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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； Naturae encheiresis。
Student
Your words I cannot full comprehend。
Mephistopheles
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
So doth all this my brain confound； As if a mill … wheel there were turning
round。
Mephistopheles
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！ 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
This； Sir； a second time you need not say！ Your counsel I appreciate quite；
What we possess in black and white； We can in peace and comfort bear
away。
Mephistopheles
A faculty I pray you name。
Student
For jurisprudence； some distaste I own。
Mephistopheles
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
You deepen my dislike。 The youth Whom you instruct； is blest in sooth！ To
try theology I feel inclined。
Mephistopheles
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 fane of
certainty at last。
Student
But then some meaning must the words convey。
Mephistopheles
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
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）
I'm weary of the dry pedantic tone； And must again the genuine devil play。
（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
There is some sense in that！ one sees the how and why。
Mephistopheles
Grey is； young friend； all theory： And green of life the golden tree。
Student
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
Command my humble service when you choose。
Student
Ere I retire； one boon I must solicit： Here is my album； do not； Sir； deny This
token of your favour！
Mephistopheles
Willingly！
（He writes and returns the book。）
Student （reads）
Eritis Sicut Deus； Scientes Bonum Et Malum （He reverently closes the book
and retires。）
Mephistopheles
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）
Whither away？
Mephistopheles
〃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
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。
Mephistopheles
Time； my good friend； will all that's needful give； Be only self … possessed； and
thou hast learn'd to live。
Faust
But how are we to start； I pray？ Steeds； servants； carriage； where are they？
Mephistopheles
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；