Western European stream·Works of Goethe·Faust (Parts I and II)·Faust II (1832)·Act II — Classical Walpurgis-Night

Source context

Theme

descent into Greek mythological antiquity as a site of elemental and pre-Christian spiritual forces

Soul-faculty

Sentient Soul

Steiner

• GA 13, chapter 5Steiner cites Faust II, Act II in the context of initiation knowledge, treating the scene as an image of the soul's encounter with sub-natural and elemental realms preparatory to higher cognition.
• GA 273, 1917-01-27Steiner engages Act II of Faust II — specifically the Gothic laboratory scene — as a dramatic presentation of the problem of artificial human creation (Homunculus) and its relation to the spiritual-scientific understanding of the etheric formative forces.

Cross-tradition

• Greek mystery tradition (Chthonic stratum)The Classical Walpurgis-Night's procession of elemental daimones, Sphinxes, Sirens, and Cabiri displays cross-tradition congruence with the Greek chthonic mystery stream in which pre-Olympian powers (earth, sea, underworld) must be traversed before initiation at higher sanctuaries.
• Neoplatonic demonology (Iamblichus, Proclus)The hierarchical staging of elemental beings from lowest earth-daimons to cosmic Eros at the scene's close shows cross-tradition congruence with Neoplatonic theurgical cosmology, in which ascending grades of daimonic being mediate between matter and the One.

THE PHARSALIAN FIELDS.

Darkness.

f Enicutao, 0 ey Se )

O this night's awful festival, as oft before, I enter here, Erichtho, I, the gloomy one:

Not so atrocious as the evil poets draw, In most superfluous slander — for they never cease Their blame or praises . . . Over-whitened I behold The vale, with waves of tents that glimmer gray afar, The after-vision of that fatal, fearful night. How oft is it repeated ! — will forever be Forever re-enacted! No one grants the realm Unto another: unto him whose might achieved And rules it, none: for each, incompetent to rule His own internal self, is all too fain to sway | His neighbor's will, even as his haughty mind inclines.

But here a lesson grand was battled to the end,

142——— Faust.
How force resists and grapples with the greater force, The lovely, thousand-blossomed wreath of Freedom rends, And bends the stubborn laurel round the Ruler's brow. Here, of his days of early greatness Pompey dreamed : Before the trembling balance Caesar yonder watched ! It will be weighed: the world knows unto whom it turned. The watch-fires flash and glow, spendthrift of ruddy flame; Reflections of the squandered blood the earth exhales, And, lured by rare and marvellous splendor of the night, The legion of Hellenic legends gathers here. Round all the fires uncertain hover, or at ease Sit near them, fabulous forms of ancient days. ... The moon, imperfect, truly, but of clearest beam, Arises, scattering mellow radiance everywhere: Vanish the phantom tents, the fires are burning blue. But o'er my head what unexpected meteor! It shines, illuminates the sphere of earth below. I scent the Living! therefore it becomes me not Them to approach, I being harmful unto them: An evil name it brings me, and it profits naught. Already now it sinks: discreetly I withdraw. [ Exit. The Airy Travellers above. 'Act 1. 143 HomuncuLus. Once again the circle follow, O'er the flames and horrors hover! Ghostly 't is in vale and hollow, Spectral all that we discover. MEPHISTOPHELES. If, as through my window nightly In the grewsome North, I see Spectres hideous and unsightly, Here is home, as there, to me. Homuncu_us. See! a tall one there is striding On before us, in the shade. MEPHISTOPHELES. Through the air she saw us gliding, And it seems she is afraid. HomuncuLtuvs. Let her stride! The knight be taken Now, and set upon the strand : Here to life again he ll waken, Seeking it in fable-land.

144Faust. °
Faust (as he touches the earth), Where is she? — HomuncuLuvs. It's more than we can tell, But to inquire would here be well. Thou 'rt free to hasten, ere the day, From flame to flame, and seek her so: Who to the Mothers found his way, Has nothing more to undergo. MEPHISTOPHELES. I also claim my share in the excursion ; Yet know no better plan for our diversion, Than that each one, amid these fires, Should seek such fortunes as he most desires. Then, as a sign to reunite us, Let, little one, thy lantern sound and light us! Homuncu_us. Thus shall it shine, and thus shall ring! (The glass shines and rings powerfully.) And now, away to many a marvellous thing! Faust (solus). Where is she ? — But no further question make! Act Ll. 145 If this were not the soil that bore her feet, If not the wave that to her coming beat, Yet 't is the air that knows the tongue she spake. Here, by a marvel! Here, on Grecian land !°5 I felt at once the earth whereon I stand. Through me, the sleeper, fresher spirit stealing, I rise refreshed, Antzus in my feeling. Together here I find the strangest store ; Let me this labyrinth of flames explore. [ Goes away. = MEPHISTOPHELES ( prying around). And as among these fires I wander, aimless, I find myself so strange, so disconcerted : © Quite naked most, a few are only shirted ; The Griffins insolent, the Sphinxes shameless, And what not all, with pinions and with tresses, Before, behind, upon one's eyesight presses ! — Indecency, *t is true, is our ideal, But the Antique is too alive and real ; One must with modern thought the thing bemaster, And in the fashion variously o'erplaster : — Disgusting race! Yet I, perforce, must meet them, And as new guest with due decorum greet them. — Hail, then, Fair Ladies! Graybeards wise, good cheer!

146Faust.
GriFFIN (snarling). Not graybeards! Graybeards? No one likes to hear One call him gray. For in each word there rings The source, wherefrom its derivation springs.® Gray, growling, grewsome, grinning, graves, and grimly, Etymologically accord, nor dimly, And make us grim. MEPHISTOPHELES. And yet, why need you stiffen? You like the grif in your proud title, " Griffin." GRIFFIN (as above, and continuously so). Of course! for this relation is found fit: Though often censured, oftener praised was it. Let one but grip at maidens, crowns, and gold: Fortune is gracious to the Griper bold. ANTS (of the colossal kind). You speak of gold, much had ourselves collected ; In rocks and caverns secretly we trapped it: The Arimaspean race our store detected, — They 're laughing now, so far away they 've snapped it. Act LI. 147 THE GRIFFINS. We soon shall force them to confess, Tue Armmaspeans. But not in this free night of jubilee. Before the morrow, all will squandered be; This time our efforts will obtain success. MEPHISTOPHELES (who has seated himself between the SPHINXES). How soon I feel familiar here, among you! I understand you, one and all. SPHINX. Our spirit-tones, when we have sung you, Become, for you, material. | Now name thyself, till we shall know thee better . MEPHISTOPHELES. With many names would men my nature fetter. Are Britons here? So round the world they wheel, To stare at battle-fields, historic traces, Cascades, old walls, and classic dreary places ; And here were something worthy of their zeal. Their Old Plays also testify of me; Men saw me there as " Old Iniquity."

148Faust.
SPHINX. How did they hit on that? MEPHISTOPHELES. I know not, verily. SPHINX. Perhaps ! Hast thou in star-lore any power? What say'st thou of the aspects of the hour? MEPHISTOPHELES (looking up). Star shoots on star, the cloven moon doth ride In brilliance; in this place I'm satisfied : I warm myself against thy lion's hide. It were a loss to rise from out these shades : — Propose enigmas, or at least charades ! SPHINX. Express thyself, and 't will a riddle be. Try. once thine own analysis: *t were merry. "To both Devout and Wicked necessary : To those, a breast- plate for ascetic fighting ; To these, boon-comrade, in their pranks uniting ; And both amusing Zeus, the fun-delighting." First GriFFIin (snarling). I like not him! Act I. SECOND GrirFIN (snarling more gruffly). What will the fellow here? Boru. The Nasty One is not of us, 't 1s clear! MEeEPHISTOPHELES (érutally). Think'st thou, perhaps, thy guest has nails to scratch, That with thy sharper talons cannot match? Just try it once! SPHINX (gently). Stay, shouldst thou find it well; But from our ranks thou wilt thyself expel. In thine own land thou 'rt wont thyself to pamper, Yet here, I think, thy spirits feel a damper. MEPHISTOPHELES. Thine upper part entices; naught 1s fairer ; But, further down, the beast excites my terror. SPHINX. Bitter, False one, will be thy expiation ; Our claws are sound and worthy proof, But thou, with withered horse's-hoof, Art ill at ease in our association. (The Sirens prelude above.)

150faust.
MEPHISTOPHELES. On yonder poplars by the river, What are the birds that swing above? SPHINX. Beware! 'The very best that ever Existed, they have lured to love. SIRENS,7° Ah, why vitiate your senses, Where those Uglinesses darken? We, in crowds, come hither: hearken How the accordant strain commences, Meet for Sirens' soft pretences ! SPHINXES (mocking them, in the same melody). Let them to descend be bidden! In the branches they have hidden Hideous falcon-claws they 're wearing, And you 'll feel their cruel tearing, Once you lend them willing ear. SIRENS. Banish hate and envy, rather! We the purest pleasures gather, Act I ISI Under Heaven's auspicious sphere! On the earth and on the ocean, We, with cheerful beckoning motion, Bid the wanderer welcome here. M EPHISTOPHELES. These are of novelties the neatest, Where from the throat and harp-string sweetest The tones around each other twine. They 're lost on me, these tinkling trickles ; The sound my ear-drum pats and tickles, But cannot reach this heart of mine. SPHINXES. Speak not of heart! Fool, so to call it! An old and wrinkled leathern wallet Would better suit that face of thine. Faust (approaching). How strange! I, satisfied, behold these creatures, — In the Repulsive, grand and solid features :7! A fate propitious I behold advance. Whither transports me now this solemn glance? (Pointing to the SpHINXEs.) Once before these took C£dipus his stand :

152faust.
(Pointing to the Sirens.) These made Ulysses writhe in hempen band: (Pointing to the ANTs.) By these the highest treasure was amassed : (Pointing to the GriFFins.) By these 't was held inviolate and fast : Fresh spirit fills me, face to face with these — Grand are the Forms, and grand the Memories! MEPHISTOPHELES. Once thou hadst cursed such crude antiques, But now, it seems, they 've comfort given ; For when a man his sweetheart seeks, Welcome to him are monsters, even. Faust (¢o the SPHINXES). Ye woman-forms, give ear, and say Hath one of you seen Helena? SPHINXES. Before her day our line expired in Greece; Our very last was slain by Hercules: Yet ask of Chiron, if thou please. He gallops round throughout this ghostly night, And if he halt for thee, thy chance is bright. Act LM. ae SIRENS. Thou art not to failure fated! How Ulysses, lingering, learned us, Nor, regardless passing, spurned us, Manifold hath he narrated : All to thee shall be confided, Seekest thou our meads, divided By the dark-green arms of Ocean. SPHINX. Let not thyself thus cheated be! Not like Ulysses bound, — but we Will with good counsel thee environ: If thow canst find the noble Chiron, Thou Jt learn what I have promised thee. [Faust goes away. MEPHISTOPHELES (z//-temperedly). What croaks and flaps of wings go past! One cannot see, they fly so fast, In single file, from first to last : A hunter would grow tired of these. SPHINX. The storm-wind like, that winter harrows,

154Faust.
Reached hardly by Alcides' arrows, They are the swift Stymphalides ; And not ill-meant their greetings creak, With goose's foot and vulture's beak. They fain would join us in our places, And show themselves as kindred races. MEPHISTOPHELES (as if intimidated). Some other brute is hissing shrill. SPHINX. Be not afraid, though harsh the pzan! They are the hydra-heads, the old Lernzan, Cut from the trunk, yet think they 're something still. But say, what means your air distressed? Why show your gestures such unrest? Where will you go? Then take your leave! That chorus, there, I now perceive, Turns like a weathercock your neck. Advance! — Greet as you will each lovely countenance! They are the Lamia, wenches vile, . With brazen brows and lips that smile, Such as the satyr-folk have found so fair: A cloven foot may venture all things there. Act Ll. 155 MEPHISTOPHELES. But stay you here, that I again may find you? SPHINX. Yes! Join the airy rabble, there behind you! From Egypt we, long since, with all our peers, Accustomed were to reign a thousand years. If for our place your reverence be won, We rule for you the days of Moon and Sun. We sit before the Pyramids For the judgment of the Races, Inundation, War, and Peace, — With eternal changeless faces. aera II. PENEUS (surrounded with Nympus and Tributary Streams). PEneEus.?? TIR yourselves, ye whispering rushes, Rustle, slender willow-bushes, Sister reeds, breathe softer, crisper, Trembling poplar-branches, whisper To the interrupted dream !

156Faust.
Fearful premonitions wake me, Secret shudders thrill and shake me In my rippling, sleeping stream. Faust (advancing to the river). Here, behind the vines that dangle O'er the thicket's bowery tangle, If I heard aright, were noises Similar to human voices. Babbling seemed the wave to patter, And the breeze in sport to chatter. Nympus (fo Faust). — L — - L For thee were it better ae es To lie here, reviving . In coolness thy body, Outwearied with striving, — The rest, that eludes thee, To taste, and be free: We'll rustle and murmur, And whisper to thee. Faust. Iam awake! Let them delay me, The incomparable Forms !—and sway me, As yonder to my sight confessed! Act LT. 157 How strangely am I moved, how nearly ! Are they but dreams? or memories, merely? Already once was I so blest. Beneath the swaying bushes hiding, The full, fresh waves are softly gliding ; They scarcely rustle on their path: A hundred founts from all sides hasten, To fill a pure and sparkling basin, The hollowed level of a bath. The fair young limbs of women trouble The watery glass that makes them double, And doubles, thus, the eye's delight: In joyous bath each other aiding, Or boldly swimming, shyly wading, Then cry, and splash, and foamy fight. It were enough, the picture viewing, — My healthy eyesight here renewing, — Yet I desire the still unseen. My gaze would pierce through yonder cover, 'Whose leafy wealth is folded over The vision of the stately Queen. Strange! across the crystal skimming, From the coves the swans are swimming,

158faust.
Moving in majestic state: Floating calmly and united, But how proud and self-delighted, Head and neck they lift elate! . . One, his feathers proudly pluming, Boldly on his grace presuming, Leads the others in the race; With his whitest plumage showing Wave-like on the wave he's throwing, Speeds he to the sacred place... . The others back and forth together Swim on with smoothly shining feather, And soon, in mimic battle met, Shall chase aside the maids affrighted, Till, for their own protection slighted, Their bounden service they forget. Nympus. Sisters, bend and lay the ear On the turf beside the river! Sound of hoofs, if right I hear, Swift approaching, seems to shiver. Would I knew whose rapid flight Brings a message to the Night ! Act Ll. 159 Faust. As I think, the earth is ringing From a charger, hither springing. See there! see there! A fortune comes, most fair: Shall I attain its blessing ? O, marvel past expressing ! A rider trots towards us free: Spirit and strength in him I see, — Upon a snow-white steed careering. ... I know him now, I hail with awe The famous son of Philyra!— Halt, Chiron, halt! I've something for thy hearing. CHIRON.73 What then? What is it? Faust. Thy course delay! CHIRON. I rest not. Faust. Take me with thee, then, I pray!

160Faust,
CHIRON. Mount! and I thus can ask, at leisure, Whither thy way. Thou standest on the shore; I 'll bear thee through the flood, with pleasure. Faust (mounting). Whither thou wilt. I thank thee evermore. ... The mighty man, the pedagogue, whose place And fame it was, to teach a hero-race, — The splendid circle of the Argonauts, And all whose deeds made quick the Poet's thoughts. CHIRON. We will not further speak of these! As Mentor even Pallas is not venerated ; And, after all, they manage as they please, As if they 'd not been educated. Faust. The leech, who knoweth flower and fruit, Whose lore can sound the deepest root, — Who heals the sick, and soothes the wounded place, Him, here, in mind and body I embrace! CHIRON. When heroes, near me, felt the smart, Act I, 161 My helpful knowledge failed them seldom; But, at the last, I left mine art To priest and simple-gathering beldam. Faust. Thy speech the true great man betrays, Who cannot hear a word of praise ; His modesty would fain confound us To think his equals still were round us. CHIRON. Thou seemest skilled to feign such matter — People and Prince alike to flatter. Faust. But surely thou wilt grant to me That thou the greatest of thy time didst see, Upon their paths of proud achievement trod, And lived thy days, a serious demigod. Among those grand, heroic forms of old, Whom didst thou for the best and worthiest hold? CHIRON. Of those beneath the Argonauts' bright banner, Each worthy was in his peculiar manner, 2!

162Faust.
And by the virtue of his strength selective Sufficed therein, where others were defective. Castor and Pollux were as victors hailed, Where beauty and the grace of youth prevailed : Decision, the swift deed for others' aid, Gave the fair crown before the Boreads laid : Reflective, prudent, strong, in council wise, So Jason ruled, delight of women's eyes: Then Orpheus, gentle, silent, brooding, lowering, But when he struck the lyre, all-overpowering. Sharp-sighted Lynceus, who by day and dark Through shoreward breakers steered the sacred bark Danger is best endured where men are brothers ; When one achieves, then praise him all the others. Faust. But Hercules thy speech is wronging — CHIRON. _ Ah, me! awaken not my longing!... I had not seen, in Fields Elysian, How Phebus, Arés, Hermes, shine; But there arose before my vision A form that all men called divine. A king by birth, as ne'er another, Act Il. A youth magnificent to view ; Though subject to his elder brother, And to the loveliest women, too. No second such hath Gza granted,74 Or Hebe led to Heaven again; For him the songs are vainly chanted, The marble hewn for him tn vain. Faust. Though ever to his form addicted, His grace the sculptors could not wreak. The fairest Man hast thou depicted, Now of the fairest Woman speak! _ CHIRON. What! — Little worth is woman's beauty, So oft an image dumb we see: I only praise, in loving duty, A being bright and full of glee. For Beauty in herself delighteth ; And irresistibly she smiteth When sweetly she with Grace uniteth, Like Helena, when her I bore. Faust. Her didst thou bear?

164faust.
CHIRON. This back she pressed. Faust. Was I not wild enough, before? And now such seat, to make me blest! CHIRON. Just so she grasped me by the hair As thou dost. Faust. O, I scarcely dare To trust my senses !— tell me more! She is my only aspiration | Whence didst thou bear her —to what shore? CHIRON. Not difficult is the relation. "T was then, when came the Dioscuri bold To free their sister from the robbers' hold; But these, accustomed not to be subdued, Regained their courage and in rage pursued. The swamps below Eleusis did impede The brothers' and the sister's flying speed: The brothers waded: splashing through the reed, Act II. I swam: then-off she sprang, and pressing me On the wet mane, caressing me, She thanked with sweetly-wise and conscious tongue. How charming was she! — dear to age, so young! Faust. But seven years old ! — CHIRON. Philologists, I see, Even as they cheat themselves, have cheated thee. '°T is curious with your mythologic dame : 75 The Poet takes her when he needs her name; She grows not old, stays ever young and warm, And of the most enticing form : Seduced in youth, in age enamoring still, — _ Enough! no time can bind the Poet's will. Faust. Then let no bonds of Time be thrown around her! Even as on Pherez's isle Achilles found her, Beyond the bounds of Time. What blessing rare, In spite of Fate such love to win and wear! And shall not I, by mightiest desire, Unto my life that sole fair form acquire, That shape eternal, peer of Gods above,

166Faust.
Tender as grand, sublime as sweet with love? Thou saw'st her once; to-day I saw her beam, The dream of Beauty, beautiful as Dream! My soul, my being, now is bound and chained ; I cannot live, unless she be attained. CHIRON. Thou, Stranger! feel'st, as man, such ecstasy ; _ Among us, Spirits, mad thou seem'st to be. Yet, as it haps, thy fortune now is omened ; For every year, though only for a moment, It is my wont to call at Manto's dwelling, — She, Esculapius' child, whose prayers are swelling Unto her father, that, his fame to brighten, The brains of doctors he at last enlighten, And them from rashly dealing death may frighten. I like her best of all the guild of Sibyls, — Helpful and kind, with no fantastic fribbles ; She hath the art, if thou the time canst borrow, With roots of power to give thee healing thorough. Faust. But I will not be healed! my aim is mighty : I will not be, like others, meanly flighty ! Act Ll, CHIRON. The noble fountain's cure neglect thou not: Oo But quick dismount! We 've reached the spot. Faust. And whither, in this dreary night, hast thou To land through pebbly rivers brought me now? CHIRON. Here Rome and Greece in battle tried their powers ; Here flows Peneus, there Olympus towers, — The greatest realm that e'er was lost in sand. The monarch flies, the conquerin burghera)stand. Look up and see, in moonlight shining clear, The memorable, eternal Temple near! Manto? (dreaming within). From horse-hoofs tremble The sacred steps of the Temple! The Demigods draw near. CHIRON. Quite right! Open your eyes, and see who's here! Manto (awaking). Welcome! Thou dost not fail, I see. Pus,

168Faust.
CHIRON. And still thy temple stands for thee! ManrTo. And speedest thou still unremitting? CHIRON. And thou in peaceful calm art sitting, While I rejoice in restless heels? Manro. I wait, and Time around me wheels. And he? CHIRON. The vortex of this night Hath whirled him hither to thy sight. Helen, with mad, distracted senses, Helen he 'd win, by all pretences, And knows not how or where the task commences ; But he deserves the Esculapian cure. ManrTo. To whom the Impossible is lure I love. (Curron is already far away.) Rash one, advance! there's joy for thee! Act LT. 169 This dark way leads thee to Persephone. Under Olympus' hollow foot, Secret, she waits prohibited salute. I smuggled Orpheus in to her, of old: Use thy chance better! On!—be bold! — [ They descend. ITI. ON THE UPPER PENEUS, AS BEFORE. SIRENS. LUNGE in cool Peneus' wave! There 't is well to sport in swimming, Songs with chorded voices hymning, That the ill-starred folk we save. Health is none where water fails! 77 Let our hosts, with sounding pzan, Hasten to the blue Agzan, Where each joy shall swell our sails. (Earthquake.) Back the frothy wave is flowing, Now no longer downward going ; Shakes the bed, the waters roar, Faust. Cracks and smokes the stony shore. Let us fly! Come, every one! By this marvel profit none. Leave, ye guests, this wild commotion For the cheerful sports of Ocean, Shining, where the quivering reaches, Lightly heaving, bathe the beaches, — There, where Luna's double splendor Freshens us with night-dews tender. There the freest life delights us ; Here the threatening Earthquake frights us: Who is prudent, haste away! Fearful is it, here to stay. Seismos 78 (growling and jolting in the depths). Once again the force applying, Bravely with the shoulders prying, We to get above are trying, Where to us must all give way. SPHINXES. What a most repulsive shaking, Terrible and hideous quaking ! What a quivering and shocking, Act 1. 171 Hither rolling, thither rocking! What vexation and dismay ! But we shall not change our station, Were all Hell in agitation. ... Now behold a dome upswelling, Wonderful! 'T is he, compelling, — He, the hoary, antiquated, He who Delos' isle created, Bidding it from ocean break, For the childed woman's sake. He, with all his force expended, Rigid arms and shoulders bended, Like an Atlas in his gesture Pushes up the earth's green vesture, Loam and grit, and sand and shingle, Where the shore and river mingle: Thus our valley's bosom quiet Cross-wise tears he, in his riot. In unwearied force defiant, He, a caryatid-giant, Bears a fearful weight of boulders, Buried still below his shoulders ; But no further shall be granted, For the Sphinxes here are planted.79

172faust.
SEISMOS. The work alone I 've undertaken ; The credit will be given to me: Had I not jolted, shoved, and shaken, How should this world so beauteous be? How stood aloft your mountains ever, In pure and splendid blue of air, Had I not heaved with huge endeavor Till they, like pictures, charm you there? When, where ancestral memory brightens, Old Night and Chaos saw me sore betrayed, And in the company of Titans With Pelion and Ossa as with balls we esi None could in ardent sport of youth surpass us, Until, outwearied, at the last, Even as a double cap, upon Parnassus His summits wickedly we cast. Apollo, now, upon that mount of wonder Finds with the Muses his retreat : For even Jove, and for his bolts of thunder, I heaved and held the lofty seat. Thus have I forced the fierce resistance And struggled upward from the deep; And summon now to new existence The joyous dwellers of the steep. Act IT. 173 SPHINXES. 'T is true, the hill would seem primeval, And warranted of old to stand, Had we not witnessed its upheaval, Toiling and towering from the land. A bushy forest, spreading, clothes its face, And rocks on rocks are pressing to their place. A Sphinx, therefrom, is by no fear o'ertaken: We shall not let our sacred seats be shaken. GRIFFINS.° Gold in spangle, leaf, and spark Glimmers through the fissures dark. Quick, lest others should detect it, Haste, ye Emmets, and collect it! CuHorus OF EMMETS. As they, the giant ones, Upward have thrown it, Quick-footed, pliant ones, Climb it and own it! Rapidly in and out! In each such fissure Is every crumb about Faust. Wealth for the wisher ! Seek for them greedily, Even the slightest : Everywhere speedily Gather the brightest ! Diligent be, and bold — Swarm to the fountain: Only bring in the Gold! ) Heed not the Mountain! GRIFFINS. Come in! come in!—the treasure heap! Our claws upon it we shall keep. The most efficient bolts they are; The greatest wealth they safely bar. PycmIESs. Verily, here we sit securely ; . How it happened, is not clear. Ask not whence we came; for surely 'T is enough that we are here. Unto Life 's delighted dwelling Suitable is every land; Where a rifted rock is swelling, Act LT. Also is the Dwarf at hand. Male and female, busy, steady, We as models would suffice: Who can tell if such already Labored so in Paradise? Here our lot as best we measure, And our star of fate is blest: Mother Earth brings forth with pleasure, In the East as in the West. Dacty Ls. If she, in a single night, The Pygmies brought to light, Pygmiest of all she'll create yet, _ And each find his mate yet! Pycmy-E.pers. Be ye, in haste, Conveniently placed! Labor, and lead Strength unto speed! Peace is yet with ye, Build now the smithy, — The host be arrayed With armor and blade!

176faust.
Emmets, laborious, Working victorious, Scorning to settle, Furnish us metal! Dactyls, your host, Smallest and most, Hear the requiring, Bring wood for firing | Heap in the chambers Fuel, untiring : Furnish us embers! GENERALISSIMO. With arrow and bow, Encounter the foe! By yonder tanks ' The heron-ranks, The countless-nested, The haughty-breasted, At one quick blow Shoot, and bring low! All together, That we may feather Our helmets so. Act LT. 177 EMMETS AND DactTYLs. Who now will save us! We bring the iron, And chains enslave us. To break our fetters Were now defiant; We bide our season, — Meanwhile, be pliant! Tue Cranes oF [sycus.®! Murder-cries and moans of dying! Startled wings that flap in flying! What lament, what pain and fright Pierces to our airy height! All have fallen in the slaughter, Reddening with their blood the water; Pygmy-lust, misformed and cruel, Robs the heron of his jewel. On their helms the plumage waves, — Yonder fat-paunched, bow-legged knaves! Comrades of our files of motion, Serried wanderers of ocean, You we summon to requital In a cause to you so vital.

178— Faust.
Strength and blood let no one spare! Endless hate to them we swear! (They disperse, croaking in the air.) MEPHISTOPHELES (on the plain). With ease the Northern witches I controlled, But o'er these foreign sprites no power I hold. The Blocksberg is a most convenient place; Howe'er one strays, one can his path retrace. Dame Ilse watches for us from her stone,® And Henry sits upon his mountain-throne: The Snorers snarl at Elend — snorting peers, — And all is finished for a thousand years. © But here, who knows if, even where he stand, Beneath his feet may not puff up the land? | I cheerily wander through a level glade, And, all at once, behind me heaved, is made A mountain — scarcely to be called so, true; Yet high enough the Sphinxes from my view To intercept. . . . Still many a fire flares out Adown the vale, the mad concern about. ... Still dance and hover, beckoning and retreating, The gay groups round me, with their knavish greeting. But gently now! For, spoiled by stealthy pleasure, - One always seeks to snatch some dainty treasure. Act I. Lami #33 (drawing MePHISTOPHELES after them). Quicker and quicker! And further take him! Then hesitating, Chattering and prating! 'T is fun to make him — Old, sintul Tricker ! — Follow behind us: To penance comes he With halt-foot clumsy ; He marches hobbling, And forwards wobbling ; His leg he trails In haste to find us; We fly — he fails. MEPHISTOPHELES (standing still). Accurséd fate! Deceived, as oft! Since Adam's time seduced and scoffed ! Though old we grow, not wisely schooled: Enough already I've been fooled! We know, how wholly worthless is the race, With body corseted and painted face;

180Faust.
Of health responsive own they not a tittle, Where'er one grasps them, every limb is brittle. The thing is known, and patent to our glances, And yet, whene'er the trollops pipe, one dances. LaMi& ( pausing). Halt! he reflects; his steps delay: Turn back to meet him, lest he get away! MEPHISTOPHELES (striding forwards). Forwards! the doubt, my strength benumbing, I won't encourage foolishly ; For were the witches not forthcoming, Why, who the devil would Devil be! Lami (very graciously). Round this hero lightly moving, Let his heart, the choice approving, One of us select for loving! MEPHISTOPHELES. True, in this uncertain lustre, Seem ye fair maids, in a cluster ; Fain would I to you be juster. Act Il. 181 Empusa (pressing forwards). Not me, too? I'm also fitted In your train to be admitted ! LaMIz. She 's one too many; for, in short, She always ruins all our sport. Empusa (fo MEPHISTOPHELES). Empusa, with the ass's foot,™ Thy cousin dear, gives thee salute! Only a horse's hoof is thine, And yet, Sir Cousin, greeting fine! MEPHISTOPHELES, Strangers I here anticipated, And find, alas! my near-related : The old tale — instances by dozens — From Hartz to Hellas always cousins! EMPUSA. I act with promptness and decision ; In many forms could meet thy vision: Yet in thy honor now, instead, Have I put on the ass's head.

182Faust.
MEPHISTOPHELES. Great things, .I see, are here portended, Thus with the race as kinsman blended: Let come what may, since I have known her — The ass's head —I'd fain disown her. LaMIL&. Leave her, the Ugly! She doth scare Whatever lovely seems and fair ; Whate'er was lovely, fair to see, When she comes, ceases so to be. MEPHISTOPHELES., These cousins also, — soft, delicious, Are one and all to me suspicious : I fear, beneath their cheeks of roses Some metamorphosis reposes. LaMI&. But try —take hold! For we are many, And if thou hast a lucky penny, Secure thyself the highest prize! What means thy wanton organ-grinding ? A wretched wooer 't is, we 're finding, . Yet swagger'st thus, and seem'st so wise! ... Act I. Now one of us will he lay hand on, 'So by degrees your masks abandon, And show your natures to his eyes! MEPHISTOPHELES. The fairest here have I selected. ... (Clasping her.) O, what a broomstick, unexpected ! (Grasping another.) And this one?... Vilest countenance! LAMI&. Think not thou 'rt worth a better chance! MEPHISTOPHELES. That little one, she warms my gizzard.... But through my hand she slips, a lizard ; Her smooth braids, snaky-like, intwine. I try the tall one, yet she worse is, — I only grasp a Bacchic thyrsus, The head a scaly cone of pine. What follows next? Behold a fat one: Perhaps I'l] find delight in that one, So, once for all, the chance renew ! The Turks, for one so puffy, flabby,

184faust.
Would pay a price by no means shabby ... But, ah! the puff-ball bursts in two! LaMI&. Now scatter widely, hovering, feigning, In lightning-like, dark flight enchaining The interloping witch's-son ! Uncertain circles, awful, poiseless ! Horrid bat-wings, flying noiseless ! He 'scapes too cheaply, when it's done. MEPHISTOPHELES (shaking himself). I've not become, it seems, a great deal shrewder ; The North 's absurd, 't is here absurder, ruder, The spectres here preposterous as there, People and poets shallow ware. This masquerade resembles quite — As everywhere —a dance of appetite. I sought a lovely masked procession, And caught such things, I stood aghast.... I'd give myself a false impression, If this would only longer last. | (Losing himself among the rocks.) Where am I then? and whither sped? There was a path; 't is now a dread. Act LI. 185 By level ways I've wandered hither, Where rubble now is piled together. I clamber up and down in vain; Where shall I find my Sphinx again? I had not dreamed so mad a sight, — A mountain in a single night! A bold witch-journey, to my thought: Their Blocksberg with them they have brought. Oreap (from the natural rock).35 Come up tome! My mountain old In its primeval form behold! Revere the steep and rocky stairs, ascending Where Pindus' offshoots with the plain are blending! Unshaken, thus I heaved my head When o'er my shoulders Pompey fled. Beside me this illusive rock Will vanish at the crow of cock. I see such fables oft upthrown, And suddenly again go down. MEPHISTOPHELES. Honor to thee, thou reverend Head, With strength of oak engarlanded! The clearest moonlight never cleaves

186Faust.
The darkness of your crowded leaves. I see between the bushes go A light, with unpretending clow. How all things fit and balance thus! "T is verily Homunculus. Now whence thy way, thou little lover? HomuNCcULUS. From place to place I flit and hover, And, in the best sense, I would fain exist, And most impatient am, my glass to shatter: But what till now I've witnessed, is 't Then strange if I mistrust the matter? Yet I ll be confidential, if thou list: I follow two Philosophers this way. "T was " Nature!" "' Nature!" —all I heard them say; I'll cling to them, and see what they are seeing, For they must understand this earthly being, And I shall doubtless learn, in season, Where to betake me with the soundest reason. MEPHISTOPHELES. Then do it of thy own accord! For here, where spectres from their hell come, Is the philosopher also welcome. Act I. 187 That so his art and favor delectate you, At once a dozen new ones he'll create you. Unless thou errest, thou wilt ne'er have sense; Wouldst thou exist, thyself the work commence! HomunNcUuULUS. Good counsel, also, is not to reject. MEPHISTOPHELES. Then go thy way! We further will inspect. [ They separate. Anaxacoras (fo THates).°6 Thy stubborn mind will not be rightened : What else is needful, that thou be enlightened ? THALES. To every wind the billows yielding are; Yet from the cliff abrupt they keep themselves afar. ANAXAGORAS. By fiery vapors rose this rock you 're seeing. T HALES. In moisture came organic life to being.

188Faust.
Homuncutus (detween the two). To walk with you may I aspire? To come to being is my keen desire. ANAXAGORAS. Hast thou, O Thales! ever in a night Brought forth from mud such mountain to the light? THALES. Nature, the living current of her powers, Was never bound to Day and Night and Hours; She makes each form by rules that never fail, And 't is not Force, even on a mighty scale.®7 ANAXAGORAS. But here it was /— Plutonic fire, the shaper | Explosive force of huge /Eolian vapor Broke through the level Earth's old crust primeval, And raised the new hill with a swift upheaval! 'THALES. What further shall therefrom result? The hill Is there: 't is well !—so let it stand there still ! In such a strife one loses leisure precious, Yet only leads the patient folk in leashes. Act I. 189 | ANAXAGORAS. The Mountain's rocky clefts at once Are peopled thick with Myrmidons, With Pygmies, Emmets, Fingerlings, And other active little things. (To Homuncutus.) To greatness hast thou ne'er aspired, But lived an eremite retired ; Canst thou persuade thy mind to govern, I ll have thee chosen as their sovereign. HomuNCULUS. What says my Thales? THALES. — Will not recommend : For small means only unto small deeds tend, But great means make the small man great. See there! The Cranes, with purpose heinous ! — The troubled populace they menace, And they would menace thus the king. With pointed beaks and talons ample The little men they pierce and trample: Doom comes already thundering. It was a crime, the heron-slaughter,

190faust.
Beset amid their peaceful water ; But from that rain of arrows deadly A fell revenge arises redly, And calls the kindred o'er the flood To spill the Pygmies' guilty blood. What use for shield and helm and spear? Or for the dwarfs the heron-feather ? Dactyl and Emmet hide together : Their cohorts scatter, seek the rear! ww ANAXAGORAS (after a pause, solemnly). Though I the subterranean powers approve, Yet help, in this case, must be sought above.... O thou aloft, in grace and vigor vernal, Tri-named, tri-featured, and eternal, By all my people's woe I cry to thee, Diana, Luna, Hecaté! Thou breast-expanding One, thou deeply-pondering, Thou calmly-shining One, majestic wandering, The fearful craters of thy shade unseal, And free from spells thine ancient might reveal! ( Pause.) Am I too swiftly heard? Has then my cry Act Ll. 19! To yonder sky, The course of Nature from its orbit stirred ? And greater, ever greater, drawing near, Behold the Goddess' orbéd throne appear, Enormous, fearful in its grimness, With fires that redden through the dimness!... No nearer! Disk of dread, tremendous, Lest thou, with land and sea, to ruin send us! Then were it true, Thessalian Pythonesses ® With guilty spells, as Song confesses, Once from thy path thy steps enchanted, Till fatal gifts by thee were granted? ... The shield of splendor slowly darkles, Then suddenly splits, and shines, and sparkles! What rattling and what hissing follow, With roar of winds and thunders hollow ! — Before thy throne I speak my error. ... O, pardon! J invoked the terror. | (Casts himself upon his face.) THALES. How many things can this man see and hear! What happed, is not to me entirely clear ;

192Faust.
I've not, like him, experienced it. The Hours are crazy; we 'll admit; For Luna calmly shines, and free, In her high place, as formerly. HomMuNCULUS. Look yonder where the Pygmies fled! The round Hill has a pointed head. I felt a huge rebound and shock ; Down from the moon had fallen the rock, And then, without the least ado, Both foe and friend it smashed and slew. I praise such arts as these, that show Creation in a night fulfilled ; That from above and from below At once this mountain-pile could build. THALES. Be still! 'T was but imagined so. Farewell, then, to the ugly brood! That thou wast not their king, is good. Off to the cheerful festals of the Sea! There as a marvellous guest, they 'll honor thee. [ They depart. Act L. | 193 | MEPHISTOPHELES (climbing up the opposite side). Here must I climb by steep and rocky stairways, And roots of ancient oaks —the vilest rare ways! Upon my Hartz, the resinous atmosphere | Gives hint of pitch, to me almost as dear As sulphur is, — but here, among these Greeks, For such a smell one long and vainly seeks ; And curious am I — for 't is worth the knowing — To find wherewith they keep their fires of Hell a-going. Dryap. At home, be wise as it befits thee there; Abroad, thou hast no cleverness to spare. Thou shouldst not homeward turn thy mind, but here The honor of the ancient oaks revere. MEPHISTOPHELES. One thinks on all relinquished there ; Use made it Paradise, and keeps it fair. But say, what is 't, in yonder cave Obscure, a crquching triple-shape resembling ? Dryab. The Phorkyads!* Go there, if thou art brave ; Address them, if thou canst, untrembling !

194faust.
MEPHISTOPHELES. | Why not! . . I something see, and am dumbfounded ! Proud as I am, I must confess the truth: | I 've never seen their like, in sooth, — Worse than our hags, an Ugliness unbounded! How can the Deadly Sins then ever be Found ugly in the least degree, - When one this triple dread shall see? We would not suffer them to dwell Even at the dreariest door of Hell; — But here, in Beauty's land, the Greek, They 're famed, because they 're called antique.... They stir, they seem to scent my coming; Like vampire-bats, they 're squeaking, twittering, hum- ming. THE PHORKYADS. Give me the eye, my sisters, that it spy Who to our temple ventures now so nigh. MEPHISTOPHELES. Most honored Dame! Approaching, by your leave, Grant that your triple blessing I receive. I come, though still unknown, yet, be it stated, If I mistake not, distantly related. Old, reverend Gods, already did I see; Act IT. 195 To Ops and Rhea have I bowed the knee; The Parce even — your sisters — yesterday, Or day before, they came across my way ; _ And yet the like of you ne'er met my sight: . Silent am I, and ravished with delight. THe PHoRKYADS. This spirit seems to have intelligence. MEPHISTOPHELES. I am amazed no poet has the sense To sing your praises, — say, how can it be That we no pictures of your beauty see? Should not, through you, the chisel strive to wean us From shapes like those of Juno, Pallas, Venus? THe PHoRKYADS. Sunken in solitude and stillest night, The mind of us ne'er took so far a flight. MEPHISTOPHELES. How should it, then? since here, concealed from view, None ever see you, none are seen by you! But choose those dwelling-places, and be known, Where Art and Splendor share an equal throne;

196faust.
Where swift, with double tread, day after day, A marble block as hero walks away ; Where — Tue PHoRKYADS. Cease, and rouse in us no longing vision! What profit, if we knew them with precision ? — We, born in night, akin to gloom alone, Unto ourselves almost, to others quite, unknown. MEPHISTOPHELES, In such a case there's little more to say, But one one's self to others can convey. One eye supplies you three, one tooth as well, So were it mythologically possible In two the being of the Three to cover, And unto me the third fair form make over, A short time, only. ONE. Will it do, forsooth ? THE OTHERS. We'll try it! —but without or eye or tooth. MEPHISTOPHELES. Now just the best thing have you taken away. How shall I then the image stern display? Act £1. 197 ONE. 'T is easily done: just close one eye, And let thy one side-tusk be seen thereby : In profile, thus, with not a trait diminished, Thy sisterly resemblance will be finished. MEPHISTOPHELES. So be it, then! THE PHORKYADS. So be it! M EPHISTOPHELES (as PHoRKYAD in profile). Me behold, The much-beloved son of Chaos old! THe PHorKYADs. Daughters of Chaos are we, by good right. MEPHISTOPHELES. Disgrace! They 'll call me now hermaphrodite. Tue PHorRKYADS. In our new sister-triad what a beauty! Two eyes have we, two teeth, for further duty.

198faust.
MEPHISTOPHELES. Now from all eyes I'll hide this visage fell, To fright the devils in the pool of Hell. [ Exit. IV. ROCKY COVES OF THE AGEAN SEA.® The Moon delaying in the Zenith.

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