TranslatedbyAnnaSwanwick(1808)
IntroductoryNoteJohannWolfgangvonGoethe,thegreatestofGermanmenofletters,wasbornatFrankfort-on-the-Main,August28,1749。Hisfatherwasamanofmeansandposition,andhepersonallysupervisedtheearlyeducationofhisson。TheyoungGoethestudiedattheuniversitiesofLeipsigandStrasburg,andin1772entereduponthepractiseoflawatWetzlar。AttheinvitationofKarlAugust,DukeofSaxe-Weimar,hewentin1775toliveinWeimar,whereheheldasuccessionofpoliticaloffices,becomingtheDuke’schiefadviser。From1786to1788hetraveledinItaly,andfrom1791to1817
directedtheducaltheateratWeimar。HetookpartinthewarsagainstFrance,1792-3,andinthefollowingyearbeganhisfriendshipwithSchiller,whichlastedtillthelatter’sdeathin1805。In1806hemarriedChristianeVulpius。Fromabout1794hedevotedhimselfchieflytoliterature,andafteralifeofextraordinaryproductivenessdiedatWeimar,March22,1832。ThemostimportantofGoethe’sworksproducedbeforehewenttoWeimarwerehistragedy"GotzvonBerlichingen"(1773),whichfirstbroughthimfame,and"TheSorrowsofYoungWerther,"anovelwhichobtainedenormouspopularityduringthesocalled"SturmundDrang"period。DuringtheyearsatWeimarbeforeheknewSchillerhebegan"WilhelmMeister,"wrotethedramas,"Iphigenie,""Egmont,"and"TorquatoTasso,"andhis"ReineckeFuchs。"TotheperiodofhisfriendshipwithSchillerbelongthecontinuationof"WilhelmMeister,"thebeautifulidylof"HermannandDorothea,"andthe"RomanElegies。"Inthelastperiod,betweenSchiller’sdeathin1805andhisown,appeared"Faust,""ElectiveAffinities,"hisautobiographical"DichtungundWahrheit"("PoetryandTruth"),his"ItalianJourney,"muchscientificwork,andaseriesoftreatisesonGermanArt。
ThoughtheforegoingenumerationcontainsbutaselectionfromthetitlesofGoethe’sbestknownwritings,itsufficestoshowtheextraordinaryfertilityandversatilityofhisgenius。Rarelyhasamanoflettershadsofullandvariedalife,orbeencapableofsomany-sidedadevelopment。Hispoliticalandscientificactivities,thoughdwarfedintheeyesofourgenerationbyhisartisticproduction,yetshowedtheadaptabilityofhistalentinthemostdiversedirections,andhelpedtogivehimthatbalanceoftemperandbreadthofvisioninwhichhehasbeensurpassedbynogeniusoftheancientormodernworld。
ThegreatestandmostrepresentativeexpressionofGoethe’spowersiswithoutdoubttobefoundinhisdramaof"Faust";butbeforedealingwithGoethe’smasterpiece,itisworthwhiletosaysomethingofthehistoryofthestoryonwhichitisfounded-themostfamousinstanceoftheoldandwidespreadlegendofthemanwhosoldhissoultothedevil。ThehistoricalDr。Faustseemstohavebeenaself-calledphilosopherwhotraveledaboutGermanyinthefirsthalfofthesixteenthcentury,makingmoneybythepractiseofmagic,fortune-telling,andpretendedcures。Hediedmysteriouslyabout1540,andalegendsoonsprangupthatthedevil,bywhoseaidhewroughthiswonders,hadfinallycarriedhimoff。In1587alifeofhimappeared,inwhichareattributedtohimmanymarvelousexploitsandinwhichheisheldupasanawfulwarningagainsttheexcessivedesireforsecularlearningandadmirationforantiquebeautywhichcharacterizedthehumanistmovementofthetime。InthisaspecttheFaustlegendisanexpressionofearlypopularProtestantism,andofitsantagonismtothescientificandclassicaltendenciesoftheRenaissance。
WhileasuccessionofFaustbookswereappearinginGermany,theoriginallifewastranslatedintoEnglishanddramatizedbyMarlowe。EnglishplayersbroughtMarlowe’sworkbacktoGermany,whereitwascopiedbyGermanactors,degeneratedintospectacularfarce,andfinallyintoapuppetshow。
ThroughthispuppetshowGoethemadeacquaintancewiththelegend。
BythetimethatGoethewastwenty,theFaustlegendhadfascinatedhisimagination;forthreeyearsbeforehewenttoWeimarhehadbeenworkingonscatteredscenesandbitsofdialogue;andthoughhesuspendedactualcompositiononitduringthreedistinctperiods,itwasalwaystoresume,andheclosedhislaborsuponitonlywithhislife。Thustheperiodoftimebetweenhisfirstexperimentsandthefinaltouchesismorethansixtyyears。Duringthisperiodtheplansforthestructureandthesignificationoftheworkinevitablyunderwentprofoundmodifications,andthesehavenaturallyaffectedtheunityoftheresult;but,ontheotherhand,thislongcompanionshipandpersistentrecurrencetothetaskfromyouthtooldagehavemadeitinauniquewaytherecordofGoethe’spersonalityinallitsrichnessanddiversity。
Thedramawasgiventothepublicfirstasafragmentin1790;thenthecompletedFirstPartappearedin1808;andfinallytheSecondPartwaspublishedin1833,theyearaftertheauthor’sdeath。Writingin"DichtungundWahrheit"oftheperiodabout1770,whenhewasinStrasburgwithHerder,Goethesays,"Thesignificantpuppet-playlegend……echoedandbuzzedinmanytoneswithinme。Itoohaddriftedaboutinallknowledge,andearlyenoughhadbeenbroughttofeelthevanityofit。Itoohadmadeallsortsofexperimentsinlife,andhadalwayscomebackmoreunsatisfiedandmoretormented。Iwasnowcarryingthesethings,likemanyothers,aboutwithmeanddelightingmyselfwiththeminlonelyhours,butwithoutwritinganythingdown。"Withoutgoingintothedetailsoftheexperiencewhichunderliesthesewords,wecanseethebeginningofthatsympathywiththeherooftheoldstorythatwasthebasisofitsfascinationandthataccountedforGoethe’sdeparturefromthetraditionalcatastropheofFaust’sdamnation。
HungarianMarchfromthe"DamnationofFaust"Op。24byHectorBerlioz(1803-1869)。
OftheelementsinthefinishedFaustthatarederivedfromthelegendaroughideamaybeobtainedfromthe"DoctorFaustus"ofMarlowe,printedinthepresentvolume。Asearlyas1674alifeofFausthadcontainedtheincidentofthephilosopher’sfallinginlovewithaservant-girl;butthedevelopedstoryofGretchenisGoethe’sown。TheotherelementsaddedtotheplotcanbenotedbyacomparisonwithMarlowe。
ItneedhardlybesaidthatGoethe’s"Faust"doesnotderiveitsgreatnessfromitsconformitytothetraditionalstandardsofwhatatragedyshouldbe。Hehimselfwasaccustomedtorefertoitcynicallyasamonstrosity,andyetheputhimselfintoitasintenselyasDanteputhimselfinto"TheDivineComedy。"
Apartialexplanationofthisapparentcontradictionintheauthor’sattitudeistobefoundinwhathasbeensaidofitsmannerofcomposition。Goethebeganitinhisromanticyouth,andavailedhimselfrecklesslyofthesupernaturalelementsinthelegend,withthedisregardofreasonandplausibilitycharacteristicoftheromanticmood。Whenhereturnedtoitinthebeginningofthenewcenturyhisartisticstandardshaschanged,andthesupernaturalismcouldnowbetoleratedonlybybeingmadesymbolic。ThushemakesthecareerofFaustasawholeemblematicofthetriumphofthepersistentstrivingfortheidealoverthetemptationtofindcompletesatisfactioninthesense,andpreparesthereaderforthisinterpretationbyprefixingthe"PrologueinHeaven。"TheelaborationofthissymbolicelementisresponsibleforsuchscenesastheWalpurgis-NightandtheIntermezzoscenesfullofpowerandinfinitelysuggestive,butdestructiveoftheunityoftheplayasatragedyofhumanlife。YetthereremainsinthisFirstParteveninitsfinalformmuchthatisrealisticinthebestsense,thecarousalinAuerbach’scellar,theportraitofMartha,theEaster-morningwalk,thecharacterandfateofMargaret。Itissuchelementsasthesethathaveappealedtothelargerreadingpublicandthathavenaturallybeenemphasizedbyperformanceonthestage,andbyvirtueofthesealone"Faust"mayrankasagreatdrama;butitistheresultofGoethe’sbroodingsonthemysteryofhumanlife,shadowedforthinthesymbolicpartsandelaboratedwithstillgreatercomplexityandstillmorefar-reachingsuggestiveness-and,itmustbeadded,withdeepeningobscurity-intheSecondPart,thathavegiventheworkitsplacewith"Job,"withthe"PrometheusBound,"with"TheDivineComedy,"andwith"Hamlet。"
TheTragedyOfFaust-DedicationYewaveringshapes,againyedoenfoldme,Aserstuponmytroubledsightyestole;ShallIthistimeattempttoclasp,toholdye?Stillforthefondillusionyearnsmysoul?Yepressaround!Comethen,yourcaptiveholdme,Asupwardfromthevapourymistyeroll;Withinmybreastyouth’sthrobbingpulseisbounding,Fann’dbythemagicbreathyourmarchsurrounding。
Shadesfondlylovedappear,yourtrainattending,Andvisionsfairofmanyablissfulday;First-loveandfriendshiptheirfondaccentsblending,Liketosomeancient,half-expiringlay;Sorrowrevives,herwailofanguishsendingBacko’erlife’sdeviouslabyrinthineway,Andnamesthedearones,theywhomFatebereavingOflife’sfairhours,leftmebehindthemgrieving。
Theyhearmenotmylatercadencesinging,ThesoulstowhommyearlierlaysIsang;Dispersedthethrong,theirseveredflightnowwinging;Mutearethevoicesthatresponsiverang。ForstrangercrowdstheOrpheanlyrenowstringing,E’entheirapplauseistomyheartapang;Ofoldwholistenedtomysong,gladhearted,Ifyettheylive,nowwanderwidelyparted。
Ayearninglongunfelt,eachimpulseswaying,Toyoncalmspirit-realmupliftsmysoul;Infalteringcadence,aswhenZephyrplaying,FanstheAeolianharp,mynumbersroll;Tearfollowstear,mysteadfastheartobeyingThetenderimpulse,losesitscontrol;WhatIpossessasfromafarIsee;
ThoseIhavelostbecomerealitiestome。
PrologueForTheTheatreManager。DramaticPoet。Merryman。
ManagerYetwain,introubleanddistressTruefriendswhomIsoofthavefound,Say,forourschemeonGermanground,Whatprospecthaveweofsuccess?FainwouldIpleasethepublic,wintheirthanks;Theyliveandletlive,henceitisbutmeet。Thepostsarenowerected,andtheplanks,Andalllookforwardtoafestaltreat。Theirplacestaken,they,witheyebrowsrais’d,Sitpatiently,andfainwouldbeamaz’d。Iknowthearttohitthepublictaste,Yetne’eroffailurefeltsokeenadread;True,theyarenotaccustomedtothebest,Butthenappallingtheamountthey’veread。Howmakeourentertainmentstriking,new,Andyetsignificantandpleasingtoo?Fortobeplain,Ilovetoseethethrong,Astoourbooththelivingtideprogresses;Aswaveonwavesuccessiverollsalong,Andthroughheaven’snarrowportalforcefulpresses;Stillinbroaddaylight,eretheclockstrikesfour,Withblowstheirwaytowardstheboxtheytake;And,asforbreadinfamine,atthebaker’sdoor,Forticketsarecontenttheirneckstobreak。Suchvariousmindsthebardalonecansway,Myfriend,ohworkthismiracleto-day!
PoetOhofthemotleythrongspeaknotbeforeme,AtwhoseaspecttheSpiritwingsitsflight!Concealthesurgingconcourse,Iimplorethee,Whosevortexdrawsuswithresistlessmight。No,tosomepeacefulheavenlynookrestoreme,Whereonlyforthebardbloomspuredelight,Whereloveandfriendshipyieldtheirchoicestblessing,Ourheart’struebliss,withgod-likehandcaressing。
Whatinthespirit’sdepthswastherecreated,Whatshylytherethelipshapedforthinsound;Afailurenow,withwordsnowfitlymated,Inthewildtumultofthehourisdrown’d;Fulloftthepoet’sthoughtforyearshathwaitedUntilatlengthwithperfectform’tiscrowned;Whatdazzles,forthemomentborn,mustperish;Whatgenuineisposteritywillcherish。
MerrymanThiscantaboutposterityIhate;AboutposteritywereItoprate,Whothenthelivingwouldamuse?FortheyWillhavediversion,ay,and’tistheirdue。A
sprightlyfellow’spresenceatyourplay,Methinksshouldalsocountforsomethingtoo;Whosegenialwittheaudiencestillinspires,Knowsfromtheirchangefulmoodnoangryfeeling;Awidercirclehedesires,Totheirheart’sdepthsmoresurelythusappealing。Towork,then!Giveamaster-piece,myfriend;BringFancywithherchoraltrainsbeforeus,Sense,reason,feeling,passion,butattend!Letfollyalsoswellthetragicchorus。
ManagerInchief,ofincidentenoughprepare!Ashowtheywant,theycometogapeandstare。Spinfortheireyesabundantoccupation,Sothatthemultitudemaywonderinggaze,Youbysheerbulkhavewonyourreputation,Themanyouarealllovetopraise。Bymassalonecanyousubduethemasses,Eachthenselectsintimewhatsuitshisbent。Bringmuch,yousomethingbringforvariousclasses,Andfromthehousegoeseveryonecontent。Yougiveapiece,abroadinpiecessendit!’Tisaragout-successmustneedsattendit;’Tiseasytoserveup,aseasytoinvent。Afinish’dwholewhatbootsittopresent!Fullsoonthepublicwillinpiecesrendit。
PoetHowmeansuchhandicraftasthisyoucannotfeel!Howitrevoltsthegenuineartist’smind!Thesorrytrashinwhichthesecoxcombsdeal,Ishereapprovedonprinciple,Ifind。
ManagerSuchareproofdisturbsmenotawhit!Whoonefficientworkisbent,Mustchoosethefittestinstrument。Consider!’tissoftwoodyouhavetosplit;Thinktooforwhomyouwrite,Ipray!Onecomestowhileanhouraway;Onefromthefestiveboard,asatedguest;Others,moredreadedthantherest,Fromjournal-readinghurrytotheplay。Astoamasquerade,withabsentminds,theypress,Sheercuriositytheirfootstepswinging;Ladiesdisplaytheirpersonsandtheirdress,Actorsunpaidtheirservicebringing。Whatdreamsbeguileyouonyourpoet’sheight?Whatputsafullhouseinamerrymood?
Morecloselyviewyourpatronsofthenight!Thehalfarecold,thehalfarerude。One,theplayover,cravesagameofcards;Anotherawildnightinwantonjoywouldspend。Poorfoolsthemuses’fairregards。Whycourtforsuchapaltryend?Itellyou,givethemmore,stillmore’tisallIask,Thusyouwillne’erstraywidelyfromthegoal;Youraudienceseektomystifycajole;Tosatisfythem-that’sahardertask。Whatailsthee?artenrapturedordistressed?
PoetDepart!elsewhereanotherservantchooseWhat!shallthebardhisgodlikepowerabuse?Man’sloftiestright,kindnature’shighbequest,Foryourmeanpurposebaselysportaway?Whencecomeshismasteryo’erthehumanbreast,Whenceo’ertheelementshissway,Butfromtheharmonythat,gushingfromhissoul,Drawsbackintohisheartthewondrouswhole?Withcarelesshandwhenroundherspindle,NatureWindstheinterminablethreadoflife;When’midtheclashofBeingeverycreatureMinglesinharshinextricablestrife;Whodealstheircourseunvariedtillitfalleth,Inrhythmicflowtomusic’smeasur’dtone?Eachsolitarynotewhosegeniuscalleth,Toswellthemightychoirinunison?Whointheragingstormseespassionlow’ring?Orflushofearnestthoughtinevening’sglow?Whoeveryblossominsweetspring-timefloweringAlongthelovedone’spathwouldstrow?Who,Nature’sgreenfamiliarleavesentwining,Wreathe’sglory’sgarland,wononeveryfield?MakessureOlympus,heavenlypowerscombining?Man’smightyspirit,inthebardreveal’d!
MerrymanComethen,employyourloftyinspiration,Andcarryonthepoet’savocation,Justaswecarryonaloveaffair。Twomeetbychance,arepleased,theylingerthere,Insensiblyarelink’d,theyscarceknowhow;Fortuneseemsnowpropitious,adversenow,Thencomealternateraptureanddespair;And’tisatrueromanceereone’saware。Justsuchadramaletusnowcompose。Plungeboldlyintolife-itsdepthsdisclose!Eachlivesit,nottomanyisitknown,’Twillinterestwheresoeverseiz’dandshown;Brightpictures,butobscuretheirmeaning:Arayoftruththrougherrorgleaming,Thusyouthebestelixirbrew,Tocharmmankind,andedifythemtoo。Thenyouth’sfairblossomscrowdtoviewyourplay,Andwaitasonanoracle;whilethey,Thetendersouls,wholovethemeltingmood,Suckfromyourworktheirmelancholyfood;Nowthisone,andnowthat,youdeeplystir,Eachseestheworkingofhisheartlaidbare。Theirtears,theirlaughter,youcommandwithease,Theloftystilltheyhonour,theillusivelove。Yourfinish’dgentlemenyoune’ercanplease;Agrowingmindalonewillgratefulprove。
PoetThengivemebackyouth’sgoldenprime,Whenmyownspirittoowasgrowing,Whenfrommyheartth’unbiddenrhymeGush’dforth,afountforeverflowing;Thenshadowymisttheworldconceal’d,Andeverybudsweetpromisemade,Ofwondersyettobereveal’d,Asthroughthevales,withbloomsinlaid,CullingathousandflowersIstray’d。NaughthadI,yetarichprofusion!Thethirstfortruth,joyineachfondillusion。Givemeunquell’dthoseimpulsestoprove;Rapturesodeep,itsecstasywaspain,Thepowerofhate,theenergyoflove,Giveme,ohgivemebackmyyouthagain!
MerrymanYouth,mygoodfriend,youcertainlyrequireWhenfoesinbattleroundarepressing,Whenafairmaid,herheartonfire,Hangsonyourneckwithfondcaressing,Whenfromafar,thevictor’scrown,Toreachthehard-wongoalinciteth;Whenfromthewhirlingdance,todrownYoursense,thenight’scarouseinviteth。ButthefamiliarchordsamongBoldlytosweep,withgracefulcunning,Whiletoitsgoal,theversealongItswindingpathissweetlyrunning;
Thistaskisyours,oldgentlemen,to-day;Norareyouthereforelessinreverenceheld;Agedoesnotmakeuschildish,asfolksay,Itfindsusgenuinechildrene’enineld。
ManagerAtrucetowords,mereemptysound,Letdeedsatlengthappear,myfriends!
Whileidlecomplimentsyouround,Youmightachievesomeusefulends。Whytalkofthepoeticvein?Whohesitateswillneverknowit;Ifbardsyeare,asyemaintain,Nowletyourinspirationshowit。Toyouisknownwhatwerequire,Strongdrinktosipisourdesire;Come,brewmesuchwithoutdelay!
To-morrowseesundone,whathappensnotto-day;Stillforwardpress,norevertire!Thepossible,withsteadfasttrust,Resolveshouldbetheforelockgrasp;Thenshewillne’erletgoherclasp,Andlabourson,becauseshemust。
OnGermanboards,you’rewellaware,Thetasteofeachmayhavefullsway;
Thereforeinbringingoutyourplay,Norscenesnormechanismspare!
Heaven’slampsemploy,thegreatestandtheleast,Belavishofthestellarlights,Water,andfire,androckyheights,Sparenotatall,norbirds,norbeast,Thusletcreation’samplesphereForthwithinthisournarrowboothappear,Andwithconsideratespeed,throughfancy’sspell,Journeyfromheaven,thencethroughtheworld,tohell!
PrologueInHeavenTheLord,TheHeavenlyHosts。AfterwardsMephistopheles。
ThethreeArchangelscomeforwardRaphaelTheSun,inancientguise,competingWithbrotherspheresinrivalsong,Withthunder-march,hisorbcompleting,Moveshispredestin’dcoursealong;HisaspecttothepowerssupernalGivesstrength,thoughfathomhimnonemay;
Transcendingthought,theworkseternalArefairasontheprimalday。
GabrielWithspeed,thoughtbaffling,unabating,Earth’ssplendourwhirlsincirclingflight;ItsEden-brightnessalternatingWithsolemn,awe-inspiringnight;
Ocean’sbroadwavesinwildcommotion,Againsttherocks’deepbasearehurled;Andwiththespheres,bothrockandoceanEternallyareswiftlywhirled。
MichaelAndtempestsroarinemulationFromseatoland,fromlandtosea,Andragingform,withoutcessation,Achainofwondrousagency,Fullinthethunder’spathcareering,Flaringtheswiftdestructionsplay;But,Lord,ThyservantsarereveringThemildprocessionofthyday。
TheThreeThineaspecttothepowerssupernalGivesstrength,thoughfathomtheenonemay;Andalltheyworks,sublime,eternal,Arefairasontheprimalday。
MephistophelesSincethou,OLord,approachestusoncemore,Andhowitfareswithus,toaskartfain,Sincethouhastkindlywelcom’dmeofyore,Thousee’stmealsonowamongthytrain。Excuseme,fineharanguesIcannotmake,Thoughallthecirclelookonmewithscorn;Mypathossoonthylaughterwouldawake,Hadstthouthelaughingmoodnotlongforsworn。OfsunsandworldsI
nothinghavetosay,Iseealonemankind’sself-torturingpains。Thelittleworld-godstilltheself-samestampretains,Andisaswondrousnowasontheprimalday。Betterhemighthavefared,poorwight,Hadstthounotgivenhimagleamofheavenlylight;Reason,henamesit,anddothsoUseit,thanbrutesmorebrutishstilltogrow。Withdeferencetoyourgrace,heseemstomeLikeanylong-leggedgrasshoppertobe,Whicheverflies,andflyingsprings,Andinthegrassitsancientdittysings。Wouldhebutalwaysinthegrassrepose!Ineveryheapofdunghethrustshisnose。
TheLordHastthounaughtelsetosay/IsblameIncominghere,asever,thysoleaim?
Doesnothingontheearthtotheeseemright?
MephistophelesNo,Lord!Ifindthingsthere,asever,insadplight。Men,intheirevildays,movemycompassion;Suchsorrythingstoplagueisnothingworth。
TheLordKnow’stthoumyservant,Faust?
MephistophelesThedoctor?
TheLordRight。
MephistophelesHeservestheetrulyinawondrousfashion。Poorfool!Hisfoodanddrinkarenotofearth。Aninwardimpulsehurrieshimafar,Himselfhalfconsciousofhisfrenziedmood;Fromheavenclaimethhethefaireststar,Andfromtheearthcraveseveryhighestgood,Andallthat’snear,andallthat’sfar,Failstoallaythetumultinhisblood。
TheLordThoughinperplexityheservesmenow,Isoonwillleadhimwheremorelightappears;Whenbudsthesapling,doththegardenerknowThatflowersandfruitwilldeckthecomingyears。
MephistophelesWhatwiltthouwager?Himthouyetshalllose,Ifleavetomethouwiltbutgive,GentlytoleadhimasIchoose!
TheLordSolongasheonearthdothlive,Solong’tisnotforbiddenthee。Manstillmusterr,whilehedothstrive。
MephistophelesIthankyou;fornotwillinglyItrafficwiththedead,andstillaverThatyouth’splumpbloomingcheekIverymuchprefer。I’mnotathometocorpses;’tismyway,Likecatswithcaptivemicetotoyandplay。
TheLordEnough!’tisgrantedthee!DivertThismortalspiritfromhisprimalsource;
Him,canstthouseize,thypowerexertAndleadhimonthydownwardcourse,Thenstandabash’d,whenthouperforcemustown,Agoodmaninhisdarkestaberration,Oftherightpathisconsciousstill。
Mephistopheles’Tisdone!Fullsoonthou’ltseemyexultation;AsformybetnofearsI
entertain。AndifmyendIfinallyshouldgain,Excusemytriumphingwithallmysoul。Dustheshalleat,ay,andwithrelishtake,Asdidmycousin,therenownedsnake。
TheLordHeretoothou’rtfreetoactwithoutcontrol;Ine’erhavecherishedhateforsuchasthee。Ofallthespiritswhodeny,Thescofferisleastwearisometome。Evertooproneismanactivitytoshirk,Inunconditionedresthefainwouldlive;HencethiscompanionpurposelyIgive,Whostirs,excites,andmust,asdevil,work。Butye,thegenuinesonsofheaven,rejoice!Inthefulllivingbeautystillrejoice!Maythatwhichworksandlives,theever-growing,Inbondsofloveenfoldyou,mercy-fraught,AndSeeming’schangefulforms,aroundyouflowing,Doyearrest,inever-duringthought!
(Heavencloses,theArchangelsdisperse。)
Mephistopheles(alone)
TheancientoneIlikesometimestosee,Andnottobreakwithhimamalwayscivil;’Tiscourteousinsogreatalordashe,Tospeaksokindlyeventothedevil。
PartI
DramatisPersonaeCharactersintheProloguefortheTheatreTheManager。
TheDramaticPoet。
Merryman。
CharactersinthePrologueinHeavenTheLord。
Raphael,Gabriel,Michael,(TheHeavenlyHost)。
Mephistopheles。
CharactersintheTragedyFaust,Mephistopheles。Wagner,aStudent。
Margaret。Martha,Margaret’sNeighbour。
Valentine,Margaret’sBrother。OldPeasant。AStudent。
Elizabeth,anAcquaintanceofMargaret’s。
Frosch,Brander,Siebel,Altmayer,(GuestsinAuerbach’sWineCellar。)
Witches;oldandyoung;Wizards,Will-o’-the-Wisp,WitchPedlar,Protophantasmist,Servibilis,Monkeys,Spirits,Journeymen,Country-folk,Citizens,Beggar,OldFortune-teller,Shepherd,Soldier,Students,&c。
IntheIntermezzoOberon。Titania。Ariel。Puck,&c。&c。
NightAhighvaultednarrowGothicchamber。Faust,restless,seatedathisdesk。
FaustIhave,alas!Philosophy,Medicine,Jurisprudencetoo,AndtomycostTheology,Withardentlabour,studiedthrough。AndhereIstand,withallmylore,Poorfool,nowiserthanbefore。Magister,doctorstyled,indeed,AlreadythesetenyearsIlead,Up,down,across,andtoandfro,Mypupilsbythenose,-andlearn,Thatweintruthcannothingknow!Thatinmyheartlikefiredothburn。’TistrueI’vemorecunningthanallyourdulltribe,Magisteranddoctor,priest,parson,andscribe;Scrupleordoubtcomesnottoenthrallme,NeithercandevilnorhellnowappalmeHencealsomyheartmustallpleasureforego!Imaynotpretend,aughtrightlytoknow,Imaynotpretend,throughteaching,tofindAmeanstoimproveorconvertmankind。ThenI
haveneithergoodsnortreasure,Noworldlyhonour,rank,orpleasure;Nodoginsuchfashionwouldlongerlive!ThereforemyselftomagicIgive,Inhope,throughspirit-voiceandmight,Secretsnowveiledtobringtolight,ThatInomore,withachingbrow,NeedspeakofwhatInothingknow;ThatItheforcemayrecogniseThatbindscreation’sinmostenergies;Hervitalpowers,herembryoseedssurvey,Andflingthetradeinemptywordsaway。
Ofull-orb’dmoon,didbutthyraysTheirlastuponmineanguishgaze!
Besidethisdesk,atdeadofnight,OfthaveIwatchedtohailthylight:Then,pensivefriend!o’erbookandscroll,Withsoothingpower,thyradiancestole!
Inthydearlight,ah,mightIclimb,Freely,somemountainheightsublime,Roundmountaincaveswithspiritsride,Inthymildhazeo’ermeadowsglide,And,purgedfromknowledge-fumes,renewMyspirit,inthyhealingdew!
Woe’sme!stillprison’dinthegloomOfthisabhorr’dandmustyroom!Whereheaven’sdearlightitselfdothpass,Butdimlythroughthepaintedglass!
Hemmedinbyvolumesthickwithdust,Worm-eaten,hid’neathrustandmould,Andtothehighvault’stopmostbound,Asmoke-stainedpapercompassedround;Withboxesroundtheepiled,andglass,Andmanyauselessinstrument,WitholdancestrallumberblentThisisthyworld!aworld!
alas!Anddostthouaskwhyheavesthyheart,Withtighten’dpressureinthybreast?Whythedullachewillnotdepart,Bywhichthylife-pulseisoppress’d?Insteadofnature’slivingsphere,Createdformankindofold,Bruteskeletonssurroundtheehere,Anddeadmen’sbonesinsmokeandmould。
Up!Forthintothedistantland!IsnotthisbookofmysteryByNostradamus’
properhand,Anall-sufficientguide?Thou’ltseeThecoursesofthestarsunroll’d;WhennaturedothherthoughtsunfoldTothee,thysoulshallrise,andseekCommunionhighwithhertohold,Asspiritdothwithspiritspeak!VainbydullporingtodivineThemeaningofeachhallow’dsign。Spirits!Ifeelyouhov’ringnear;Makeanswer,ifmyvoiceyehear!
(HeopensthebookandperceivesthesignoftheMacrocosmos。)
Ah!atthisspectaclethrougheverysense,Whatsuddenecstasyofjoyisflowing!Ifeelnewrapture,hallow’dandintense,Througheverynerveandveinwithardourglowing。Wasitagodwhocharacter’dthisscroll,Thetumultinmyspirithealing,O’ermysadheartwithrapturestealing,Andbyamysticimpulse,tomysoul,Thepowersofnatureallaroundrevealing。AmIaGod?
Whatlightintense!InthesepuresymbolsdoIsee,Natureexerthervitalenergy。Nowofthewiseman’swordsIlearnthesense;
"Unlock’dthespirit-worlddothlie,Thysenseisshut,thyheartisdead!Upscholar,lave,withcouragehigh,Thineearthlybreastinthemorning-red!"
(Hecontemplatesthesign。)
Howallthingsliveandwork,andeverblending,WeaveonevastwholefromBeing’samplerange!Howpowerscelestial,risinganddescending,Theirgoldenbucketsceaselessinterchange!Theirflightonrapture-breathingpinionswinging,Fromheaventoearththeirgenialinfluencebringing,Throughthewildspheretheirchimesmelodiousringing!
Awondrousshow!butah!ashowalone!WhereshallIgraspthee,infinitenature,where?Yebreasts,yefountainsofalllife,whereonHangheavenandearth,fromwhichthewitheredheartForsolaceyearns,yestillimpartYoursweetandfosteringtides-whereareye-where?Yegush,andmustI
languishindespair?
(Heturnsovertheleavesofthebookimpatiently,andperceivesthesighoftheEarth-spirit。)
Howallunliketheinfluenceofthissign!Earth-spirit,thoutomeartnigher,E’ennowmystrengthisrisinghigher,E’ennowIglowaswithnewwine;
CourageIfeel,abroadtheworldtodare,Thewoeofearth,theblissofearthtobear,Withstormstowrestle,bravethelightning’sglare,Andmidthecrashingshipwrecknotdespair。
CloudsgatherovermeThemoonconcealsherlightThelampisquench’dVapoursarerising-Quiv’ringroundmyheadFlashtheredbeams-DownfromthevaultedroofAshudderinghorrorfloats,Andseizesme!Ifeelit,spirit,prayer-compell’d,’tisthouArthoveringnear!Unveilthyself!Ha!Howmyheartisrivennow!Eachsense,witheagerpalpitation,Isstrain’dtocatchsomenewsensation!Ifeelmyheartsurrender’duntothee!Thoumust!Thoumust!Thoughlifeshouldbethefee!
(Heseizesthebook,andpronouncesmysteriouslythesignofthespirit。A
ruddyflameflashesup;thespiritappearsintheflame。)
SpiritWhocallsme?
Faust(turningaside)Dreadfulshape!SpiritWithmight,Thouhastcompelledmetoappear,Longhastbeensuckingatmysphere,AndnowDr。JohannFaust:Dr。JohannFaustwatchingamagicdiscinhisstudy。
EngravingbyRembrant。]
FaustWoe’sme!Icannotbearthysight!
SpiritToseemethoudostbreathethineinvocation,Myvoicetohear,togazeuponmybrow;MedoththystrongentreatybowLo!Iamhere!-WhatcoweringagitationGraspsthee,thedemigod!Where’snowthesoul’sdeepcry?Whereisthebreast,whichinitsdepthsaworldconceiv’dAndboreandcherished?
which,withecstacy,Torankitselfwithus,thespirits,heaved?Whereartthou,Faust?whosevoiceIheardresound,Whotowardsmepress’dwithenergyprofound?Artthouhe?Thou,-whobymybreathartblighted,Who,inhisspirit’sdepthsaffrighted,Trembles,acrush’dandwrithingworm!
FaustShallIyield,thingofflame,tothee?Faust,andthineequal,Iamhe!
SpiritInthecurrentsoflife,inaction’sstorm,IfloatandIwaveWithbillowymotion!BirthandthegraveAlimitlessocean,AconstantweavingWithchangestillrife,Arestlessheaving,AglowinglifeThustime’swhirringloomunceasingIply,Andweavethelife-garmentofdeity。
FaustThou,restlessspirit,dostfromendtoendO’ersweeptheworld;hownearI
feeltothee!
SpiritThou’rtlikethespirit,thoudostcomprehend,Notme!
(Vanishes。)
Faust(deeplymoved)
Notthee?Whomthen?I,Godsownimage!Andnotrankwiththee!
(Aknock)
Ohdeath!Iknowit-’tismyfamulusMyfairestfortunenowescapes!ThatallthesevisionaryshapesAsoullessgrovellershouldbanishthus!
(Wagnerinhisdressinggownandnight-cap,alampinhishand。Faustturnsroundreluctantly。)
WagnerPardon!Iheardyouheredeclaim;AGreciantragedyyoudoubtlessread?
Improvementinthisartisnowmyaim,Fornow-a-daysitmuchavails。
IndeedAnactor,oftI’vehearditsaid,asteacher,Maygiveinstructiontoapreacher。
FaustAy,ifyourpriestshouldbeanactortoo,Asnotimprobablymaycometopass。
WagnerWheninhisstudypentthewholeyearthrough,Manviewstheworld,asthroughanopticglass,Onachanceholiday,andscarcelythen,Howbypersuasioncanhegovernmen?
FaustIffeelingpromptnot,ifitdothnotflowFreshfromthespirit’sdepths,withstrongcontrolSwayingtoraptureeverylistener’ssoul,Idleyourtoil;thechaseyoumayforego!Broodo’eryourtask!Togetherglue,Cookfromanother’sfeastyourownragout,Stillprosecuteyourpaltrygame,Andfanyourash-heapsintoflame!Thuschildren’swonderyou’llexcite,Andapes’,ifsuchyourappetite;Butthatwhichissuesfromtheheartalone,Willbendtheheartsofotherstoyourown。
WagnerThespeakerindeliverywillfindSuccessalone;Istillamfarbehind。
FaustAworthyobjectstillpursue!Benotahollowtinklingfool!Soundunderstanding,judgmenttrue,Findutterancewithoutartorrule;Andwheninearnestyouaremovedtospeak,Thenisitneedfulcunningwordstoseek?
Yourfineharangues,sopolish’dintheirkind,Whereintheshredsofhumanthoughtyetwist,Areunrefreshingastheemptywind,Whistlingthroughwither’dleavesandautumnmist!
WagnerOhGod!Howlongisart,Ourlifehowshort!WithearnestzealStillasIplythecritic’stask,IfeelAstrangeoppressionbothofheadandheart。Theverymeanshowhardlyaretheywon,Bywhichwetothefountainsrise!Andhaply,ereonehalfthecourseisrun,Check’dinhisprogress,thepoordevildies。
FaustParchment,isthatthesacredfountwhencerollWaters,hethirstethnotwhooncehathquaffed?Oh,ifitgushnotfromthineinmostsoul,Thouhasnotwonthelife-restoringdraught。
WagnerYourpardon!’tisdelightfultotransportOneselfintothespiritofthepast,Toseeintimesbeforeushowawisemanthought,Andwhatagloriousheightwehaveachievedatlast。
FaustAytruly!eventotheloftieststar!Tous,myfriend,theagesthatarepass’dA
bookwithsevenseals,close-fasten’d,are;Andwhatthespiritofthetimesmencall,Ismerelytheirownspiritafterall,Wherein,distortedoft,thetimesareglass’d。Thentruly,’tisasighttogrievethesoul!Atthefirstglanceweflyitindismay;Averylumber-room,arubbish-hole;Atbestasortofmock-
heroicplay,Withsawspragmatical,andmaximssage,Tosuitthepuppetsandtheirmimicstage。
WagnerButthentheworldandman,hisheartandbrain!Touchingthesethingsallmenwouldsomethingknow。
FaustAy!what’mongmenasknowledgedothobtain!Whoonthechilditstruenamedaresbestow?Thefewwhosomewhatofthesethingshaveknown,Whotheirfullheartsunguardedlyreveal’d,Northoughts,norfeelings,fromthemobconceal’d,Havediedoncrosses,orinflamesbeenthrown。Excuseme,friend,farnowthenightisspent,Forthistimewemustsayadieu。
WagnerStilltowatchonIhadbeenwellcontent,Thustoconversesolearnedlywithyou。Butasto-morrowwillbeEaster-day,Somefurtherquestionsgrant,I
pray;WithdiligencetostudystillIfondlycling;AlreadyIknowmuch,butwouldknoweverything。
(Exit。)
FaustSoliloquy-ChorusOfAngelsFaust(alone)
Howhimaloneallhopeabandonsnever,Toemptytrashwhoclings,withzealuntired,Withgreedfortreasuregropes,and,joy-inspir’d,Exultsifearth-
wormssecondhisendeavour。
Anddareavoiceofmerelyhumanbirth,E’enhere,whereshapesimmortalthrong’dintrude?Yetah!thoupoorestofthesonsofearth,Foronce,Ie’entotheefeelgratitude。Despairthepowerofsensedidwell-nighblast,AndthoudidstsavemeereIsankdismay’d,Sogiant-likethevisionseem’d,sovast,Ifeltmyselfshrinkdwarf’dasIsurvey’d!
I,God’sownimage,fromthistoilofclayAlreadyfreed,witheagerjoywhohail’dThemirrorofeternaltruthunveil’d,Midlighteffulgentandcelestialday:
I,morethancherub,whoseunfetter’dsoulWithpenetrativeglanceaspir’dtoflowThroughnature’sveins,and,stillcreating,knowThelifeofgods,-howamIpunish’dnow!Onethunder-wordhathhurl’dmefromthegoal!
Spirit!Idarenotliftmetothysphere。Whatthoughmypowercompell’dtheetoappear,Myartwaspowerlesstodetaintheehere。Inthatgreatmoment,rapture-fraught,Ifeltmyselfsosmall,sogreat;FiercelydidstthrustmefromtherealmofthoughtBackonhumanity’suncertainfate!Who’llteachmenow?
WhatoughtItoforego?OughtIthatimpulsetoobey?Alas!oureverydeed,aswellaseverywoe,Impedesthetenoroflife’sonwardway!
E’entothenoblestbythesoulconceiv’d,Somefeelingsclingofbaserquality;
Andwhenthegoodsofthisworldareachiev’d,Eachnobleraimistermedacheat,alie。Ouraspirations,oursoul’sgenuinelife,Growtorpidinthedinofearthlystrife。Thoughyouthfulphantasy,whilehopeinspires,Stretcho’ertheinfiniteherwingsublime,Anarrowcompasslimitsherdesires,Whenwreck’dourfortunesinthegulfoftime。Inthedeepheartofmancarebuildshernest,O’ersecretwoesshebroodeththere,Sleeplesssherocksherselfandscarethjoyandrest;Stillisshewontsomenewdisguisetowear,Shemayashouseandcourt,aswifeandchildappear,Asdagger,poison,fireandflood;
Imaginedevilschillthyblood,Andwhatthoune’ershalllose,o’erthatdostshedthetear。Iamnotlikethegods!FeelitImust;I’mliketheearth-worm,writhinginthedust,Which,asondustitfeeds,itsnativefare,Crushed’neaththepasser’stread,liesburiedthere。
Isitnotdust,wherewiththisloftywall,Withhundredshelves,confinesmeround;Rubbish,inthousandshapes,mayInotcallWhatinthismoth-worlddothmybeingbound?Here,whatdothfailme,shallIfind?Readinathousandtomesthat,everywhere,Self-tortureisthelotofhuman-kind,Withbutonemortalhappy,hereandthere?Thouhollowskull,thatgrin,whatshoulditsay,Butthatthybrain,likemine,ofoldperplexed,Stillyearningforthetruth,hathsoughtthelightofday。Andinthetwilightwandered,sorelyvexed?Yeinstruments,forsooth,yemockatme,Withwheel,andcog,andring,andcylinder;Tonature’sportalsyeshouldbethekey;Cunningyourwards,andyettheboltsyefailtostir。Inscrutableinbroadestlight,Tobeunveil’dbyforceshedothrefuse,Whatsherevealsnottothymentalsight,Thouwiltnotwrestmefromherwithleversandwithscrews。Olduselessfurnitures,yetstandyehere,Becausemysireyeserved,nowdeadandgone。
Oldscroll,thesmokeofyearsdostwear,Solongaso’erthisdeskthesorrylamphathshone。Bettermylittlemeanshathsquanderedquiteaway,Thanburden’dbythatlittleheretosweatandgroan!Wouldstthoupossessthyheritage,essay,Byusetorenderitthineown!Whatweemploynot,butimpedesourway,Thatwhichthehourcreates,thatcanitusealone!Butwhereforetoyonspotisrivetedmygaze?Isyonderflasketthereamagnettomysight?Whencethismildradiancethataroundmeplays,Aswhen,’midforestgloom,reigneththemoon’ssoftlight?
Hailpreciousphial!Thee,withreverentawe,DownfromthineoldreceptacleIdraw!ScienceintheeIhailandhumanart。Essenceofdeadliestpowers,refin’dandsure,Ofsoothinganodynesabstractionpure,Nowinthymaster’sneedthygraceimpart!Igazeonthee,mypainislull’dtorest;Igraspthee,calm’dthetumultinmybreast;Theflood-tideofmyspiritebbsaway;
OnwardI’msummon’do’eraboundlessmain,Calmatmyfeetexpandstheglassyplain,Toshoresunknownalluresabrighterday。
Lo,whereacaroffire,onairypinion,Comesfloatingtowardsme!I’mprepar’dtoflyByanewtrackthroughether’swidedominion,Todistantspheresofpureactivity。Thislifeintense,thisgodlikeecstasyWormthatthouartsuchrapturecanstthouearn?Onlyresolvewithcouragesternandhigh,Thyvisagefromtheradiantsuntoturn!Darewithdetermin’dwilltobursttheportalsPastwhichinterrorothersfainwouldsteal!Nowisthetime,throughdeeds,toshowthatmortalsThecalmsublimityofgodscanfeel;Toshuddernotatyonderdarkabyss,Wherephantasycreatesherownself-torturingbrood,Rightonwardtotheyawninggulftopress,Aroundwhosenarrowjawsrollethhell’sfieryflood;Withgladresolvetotakethefatalleap,Thoughdangerthreatenthee,tosinkinendlesssleep!Purecrystalgoblet!forthI
drawtheenow,Fromoutthineantiquatedcase,wherethouForgottenhastreposedformanyayear!Oftatmyfather’srevelsthoudidstshine,Togladtheearnestguestswasthine,Aseachtootherpassedthegenerouscheer。Thegorgeousbredeoffigures,quaintlywrought,Whichhewhoquaff’dmustfirstinrhymeexpound,Thendrainthegobletatonedraughtprofound,Hathnightsofboyhoodtofondmemorybrought。Itomyneighbourshallnotreachtheenow,NoronthyrichdeviceshallImycunningshow。Hereisajuice,makesdrunkwithoutdelay;Itsdarkbrownfloodthycrystalrounddothfill;Letthislastdraught,theproductofmyskill,Myownfreechoice,bequaff’dwithresolutewill,Asolemnfestivegreeting,tothecomingday!
(Heplacesthegoblettohismouth。)
(Theringingofbells,andchoralvoices。)
ChorusofAngelsChristisarisen!Mortal,allhailtothee,Thouwhommortality,Earth’ssadreality,Heldasinprison。
FaustWhathummelodious,whatclearsilverychimeThusdrawsthegobletfrommylipsaway?Yedeep-ton’dbells,doyewithvoicesublime,AnnouncethesolemndawnofEaster-day?Sweetchoir!areyethehymnofcomfortsinging,Whichonearoundthedarknessofthegrave,Fromseraph-voices,ingladtriumphringing,Ofanewcovenantassurancegave?
ChorusofWomenWe,histrue-hearted,Withspicesandmyrrh,Embalmedthedeparted,Andswathedhimwithcare;HereweconveyedHim,OurMaster,sodear;Alas!
WherewelaidHim,TheChristisnothere,ChorusofAngelsChristisarisen!Blessedthelovingone,Whofromearth’strialthroes,Healingandstrengtheningwoes,Soarsasfromprison。
FaustWherefore,yetonescelestial,sweetandstrong,Comeyeadwellerinthedusttoseek?Ringoutyourchimesbelievingcrowdsamong,ThemessagewellIhear,myfaithaloneisweak;Fromfaithherdarling,miracle,hathsprung。AlofttoyonderspheresIdarenotsoar,Whencesoundthetidingsofgreatjoy;Andyet,withthissweetstrainfamiliarwhenaboy,Backitrecallethmetolifeoncemore。Thenwouldcelestiallove,withholykiss,Comeo’ermeintheSabbath’sstillyhour,While,fraughtwithsolemnmeaningandmysteriouspower,Chim’dthedeep-soundingbell,andprayerwasbliss;A
yearningimpulse,undefin’dyetdear,Drovemetowanderonthroughwoodandfield;Withheavingbreastandmanyaburningtear,Ifeltwithholyjoyaworldreveal’d。Gaysportsandfestivehoursproclaim’dwithjoyouspealing,ThisEasterhymnindaysofold;Andfondremembrancenowdothme,withchildlikefeeling,Backfromthelast,thesolemnstep,withhold。Ostillsoundon,thousweetcelestialstrain!Thetear-dropflows,-Earth,Iamthineagain!
ChorusofDisciplesHewhomwemournedasdead,Livingandglorious,Fromthedarkgravehathfled,O’erdeathvictorious;AlmostcreativeblissWaitsonhisgrowingpowers;Ah!Himonearthwemiss;Sorrowandgriefareours。Yearninghelefthisown,Midsoreannoy;Ah!wemustneedsbemoan。Master,thyjoy!
ChorusofAngelsChristisarisen,Redeem’dfromdecay。ThebondswhichimprisonYoursouls,rendaway!PraisingtheLordwithzeal,Bydeedsthatlovereveal,LikebrethrentrueandlealSharingthedailymeal,ToallthatsorrowfeelWhisp’ringofheaven’sweal,Stillisthemasternear,Stillishehere!
BeforeTheGatePromenadersofallsortspassout。
ArtisansWhychooseyethatdirection,pray?
OthersTothehunting-lodgewe’reonourway。
TheFirstWetowardsthemillarestrollingon。
AMechanicAwalktoWasserhofwerebest。
ASecondTheroadisnotapleasantone。
TheOthersWhatwillyoudo?
AThirdI’lljointherest。
AFourthLet’suptoBurghof,thereyou’llfindgoodcheer,Theprettiestmaidensandthebestofbeer,Andbrawlsofaprimesort。
AFifthYouscapegrace!How;Yourskinstillitchingforarow?ThitherIwillnotgo,Iloathetheplace。
ServantGirlNo,no!Itothetownmystepsretrace。
AnotherNearyonderpoplarsheissuretobe。
TheFirstAndifheis,whatmattersittome!Withyouhe’llwalk,he’lldancewithnonebutyou,AndwithyourpleasureswhathaveItodo?
TheSecondTo-dayhewillnotbealone,hesaidHisfriendwouldbewithhim,thecurly-
head。
StudentWhyhowthosebuxomgirlsstepon!Come,brother,wewillfollowthemanon。Strongbeer,adamselsmartlydress’d,Stingingtobacco,-theseIlovethebest。
Burgher’sDaughterLookatthosehandsomefellowsthere!’Tisreallyshameful,Ideclare,Theverybestsocietytheyshun,Afterthoseservantgirlsforsooth,torun。
SecondStudent(tothefirst)
Notquitesofast!forinourrear,Twogirls,well-dress’d,aredrawingnear;
Notfarfromustheonedothdwell,Andsoothtosay,Ilikeherwell。Theywalkdemurely,yetyou’llsee,Thattheywillletusjointhempresently。
TheFirstNotI!restraintsofallkindsIdetest。Quick!letuscatchthewild-gameereitflies,ThehandonSaturdaythemopthatplies,WillontheSundayfondleyouthebest。
BurgherNo,thisnewBurgomaster,Ilikehimnot,Godknows,Now,he’sinoffice,dailymorearroganthegrows;Andforthetown,whatdothhedoforit?Arenotthingsworsefromdaytoday?Tomorerestraintswemustsubmit;Andtaxesmorethaneverpay。
Beggar(sings)
Kindgentlemanandladiesfair,Sorosy-cheek’dandtrimlydress’d,Bepleas’dtolistentomyprayer,Relieveandpitythedistress’d。Letmenotvainlysingmylay!Hisheart’smostgladwhosehandisfree。Nowwhenallmenkeepholiday,Shouldbeaharvest-daytome。
AnotherBurgherOnholidaysandSundaysnaughtknowImoreinvitingThanchattingaboutwarandwar’salarms,WhenfolkinTurkey,upinarms,Faroff,are’gainsteachotherfighting。Weatthewindowstand,ourglassesdrain,AndwatchadownthestreamthepaintedvesselsglidingThenjoyfulweatevecomehomeagain,Andpeacefultimeswebless,peacelong-abiding。
ThirdBurgherAy,neighbour!Soletmattersstandforme!Theretheymayscatteroneanother’sbrains,AndwildconfusionroundthemseeSohereathomeinquietallremains!OldWoman(totheBurghers’Daughters)Heyday!Howsmart!
Thefreshyoungblood!Whowouldnotfallinlovewithyou?Notquitesoproud!’Tiswellandgood!Andwhatyouwish,thatIcouldhelpyouto。
Burgher’sDaughterCome,Agatha!IcarenottobeseenWalkinginpublicwiththesewitches。
True,Myfuturelover,lastSt。Andrew’sE’en,Infleshandbloodshebroughtbeforemyview。
AnotherAndminesheshow’dmealsointheglass,Asoldier’sfigure,withcompanionsbold;Ilookaround,IseekhimasIpass,Invain,hisformInowherecanbehold。
SoldiersFortresswithturretsAndwallshighinair,Damseldisdainful,Haughtyandfair,Therebemyprey!Boldistheventure,Costlythepay!
HarkhowthetrumpetThitherdothcallus,WhereeitherpleasureOrdeathmaybefallus。Hailtothetumult!Life’sinthefield!DamselandfortressTousmustyield。
Boldistheventure,Costlythepay!GailythesoldierMarchesaway。
FaustandWagner-PeasantDancesFaustLoosedfromtheirfettersarestreamsandrillsThroughthegraciousspring-
tide’sall-quickeningglow;Hope’sbuddingjoyinthevaledothblow;OldWinterbacktothesavagehillsWithdrawethhisforce,decrepidnow。ThenceonlyimpotenticygrainsScattersheashewingshisflight,Stripingwithsleettheverdantplains;Butthesunendurethnotraceofwhite;Everywheregrowthandmovementarerife,Allthingsinvestingwithhuesoflife:Thoughflowersarelacking,variedofdye,Theircoloursthemotleythrongsupply。Turntheearound,andfromthisheight,Backtothetowndirectthysight。Forthfromthehollow,gloomygate,Streamforththemasses,inbrightarray。Gladlyseektheythesunto-day;TheLord’sResurrectiontheycelebrate:Fortheythemselveshaverisen,withjoy,Fromtenementsordid,fromcheerlessroom,Frombondsoftoil,fromcareandannoy,Fromgableandroof’so’er-
hanginggloom,Fromcrowdedalleyandnarrowstreet,Andfromthechurches’awe-breathingnight,Allnowhavecomeforthintothelight。Look,onlylook,onnimblefeet,Throughgardenandfieldhowspreadthethrong,Howo’ertheriver’samplesheet,Manyagaywherryglidesalong;Andsee,deepsinkinginthetide,Pushesthelastboatnowaway。E’enfromyonfarhill’spath-wornside,Flashthebrighthuesofgarmentsgay。Hark!Soundsofvillagemirtharise;Thisisthepeople’sparadise。Bothgreatandsmallsendupacheer;HereamIman,Ifeelithere。
WagnerSirDoctor,inawalkwithyouThere’shonourandinstructiontoo;YetherealoneIcarenottoresort,BecauseIcoarsenesshateofeverysort。Thisfiddling,shouting,skittling,Idetest;Ihatethetumultofthevulgarthrong;Theyroarasbytheevilonepossess’d,Andcallitpleasure,callitsong。
Peasants(underthelinden-tree)
DanceandsongTheshepherdforthedancewasdress’d,Withribbon,wreath,andcolouredvest,Agallantshowdisplaying。Androundaboutthelinden-tree,Theyfooteditrightmerrily。Juchhe!Juchhe!Juchheisa!Heisa!He!Sofiddle-bowwasbrayingOurswainamidstthecirclepress’d,Hepush’damaidentrimlydress’d,Andjogg’dherwithhiselbow;Thebuxomdamselturn’dherhead,"Nowthat’sastupidtrick!"shesaidJuchhe!Juchhe!Juchheisa!Heisa!He!Don’tbesorude,goodfellow!
Swiftinthecircletheyadvanced,Theydancedtoright,tolefttheydanced,Andalltheskirtswereswinging。Andtheygrewred,andtheygrewwarm,Panting,theyrestedarminarm,Juchhe!Juchhe!Juchheisa!Heisa!He!Tohiptheirelbowbringing。
Don’tmakesofree!HowmanyamaidHasbeenbetroth’dandthenbetray’d;
Andhasrepentedafter!Yetstillheflatter’dheraside,Andfromthelinden,farandwide,Juchhe!Juchhe!Juchheisa!Heisa!He!Rangfiddle-bowandlaughter。
OldPeasantDoctor,’tisreallykindofyou,Tocondescendtocomethisway,Ahighlylearnedmanlikeyou,Tojoinourmirthfulthrongto-day。OurfairestcupI
offeryou,whichwewithsparklingdrinkhavecrown’d,Andpledgingyou,I
prayaloud,Thateverydropwithinitsround,Whileityourpresentthirstallays,Mayswellthenumberofyourdays。
FaustItakethecupyoukindlyreach,Thanksandprosperitytoeach!(Thecrowdgatherroundinacircle。)
OldPeasantAy,truly!’tiswelldone,thatyouOurfestivemeetingthusattend;You,whoinevildaysofyore,Sooftenshow’dyourselfourfriend!Fullmanyaonestandslivinghere,Whofromthefever’sdeadlyblast,Yourfatherrescu’d,whenhisskillThefatalsicknessstay’datlast。Ayoungmanthen,eachhouseyousought,Wherereign’dthemortalpestilence。Corpseaftercorpsewascarriedforth,Butstillunscath’dyouissuedthence。Sorethenyourtrialsandsevere;
TheHelperyonderaidsthehelperhere。
AllHeavenblessthetrustyfriend,andlongTohelpthepoorhislifeprolong!
FaustToHimaboveinhomagebend,WhopromptsthehelperandWhohelpdothsend。(HeproceedswithWagner。)
WagnerWhatfeelings,greatman,mustthybreastinspire,Athomagepaidtheebythiscrowd!ThriceblestWhofromthegiftsbyhimpossessedSuchbenefitcandraw!ThesireTheetohisboywithreverenceshows;Theypressaround,inquire,advance,Hush’disthefiddle,check’dthedance。Wherethoudostpasstheystandinrows,Andeachalofthisbonnetthrows,Butlittlefailsandtheytothee,AsthoughtheHostcameby,wouldbendtheknee。
FaustAfewstepsfurther,uptoyonderstone!Hererestwefromourwalk。Intimeslongpast,Absorb’dinthought,hereoftIsatalone,Anddisciplin’dmyselfwithprayerandfast。Thenrichinhope,withfaithsincere,Withsighs,andhandsinanguishpress’d,Theendofthatsoreplague,withmanyatear,Fromheaven’sdreadLord,Isoughttowrest。Thecrowd’sapplauseassumesascornfultone。Oh,could’stthouinmyinnerbeingread,Howlittleeithersireorson,Ofsuchrenowndeservesthemeed!Mysire,ofgoodrepute,andsombremood,O’ernature’spowersandeverymysticzone,Withhonestzeal,butmethodsofhisown,Withtoilfantasticlovedtobrood;Histimeindarkalchemiccell,Withbrotheradeptshewouldspend,Andthereantagonistscompel,Throughnumberlessreceiptstoblend。Aruddylionthere,asuitorbold,Intepidbathwaswiththelilywed。Thenceboth,whileopenflamesaroundthemroll’d,Weretortur’dtoanotherbridalbed。WasthentheyouthfulqueendescriedWithvariedcoloursintheflask;Thiswasourmedicine;thepatientsdied,"Whowererestored?"nonecaredtoask。Withourinfernalmixturethus,erelong,Thesehillsandpeacefulvalesamong,Werag’dmorefiercelythanthepest;Myselfthedeadlypoisondidtothousandsgive;Theypinedaway,Iyetmustlive,Toheartherecklessmurderersblest。
WagnerWhyletthisthoughtyoursoulo’ercast?Canmandomorethanwithniceskill,Withfirmandconscientiouswill,Practisethearttransmittedfromthepast?Ifthouthysiredosthonourinthyyouth,Hislorethougladlywiltreceive;Inmanhood,dostthouspreadtheboundsoftruth,Thenmaythysonahighergoalachieve。
FaustHowblest,inwhomthefonddesireFromerror’sseatorise,hopestillrenews!Whatamanknowsnot,thathedothrequire,Andwhatheknoweth,thathecannotuse。ButletnotmoodythoughtstheirshadowthrowO’erthecalmbeautyofthishourserene!IntherichsunsetseehowbrightlyglowYoncottagehomes,girtroundwithverdantgreen!Slowsinkstheorb,thedayinnownomore;Yonderhehastenstodiffusenewlife。Ohforapinionfromtheearthtosoar,Andafter,everafterhimtostrive!ThenshouldIseetheworldbelow,Bathedinthedeathlessevening-beams,Thevalesreposing,everyheighta-glow,Thesilverbrookletsmeetinggoldenstreams。Thesavagemountain,withitscavern’dside,Barsnotmygodlikeprogress。Lo,theocean,Itswarmbaysheavingwithatranquilmotion,Tomyraptvisionopesitsampletide!Butnowatlengththegodappearstosink;Anew-bornimpulsewingsmyflight,OnwardIpress,hisquenchlesslighttodrink,Thedaybeforeme,andbehindthenight,Thepathlesswavesbeneath,andovermetheskies。
Fairdream,itvanish’dwiththepartingday!Alas!thatwhenonspirit-wingwerise,Nowingmaterialliftsourmortalclay。But’tisourinbornimpulse,deepandstrong,Upwardsandonwardsstilltourgeourflight,WhenfaraboveuspoursitsthrillingsongThesky-lark,lostinazurelight,WhenonextendedwingamainO’erpine-crown’dheighttheeaglesoars,Andovermoorandlake,thecraneStillstrivethtowardsitsnativeshores。
WagnerTostrangeconceitsoftImyselfmustown,ButimpulsesuchasthisIne’erhaveknown:Norwoods,norfields,canlongourthoughtsengage,TheirwingsIenvynotthefeather’dkind;Farotherwisethepleasuresofthemind,Bearusfrombooktobook,frompagetopage!Thenwinternightsgrowcheerful;keendelightWarmseverylimb;andah!whenweunrollSomeoldandpreciousparchment,atthesightAllheavenitselfdescendsuponthesoul。
FaustThyheartbyonesoleimpulseispossess’d;Unconsciousoftheotherstillremain!Twosouls,alas!arelodg’dwithinmybreast,Whichstrugglethereforundividedreign:Onetotheworld,withobstinatedesire,Andclosely-
cleavingorgans,stilladheres;Abovethemist,theotherdothaspire,Withsacredvehemence,topurerspheres。Oh,aretherespiritsintheair,Whofloat’twixtheavenandearthdominionwielding,Stoophitherfromyourgoldenatmosphere,Leadmetoscenes,newlifeandfulleryielding!AmagicmantledidIbutpossess,Abroadtowaftmeasonviewlesswings,I’dprizeitfarbeyondthecostliestdress,NorwouldIchangeitfortherobeofkings。
Alas,twosoulsarelivinginmybreast,Andonewantstoseparateitselffromtheother。OneholdsfasttotheworldwithearthypassionAndclingswithtwiningtendrils:TheotherliftsitselfwithforcefulcravingTotheveryroofofheaven。
WagnerCallnotthespiritswhoonmischiefwait!Theirtroopfamiliar,streamingthroughtheair,Fromeveryquarterthreatenman’sestate,Anddangerinathousandformsprepare!Theydriveimpetuousfromthefrozennorth,Withfangssharp-piercing,andkeenarrowytongues;Fromtheungenialeasttheyissueforth,Andprey,withparchingbreath,uponthylungs;If,waft’donthedesert’sflamingwing,Theyfromthesouthheapfireuponthebrain,Refreshmentfromthewestatfirsttheybring,Anontodrownthyselfandfieldandplain。Inwaitformischief,theyareprompttohear;Withguilefulpurposeourbehestsobey;Likeministersofgracetheyoftappear,Andlisplikeangels,tobetray。Butletushence!Greyevedothallthingsblend,Theairgrowschill,themistsdescend!’TisintheeveningfirstourhomeweprizeWhystandyouthus,andgazewithwonderingeyes?Whatinthegloomthusmovesyou?
FaustYonblackhoundSee’stthou,throughcornandstubblescamperinground?
WagnerI’vemark’dhimlong,naughtstrangeinhimIsee!
FaustNotehim!Whattakestthouthebrutetobe?
WagnerButforapoodle,whomhisinstinctservesHismaster’stracktofindoncemore。
FaustDostmarkhowroundus,withwidespiralcurves,Hewheels,eachcirclecloserthanbefore?And,ifIerrnot,heappearstomeAlineoffireuponhistracktoleave。
WagnerNaughtbutapoodleblackofhueIsee;’Tissomeillusiondothyoursightdeceive。
FaustMethinksamagiccoilourfeetaround,Heforafuturesnaredothlightlyspread。
WagnerAroundusasindoubtIseehimshylybound,Sincehetwostrangersseethinhismaster’sstead。
FaustThecirclenarrows,he’salreadynear!
WagnerAdogdostsee,nospectrehavewehere;Hegrowls,doubts,layshimonhisbelly,too,Andwagshistail-asdogsarewonttodo。
FaustComehither,Sirrah!joinourcompany!
WagnerAverypoodle,heappearstobe!Thoustandeststill,fortheehe’llwait;Thouspeak’sttohim,hefawnsupontheestraight;Aughtthoumaystlose,againhe’llbring,Andforthystickwillintowaterspring。
FaustThou’rtrightindeed;notracesnowIseeWhateverofaspirit’sagency。’Tistraining-nothingmore。
WagnerAdogwelltaughtE’enbythewisestofusmaybesought。Ay,toyourfavourhe’sentitledtoo,Aptscholarofthestudents,’tishisdue!(Theyenterthegateofthetown。)
FaustMeetsWithMephistophelesStudyFaust(enteringwiththepoodle)
NowfieldandmeadowI’veforsaken;O’erthemdeepnightherveildothdraw;Inusthebettersouldothwaken,Withfeelingsofforebodingawe,Alllawlesspromptings,deedsunholy,Nowslumber,andallwilddesires;Theloveofmandothswayuswholly,AndlovetoGodthesoulinspires。