Works of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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Works of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Page 240

by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe


  Victory her name, — victorious

  Queen of all activities.

  Zoilo-Thersites.

  Bah! bah! The very time I’ve hit!

  You all are wrong, no doubt of it!

  Yet what I make my special aim

  Is victory, yon stately dame.

  She, with her snowy wings, esteems

  Herself an eagle, and still deems

  That wheresoe’er she bends her sight,

  Peoples and land are hers, by right!

  But, where a glorious deed is done,

  My harness straight I buckle on;

  Where high is low, and low is high,

  The crooked straight, the straight awry —

  Then only am I wholly sound:

  So be it on this earthly round.

  Herald.

  So take thou then, thou ragged hound,

  From my good staff, a master-blow!

  There crouch and wriggle, bending low!

  The double dwarfish form, behold,

  Itself to a vile ball hath roll’d!

  The ball becomes an egg! — strange wonder!

  It now dilates and bursts asunder:

  Thence falleth a twin-pair to earth,

  Adder and bat; — a hideous birth;

  Forth in the dust one creeps, his brother

  Doth darkling to the ceiling flee;

  Outside they haste to join each other —

  The third I am not fain to be!

  (Murmur.)

  Come on! Behind they’re dancing — No,

  Not I, from hence I fain would go —

  Dost thou not feel the spectral rout

  Is flitting everywhere about?

  It whistl’d right above my hair —

  Close to my feet, — I felt it there —

  No one is hurt — ’tis not denied, —

  But we have all been terrified —

  Wholly the frolic now is ended —

  ’Tis what the brutish pair intended.

  Herald.

  Since on me, at festive masque,

  Laid hath been the Herald’s task,

  At the doors I watch with care,

  Lest aught harmful, unaware,

  Creep into this joyous space;

  I nor waver, nor give place.

  Yet I fear the spectral brood

  Through the window may intrude;

  And from trick and sorcery,

  I know not how to keep you free.

  First the dwarf awaken’d doubt,

  Now streams in the spectral rout.

  I would show you herald-wise,

  What each figure signifies.

  But what none can comprehend

  I should strive to teach in vain.

  All must help me to explain! —

  Through the crowd behold ye it wend;

  A splendid car is borne along

  By a team of four; the throng

  Is not parted, nor doth reign

  Tumult round the stately wain;

  Bright it glitters from afar;

  Shineth many a motley star,

  As from magic-lantern cast;

  On it snorts with stormful blast. —

  I needs must shudder! Clear the way!

  Boy-Charioteer.

  Stay your wings, ye coursers, stay!

  Own the bridle’s wonted sway!

  Rein yourselves, as you I rein;

  When I prompt you, rush amain! —

  Honor we this festal ground.

  See how press the folk around,

  Ring in ring, with wondering eyes. —

  Herald, as thy wont is, rise;

  From you ere we flee afar,

  Tell our name, our meaning show!

  Since we allegories are,

  ’Tis thy duty us to know.

  Herald.

  I cannot guess how I should name thee;

  I to describe thee should prefer.

  Boy-Charioteer.

  So, try it then!

  Herald.

  We must proclaim thee,

  Firstly to be both young and fair;

  A half-grown boy; — yet women own

  They fain would see thee fully grown;

  A future wooer seemest thou to me,

  A gay deceiver out and out to be.

  Boy-Charioteer.

  Not badly spoken! Pray proceed!

  The riddle’s cheerful meaning strive to read.

  Herald.

  Thine eyes swart flash, thy jewell’d bandlet glowing

  Starlike, amid thy night-like hair;

  And what a graceful robe dost wear,

  Down from thy shoulder to thy buskin flowing,

  With purple hem and fringes rare!

  Thee as a girl one might misprize;

  Yet thou, for weal or woe, wouldst be,

  E’en now, of worth in maidens’ eyes;

  Thee they would teach the A B C.

  Boy-Charioteer.

  And he whose stately figure gleams

  Enthron’d upon his chariot wain?

  Herald.

  A monarch, rich and mild, he seems;

  Happy who may his grace obtain,

  Henceforth they’ve naught for which to strive!

  His glance discerns if aught’s amiss;

  Greater his pleasure is to give,

  Than to possess or wealth or bliss.

  Boy-Charioteer.

  Suspend not here thy words, I pray,

  Him thou more fully must portray.

  Herald.

  The noble none can paint. Yet there

  Glows the round visage, hale and fair,

  Full mouth, and blooming cheeks, descried

  Beneath the turban’s jewell’d pride;

  What ease his mantle folds display!

  What of his bearing can I say?

  As ruler seems he known to me.

  Boy-Charioteer.

  Plutus, the god of wealth is he.

  Hither he comes in royal state;

  Of him the emperor’s need is great.

  Herald.

  Tell of thyself the what and how to me!

  Boy-Charioteer.

  I am profusion, I am Poesie;

  The bard am I, who to perfection tends

  When freely he his inner wealth expends.

  I too have riches beyond measure,

  And match with Plutus’ wealth my treasure;

  For him adorn and quicken dance and show,

  And what he lacketh, that do I bestow.

  Herald.

  Boasting to thee new charm imparts.

  Now show us something of thine arts!

  Boy-Charioteer.

  See me but snap my fingers, lo!

  Around the car what splendors glow!

  A string of pearls forth leapeth here;

  [Continually snapping.

  Take golden clasps for neck and ear;

  Combs too, and other precious things,

  Crowns without flaw, and jewell’d rings!

  Flamelets I scatter too, in play,

  Awaiting where they kindle may.

  Herald.

  How the good people snatch and seize!

  Almost the donor’s self they squeeze.

  As in a dream he gems doth rain,

  In the wide space they snatch amain.

  But — here new juggling meets mine eye:

  What one doth grasp so eagerly,

  Doth prove, in sooth, a sorry prize;

  Away from him the treasure flies;

  The pearls are loosen’d from their band;

  Now beetles crawl within his hand;

  He shakes them off, poor fool, instead,

  Swarming, they buzz around his head;

  Others, in place of solid things,

  Catch butterflies, with lightsome wings.

  Though vast his promises, the knave

  To them but golden glitter gave!

  Boy-Charioteer.

  Masks, I remark, thou canst announce full wel
l;

  Only to reach the essence ‘neath the shell,

  Is not the Herald’s courtly task;

  A sharper vision that dost ask.

  But I from every quarrel would be free. —

  Master, I speech and question turn to thee.

  [Turning to Plutus.

  The storm-blast didst thou not confide

  To me, of this four-yoked car?

  Lead I not well, as thou dost guide?

  Where thou dost point, thence am I far?

  Have I not known, on daring wing

  For thee the victor’s palm to wring?

  Full often as for thee I’ve fought,

  Still have I conquer’d; and if now

  The laurel decorates thy brow,

  Have not my hand and skill the chaplet wrought?

  Plutus.

  If need there be, that I should witness bear, —

  Soul of my soul, thee gladly I declare:

  According to my will thou actest ever;

  Art richer than myself denied.

  To give thy service its due meed,

  Before all crowns the laurel wreath I treasure.

  This truthful word let all men hear:

  My son art thou, thee doth my soul hold dear.

  Boy-Charioteer.

  (To the crowd.)

  Now of my hand the choicest dower,

  I’ve scatter’d in this festive hour;

  There glows on this or that one’s head

  A flame, which I abroad have shed;

  From one to other now it hies,

  To this one cleaves, from that one flies,

  Seldom aloft its flames aspire;

  Sudden they gleam, with transient fire;

  With many, ere they know the prize,

  It mournfully burns out and dies.

  (Clamor of Women.)

  He yonder, on the chariot-van,

  Is, without doubt, a charlatan.

  Behind him, crouching, is the clown,

  By thirst and hunger so worn down,

  The like was never seen till now;

  If pinch’d, he would not feel, I trow.

  The Starveling.

  Avaunt, ye loathed women-kind!

  With you I ne’er a welcome find. —

  When rul’d the hearth your thrifty dame,

  Then Avaritia was my name;

  Then throve our household well throughout;

  For much came in, and naught went out!

  Great was my zeal for chest and bin —

  And that, forsooth, you call a sin!

  But in these later years, no more

  The wife is thrifty as of yore;

  She, like each tardy payer, owns

  Far more desires than golden crowns;

  This for her spouse much care begets;

  Where’er he turneth, there are debts;

  What she by spinning earns, she spends

  On gay attire, and wanton friends;

  Better she feasts, and drinketh too

  More wine, with her vile suitor crew:

  That rais’d for me of gold the price.

  Now, male of sex, I’m Avarice!

  Leader of the Women.

  Dragon may still with dragon spare;

  It’s cheat and lies at last, no more!

  He comes to rouse the men; beware!

  Full troublesome they were before.

  Women.

  (All together.) The scarecrow! Box his ears! Make haste!

  To threat us does the juggler dare?

  Us shall his foolish prating scare?

  The dragons are but wood and paste;

  Press in upon him, do not spare!

  Herald.

  Now, by my staff! Keep quiet there!

  Yet scarcely needed is my aid.

  See, in the quickly opened space,

  How the grim monsters move apace!

  Their pinions’ double pair display’d!

  The dragons shake themselves in ire,

  Scale-proof, their jaws exhaling fire —

  The crowd recedes; clear is the place.

  [Plutusdescends from the chariot.

  Herald.

  He steps below, a king confess’d!

  He nods, the dragons move; the chest

  They from the chariot, in a trice,

  Have lower’d, with gold and avarice;

  Before his feet it standeth now:

  How done a marvel is, I trow.

  Plutus.

  (To the Charioteer.) Now from the burden that oppress’d thee here

  Thou’rt frank and free; away to thine own sphere!

  Here is it not; distorted, wild, grotesque,

  Surrounds us here a motley arabesque.

  There fly, where on thy genius thou canst wait,

  Lord of thyself; where charm the good, the fair;

  Where clear thy vision in the clear calm air;

  To solitude — there thine own world create!

  Boy-Charioteer.

  Myself as trusty envoy I approve;

  Thee as my nearest relative I love.

  Where thou dost dwell, is fulness; where I reign,

  Within himself each feeleth glorious gain;

  And ‘mid life’s contradictions wavers he:

  Shall he resign himself to thee, to me?

  Thy votaries may idly rest, ’tis true;

  Who follows me, hath always work to do.

  My deeds are not accomplish’d in the shade,

  I only breathe, and forthwith am betray’d.

  Farewell! My bliss thou grudgest not to me;

  But whisper low, and straight I’m back with thee.

  [Exit as he came.

  Plutus.

  Now is the time the treasure to set free!

  The locks I strike, thus with the Herald’s rod;

  ’Tis open’d now! In blazing caldrons, see,

  It bubbles up, and shows like golden blood;

  Next crowns, and chains, and rings, a precious dower:

  It swells and fusing threats the jewels to devour.

  (Alternate cry of the Crowd.)

  Look here! look there! How flows the treasure,

  To the chest’s brim in ample measure! —

  Vessels of gold are melting, near

  Up-surging, coin’d rouleaux appear,

  And ducats leap as if impress’d —

  how the vision stirs my breast! —

  My heart’s desire now meets mine eye!

  They’re rolling on the floor, hard by. —

  To you ’tis proffer’d; do not wait,

  Stoop only, you are wealthy straight! —

  While, quick as lightning, we anon,

  The chest itself will seize upon.

  Herald.

  Ye fools, what ails you? What your quest?

  ’Tis but a masquerading jest.

  To-night no more desire ye may;

  Think you that gold we give away,

  And things of worth? For such as you,

  And at such foolish masking too,

  E’en counters were too much to pay.

  Blockheads! a pleasing show, forsooth,

  Ye take at once for solid truth.

  What’s truth to you? Delusion vain

  At every turn ye clutch amain. —

  Thou, Plutus, hero of the masque,

  This folk to chase, be now thy task!

  Plutus.

  Ready at hand thy staff I see;

  For a brief moment lend it me! —

  Quickly in fire and seething glare

  I’ll dip it. — Now, ye masks, beware!

  It sputters, crackles, flares outright;

  Bravely the torch is now alight;

  And pressing round, who comes too nigh,

  Is forthwith scorch’d, relentlessly! —

  Now then my circuit is begun.

  (Cries and Tumult.)

  misery! We are undone. —

  Escape, let each escape who can!

  Back! furt
her back! thou hindmost man! —

  Hot in my face it sputter’d straight —

  Of the red staff I felt the weight —

  We all, alas! we all are lost! —

  Back, back, thou masquerading host! —

  Back, back, unthinking crowd! — Ah me,

  Had I but wings, I hence would flee! —

  Plutus.

  Back is the circle driven now;

  And no one has been sing’d, I trow.

  The crowds give way,

  Scared, with dismay. —

  Yet, pledge of order and of law,

  A ring invisible I draw.

  Herald.

  Achiev’d thou hast a noble deed;

  For thy sage might be thanks thy meed!

  Plutus.

  Yet needs there patience, noble friend;

  Still many a tumult doth impend.

  Avarice.

  If it so please us, pleasantly,

  We on this living ring may gaze around.

  For women ever foremost will be found,

  If aught allure the palate or the eye.

  Not yet am I grown rusty quite!

  A pretty face must always please;

  And since it nothing costs to-night,

  We’ll go a-wooing at our ease.

  Yet as in this o’ercrowded sphere,

  Words are not audible to every ear,

  Deftly I’ll try, — and can but hope success —

  In pantomime my meaning to express.

  Hand, foot and gesture will not here suffice,

  Hence I must strive to fashion some device:

  Like moisten’d clay forthwith I’ll knead the gold;

  This metal into all things we can mould.

  Herald.

  The meagre fool, what doeth he?

  Hath such a starveling humor? See,

  He kneadeth all the gold to dough,

  Beneath his hand ’tis pliant too;

  Yet howsoe’er he squeeze and strain,

  Misshapen it must still remain.

  He to the women turns, but they

  All scream, and fain would flee away,

  With gestures of aversion. Still

  Ready the rascal seems for ill;

  Happy, I fear, himself he rates,

  When decency he violates.

  Silence were wrong in such a case;

  Give me my staff, him forth to chase!

  Plutus.

  What threats us from without, he bodeth not.

  Let him play out his pranks a little longer!

  Room for his jest will fail him soon, I wot;

  Strong as is law, necessity is stronger.

  [Enter Fauns, Satyrs, Gnomes, Nymphs,etc., attendants on Pan,and announcing his approach.

  (Tumult and Song.)

  From forest-vale and mountain height,

  Advancing with resistless might,

  The savage host, it cometh straight:

  Their mighty Pan they celebrate.

  They know, what none beside can guess;

  Into the vacant ring they press.

  Plutus.

  You and your mighty Pan I recognize!

  Conjoin’d you’ve enter’d on a bold emprise.

 

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