The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Volume I Part 48

Yet ever circulates the fresh young blood.

It is enough to drive me to despair!

As in the earth, in water, and in air, A thousand germs burst forth spontaneously; In moisture, drought, heat, cold, they still appear!

Had I not flame selected as my sphere, Nothing apart had been reserved for me.

FAUST

So thou with thy cold devil's fist, Still clench'd in malice impotent, Dost the creative power resist, The active, the beneficent!

Henceforth some other task essay, Of Chaos thou the wondrous son!

MEPHISTOPHELES

We will consider what you say, And talk about it more anon!

For this time have I leave to go?

FAUST

Why thou shouldst ask, I cannot see.

Since thee I now have learned to know,

At thy good pleasure, visit me.

Here is the window, here the door, The chimney, too, may serve thy need.

MEPHISTOPHELES

I must confess, my stepping o'er Thy threshold a slight hindrance doth impede; The wizard-foot doth me retain.

FAUST

The pentagram thy peace doth mart To me, thou son of h.e.l.l, explain, How camest thou in, if this thine exit bar?

Could such a spirit aught ensnare?

MEPHISTOPHELES

Observe it well, it is not drawn with care; One of the angles, that which points without, Is, as thou seest, not quite closed.

FAUST

Chance hath the matter happily dispos'd!

So thou my captive art? No doubt!

By accident thou thus art caught!

MEPHISTOPHELES

In sprang the dog, indeed, observing naught; Things now a.s.sume another shape, The devil's in the house and can't escape.

FAUST

Why through the window not withdraw?

MEPHISTOPHELES

For ghosts and for the devil 'tis a law, Where they stole in, there they must forth. We're free The first to choose; as to the second, slaves are we.

FAUST

E'en h.e.l.l hath its peculiar laws, I see!

I'm glad of that! a pact may then be made, The which you gentlemen will surely keep?

MEPHISTOPHELES

Whate'er therein is promised thou shalt reap, No t.i.ttle shall remain unpaid.

But such arrangements time require; We'll speak of them when next we meet; Most earnestly I now entreat, This once permission to retire.

FAUST

Another moment prithee here remain, Me with some happy word to pleasure.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Now let me go! Ere long I'll come again; Then thou may'st question at thy leisure.

FAUST

'Twas not my purpose thee to lime; The snare hast entered of thine own free will: Let him who holds the devil, hold him still!

So soon he'll catch him not a second time.

MEPHISTOPHELES

If it so please thee, I'm at thy command; Only on this condition, understand; That worthily thy leisure to beguile, I here may exercise my arts awhile.

FAUST

Thou'rt free to do so! Gladly I'll attend; But be thine art a pleasant one!

MEPHISTOPHELES

My friend, This hour enjoyment more intense Shall captivate each ravish'd sense, Than thou could'st compa.s.s in the bound Of the whole year's unvarying round; And what the dainty spirits sing, The lovely images they bring, Are no fantastic sorcery.

Rich odors shall regale your smell, On choicest sweets your palate dwell, Your feelings thrill with ecstasy.

No preparation do we need, Here we together are. Proceed.

SPIRITS

Hence overshadowing gloom, Vanish from sight!

O'er us thine azure dome, Bend, beauteous light!

Dark clouds that o'er us spread, Melt in thin air!

Stars, your soft radiance shed, Tender and fair!

Girt with celestial might, Winging their airy flight, Spirits are thronging.

Follows their forms of light Infinite longing!

Flutter their vestures bright O'er field and grove!