikes me still ! What is the word, to hear which makes me chill ? Act I. 93 MEPHISTOPHELES. Art thou so weak, disturbed by each new word? Wilt only hear what thou 'st already heard? To wondrous things art thou so used already, Let naught, howe'er it sound, make thee unsteady ! Faust. Nathless in torpor lies no good for me; The chill of dread is Man's best quality. Though from the feeling oft the world may fend us, Deeply we feel, once smitten, the Tremendous. MEPHISTOPHELES. Descend, then! I could also say: Ascend! 'T were all the same. Escape from the Created To shapeless forms in liberated spaces! — Enjoy what long ere this was dissipated ! There whirls the press, like clouds on clouds unfolding; . Then with stretched arm swing high the key thou 'rt holding ! Faust (inspired). Good! grasping firmly, fresher strength I win: My breast expands, let the great work begin!

94faust.
MEPHISTOPHELES. At last a blazing tripod tells thee this, That there the utterly deepest bottom is. Its light to thee will then the Mothers show, Some in their seats, the others stand or go, At their own will: Formation, Transformation, The Eternal Mind's eternal recreation, Forms of all creatures, — there are floating free. They 'll see thee not; for only wraiths they see. So pluck up heart, — the danger then is great, — Go to the tripod ere thou hesitate, And touch it with the key ! (Faust, with the key, assumes a decidedly commanding attitude. MEPHISTOPHELES, observing him.) So, that is right! It will adhere, and follow thee to light. Composedly mounting, by thy luck upborne, Before they notice it, shalt thou return. When thou the tripod hither hast conveyed, Then call the hero, heroine, from the shade, — The first that ever such a deed perfected : *T is done, and thou thereto hast been selected. For instantly, by magic process warmed, To gods the incense-mist shall be transformed. Act I. 95 Faust. What further now ? MEPHISTOPHELES. Downward thy being strain! Stamp and descend, stamping thou 'lt rise again. (Faust stamps, and sinks out of sight.) If only, by the key, he something learn! I'm curious to see if he return.

96faust.
VI. BRILLIANTLY LIGHTED HALLS. EMPEROR AND Princes. THE Court 1n Movement. CHAMBERLAIN ('0 MEPHISTOPHELES). HE spirit-scene you 've promised, still you owe us ; Our Lord's impatient ; come, the phantasm show us! Lorp Hicu Srewarp. Just now His Gracious Self did question me: Delay not, nor offend His Majesty ! MEPHISTOPHELES. My comrade's gone to set the work in motion ; How to begin, he has the proper notion. In secret he the charms must cull, Must labor with a fervor tragic : Who would that treasure lift, the Beautiful, Requires the highest Art, the sage's Magic. Act I. 97 Lorp Hicu STEwarRD. What arts you need, is all the same to me; The Emperor wills that you should ready be. A Buionpe (to MEPHISTOPHELES). One word, Sir! Here you see a visage fair, — In sorry summer I another wear ! There sprout a hundred brown and reddish freckles, And vex my lily skin with ugly speckles. A cure! MeEPpHISTOPHELES. "T is pity! Shining fair, yet smitten, — Spotted, when May comes, like a panther-kitten ! Take frog-spawn, tongues of toads, which cohobate, Under the full moon deftly distillate; And, when it wanes, apply the mixture: Next spring, the spots will be no more a fixture. A BRUNETTE. To sponge upon you, what a crowd's advancing ! I beg a remedy : a frozen foot Annoys me much, in walking as in dancing ; And awkwardly I manage to salute.

98Faust.
MEPHISTOPHELES. A gentle kick permit, then, from my foot ! 48 THE BRUNETTE. Well, —that might happen, when the two are lovers. MEPHISTOPHELES. My kick a more important meaning covers : Simtlia similibus, when one is sick. The foot cures foot, each limb its hurt can palliate ; Come near! Take heed! and, pray you, don't retaliate ! Tue Brunette (screaming). Oh! oh! it stings! That was a fearful kick, Like hoof of horse. MEPHISTOPHELES. But it has cured you, quick. To dance whene'er you please, you now are able; To press your lover's foot, beneath the table. Lapy (pressing forwards). Make room for me! 'Too great is my affliction, My tortures worse than those described in fiction : Act 1. 99 His bliss, till yesterday, was in my glances, But now he turns his back, and spins with her romances ! MEPHISTOPHELES. The matter 's grave, but listen unto me! Draw near to him with gentle, soft advances ; Then take this coal and mark him stealthily On mantle, shoulder, sleeve, — though ne'er so slight, Yet penitent at once his heart will be. The coal thereafter you must straightway swallow, And let no sip of wine or water follow : He 'll sigh before your door this very night. Tue Lapy. It is not poison, sure? MEPHISTOPHELES (offended), Respect, where it is due! To get such coals, you 'd travel many a mile: They 're from the embers of a funeral pile, The fires whereof we once more hotly blew. - PaGE. I love, yet still am counted adolescent.

100faust.
MEPHISTOPHELES (aside). I know not whom to listen to, at present. (To the Page.) Let not the younger girls thy fancies fetter ; Those well in years know how to prize thee better. — (Others crowd around him.) Already others? °'T is a trial, sooth! I'll help myself, at last, with naked truth — The worst device ! — so great my misery. O Mothers! Mothers! let but Faust go free! (Gazing around him.) The lights are burning dimly in the hall, The Court is moving onward, one and all: I see them march, according to degrees, Through long arcades and distant galleries. Now they assemble in the ample space Of the Knights' Hall; yet hardly all find place. The breadth of walls is hung with arras rich, And armor gleams from every nook and niche. Here, I should think, there needs no magic word: The ghosts will come, and of their own accord. Act I. IOI VII. HALL OF THE KNIGHTS, DIMLY LIGHTED. (The Emperor and Court have entered.) HERALD. 47 INE ancient office, to proclaim the action, Is by the spirits' secret influence thwarted : One tries in vain; such wildering distraction Can't be explained, or reasonably reported. The chairs are ranged, the seats are ready all: The Emperor sits, fronting the lofty wall, Where on the tapestry the battles he Of the great era may with comfort see. Here now are all — Prince, Court, and their belonging, Benches on benches in the background thronging ; And lovers, too, in these dim hours enchanted, Beside their loved ones lovingly are planted. And now, since all have found convenient places, We're ready: let the spirits show their faces! Trumpets.

102faust
ASTROLOGER. Begin the Drama! 'T is the Sire's command: Ye walls, be severed straightway, and expand! Naught hinders ; magic answers our desire: The arras flies, as shrivelled up by fire ; The walls are split, unfolded: in the gloom A theatre appears to be created : By mystic light are we illuminated, And I ascend to the proscenium. MEPHISTOPHELES (rising to view in the prompter's box). I hope to win, as prompter, general glory ; For prompting is the Devil's oratory. (To the Astrologer.) Thou know'st the tune and time the stars that lead ; Thou wilt my whispers like a master heed. ASTROLOGER. By power miraculous, we here behold A massive temple of the days of old. Like Atlas, who erewhile the heavens upbore, The serried columns stand, an ample store : Act J. 103 Well may they for the weight of stone suffice, Since two might bear a mighty edifice. ARCHITECT. 48 That the antique? As fine it can't be rated ; Id sooner style it awkward, over-weighted. Coarse is called noble, and unwieldy, grand: Give me the slender shafts that soar, expand! To lift the mind, a pointed arch may boast ; Such architecture edifies us most. ASTROLOGER. Receive with reverence the star-granted hours; Let magic words bind Reason's restless powers, But in retufn unbind, to circle free, The wings of splendid, daring Phantasy ! What you have boldly wished, see now achieved ! Impossible 't is — therefore to be believed. (Faust rises to view on the other side of the proscenium.) In priestly surplice, crowned, a marvellous man, He now fulfils what he in faith began. With hin, a tripod from the gulf comes up: I scent the incense-odors from the cup. He arms himself, the work to consecrate, And henceforth it can be but fortunate.

104| faust.
Faust (sublimely). Ye Mothers, in your name, who set your throne In boundless Space, eternally alone, And yet companioned! All the forms of Being, _In movement, lifeless, ye are round you seeing. Whate'er once was, there burns and brightens free In splendor — for 't would fain eternal be ; 49 And ye allot it, with all-potent might, To Day's pavilions and the vaults of Night. Life seizes some, along his gracious course ; Others arrests the bold Magician's force ; And he, bestowing as his faith inspires, Displays the Marvellous, that each desires. ASTROLOGER. The glowing key has scarcely touched the cup, And lo! through all the space, a mist rolls up : It creeps about, and like a cloudy train; Spreads, rounding, narrowing, parting, closed again. And now, behold a spirit-masterpiece ! Music is born from every wandering fleece. The tones of air, I know not how they flow; Where'er they move all things melodious grow. The pillared shaft, the triglyph even rings: Act I. 105 I think, indeed, the whole bright temple sings. The vapors settle ; as the light film clears, A beauteous youth, with rhythmic step, appears. Here ends my task ; his name I need not tell: Who doth not know the gentle Paris well ? 5° Lapy. O, what a youthful bloom and strength I see! A SEcoND. Fresh as a peach, and full of juice, is he! A THIRp. The finely drawn, the sweetly swelling lip! : A Fourtn. From such a cup, no doubt, you'd like to sip? A Firru. He's handsome, if a little unrefined. A SIxtTu. He might be somewhat gracefuller, to my mind. KNIGHT. The shepherd I detect ; I find him wearing No traces of the Prince, or courtly bearing.

106Faust.
ANOTHER. O, yes! half-naked is the youth not bad; But let us see him first in armor clad! Lapy. He seats himself, with such a gentle grace! KNIGHT. You 'd find his lap, perchance, a pleasant place? ANOTHER. He lifts his arm so lightly o'er his head. CHAMBERLAIN. * "T is not allowed: how thoroughly ill-bred ! Lapy. You lords find fault with all things evermore. CHAMBERLAIN. To stretch and yawn before the Emperor! Lapy. He only acts: he thinks he's quite alone. ¥

}

Act Jf, 107

CHAMBERLAIN.

Even the play should be politely shown.

Lapy.

Now sleep falls on the graceful youth so sweetly.

CHAMBERLAIN.

Now will he snore: 't is natural, completely !

Younc Lapy.

Mixed with the incense-steam, what odor precious

Steals to my bosom, and my heart refreshes?

Oper Lavy. Forsooth, it penetrates and warms the feeling! It comes from him.

Oxpest Lapy.

His flower of youth, unsealing, It is: Youth's fine ambrosia, ripe, unfading,

The atmosphere around his form pervading.

(Helena comes forward.)

MEPHISTOPHELES.

So, that is she? My sleep she would not waste:

'Shee pretty, truly, but she's not my taste. a"

a

108faust.
ASTROLOGER. There 's nothing more for me to do, I trow; As man of honor, I confess it now. The Beauty comes, and had I tongues of fire, — So many songs did Beauty e'er inspire, — Who sees her, of his wits is dispossessed, And who possessed her was too highly blessed. Faust. Have I still eyes? Deep in my being springs The fount of Beauty, in a torrent pouring! A heavenly gain my path of terror brings. The world was void, and shut to my exploring, — And, since my priesthood, how hath it been graced! Enduring 't is, desirable, firm-based. And let my breath of being blow to waste, If I for thee unlearn my sacred duty! The form, that long erewhile my fancy captured," That from the magic mirror so enraptured, Was but a frothy phantom of such beauty! °T is Thou, to whom the stir of all my forces, The essence of my passion's courses, — Love, fancy, worship, madness, — here I render! MEPHISTOPHELES ( from the box). Be calm !— you lose your role, to be so tender ! Act lL © 109 OLpER Lapy. Tall and well-formed! Too small the head, alone. YouncER Lapy. Just see her foot! A heavier ne'er was shown. DIPLOMATIST. Princesses of her style I've often seen: From head to foot she's beautiful, I ween. CourTIER. She near the sleeper steals, so soft and sly. Lapy. How ugly, near that youthful purity ! Poet. Her beauty's light is on him like a dawn. Lapy. Endymion and Luna—as they're drawn! Poet. Quite right! The yielding goddess seems to sink, 1IO faust. And o'er him bend, his balmy breath to drink. Enviable fate —a kiss !— the cup is full! DvuENNA. Before all people !—that is more than cool. Faust. A fearful favor to the boy! MEPHISTOPHELES. Be still! Suffer the shade to do whate'er it will ! CourRTIER. She slips away, light-footed: he awakes. Lapy. Just as I thought! Another look she takes. CourtTIER. He stares: what haps, to him a marvel is. Lapy. But none to her, what she before her sees! Act J, CourTIER. She turns around to him with dignity. Lapy. I see, she means to put him through his paces: All men, in such a case, act stupidly. Then, too, he thinks that first he's won her graces. KNIGHT. Majestically fine !— She pleases me. Lapy. The courtesan! How very vulgar she! PacE. Just where he is, is where I'd like to be! CouRrTIER. Who would not fain be caught in such sweet meshes? Lapy. Through many a hand hath passed that jewel precious; The gilding, too, is for the most part gone. ANOTHER. She has been worthless from her tenth year on:

112Faust.
KNIGHT. Each takes the best that chance for him obtains ; I 'd be contented with these fair remains. A Learnep Man. I freely own, though I distinctly see, © *T is doubtful if the genuine one she be. The Present leads us to exaggeration, And I hold fast the written, old relation. I read that, truly, ere her bloom was blighted, The Trojan gray-beards greatly she delighted. And here, methinks, it tallies perfectly : I am not young, yet she delighteth me. ASTROLOGER. No more a boy! A bold, heroic form, He clasps her, who can scarce resist the storm. With arm grown strong he lifts her high and free: Means he to bear her off ? Faust. Rash fool, let be! Thou dar'st? Thou hear'st not? Hold! —I'll be obeyed. Act TI. 113 MEPHISTOPHELES. The spectral drama thou thyself hast made! ASTROLOGER. A word more! After all we 've seen to-day, I call the piece: The Rape of Helcna.? Faust. What! Rape? Am] for nothing here? To stead me, Is not this key still shining in my hand? Through realms of terror, wastes, and waves it led me, Through solitudes, to where I firmly stand. Here foothold is! Realities here centre! The strife with spirits here the mind may venture, And on its grand, its double lordship enter ! | How far she was, and nearer, how divine! I'l] rescue her, and make her doubly mine. Ye Mothers! Mothers! crown this wild endeavor ! Who knows her once must hold her, and forever ! ASTROLOGER. What art thou doing, Faust? O, look at him! He seizes her: the form is growing dim. He turns the key against the youth, and, Jo! It touches him — Woe's me! Away now! Woe on woe!

14faust.
(Explosion. Faust lies upon the earth. The Spirits dissolve in vapor.) MEPHISTOPHELES (taking Faust upon his shoulders). You have it now! One's self with fools to hamper, At last even on the Devil puts a damper. Darkness. Tumult, Act 11, 115 A HIGH-ARCHED, NARROW, GOTHIC CHAMBER, FOR- MERLY FAUST'S, UNCHANGED. MEPHISTOPHELES (coming forth from behind a curtain53 While he holds it up and looks behind him, Faust is seen lying stretched out upon an antt- quated bed). IE there, ill-starred! seduced, unwise, To bonds that surely hold the lover! Whom Helena shall paralyze Not soon his reason will recover. (Looking around him.) I look about, and through the glimmer Unchanged, uninjured, all appears : The colored window-panes, methinks, are dimmer, The cobwebs have increased with years. The ink is dry, the paper old and brown, But each thing in its place I find:

116Faust
Even the quill is here laid down, Wherewith his compact with the Devil he signed. Yea, deeper in, the barrel 's red With trace of blood I coaxed him then to shed. A thing so totally unique The great collectors would go far to seek. Half from its hook the old fur-robe is falling, That ancient joke of mine recalling, How once I taught the boy such truth As still, it may be, nourishes the youth. The wish returns, with zest acuter, Aided by thee, thou rough disguise, Once more to take on airs as college tutor, _ As one infallible in one's own eyes. The savans this assurance know: The Devil lost it, long ago! (He shakes the fur which he has taken down: moths, crickets, and beetles fly out.) Cuorus oF INSECTS. Welcome, and hail to thee! Patron, to-day : We're flying and humming, We hear and obey. Act LI, 117 Singly and silently Us thou hast sown; Hither, by thousands, Father, we 've flown. . The imp in the bosom Is snugly concealed ; But lice in the fur-coat Are sooner revealed. MEPHISTOPHELES. What glad surprise I feel, from this young life bestowed ! One reaps in time, if one has only sowed. Once more I']] shake the ancient fleeces out: Still here and there a chance one flies about. — Off, and around! in hundred thousand nooks Hasten to hide yourselves — among the books, There, in the pasteboard's wormy holes, Here, in the smoky parchment scrolls, In dusty jars, that broken lie, And yonder skull with empty eye. In all this trash and mould unmatched, Crotchets forever must be hatched.%4 (He puts on the fur-mantle.) Come, once again upon my shoulders fall!

118Faust.
Once more am I the Principal. But 't is no good to ape the college; For where are those who will my claim acknowledge? (He pulls the bell, which gives out a shrill, penetrating sound, causing the halls to tremble and the doors to fly open.) FAaMuLus *s (tottering hither down the long, dark gallery). What a sound! What dreadful quaking! Stairs are rocking, walls are shaking ; Through the colored windows brightening I behold the sudden lightning ; Floors above me crack and rumble, Lime and lumber round me tumble, And the door, securely bolted, Is by magic force unfolded. — There! How terrible! a Giant Stands in Faust's old fur, defiant ! As he looks, and beckons thither, I could fall, my senses wither. Shall I fly, or shall I wait? What, O what shall be my fate! MEPHISTOPHELES (Jeckoning ). Come hither, Friend! Your name is Nicodemus. Act Ll, FaMULUS., Most honored Sir, such is my name — Oremus !- MEPHISTOPHELES. Dispense with that! FaMULUS. O joy! you know me yet. MEPHISTOPHELES. Old, and a student still, —I don't forget, Most mossy Sir! Also a learned man Continues study, since naught else he can. 'T is thus one builds a moderate house of cards; The greatest minds ne'er end them, afterwards. Your master is a skilful fellow, though: The noble Doctor Wagner all must know. The first in all the learned world is he, Who now together holds it potently, Wisdom increasing, daily making clearer. How thirst for knowledge listener and hearer! . A mighty crowd around him flocks, None for the rostrum e'er were meeter : The keys he holds as doth Saint Peter, The Under and the Upper. he unlocks.

120faust.
His light above all others sparkles surer, No name or fame beside him lives : Even that of Faust has grown obscurer ; *T is he alone invents and gives. FAMULUS. Pardon, most honored Sir! if I am daring To contradict you, in declaring All that upon the subject has no bearing ; For modesty is his allotted part. The incomprehensible disappearing Of that great man to him is most uncheering ; From his return he hopes new strength and joy of heart. As in the days of Doctor Faust, the room, Since he's away, all things unchanged, Waits for its master, long estranged. . To venture in, I scarce presume. — What stars must govern now the skies! It seemed as if the basements quivered ; The door-posts trembled, bolts were shivered : You had not entered, otherwise. MEPHISTOPHELES. Where may his present dwelling be? Lead me to him! Bring him to me! Act I. I21 FAMULUS. His prohibition is so keen! I do not dare to intervene. For months, his time unto the great work giving, In most secluded silence he is living. The daintiest of distinguished learners, His face is like a charcoal-burner's, From nose to ears all black and deadened ; His eyes from blowing flames are reddened : Thus he, each moment, pants and longs, And music make the clattering tongs. M EPHISTOPHELES. An entrance why should he deny me? I 'll expedite his luck, if he'll but try me! (The Famuctus goes off: MeEpHISTOPHELES Seats himself with gravity.) Scarce have I taken my position here, When there, behind, I see a guest appear. I know him; he is of the school new-founded, And his presumption will be quite unbounded. BaccaLauREus55 (storming along the corridor). Doors and entrances are open! Well, —at last there 's ground for hoping I22 Faust. That no more, in mouldy lumber, Death-like, doth the Living slumber, To himself privations giving, Till he dies of very living! All this masonry, I'm thinking, To its overthrow is sinking ; And, unless at once we hurry, Us will crash and ruin bury. Daring though I be, 't were murther Should I dare to venture further. What is that I see before me? Here, (what years have since rolled o'er me!) Shy and unsophisticated, I as honest freshman waited : Here I let the gray-beards guide me, Here their babble edified me! - Out of dry old volumes preaching, What they knew, they lied in teaching ; What they knew, themselves believed not, Stealing life, that years retrieved not. What !—in yonder cell benighted One still sits, obscurely lighted! Act I. Nearer now, I see, astounded, Still he sits, with furs surrounded, — Truly, as I saw him last, Roughest fleeces round him cast ! Then adroit he seemed to be, Not yet understood by me: But to-day 't will naught avail him — O, I'll neither fear nor fail him! If, ancient Sir, that bald head, sidewards bending, Hath not been dipped in Lethe's river cold, See, hitherward, your grateful scholar wending, Outgrown the academic rods of old. You 're here, as then when I began; But J am now another man. MEPHISTOPHELES. I'm glad my bell your visit brought me. Your talents, then, I rated high; The worm, the chrysalid soon taught me The future brilliant butterfly. Your curly locks and ruffle-laces A childish pleasure gave; you wooed the graces. _ A queue, I think, you 've never worn? But now your head is cropped and shorn.

124Faust.
Quite bold and resolute you appear. 7 But don't go, absolute, home from here! 56 BACCALAUREUS. Old master, in your old place leaning, Think how the time has sped, the while! Spare me your words of double meaning! We take them now in quite another style. You teased and vexed the honest youth; You found it easy then, in truth, To do what no one dares, to-day. MEPHISTOPHELES. If to the young the simple truth we say, The green ones find it nowise pleasant play ; But afterwards, when years are over, And they the truth through their own hide discover, Then they conceive, themselves have found it out: '"'The master was a fool!"' one hears them shout. BaccALAUREUS. A rogue, perhaps! What teacher will declare The truth to us, exactly fair and square? Each knows the way to lessen or exceed it, Now stern, now lively, as the children need it. Act Ll. 125 MEPHISTOPHELES. Beyond a doubt, there is a time to learn; But you are skilled to teach, I now discern. Since many a moon, some circles of the sun, The riches of experience you have won. BaccALAUREUS. Experience! mist and froth alone! Nor with the mind at all coequal : Confess, what one has always known Is not worth knowing, in the sequel ! MEPHISTOPHELES (after a pause). It's long seemed so to me. I was a fool: My shallowness I now must ridicule. BaccaLAUREUS. I'm glad of that! I hear some reason yet — The first old man of sense I ever met! MEPHISTOPHELES. I sought for hidden treasures, grand and golden, And hideous coals and ashes were my share.

126Faust ;
BaccaLAuUREUS, Confess that now your skull, though bald and olden, Is worth no more than is yon empty, there! MEPHISTOPHELES (amiably). Know'st thou, my friend, how rude thou art to me? BaAcCALAUREUS. One lies, in German, would one courteous be. MEPHISTOPHELES (wheeling his chair still nearer to the proscenium, to the spectators). Up here am I deprived of light and air: Shall I find shelter down among you there? BaccALAUREUS. It is presumptuous, that one will try Still to be something, when the time's gone by. Man's life lives in his blood, and where, in sooth, So stirs the blood as in the veins of youth? There living blood in freshest power pulsates, And newer life from its own life creates. Then something's done, then moves and works the man ; The weak fall out, the sturdy take the van. Act £1. 127 While half the world beneath our yoke is brought, 'What, then, have youaccomplished? Nodded — thought — Dreamed, and considered — plan, and always plan! Age is an ague-fever, it is clear, -With chills of moody want and dread ; When one has passed his thirtieth year, One then is just the same as dead.'" 'T were best, betimes, to put you out o' the way. MEPHISTOPHELES. The Devil, here, has nothing more to say. BACCALAUREUS. Save through my will, no Devil can there be. MEPHISTOPHELES (aside). The Devil, though, will trip thee presently ! BaccALAUREUS. This is Youth's noblest calling and most fit! The world was not, ere I created it; The sun I drew from out the orient sea; The moon began her changeful course with me; The Day put on his shining robes, to greet me;

128Faust.
The Earth grew green, and burst in flower to meet me, And when I beckoned, from the primal night The stars unveiled their splendors to my sight. Who, save myself, to you deliverance brought From commonplaces of restricted thought? I, proud and free, even as dictates my mind, Follow with joy the inward light I find, And speed along, in mine own ecstasy, Darkness behind, the Glory leading me! [ Exit. MEPHISTOPHELES. Go hence, magnificent Original ! — What grief on thee would insight cast ! Who can think wise or stupid things at all, That were not thought already in the Past ?5° Yet even from him we're not in special peril ; He will, erelong, to other thoughts incline: The must may foam absurdly in the barrel, Nathless it turns at last to wine. (To the younger parterre, which does not applaud.) My words, I see, have left you cold; For you, my children, it may fall so: Consider now, the Devil's old; To understand him, be old also! Act Lf. 129 TI. LABORATORY.

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