GOETHE'S FAUST
Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
PART FOUR
Prologue | Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV | Part V | Part VI | Part VII
STUDY FAUST and MEPHISTOPHELES
FAUST
A knock? Come in! Who now would break my rest?
MEPHISTOPHELES
2 'Tis I!
FAUST
3 Come in!
MEPHISTOPHELES
4 Thrice be the words express'd.
FAUST
5 Then I repeat, Come in!
MEPHISTOPHELES
6 'Tis well, I hope that we shall soon agree! For now your fancies to expel, Here, as a youth of high degree, I come in gold-lac'd scarlet vest, And stiff-silk mantle richly dress'd, A cock's gay feather for a plume, A long and pointed rapier, too; And briefly I would counsel you To don at once the same costume, And, free from trammels, speed away, That what life is you may essay.
FAUST
7 In every garb I needs must feel oppress'd, My heart to earth's low cares a prey. Too old the trifler's part to play, Too young to live by no desire possess'd. What can the world to me afford? Renounce! renounce! is still the word; This is the everlasting song In every ear that ceaseless rings, And which, alas, our whole life long, Hoarsely each passing moment sings. But to new horror I awake each morn, And I could weep hot tears, to see the sun Dawn on another day, whose round forlorn Accomplishes no wish of mine--not one. Which still, with froward captiousness, impains E'en the presentiment of every joy, While low realities and paltry cares The spirit's fond imaginings destroy. Then must I too, when falls the veil of night, Stretch'd on my pallet languish in despair, Appalling dreams my soul aifright; No rest vouchsafed me even there. The god, who throned within my breast resides, Deep in my soul can stir the springs; With sovereign sway my energies he guides, He cannot move external things; And so existence is to me a weight. Death fondly I desire, and life I hate.
MEPHISTOPHELES
8 And yet, methinks, by most 'twill be confess'd That Death is never quite a welcome guest.
FAUST
9 Happy the man around whose brow he binds The bloodstain'd wreath in conquest's dazzling hour; Or whom, excited by the dance, he finds Dissolv'd in bliss, in love's delicious bower! O that before the lofty spirit's might, Enraptured, I had rendered up my soul!
MEPHISTOPHELES
10 Yet did a certain man refrain one night, Of its brown juice to drain the crystal bowl.
FAUST
11 To play the spy diverts you then?
MEPHISTOPHELES
12 I own, Though not omniscient, much to me is known.
FAUST
13 If o'er my soul the tone familiar, stealing, Drew me from harrowing thought's bewild'ring maze, Touching the ling'ring chords of childlike feeling, With sweet harmonies of happier days: So curse I all, around the soul that windeth Its magic and alluring spell, And with delusive flattery bindeth Its victim to this dreary cell! Curs'd before all things be the high opinion, Wherewith the spirit girds itself around! Of shows delusive curs'd be the dominion, Within whose mocking sphere our sense is bound! Accnrs'd of dreams the treacherous wiles, The cheat of glory, deathless fame! Accurs'd what each as property beguiles, Wife, child, slave, plough, whate'er its name! Accurs'd be mammon, when with treasure He doth to daring deeds incite: Or when to steep the soul in pleasure, He spreads the couch of soft delight! Curs'd be the grape's balsamic juice! Accurs'd love'8 dream, of joys the first! Accurs'd be hope! accurs'd be faith! And more than all, be patience curs'd!
CHORUS OP SPIRITS (invisible)
14 Woe! woe! Thou hast destroy'd The beautiful world With violent blow; 'Tis shiver'd! 'tis shatter'd! The fragments abroad by a demigod scatter'd! Now we sweep The wrecks into nothingness! Fondly we weep The beauty that's gone! Thou, 'mongst the Sons of earth, Lofty and mighty one, Build it once more! In thine own bosom the lost world restore! Now with unclouded sense Enter a new career; Songs shall salute thine ear, Ne'er heard before!
MEPHISTOPHELES
15 My little ones these spirits be. Hark! with shrewd intelligence, How they recommend to thee Action, and the joys of sense! In the busy world to dwell, Fain they would allure thee hence: For within this lonely cell, Stagnate sap of life and sense.
16 Forbear to trifle longer with thy grief, Which, vulture-like, consumes thee in this den. The worst society is some relief, Making thee feel thyself a man with men. Nathiess, it is not meant, I trow, To thrust thee 'mid the vulgar throng.
17 I to the upper ranks do not belong; Yet if, by me companion'd, thou Thy steps through life forthwith wilt take; Upon the spot myself I'll make Thy comrade ;-- Should it suit thy need, I am thy servant, am thy slave indeed!
FAUST
18 And how must I thy services repay?
MEPHISTOPHELES
19 Thereto thou lengthen'd respite hast!
FAUST
20 No! No! The devil is an egoist I know: And, for Heaven's sake, 'tis not his way Kindness to any one to show. Let the condition plainly be exprest! Such a domestic is a dangerous guest.
MEPHISTOPHELES
21 I'll pledge myself to be thy servant here, Still at thy back alert and prompt to be; But when together yonder we appear, Then shalt thou do the same for me.
FAUST
22 But small concern I feel for yonder world; Hast thou this system into ruin hurl'd, Another may arise the void to fill. This earth the fountain whence my pleasures flow, This sun doth daily shine upon my woe, And if this world- I must forego, Let happen then,--what can and will. I to this theme will close mine ears, If men hereafter hate and love,
FAUST
23 And if there be in yonder spheres
24 A depth below or height above.
MEPHISTOPHELES
25 In this mood thou mayst venture it. But make The compact! I at once will undertake To charm thee with mine arts. I'll give thee more Than mortal eye hath e'er beheld before.
FAUST
26 What, sorry Devil, hast thou to bestow? Was ever mortal spirit, in its high endeavour, Fathom'd by Being such as thou? Yet food thou hast which satisfieth never, Hast ruddy gold, that still doth flow Like restless quicksilver away, A game thou hast, at which none win who play, A girl who would, with amorous eyen, E'en from my breast, a neighbour snare, Lofty ambition's joy divine, That, meteor-like, dissolves in air. Show me the fruit that, ere 'tis pluck'd, doth rot, And trees, whose verdure daily buds anew!
MEPHISTOPHELES
27 Such a commission scares me not, I can provide such treasures, it is true; But, my good friend, a season will come round, When on what's good we may regale in peace.
FAUST
28 If e'er upon my couch, stretched at my ease, I'm found, Then may my life that instant cease! Me canst thou cheat with glozing wile Till self-reproach away I cast,-- Me with joy's lure canst thou beguile Let that day be for me the last! Be this our wager!
MEPHISTOPHELES
29 Settled!
FAUST
30 Sure and fast! When to the moment I shall say, "Linger awhile! so fair thou art!" Then mayst thou fetter me straightway, Then to the abyss will I depart! Then may the solemn death-bell sound, Then from thy service thou art free, The index then may cease its round, And time be never more for me!
MEPHISTOPHELES
31 I shall remember: pause, ere 'tis too late.
FAUST
32 Thereto a perfect right hast thou. My strength I do not rashly overrate. Slave am I here, at any rate, If thine, or whose, it matters not, I trow.
MEPHISTOPHELES
33 At thine inaugural feast I will this day Attend, my duties to commence.-- But one thing !--Accidents may happen, hence A line or two in writing grant, I pray.
FAUST
34 A writing, Pedant! dost demand from me? Man, and man's plighted word, are these unknown to thee? Is't not enough, that by the word I gave, My doom for evermore is cast? Doth not the world in all its currents rave, And must a promise hold me fast? Yet fixed is this delusion in our heart; Who, of his own free will, therefrom would part? How blest within whose breast truth reigneth pure! No sacrifice will he repent when made! A formal deed, with seal and signature, A spectre this from which all shrink afraid. The word its life resigneth in the pen, Leather and wax usurp the mastery then. Spirits of evil! what dost thou require? Brass, marble, parchment, paper, dost desire? Shall I with chisel, pen, or graver write? Thy choice is free; to me 'tis all the same.
MEPHISTOPHELES
35 Wherefore thy passion so excite And thus thine eloquence inflame? A scrap is for our compact good. Thou under-signest merely with a drop of blood.
FAUST
36 If this will satisfy thy mlnd, Thy whim I'll gratify, howe'er absurd.
MEPHISTOPHELES
37 Blood is a juice of very special kind.
FAUST
38 Be not afraid that I shall break my word! The scope of all my energy Is in exact accordance with my vow. Vainly I have aspired too high; I'm on a level but with such as thou; Me the great spirit scorn'd, defied; Nature from me herself doth hide; Rent is the web of thought; my mind Doth knowledge loathe of every kind. In depths of sensual pleasure drown'd, Let us our fiery passions still! Enwr~pp'd in magic's veil profound, Let wondrous charms our senses thrill! Plunge we in time's tempestuous flow, Stem we the rolling surge of chance! There may alternate weal and woe, Success and failure, as they can, Mingle and shift in changeful dance! Excitement is the sphere for man.
MEPHISTOPHELES
39 Nor goal, nor measure is prescrib'd to you, If you desire to taste of every thing, To snatch at joy while on the wing, May your career amuse and profit too! Only fall to and don't be over coy!
FAUST
40 Hearken! The end I aim at is not joy; I crave excitement, agonizing bliss, Enamour'd hatred, qs~ickening vexation. Purg'd from the love of knowledge, my vocation, The scope of all my powers henceforth be this, To bare my breast to every pang,--to know In my heart's core all human weal and woe, To grasp in thought the lofty and the deep, Men~s various fortunes oti my breast to heap, And thus to theirs dilate my individual mind, And share at length with them the shipwreck of mankind.
MEPHISTOPHELES
41 Oh, credit me, who still as ages roll, Have chew'd this bitter fare from year to year, No mortal, from the cradle to the bier, Digests the ancient leaven! Know, this Whole Doth for the Deity alone subsist! He in eternal brightness doth exist, Us unto darkness he hath brought, and here Where day and night alternate, is your sphere.
FAUST
42 But 'tis my will
MEPHISTOPHELES
43 Well spoken, I admit! But one thing puzzles me, my friend; Time's short, art long; methinks 'twere fit That you to friendly counsel should attend. A poet choose as your ally! Let him thought's wide dominion sweep, Each good and noble quality, Upon your honoured brow to heap; The lion's magnanimity, The fleetness of the hind, The fiery blood of Italy, The Northern's stedfast mind. Let him to you the mystery show To blend high aims and cunning low; And while youth's passions are aflame To fall in love by rule and plan! I fain would meet with such a man;, Would him Sir Microcosmus name.
FAUST
44 What then am I, if I aspire in vain The crown of our humanity to gain, Towards which my every sense doth strain?
MEPHISTOPHELES
45 Thou'rt after all--just what thou art. Put on thy head a wig with countless locks, And to a cubit's height upraise thy socks, Still thou remainest ever, what thou art.
FAUST
46 I feel it, I have heap'd upon my brain The gather'd treasure of man's thought in vain; And when at length from studious toil I rest, No power, new-born, springs up within my breast; A hair's breadth is not added to my height, I am no nearer to the infinite.
MEPHISTOPHELES
47 Good sir, these things you view indeed, Just as by other men they're view'd; We must more cleverly proceed, Before life's joys our grasp elude. The devil! thou hast hands and feet, And head and heart are also thine; What I enjoy with relish sweet, Is it on that account less mine? If for six stallions I can pay, 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,
48 While all around lie fair and verdant meads.
FAUST
49 But how shall we begin?
MEPHISTOPHELES
50 We will go hence with speed, A place of torment this indeed! A precious life, thyself to bore, And some few youngsters 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
51 I'm in no mood to see him now,
MEPHISTOPHELES
52 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)
53 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
54 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
55 Your courtesy much flatters me! A man like other men you see; Pray have you yet applied elsewhere?
STUDENT
56 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
57 You've hit upon the very place.
STUDENT
58 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
59 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
60 Upon her neck I fain would hang with joy; To reach it, say, what means must I employ?
MEPHISTOPHELES
61 Explain, ere further time we lose, What special faculty you choose?
STUDENT
62 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
63 You are upon the proper track, I find; Take heed, let nothing dissipate your mind.
STUDENT
64 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
65 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, Naturer encheiresis.
STUDENT
66 Your words I cannot fully comprehend.
MEPHISTOPHELES
67 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
68 So doth all this my brain confound, As if a mill-wheel there were turning round.
MEPHISTOPHELES
69 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!
70 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
71 This, Sir, a second time you need not say I Your counsel I appreciate quite; What we possess in black and white, We can in peace and comfort bear away.
MEPHISTOPHELES
72 A faculty I pray you name.
STUDENT
73 For jurisprudence, Some distaste I own.
MEPHISTOPHELES
74 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
75 You deepen my dislike. The youth Whom you instruct, is blest in sooth! To try theology 1 feel inclined.
MEPHISTOPHELES
76 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 lane of certainty at last.
STUDENT
77 But then some. meaning must the words convey.
MEPHISTOPHELES
78 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
79 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)
80 I'm weary of the dry pedantic tone, And must again the genuine devil play.
81 (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
82 There is some sense in that! one sees the how and why.
MEPHISTOPHELES
83 Grey is, young friend, all theory: And green of life the golden tree.
STUDENT
84 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
85 Command my humble service when you choose.
STUDENT
86 Ere I retire, one boon I must solicit: Here is my album, do not, Sir, deny This token of your favour!
MEPHISTOPHELES
87 Willingly! (He writes and returns the book.)
STUDENT (reads)
ERITIS SICUT DEUS, SCIENTES BONUM ET MALUM (He reverently closes the book and retires.)
MEPHISTOPHELES
88 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)
89 Whither away?
MEPHISTOPHELES
90 '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
91 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.
92 MEPHISTOPHELES Time, my good friend, will all that's needful give; Be only self-possessed, and thou hast learn'd to live.
FAUST
93 But how are we to start, I pray? Steeds, servants, carriage, where are they?
MEPHISTOPHELES
94 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.
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