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Home  »  Faust, Part I  »  Faust. Part I

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832). Faust. Part I.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.

Faust. Part I

1500–1999

Do I not own their strength and speed?

A proper man I dash away,

As their two dozen legs were mine indeed.

Up then, from idle pondering free,

And forth into the world with me!

I tell you what;—your speculative churl

Is like a beast which some ill spirit leads,

On barren wilderness, in ceaseless whirl,

While all around lie fair and verdant meads.

FAUST

But how shall we begin?

MEPHISTOPHELES

We will go hence with speed,

A place of torment this indeed!

A precious life, thyself to bore,

And some few youngster evermore!

Leave that to neighbour Paunch!—withdraw,

Why wilt thou plague thyself with thrashing straw?

The very best that thou dost know

Thou dar’st not to the striplings show.

One in the passage now doth wait!

FAUST

I’m in no mood to see him now.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Poor lad! He must be tired, I trow;

He must not go disconsolate.

Hand me thy cap and gown; the mask

Is for my purpose quite first rate.(He changes his dress.)

Now leave it to my wit! I ask

But quarter of an hour; meanwhile equip,

And make all ready for our pleasant trip!(Exit FAUST.)

MEPHISTOPHELES(in FAUST’S long gown)

Mortal! the loftiest attributes of men,

Reason and Knowledge, only thus contemn,

Still let the Prince of lies, without control,

With shows, and mocking charms delude thy soul,

I have thee unconditionally then!

Fate hath endow’d him with an ardent mind,

Which unrestrain’d still presses on for ever,

And whose precipitate endeavour

Earth’s joys o’erleaping, leaveth them behind.

Him will I drag through life’s wild waste,

Through scenes of vapid dulness, where at last

Bewilder’d, he shall falter, and stick fast;

And, still to mock his greedy haste,

Viands and drink shall float his craving lips beyond—

Vainly he’ll seek refreshment, anguish-tost,

And were he not the devil’s by his bond,

Yet must his soul infallibly be lost!

A STUDENT enters

STUDENT

But recently I’ve quitted home,

Full of devotion am I come

A man to know and hear, whose name

With reverence is known to fame.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Your courtesy much flatters me!

A man like other men you see;

Pray have you yet applied elsewhere?

STUDENT

I would entreat your friendly care!

I’ve youthful blood and courage high;

Of gold I bring a fair supply;

To let me go my mother was not fain;

But here I longed true knowledge to attain.

MEPHISTOPHELES

You’ve hit upon the very place.

STUDENT

And yet my steps I would retrace.

These walls, this melancholy room,

O’erpower me with a sense of gloom;

The space is narrow, nothing green,

No friendly tree is to be seen:

And in these halls, with benches filled, distraught,

Sight, hearing fail me, and the power of thought.

MEPHISTOPHELES

It all depends on habit. Thus at first

The infant takes not kindly to the breast,

But before long, its eager thirst

Is fain to slake with hearty zest:

Thus at the breasts of wisdom day by day

With keener relish you’ll your thirst allay.

STUDENT

Upon her neck I fain would hang with joy;

To reach it, say, what means must I employ?

MEPHISTOPHELES

Explain, ere further time we lose,

What special faculty you choose?

STUDENT

Profoundly learned I would grow,

What heaven contains would comprehend,

O’er earth’s wide realm my gaze extend,

Nature and science I desire to know.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Your are upon the proper track, I find;

Take heed, let nothing dissipate your mind.

STUDENT

My heart and soul are in the chase!

Though to be sure I fain would seize,

On pleasant summer holidays,

A little liberty and careless ease.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Use well your time, so rapidly it flies;

Method will teach you time to win;

Hence, my young friend, I would advise,

With college logic to begin!

Then will your mind be so well braced,

In Spanish boots so tightly laced,

That on ’twill circumspectly creep,

Thought’s beaten track securely keep,

Nor will it, ignis-fatuus like,

Into the path of error strike.

Then many a day they’ll teach you how

The mind’s spontaneous acts, till now

As eating and as drinking free,

Require a process;—one! two! three!

In truth the subtle web of thought

Is like the weaver’s fabric wrought:

One treadle moves a thousand lines,

Swift dart the shuttles to and fro,

Unseen the threads together flow,

A thousand knots one stroke combines.

Then forward steps your sage to show,

And prove to you, it must be so;

The first being so, and so the second,

The third and fourth deduc’d we see;

And if there were no first and second,

Nor third nor fourth would ever be.

This, scholars of all countries prize,—

Yet ’mong themselves no weavers rise.—

He who would know and treat of aught alive,

Seeks first the living spirit thence to drive:

Then are the lifeless fragments in his hand,

There only fails, alas! the spirit-band.

This process, chemists name, in learned thesis,

Mocking themselves, Naturæ encheiresis.

STUDENT

Your words I cannot full comprehend.

MEPHISTOPHELES

In a short time you will improve, my friend,

When of scholastic forms you learn the use;

And how by method all things to reduce.

STUDENT

So doth all this my brain confound,

As if a mill-wheel there were turning round.

MEPHISTOPHELES

And next, before aught else you learn,

You must with zeal to metaphysics turn!

There see that you profoundly comprehend,

What doth the limit of man’s brain transcend;

For that which is or is not in the head

A sounding phrase will serve you in good stead.

But before all strive this half year

From one fix’d order ne’er to swerve!

Five lectures daily you must hear;

The hour still punctually observe!

Yourself with studious zeal prepare,

And closely in your manual look,

Hereby may you be quite aware

That all he utters standeth in the book;

Yet write away without cessation,

As at the Holy Ghost’s dictation!

STUDENT

This, Sir, a second time you need not say!

Your counsel I appreciate quite;

What we possess in black and white,

We can in peace and comfort bear away.

MEPHISTOPHELES

A faculty I pray you name.

STUDENT

For jurisprudence, some distaste I own.

MEPHISTOPHELES

To me this branch of science is well known,

And hence I cannot your repugnance blame.

Customs and laws in every place,

Like a disease, an heir-loom dread,

Still trail their curse from race to race,

And furtively abroad they spread.

To nonsense, reason’s self they turn;

Beneficence becomes a pest;

Woe unto thee, that thou’rt a grandson born!

As for the law born with us, unexpressed;—

That law, alas, none careth to discern.

STUDENT

You deepen my dislike. The youth

Whom you instruct, is blest in sooth!

To try theology I feel inclined.

MEPHISTOPHELES

I would not lead you willingly astray,

But as regards this science, you will find

So hard it is to shun the erring way,

And so much hidden poison lies therein,

Which scarce can you discern from medicine.

Here too it is the best, to listen but to one,

And by the master’s words to swear alone.

To sum up all—To words hold fast!

Then the safe gate securely pass’d,

You’ll reach the fane of certainty at last.

STUDENT

But then some meaning must the words convey.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Right! But o’er-anxious thought, you’ll find of no avail,

For there precisely where ideas fail,

A word comes opportunely into play

Most admirable weapons words are found,

On words a system we securely ground,

In words we can conveniently believe,

Nor of a single jot can we a word bereave.

STUDENT

Your pardon for my importunity;

Yet once more must I trouble you:

On medicine, I’ll thank you to supply

A pregnant utterance or two!

Three years! how brief the appointed tide!

The field, heaven knows, is all too wide!

If but a friendly hint be thrown,

’Tis easier then to feel one’s way.

MEPHISTOPHELES(aside)

I’m weary of the dry pedantic tone,

And must again the genuine devil play.

(Aloud)

Of medicine the spirit’s caught with ease,

The great and little world you study through,

That things may then their course pursue,

As heaven may please.

In vain abroad you range through science’ ample space,

Each man learns only that which learn he can;

Who knows the moment to embrace,

He is your proper man.

In person you are tolerably made,

Nor in assurance will you be deficient:

Self-confidence acquire, be not afraid,

Others will then esteem you a proficient.

Learn chiefly with the sex to deal!

Their thousands ahs and ohs,

These the sage doctor knows,

He only from one point can heal.

Assume a decent tone of courteous ease,

You have them then to humour as you please.

First a diploma must belief infuse,

That you in your profession take the lead:

You then at once those easy freedoms use

For which another many a year must plead;

Learn how to feel with nice address

The dainty wrist;—and how to press,

With ardent furtive glance, the slender waist,

To feel how tightly it is laced.

STUDENT

There is some sense in that! one sees the how and why.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Grey is, young friend, all theory:

And green of life the golden tree.

STUDENT

I swear it seemeth like a dream to me.

May I some future time repeat my visit,

To hear on what your wisdom grounds your views?

MEPHISTOPHELES

Command my humble service when you choose.

STUDENT

Ere I retire, one boon I must solicit:

Here is my album, do not, Sir, deny

This token of your favour!

MEPHISTOPHELES

Willingly!(He writes and returns the book.)

STUDENT(reads)

ERITIS SICUT DEUS, SCIENTES BONUM ET MALUM(He reverently closes the book and retires.)

MEPHISTOPHELES

Let but this ancient proverb be your rule,

My cousin follow still, the wily snake,

And with your likeness to the gods, poor fool,

Ere long be sure your poor sick heart will quake!

FAUST(enters)

Whither away?

MEPHISTOPHELES

’Tis thine our course to steer.

The little world, and then the great we’ll view.

With what delight, what profit too,

Thou’lt revel through thy gay career!

FAUST

Despite my length of beard I need

The easy manners that insure success;

Th’ attempt I fear can ne’er succeed;

To mingle in the world I want address;

I still have an embarrass’d air, and then

I feel myself so small with other men.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Time, my good friend, will all that’s needful give;

Be only self-possessed, and thou hast learn’d to live.

FAUST

But how are we to start, I pray?

Steeds, servants, carriage, where are they?

MEPHISTOPHELES

We’ve but to spread this mantle wide,

’Twill serve whereon through air to ride,

No heavy baggage need you take,

When we our bold excursion make,

A little gas, which I will soon prepare,

Lifts us from earth; aloft through air,

Light laden we shall swiftly steer;—

I wish you joy of your new life-career.

AUERBACH’S CELLAR IN LEIPZIG
A Drinking Party
FROSCH

No drinking? Naught a laugh to raise?

None of your gloomy looks, I pray!

You, who so bright were wont to blaze,

Are dull as wetted straw to-day.

BRANDER

’Tis all your fault; your part you do not bear,

No beastliness, no folly.

FROSCH(pours a glass of wine over his head)

There,

You have them both!

BRANDER

You double beast!

FROSCH

’Tis what you ask’d me for, at least!

SIEBEL

Whoever quarrels, turn him out!

With open throat drink, roar, and shout.

Hollo! Hollo! Ho!

ALTMAYER

Zounds, fellow, cease your deaf’ning cheers!

Bring cotton-wool! He splits my ears.

SIEBEL

’Tis when the roof rings back the tone,

Then first the full power of the bass is known.

FROSCH

Right! out with him who takes offence!

A! tara lara da!

ALTMAYER

A! tara lara da!

FROSCH

Our throats are tuned. Come let’s commence!

(Sings)

The holy Roman empire now,

How holds it still together?

BRANDER

An ugly song! a song political!

A song offensive! Thank God, every morn

To rule the Roman empire, that you were not born!

I bless my stars at least that mine is not

Either a kaiser’s or a chancellor’s lot.

Yet ’mong ourselves should one still lord it o’er the rest;

That we elect a pope I now suggest.

Ye know, what quality ensures

A man’s success, his rise secures.

FROSCH(sings)

Bear, lady nightingale above,

Ten thousand greetings to my love.

SIEBEL

No greetings to a sweetheart! No love-songs shall there

be!

FROSCH

Love-greetings and love kisses! Thou shalt not hinder me!

(Sings)

Undo the bolt! in silly night,

Undo the bolt! the lover wakes.

Shut to the bolt! when morning breaks.

SIEBEL

Ay, sing, sing on, praise her with all thy might!

My turn to laugh will come some day.

Me hath she jilted once, you the same trick she’ll play.

Some gnome her lover be! where cross-roads meet,

With her to play the fool; or old he-goat,

From Blocksberg coming in swift gallop, bleat

A good night to her, from his hairy throat!

A proper lad of genuine flesh and blood,

Is for the damsel far too good;

The greeting she shall have from me,

To smash her window-panes will be!

BRANDER(striking on the table)

Silence! Attend! to me give ear!

Confess, sirs, I know how to live:

Some love-sick folk are sitting here!

Hence, ’tis but fit, their hearts to cheer,

That I a good-night strain to them should give.

Hark! of the newest fashion is my song!

Strike boldly in the chorus, clear and strong!

(He sings)

Once in a cellar lived a rat,

He feasted there on butter,

Until his paunch became as fat

As that of Doctor Luther.

The cook laid poison for the guest,

Then was his heart with pangs oppress’d,

As if his frame love wasted.

Chorus(shouting)

As if his frame love wasted.

BRANDER

He ran around, he ran abroad,

Of every puddle drinking.

The house with rage he scratch’d and gnaw’d,

In vain,—he fast was sinking;

Full many an anguish’d bound he gave,

Nothing the hapless brute could save,

As if his frame love wasted.

CHORUS

As if his frame love wasted.

BRANDER

By torture driven, in open day,

The kitchen he invaded,

Convulsed upon the hearth he lay,

With anguish sorely jaded;

The poisoner laugh’d, Ha! ha! quoth she,

His life is ebbing fast, I see,

As if his frame love wasted.

CHORUS

As if his frame love wasted.

SIEBEL

How the dull boors exulting shout!

Poison for the poor rats to strew

A fine exploit it is no doubt.

BRANDER

They, as it seems, stand well with you!

ALTMAYER

Old bald-pate! with the paunch profound!

The rat’s mishap hath tamed his nature;

For he his counterpart hath found

Depicted in the swollen creature.

FAUST AND MEPHISTOPHELES

MEPHISTOPHELES

I now must introduce to you

Before aught else, this jovial crew,

To show how lightly life may glide away;

With tse folk here each day’s a holiday.

With little wit and much content,

Each on his own small round intent,

Like sportive kitten with its tail;

While no sick-headache they bewail,

And while their host will credit give,

Joyous and free from care they live.

BRANDER

They’re off a journey, that is clear,—

From their strange manners; they have scarce been here

An hour.

FROSCH

You’re right! Leipzig’s the place for me!

’Tis quite a little Paris; people there

Acquire a certain easy finish’d air.

SIEBEL

What take you now these travellers to be?

FROSCH

Let me alone! O’er a full glass you’ll see,

As easily I’ll worm their secret out,

As draw an infant’s tooth. I’ve not a doubt

That my two gentlemen are nobly born,

They look dissatisfied and full of scorn.

BRANDER

They are but mountebanks, I’ll lay a bet!

ALTMAYER

Most like.

FROSCH

Mark me, I’ll screw it from them yet!

MEPHISTOPHELES(to FAUST)

These fellows would not scent the devil out,

E’en though he had them by the very throat!

FAUST

Good-morrow, gentlemen!

SIEBEL

Thanks for your fair salute.(Aside, glancing at MEPHISTOPHELES.)

How! goes the fellow on a halting foot?

MEPHISTOPHELES

Is it permitted here with you to sit?

Then though good wine is not forthcoming here,

Good company at least our hearts will cheer.

ALTMAYER

A dainty gentleman, no doubt of it.

FROSCH

You’re doubtless recently from Rippach? Pray,

Did you with Master Hans there chance to sup?

MEPHISTOPHELES

To-day we pass’d him, but we did not stop!

When last we met him he had much to say

Touching his cousins, and to each he sent

Full many a greeting and kind compliment.(With an inclination towards FROSCH.)

Altmayer(aside to FROSCH)

You have it there!

SIEBEL

Faith! he’s a knowing one!

FROSCH

Have patience! I will show him up anon!

MEPHISTOPHELES

We heard erewhile, unless I’m wrong,

Voices well trained in chorus pealing?

Certes, most choicely here must song

Re-echo from this vaulted ceiling!

FROSCH

That you’re an amateur one plainly sees!

MEPHISTOPHELES

Oh no, though strong the love, I cannot boast much skill.

ALTMAYER

Give us a song!

MEPHISTOPHELES

As many as you will.

SIEBEL

But be it a brand new one, if you please!

MEPHISTOPHELES

But recently returned from Spain are we,

The pleasant land of wine and minstrelsy.(Sings)

A king there was once reigning,

Who had a goodly flea—

FROSCH

Hark! did you rightly catch the words? a flea!

An odd sort of a guest he needs must be.

MEPHISTOPHELES(sings)

A king there was once reigning,

Who had a goodly flea,

Him loved he without feigning,

As his own son were he!

His tailor then he summon’d,

The tailor to him goes:

Now measure me the youngster

For jerkin and for hose!

BRANDER

Take proper heed, the tailor strictly charge,

The nicest measurement to take,

And as he loves his head, to make

The hose quite smooth and not too large!

MEPHISTOPHELES

In satin and in velvet,

Behold the yonker dressed;

Bedizen’d o’er with ribbons,

A cross upon his breast.

Prime minister they made him,

He wore a star of state;

And all his poor relations

Were courtiers, rich and great.

The gentlemen and ladies

At court were sore distressed;

The queen and all her maidens

Were bitten by the pest,

And yet they dared not scratch them,

Or chase the fleas away.

If we are bit, we catch them,

And crack without delay.

CHORUS(shouting)

If we are bit, &c.

FROSCH

Bravo! That’s the song for me!

SIEBEL

Such be the fate of every flea!

BRANDER

With clever finger catch and kill!

ALTMAYER

Hurrah for wine and freedom still!

MEPHISTOPHELES

Were but your wine a trifle better, friend,

A glass to freedom I would gladly drain,

SIEBEL

You’d better not repeat those words again!

MEPHISTOPHELES

I am afraid the landlord to offend;

Else freely I would treat each worthy guest

From our own cellar to the very best.

SIEBEL

Out with it then! Your doings I’ll defend.

FROSCH

Give a good glass, and straight we’ll praise you, one and all.

Only let not your samples be too small;

For if my judgment you desire,

Certes, an ample mouthful I require.

Altmayer(aside)

I guess they’re from the Rhenish land.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Fetch me a gimlet here!

BRANDER

Say, what therewith to bore?

You cannot have the wine-casks at the door?

ALTMAYER

Our landlord’s tool-basket behind doth yonder stand.

MEPHISTOPHELES(takes the gimlet)
(To FROSCH)
Now only say! what liquor will you take?

FROSCH

How mean you that? have you of every sort?

MEPHISTOPHELES

Each may his own selection make.

ALTMAYER(to FROSCH)

Ha! Ha! You lick your lips already at the thought.

FROSCH

Good, If I have my choice, the Rhenish I propose;

For still the fairest gifts the fatherland bestows.

MEPHISTOPHELES
(boring a hole in the edge of the table opposite to where Frosch is sitting)

Give me a little wax—and make some stoppers—quick!

ALTMAYER

Why, this is nothing but a juggler’s trick!

MEPHISTOPHELES(to BRANDER)

And you?

BRANDER

Champagne’s the wine for me;

Right brisk, and sparkling let it be!(MEPHISTOPHELES bores; one of the party has in the meantime prepared the wax-stoppers and stopped the holes.)

BRANDER

What foreign is one always can’t decline,

What’s good is often scatter’d far apart.

The French your genuine German hates with all his heart,

Yet has a relish for their wine.

SIEBEL
(as MEPHISTOPHELES approaches him)

I like not acid wine, I must allow,

Give ma a glass of genuine sweet!

MEPHISTOPHELES(bores)

Tokay

Shall, if you wish it, flow without delay.

ALTMAYER

Come! look me in the face! no fooling now!

You are but making fun of us, I trow.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Ah! ah! that would indeed be making free

With such distinguished guests. Come, no delay;

What liquor can I serve you with, I pray?

ALTMAYER

Only be quick, it matters not to me.(After the holes are bored and stopped.)

MEPHISTOPHELES(with strange gestures)

Grapes the vine-stock bears,

Horns the buck-goat wears!

Wine is sap, the vine is wood,

The wooden board yields wine as good.

With a deeper glance and true

The mysteries of nature view!

Have faith and here’s a miracle!

Your stoppers draw and drink your fill!

ALL(as they draw the stoppers and the wine chosen by each runs into his glass)

Oh beauteous spring, which flows so far!

MEPHISTOPHELES

Spill not a single drop, of this beware!(They drink repeatedly.)

ALL(sing)

Happy as cannibals are we,

Or as five hundred swine.

MEPHISTOPHELES

They’re in their glory, mark their elevation!

FAUST

Let’s hence, nor here our stay prolong.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Attend, of brutishness ere long

You’ll see a glorious revelation.

SIEBEL
(drinks carelessly; the wine is spilt upon the ground, and turns to flame)

Help! fire! help! Hell is burning!

MEPHISTOPHELES
(addressing the flames)

Stop,

Kind element, be still, I say!(To the Company.)

Of purgatorial fire as yet ’tis but a drop.

SIEBEL

What means the knave! For this you’ll dearly pay!

Us, it appears, you do not know.

FROSCH

Such tricks a second time he’d better show!