The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Volume I Part 99

HOMUNCULUS (_amazed_)

Momentous!

(_The phial slips from_ WAGNER's _hands, hovers over_ FAUST, _and sheds a light upon him_)

Girt with beauty!--Water clear In the thick grove; fair women, who undress; Most lovely creatures!--grows their loveliness: But o'er the rest one shines without a peer, As if from heroes, nay from G.o.ds she came; In the transparent sheen her foot she laves; The tender life-fire of her n.o.ble frame She cools in yielding crystal of the waves.-- Of swiftly moving wings what sudden noise?

What plash, what plunge the liquid gla.s.s destroys?

The maidens fly, alarmed; alone, the queen, With calm composure gazes on the scene; With womanly and proud delight, she sees The prince of swans press fondly to her knees, Persistent, tame; familiar now he grows.-- But suddenly up-floats a misty shroud, And with thick-woven veil doth over-cloud The loveliest of all lovely shows.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Why thou in sooth canst everything relate!

Small as thou art, as phantast thou art great.

I can see nothing--

HOMUNCULUS

I believe it. Thou, Bred in the north, in the dark ages, how, In whirl of priesthood and knight-errantry, Have for such sights thy vision free!

In darkness only thou'rt at home.

(_Looking round_)

Ye brown, repulsive blocks of stone, Arch-pointed, low, with mould o'ergrown!

Should he awake, new care were bred, He on the spot would straight be dead.

Wood-fountains, swans, fair nymphs undressed, Such was his dream, presageful, rare; In place like this how could he rest, Which I, of easy mood, scarce bear!

Away with him!

MEPHISTOPHELES

I like your plan, proceed!

HOMUNCULUS

Command the warrior to the fight, The maiden to the dancers lead!

They're satisfied, and all is right.

E'en now a thought occurs, most bright; 'Tis cla.s.sical Walpurgis-night--Most fortunate! It suits his bent, So bring him straightway to his element!

MEPHISTOPHELES

Of such I ne'er have heard, I frankly own.

HOMUNCULUS

Upon your ear indeed how should it fall?

Only romantic ghosts to you are known; Your genuine ghost is also cla.s.sical.

MEPHISTOPHELES

But whitherward to travel are we fain?

Your antique colleagues are against my grain.

HOMUNCULUS

North-westward, Satan, lies thy pleasure-ground; But, this time, we to the south-east are bound.-- An ample vale Peneios floweth through, 'Mid bush and tree its curving sh.o.r.es it laves; The plain extendeth to the mountain caves, Above it lies Pharsalus, old and new.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Alas! Forbear! For ever be eschewed Those wars of tyranny and servitude!

I'm bored with them: for they, as soon as done, Straight recommence; and no one calls to mind That he in sooth is only played upon By Asmodeus, who still lurks behind.

They battle, so 'tis said, for freedom's rights-- More clearly seen, 'tis slave 'gainst slave who fights.

HOMUNCULUS

Leave we to men their nature, quarrel-p.r.o.ne!

Each must defend himself, as best he can, From boyhood up; so he becomes a man.

The question here is, how to cure this one?

(_Pointing to_ FAUST)

Hast thou a means, here let it tested be; Canst thou do naught, then leave the task to me.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Full many a Brocken-piece I might essay, But bolts of heathendom foreclose the way.

The Grecian folk were ne'er worth much, 'tis true, Yet with the senses' play they dazzle you; To cheerful sins the human heart they lure, While ours are reckoned gloomy and obscure.

And now what next?

HOMUNCULUS

Of old thou wert not shy; And if I name Thessalian witches,--why, I something shall have said,--of that I'm sure.

MEPHISTOPHELES (_l.u.s.tfully_)

Thessalian witches--well! the people they Concerning whom I often have inquired.

Night after night, indeed, with them to stay, That were an ordeal not to be desired; But for a trial trip--

HOMUNCULUS

The mantle there Reach hither, wrap it round the knight!

As heretofore, the rag will bear Both him and thee; the way I'll light.

WAGNER (_alarmed_)

And I?

HOMUNCULUS

At home thou wilt remain, Thee most important work doth there detain; The ancient scrolls unfolding cull Life's elements, as taught by rule, And each with other then combine with care; Upon the _What_, more on the _How_, reflect!

Meanwhile as through a piece of world I fare, I may the dot upon the "I" detect.