Western European stream·Works of Goethe·Faust (Parts I and II)·Faust II (1832)·Act IV — High Mountains

Source context

Theme

aerial withdrawal and Mephisto's domain — the threshold between elemental conflict and imperial ambition

Soul-faculty

Consciousness Soul

Steiner

not engaged in the GA corpus

Cross-tradition

• Hermetic / alchemical traditionThe high-mountain setting as a site of elemental contention between aerial and chthonic forces parallels the Hermetic doctrine of the four elemental kingdoms as zones of initiatory trial rather than mere physical terrain.
• Norse-Germanic cosmologyMephisto's surveying of kingdoms from a mountain height carries structural cross-tradition congruence with the Eddic motif of Óðinn's high-seat Hliðskjálf, from which dominion over the world is perceived and contested.

Strong, serrated rocky peaks. A cloud approaches, pauses, and settles down upon @ projecting ledge. It then divides.

Faust (steps forth).

OWN-GAZING on the deepest solitudes below, I tread deliberately this summit's lonely edge, Relinquishing my cloudy car, which hither bore Me softly through the shining day o'er land and sea. Unscattered, slowly moved, it separates from me. Off eastward strives the mass with rounded, rolling march: And strives the eye, amazed, admiring, after it. In motion it divides, in wave-like, changeful guise ; Yet seems to shape a figure."9—- Yes! mine eyes not err! — On sun-illumined pillows beauteously reclined, Colossal, truly, but a godlike woman-form,

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Isee! The like of Juno, Leda, Helena, Majestically lovely, floats before my sight! Ah, now 't is broken! 'Towering broad and formlessly, It rests along the east like distant icy hills, And shapes the grand significance of fleeting days. Yet still there clings a light and delicate band of mist Around my breast and brow, caressing, cheering me. Now light, delayingly, it soars and higher soars, And folds together. — Cheats me an ecstatic form, As early-youthful, long-foregone and highest bliss? The first glad treasures of my deepest heart break forth; Aurora's love, so light of pinion, is its type, The swiftly-felt, the first, scarce-comprehended glance, Outshining every treasure, when retained and held. Like Spiritual Beauty mounts the gracious Form, Dissolving not, but lifts itself through ether far, And from my inner being bears the best away. (4 Seven-league Boot trips forward : 13° another immediately follows. MEPHISTOPHELES steps out of them. The Boots stride onward in haste.) | MEPHISTOPHELES. I call that genuine forward-striding ! But what thou mean'st, I'd have thee own, That in such horrors art abiding, Act IV. Amid these yawning Jags of stone? It was not here I learned to know them well; Such was, indeed, the bottom-ground of Hell. Faust. In foolish legends thou art never lacking ; Again thy store thou set'st about unpacking. MEPHISTOPHELES (seriously). When God the Lord — wherefore, I also know, — Banned us from air to darkness deep and central, Where round and round, in fierce, intensest glow, Eternal fires were whirled in Earth's hot entrail, We found ourselves too much illuminated, ; Yet crowded and uneasily situated. The Devils all set up a coughing, sneezing, At every vent without cessation wheezing : With sulphur-stench and acids Hell dilated, And such enormous gas was thence created, That very soon Earth's level, far extended, Thick as it was, was heaved, and split, and rended ! The thing is plain, no theories o'ercome it: What formerly was bottom, now is summit. Hereon they base the law there 's no disputing,

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To give the undermost the topmost footing : For we escaped from fiery dungeons there To overplus of lordship of the air ; — A mystery manifest and well concealed,'3! And to the people only late revealed. Faust. To me are mountain-masses grandly dumb: I ask not, Whence? and ask not, Why? they come. When Nature in herself her being founded, Complete and perfect then the globe she rounded, Glad of the summits and the gorges deep, | Set rock to rock, and mountain steep to steep, The hills with easy outlines downward moulded, Till gently from their feet the vales unfolded ! They green and grow; with joy therein she ranges, Requiring no insane, convulsive changes. MEPHISTOPHELES. Yes, so you talk! You think it clear as sun; But he knows otherwise, who saw it done. For I was there, while still below was surging The red abyss, and streamed the flaming tide, — When Moloch's hammer, welding rocks and forging, Scattered the mountain-ruins far and wide. Act IV. 317 O'er all the land the foreign blocks you spy there ; "3? Who solves the force that hurled them to their place? The lore of learned men is all awry there ; There lies the rock, and we must let it lie there; We 've thought already — to our own disgrace. Only the common, faithful people know, And nothing shakes them in their firm believing: Their wisdom ripened long ago, — A marvel 't is, of Satan's own achieving. On crutch of faith my traveller climbs the ridges, Past Devil's Rocks and over Devil's Bridges. Faust. Well, —'t is remarkable and new To note how Devils Nature view. MEPHISTOPHELES. What's allto me? Her shape let Nature wear! The point of honor is, the Devil was there! We are the folk to compass grand designs: Tumult, and Force, and Nonsense! See the signs! — Yet now, with sober reason to address thee, Did nothing on our outside shell impress thee? From this exceeding height thou saw'st unfurled The glory of the Kingdoms of the World.%33

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Yet, as thou art, unsatisfied, Didst feel no lust of power and pride? Faust. I did! A mighty plan my fancy won: Canst guess it? . MEPHISTOPHELES. That is quickly done. I'd take some town, —a capital, perchance, — Its core, the people's need of sustenance; With crooked alleys, pointed gables, Beets, cabbage, onions, on the market-tables ; With meat-stands, where the blue flies muster, And round fat joints like gourmands cluster : There shalt thou find, undoubtedly, Stench, always, and activity. Then ample squares, and streets whose measure Assumes an air of lordly leisure ; And last, without a gate to bar, The boundless suburbs stretching far. "T were joy to see the coaches go, The noisy crowding to and fro, The endless running, hither, thither, Of scattered ants that stream together: Act LV. 319 And whether walking, driving, riding, Ever their central point abiding, Honored by thousands, should be I. Faust. Therewith I would not be contented! One likes to see the people multiply, And in their wise with comfort fed, — Developed even, taught, well-bred, Yet one has only, when all's said, The sum of rebels thus augmented.™ MEPHISTOPHELES. Then I should build, with conscious power and grace, A pleasure-castle in a pleasant place; Where hill and forest, level, meadow, field, Grandly transformed, should park and garden yield. Before green walls of foliage velvet meadows, With ordered paths and artful-falling shadows ; Plunge of cascades o'er rocks with skill combined, And fountain-jets of every form and kind, There grandly shooting upwards from the middle, While round the sides a thousand spirt and piddle. Then for the fairest women, fresh and rosy,

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I'd build a lodge, convenient and cosey ; And so the bright and boundless time I should - Pass in the loveliest social solitude. Women, I say ; and, once for all, believe That in the plural I the sex conceive! Faust. Sardanapalus! Modern, — poor! MEPHISTOPHELES. Then might one guess whereunto thou hast striven? Boldly-sublime it was, I'm sure. Since nearer to the moon thy flight was driven, Would now thy mania that realm secure? Faust. Not so! This sphere of earthly soil Still gives us room for lofty doing. Astounding plans e'en now are brewing: I feel new strength for bolder toil. MEPHISTOPHELES. So, thou wilt Glory earn? 'T is plain to see — That heroines have been thy company. Act IV. Faust. Power and Estate to win, inspires my thought! The Deed is everything, the Glory naught. MEPHISTOPHELES. Yet Poets shall proclaim the matter, Thy fame to future ages flatter, By folly further folly scatter | Faust. All that is far beyond thy reach. How canst thou know what men beseech? Thy cross-grained self, in malice banned, How can it know what men demand? MEPHISTOPHELES. According to thy will so let it be! . Confide the compass of thy whims to me! Faust. Mine eye was drawn to view the open Ocean : "35 It swelled aloft, self-heaved and over-vaulting, And then withdrew, and shook its waves in motion, _ Again the breadth of level strand assaulting. | 45

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Then I was vexed, since arrogance can spite The spirit free, which values every right, And through excited passion of the blood Discomfort it, as did the haughty flood. - I thought it chance, my vision did I strain ; The billow paused, then thundered back again, Retiring from the goal so proudly won: The hour returns, the sport 's once more begun. MEPHISTOPHELES (ad spectatores). *T is nothing new whatever that one hears; & I've known it many a hundred thousand years. Faust (continuing impassionedly). The Sea sweeps on, in thousand quarters flowing, Itself unfruitful, barrenness bestowing ; It breaks and swells, and rolls, and overwhelms The desert stretch of desolated realms. There endless waves hold sway, in strength erected And then withdrawn, — and nothing is effected. If aught could drive me to despair, 't were, truly, The aimless force of elements unruly. Then dared my mind its dreams to over-soar : Ad IV. 323 Here would I fight, — subdue this fierce uproar! And possible 't is! — Howe'er the tides may fill, They gently fawn around the steadfast hill; A moderate height resists and drives asunder, A moderate depth allures and leads them on. So, swiftly, plans within my mind were drawn: ~ Let that high joy be mine forevermore, To shut the lordly Ocean from the shore, The watery waste to limit and to bar, And push it back upon itself afar! From step to step I settled how to fight it: Such is my wish: dare thou to expedite it! (Drums and martial music in the rear of the spectators, from the dis- tance, on the right hand.) MEPHISTOPHELES. How easy, that !|— Hear'st thou the drums afar? Faust. Who's wise likes not to hear of coming war. MEPHISTOPHELES. In War or Peace, 't is wise to use the chance, And draw some profit from each circumstance,

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One watches, marks the moment, and is bold: Here 's opportunity ! — now, Faust, take hold! Faust. Spare me the squandering of thy riddle-pelf! What means it, once for all? Explain thyself! MEPHISTOPHELES. Upon my way, to me it was discovered That mighty troubles o'er the Emperor hovered: __ Thou knowest him. The while we twain, beside him, With wealth illusive bounteously supplied him, Then all the world was to be had for pay; For as a youth he held imperial sway, And he was pleased to try it, whether Both interests would not smoothly pair, Since 't were desirable and fair To govern and enjoy, together. Faust. A mighty error! He who would command Must in commanding find his highest blessing : Then, let his breast with force of will expand, But what he wills, be past another's guessing ! Act IV. 325 What to his faithful he hath whispered, that Is turned to act, and men amaze thereat: Thus will he ever be the highest-placed And worthiest ! — Enjoyment makes debased. MEPHISTOPHELES. Such is he not! He did enjoy, even he! Meanwhile the realm was torn by anarchy, Where great and small were warring with each other, And brother drove and slaughtered brother, Castle to castle, town 'gainst town arrayed, The nobles and the guilds of trade, The Bishop, with his chapter and congregation, — All meeting eyes but looked retaliation. In churches death and murder; past the gates, The merchants travelled under evil fates ; And all grew bolder, since no rule was drawn For life, but: Self-defence !— So things went on. Faust. They went, they limped, they fell, arose again, Then tumbled headlong, and in heaps remain. MEPHISTOPHELES. Such a condition no man dared abuse. Each would be something, each set forth his dues;

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The smallest even as full-measured passed : Yet for the best it grew too bad at last. The Capable, they then arose with energy, And said: '" Who gives us Peace, shall ruler be. The Emperor can and will not! — Be elected An Emperor new, anew the realm directed, Each one secure and sheltered stand, And in a fresh-constructed land Justice and Peace be mated and perfected!" Faust. Priest-like, that sounds. MEPHISTOPHELES. Priests were they, to be sure; | They meant their well-fed bellies to secure; They, more than all, therein were implicated.'3° The riot rose, the riot was consecrated, And now our Emperor, whom we gave delight, Comes hitherward, perchance for one last fight. Faust. I pity him; he was so frank, forgiving. MEPHISTOPHELES. Come we 'Il look on! There 's hope while one is living! Let us release him from this narrow valley ! Act IV. 327 He's saved a thousand times, if once he rally. Who knows how yet the dice may fall? If he has fortune, vassals come withal. [ They cross over the middle range of mountains, and view the arrange- ment of the army in the valley. Drums and military music resound from below. | MEPHISTOPHELES. A good position is, I see, secured them ; We 'Il join, then victory will be assured them. Faust. What further, I should like to know? Cheat! Blind delusion! Hollow show! MEPHISTOPHELES. No,—stratagems, for battle-winning ! Be steadfast for the grand beginning, And think upon thy lofty aim! If we secure the realm its rightful claimant, Then shalt thou boldly kneel, and claim The boundless strand in feoff, as payment. Faust. In many arts didst thou excel : Come, win a battle now, as well!

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MEPHISTOPHELES. No, thou shalt win it! Here, in brief, Shalt thou be General-in-Chief. Faust. A high distinction: thou wouldst lend, — There to command, where naught I comprehend! MEPHISTOPHELES. Leave to the Staff the work and blame, Then the Field-Marshal 's sure of fame! Of War-Uncouncils I have had enough, And my War-Council fashion of the stuff Of primal mountains' primal human might: He's blest, for whom its elements unite! Faust. What do I see, with arms, in yonder place? Hast thou aroused the mountain-race? MEPHISTOPHELES. No! But I've brought, like Peter Squence,'37 From all the raff the quintessence. The Three Mighty Men appear.*38 Act LV. 329 MEPHISTOPHELES. My fellows draw already near ! Thou seest, of very different ages, Of different garb and armor they appear : They will not serve thee ill when battle rages. (Ad spectatores.) Now every child delights to see The harness and the helm of knightly action ; And allegoric, as the blackguards be, They ll only all the more give satisfaction. Buty (young, lightly armed, clad in motley). When one shall meet me, face to face, My fisticuffs shall on his chops be showered ; And midway in his headlong race, Fast by his flying hair I ll catch the coward. Haveguick (manly, well-armed, richly clad). Such empty brawls are only folly! They spoil whate'er occasion brings. In taking, be unwearied wholly, And after, look to other things!

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Ho.prast (well in years, strongly-armed, without raiment). Yet little gain thereafter lingers ! Soon slips great wealth between your fingers, Borne by the tides of Life as down they run. *T is well to take, indeed, but better still to hold: Be by the gray old churl controlled, And thou shalt plundered be by none. (They descend the mountain together.) Act LV. 331 II. ON THE HEADLAND.139 Drums and military music from below. The EMPEROR'S éent is pitched. EMPEROR. GENERAL-IN-CHIEF. DLiFE-GUARDSMEN. GENERAL-IN-CHIEF. T still appears the prudentest of courses That here, in this appropriate vale, We have withdrawn and strongly massed our forces: I firmly trust we shall not fail. EMPEROR. What comes of it will soon be brought to light ; Yet I dislike this yielding, semi-flight. GENERAL-IN-CHIEF. Look down, my Prince, where our right flank is planted! The field which War desires hath here been granted : Not steep the hills, yet access not preparing, To us advantage, to the foe insnaring ;

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Their cavalry will hardly dare surround Our strength half hid, on undulating ground. EMPEROR. My commendation, only, need I speak ; Now arm and courage have the test they seek. GENERAL-IN-CHIEF, Here, on the middle meadow's level spaces Thou seest the phalanx, eager in their places. In air the lances gleam and sparkle, kissed By sunshine, through the filmy morning mist. How darkling sways the grand and powerful square! The thousands burn for great achievements there. Therein canst thou perceive the strength of masses ; And thine, be sure, the foemen's strength surpasses. EMPEROR. Now first do I enjoy the stirring sight: An army, thus, appears of double might. GENERAL-IN-CHIEF. But of our left I've no report to make. Brave heroes garrison the rocky brake; Act IV. 333 The stony cliffs, by gleams of weapons specked, - The entrance to the close defile protect. Here, as I guess, the foemen's force will shatter, Forced unawares upon the bloody matter. EMPEROR. And there they march, false kin, one like the other ! Even as they styled me Uncle, Cousin, Brother, Assuming more, and ever more defying, The sceptre's power, the throne's respect, denying ; Then, in their feuds, the realm they devastated, And now as Rebels march, against me mated |! Awhile with halting minds the masses go, Then ride the stream, wherever it may flow. GENERAL-IN-CHIEF. A faithful man, sent out some news to win, Comes down the rocks: may he have lucky been! First Spy. Luckily have we succeeded ; Helped by bold and cunning art, Here and there have pressed, and heeded, But 't is ill news we impart.

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Many, purest homage pledging, Like the faithful, fealty swore, — For inertness now alleging People's danger, strife in store. EMPEROR. They learn from selfishness self-preservation, Not duty, honor, grateful inclination. You do not think that, when your reckoning 's shown, The neighbor's burning house shall fire your own! GENERAL-IN-CHIEF. ~The Second comes, descending slowly hither ; A weary man, whose strength appears to wither. ' _ SECOND Spy. First with comfort we detected What their plan confused was worth; Then, at once and unexpected, Came another Emperor forth. As he bids, in ordered manner March the gathering hosts away ; His unfolded lying banner All have followed. — Sheep are they ! Act IV. a2 EMPEROR. Now, by a Rival Emperor shall I gain: That Jam Emperor, thus to me is plain. But as a soldier I the mail put on; Now for a higher aim the sword be drawn! At all my shows, however grand to see, Did nothing lack: but Danger lacked, fo me. Though you but tilting at the ring suggested, My heart beat high to be in tourney tested ; And had you not from war my mind dissuaded, For glorious deeds my name were now paraded. But independence then did I acquire, When I stood mirrored in the realm of fire: In the dread element I dared to stand ; — 'T was but a show, and yet the show was grand, Of fame and victory I have dreamed alone; But for the base neglect I now atone ! (The Heratps are despatched to challenge the Rival Emperor to single combat.) Faust enters, in armor, with half-closed visor. The THREE Micuty Men, armed and clothed, as already described. Faust. We come, and hope our coming is not chidden ;

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Prudence may help, though by the need unbidden. The mountain race, thou know'st, think and explore, — Of Nature and the rocks they read the lore. The Spirits, forced from the level land to sever, Are of the rocky hills more fain than ever. Silent, they work through labyrinthine passes, In rich, metallic fumes of noble gases, On solving, testing, blending, most intent : Their only passion, something to invent. With gentle touch of spiritual power They build transparent fabrics, hour by hour ; For they, in crystals and their silence, furled,'4 Behold events that rule the Upper World. EMPEROR. I understand it, and can well agree; But say, thou gallant man, what 's that to me? Faust. The Sabine old, the Norcian necromancer," Thy true and worthy servant, sends thee answer : What fearful fate it was, that overhung him! The fagots crackled, fire already stung him;. The billets dry were closely round him fixed, With pitch and rolls of brimstone intermixed ; Ac LV. . 337 Not Man, nor God, nor Devil, him could save, — The Emperor plucked him from his fiery grave. It was in Rome. Still is he bound unto thee ; Upon thy path his anxious thoughts pursue thee ; Himself since that dread hour forgotten, he Questions the stars, the depths, alone for thee. Us he commissioned, by the swiftest courses Thee to assist. Great are the mountain's forces; There Nature works all-potently and free, Though stupid priests therein but magic see. EMPEROR. On days of joy, when we the guests are greeting, Who for their gay delight are gayly meeting, Each gives us pleasure, as they push and pull, And crowd, man after man, the chambers full; Yet chiefly welcome is the brave man, thus, When as a bold ally he brings to us Now, in the fateful morning hour, his talents, While Destiny uplifts her trembling balance. Yet, while the fates of this high hour unfold, Thy strong hand from the willing sword withhold, — Honor the moment, when the hosts are striding, For or against me, to the field deciding ! Self is the Man!'42, Who crown and throne would claim

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Must personally be worthy of the same. And may the Phantom, which against us stands, The self-styled Emperor, Lord of all our lands, The army's Duke, our Princes' feudal head, With mine own hand be hurled among the dead! Faust. Howe'er the need that thy great work be finished, Risked were thy head, the chances were diminished. Is not the helm adorned with plume and crest? The head it shields, that steels our courage best. Without a head, what should the members bridle? Let it but sleep, they sink supine and idle. If it be injured, all the hurt confess in 't, And all revive, when it is convalescent. Then soon the arm its right shall reassert, And lift the shield to save the skull from hurt: The sword perceives at once its honored trust, Parries with vigor, and repeats the thrust : The gallant foot its share of luck will gain, And plants itself upon the necks of slain. EMPEROR. Such is my wrath; I'd meet him thus, undaunted, And see his proud head as my footstool planted! Act IV. 339 Heratps (returning). Little honor was accorded ; We have met with scorn undoubted: Our defiance, nobly worded, As an empty farce they flouted: "Lo, your Lord is but a vision, — Echo of a vanished prime: When we name him, says Tradition : 'He was — once upon a time!'" Faust. It's happened as the best would fain have planned, Who, firm and faithful, still beside thee stand. There comes the foe, thy army waits and wishes; Order attack! the moment is auspicious. EMPEROR. Yet I decline to exercise command. (To the GENERAL-IN-CHIEF.) Thy duty, Prince, be trusted to thy hand! GENERAL-IN-CHIEF. Then let the right wing now advance apace! The enemy's left, who just begin ascending,

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Shall, ere the movement close, give up their place, Before the youthful force our field defending. Faust. Permit me, then, that this gay hero may Be stationed in thy ranks, without delay, — That with thy men most fully he consort, And thus incorporate, ply his vigorous sport! (He points to the Micuty Man on the right.) Butty (coming forward).*43 Who shows his face to me, before he turn Shall find his cheekbones and his chops are shattered : Who shows his back, one sudden blow shall earn, Then head and pig-tail dangling hang, and battered ! And if thy men, like me, will lunge With mace and sword, beside each other, Man over man the foe shall plunge And in their own deep blood shall smother ! GENERAL-IN-CHIEF. Let then our centre phalanx follow slow, — Engage with caution, yet with might, the foe! There to the right, already overtaken, Our furious force their plan has rudely shaken! (Exit. Act IV. 341 Faust (pointing to the middle one). Let also this one now obey thy word! Haveguick (comes forward). Unto the host's heroic duty Shall now be joined the thirst for booty ; And be the goal, where all are sent, The Rival Emperor's sumptuous tent! He shall not long upon his seat be lorded: To lead the phalanx be to me accorded! SPEEDBOOTY (sutleress, fawning upon him). Though never tied to him by priest, He is my sweetheart dear, at least. Our autumn 't is, of ripest gold! Woman is fierce when she takes hold, And when she robs, 1s merciless: All is allowed, so forth to victory press! [Exeunt both. GENERAL-IN-CHIEF. Upon our left, as was to be foreseen, Their right is strongly hurled. Yon rocks between, Ours will resist their furious beginning, And hinder them the narrow pass from winning.

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Faust (deckons to the Micuty Man on the left). I beg you, Sire, let this one also aid ; 'T is well when even the strong are stronger made. Hotprast (coming forwards). Now let the left wing have no fear! The ground is surely held, where I appear: I am the Ancient you were told of : No lightning splits what I keep hold of! MEPHISTOPHELES (descending from above). And now behold, how, more remote, From every jagged rocky throat Comes forth an arméd host, increasing, Down every narrow pathway squeezing, With helm and harness, sword and spear, A living rampart in our rear, And wait the sign to charge the foemen! (Aside, to the knowing ones.) You must not ask whence comes the omen. I have not been a careless scout, But cleared the halls of armor round about. [ Exit. Act LV. 343 They stood a-foot, they sat on horses, Like Lords of Earth and real forces: Once Emperors, Kings, and Knights were they, | Now empty shells, — the snails have crawled away. Full many ghosts, arrayed so, have for us Revamped the Middle Ages thus. Whatever Devils now the shells select, This once 't will still create effect. ( Aloud.) Hark! in advance they stir their anger, Each jostling each with brassy clangor! The banner-rags of standards flutter flowing, That restless waited for the breeze's blowing. Here standeth ready, now, an ancient race; In the new conflict it would fain have place. (Tremendous peal of trumpets from above: a perceptible wavering in the hostile army.) Faust. The near horizon dims and darkles; Yet here and there with meaning sparkles A ruddy and presaging glow ; 4 The blades are red where strife is sorest,

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The atmosphere, the rocks, the forest, The very heavens the combat show. MEPHISTOPHELES. The right flank holds its ground with vigor : There, towering over all, defiant, Jack Bully works, the nimble giant, And drives them with his wonted rigor. EMPEROR. I first beheld one arm uplifted, But now a dozen tossed and shifted: Unnatural such things appear. Faust. Hast thou not heard of vapors banded, O'er the Sicilian coasts expanded ? There, hovering in daylight clear, When mid-air gleams in rarer phases, And mirrored in especial hazes, A vision wonderful awakes: There back and forth are cities bending, With gardens rising and descending, As form on form the ether breaks. Act IV. 345 EMPEROR. Yet how suspicious! I behold The tall spears tipped with gleams of gold: Upon our phalanx' shining lances A nimble host of flamelets dances: Too spectral it appears to me. Faust. Pardon me, Lord, those are the traces Of spirits of the vanished races, — The fires of Pollux and of Castor, Whom seamen call on in disaster : They here collect their final strength for thee. EMPEROR. But say, to whom are we indebted, That Nature hath our plans abetted, With shows of rarest potency ? MEPHISTOPHELES. To whon, indeed, but that old Roman Whose care for thee at last is proved? By the strong menace of thy foemen His deepest nature has been moved.

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His gratitude would see thee now delivered, Though his own being for thy sake be shivered. | Emperor. They cheered my march, with every pomp invested ; I felt my power, I meant to see it tested ; So, carelessly, I found it well, as ruler, To send the white beard where the air was cooler. I robbed the Clergy of a pleasant savor, And, truly, have not thus acquired their favor. Shall I, at last, since many years are over, The payment for that merry deed recover? Faust. Free-hearted help heaps interest : Look up, and cease to watch the foemen! Methinks that 4e will send an omen: Attend! the sign is now expressed."45 Emperor. An Eagle hovers in the heavenly vault : A Griffin follows, menacing assault. Faust. Give heed! It seems most favorable. The Griffin is a beast of fable: Act IV. How dare he claim a rival regal, And meet in fight a genuine Eagle? EMPEROR. And now, in circles wide extended, They wheel involved, — then, like a flash, Upon each other swiftly dash, That necks be cleft and bodies rended ! Faust. Mark now the evil Griffin quail ! Rumpled and torn, the foe he feareth, And with his drooping lion's-tail, Plunged in the tree-tops, disappeareth. EMPEROR. Even as presaged, so may it be! I take the sign, admiringly. MEPHISTOPHELES (towards the right). From the force of blows repeated Have our enemies retreated ; And in fight uncertain, shifting, Towards their right they now are drifting, Thus confusing, by their courses, All the left flank of their forces.

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See! our phalanx, firmly driven, Moves to right, and, like the levin, Strikes them in the weak position. — Now, like waves in wild collision, Equal powers, with rage opposing, In the double fight are closing. Gloriously the weapons rattle; We, at last, have won the battle! EMPEROR (on the left, to Faust). Look! it yonder seems suspicious ; For our post the luck 's capricious. Not a stone I see them throw there; Mounted are the rocks below there, And the upper ones deserted. Now !— to one huge mass converted Nearer moves the foe, unshaken, And perchance the pass hath taken. Such the unholy plan's conclusion ! All your arts are but delusion. Pause. MEPHISTOPHELES. There come my ravens, croaking presage ; Act IV. What nature, then, may be their message? I fear we stand in evil plight. EMPEROR. What mean these fatal birds enchanted ? Their inky sails are hither slanted, Hot from the rocky field of fight. MEPHISTOPHELES (fo the Ravens). Sit at mine ears, your flight retarded! He is not lost whom you have guarded ; Your counsel 's logical and right. Faust (to the EMPEROR). Thou hast, of course, been told of pigeons, Taught to return from distant regions , To nests upon their native coast. Here, differently, the plan 's succeeded ; The pigeon-post for Peace is needed, But War requires the raven-post. MEPHISTOPHELES. The birds announce us sore mischances. See, yonder, how the foe advances Against our heroes' rocky wall,

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The nearest heights even now attaining! Should they succeed the pass in gaining, Our fortunes, then, were critical. EMPEROR. Defeat and cheat at last are on me! Into your meshes you have drawn me: I shudder, since they bind me fast. MEPHISTOPHELES. Courage! Not yet the die is cast. Patience and knack, for knot-untying! The close will be the fiercest stand. Sure messengers for me are flying: Command that I may give command! GENERAL-IN-CHIEF (who has meanwhile arrived). To follow these hast thou consented ; Thence all the time was I tormented: No fortune comes of jugglery. The battle 's lost, I cannot mend it; "T was they began, and they may end it: My baton I return to thee. Act LV. 351 EMPEROR. Retain it for the better season Which Fortune still to us may send! I dread the customers with reason, — The ravens and their ugly friend. (To MEPHISTOPHELES.) As for the baton, thou must leave it; Thou 'rt not, methinks, the proper man. Command the fight, canst thou retrieve it! Let happen all that happen can! [ Exit into the tent with the GENERAL-IN-CHIEF. MEPHISTOPHELES. The blunt stick still be his protection ! °T would naught avail in our direction ; There was a sort of Cross thereon. Faust. What 's to be done? MEPHISTOPHELES. The thing is done ! 146 — Now, my black cousins, speed upon your duties To the mountain-lake! The Undines, watery beauties, Entreat, the appearance of their floods to spare! =

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By female arts, beyond our sharpest seeing, A They can divide the Appearance from the Being, ~ And all will swear the Being 's there! i ea Pause. Faust. Our ravens must, with flattery beladen, Have sweetly coaxed each winsome water-maiden ; The trickling streams at once descend. The bald and rocky shoulders of the mountains Give birth to full and swiftly-flowing fountains ; Their victory is at an end. MEPHISTOPHELES. To such reception they 're not used : The boldest climbers grow confused. Faust. Now brook roars down to brook with mighty bubble; Then from the mouths of glens they issue double, And fling themselves, in arches, o'er the pale ; Then suddenly spread along the rocky level, And to and fro foam onward in their revel, As down a stairway hurled into the vale. Act IV. 353 What boots their gallant, hero-like resistance? The billow bursts, and bears them down the distance; Before such wild uproar even I must quail. MEPHISTOPHELES. Nothing I see of all this moist illusion: To human eyes, alone, it brings confusion, And in the wondrous chance I take delight. They fly in headlong, hurried masses ; That they are drowning, think the asses : Though on the solid land, they see an ocean, And run absurdly with a swimming motion. It is a most bewildering plight. (The Ravens return.) To the high Master will I praise you duly ; But would you test yourselves as masters fully, Then hasten to that smithy eerie, Where the dwarf-people, never weary, Hammer the sparks from ore and stone. Demand, while there you prate and flatter, A fire to shine, and shoot, and scatter, As in the highest sense 't is known. | "T is true that distant lightning, quivering far-lights, And falling, quick as wink, of highest star-lights,

354 Faust.
May happen any summer night ; But lightning, loose among the tangled bushes, And stars that hiss and fizzle in the rushes, Are shows that seldom meet the sight. Take no great pains, you understand ; But first entreat, and then command! (Exeunt the Ravens. All takes place as prescribed.) Upon the foe falls Night's thick curtain, And step and march become uncertain ! In every quarter wandering blazes, And sudden glare, that blinds and dazes! . All that seems fine; yet we should hear Their wild, commingled cries of fear. Faust. The hollow armor from the vaulted chambers In the free air its ancient strength remembers : It rattles there, and clatters all around, — A wonderful, a cheating sound. MEPHISTOPHELES. Quite right! The forms there's no restraining : Already knightly whacks are raining, As in the splendid times of old. Act IV. —- acs The brassarts there, as well as cuisses, Are Guelfs and Ghibellines ; and this is Renewal of the feud they hold. Firm in transmitted hate they anchor, And show implacably their rancor : Now far and wide the noise hath rolled. At last, the Devils find a hearty Advantage in the hate of Party, Till dread and ruin end the tale: Repulsive sounds of rage and panic, With others, piercing and Satanic, Resound along the frightened vale! (Warlike tumult in the Orchestra, finally passing into lively martial measures.)

356Faust.

10 0 Ps
' ng. e ee aia or Sai THE RIVAL EMPEROR'S TENT. THRONE: RicH SURROUNDINGS. Haveguick. SPEEDBOOTY. SPEEDBOOTY. S°: we are here the first, I see! HaveEguiIck. No raven flies so swift as we. SPEEDBOOTY. O, how the treasure-piles extend! Where shall I once begin? where end? HaveEgvlIck. But all the space is full! And now I know not what to take, I vow! SPEEDBOOTY. This carpet is the thing I need! My couch is often hard indeed. Act IV. cy, HaveEguvick. Here hangs a morning-star, so strong, The like of which I've wanted long. SPEEDBOOTY. This crimson mantle, bound with gold, Is like the one my dreams foretold. Haveguick (taking the weapon). With this, a man is quickly sped ; One strikes him dead, and goes ahead. Thou art already laden so, And nothing right thy sack can show. This rubbish, rather, here forsake, And one of yonder caskets take! The army's modest pay they hold, Their bellies full of purest gold. SPEEDBOOTY. O what a murderous weight is there! I cannot lift it, cannot bear. HavegulIcK. Quick, bend and squat to take the pack! I'll heave it on thy sturdy back.

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SPEEDBOOTY. Ome! Alack! the burden slips : The weight has crushed my back and hips. (The chest falls and bursts open.) HaveEguviIck. There lies the red gold in a heap! | Quick, rake and take what thou canst keep! SPEEDBOOTY (crouching down). Quick, let the booty fill my lap! 'T will still be quite enough, mayhap. \ HaveEguick. So! there 's enough! Now haste, and go! | (She rises.) The apron has a hole, ah woe! 'Wherever thou dost walk or stand, Thou sowest treasure on the land.'47 GuarRpsMEN (of our EMPEROR). What seek ye here with wanton eyes? Ye rummage the Imperial prize! Act IV. HaveEguick. We hazarded our limbs for pay, And now we take our share of prey. In hostile tents 't is always so, And we are soldiers too, you know. GUARDSMEN. Among our troops he comes to grief Who 's both a soldier and a thief: Who serves our Emperor fair and free, Let him an honest soldier be! HaveEgvick. O yes! such honesty we know: "T is Contribution, — call it so! "48 In the same mould you all are made: "Give!" is the password of your trade. (To SpEEDBOOTY.) With what thou hast, the coast we 'Il clear : As guests we are not welcome here. First GuaRDSMAN. Why didst thou not at once bestow On the scamp's face a smashing blow? [ Exeunt.

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SECOND. I know not, — had not strength to strike; They seemed to me so phantom-like. THIRD. Something there was disturbed my sight, — A flash: I could not see aright. Fourtu. I, also, can declare it not: The whole day long it was so hot, So sultry, close, and terrible ; One man stood firm, another fell ; We groped and fought, with valor rash, The foemen fell at every slash ; Before one's eyes there was a mist, And something roared, and hummed, and hissed ; So to the end, and here are we, And how it happened, cannot see. (The EMPEROR enters, accompanied by Four Princes. The GUARDSMEN retire.) EMPEROR.'499 Now fare he, as he may! For us is won the battle, And o'er the plain the foe have fled like frightened cattle. Act IV. 361 The trait'rous treasure, here, the empty throne, we 've found, That, hung with tapestry, contracts the space around. Enthroned in honor we, true guardsmen us protecting, The people's envoys are imperially expecting. The messengers of joy arrive from every side, And, loyal now to us, the realm is pacified. Though in our fight, perchance, some jugglery was woven, Yet, at the last, our own unaided strength we 've proven. True, accidents sometimes for combatants are good ; A stone may fall from heaven, on foes a shower of blood ; From rocky caves may ring tremendous strains of wonder, That lift our hearts with faith, and drive the foe asunder. The Conquered yielded, scourged by Scorn's immortal rod ; The Victor, as he boasts, exalts the favoring God ; And all responsive shout, unordered, unentreated : "We praise Thee, God our Lord!" from million throats repeated. Yet as the highest praise, so rarely else expressed, I turn my pious glance on mine own grateful breast. A young and lively Prince may give his days to pleasure; Him teach the years, at last, the moment's use to measure. Therefore, without delay, I call ye, for support, Beside me, worthy Four, in realm and house and court.

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(To the First.) Thine was, O Prince! the host's arrangement, wise in- spection, Then, in the nick of time, heroic, bold direction : Act now in peace, as Time thine offices may show! Arch-Marshal shalt thou be: the sword I here bestow. ARCH-MARSHAL. Thy faithful host, till now employed for civil order, Thee and thy throne secured, shall strengthen next thy border : | Then let us be allowed, when festal throngs are poured Through thine ancestral halls, to dress for thee the board. Before thee brightly borne, and brightly held beside thee, Thy Majesty's support, the sword shall guard and guide thee! Emperor (0 the SECOND). He who as gallant man can also gracious be, Thou, — be: Arch-Chamberlain ! — not light the place, for thee. Thou art the highest now of all the house-retainers Whose strife makes service bad,— the threateners and com plainers : Act IV. 363 Let thy example be an honored sign to these, How they the Prince and Court, and all, should seek to please ! ArRcH-CHAMBERLAIN. To speed thy high design, thy grace is fair precursor: The Better to assist, and injure not the Worser, — Be frank, yet cunning not, and calm without deceit ! If thou but read my heart, I'm honored as is meet. But let my fancy now to festal service hasten! Thou goest to the board, I bear the golden basin, And hold thy rings for thee, that on such blissful days Thy hands may be refreshed, as I beneath thy gaze. EMPEROR. Too serious am I still, to plan such celebration ; Yet be itso! We need a glad inauguration. (To the Tuirp.) I choose thee Arch-High-Steward! Therefore hence- forth be Chase, poultry-yard, and manor subject unto thee! Give me at all times choice of dishes I delight in, As with the month they come, and cooked with appetite in |

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ARCH-HIGH-STEWARD. A rigid fast shall be the penalty I wish, Until before thee stands a goodly-savored dish. The kitchen-folk shall join, and gladly heed my reasons To bring the distant near and expedite the seasons. Yet rare and early things shall not delight thee long: Thy taste desires, instead, the simple and the strong. Emperor (To the Fourtn). Since here, perforce, we plan but feasts, and each is sharer, Be thou for me transformed, young hero, to Cup-bearer ! Arch Cup-Bearer, take heed, that all those vaults of mine Richly replenished be with noblest taps of wine! Be temperate thyself, howe'er temptation presses, Nor let occasion's lure mislead thee to excesses ! ArcH Cup-BEarRER. My Prince, the young themselves, if trust in them be shown, Are, ere one looks around, already men full-grown. I at the lordly feast shall also take my station, And give thy sideboard's pomp the noblest decoration Of gorgeous vessels, golden, silver, grand to see; Yet first the fairest cup will I select for thee, — Act IV. 365 A clear Venetian glass, good cheer within it waiting, Helping the taste of wine, yet ne'er intoxicating. One oft confides too much on such a treasured store: Thy moderation, though, High Lord, protects thee more. EMPEROR. What, in this earnest hour, for you have I intended, From valid mouth confidingly you 've comprehended. The Emperor's word is great, his gift is therefore sure, But needs, for proper force, his written signature : The high sign-manual fails. Here, for commission needful, I see the right man come, of thg right moment heedful. (The ARcHBISHOP-ARCH-CHANCELLOR enters.) EMPEROR. If in the keystone of the arch the vault confide, "T is then securely built, for endless time and tide. Thou seest four Princes here! To them we've just ex- pounded How next our House and Court shall be more stably founded. a Now, all the realm contains, within its bounds enclosed, Shall be, with weight and power, upon Ye Five imposed !

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Your landed wealth shall be before all others splendid ; Therefore at once have I your properties extended From their inheritance, who raised 'gainst us the hand. You I award, ye Faithful, many a lovely land, 'Together with the right, as you may have occasion, To spread them by exchange, or purchase, or invasion: Then be it clearly fixed, that you unhindered use Whate'er prerogatives have been the landlord's dues. When ye, as Judges, have the final sentence spoken, By no appeal from your high Court shall it be broken: Then levies, tax and rent, pass-money, tolls and fees Are yours, -—of mines and salt and coin the royalties. That thus my gratitude may validly be stated, You next to Majesty hereby I 've elevated. ARCHBISHOP. In deepest thanks to thee we humbly all unite: Thou mak'st us strong and sure, and strengthenest thy might. EMPEROR. Yet higher dignities I give for your fulfilling. Still for my realm I live, and still to live am willing ; Yet old ancestral lines compel the prudent mind To look from present deeds to that which looms behind. Act LV. 367 I, also, in my time, must meet the sure Redresser ; Your duty be it, then, to choose me a successor. Crowned, at the altar raise his consecrated form, That so may end in peace what here began in storm! ARCH-CHANCELLOR. With pride profound, yet humbly, as our guise evinces, Behold, before thee bowed, the first of earthly princes! So long the faithful blood our living veins shall fill, We are the body which obeys thy lightest will. EMPEROR. Now, to conclude, let all that we have here asserted, Be, for the future time, to document converted ! °T is true that ye, as lords, have your possession free, With this condition, though, that it unparcelled be; And what ye have from us, howe'er ye swell the treasure, Shall to the eldest son descend in equal measure. ARCH-CHANCELLOR. On parchment I, at once, shall gladly tabulate, To bless the realm and us, the statute of such weight: The copy and the seals the Chancery shall procure us, Thy sacred hand shall then validity assure us. |

368faust.
EMPEROR. Dismissal now I grant, that you, assembled, may Deliberate upon the great, important day. . (The Secular Princes retire.) ARCHBISHOP (remains and speaks pathetically), The Chancellor withdrew, the Bishop stands before thee: A warning spirit bids that straightway he implore thee! His heart paternal quakes with anxious fear for thee. EMPEROR. In this glad hour what may thy dread misgiving be? ARCHBISHOP. Alas, in such an hour, how much my pain must greaten, To find thy hallowed head in covenant with Satan! True, to the throne, it seems, hast thou secured thy right; But, woe! in God the Lord's, the Holy Pontiff's spite. Swift shall he punish when he learns the truth — the latter: Thy sinful realm at once with holy ban he 'll shatter! He still remembers how, amid thy highest state, When newly crowned, thou didst the wizard liberate.'5 Thy diadem but made thy heart for Christians harden, Act LV. 369 For on that head accurst fell its first beam of pardon., Now beat thy breast, and from thy guilty stores, this day, Unto the Sanctuary a moderate mite repay ! The spacious sweep of hills, where stood thy tent erected, — Where Evil Spirits then, united, thee protected, — Where late the Liar-Prince thy hearing did secure, — Devote thou, meekly taught, to pious use and pure, With hill and forest dense, far as they stretch extended, And slopes that greenly swell for pastures never ended, Then crystal lakes of fish, unnumbered brooks that flow In foamy windings down, and braid the vale below; The broad vale then, itself, with mead, and lawn, and hollow! Thus penitence is shown, and pardon soon shall follow. EMPEROR. For this, my heavy sin, my terror is profound: By thine own measure shalt thou draw the borders round. ARCHBISHOP. First be the spot profane, where sin was perpetrated, To God's high service soon and wholly dedicated! With speed the walls arise to meet the mind's desire; The rising morning sun already lights the choir ;

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The growing structure spreads, the transept stands exalted ; Joy of Believers, then, the nave is lifted, vaulted ; And while they press with zeal within the portals grand, The first clear call of bells is swept across the land, -Pealed from the lofty towers that heavenwards have striven: The penitent draws near, new life to him is given. The consecration-day — O, may it soon be sent ! — Thy presence then shall be the highest ornament. EMPEROR. So great a work shall be my pious proclamation To praise the Lord our God, and work mine expiation. Enough! I feel, e'en now, how high my thoughts aspire. ARCHBISHOP. As Chancellor, next, the formal treaty I require. EMPEROR. A formal document, — the Church needs full requital : Bring it to me, and I with joy will sign her title! ARCHBISHOP (has taken leave, but turns back again at the door). At once unto the work devote, that it may stand, Tithes, levies, tax, —— the total income of the land, Act LV. 371 Forever. Much it needs, to be supported fairly, And careful maintenance will also cost us rarely : And, that it soon be built, on such a lonesome wold, Thou 'It from thy booty spare to us some little gold. Moreover, we shall want — here, most, we claim assist- ance — | Lumber, and lime, and slate, and such like, from a distance. The people these shall haul, thus from the pulpit taught ; The Church shall bless the man, whose team for her has wrought. [ Exit. EMPEROR. The sin is very sore, wherewith my soul is weighted : Much damage unto me the Sorcerers have created. ARCHBISHOP (returning once again, with profoundest genuflections). Pardon, O Prince! to him, that vile, notorious man, The Empire's coast was given; but him shall smite the ban, Unless thy penitence the Church's wrath relaxes There, too, with tithes and gifts, and revenues and taxes, EMPEROR (i/l-humoredly). The land doth not exist: far in the sea it lies.

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ARCHBISHOP, Who patient is, and right, his day shall yet arise. Your word for us remains, and makes secure our trover! [ Exit. EMPEROR (solus). I might as well, at last, make all the Empire over ! Ad V. 373 OPEN COUNTRY.

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