The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Volume I Part 62

THE WITCH

Ough! ough! ough! ough!

Accursed brute! accursed sow!

The caldron dost neglect, for shame!

Accursed brute to scorch the dame!

(_Perceiving_ FAUST _and_ MEPHISTOPHELES._)

Whom have we here?

Who's sneaking here?

Whence are ye come?

With what desire?

The plague of fire Your bones consume!

[_She dips the skimming-ladle into the caldron and throws flames at_ FAUST, MEPHISTOPHELES, _and the_ MONKEYS.

_The_ MONKEYS _whimper._]

MEPHISTOPHELES (_twirling the whisk which he holds in his hand, and striking among the gla.s.ses and pots_)

Dash! Smash!

There lies the gla.s.s!

There lies the slime!

'Tis but a jest; I but keep time, Thou h.e.l.lish pest, To thine own chime!

[_While the_ WITCH _steps back in rage and astonishment_.]

Dost know me! Skeleton! Vile scarecrow, thou!

Thy lord and master dost thou know?

What holds me, that I deal not now Thee and thine apes a stunning blow?

No more respect to my red vest dost pay?

Does my c.o.c.k's feather no allegiance claim?

Have I my visage masked today?

Must I be forced myself to name?

THE WITCH

Master, forgive this rude salute!

But I perceive no cloven foot.

And your two ravens, where are they?

MEPHISTOPHELES

This once I must admit your plea;-- For truly I must own that we Each other have not seen for many a day.

The culture, too, that shapes the world, at last Hath e'en the devil in its sphere embraced; The northern phantom from the scene hath pa.s.s'd; Tail, talons, horns, are nowhere to be traced!

As for the foot, with which I can't dispense, 'Twould injure me in company, and hence, Like many a youthful cavalier, False calves I now have worn for many a year.

THE WITCH (_dancing_)

I am beside myself with joy, To see once more the gallant Satan here!

MEPHISTOPHELES

Woman, no more that name employ!

THE WITCH

But why? what mischief hath it done?

MEPHISTOPHELES

To fable-books it now doth appertain; But people from the change have nothing won.

Rid of the evil one, the evil ones remain.

Lord Baron call thou me, so is the matter good; Of other cavaliers the mien I wear.

Dost make no question of my gentle blood; See here, this is the scutcheon that I bear!

[_He makes an unseemly gesture._]

THE WITCH (_laughing immoderately_)

Ha! Ha! Just like yourself! You are, I ween, The same mad wag that you have ever been!

MEPHISTOPHELES (_to_ FAUST)

My friend, learn this to understand, I pray!

To deal with witches this is still the way.

THE WITCH

Now tell me, gentlemen, what you desire?

MEPHISTOPHELES

Of your known juice a goblet we require.

But for the very oldest let me ask; Double its strength with years doth grow.

THE WITCH

Most willingly! And here I have a flask, From which I've sipp'd myself ere now; What's more, it doth no longer stink; To you a gla.s.s I joyfully will give.

(_Aside._)

If unprepar'd, however, this man drink, He hath not, as you know, an hour to live.

MEPHISTOPHELES

He's my good friend, with whom 'twill prosper well; I grudge him not the choicest of thy store.

Now draw thy circle, speak thy spell, And straight a b.u.mper for him pour!

[_The_ WITCH, _with extraordinary gestures, describes a circle, and places strange things within it. The gla.s.ses meanwhile begin to ring, and the caldron to sound and make music. Lastly, she brings a great book; places the_ MONKEYS _in the circle to serve her as a desk, and to hold the torches. She beckons_ FAUST _to approach._]