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(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 cock's
feather no allegiance claim? Have I my visage masked to … day? 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 pass'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 glass 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
bumper for him pour!
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 glass 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
bumper for him pour!
The lofty power Of wisdom's dower; From all the world conceal'd! Who
thinketh not; To him I wot; Unsought it is reveal'd。
Faust
What nonsense doth the hag propound? My brain it doth well … nigh
confound。 A hundred thousand fools or more; Methinks I hear in chorus roar。
Mephistopheles
Incomparable Sibyl cease; I pray! Hand us the liquor without more delay。
And to the very brim the goblet crown! My friend he is; and need not be
afraid; Besides; he is a man of many a grade; Who hath drunk deep already。
(The Witch; with many ceremonies; pours the liquor into a cup; as Faust lifts it
to his mouth; a light flame arises。)
Mephistopheles
Gulp it down! No hesitation! It will prove A cordial; and your heart inspire!
What! with the devil hand and glove; And yet shrink back afraid of fire? (The
Witch dissolves the circle。 Faust steps out。)
Mephistopheles
Now forth at once! thou dar'st not rest。
Witch
And much; sir; may the liquor profit you!
Mephistopheles (to the Witch)
And if to pleasure thee I aught can do; Pray on Walpurgis mention thy
request。
Witch
Here is a song; sung o'er; sometimes you'll see; That 'twill a singular effect
produce。
Mephistopheles (to Faust)
Come; quick; and let thyself be led by me; Thou must perspire; in order that
the juice Thy frame may penetrate through every part。 Then noble idleness I
thee will teach to prize; And soon with ecstasy thou'lt recognise How Cupid
stirs and gambols in thy heart。
Faust
Let me but gaze one moment in the glass! Too lovely was that female form!
Mephistopheles
Nay! nay! A model which all women shall surpass; In flesh and blood ere long
thou shalt survey。
(Aside。)
As works that draught; thou presently shalt greet A Helen in each woman
thou dost meet。
A Street … Faust Meets Margaret
Faust (Margaret passing by)
Faust And Margaret: The meeting of Faust and Margaret。'
Faust
Fair lady; may I thus make free To offer you my arm and company?
Margaret
I am no lady; am not fair; Can without escort home repair。
(She disengages herself and exit。)
Faust
By heaven! This girl is fair indeed! No form like hers can I recall。 Virtue she
hath; and modest heed; Is piquant too; and sharp withal。 Her cheek's soft
light; her rosy lips; No length of time will e'er eclipse! Her downward glance
in passing by; Deep in my heart is stamp'd for aye; How curt and sharp her
answer too; To ecstasy the feeling grew!
(Mephistopheles enters。)
Faust
This girl must win for me! Dost hear?
Mephistopheles
Which?
Faust
She who but now passed。
Mephistopheles
What! She? She from confession cometh here; From every sin absolved and
free; I crept near the confessor's chair。 All innocence her virgin soul; For next
to nothing went she there; O'er such as she I've no control!
Faust
She's past fourteen。
Mephistopheles
You really talk
Like any gay Lothario; Who every floweret from its stalk Would pluck; and
deems nor grace; nor truth; Secure against his arts; forsooth! This ne'er the
less won't always do。
Faust
Sir Moralizer; prithee; pause; Nor plague me with your tiresome laws!
Goethe
To cut the matter short; my friend; She must this very night be mine; And if to
help me you decline; Midnight shall see our compact end。
Mephistopheles
What may occur just bear in mind! A fortnight's space; at least; I need; A fit
occasion but to find。
Faust
With but seven hours I could succeed; Nor should I want the devil's wile; So
young a creature to beguile。
Mephistopheles
Like any Frenchman now you speak; But do not fret; I pray; w