Follow of the German court.
Many a flower, we, Flora’s vassals,
In our dark brown tresses wear;
Silken threads and silken tassels,
Play their part and grace our hair.
For we hold ourselves deserving
All your praises, full and clear;
Since our flowers, their bloom preserving,
Blossom through the livelong year.
Cuttings divers-hued were taken,
And arrang’d with symmetry;
Piece by piece they mirth awaken,
Yet the whole attracts the eye.
Garden-girls and fair to look on,
Fittingly we play our part;
For the natural in woman,
Closely is allied to art.
Herald.
Now from baskets richly laden,
Which, upon her head and arm,
Beareth every lovely maiden,
Let each choose what each doth charm!
Hasten ye, till bower and alley
Aspect of a garden bears!
Worthy are the crowds to dally
Round the sellers and their wares.
Garden-Girls.
In this mart, your flowers unscreening,
Cheapen not, as them you show!
With brief words, but full of meaning,
What he hath, let each one know.
Olive-Branch.
(With fruit.) I of blossoms envy none,
Quarrels studiously I shun;
They against my nature are:
Marrow of the land, in sooth
Pledge I am of peace and ruth,
To all regions near and far.
Be it my good fortune now
To adorn the loveliest brow.
Wheat-Wreath.
(Golden.) Ceres’ gifts, sweet peace expressing,
Would enhance thy charms; be wise!
What is useful, rich in blessing,
As thy best adornment prize!
Fancy-Garland.
Colored flowers, from moss out-peering,
Mallow-like, a wondrous show —
Not in nature’s guise appearing,
Fashion ’tis that makes them blow.
Fancy-Nosegay.
Theophrastus would not venture
Names to give to flowers like these.
Yet, though some perchance may censure,
Many still I hope to please.
Who to wreathe her locks permits me
Straight shall win a heighten’d grace,
Or who near her heart admits me,
Finding on her breast a place.
Challenge.
Be your motley fancies moulded,
For the fashion of the day.
Nature never yet unfolded
Wonders half so strange as they:
Golden bells, green stalks, forth glancing
From rich locks, their charm enhancing.
But we —
Rosebuds.
Hide from mortal eyes.
Happy he who finds the prize!
When draws nigh once more the summer,
Rosebuds greet the bright new-comer. —
Who such happiness would miss?
Promise, then fulfilment, — this
Is the law in Flora’s reign,
Swayeth too sense, heart, and brain.
[The flower-girls tastefully arrange their wares under green, leafy arcades.
Gardeners.
(Song, accompanied by Theorbos.)
Mark the blossoms calmly sprouting,
Charmingly to wreathe your brow;
Fruits will not deceive, I trow;
Taste, enjoy them, nothing doubting.
Magnum bonums, cherries, peaches,
Faces offer sun-embrown’d:
Buy, poor judge the eye is found; —
Heed what tongue, what palate teaches.
Luscious fruits to taste invite them
Who behold these rich supplies.
We o’er roses poetize; —
As for apples, we must bite them.
Let us now, with your good pleasure,
Join your youthful choir, in pairs;
And beside your flowery wares,
Thus adorn our riper treasure.
Under leaf-adorned bowers,
‘Mid the merry windings haste;
Each will find what suits his taste;
Buds or leafage, fruit or flowers.
[Amid alternate songs, accompanied by guitars and Theorbos, the two choruses proceed to arrange their wares, terrace-wise, and to offer them for sale.
Motherand Daughter.
Mother.
Maiden, when thou cam’st to light,
Full thy tender form of grace;
In its tiny hood bedight,
Lovely was thy infant face.
Then I thought of thee with pride
Of some wealthy youth the bride,
Taking as his wife thy place.
Ah! full many a year in vain,
All unus’d away have pass’d;
Of the suitors’ motley train
Quickly hath gone by the last!
Thou with one didst gaily dance,
One didst seek with quiet glance,
Or sly elbow-touch, to gain.
All the fêtes that we might plan,
Vainly did we celebrate;
Games of forfeit, or third man,
Fruitless were, they brought no mate;
Many a fool’s abroad to-day,
Dear one, now thy charms display,
One thou mayst attach, though late.
[Girlish playfellows, young and beautiful, enter and join the groups; loud confidential chatting is heard. Fishers and bird-catchers with nets, fishing-rods, limed twigs, and other gear, enter and mingle with the maidens. Reciprocal attempts to win, to catch, to escape, and hold fast, give occasion to most agreeable dialogues.
Wood-Cutters.
(Enter, boisterous and uncouth.)
Place! Give place!
We must have space!
Trees we level,
Down they fall,
Crashing to the ground;
As we bear them forth,
Blows we deal around.
To our praise, be sure; —
This proclaim aloud; —
Labor’d not the boor,
Where were then the proud!
How in idless revel
Could they at their ease!
Never then forget, —
If we did not sweat,
That ye all would freeze.
Punchinelloes.
(Awkward and foolish.)
Fools are ye, poor hacks!
Born with curved backs.
Prudent ones are we,
From all burdens free;
For our greasy caps,
Our jerkins and our traps
We bear right easily.
Forthwith at our leisure,
We with slipper’d feet,
Saunter at our pleasure,
On through mart and street,
Standing still or going,
At each other crowing;
When the folk around
Gather at the sound,
Slipping then aside,
Frolicking together,
Eel-like on we glide.
And we care not whether
Ye applaud or blame;
To us ’tis all the same.
[
Editor: illegible word]
(Flattering — lustful.)
Porters brave, and you,
Charcoal-burners true,
Kinsmen, ye indeed
Are the men we need.
Bowings low,
Assenting smiles,
Long-drawn phrases,
Crooked wiles,
Double-breath,
That as you please,
Blows hot or cold;
What profit these? —
Down from heaven
/>
Must fire be given,
Vast, enormous,
If, to warm us,
We no coal had got,
Nor of logs a heap,
Warm our hearth to keep,
Our furnace to make hot.
There is roasting,
There is brewing,
There is toasting,
There is stewing;
Your true taster
Licks the dish;
Sniffs the roast,
Forebodes the fish;
These for great deeds make him able,
Seated at his patron’s table.
Drunken Man.
(Hardly conscious.)
Naught to-day shall mar my pleasure!
Frank I feel myself and free;
Cheerful songs and jovial leisure,
Both I hither bring with me;
Therefore drink I! Drink ye, drink!
Strike your glasses! Clink ye, clink!
You behind there, join the fun!
Strike your glasses; so, ’tis done!
Let my wife, shrill-tongued, assail me,
Sneering at my colored vest,
And, despite my vaunting, hail me
Fool, like masquerader dress’d;
Still I’ll drink! Come drink ye, drink!
Strike your glasses! Clink ye, clink!
Fools in motley, join the fun!
Strike your glasses; so, ’tis done!
Here I’m bless’d, whoever chooses
Me, as erring, to upbraid:
If to score mine host refuses,
Scores the hostess, scores the maid;
Always drink I! drink ye, drink!
Up my comrades! clink ye, clink!
Each to other! Join the fun!
To my thinking now ’tis done!
From this place there’s now no flying,
Here where pleasures are at hand:
Let me lie, where I am lying,
For I can no longer stand.
Chorus.
Brothers all, come drink ye, drink!
One more toast, now clink ye, clink!
Firmly sit on bench and board!
‘Neath the table lie who’s floor’d!
[The Heraldannounces various poets, the Poet of Nature, Court-singers, and Ritter-singers, tender as well as enthusiastic. In the throng of competitors of every kind none will allow the others to be heard. One sneaks past with a few words.
Satirist.
Know ye what would me to-day,
The poet, most rejoice and cheer?
If I dar’d to sing and say,
That which none would like to hear.
[Poets of Night and of the Sepulchre send apologies, inasmuch as they are engaged in a most interesting conversation with a newly-arisen Vampire, wherefrom a new kind of poetry may perhaps be developed; the Heraldmust admit the excuse, and meanwhile summons the Greek Mythology, which, though in modern masks, loses neither character nor charm.
artist: franz simm
FAUST. SECOND PART.
victory, fear, hope and prudence
The Graces.
Aglaia.
Charm we bring to life, and grace;
In your gifts let both have place!
Hegemony.
In receiving let the twain,
Preside! ’Tis sweet our wish to gain.
Euphrosyne.
And when benefits you own
Chiefly be these graces shown!
The Fates.
Atropos.
I, the Eldest, am from yonder
Realm invited, here to spin.
Much to think of, much to ponder,
Lieth life’s frail thread within.
That it pliant be and tender,
Finest flax to choose be mine;
That it even be and slender,
Must the cunning finger twine.
If of festive dance and pleasure
Ye too wantonly partake,
Think upon this thread’s just measure;
be cautious! It may break!
Clotho.
Know ye, to my guidance lately
They the fateful shears confide.
By our elder’s doings greatly
None, in sooth, were edified.
Spinnings, to no issue tending,
Forth she drew to air and light;
Threads of noblest promise rending,
Down she sent to realms of night.
While a novice still in reigning,
I too err’d, in bygone years;
But to-day, myself restraining,
In the sheath I plunge my shears.
Fain I am to wear the bridle,
Kindly I this place survey;
In these seasons, gay and idle,
Give your revelry full play!
Lachesis.
Reason’s laws alone obeying,
Order was to me decreed.
Mine the will that, ever-swaying,
Never errs though over-speed.
Threads are coming; threads are going;
Each one in its course I guide,
None permit I overflowing,
From its skein to swerve aside.
Were I only once to slumber! —
For the world my spirit quakes;
Years we measure, hours we number,
And the hank the weaver takes.
Herald.
How vers’d so e’er in lore of ancient fame,
Those who are coming now ye would not know;
Gazing upon these workers of much woe,
Them, as your welcome guests, ye would proclaim.
The Furies these, — none will believe us; — kind,
Graceful in figure, pretty, young and fair;
If their acquaintance ye would make, beware;
How serpent-like such doves can wound, ye’ll find.
Cunning they are, yet now, when every clown
Boastful, his failings shuns not to proclaim,
They too, desiring not angelic fame,
Own themselves plagues of country and of town.
Alecto.
What help for you? Since young we are and fair,
Ye in such flattering kittens will confide!
Has any here a sweetheart to his side,
Stealing, we gain his ear, until we dare
To tell him, face to face, she may be caught
Winking at this or that one; that ’tis plain,
She halts, is crooked-back’d, and dull of brain,
And, if to him betroth’d, is good for naught.
To vex the bride doth also tax our skill:
We tell what slighting things, some weeks agone,
Her lover said of her, to such an one. —
They’re reconcil’d, yet something rankles still.
Megara.
That’s a mere jest! Let them be mated, then
I go to work, and e’en the fairest joy,
In every case, can through caprice destroy.
The hours are changeful, changeful too are men.
What was desir’d, once grasp’d, its charm hath lost;
Who firmly holds the madly longed-for prize,
Straight for some other blessing fondly sighs;
The sun he flieth, and would warm the frost.
How to arrange, I know, in such affairs;
And here Asmodi lead, my comrade true,
At the right time mischief abroad to strew;
And so destroy the human race in pairs.
Tisiphone.
Poison, steel, I mix and whet,
Words abjuring, — for the traitor; —
Lov’st thou others, sooner, later,
Ruin shall o’erwhelm thee yet.
All transform’d to gall and foam
Is the moment’s sweetest feeling!
Here no higgling, here no dealing!
Sinn’d he hath, his sin comes home.
Let none say: “Forgiveness cherish!”
To the rock
s my cause I bring;
Hark! Revenge, the echoes ring!
Who betrayeth, he must perish!
Herald.
Now may it please you, to retire behind;
For what now cometh is not of your kind. —
Ye see a mountain press the crowd among,
Its flanks with brilliant carpet proudly hung;
With lengthen’d tusks, and serpent-trunk below,
A mystery, but I the key will show.
Thron’d on his neck a gentle lady rides,
With a fine wand his onward course she guides.
Aloft the other stands, of stately height,
Girt with a splendor that o’erpowers the sight;
Beside him, chain’d, two noble dames draw near;
Sad is the one, the other blithe of cheer;
The one for freedom yearns, the other feels she’s free.
Let them declare in turn who they may be!
Fear.
Torches, lamps, with lurid sheen,
Through the turmoil gleam around;
These deceitful forms between,
Fetters hold me firmly bound.
Hence, vain laughter-loving brood!
I mistrust your senseless grin!
All my foes, with clamor rude,
Strive to-night to hem me in.
Friend like foeman would betray me,
But his mask I recognize;
There is one who fain would slay me,
Now, unmask’d, away he hies.
Ah, how gladly would I wander
Hence, and leave this lower sphere;
But destruction, threatening yonder,
Holds me ‘twixt despair and fear.
Hope.
Hail! Beloved sisters, hail!
If to-day and yesterday
Ye have lov’d this masking play,
Yet to-morrow, trite the tale,
Will your masks aside be thrown;
And if, ‘neath the torches’ glare,
We no special joy have known,
Yet will we, in daylight fair,
Just according to our pleasure,
Now with others, now alone,
Wander forth o’er lawn and mead;
Work at will, or take our leisure,
Careless live, exempt from need;
And at last, we’ll aye succeed.
Everywhere, as welcome guest,
Step we in, with easy mind;
Confident that we the best
Somewhere, certainly, may find.
Prudence.
Fear and hope, in chains thus guiding,
Two of man’s chief foes, I bar
From the thronging crowds; — dividing,
Clear the way; — now sav’d ye are!
I this live colosse am leading,
Which, tower-laden, as ye gaze,
Unfatigued is onward speeding,
Step by step, up steepest ways.
But, with broad and rapid pinion,
From the battlement on high,
Gazing on her wide dominion,
Turneth that divinity.
Fame, around her, bright and glorious,
Shining on all sides one sees:
Works of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Page 239