THE LORD. Though he now serves me in a cloud of error, I will soon lead him forth to the clear day. When trees look green full well the gardener knows That fruits and blooms will deck the coming year. What will MEPHISTOPHELES, you bet?-now I am sure of winningOnly, observe you give me full permission To lead him softly on my path. THE LORD. As long As he shall live upon the earth, so long MEPHISTOPHELES. Thanks. And that is all I ask; for willingly I never make acquaintance with the dead. The full fresh cheeks of youth are food for me, For I am like a cat-I like to play A little with the mouse before I eat it. THE LORD. Well, well! it is permitted thee. Draw thou MEPHISTOPHELES. Well and good. I am not in much doubt about my bet, And if I lose, then 'tis your turn to crow; Enjoy your triumph then with a full breast. Aye; dust shall he devour, and that with pleasure, THE LORD. Pray come here when it suits you; for I never Had much dislike for people of your sort. And, among all the Spirits who rebelled, The knave was ever the least tedious to me. [Heaven closes; the Archangels exeunt. MEPHISTOPHELES. From time to time I visit the old fellow, And I take care to keep on good terms with him. To talk so freely with the Devil himself. SCENES FROM THE FAUST OF GOETHE. MAY-DAY NIGHT. SCENE-The Hartz Mountain, a desolate Country. FAUST, MEPHISTOPHELES. MEPHISTOPHELES. WOULD you not like a broomstick? As for me I wish I had a good stout ram to ride:; For we are still far from th' appointed place. FAUST. This knotted staff is help enough for me, Is the true sport that seasons such a path. MEPHISTOPHELES. Nothing of such an influence do I feel. My body is all wintry, and I wish The flowers upon our path were frost and snow. But see, how melancholy rises now, Dimly uplifting her belated beam, The blank unwelcome round of the red moon, One stumbles 'gainst some crag. I'll call an Ignis-fatuus to our aid: I see one yonder burning jollily. With your permission, Halloo, my friend! may I request that you IGNIS-FATUUS. With reverence be it spoken, I will try MEPHISTOPHELES. Ha, ha! your worship thinks you have to deal IGNIS-FATUUS. I see you are the master of the house; I will accommodate myself to you. Well, Only consider, that to-night this mountain Is all enchanted, and if Jack-a-lantern Shows you his way, though you should miss your own, You ought not to be too exact with him. FAUST, MEPHISTOPHELES, and IGNIS-FATUUS, in alternate Chorus. The limits of the sphere of dream, The bounds of true and false, are past. Lead us on, thou wandering Gleam, Lead us onward, far and fast, To the wide, the desart waste. But see, how swift advance and shift, Through the mossy sods and stones, Finds a voice in this blithe strain, And vibrates far o'er field and vale, Of old times, repeats again, To whoo! to whoo! near, nearer now 2 D |