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, and 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 than 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’s 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 thousand 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 humor 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
Gray 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 favor!
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; —
I wish you joy of your new life-career.
AUERBACH’S CELLAR IN LEIPZIG
A Drinking Party
FROSCH
No drinking? Naught a laugh to raise?
None of your gloomy looks, I pray!
You, who so bright were wont to blaze,
Are dull as wetted straw today.
BRANDER
’Tis all your fault; your part you do not bear,
No beastliness, no folly.
FROSCH (pours a glass of wine over his head)
There,
You have them both!
BRANDER
You double beast!
FROSCH
’Tis what you ask’d me for, at least!
SIEBEL
Whoever quarrels, turn him out!
With open throat drink, roar, and shout.
Hollo! Hollo! Ho!
ALTMAYER
Zounds, fellow, cease your deaf’ning cheers!
Bring cotton-wool! He splits my ears.
SIEBEL
’Tis when the roof rings back the tone,
Then first the full power of the bass is known.
FROSCH
Right! out with him who takes offence!
A! tara lara da!
ALTMAYER
A! tara lara da!
FROSCH
Our throats are tuned. Come, let’s commence!
(Sings)
The holy Roman empire now,
How holds it still together?
BRANDER
An ugly song! a song political!
A song offensive! Thank God, every morn,
To rule the Roman empire that you were not born!
I bless my stars at least that mine is not
Either a kaiser’s or a chancellor’s lot.
Yet, ‘am
ong ourselves, should one still lord it o’er the rest;
That we elect a pope I now suggest.
Ye know what quality insures
A man’s success, his rise secures.
FROSCH (sings)
Bear, lady nightingale above,
Ten thousand greetings to my love.
SIEBEL
No greetings to a sweetheart! No love-songs shall there be!
FROSCH
Love-greetings and love-kisses! Thou shalt not hinder me!
(Sings)
Undo the bolt! in stilly night,
Undo the bolt! the lover wakes.
Shut to the bolt! when morning breaks.
SIEBEL
Ay, sing, sing on, praise her with all thy might!
My turn to laugh will come some day.
Me hath she jilted once, you the same trick she’ll play.
Some gnome her lover be! where cross-roads meet,
With her to play the fool; or old he-goat,
From Blocksberg coming in swift gallop, bleat
A good night to her from his hairy throat!
A proper lad of genuine flesh and blood,
Is for the damsel far too good;
The greeting she shall have from me,
To smash her window-panes will be!
BRANDER (striking on the table)
Silence! Attend! to me give ear!
Confess, sirs, I know how to live:
Some love-sick folk are sitting here!
Hence, ’tis but fit, their hearts to cheer,
That I a good-night strain to them should give.
Hark! of the newest fashion is my song!
Strike boldly in the chorus, clear and strong!
(He sings)
Once in a cellar lived a rat,
He feasted there on butter,
Until his paunch became as fat
As that of Doctor Luther.
The cook laid poison for the guest,
Then was his heart with pangs oppress’d,
As if his frame love wasted.
CHORUS (shouting)
As if his frame love wasted.
BRANDER
He ran around, he ran abroad,
Of every puddle drinking.
The house with rage he scratch’d and gnaw’d,
In vain, — he fast was sinking;
Full many an anguish’d bound he gave,
Nothing the hapless brute could save,
As if his frame love wasted.
CHORUS
As if his frame love wasted.
BRANDER
By torture driven, in open day,
The kitchen he invaded,
Convulsed upon the hearth he lay,
With anguish sorely jaded;
The poisoner laugh’d; Ha! ha! quoth she,
His life is ebbing fast, I see,
As if his frame love wasted.
CHORUS
As if his frame love wasted.
SIEBEL
How the dull boors exulting shout!
Poison for the poor rats to strew
A fine exploit it is no doubt.
BRANDER
They, as it seems, stand well with you!
ALTMAYER
Old bald-pate! with the paunch profound!
The rat’s mishap hath tamed his nature;
For he his counterpart hath found
Depicted in the swollen creature.
FAUST AND MEPHISTOPHELES
MEPHISTOPHELES
I now must introduce to you
Before aught else, this jovial crew,
To show how lightly life may glide away;
With the folk here each day’s a holiday.
With little wit and much content,
Each on his own small round intent,
Like sportive kitten with its tail;
While no sick-headache they bewail,
And while their host will credit give,
Joyous and free from care they live.
BRANDER
They’re off a journey, that is clear, —
From their strange manners; they have scarce been here
An hour.
FROSCH
You’re right! Leipzig’s the place for me!
’Tis quite a little Paris; people there
Acquire a certain easy, finish’d air.
SIEBEL
What take you now these travelers to be?
FROSCH
Let me alone! O’er a full glass you’ll see,
As easily I’ll worm their secret out
As draw an infant’s tooth. I’ve not a doubt
That my two gentlemen are nobly born;
They look dissatisfied and full of scorn.
BRANDER
They are but mountebanks, I’ll lay a bet!
ALTMAYER
Most like.
FROSCH
Mark me, I’ll screw it from them yet!
MEPHISTOPHELES (to FAUST)
These fellows would not scent the devil out,
E’en though he had them by the very throat!
FAUST
Good-morrow, gentlemen!
STEBEL
Thanks for your fair salute.
[Aside, glancing at MEPHISTOPHELES.]
How! goes the fellow on a halting foot?
MEPHISTOPHELES
Is it permitted here with you to sit?
Then, though good wine is not forthcoming here,
Good company at least our hearts will cheer.
ALTMAYER
A dainty gentleman, no doubt of it!
FROSCH
You’re doubtless recently from Rippach? Pray,
Did you with Master Hans there chance to sup?
MEPHISTOPHELES
Today we pass’d him, but we did not stop!
When last we met him he had much to say
Touching his cousins, and to each he sent
Full many a greeting and kind compliment.
[With an inclination toward FROSCH.]
ALTMAYER (aside to Frosch)
You have it there!
SIEBEL
Faith! he’s a knowing one!
FROSCH
Have patience! I will show him up anon!
MEPHISTOPHELES
We heard erewhile, unless I’m wrong,
Voices well trained in chorus pealing?
Certes, most choicely here must song
Re-echo from this vaulted ceiling!
FROSCH
That you’re an amateur one plainly sees!
MEPHISTOPHELES
Oh no, though strong the love, I cannot boast much skill.
ALTMAYER
Give us a song!
MEPHISTOPHELES
As many as you will.
SIEBEL
But be it a brand new one, if you please!
MEPHISTOPHELES
But recently returned from Spain are we,
The pleasant land of wine and minstrelsy.
(Sings)
A king there was once reigning,
Who had a goodly flea —
FROSCH
Hark! did you rightly catch the words? a flea!
An odd sort of a guest he needs must be.
MEPHISTOPHELES (sings)
A king there was once reigning,
Who had a goodly flea,
Him loved he without feigning,
As his own son were he!
His tailor then he summon’d —
The tailor to him goes:
Now measure me the youngster
For jerkin and for hose!
BRANDER
Take proper heed, the tailor strictly charge,
The nicest measurement to take,
And as he loves his head, to make
The hose quite smooth and not too large!
MEPHISTOPHELES
In satin and in velvet,
Behold the younker dressed:
Bedizen’d o’er with ribbons,
A cross upon his breast.
Prime minister they made him;
He wore a star of state;
And all his poor relations
Were courtiers, rich and great.
The gentlemen and ladies
At court were sore distressed;
The queen and all her maidens
Were bitten by the pest,
And yet they dared not scratch them
Or chase the fleas away.
If we are bit, we catch them,
And crack without delay.
CHORUS (shouting)
If we are bit, etc.
FROSCH
Bravo! That’s the song for me!
SIEBEL
Such be the fate of every flea!
BRANDER
With clever finger catch and kill!
ALTMAYER
Hurrah for wine and freedom still!
MEPHISTOPHELES
Were but your wine a trifle better, friend,
A glass to freedom I would gladly drain.
SIEBEL
You’d better not repeat those words again!
MEPHISTOPHELES
I am afraid the landlord to offend;
Else freely would I treat each worthy guest
From our own cellar to the very best.
SIEBEL
Out with it then! Your doings I’ll defend.
FROSCH
Give a good glass, and straight we’ll praise you, one and all.
Only let not your samples be too small;
For if my judgment you desire,
Certes, an ample mouthful I require.
ALTMAYER (aside)
I guess, they’re from the Rhenish land.
MEPHISTOPHELES
Fetch me a gimlet here!
BRANDER
Say, what therewith to bore?
You cannot have the wine-casks at the door?
ALTMAYER
Our landlord’s tool-basket behind doth yonder stand.
MEPHISTOPHELES (takes the gimlet) (To FROSCH)
Now only say! what liquor will you take?
FROSCH
How mean you that? Have you of every sort?
MEPHISTOPHELES
Each may his own selection make.
ALTMAYER (to FROSCH)
Ha! Ha! You lick your lips already at the thought.
FROSCH
Good, if I have my choice, the Rhenish I propose;
For still the fairest gifts the fatherland bestows.
MEPHISTOPHELES (boring a hole in the edge of the table opposite to where FROSCH is sitting)
Get me a little wax — and make some stoppers — quick!
ALTMAYER
Why, this is nothing but a juggler’s trick!
MEPHISTOPHELES (to BRANDER)
And you?
BRANDER
Champagne’s the wine for me;
Right brisk, and sparkling let it be!
[MEPHISTOPHELES bores, one of the party has in the meantime prepared the, wax-stoppers and stopped the holes.]
BRANDER
What foreign is one always can’t decline,
What’s good is often scatter’d far apart.
The French your genuine German hates with all his heart,
Yet has a relish for their wine.
Works of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Page 219