Mr. Faust Part 23

Here, let me go, you fool!

[_Suddenly aroused, some of the crowd surge forward toward the platform. From the back of the room someone hurls a chair, which strikes the great chandelier: the lights instantly go out, leaving the hall in total darkness. Confused cries, footsteps, blows._

CRIES

What're you about?... Let go!... Where are the lights?...

[_Suddenly two wall-brackets are illuminated, disclosing part of the crowd ma.s.sed on the platform. As they surge back, there remains on the platform, fallen and motionless, the figure of Faust. He raises his head slowly._

FAUST

Ah, Satan!... worthy serf to my command!...

Go! I release you. For I would not die With such a slave-- Nay, though I die alone....

[_Suddenly the door bursts open, and in surge the maskers, in greater numbers and even wilder tumult than before. Dancing grotesquely, linked hand in hand, they zigzag through the hall, overturning chairs and singing at the top of their voices._

THE MASKERS

Oh, children, children, children dear, We cannot wait for any New Year.

So let us celebrate now and here With rah, rah, rah and a bottle of beer!

CURTAIN

THE FIFTH ACT

_The scene is once more Faust's library. The dim slanting sunlight of late afternoon streams through the open windows, touching the gold of books and the brown of furniture with an enamel-like brilliancy.

Brander and Faust's butler stand just inside the door._

BUTLER

I am afraid you cannot see him now.

The doctor is still here. I do not know If anyone may see him.

BRANDER

I will wait A moment, and perhaps may see the doctor As he goes out. Have things been bad to-day?

BUTLER

Yes, sir.

[_The doctor enters from the door on the left. The butler goes out._

BRANDER

How is he?

DOCTOR

As one might expect.

The fever's gone; but strength has gone with it: No one can tell how long his heart will stand The strain.

BRANDER

You see no hope?

DOCTOR

I only see That we are doing all we can for him.

Beyond that, I can say no more than you.

BRANDER

You think I should not see him?

DOCTOR

Oh, no harm.

You might have seen him when you came this morning If you had waited. You can see him here.

He wanted to be in this room again, And I make no objection. Well, good-bye.

[_The doctor goes out. Brander moves restlessly about the room. A moment later, the door on the left opens, and Faust, reclining in an invalid's chair, is wheeled into the room by the butler. He is clad in a long dressing-gown; he is very pale.

The butler, after placing the chair before the fireplace, goes out. Brander remains doubtfully in the background; Faust does not observe his presence._

FAUST

Again these walls!--home to what barren dreams!-- And home to me! O dreams and bitterness, How are you gilded by this setting light Of afternoon! Meseems I have not been Happy save here, where all unhappiness Of mine had source and root. That forest holds Now nothing grievous to my eyes that see What once they saw not. Sweetness like the light Of setting suns now lingers over it In my enchambering memory-- Life, life With all its glow and wonder pours a flood On this strait room whence I have watched the world-- Whence I must go with all my love and wonder As though no love and wonder I had won.

[_Faust bends his head, sinking into a daze of thought. Brander doubtfully approaches him, and at last touches his shoulder._

BRANDER

I have been heavy-hearted; but that thus I find you, overwhelms me....

FAUST

Why thus sad Over milk so irrevocably spilled?

BRANDER

I cannot utter what is in my heart.

It is as though I had with my own hand Stricken you down. And yet I did not dream Of what would follow.... O Faust, Faust, forgive me!