1808 FAUST by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe translated by George Madison Priest The Second Part OF THE TRAGEDY ACT I PLEASING LANDSCAPE TWILIGHT FAUST, reclining on flowery turf, weary, restless, trying to sleep. SPIRITS, charming little figures forming a circle, hovering about. Ariel [song accompanied by Aeolian harps]. When in spring the rain of flowers Hovering sinketh over all, When the meadows, bright with showers, Unto all the earth-born call, Tiny elves with souls propitious Haste to help where help they can; Be he blameless, be he vicious, They lament the luckless man. Hovering around this head in circles airy, Look that ye show the noble law of fairy: Appease the furious conflict in his heart! Draw out the burning arrows of remorse, From suffered horrors cleanse his inmost part! Four pauses makes the night upon its course: Hasten to fill them with your kindly art! His head upon a cooling pillow lay, Then bathe him in the dew from Lethe's stream! His limbs, cramp-stiffened, soon will freely play When rest has made him strong for morn's new beam. Perform the fairest elfin rite, Restore him to the holy light! Chorus [singly, or two or more, alternating and together]. When the breezes, warmth exhaling, Fill the green-encircled plain, Twilight sinks its mists enveiling, Brings sweet fragrance in its train, Softly whispers peace to mortals, Rocks the heart to childlike rest, Closes eyelids, daylight's portals, Of the weary and oppressed. Night already sinks and darkles, Holy follows star on star, Light now bright, now fainter sparkles, Glitters near and gleams afar, Glitters, in the lake reflecting, Gleams in night's clear canopy; Deepest slumber's bliss perfecting, Reigns the moon's full majesty. Now the hours are passed and over, Pain and bliss have fled away. Feel it now! Thou wilt recover! Trust the gleam of new-born day! Vales grow green and hills are swelling, Lure to bowers of rest again; Harvest's coming now foretelling, Roll the silvery waves of grain. If thou every wish wouldst gain thee, Gaze at yonder glory wide! Lightly do the bonds restrain thee; Sleep's a shell, cast it aside! Be the crowd faint-hearted, quailing, Falter not, but be thou bold! All is his who never-failing Understands and swift lays hold. A tremendous tumult announces the approach of the sun. Ariel. Hark! The storm of hours is nearing! Sounding loud to spirit-hearing, Is the new-born day appearing. Rocky portals grate and shatter, Phoebus' wheels roll forth and clatter. What a tumult Light brings near! Trumpets, trombones are resounding, Eyes are blinking, ears astounding; The unheard ye shall not hear. Slip into a flowery bell Deeper, deeper; quiet dwell Under the leaf, in the cliff, If it strikes you, ye are deaf. Faust. Refreshed anew life's pulses beat and waken To greet the mild ethereal dawn of morning; Earth, through this night thou too hast stood unshaken And breath'st before me in thy new adorning, Beginst to wrap me round with gladness thrilling, A vigorous resolve in me forewarning, Unceasing strife for life supreme instilling.- Now lies the world revealed in twilight glimmer, The wood resounds, a thousand voices trilling; The vales where mist flows in and out lie dimmer, But in the gorges sinks a light from heaven, And boughs and twigs, refreshed, lift up their shimmer From fragrant chasms where they slept at even; Tint upon tint again emerges, clearing Where trembling pearls from flower and leaf drip riven: All round me is a Paradise appearing. Look up!- The peaks, gigantic and supernal, Proclaim the hour most solemn now is nearing. They early may enjoy the light eternal That later to us here below is wended. Now on the alpine meadows, sloping, vernal, A clear and lavish glory has descended And step by step fulfils its journey's ending. The sun steps forth!- Alas, already blinded, I turn away, the pain my vision rending. Thus is it ever when a hope long yearning Has made a wish its own, supreme, transcending, And finds Fulfillments portals outward turning; From those eternal deeps bursts ever higher Too great a flame, we stand, with wonder burning. To kindle life's fair torch we did aspire And seas of flame- and what a flame!- embrace us! Is it Love? Is it Hate? that twine us with their fire, In alternating joy and pain enlace us, So that again toward earth we turn our gazing, Baffled, to hide in youth's fond veils our faces. Behind me therefore let the sun be blazing! The cataract in gorges deeply riven I view with rapture growing and amazing. To plunge on plunge in a thousand streams it's given, And yet a thousand, downward to the valleys, While foam and mist high in the air are driven. Yet how superb above this tumult sallies The many-coloured rainbow's changeful being; Now lost in air, now clearly drawn, it dallies, Shedding sweet coolness round us even when fleeing! The rainbow mirrors human aims and action. Think, and more clearly wilt thou grasp it, seeing Life is but light in many-hued reflection. THE EMPEROR'S PALACE THE THRONE-ROOM The State Council awaiting the EMPEROR. Trumpets. Courtiers of all kinds enter, splendidly dressed. The EMPEROR ascends the throne, at his right hand the ASTROLOGER. Emperor. I greet you, faithful friends and dear, Assembled here from far and wide. I see the wise man at my side, But wherefore is the Fool not here? A Squire. A pace behind your mantle's sweep There on the stairs he fell in a heap; They bore away that load of fat, But dead or drunk? No one knows that. A Second Squire. Now at a swift, amazing pace Another's pushing to his place. He's quaintly primped, in truth, and smart, But such a fright that all men start. The guards there at the doorway hold Their halberds crosswise and athwart- But here he is. The Fool is bold! Mephistopheles [kneeling before the throne]. What is accursed and welcomed ever? What's longed for, ever chased away? What's always taken into favour? What's harshly blamed, accused each day? Whom don't you dare to summon here? Whose name hears gladly every man? What to your throne is drawing near? What's placed itself beneath your ban? Emperor. Your words you may present spare! The place for riddles is not here; They are these gentlemen's affair. Solve them yourself! I'd like to hear. My old fool's gone far, far away, I fear me; Take you his place and come and stand here near me. MEPHISTOPHELES mounts the steps and stations himself on the left. Murmurs of the Crowd. A brand-new fool- new pains begin- Whence did he come?- how came he in?- The old one fell- he's spent and done- A barrel he- a lath this one- Emperor. And so, ye faithful whom I love, Be welcome here from near and far. Ye meet beneath a favouring star; Fortune is written for us there above. Yet wherefore in these days, oh, say, When all our cares we'd thrust away And wear the mummer's mask in play And gaiety alone enjoy, Why should we let state councils us annoy? But since the task seems one we may not shun, All is arranged, so be it done. Chancellor. The highest virtue like an aureole Circles the Emperor's head; alone and sole, He validly can exercise it: 'Tis justice!- All men love and prize it; 'Tis what all wish, scarce do without, and ask; To grant it to his people is his task. But ah! what good to mortal mind is sense, What good to hearts is kindness, hands benevolence, When through the state a fever runs and revels, And evil hatches more and more of evils? Who views the wide realm from this height supreme, To him all seems like an oppressive dream, Where in confusion is confusion reigning And lawlessness by law itself maintaining, A world of error evermore obtaining. This man steals herds, a woman that, Cross, chalice, candlestick from altar; For many years his boastings never falter, His skin intact, his body sound and fat. Now plaintiffs crowd into the hall, The judge, encushioned, lords it over all. Meanwhile in billows, angry, urging, A growing tumult of revolt is surging. Great crimes and shame may be the braggart's token, On worst accomplices he oft depends; And "Guilty!" is the verdict often spoken Where Innocence only itself defends. To pieces is our world now going, What's fitting loses all its might; How ever shall that sense be growing Which, only, leads us to the Right? At last will men of good intent To briber, flatterer incline; A judge who can impose no punishment, At last with culprits will combine. I've painted black, and yet a denser screen I'd rather draw before the scene. Pause. Decisions cannot be evaded; When all do harm and none are aided, Majesty too becomes a prey. Commander-in-Chief. In these wild days what riots quicken! Each strikes and he in turn is stricken, And no command will men obey. The citizen behind his wall, The knight upon his rocky nest, Have sworn to last us out, and all Maintain their power with stubborn zest. The mercenaries, restless growing, Blusteringly demand their pay, And if to them no more were owing, They would be quick to run away. Let one forbid what all men fain expect, He's put his hand into a hornet's nest; The empire which they should protect Lies plundered, desolate, and waste. This furious riot no one is restraining, Already half the world's undone; Outside the realm kings still are reigning, But no one thinks it his concern- not one. Treasurer. Who will depend upon allies! The funds they pledged as subsidies, Like leaking pipe-borne water, do not flow. Then, Sire, of these wide states- yours by succession- Who now has come into possession? A new lord rules wherever one may go, Insist on living independently; How he keeps house, we must look on and see. Of rights we've given up so many, We're left without a claim to any. And as to parties, of whatever name, There's been no trust in them of late; They may give praise or they may blame, Indifferent are their love and hate. To rest them well from all their labour Lie hidden Ghibelline and Guelph. Who is there now who'll help his neighbour? Each has enough to help himself. Barred are the gates where gold is stored, And all men scratch and scrape and hoard, And empty all our coffers stay. Steward. What ills I too must learn to bear! We want each day to save and spare, And more we're needing every day, And daily do I see new trouble growing. The cooks lack nothing, they've no woes; For boars and stags and hares and roes And fowls, geese, ducks, and turkeys too, Allowances-in-kind, sure revenue, They still are not so badly flowing. The flow of wine? That, to be sure, is slowing. Where once in cellars cask on cask was nuzzling, The best of brands and vintages befuzzling, Our noble lords' eternal guzzling Is draining every last drop out. The City Council's store must now be opened up. A basin, bowl, is seized as drinking-cup And under the table ends the drinking-bout. Now I'm to pay, give each his wages. The Jew will spare me no outrages, He'll make advances which for ages Will put our revenues to rout. The swine are no more fatten fed, Pawned is the pillow on the bed, At table we eat bread for which we owe. Emperor [after some reflection, to MEPHISTOPHELES]. Say, Fool, can you not add a tale of woe? Mephistopheles. Indeed, not I! I see this ambient splendour, Yourself and yours!- Should one his trust surrender Where Majesty holds undisputed sway And ready might sweeps hostile force away? Where honest purpose holds command And wisdom guides the active hand? What can the powers of evil do, combining To make a darkness where such stars are shining? Murmurs. That is a rogue- full well he knows- Sneaks in by lying- while it goes- I know for sure- what lurks behind- What then?- he has some scheme in mind- Mephistopheles. Where in this world does not some lack appear? Here this, there that, but money's lacking here. One can not pick it off the floor, that's sure, But what lies deepest, wisdom can procure. In veins of mountains, walls far underground, Gold coined and uncoined can be found; And do you ask me who'll bring it to light? A man endowed with Mind's and Nature's might! Chancellor. Nature and Mind- don't talk to Christians thus! Men burn up atheists, fittingly, Because such speeches are most dangerous. Nature is sin, and Mind is devil, They nurture doubt, in doubt they revel, Their hybrid, monstrous progeny. That's not for us!- Our Emperor's ancient land Has seen arise two castes alone Who worthily uphold his throne: The saints and knights. Firm do they stand, Defying every tempest day by day And taking church and state in pay. In rabble minds that breed confusion Revolt arises like a tide. Heretics, wizards! Imps of delusion! They ruin town and country-side. Them will you now with brazen juggle Into this lofty circle smuggle, While in a heart depraved you snuggle. Fools, wizards, heretics are near allied. Mephistopheles. I see the learned man in what you say! What you don't touch, for you lies miles away; What you don't grasp, is wholly lost to you; What you don't reckon, you believe not true; What you don't weigh, that has for you no weight; What you don't coin, you're sure is counterfeit. Emperor. That's not the way to help or aught determine. What do you mean now with this Lenten sermon? I'm sated of this endless "If" and "How." There is no money. Well, then, get it now! Mephistopheles. I'll furnish what you wish and more. It's true, It is a light task, yet the light's a burden too. The gold lies there and yet to win it, That is the art- who knows how to begin it? Recall those fearful times when roving bands Poured like a deluge drowning men and lands, How many men, so greatly did they fear, Concealed their dearest treasure there and here. So it was of old when mighty Rome held sway, So it was till yesterday, aye, till today. It all lies buried in the earth, to save it; The earth's the Emperor's, and he should have it. Treasurer. Now for a fool, his words are noways trite. That is, in truth, the old Imperial Right. Chancellor. Satan is laying his golden nooses; We're dealing with no right and pious uses. Steward. If he brings welcome gifts to court, I'm sure, A little wrong with them I can endure. Commander-in-Chief. Shrewd fool to promise each what will befit; Whence it may come, no soldier cares a whit. Mephistopheles. Perhaps you think I'm trying to betray you; Well, here's the astrologer; ask him, I pray you. Circle on circle, hour and house he knows. Tell us then what the heavenly aspect shows. Murmurs. Two rogues- each to the other known- Dreamer and Fool- so near the throne- An ancient ditty- worn and weak- The Fool will prompt- the Sage will speak- Astrologer [MEPHISTOPHELES prompting him]. The Sun himself is gold of purest ray, The herald Mercury serves for love and pay; Dame Venus has bewitched you all, for she, In youth and age, looks on you lovingly. Chaste Luna has her humours whimsical; The strength of Mars, though striking not, threats all; And Jupiter is still the fairest star. Saturn is great, small to our eyes and far; Him as a metal we don't venerate, Little in worth but heavy in his weight. Ah, when with Sol chaste Luna doth unite, Silver with gold, the world is glad and bright. It's easy then to get all that one seeks: Parks, palaces, and breasts and rosy cheeks. All these procures the highly learned man Who can perform what one of us never can. Emperor. All that he says I hear twice o'er, And yet I'm not convinced the more. Murmurs. What's all this smoke- a worn-out joke- Astrology- or alchemy- An oft-heard strain- hope stirred in vain- If he appear- a rogue is here- Mephistopheles. They stand around and gape in wonder; They won't believe that a great prize is found. Of mandrakes one appears to maunder, Another of the sable hound. What though one's wit make others prickle, Another cry out: "Sorcery!"- If still he sometimes feels his sole a-tickle And his stride is not what it used to be! You feel the secret operation Of Nature's endless ruling might, And from earth's undermost foundation A living trace steals up to light. When in your limbs you're feeling twitches, When something lays uncanny hold, Be swift to delve, dig up the riches, There lies the fiddler, lies the gold! Murmurs. My foot's like lead, can't move about- Cramp's in my arm- that's only gout- A tickle's jerking my big toe- All down my back it hurts me so- From signs like these it should be clear The richest gold-preserve is here. Emperor. Make haste! You shan't escape today. Prove now your scummy, lying phrases And show at once those noble spaces. My sword and sceptre I will put away; If you're not lying, I will lend My own exalted hands, this work to end, But if you're lying, I'll send you to hell! Mephistopheles. That pathway I could find full well! But I've not words enough to tell What, ownerless, is waiting everywhere. The farmer, ploughing furrows with his share, Turns with the clods a pot of gold; He seeks saltpetre in a clay wall, and He finds a golden, golden roll to hold, Scared and rejoiced, in his own wretched hand. Who would explore the earth-hid wonder, What vaultings must he burst asunder, What dark ways burrow through and under Near neighbouring on the world below! In cellars vast, preserved of old, Plates, dishes, beakers too, of gold He sees displayed there, row on row. There goblets, made of rubies, stand, And if he'll put them to a use, Beside them is an ancient juice. Yet- you'll believe my master-hand- The wooden staves are long since rotten; A cask of tartar has the wine begotten. Not only gold and jewels rare, Proud wines of noble essences are there, Enveiled in horror and in gloom. The wise seek here without dismay. A fool can recognize a thing by day; In darkness mysteries are at home. Emperor. What is the gain of dark? You can have that! If aught has value, it must come to light. Who can detect a rogue in dead of night? All cows are black, and grey is every cat. The pots down there, heavy with golden freight- Drive your plough on, unearth them straight. Mephistopheles. Take hoe and spade yourself, dig on! You'll grow great, through this peasant-toil. A herd of golden calves anon Will wrench their way out of the soil. Then with delight, without delay, Yourself you can, you will your love array. A jewel in which light and colour dance Both Majesty and Beauty can enhance. Emperor. Be quick, be quick! How long are we to wait? Astrologer [as above]. Such urgent longing, Sire, pray moderate! Let first the motley, joyous play proceed, To no fair goal can minds distracted lead. First, penance in a calm mood doth behoove us, Earn what's beneath us by what is above us. Who wishes good, should first be good, Who wishes joy, should mollify his blood, Who asks for wine, the ripe grape should he press, Who hopes for miracles, more faith possess. Emperor. So let the time in merriment be spent! Ash-Wednesday's coming to our heart's content. Meanwhile we'll celebrate, whate'er befall, All the more merrily mad Carnival. Trumpets, exeunt. Mephistopheles. How closely linked are Luck and Merit, Is something fools have never known. Had they the Wise Man's Stone, I swear it, There'd be no Wise Man for the Stone. A SPACIOUS HALL With adjoining apartments decorated and adorned, for a masquerade. Herald. Don't think ye'll here see German revels, A Dance of Death, of Fools and Devils! A cheerful festival awaits you here. Our ruler, when to Rome he went campaigning, His profit and your pleasure gaining, The perils of the Alps disdaining, Won for himself a realm of cheer. First, at the holy feet bowed down, A grant of power he besought, And when he went to fetch his crown, The fool's-cap too for us he brought. Now we are all new-born in years, And every well-sophisticated man Happily draws it over head and ears. Akin to crazy fools he now appears, Under it acting wisely as he can. I see the crowds are coming yonder, Some pair in love, some swing asunder, Crowd presses crowd, like youth let of school. Come in or out, let naught be daunting! Now too as ever holds the rule: A hundred thousand follies vaunting, The world remains one great, big fool! Flower Girls [song accompanied by mandolins]. That ye may approval tender We're adorned tonight in sport; Florentines, we joined the splendour Of this festive German court. Flowers in our chestnut tresses We are wearing gay and bright, Silken threads and silken jesses Also play their part tonight; For we think we are deserving All your praises full and clear. See the flowers we made, preserving All their bloom throughout the year. Scraps of every tint we've taken, Each with due symmetric form; Though each may your wit awaken, See the whole and feel its charm. Fair are we in every feature, Flower maidens gay of heart; For the ways of women's nature Are so near akin to art. Herald. Let us see your baskets' riches; Head and arms bear lovely treasure, Bear gay beauty that bewitches. Let each choose what gives him pleasure. Hasten till we see appearing Gardens in each nook and alley. Pedlars, wares, such beauty bearing, Well the throng may round them rally. Flower Girls. Barter in these cheery places, But don't haggle as ye go! And in brief and pithy phrases, What he has, let each one know. An Olive Branch with Fruits. Flowery sprays I do not covet, Strife I shun, I am above it; To my nature it is strange. Yet I am the nation's marrow, Pledge secure 'gainst spear and arrow, Sign of peace where men may range. And today I'm hoping, fleetly To adorn a fair head meetly. A Wreath of Golden Ears. To bedeck you, gifts of Ceres Will be lovely, sweet, and rare; What for us most wished and dear is Be for your adornment fair. A Fancy Wreath. Mallow-like, these gay-hued flowers, From the moss, a wondrous bloom! They are rare, in Nature's bowers, But Dame Fashion gives them room. A Fancy Nosegay. Name me? Theophrastus never Would a name for me assever! If to some scarce worth a penny, Still I hope I may please many If she'll take whom she possesses, If she'll twine me in her tresses, Or the fairest fate deciding, On her heart grant me abiding. Rosebuds, a Challenge. Let fantastic gaudy flowers Bloom as Fashion oft empowers Wondrous- strange and finely moulded, Such as Nature ne'er unfolded. Green stalks, gold bells, look entrancing From rich locks, their charm enhancing! But we hide from mortal eyes. Happy he who us espies? When anew the summer beameth As the rosebud, kindling, gleameth, From such bliss who'd be abstaining? Sweet the promise and attaining Which in Flora's fair domain Rule over vision, heart, and brain. Under green, leafy arcades the FLOWER GIRLS adorn their wares daintily. Gardeners [song accompanied by theorbos]. See the flowers sprout unhasting, Charms around your head they're weaving? Fruits lead not astray, deceiving; One enjoys them in the tasting. Sun-burnt faces offer gladly Cherries, royal plums, and peaches. Buy! The tongue, the palate, teaches That your eye can judge but badly. Come! The ripest fruit entices, Eat it, with glad relish smitten; Over a rose one poetizes, But an apple must be bitten. Grant us, prithee, to be mated With your youth so flowery-fair! Neighbourly so decorated Be our plenteous ripe ware. Under garlands gay that wind them In adorned and leafy bowers, All are here for you to find them: Buds and leaves and fruit and flowers. Midst alternating songs, accompanied by guitars and theorbos, both choruses continue to set their wares out attractively in tiers and to offer them for sale. MOTHER AND DAUGHTER. Mother. Maiden, when thou cam'st to light, Little caps I wove thee: Body tender, face so bright, How they made me love thee! Thought of thee as quickly won, Wedded to the richest son, Thought as wife wouldst prove thee. Ah, already many a year Hence, unused, has fleeted; Motley host of wooers here Swiftly past has speeded. With the one didst nimbly dance, Gav'st the other nudge and glance Which he might have heeded. Every fete that we might plan, Vain it was to match one; Forfeit games and "Hindmost Man," Naught availed to snatch one. Each fool wears today his cap; Darling, open now thy lap, Haply wilt thou catch one. Girl playmates, young and fair, join the group; a confidential chatter is heard. Fishers and fowlers with nets, fishing-rods, limed twigs, and other gear enter and mingle with the pretty girls. Reciprocal attempts to win, catch, escape, and hold fast give opportunity for the most agreeable dialogues. Woodcutters [enter boisterously and boorishly]. Make room! A clearing! Spaces for revel! Trees that we level Crash in their falling; And when we're hauling, We hit what's nearing. Our praises grudge not, This truth pray nourish: Did rough folk drudge not In every county, Could fine folk flourish, Come by their bounty, However they fretted? Learn this in season! For ye'd be freezing, Had we not sweated. Pulcinelli [awkward, almost silly]. Oh, fools that ye are, Born bent, and we are The really clever, Loads bearing never. Our caps and jackets And rags are packets Quite light to carry. And we are merry, Forever lazy, In slippers easy, In them to shuffle Through market and scuffle, To gape at the pother, Croak at each other. Heeding the racket, Through crowds that pack it, Like eels we're slipping, Together tripping, All mad together. We care not whether Ye blame or praise us, Nothing can faze us. Parasites [fawningly lustful]. Of you, stout porters, And your supporters, The charcoal-burners, We are not spurners. For all the bending And nods assenting, Phrases too flowing, And two-ways blowing, They're warming and chilling Just as one's feeling, Yet what the profit? Heaven might send fire, Enormous, dire, But, then, what of it, Were there no billets Or coal in barrows To grill your skillets Through to their marrows? There's sizzling, broiling, There's bubbling, boiling. True taster, picker, The platter-licker, He smells the roasting, He sniffs the fishes, With gusto accosting His patron's dishes. A Drunken Man [maudlin]. 'Sdeath today to all my worry! For I feel so frank and free; Fresh delight and ditties merry, These I brought along with me. So I'm drinking, drink ye, drink ye! Clink your glasses, clink ye, clink ye! Ye behind there, now come on! Clink your glasses, so it's done. Angrily my wife shrieked loudly, Sneering at my piebald suit, And although I swaggered proudly, "Scarecrow, scarecrow!" did she hoot. Yet I'm drinking, drink ye, drink ye! Clink your glasses, cling ye, clink ye! Clink them, scarecrows, every one! Clinking, clinking, so it's done. Say not that my way I'm losing, I am where my worries fade. If mine host lend not, refusing, Hostess lends, or eke the maid. Still I drink on! Drink ye, drink ye! Up, ye others! Clink ye, clink ye! Each to each! Thus on and on! Now methinks that it is done. How and where I'm pleasure plying, Still may it always be at hand. Let me lie where I am lying, For I can no longer stand. Chorus. Brothers all, now drink ye, drink ye! Toast ye gaily, clink ye, clink ye! Sit ye firm on bench and board! Under the table lies one floored. The HERALD announces various poets, poets by nature, courtly and knightly minstrels, sentimentalists as well as enthusiasts. In the throng of competitors of all kinds no one allows another to begin a speech. One slips past with a few words. Satirist. Know ye what my soul as poet Chiefly would delight and cheer? Sing and say, if I dared do it, That which none would like to hear. The poets of night and churchyards excuse themselves, because they are just engaged in a most interesting conversation with newly-arisen vampire, and from it a new school of poetry may perhaps arise; the HERALD is obliged to accept their apologies and meanwhile he calls forth Greek mythology which, in modern masks, loses neither its character nor its charm. THE GRACES. Aglaia. Charm we're bringing into living, So be charming in your giving! Hegemone. Charming be ye in receiving! Lovely is desire's achieving. Euphrosyne. And when peacefully ye're living, Be most charming your thanksgiving! THE FATES. Atropos. I, the eldest Fate, from yonder For the while to spin am bidden. Much to think of, much to ponder, In life's tender thread is hidden. Finest flax I winnow featly That your thread be supple, tender; Fingers shrewd will twirl it neatly, Make it even, smooth, and slender. Ye who, warm with dance and pleasure, All too wanton, snatch a token, Think that this thread has a measure, Have a care! It might be broken. Clotho. Know ye that the shears were lately Given to my care to ply; For our Ancient's conduct greatly Did, in truth, none edify. She drags on most useless spinnings On and on in air and light, Promise of most glorious winnings Clips and drags to realms of night. Yet when I was young and reigning, I, too, erred oft in those years; Now I yield to curb restraining, In their case I keep the shears. So I gladly wear a bridle, And this scene with joy survey. In these hours so gay and idle, Revel, riot, sport, and play! Lachesis. Unto me, alone discerning, Was the thread's control decreed; For my reel, forever turning, Never erred through too great speed. Threads are coming, threads are reeling, Each one in its course I guide; None may slip from spindle wheeling, Each must in its orbit glide. Could I once forget in leisure, For the world I'd fear with pain; Hours, they count, and years, they measure, And the Weaver takes the skein. Herald. Those coming now, ye'd never recognize them, However learned ye were in ancient letters. To look at them- the world's worst ill-abettors- Ye'd call them welcome guests and prize them. They are the Furies, no one will believe us. Fair are they, well-made, friendly, young moreover; But if ye lend them ear, ye will discover How serpent-like such doves can wound and grieve us. Malicious are they- true!- and with effront'ry, But now when each fool boasts his reputation, They too ask not angelic exaltation; They know they are the pests of town and country. THE FURIES. Alecto. What boots it? For to trust us ye'll not stickle, For each is young and fair, a coaxing kitten. If one among you by a girl is smitten, We shall not cease, his ears to scratch and tickle, Until we dare to tell him, to his loathing, That for this man and that one she is primping, Crooked in her back, all wit doth lack, and limping, And if betrothed to him, she's good-for-nothing! And the betrothed- we know the way to sting her. Why scarce a week ago her precious lover To such-and-such a girl spoke basely of her; Though they be reconciled, a sting will linger. Megaera. That's but a jest! For when they once are married, I go to work in every case to fritter The fairest bliss away with fancies bitter. The moods of men are varied, hours are varied. None holds embraced what his desire has chosen, But seeks a More-desired with foolish yearning And from long-wonted, highest blessings turning, Flees a warm love and tries to warm a frozen. I'm skilled in managing such household troubles, And Asmodeus, comrade true, I summon To scatter strife betimes twixt man and woman; Thus I destroy the human race in couples. Tisiphone. Poison, steel- not words malicious- Mix I, whet I, for the traitor. Lov'st thou others? Sooner, later, Overwhelms thee ruin vicious. What the sweetest moment offers, Turns perforce to wormwood galling! Here no haggling, pulling, hauling; As one sins, one always suffers. None shall sing about forgiving! To the rocks my cause I'm crying. Echo, hark! "Revenge!" replying. For the unstable, death! not living! Herald. Now, if it please you, stand aside a pace, For what comes now is not your kind or race. Ye see a mountain pressing through the throng, Its flanks with brilliant housings proudly hung, A head with long tusks, snake-like snout below. A mystery! but soon the key I'll show. A dainty woman on his neck is sitting And with her wand subjects him to her bidding; Another stands aloft, sublime to see, Girt by a radiance dazzling, blinding me. Beside them chained, two noble women near, Fearful the one, the other blithe of cheer. One longs for freedom and one feels she's free. Let each declare now who she be. Fear. Lamps and lights and torches smoking Through this turmoil gleam around; Midst these faces, shamming, joking, I, alas, in chains am bound. Hence, ye throngs absurdly merry! I mistrust your grins with right; Every single adversary Presses nearer in this night. Friend turned foe would here bewray me, But his mask I know well. Stay, Yonder's one who wished to slay me; Now revealed, he slinks away. Through the wide world I would wander, Following every path that led, But destruction threatens yonder, Holds me fast twixt gloom and dread. Hope. Hail, beloved sisters, hail! Though today and yesterday Ye have loved this maskers' play, Yet tomorrow ye'll unveil. This I know of you quite surely. If beneath the torches' flaring We can't find our special pleasure, Yet in days of cheerful leisure, As our will doth bid us purely, Now in groups, now singly faring, We'll roam over lovely leas, Resting, doing, as we please, In a life no cares assailing, Naught forgoing, never failing. Everywhere as welcome guest Let us enter, calm in mind, Confident that we shall find Somewhere, certainly, the best. Prudence. Two of man's chief foes, behold them, Fear and Hope, in fetters mated; From this crowd I'll keep and hold them. Room, make room! Ye're liberated. I conduct the live colossus, See the burden that it carries, And the steepest pass it crosses, Step by step, and never wearies. But upon the summit of it Yonder goddess with her pinions Broad and agile, seeking profit, Turns to spy all man's dominions. Girt is she by splendour glorious Shining far along all courses, Victory her name! Victorious Goddess of all active forces. Zoilo-Thersites. Ho, ho! Just right I've reached this spot, We're one and all a wretched lot! And yet the goal I've chosen me Is she up there, Dame Victory. She with her snowy wings spread out Thinks she's an eagle, past all doubt, And wheresoever she may stir, Thinks men and lands belong to her. But when some glorious deed is done, At once I put my armour on. Up with the low, down with the high, The crooked straight, the straight awry- That, only, makes me feel aglow, And on this earth I'll have it so. Herald. Then take thou that, a master-blow From my good staff, thou wretched hound, Then straightway writhe and twist around!- How swift the two-fold dwarfish clump Balls up into a loathsome lump!- But see! lump turns to egg- a wonder! Puffs itself up and bursts asunder. Thence comes a pair of twins to earth, Adder and bat- a wondrous birth! On in the dust one crawls and creeps, The black one round the ceiling sweeps, And where they haste to join again, To be the third I am not fain. Murmuring. Come! they're dancing now back there!- No! I want to flee from here- Feel ye not the ghost-like breed Creeping, wheeling, round us speed?- Something whizzes past my hair- My foot felt a something there- Still not one of us is harmed- But we all have been alarmed- Now all ruined is our fun- This, the beasts! they wanted done. Herald. Since on me, when masquerading, Herald's duties ye've been lading, Stern I guard the portal, wary Lest into your revels merry Aught may slink of harmful savour; Neither do I shrink nor waver. Yet I fear lest spectres erring Through the windows may be faring; If black arts and spooks beset you, From them I could never get you. Of the dwarf we were suspicious. Lo! Back there a pageant issues! As a herald, it's my duty To explain those forms of beauty, But what's past all comprehending, For that I've no explanation. Help ye, all, my education!- See what hitherward is tending! Lo! a four-yoked chariot splendid Through the crowd its way has wended, Yet the crowd it does not sunder; I can see no crushing yonder. In the distance colours shimmer, Stars gay-coloured beam and flimmer, Magic-lantern-like they glimmer. All storm on as to assault. Clear the way! I shudder! A Boy Charioteer. Halt! Steeds, let now your wings fall idle, Feel the well-accustomed bridle; Master self as you I master; When I thrill you, on! and faster! Let us honour now these spaces! Look around at all the faces; More and more admirers cluster. Herald, up! Take wonted muster! Ere we flee, tell thou our stories, Name us and describe and show us; For we all are allegories, Therefore thou shouldst surely know us. Herald. There's no name I could ascribe thee, But I rather might describe thee. Boy Charioteer. Try it then! Herald. I must avow, Firstly, young and fair art thou. A half-grown boy thou art; but women rather Would see thee full-grown altogether. It seems that thou wilt be a fickle wooer, Right from the start a real undoer. Boy Charioteer. That's well worth hearing! On with thee, Discover now the riddle's happy key. Herald. Thy flashing ebony eyes, locks black and glowing, More radiant from the jewelled diadem! And what a graceful robe doth stream From shoulder down to buskin flowing, With glittering gaud and purple hem! Now might we flouting "Maiden!" deem thee, Yet, good or ill as it might be, Already maidens would esteem thee. They'd teach thee soon thine A B C. Boy Charioteer. And yonder one, in splendour glowing, Who proudly sits on chariot throne? Herald. A king he seems, of wealth o'erflowing; Happy the man who has his favour won! He has naught more to earn and capture, He swift espies where aught's amiss, And has in giving more pure rapture Than in possessing and in bliss. Boy Charioteer. To stop with this will not avail; Thou must describe him in far more detail. Herald. There's no describing Dignity. The healthy, full-moon face I see, The lips so full, the cheeks so blooming Beneath the turban's beauty looming, The flowing robe he's richly wearing- What shall I say of such a bearing? He seems a ruler known to me. Boy Charioteer. Plutus, the god of wealth, is he. Hither he comes in gorgeous trim; Sorely the Emperor longs for him. Herald. Now thine own What and How relate to me! Boy Charioteer. I am Profusion, I am Poesy! The poet who's attained his goal When he's poured out his inmost soul. I too am rich with untold pelf And value me the peer of Plutus' self, Adorn, enliven, make his revels glow; And what he lacks, that I bestow. Herald. Bragging becomes thee charmingly, But now thine arts, pray, let us see. Boy Charioteer. Here see me snap my fingers. Lo! Around the chariot gleam and glow! And now a necklace of pearls appears! Continuing to snap his fingers in every direction. Here spangled gold for neck and ears And flawless comb and coronet And rings with precious jewels set. Flamelets I scatter too in turn, Waiting to see where they may burn. Herald. How the dear mob is snatching, seizing, Even the giver almost squeezing! Dream-like he's scatt'ring gems where all Are snatching in the spacious hall. But what is this? A brand-new juggle! However busily one snatch and struggle, His trouble really does not pay; The gifts take wing and fly away. The pearls are loosened from their band And beetles scrabble in his hand; He shakes them off, the poor biped, And then they hum around his head. Others, instead of solid things, Catch butterflies with flimsy wings. How much he promises, the knave! Glitter of gold was all he gave. Boy Charioteer. Of masks, I note, thou canst proclaim each feature. Beneath the shell to fathom out the nature Is not the herald's courtly task; A keener eye for that we ask. But feuds I shun, if only in suggestion; To thee, lord, I address my speech and question. Turning to PLUTUS. Didst thou not give me charge supreme Over the four-yoked, whirlwind team? Guide I not happily as thou leadest? Am I not everywhere thou biddest? And on bold pinions did I not for thee Bear off the palm of victory? However oft for thee as I've contended, Success was ever my portion; and when now The laurel decorates thy brow, Did not my hand and art entwine and blend it? Plutus. If need be that I testify, then hear it! I say with joy: Thou art spirit of my spirit! Thy deeds are ever after my own will; Rich as I am, thou art richer still. Thy service to reward in fitting measure, The laurel more than all my crowns I treasure. This truth in all men's hearts I would instill: In thee, dear son, I have much pleasure. Boy Charioteer [to the crowd]. The greatest gifts my hand deals out, Lo! I have scattered roundabout. On this head and on that one too There glows a flamelet that I threw. From one to other head it skips, To this one cleaves, from that one slips; It seldom flares up like a plume, And swiftly beams in transient bloom. Ere many its worth recognize, It burns out mournfully and dies. Women's Chatter. There on the chariot sits a man Who surely is a charlatan, Hunched up behind, a perfect clown, By thirst and hunger so worn down As naught before, and if ye'd pinch, He has no flesh to feel and flinch. Starveling. Away from me, ye odious crew! Welcome, I know, I never am to you. When hearth and home were women's zone, As Avaritia I was known. Then did our household thrive throughout, For much came in and naught went out! Zealous was I for chest and bin; 'Twas even said my zeal was sin. But since in years most recent and depraving Woman is wont no longer to be saving And, like each tardy payer, collars Far more desires than she has dollars, The husband now has much to bore him; Wherever he looks, debts loom before him. Her spinning-money is turned over To grace her body or her lover; Better she feasts and drinks still more With all her wretched lover-corps. Gold charms me all the more for this: Male's now my gender, I am Avarice! Leader of the Women. With dragons be the dragon avaricious, It's naught but lies, deceiving stuff! To stir up men he comes, malicious, Whereas men now are troublesome enough. Women [en masse]. The scarecrow! Box his ears, the japer! Why does the wooden cross threat here? As if his ugly face we'd fear! Dragons are made of wood and paper. Have at him, crowd him, scoff and jeer! Herald. Peace! By my staff! Peace or begone! And yet my aid's scarce needed here. In yonder space so quickly won See the grim monsters moving on, Swift to unfold their pinions' double pair. The dragons shake themselves in ire; Their scaly jaws spew smoke and fire. The crowd has fled, the place is clear. PLUTUS descends from his chariot. Herald. He's stepping down, what royal grace! He becks, the dragons move apace; Down from the chariot they've borne the chest With all its gold, and Avarice thereon. There at his feet it stands at rest; A marvel how it was ever done. Plutus [to the CHARIOTEER]. Now art thou rid of thy too heavy burden, Free art thou! Off to thine own sphere and guerdon! Thy sphere's not here! Here shapes most hideous, Distorted, motley, wild, press in on us. Where thou see'st naught but lovely clarity, Where thine own vision is enough for thee, Thither where only Good and Beauty please and wait, Away to Solitude! there thine own world create! Boy Charioteer. Thus I esteem myself a worthy envoy of thee, And as my nearest kinsman do I love thee. Where thou art, Plenty is; where I remain, Each feels himself enriched by glorious gain. Oft in the clash of life a man doth waver: Shall he in thee or me seek favour? Thy followers can idly rest, it's true; Who follows me always has work to do. My deeds in darkness never are concealed; If I but breathe, I am at once revealed. And so, farewell My bliss thou grantest me, But whisper low and I am back with thee. Exit as he came. Plutus. It's time now to unloose the precious metals. I strike the padlocks with the herald's rod. The chest flies open! See in brazen kettles A boiling, bubbling up of golden blood. First, ornaments of crowns, chains, rings will follow! Seething, it threatens all to melt and swallow. Alternating Cries from the crowd. See here! and there! how treasures brim! The chest is filling to the rim- Vessels of gold are grilling there, And coins in rolls are milling there.- As if just minted, ducats jump, Oh, how my heart begins to thump!- All that I want I see and more! They're rolling there along the floor.- It's yours, they say- appease your itch, Just stoop a bit and rise up rich.- Swift as the lightning, we, the rest, Will take possession of the chest. Herald. What does this mean? Ye silly folk! It's but a masquerading joke. Naught more can be desired tonight; Think ye we give you gold outright? Verily in this game for such As ye, yes, vouchers were too much. Blockheads! A pleasant show, forsooth, Ye take at once as solid truth. What's truth to you?- Delusion vain, Catch where ye can, ye clutch amain. Plutus, chief mummer, hero of the masque, Drive from the field this folk, I ask. Plutus. Thy staff is apt for it, I see; Lend it a little while to me. I'll dip it swift in seething glare. Now, on your guard, ye masks, beware! Snaps, sparks, and flashes, see it throw! Thy staff already is aglow. Whoever crowds too close to me I'll straightway singe relentlessly. And now upon my rounds I'll go. Cries and Crowding. Alas! it's up with us, oh woe!- Away, escape! Escape who can!- Fall back, fall back, thou hindmost man! Hot sparks are flying in my face.- I stagger from the glowing mace!- Lost are we all, we all are lost!- Back, back, ye masquerading host! Back, senseless mob, don't come so nigh! Had I but wings, away I'd fly!- Plutus. Backward the circle round us shrinks, And no one has been scorched, methinks. Scattered by fright, The crowd takes flight. Yet, symbol of the reign of law, A ring invisible I'll draw. Herald. A glorious deed hast done tonight. How can I thank thy sapient might? Plutus. My noble friend, be patient yet; Many a tumult still doth threat. Avaritia. Here, if we like, we can look on And view this circle at our leisure; To stand in front always gives women pleasure Where gaping or where nibbling's to be done. Not yet so wholly rusty are my senses But that a woman fair is always fair; And since today it costs me no expenses, We'll go a-courting with an easy air. Because, though, in such over-crowded places Not every ear distinctly hears all phrases, I'll wisely try- I hope not vainly- In pantomime to show my meaning plainly. Hand, foot, and gesture will not now suffice, So I must use a farcical device. I'll treat the gold as were it mere wet clay; This metal I can turn in any way. Herald. The skinny fool! What is that he began? Can he have humour, such a starveling man? He's kneading all the gold to dough; Beneath his hands it's soft, yet though He squeeze it, roll it, as he will, Misshapen is it even still. He turns to the women there, and they All scream and want to get away, With gestures of disgust and loathing. The mischievous rogue will stop at nothing. I fear a joyous man is he When he's offended decency. Through silence I'll not lend my backing; Give me my staff to send him packing. Plutus. What threatens from without he does not see. Let him go on with his tom-fooling; There'll be no room soon for his drooling; The Law is mighty, mightier Necessity. Tumult and Song. The wild host comes in all its might, From woodland dell and mountain height. They stride along- resist who can! They celebrate their great god Pan. They know indeed what none can guess; Into the vacant ring they press. Plutus. I know you well, you and your great god Pan! Together ye've performed a daring plan. I know right well what is not known to all And ope the circle duly to their call. Oh, may good fortune be decreed them! The strangest thing may now befall, They know not where their steps may lead them; They have not looked ahead at all. Savage Song. Ye folk bedight, ye tinsel-stuff! They're coming rude, they're coming rough; In lofty leap, in speedy chase, They come, a stout and sturdy race. Fauns. The faun-host flocks In merry round, The oak-wreath bound On curly locks; A pair of finely pointed ears Out from the curly head appears, A stubby nose, face broad and flat. With women no one's harmed by that; And if the faun his paw advance, The fairest will hardly refuse to dance. A Satyr. The satyr now comes hopping in With foot of goat and withered shin; He needs to have them wiry-thin, For chamois-like on mountain heights To look around him he delights. Braced by the air of freedom then, He jeers at children, women, and men, Who deep in the valley's smoke and stew Fondly imagine they're living too, While pure and undisturbed and lone The world up there is all his own. Gnomes. Tripping, a little crowd appears. They do not like to go in pairs; In mossy garb, with lamplet bright, They move commingling, swift and light, Where each his task can best perform, Like firefly-ants, a crowding swarm. They scurry, busy, here and there, Bustling and working everywhere. Kinship to kind "Good-men" we own, As surgeons of the rocks are known, The mountains high, go sapping them, The swelling veins, go tapping them; Metals we hurl on pile on pile, With cheery hail- "Good Luck while,"- the while, A greeting well-meant through and through. We're friends of all good men and true. Yet gold we bring and gold reveal That men may pander and may steal, That iron fail not his proud hand Who ever wholesale murder planned. He whom these three commandments fail to bother Will pay no heed to any other. For all that we are not to blame; As we are patient, so be ye the same! Giants. "The Wild Men of the Woods"- their name, In the Hartz Mountains known to fame. In nature's nakedness and might They come, each one of giant height, A fir tree's trunk in each right hand, Around their loins a bulging band, Apron of twigs and leaves uncouth; Such guards the Pope has not, in truth. Nymphs in chorus [surrounding GREAT PAN]. He's really here!- Of this world-sphere The All we fete In Pan the Great. Ye gayest ones, surround him here, Dance madly, hov'ring round him here, For since he's solemn and yet kind, Man's happiness he has in mind. Even beneath the azure, vaulted roof He ever kept slumber far aloof; Yet purling brooks seek him in quest And soft airs cradle him to rest. And when he sleeps at mid of day, No leaflet stirs upon its spray; Health-giving plants with balsam rare Pervade the still and silent air. Then may the nymph in joy not leap And where she stood, she falls asleep. But when at unexpected hour, His voice is heard in all its power, Like crack of lightning, roar of sea, Then no one knows which way to flee. Brave warriors into panic break, And in the tumult heroes quake. Hence honour to whom honour's due, Hail him who led us here to you! Deputation of Gnomes [to GREAT PAN]. When the treasure rich and shining, Winds through clefts its thread-like way And naught but the rod's divining Can its labyrinths display, Troglodytes in caverns spacious, Under vaulted roofs we bide, While in day's pure air thou, gracious, All the treasures dost divide. We discover here quite near us Treasure rich, a fountain vein, Aptly promising to bear us More than one could hope to gain. This thou mayst achieve at pleasure, Take it, Sire, into thy care! In thy hands doth every treasure Yield the whole world blessings rare. Plutus [to THE HERALD]. We must possess ourselves, serene in spirit, And come what may must confidently bear it. Still hast thou shown indeed a valiant soul, But soon a thing most horrible will try it. Stoutly men now and later will deny it. Inscribe it truly in thy protocol. Herald [grasping the staff which PLUTUS keeps in his hand]. The dwarfs lead Pan, the great god, nigher, Quite gently, to the well of fire. It seethes up from the deepest maw, Then down again the flames withdraw, And gloomy gapes the open jaw. The foam and flame roll up again. Complacent doth Great Pan remain, Rejoicing in the wondrous sight, While pearls of foam spurt left and right. How can he in such wizardry confide? He stoops down low to look inside.- But now his beard is falling in!- Whose can it be, that beardless chin? His hand conceals it from our gaze.- A great mishap is taking place. The beard flies backward, all ablaze, And kindles wreath and head and breast; Turned into sorrow is the jest.- To quench the fire they race and run, But free from flames there is not one, And as they slap and beat it too, They only stir up flames anew; In fiery flames entangled, caught, A maskers' group is burned to naught. But hark! what news is spreading here From mouth to mouth, from ear to ear! O evermore ill-fated Night, How thou hast turned our bliss to blight! Tomorrow morn will everywhere Proclaim what no one likes to hear. Yet everywhere I'll hear the cry: "The Emperor suffers agony!" Oh, would that something else were true! The Emperor burns, his escort too. Accursed who led him so astray, Who bound about them resined spray, Raging around with boisterous song, Bringing to ruin all the throng. O Youth, O Youth, and wilt thou never Keep within proper bounds thy pleasure? O Highness, Highness, wilt thou never Use might and reason in due measure? The mimic woods are catching fire, The tongues of flame lick higher, higher, Where netted rafters interlace; A fiery doom threats all the place. Now overflows our cup of woe, And who shall save us I don't know. The ashes of a night will be All that was once rich majesty. Plutus. Terror has enough been spread, Let us now bring help instead! Strike, thou hallowed staff, the ground Till earth quiver and resound! Fill thyself, O spacious air, With cool fragrance everywhere. Hither come, around us steaming, Mist and clouds with moisture teeming, Come and veil the rampant flame; Cloudlets, whirl ye, drizzling, purl ye, Hither glide ye, softly drenching, Quelling everywhere and quenching; Ye, who're moist, allaying, bright'ning, Change to harmless summer lightning All this empty fiery game! And when spirits threat and lower, Then let Magic show its power! PLEASURE GARDEN MORNING SUN EMPEROR. COURTIERS. FAUST and Mephistopheles, dressed becomingly, not conspicuously, according to the mode; both kneel. Faust. Pardon you, Sire, the flames and wizardry? Emperor [beckoning him to rise]. Many such pleasantries I would like to see. Presto! I stood within a glowing zone, It seemed almost Pluto and I were one. In coal-black night and yet with fires aglow Lay an abyss. From many a vent below Thousands of savage flames were upward whirling, Into a single vault above me swirling, Licking their tongues of flame against the dome's far height Which now appeared and now was lost to sight. Far, far away, through spiral shafts of flame Peoples I saw, in moving files they came, In a wide circle pressing on and on And paying homage as they've always done. Courtiers I recognized amid the splendour, I seemed a prince over many a salamander. Mephistopheles. That are you, Sire, since every element Doth own you absolute to all intent. Obedient have you now proved fire to be. Where waves heave wildest, leap into the sea! The pearl-strewn bottom you will scarcely tread Ere a glorious billowing dome forms overhead. You'll see there light-green rolling billows swelling, Their edges purple, forming the fairest dwelling Round you, the centre. Wander at your will, The palaces attend you even still. The very walls rejoice in life, in teeming, Arrowy swarming, hither, thither streaming. Sea-wonders push and dart along to win The new soft glow but none may enter in. The dragons, mottled, golden-scaled, are playing; There gapes the shark but you laugh at his baying. Though now the court surrounds you in delight, Still such a throng has never met your sight. Yet long you're not deprived of forms endearing; The Nereids come curiously nearing Your splendid palace in the cool of ocean, The young with fish-like, shy, and wanton motion, The old ones prudent. Thetis learns of this, Gives her new Peleus hand and mouth to kiss.- The seat, then, on Olympus' wide domain... Emperor. Over the air I leave to you to reign; Quite soon enough does one ascend that throne. Mephistopheles. Earth, Lord Supreme, already is your own. Emperor. What brought you here to ravish us with sights Directly out of the Arabian Nights? If like Scheherazade you are inventive, Be sure of every favour and incentive. Be near whenever- as is oft the case- I grutch at this poor world of commonplace. Steward [enters in haste]. Ah, Most Serene, in all my life I never Thought I could give you news of such high favour As this which richly blesses me And drives me here almost in ecstasy. Bill upon bill has now been squared, The usurers' talons have been pared. From hellish worry I am free! In Heaven life can not happier be. Commander-in-Chief [follows in haste]. Arrears are paid as they were due And all the army's pledged anew; The soldier feels his blood made over. Landlords and wenches are in clover. Emperor. How free you breathe, with breasts so lightened! Your wrinkled foreheads, how they're brightened! How you come in with eager speed! Treasurer [appears]. Inquire of these who did the deed. Faust. It's for the Chancellor to tell the story. Chancellor [approaching slowly]. I'm blessed enough now when I'm old and hoary. So hear and see the fateful, solemn leaf Which into joy has transformed all our grief. He reads. "To all whom it concerns, let it be known: Who hath this note, a thousand crowns doth own. As certain pledge thereof shall stand Vast buried treasure in the Emperor's land. Provision has been made that ample treasure, Raised straightway, shall redeem the notes at pleasure." Emperor. I sense a crime, a monstrous, cheating lure! Who dared to forge the Emperor's signature? Is still unpunished such a breach of right? Treasurer. Remember, Sire, yourself it was last night That signed the note. You stood as mighty Pan, The Chancellor came and spoke in words that ran: "A lofty festal joy do for thyself attain: Thy people's weal- a few strokes of the pen!" These did you make, then thousand-fold last night Conjurors multiplied what you did write; And that straightway the good might come to all, We stamped at once the series, large and small; Tens, twenties, thirties, hundreds, all are there. You can not think how glad the people were. Behold your city, once half-dead, decaying, Now full of life and joy, and swarming, playing! Although your name has blessed the world of yore, So gladly was it never seen before. The alphabet is really now redundant; In this sign each is saved to bliss abundant. Emperor. My people take it for good gold, you say? In camp, in court, sufficient as full pay? Although amazed, still I must give assent. Steward. The flight of notes we could nowise prevent; Like lightning notes were scattered on the run. The changers' shops open wide to everyone; And there all notes are honoured, high and low, With gold and silver- at a discount, though. From there to butcher, baker, tavern hasting, One-half the world seems thinking but of feasting, The other in new raiment struts and crows; The draper cuts the cloth, the tailor sews. In cellars "Long live the Emperor!" is the toasting; There platters clatter, there they're boiling, roasting. Mephistopheles. Who all alone will down the terrace stray Perceives the fairest in superb array; With her proud peacock-fan she hides one eye And looking for a note goes simpering by; More swiftly than through eloquence and wit Love's richest favour can be gained by it. With purse and scrip one is no longer harried. A notelet in one's breast is lightly carried; With billets-doux quite snugly will it nestle. The priest bears it devoutly in his missal. The soldier, that he may the faster haste, Lightens the girdle quickly round his waist. Pardon, Your Majesty, if I may seem To mete a lofty work but slight esteem. Faust. Treasures in superfluity still sleep Within your borders, buried deep, And lie unused. Thought in its widest measure Gives the most meagre bounds to such a treasure. Imagination in its highest flight, Strain as it may, can't soar to such a height. Yet spirits, fit to fathom the unsounded, Have boundless confidence in the unbounded. Mephistopheles. Nor gold nor pearls are half as handy as Such paper. Then a man knows what he has. There is no need of higgling or exchanging; In love and wine one can at will be ranging. If you want metal, changers are at hand; If lacking there, dig for a while the land. Goblet and chain are auctioned off and sold; Paper redeemed without delay in gold Confounds the doubter who had scoffed and taunted. This men demand, to metals they are wonted. Ready at hand the Emperor's realm will hold Henceforth enough of paper, jewels, gold. Emperor. Our realm owes you this great prosperity; As is the service, the reward should be. Our empire's soil be trusted to your care, The worthiest guardians of the treasures there. You know the vast and well-preserved hoard, And when men dig, it's you must give the word. Become as one, ye masters of our treasure, Fulfil your stations' dignities with pleasure Here where in blest accord and unity The upper and the lower world agree. Treasurer. Twixt us no slightest strife shall cause division; I love to have as colleague the magician. Exit with FAUST. Emperor. If now I shall endow each man of you, Let each confess what use he'll put it to. A Page [receiving]. I'll joy to live, be glad and gay. Another Page [likewise]. My love shall have a chain and rings today. A Chamberlain [accepting]. Wine twice as good shall henceforth down me trickle. Another Chamberlain [likewise]. I feel the dice inside my pocket tickle. A Banneret [thoughtfully]. From debt I'll make my land sand castle free. Another Banneret [likewise]. I'll add this treasure to my treasury. Emperor. I hoped for joy and heart for new emprise, But knowing you one can your course surmise. Well do I see, with all this treasure-store You still remain just as you were before. Fool [approaching]. You're scattering favours, grant me some, I pray. Emperor. Alive again? You'd soon drink them away. Fool. The magic leaves! I don't quite comprehend- Emperor. Of course, for you'd put them to some bad end. Fool. Still more drop there, I don't know what to do. Emperor. Just pick them up, I let them fall for you. Exit. Fool. Five thousand crowns are mine? How unexpected! Mephistopheles. Two-legged wineskin, are you resurrected? Fool. That happens oft but like this never yet. Mephistopheles. You are so glad you're breaking out in sweat. Fool. Is that the same as cash? Look, are you sure? Mephistopheles. What throat and belly want it will procure. Fool. And cattle can I buy and house and land? Mephistopheles. Of course! Just bid and they will be at hand. Fool. Castle with wood, chase, fish-brook? Mephistopheles. On my word! I'd like to see you as a stern Milord! Fool. Tonight a landed owner I shall sit! Exit. Mephistopheles [solus]. Who still will have a doubt of our fool's wit? A DARK GALLERY FAUST. MEPHISTOPHELES. Mephistopheles. Why draw me into this dark gallery? Is not in there enough of sport, Enough of fun and fraud and raillery Amid the crowded motley of the court? Faust. Don't speak of tricks! Your jests are old and hoary; Down to the very soles you've worn that story; But now you're going to and fro to flee From having any talk with me. I am tormented further things to do; The Chamberlain is urging and the Steward too. The Emperor orders- straightway must it be- Both Helena and Paris will he see, Of man and woman in their true ideal Demands to see the forms distinct and real. To work! I gave my word- I must not break it. Mephistopheles. A foolish promise- fool you were to make it. Faust. Whither your powers lead us, friend, You have not well reflected; We first have made him rich- no end! Now to amuse him we're expected. Mephistopheles. You fancy these things easy to arrange. Here where we stand, the steps are steeper. You grapple with a realm most strange, And wantonly will plunge in debt still deeper. You think that Helena is summoned here As quickly as the paper spectres were. With witches' witchery and ghostly ghost, With changeling dwarfs I'm ready at my post; But devils' darlings, though one may not flout them, As heroines no one goes mad about them. Faust. There you go harping on the same old chord! Into uncertainty you always lead us, Sire of all hindrances that can impede us; For each new help you want a new reward. Mutter a little and the deed is done; She will be here ere I can turn me. Mephistopheles. The heathen-folk do not concern me. They occupy a hell that's all their own. But help there is. Faust. Quick! Tell its history! Mephistopheles. Not glad do I reveal a loftier mystery- Enthroned sublime in solitude are goddesses; Around them is no place, a time still less; To speak of them embarrasses. They are the Mothers! Faust [terrified]. Mothers! Mephistopheles. Do you fear? Faust. The Mothers! Mothers! Strange the word I hear. Mephistopheles. Strange is it. Goddesses, to men unknown, Whom we are loath to name or own. Deep must you dig to reach their dwelling ever; You are to blame that now we need their favour. Faust. Whither the way? Mephistopheles. No way! To the Unexplorable, Never to be explored; to the Unimplorable, Never to be implored. Are in the mood? There are no locks, no bars are to be riven; Through solitudes you will be whirled and driven. Can you imagine wastes and solitude? Faust. I think that you might save yourself such chatter; It savours of the witch's-kitchen patter After a long, long interlude. Was I not forced to live with men? Learn the inane teach the inane? If I spoke wisely, true to my conviction, Then doubly loud resounded contradiction. Indeed, from mankind, so perversely given, To solitude and deserts I was driven; Till not to be too lone and all-forsaken, At last to devil's company I've taken. Mephistopheles. And had you swum to ocean's farthest verge And utter boundlessness beheld, Still yonder you'd have seen surge upon surge; Although impending doom your fear compelled, You'd have seen something. Dolphins you'd have seen Cleaving the hushed ocean's emerald-green, Have seen the moving clouds, sun, moon, and star. Naught will you see in that vast Void afar, Nor hear your footstep when it's pressed, Nor find firm ground where you can rest. Faust. You speak as of all mystagogues the chief, Whoever brought trustful neophytes to grief; Only reversed. Into the Void I'm sent, That art and power I may there augment. You treat me like the cat's-paw you desire To snatch the chestnuts for you from the fire, Come, let us fathom it, whatever may befall, In this your Naught I hope to find my All. Mephistopheles. I praise you, truly, ere you part from me, Since that you understand the Devil I can see. Here, take this key. Faust. That tiny, little thing! Mephistopheles. Seize and esteem it, see what it may bring! Faust. It's growing in my hand! it flashes, glows! Mephistopheles. Will you see now what blessing it bestows? The key will scent the right place from all others; Follow it down, 'twill lead you to the Mothers. Faust [shuddering]. The Mothers! Like a blow it strikes my ear! What is that word that I don't like to hear? Mephistopheles. So narrow-minded, scared by each new word? Will you but hear what you've already heard? Let naught disturb you, though it strangely rings, You! long since wonted to most wondrous things. Faust. And yet in torpor there's no gain for me; The thrill of awe is man's best quality. Although the world may stifle every sense, Enthralled, man deeply senses the Immense. Mephistopheles. Descend, then! I might also tell you: Soar! It's all the same. Escape from the Existent To phantoms' unbound realms far distant! Delight in what long since exists no more! Like filmy clouds the phantoms glide along. Brandish the key, hold off the shadowy throng. Faust [inspired]. Good! Gripping it, I feel new strength arise, My breast expands. On, to the great emprise! Mephistopheles. When you at last a glowing tripod see, Then in the deepest of all realms you'll be. You'll see the Mothers in the tripod's glow, Some of them sitting, others stand and go, As it may chance. Formation, transformation, Eternal Mind's eternal re-creation. Images of all creatures hover free, They will not see you, only wraiths they see. So, then, take courage, for the danger's great. Go to that tripod, do not hesitate, And touch it with the key! FAUST assumes a decidedly commanding attitude with the key. Mephistopheles [observing him]. So- it is well 'Twill come and like a slave obey your spell. Calmly you'll rise, upborne by fortune rare, And have the tripod here ere they're aware. And when you've brought it hither, you can cite Hero and heroine from the realms of night, The first to face that deed and venture on it. It's done and you're the one who will have done it. Then must the incense-cloud, by magic hand, Turn into gods, as gods before you stand. Faust. And now what? Mephistopheles. Downward let your being strain! Stamping, sink hence and, stamping, rise again! FAUST stamps and sinks out of sight. Mephistopheles. I only hope he'll profit from the key! Will he come back? I'm curious to see. BRIGHTLY LIGHTED HALLS EMPEROR and PRINCES. The Court moving about. Chamberlain [to MEPHISTOPHELES]. The spirit-scene you promised still is owing. To work! Impatient is our master growing. Steward. A moment since His Grace inquired of me. Delay not! Don't disgrace His Majesty! Mephistopheles. Upon that errand has my comrade gone; He surely knows what's to be done. He works secludedly and still, And all his powers he perforce engages. Who'd raise that treasure, Beauty, at his will, Requires the highest art, Magic of Sages! Steward. The kind of arts you need, that is all one; It is the Emperor's will that it be done. A Blonde [to MEPHISTOPHELES]. One word, sir! See my face without a spot, But thus in tiresome summer it is not! Then brownish-red there sprout a hundred freckles Which vex my lily skin with ugly speckles. A cure! Mephistopheles. You radiant darling, what a pity, Spotted in May-time like a panther-kitty. Take frog-spawn, toads' tongues, cohobate them, And carefully, at full moon, distillate them. When the moon's waning, spread the mixture on, And when the spring has come, the spots are gone. A Brunette. To fawn around you, see the crowd advancing! I beg a remedy! A chilblained foot Hinders me much in walking and in dancing And makes me awkward even when I salute. Mephistopheles. Pray let me tread upon it with my foot. Brunette. Well, I suppose that happens between lovers. Mephistopheles. In my tread, child, a greater meaning hovers. Like unto like, whatever pain one undergo! Foot healeth foot, so is it with each member. Come here! Give heed! Don't you tread me, remember! Brunette [Screaming]. Oh, how that stings! you did tread hard! Oh! Oh! 'Twas like a horse's hoof. Mephistopheles. With this cure you can go. Dance to your heart's content, now you are able, Or foot it with your sweetheart 'neath the table. Lady [pressing forward]. Let me go through! Too painful are my sorrows; Deep in my heart this anguish burns and burrows. Till yesterday his bliss hung on my glances But now he turns his back; only her talk entrances. Mephistopheles. That's serious, but listen carefully. Press up to him quite softly, take This bit of charcoal, and then on him make A mark on sleeve or cloak or shoulder as may be; Remorse will pierce him to the very core. The coal, however, you must straightway swallow, Nor let a drop of wine or water follow; Tonight you'll have him sighing at your door. Lady. It is not poison, is it? Mephistopheles [indignant]. Respect where it is due! For such a coal you'd travel many a mile; It comes here from a funeral pile Such as whose flames we once more fiercely blew. Page. I am in love, they do not take me seriously. Mephistopheles [aside]. Whom I am now to listen to, I do not see. To the PAGE. Let not the youngest maid your fancy fetter; Those on in years know how to prize you better. Others crowd up. Still more and more? It is a brawl, in sooth! I'll help myself at last with naked truth, The worst of aids! Great is my misery.- O Mothers, Mothers! Do let Faust go free! Gazing around him. The lights are burning dimly in the hall, At once the Court starts forward, one and all. I see them file according to their grades Through distant galleries and long arcades. Now they're assembling in that ample space, The old Knight's Hall; yet hardly all find place. The spacious walls with tapestries are rich, While armour decorates each nook and niche. Here is no need, methinks, of magic incantation, Ghosts will come here without an invitation. HALL OF THE KNIGHTS Dim illumination. The EMPEROR and Court have entered. Herald. Mine ancient office of announcing plays Is marred by spirits' mystic interference; In vain one dares in reasonable ways To fathom their mysterious appearance. The chairs are placed, the seats are ready all; The Emperor is seated just before the wall; Upon the arras there he may with ease behold The glorious battles that men fought of old. Now Emperor and Court are seated here; The benches crowd together in the rear; And lovers in this spirit-hour's uncanny gloom Have found beside their loved ones lovely room. And so, since all have duly taken places, We're ready, let the spirits come and face us! Trumpets. Astrologer. Now let the drama start without delay. Our Sire commands! Ye walls, give way! Naught hinders now. Here magic doth conspire; The arras rolls away as if by fire. The wall is splitting, turning in the gloom, A deep stage seems to be appearing, A light mysterious to be nearing, And I ascend to the proscenium. Mephistopheles [rising to view in the prompter's box]. I hope for favour here from all and each, For promptings are the Devil's art of speech. To the ASTROLOGER. You know the tempo of the stars on high; You'll understand my whispering masterly. Astrologer. By magic might before us doth appear, Massive enough, an ancient temple here. Like Atlas who upheld the sky of old, Columns enough, in rows, you can behold. Well for the weight of stone may they suffice, Since two could bear a mighty edifice. Architect. So that's antique! I can't say I would praise it; Top-heavy, clumsy, is the way to phrase it. Rude is called noble, awkward great; far more I love slim shafts that boundless soar. High pointed arches lift the soul on high, Such edifices most do edify. Astrologer. Receive with reverent awe star-granted hours By magic's spells enthralled be Reason's powers, And in its stead, arising far and free, Reign glorious, daring Phantasy! What you desired so boldly, be it now perceived; It is impossible, therefore to be believed. FAUST rises to view on the other side of the proscenium. Astrologer. In priestly robe and wreathed, a wonder-man! Who'll now fulfil what he in faith began, A tripod with him from the depths below. Now from the bowl the incense-perfumes flow. He girds himself, the lofty work to bless; Henceforth there can be nothing but success. Faust [in the grand manner]. In your name, Mothers! ye who have your throne In boundless space, eternally alone, Yet not alone. Around your heads there waver Life's images, astir, yet lifeless ever. What once has been, in radiance supernal, It's stirring there, for it would be eternal, And ye allot it, Powers who all things sway, To vaulted night, to canopy of day. On some the lovely stream of life lays hold, Others are sought by the magician bold; Boldly in rich profusion he displays The marvel whereon each would like to gaze. Astrologer. The glowing key doth scarcely touch the bowl, Over the prospect misty vapours roll; They creep along, then cloud-like on they fare, Spread out, round off, entwine, they part, they pair. Now note a mystic masterpiece! For lo! The vaporous clouds make music as they go. Aerial tones bring forth- what can it be? While they proceed, all turns to melody. The columned shaft, the very triglyph, rings; Yea, I believe that all the temple sings. The mist is sinking; from the filmy haze A handsome youth steps forth with measured pace. Here ends my task, I do not need to name him; As gentle Paris who would not proclaim him? PARIS steps forth. A Lady. What glorious, blooming youth and strength I see! A Second Lady. Fresh as a peach, as full of juice, is he! A Third Lady. The finely chiselled, sweetly swelling lip! A Fourth Lady. From such a cup how would you like to sip? A Fifth Lady. He's handsome, yes, and yet not quite refined. A Sixth Lady. A bit more graceful might he be, I find. A Knight. I think I see him when a shepherd boy. He's wearing No traces of a prince and naught of courtly bearing. Another Knight. Oh, well! Half nude the youth is fair to look upon, But we must see him with his armour on. A Lady. He seats him gently and with easy grace. A Knight. You'd find his lap, perchance, a pleasant place? Another Lady. He lays his arm so lightly over his head. A Chamberlain. That's not allowed! How thoroughly ill-bred! A Lady. You lords can always find some fault to cavil at. Chamberlain. Before the very Emperor to stretch himself like that! A Lady. He's only playing, thinks he's quite alone. Chamberlain. A play too should be courteous near the throne. A Lady. Sleep captures now the charming youth completely! Chamberlain. And now he'll snore, quite properly and meetly! A Young Lady [enraptured]. What fragrance with the incense-stream is blending, Refreshment to my inmost bosom sending! An Older Lady. A zephyr pierces deep into my soul, in truth! It comes from him. A Very Old Lady. It is the bloom of youth, Ambrosia-like within the boy distilling And all the atmosphere around us filling. HELENA appears. Mephistopheles. So that is she! She'd not disturb my rest; Pretty indeed, but still I'm not impressed. Astrologer. For me right now there's nothing more to do; I see and honourably confess it true. The Fair One comes, and had I tongues of fire!- Always did Beauty many songs inspire. Who sees her is enrapt! and far too blessed For human lot the man who her possessed. Faust. Have I still eyes? Is Beauty's spring, outpouring, Revealed most richly to my inmost soul? My dread path brought me to this loftiest goal! Void was the world and barred to my exploring! What is it now since this my priesthood's hour? Worth wishing for, firm-based, a lasting dower! Vanish from me my every vital power If I forsake thee, treacherous to my duty! The lovely form that once my fancy captured, That in the magic glass enraptured, Was but a foam-born phantom of such beauty!- To thee alone I render up with gladness The very essence of my passion, Fancy, desire, love, worship, madness! Mephistopheles [from the prompter's box). Be calm! Don't drop your role in such a fashion! An Elderly Lady. Tall, well-formed, but her head's too small for me. A Fairly Young Lady. Just see her foot! How could it clumsier be? A Diplomat. I have seen princesses of this same kind! She's beautiful from head to foot, I find. A Courtier. She nears the sleeper, cunningly demure. A Lady. How hideous by that form so young and pure! A Poet. By her rare beauty he is beamed upon. A Lady. A picture! Luna and Endymion! A Poet. Quite right! and now the goddess seems to sink, Bends over him as if his breath to drink. How enviable!- A kiss!- The cup is full. A Duenna. Before the crowd! My word! That is too cool. Faust. A fearful favour for the youth! Mephistopheles. Be still And let the phantom do all that it will. A Courtier. She steals away, light-footed. He awakes. A Lady. Just as I thought, another look she takes. A Courtier. He is astounded, thinks a wonder doth occur. A Lady. But what she sees, no wonder is to her. A Courtier. She turns around to him with charming grace. A Lady. I see, she'll take him now into her school; Stupid is every man in such a case. He thinks, I guess, that he's the first- the fool! A Knight. She'll pass with me! A fine, majestic air! A Lady. The courtesan! How vulgar, I declare! A Page. Where he is now, oh, would that I were there! A Courtier. In such a net who would not fain be caught? A Lady. Through many hands has gone that jewel rare; Even the gilding's rather worse for wear. Another Lady. From her tenth year she has been good for naught. A Knight. Each makes the best his own as chance obtains; I'd be contented with these fair remains. A Dryasdust Scholar. I see her plainly and yet, frankly, I can see That one may doubt if she the right one be. What's present always causes obfuscation; I like to cling to written attestation. And there I read that, soon as she was sighted, The Trojan greybeards all were most delighted. Methinks, that fits the case here perfectly. I am not young and yet she pleases me. Astrologer. A youth no more! A man, heroic, brave, Embraces her who scarce herself can save. Strong-armed, he lifts her high in air. Will he, then, bear her off? Faust. Rash fool, beware! You dare? You hear not? Halt! It is too much! Mephistopheles. Why, this mad phantom-play, you've made it such! Astrologer. But one word more! From all we've seen today, I call the piece The Rape of Helena. Faust. What! "Rape?" Fellow, am I for naught here? This key do I not hold it in my hand, I whom through stormy solitudes it brought here, Through waves of horror to this solid land? Here do I plant my foot! Realities are here, Here strife with spirits may the spirit dare And for itself the great twin-realm prepare. Though she was far, how can she nearer be? I'll save her and then doubly mine is she. I dare! Ye Mothers, Mothers! grant this favour! Who once has known her can renounce her never! Astrologer. What are you doing, Faustus, Faustus! With what might He seizes her! The form is fading from our sight. Toward the youth he turns the key, and lo! He's touching him!- Now! it is done! Ah, woe on woe! Explosion. FAUST lies on the ground. The phantoms dissolve in vapour. Mephistopheles [taking FAUST on his shoulder]. So there it is! To deal with fools is evil And in the end it even harms the Devil. Darkness, tumult. ACT II A HIGH-VAULTED, NARROW, GOTHIC CHAMBER FORMERLY FAUST'S, UNALTERED Mephistopheles [appears from behind a curtain. As he raises the curtain and looks back, FAUST is seen stretched out on an old-fashioned bed]. Lie there, poor wretch! seduced, unwise, Scarce to be rescued from Love's chain! Whom Helena doth paralyze, His reason he'll not soon regain. Looking around him. I look around and through the glimmer Unchanged, uninjured all appears; Methinks the coloured window-panes are dimmer, The cobwebs have increased with years. The ink is dry, the paper brown and sere, Yet all is in its place, in very fact; Even the pen's still lying here Which Faust used when he signed the pact. Aye, deeper in the pen is lurking still A trace of blood I lured him on to spill. To find a relic so unique as this Would be some great collector's highest bliss. From its old hook the old fur coat's half falling, Those merry jests of mine recalling Which once I taught that lad as truth, Which still may nourish his ingenuous youth. Rough, fur-warm cloak, encased in you, A great desire comes on me truly To show off as a proud professor newly, As men think they've a perfect right to do. The learned know how to attain that level; It is an art long since lost by the Devil. He shakes the fur coat which he has taken down. Crickets, beetles, and moths fly out. Chorus of Insects. Hail! welcome thy coming, Thou patron of yore! We're flying and humming And know thee once more. All singly, in quiet, Didst plant us, and lo! In thousands, O Father, We dance to and fro. The rogue in the bosom Is deeply concealed; The insects in fur coats Are sooner revealed. Mephistopheles. With what surprising joy this youthful brood I view! Aye, only sow, you'll harvest when the time is due. I'll give the old fur coat a second clout; Still here and there another flutters out. Up and about, ye darlings, helter-skelter, And quickly in a thousand nooks seek shelter: Where ancient pasteboard boxes stand, In yellowed parchment here at hand, Where dusty shards of old pots lie, In yonder death's-head's hollow eye. Amid such trash and mouldering life Crickets and crotchets must be rife. He slips into the fur coat. Come, cloak my shoulders as of yore, Head of the house as heretofore. Yet boots it little so to name me; Where are the people to acclaim me? He pulls the bell which gives out a shrill, penetrating sound, making the halls tremble and the doors fly open. Famulus [tottering down the long, dark corridor]. What a clanging! What a quaking! Stairs are rocking, walls are shaking! Through the windows' motley quiver I see summer lightning shiver. Over me cracks the ancient flooring, Down come lime and rubbish pouring; And the door, securely bolted, Magic power has open jolted. There! How terrible! A giant Stands in Faust's old fur, defiant! At his look, his beck, his winking, On my knees I'm near to sinking. Shall I stay? or shall I flee? Oh, what will become of me? Mephistopheles [beckoning]. Come here, my friend! Your name is Nicodemus. Famulus. Most worthy sir! That is my name- Oremus. Mephistopheles. That we'll omit! Famulus. You know me! What a thrill! Mephistopheles. I know you well, old and a student still, Moss-covered sir! Also a learned man Still studies on since there's naught else he can. A moderate house of cards one builds him so; The greatest mind does not complete it, though. And yet your master! Great his gifts and fame; Who does not know good Doctor Wagner's name? First in the learned world! 'Tis he alone, they say, Who holds the world together; every day He proves that he is wisdom's multiplier. Hearers and listeners who eagerly aspire To universal knowledge, round him flock. None from the rostrum can shine meeter; He handles keys as doth St. Peter; Lower and Upper, both he can unlock. Like his- as Wagner glows and sparkles- No other's fame can hold its ground. The very name of Faustus darkles; Wagner alone has sought and found. Famulus. Pardon, good sir, for asking your attention The while I make an humble intervention: With what you've said there can be no dissension, But modesty is his allotted part. Since that great man's mysterious disappearing He knows not where to turn in his despairing; For Faust's return he prays with all his heart, And thence for weal and solace. None may enter The room which Doctor Faustus left. Forlorn, Untouched, it waits its lord's return. To enter it I scarcely dare to venture. What aspect of the stars must now appear? It seemed to me as if the stout walls quivered, The door-posts trembled, bolts were shivered, Else you yourself could not have come in here. Mephistopheles. Where has the man gone? Where is he? Lead me to him! Bring him to me! Famulus. Ah, sir! Too strict his orders are a bit, I know not if I dare to venture it. Month after month to great work he's been giving, In stillest stillness he's been living. The daintiest of men of learning Looks now as if he had been charcoal-burning, His face all black from ears to nose, His eyes all red from flames he blows. Each moment for the next he longs; His music is the clang of tongs. Mephistopheles. And shall he entrance now deny me? I'll speed his luck- just let him try me! FAMULUS goes out, MEPHISTOPHELES Sits down gravely. Scarce am I settled here at rest, When yonder stirs a well-known guest. But now most up-to-date is he; He'll brag and swagger boundlessly. Bachelor of Arts [storming along the corridor]. Gate and door I find are opeing! Well, at least one can be hoping That no more in mould unfitting Men alive, yet dead, are sitting, Pining, rotting, mortifying, And of living still be dying. Here each wall and each partition Bends down, sinking to perdition. If we hence don't soon betake us, Ruin dire will overtake us. I am bold, no one can match me, Yet no farther will one catch me. But today what am I learning! Many years ago, a yearning Freshman, I came hither, fluttering, Anxious and abashed and stuttering. Here I trusted long-beards' tattle, Edified me on their prattle. Into heavy, dry tomes reaching, What they knew they lied in teaching, Taught without themselves believing, Me, themselves, of life bereaving. What! there in the cell off yonder, Dimly-lit, one sits asunder! Stranger still, as I draw nearer, Sits he there, the brown fur-wearer, As I left him, piece for piece, Still in that old shaggy fleece! Subtle then he seemed to be, Not yet understood by me, But today 'twill not avail him. Up and on now to assail him! If, ancient sir, your bald head, sidewards bending, Has into Lethe's dreary waters not been drawn, Acknowledge now your pupil hither wending Who academic rods has quite outgrown. I find you still as then when I began; But I am here again, another man! Mephistopheles. I'm glad brought you with my tinkling. The other time I valued you quite high; Even in the worm, the chrysalis, an inkling Is of the future, gaily-coloured butterfly. Curls and a fine lace-collar wearing, You showed a child-like pleasure in your bearing. I guess you never wore a queue? I see, today cropped like a Swede are you. You look quite brave and resolute, But pray don't go home absolute. Bachelor of Arts. Old sir! there on the same old desk you're leaning, But think how time runs on today And spare your words of double meaning; We watch now in a very different way. Then with an honest stripling you were toying, Succeeded too, but little art employing. Today no one will venture that, in sooth. Mephistopheles. If, unadulterate, one says to youth What does not please the callow brood- the truth! And later after many a tide They learn it painfully on their own hide, Each fancies then it came from his own head; "The Master was a fool!" is what is said. Bachelor of Arts. Or rogue perhaps! What teacher has the grace To tell the truth directly to our face? To simple children each knows what to say, Add or subtract, now grave, now wise and gay. Mephistopheles. There is, indeed, a time to learn; You're ready now to teach, as I discern. For many a moon and now and then a sun A rich experience you have doubtless won. Bachelor of Arts. Experience! Mere foam and fluff! A peer of mind? No trace of that is showing. Confess: what men have ever known is stuff And absolutely not worth knowing... Mephistopheles [after a pause]. I long have thought so, but I was a fool; Now to myself I seem right flat and dull. Bachelor of Arts. Good! That has a reasonable sound; A greybeard talking sense at last is found! Mephistopheles. I sought a hidden treasure, one of gold; 'Twas hideous coals when all my search was done. Bachelor of Arts. Confess it then! Your skull, now bald and old, Is worth no more than yonder hollow one. Mephistopheles [good-humouredly]. You're ruder, friend, perhaps than you mean quite. Bachelor of Arts. In German people lie when they're polite. Mephistopheles [moving nearer and nearer toward the proscenium in his wheeled-chair, to the spectators]. Here I'm deprived of light and air. I wonder Could I find refuge with you people yonder? Bachelor of Arts. It is presumption that men old and hoar Seek to be something when they are no more. Man's life lives in his blood and where, forsooth, Does blood so stir as in the veins of youth? Ah, that is living blood, with vigour rife, Creating newer life from its own life. There all is stirring, there is something done, The weak fall out, the capable press on. While half the world we've brought beneath our sway, What have you done? Thought, nodded, dreamed away, Considered plan on plan- and nothing won. It's certain! Age is but an ague cold, Chill with its fancies of distress and dread. Once a man's thirty, he's already old, He is indeed as good as dead. 'Twere best to kill him right away. Mephistopheles. The Devil, here, has nothing more to say. Bachelor of Arts. Unless I will it, no devil can there be. Mephistopheles [aside]. The Devil, though, will trip you presently. Bachelor of Arts. This is youth's noblest message and most fit! The world was not till I created it. 'Twas I that led the sun up from the sea; The moon began its changeful course with me. The day put on rich garments, me to meet; The earth grew green and blossomed, me to greet. At my behest in that primeval night The stars unveiled their splendour to my sight. Who, if not I, your own deliverance wrought From fetters of Philistine, cramping thought? I, as my spirit bids me, with delight I follow onward mine own inner light. Swift I proceed with mine own raptured mind, Glory before me, darkness far behind. Exit. Mephistopheles. Original, in all your glory take your way! How would true insight make you grieve! What wise or stupid thing can man conceive That was not thought in ages passed away? Danger from him will cause us little bother, He will be changed when a few years have passed; Though must within the cask may raise a pother, It turns to wine no less at last. To the younger portion of the audience who do not applaud. I see my words have left you cold; Good children, I'll not take it evil. Remember that the Devil's old; Grow old, to understand the Devil. LABORATORY In the style of the Middle Ages; scattered, clumsy apparatus for fantastic purposes Wagner [at the furnace]. The bell resounds with fearful clangour, The sooty walls thrill its vibration. No longer can remain uncertain My great, most earnest expectation. Darkness is lifting like a curtain. Within the phial's inmost chamber It's glowing like a living ember, Yea, like a glorious carbuncle, gleaming And flashing, through the darkness streaming. A clear white light comes into view! Oh, may it not escape once more!- Ah, God! what's rattling at the door? Mephistopheles [entering]. Welcome! I mean it well with you. Wagner [anxiously]. Welcome in this auspicious hour! Softly. Don't speak or even breathe, though, I implore! Achieved is soon a glorious undertaking. Mephistopheles [more softly]. What is it, then? Wagner [more softly]. A man is in the making! Mephistopheles. A man? And, pray, what lovesick pair Have you shut in the chimney-flue? Wagner. May God forbid! Begetting, as men used to do, Both vain and senseless we declare. The tender point whence life used to begin, The gracious outward urgence from within, To take and give, to have its likeness known, Near and remote alike to make its own- All that has lost its former dignity. Whereas delighted with it still the beast may be, A man with his great gifts must henceforth win A higher, even higher origin. Turning toward the furnace. It flashes, see! Now truly we may hold That if from substances a hundredfold, Through mixture- for on mixture all depends- Man's substance gently be consolidated, In an alembic sealed and segregated, And properly be cohobated, In quiet and success the labour ends. Turning toward the furnace again. 'Twill be! The mass is working clearer, Conviction gathers, truer, nearer. What men as Nature's mysteries would hold, All that to test by reason we make bold, And what she once was wont to organize, That we bid now to crystallize. Mephistopheles. Whoever lives long learns full many things; By naught in this world can he ever be surprised. I've seen already in my wanderings Many a mortal who was crystallized. Wagner [hitherto constantly attentive to the phial]. It rises, flashes, gathers on; A moment, and the deed is done. A great design at first seems mad; but we Henceforth will laugh at chance in procreation, And such a brain that is to think transcendently Will be a thinker's own creation. Looking at the phial rapturously. The glass resounds with lovely might; It dims, it clears; life must begin to be. A dainty figure greets my sight; A pretty manikin I see. What more do we or does the world want now? The mystery's within our reach. Come, hearken to this sound, and listen how It turns to voice, it turns to speech. Homunculus [in the phial, to WAGNER]. Well, Daddy! how are you? It was no jest. Come, press me tenderly upon your breast, But not too hard, for fear the glass might shatter. That is the property of matter: For what is natural the All has place; What's artificial needs restricted space. To MEPHISTOPHELES. How now, Sir Cousin, rogue, are you here too? And at the proper moment? Many thanks to you! You've been led here by some good destiny. The while I'm living, active must I be. Fain would I gird me for the work straightway; You are adroit and can curtail my way. Wagner. But one word more! I'm shamed that answers fail me, When with their problems young and old assail me. For instance: no one's grasped how, each with either, Body and soul can fit so well together, Hold fast as if not to be separated, Yet each by other daily vexed and hated. And then- Mephistopheles. Stop? I would rather ask if he Can say why man and wife so ill agree? This point, my friend, will nevermore be clear. The little chap wants work to do and it is here. Homunculus. What's to be done? Mephistopheles [pointing to a side door]. Your talents here you're to employ! Wagner [looking steadfastly into the phial]. In truth you are the very loveliest boy! The side door opens and FAUST is seen stretched out on the couch. Homunculus [astonished]. Significant! The phial slips out of WAGNER'S hands, hovers above FAUST and illumines him. 'With beauty girt!- Clear waters moving In a dense grove and women who undress; Fairest of forms!- The picture is improving. But one outshines the rest in loveliness, From noblest heroes, nay, from gods, descended. In the translucent pool her foot she laves; The living flame of her sweet form is blended With th' cooling, clinging crystal of the waves. But what a noise of pinions swiftly dashing, And in the pool what swishing, splashing! The maidens flee abashed, but she, the queen, With calm composure gazes on the scene. With pleasure proud and womanly she sees The swan-prince nestle fondly at her knees, Importunate, yet tame. He grows more daring. But swiftly upward floats a vapour pale And covers with its closely woven veil A scene most lovely and beyond comparing. Mephistopheles. How many tales you can relate! Small as you are, in fancies you are great. I can see naught- Homunculus. Of course. You from the North, In ages dark and drear brought forth, In all the murk of knighthood and of papistry, How could your vision, then, be clear and free? Only in gloom are you at home. Looking around. Bemouldered stone-work, dingy, horrid, With pointed arches low and florid! If this man wakes, there'll be new things to dread; At once upon the spot he will lie dead. Prophetic dreams of wood and springs beguile him, Of swans and naked beauties. Here, In such a place, how could he reconcile him, Which I, the most adaptable, scarce bear? Now off with him! Mephistopheles. Whither I'll hear with pleasure. Homunculus. Command the warrior to the fight, Lead forth the maid to tread a measure; Then all is fitting, all is right. Just now- my memory brings to light- Is Classical Walpurgis Night. For him could be no happier event Than to be taken to his element. Mephistopheles. Of that I've never chanced to hear. Homunculus. How would it come, pray, to your ear? Only romantic ghosts are known to you; A ghost that's genuine must be classic too. Mephistopheles. But whither, then, are we to travel? Tell me! Your antique cronies now repel me. Homunculus. Satan, northwest is where you're wont to play, But to the southeast we will sail today. Along a great plain is Peneus flowing free, Its silent bays shadowed by bush and tree. To mountain gorges sweeps the level view, Above it stands Pharsalus old and new. Mephistopheles. Alack! have done! and call not old dissension 'Twixt tyranny and slavery to my attention. It wearies me, no sooner is it done. When once more is the same old fight begun. And no one notes that he is but the game Of Asmodeus who still fans the flame. They're fighters, so they say, for freedom's rights; More closely scanned, it's slave with slave that fights. Homunculus. Oh, leave to men their fractious being. Each must defend himself as best he can, From boyhood up; thus he becomes a man. To this man's cure we must be seeing. Come, prove it here if you've a remedy; If you have not, then leave the cure to me. Mephistopheles. Many a Brocken-game I might essay, But heathen bolts, I'll find, will block my way. The Greeks were never worth much, it is true, Yet their free play of senses dazzles you, The heart of man to happy vices winning. Gloomy will always seem our ways of sinning. What now? Homunculus. I know you're free of squeamish twitches! And if I touch upon Thessalian witches, I think I have not talked for naught. Mephistopheles [lustfully]. Thessalian witches! They are persons- well, For them I long have asked and sought. Night after night with them to dwell Is not, I'd say, a pleasant thought; Let's spy them, try them, though- Homunculus. The mantle there! Come, wrap it straightway round the knight! As heretofore the rag will bear You both upon your novel flight. I'll light the way. Wagner [anxiously]. And I? Homunculus. Well, you Will stay at home, most weighty work to do. Open the parchment-sheets, collect Life-elements as the recipes direct, With caution fitting each to other. Ponder The What- to solve the How still harder try, While through a little piece of world I wander To find the dot to put upon the i. Accomplished then will the great purpose be. Striving earns high requital: wealth, Honour and fame, long life and perfect health, Knowledge and virtue too- well, possibly. Farewell! Wagner [sorrowfully]. Farewell! My heart is wrung with pain. I fear that I will see you never again. Mephistopheles. Now to Peneus, quick, descend! Sir Coz shall not be meanly rated. To the spectators. It's true, at last we all depend On creatures we ourselves created. CLASSICAL WALPURGIS NIGHT PHARSALIAN FIELDS Darkness. Erichtho. To this night's awful festival, as oft before, I stride in view, Erichtho, I the gloomy one, Not so atrocious as the tiresome poet-crew Calumniate me to excess... They never end In praise and censure... Even now the vale appears Far, over-whitened with the billows of gray tents, Spectres of that most dire and most appalling night. How oft it has recurred already! Evermore It will recur forever... No one grants the realm Unto another, none to him who through his might Has won and rules it. For each one who knows not how To rule his own, his inborn self, is all too fain To rule his neighbour's will, as prompts his own proud mind... Here was a great example fought even to the end: How violence opposes greater violence, How freedom's lovely, thousand-blossomed wreath is rent, And the stiff laurel bends around the ruler's head. Here of an early budding greatness Pompey dreamed, There Caesar by the wavering balance watchful lay! Strength will they measure. And the world knows now who won. The watch-fires glow and flash, diffusing ruddy flames; The ground where blood was shed exhales reflected light; And by the night's most rare and wondrous splendour lured, The legion of Hellenic myths assembles here. Round all the watch-fires fabled forms of ancient days Hover uncertain to and fro or sit at ease... In truth, not fully orbed, yet radiant bright, the moon Is rising, spreading gentle splendour everywhere; The tents' illusion vanishes, the lights burn blue. But lo! above my head what sudden meteor! It beams and it illumines a corporeal ball. 'Tis life I scent. Becoming is it not for me That I approach the living, doing harm to them. That brings me evil fame and benefits me not. Already it sinks down. Discreetly I withdraw. Moves away. The AERONAUTS overhead. Homunculus. Once again around I hover, Flames and horrors dire I follow; Spectral all that I discover In the vale and in the hollow. Mephistopheles. As through my old window looking Midst far northern waste and gloom, Ghosts revolting I see spooking, Here as there I am at home. Homunculus. See! a woman tall is stalking In long strides before us there. Mephistopheles. As if scared, it seems, she's walking, Saw us coming through the air. Homunculus. Let her stalk! Set down the burden Of your knight, for near at hand Are the new life and the guerdon That he seeks in fable-land. Faust [touching the soil]. Where is she? Homunculus. That's a question over-tasking, But here you'll learn, I think, by asking. Make ready, go ere it is day; From flame to flame inquiring wander. Who to the Mothers dared the way, Has nothing more to fear or ponder. Mephistopheles. Here I too claim a part to play, Yet for our weal naught better can I say Than that each one amid the fires Should seek his own adventures and desires. Then as a sign to reunite us, Let, little friend, your lantern sound and light us. Homunculus. Thus shall it ring and light display. The glass resounds and emits a powerful light. Now to new wonders, quick away! Exit. Faust [alone]. Where is she?- now no further question make... Though it be not the soil on which she stepped, Nor this the wave that to her coming leapt, Yet 'tis the air that speaks the tongue she spake. Here by a wonder! Here in Grecian land! I felt at once the earth on which I stand. As, while I slept, new strength my limbs was steeling, I rise renewed, Antaeus in my feeling. And while the strangest things assembled here I find, I'll search this labyrinth of flames with serious mind. Goes away. BY THE UPPER PENEUS Mephistopheles [peering around]. As mid these little fires I wander aimless, I find myself quite strange and disconcerted. Naked are almost all, some few are shirted; The griffins impudent, the sphinxes shameless, Winged, curly things- who'll ever dare to name them? Seen fore and aft, they're crude enough to shame them... It's true, indecency is our ideal, But the antique is too alive and real. By modern taste the nude should be controlled And overlaid in fashions manifold. A loathsome folk! yet so I must not treat them; As new-come guest I should politely greet them... Hail, ye wise grizzlies, hail, ye ladies fair! A Griffin [snarling]. Not grizzlies! Griffins! No one likes to hear Himself called grizzly. In each word there rings An echo of the source from which it springs. Graves, growling, grumpy, gruesome, grim, and grey, All of one sort in etymology are they, And put us out of sorts. Mephistopheles. Yet- not to leave this thesis- The gri in your proud title Griffin pleases. Griffin [as above and continuously so]. Of course! The kinship has been proved to hold. 'Tis true, it's oft rebuked but oftener extolled. Let one but grip at maidens, crowns, and gold; Fortune is mostly gracious to the Gripper bold. Ants of the colossal kind. You speak of gold! In great heaps did we hoard it, In rocky caverns secretly we stored it; The Arimaspians have nosed it out, They bore it off so far they laugh and shout. Griffin. We'll bring them to confess their deed. Arimaspians. But not in this free night of jubilee. Ere morning all will squandered be; This time we'll probably succeed. Mephistopheles [who has seated himself between the SPHINXES]. How pleasantly I grow familiar here; I understand them one and all. A Sphinx. We breathe our spirit-tones into your ear, And then you render them material. Until we know you better, tell your name. Mephistopheles. Men think that many a title I may claim. Are Britons here? Such travellers are they; Cascades and battlefields they love to trace, Ruins and many a musty classic place; A worthy goal they would find here today. They testified that in the old stage-play I was seen there as "Old Iniquity." A Sphinx. How did they hit on that? Mephistopheles. It puzzles even me. A Sphinx. Perhaps!- Do you know planets and their power? What say you to the aspect of the hour? Mephistopheles [looking upward]. Star courses star, I see the clipped moon glide And feel quite happy at your cosy side; I'll warm myself against your lion's-hide. 'Twould hurt to soar up, I'd but go astray. Propound some riddles or charades to play. A Sphinx. Express yourself; that too will be a riddle. See if your inmost essence you can rede: "What both the pious and the wicked need: For those a breastplate for ascetic fencing, For these a comrade crazy pranks advancing, Both but the joy of Zeus enhancing." First Griffin [snarling]. I don't like him. Second Griffin [snarling more loudly]. What is it he wants here? Both. The nasty wretch belongs not in our sphere! Mephistopheles [brutally]. You think perhaps the guest's nails do not scratch And with your sharp claws cannot match? Just try it! A Sphinx [gently]. Here you might forever stay, But from our midst you'll drive yourself away. At home you think to do just as you please, But if I err not, here you're ill at ease. Mephistopheles. Right appetizing are you upward from the bosom, But further down your beastly part is gruesome. A Sphinx. These words, you hypocrite, you'll surely rue, Because our paws are sound; but I can see That with that shrunken horse's-foot you do Not feel at ease in our society. SIRENS prelude overhead. Mephistopheles. What birds are they who're cradled yonder On boughs beside the poplared river? A Sphinx. Beware! The best of men have ever Been led by that singsong to wander. Sirens. Ah, why mar thy taste completely, Mid these hideous wonders dwelling? Hear our notes accordant swelling, See our hosts come singing sweetly As becometh sirens meetly. Sphinxes [mocking them in the same melody]. Force them down! And so reveal them! Mid the branches they conceal them; Nasty falcon-claws they're wearing And will fall on thee, unsparing, If thou lendest willing ear. Sirens. Hence with hate, let envy perish! We the purest pleasures cherish Strewn beneath the sky's blue sphere! On the earth and on the ocean Let him see in every motion Sign of welcome and of cheer. Mephistopheles. What novelties and how assuring When both from string and voice alluring The tones about each other twine. But lost on me is all the trilling, Tickling my ears but never thrilling Down in its depths this heart of mine. Sphinxes. Speak not of heart! Vain so to call it! A shrivelled-up, old leathern wallet Would better with your face combine. Faust [approaching]. How strangely satisfying are these creatures! Repulsive, yet what big, compelling features! I feel now the approach of some good chance; Whither is hailing me that earnest glance? Referring to the SPHINXES. Before such Oedipus once stood his ground; Referring to the SIRENS. Before such did Ulysses writhe, in hemp fast bound; Referring to the ANTS. By such was noblest treasure once amassed; Referring to the GRIFFINS. By these 'twas kept inviolate to the last. New spirit thrills me when I see all these; Great are the figures, great the memories. Mephistopheles. In former times such creatures you'd have scouted Which now it seems that you approve; Aye, when one seeks his lady-love, Monsters themselves are welcome and not flouted. Faust [to the SPHINXES]. Ye forms like women, answer me and say: Has anyone of you seen Helena? Sphinxes. We did not last till Helena's generation; Hercules slew the last ones of our nation. From Chiron you might get the information. This ghostly night he's galloping around; If he will stop for you, you've gained much ground. Sirens. With us too thou wouldst not miss it!... When Ulysses, with us whiling, Sped not past us, unreviling, Much he told made bright his visit; All his tales we'd tell to thee If thou camest to renew thee To our meadows by the sea. A Sphinx. Sir, hark not to trickery! Whereas Ulysses to the mast, Let us now with good counsel bind thee. If lofty Chiron thou canst find thee, What I have sworn, thou wilt learn at last. FAUST goes away. Mephistopheles [vexed]. What croaks on pinions rushing by? So fast that they elude the eye? Swiftly in single file they fly. A hunter tires of such as these. A Sphinx. Like to the storm that winter harrows, Reached scarcely by Alcides' arrows, They are the swift Stymphalides. They mean well with their croak-salute, Their vulture's-beak, their goose's-foot. Here in our midst they'd like to be And prove they're of our pedigree. Mephistopheles [as if intimidated]. Some other things are hissing shrill. A Sphinx. For fear of these you need not quake; They are the heads of the Lernaean snake; Cut from the trunk, they think they're something still. But say, what's wrong? why so distressful? Why this behaviour so unrestful? Where would you go? Be off, good-by!- I see, that chorus twists your neck awry. Don't force yourself to stay! Go, leave this place, Greet yonder many a charming face. The Lamiae, wanton wenches, you'll find there, Their foreheads brazen, faces smiling, As when the satyrs they're beguiling. There all things may a goat's-foot dare. Mephistopheles. You'll stay here and I'll find you here again? Sphinxes. Yes! Go and mingle with the airy train. We long ago are wont, from Egypt coming here, To sit enthroned to the thousandth year. Respect to our position you must pay. Thus rule we lunar, rule we solar day. At the pyramids our station, We look on the doom of races, War and peace and inundation, With eternal changeless faces. BY THE LOWER PENEUS PENEUS surrounded by waters and nymphs. Peneus. Wake and stir, ye whispering bushes, Softly breathe, ye reeds and rushes, Rustle, willows by the river, Lisp, ye poplar sprays a-quiver, To my interrupted dream!... Fearful, stirring breezes wake me And mysterious tremors shake me From my rippling, restful stream. Faust [stepping to the edge of the river]. If I dare such fancies harbour, Deep within the tangled arbour Of these twigs and bushes noises Sounded as of human voices. Wave doth seem a very chatter, Zephyr sounds a jesting patter. Nymphs [to FAUST]. Ah, best were it for thee To lie here, reviving In coolness thy members Worn out by their striving, The rest thus enjoying That from thee doth flee; We'll rustle, we'll murmur, We'll whisper to thee. Faust. I am awake! Oh, let them stay me, Those peerless forms, and let them sway me As mine eye sees them in its quest. What thrills run through my every member! Do I but dream? Do I remember? Ah, once before was I so blessed. A cooling stream is softly gliding, Amid the trembling copse half hiding; It scarcely murmurs in its flow. From every side, clear and delighting, A hundred streamlets are uniting To fill a bath-like pool below. The fair young limbs of women trouble The liquid mirror, showing double, And double so the eye's delight! Bathing with joy, each other aiding, Now boldly swimming, shyly wading, Ending in screams and water-fight. These should content me, here with pleasure My sight should be restored at leisure; Yet toward yonder leafy screen My vision ever further presses; The verdant wealth of those recesses Surely enveils the lofty queen. Strange and marvellous! Swans are swimming From the inlets, hither skimming In their stately majesty, Calmly floating, sweetly loving, Heads and beaks uplifted moving In proud self-complacency. But among them one seems peerless, In his self-love proud and fearless; Through the throng he sails apace, Swells his plumage like a pillow, He, a billow breasting billow, Speeds on to the sacred place... The others to and fro, together, Swim with unruffled, radiant feather, Or soon in stirring, splendid fray Seek to divert each timid beauty Away from any thought of duty To save herself if save she may. Nymphs. Sisters, hearken, lend a hearing At the river's verdant shore; If I err not, more and more Sounds of horse's hoofs are nearing. Would I knew who in swift flight Brings a message to this night! Faust. I believe the earth's resounding To a steed that's hither bounding. Turn there, my glance! A most auspicious chance, Can it be hither faring? O marvel past comparing! A rider's trotting on toward me. Spirited, strong, he seems to be; Borne on a snow-white steed he's nearing... I do not err, I know him now, The famous son of Philyra!- Halt, Chiron, halt! and give me hearing! Chiron. What now? What is it? Faust. Check your pace and stay! Chiron. I do not rest. Faust. Take me along, I pray! Chiron. Then, mount! and I can question you at leisure: Whither your way? You're standing on the shore And I will bear you through the stream with pleasure. Faust [mounting]. Whither you will, I'll thank you evermore... The noble pedagogue, so great in name, Who reared full many a hero, to his fame, The troop of Argonauts, renowned in story, And all who built the poets' world of glory. Chiron. Let us not talk of that. As mentor, none, Not Pallas' self, is venerated. For, after all, in their own way men carry on As if they never had been educated. Faust. The doctor who can name each plant, who knows All roots, even that which deepest grows, Who soothes the wounded, makes the sick man whole, You I embrace with all my might and soul. Chiron. If at my side a hero felt the smart, I knew the aid and counsel to be tendered! But in the end all of my art To parsons and herb-women was surrendered. Faust. Upon a true, great man I gaze! Who will not hear a word of praise, Modestly strives to shut his ears And acts as had he many peers. Chiron. You are well-skilled, I see, in idle patter, Princes and common folk alike to flatter. Faust. At least confess that you have seen The greatest men that in your time have been. You've with the noblest vied in earnest strife And like a demigod have lived your life. Of all the figures of heroic mould Whom as the ablest did you hold? Chiron. Among the Argonauts, superb procession! Each one was worthy after his own fashion, And by the special power that he possessed, Could do what lay beyond the rest. Castor and Pollux ever did prevail Where youthful bloom and beauty turned the scale. In swift resolve and act for others' good The sons of Boreas proved their hardihood. Reflective, strong and shrewd, in council wise, Thus Jason ruled, a joy to women's eyes. Then Orpheus, gentle, still, and contemplating, But, when he smote the lyre, all subjugating; Keen-sighted Lynceus who by day and dark Past reef and shallow steered the sacred bark. Danger is tested best by banded brothers: When one achieves, then praise him all the others. Faust. I beg, of Hercules I would be learning! Chiron. Oh, woe! Awaken not my yearning!... Phoebus I ne'er had seen, nor yet Seen Ares, Hermes, as they're called, in fine, When my enraptured vision met A form that all men call divine. A king by birth as was no other, A youth most glorious to view, A subject to his elder brother And to the loveliest women too. His like will Gaea bring forth never Nor Hebe lead to Heaven again; Songs struggle in a vain endeavour, Men torture marble all in vain. Faust. Though men may strive in stone and story, Never has he appeared in all his glory. You now have spoken of the fairest man; Tell of the fairest woman all you can! Chiron. What! Woman's beauty? That is not worth telling, Too oft a rigid image do we see; I praise alone a being welling With love of life and gaiety. Self-blest is beauty, cold and listless, 'Tis winsomeness that makes resistless, Like that of Helena whom once I bore. Faust. You bore her? Chiron. Aye, upon this back. Faust. Was I not crazed enough before? And here to sit! Such bliss I do not lack! Chiron. She also grasped me by the hair, Seizing it just as you are doing now. Faust. I'm losing all my senses! Tell me how, Whence, whither? Ah, you really did her bear? She only is my whole desire! Chiron. Easy it is to tell what you require. Castor and Pollux had at that time freed Their darling sister from base robbers' greed. The robbers, wonted not to be subdued, Took heart and in a storm of rage pursued. Brothers and sister, speeding on their way, Were checked by swamps that near Eleusis lay; The brothers waded, but I splashed, swam over; Then off she sprang, she stroked and pressed me On my wet mane, thanked and caressed me Sweetly self-conscious, affectionate and sage. How charming was she! young, the joy of age! Faust. Just ten years old! Chiron. The doctors of philology Have fooled you like themselves, I see. Peculiar is it with a mythologic dame; The poet brings her, as he needs, to fame; She never grows adult and never old, Always of appetizing mould, Ravished when young, still wooed long past her prime. Enough, the poet is not bound by time. Faust. Then, here too, be no law of time thrown round her! On Pherae's isle indeed Achilles found her Beyond the pale of time. A happiness, how rare! In spite of fate itself love triumphed there. Is it beyond my yearning passion's power To bring to life the earth's most perfect flower? That deathless being, peer of gods above, Tender as great; sublime, yet made for love! You saw her once, today I've seen her too, Charming as fair, desired as fair to view. My captured soul and being yearn to gain her; I will not live unless I can attain her. Chiron. Strange person! As a man you feel an ecstasy, But to us spirits you seem mad to be. Now, as it haps, good fortune meets you here, Since for some moments every year I'm wont to Manto to repair Who, Aesculapius' child, in silent prayer Implores her father, for his honour's gain, To throw some light in the physicians' brain That from rash slaughter may their hands refrain. I love her most of all the guild of sybils, Gentle and kind, nor prone to shifty quibbles. If but a while you stay, her art secure By powerful roots will work your perfect cure. Faust. I'm sound in mind. A cure is not my aim; Else, like to others, I'd be base and tame Chiron. The noble fountain's cure, neglect it not! Be quick, dismount! We've reached the spot. Faust. Say, whither have you in this gruesome night Borne me through pebbly waters in our flight? Chiron. Here Rome and Greece each bearded each in fight, Olympus on the left, Peneus on the right. The greatest realm that ever was lost in sand; The monarch flees, the conquering burghers stand. Look up! Here stands, significantly near, The eternal temple in the moonlight clear. Manto [dreaming within]. From horse-hoofs bounding The sacred stairs are resounding; Demigods are drawing near. Chiron. Quite right! Raise your eyes; behold who's here! Manto [awakening]. Welcome! I see you do not fail to come. Chiron. Likewise for you still stands your temple-home. Manto. Are you still roaming, never weary? Chiron. Well, you abide in stillness eerie, The while I circle joyously. Manto. I wait here, time encircles me. And this man? Chiron. Him hath this ill-fated night Caught in its whirl and brought here to your sight. Helena, go his wits a-spinning, Helena he has dreams of winning, But knows no way to make beginning, Most worthy, Aesculapian cure to prove. Manto. Who yearns for the impossible I love. CHIRON is already far away. Manto. Enter, audacious one, glad shall you be; The gloomy way leads to Persephone. Within Olympus' cavern foot She lists in secret for prescribed salute. Here did I smuggle Orpheus in of old. Use your turn better! Quick! be bold! They descend. BY THE UPPER PENEUS Sirens [by the upper Peneus as before]. Plunge ye in Peneus' flood! Meetly splashing, swimming, fording, Linking songs in tones according, For these ill-starred people's good. Without water weal is none! If our goodly bands were faring To the Aegean, swift repairing, Every joy would then be won. Earthquake. Sirens. Back the foaming wave is going, Down its bed no longer flowing; Quakes the ground, the waters choke, Shores and pebbles crack and smoke. Let us flee! Come, all! Come on! For this marvel profits none. Hence! Ye noble guests and merry, To the ocean revel hurry, Glittering where the waves are twinkling, Heaving gently, shores besprinkling, There where Luna twofold gloweth, Holy dew on us bestoweth. There a life astir and cheerful, Here an earthquake dire and fearful. Hence, ye prudent, haste away! For this place strikes with dismay. Seismos [growling and blustering in the depths]. Shove again with shoulders straining, Stoutly all your strength arraigning! Upper regions we'll be gaining, Where to us must all give way. Sphinxes. What a most unpleasant quivering, What a hideous, fearsome shivering! What a wavering, what a shocking, Surging to and fro and rocking! An unbearable affray! But we shall not change our places, Though all hell bursts in our faces. Now a dome- behold the wonder!- Is arising. Ah, 'tis yonder Very Ancient, long since hoar, Who built Delos' isle of yore, Drove it upward from the billow For a travailing woman's pillow. He, with straining, pressing, rending, Rigid arms and shoulders bending, Like an Atlas in his gesture, Heaves up earth and all its vesture, Loam and stone and sand and gravel, Quiet shores and calm beds' level. Thus the valley's placid bosom Rends he with a power gruesome, Still most strenuous, never sated, A colossal caryatid, Bears an awful weight of boulders, Buried still up to his shoulders. But 'twill not come near these spaces; Sphinxes now are in their places. Seismos. I, only, wrought this little matter As men will finally declare; But for my batter and my clatter How would this world be now so fair? How would your mountains stand above there In clear and splendid ether-blue, If them I had not worked to shove there? A picturesque, entrancing view! Whenas (the primal sires surveying, Chaos and Night) I saw my honour lost, I, with the Titans joined in playing, Hurled Ossa, Pelion too, as balls are tossed. Thus we raged on in youthful passion Till vexed and weary at the last Both mountains we, in wanton fashion, Like twin peaks on Parnassus cast... Apollo gladly lingers yonder There in the muses' blest retreat. For Jove himself and for his bolts of thunder I heaved on high his lofty seat. Thus I, by strainings superhuman, Pushed from the depths to upper air, And dwellers glad I loudly summon New life henceforth with me to share. Sphinxes. Surely one would call primeval What so burg-like looms today, But we saw the earth give way To the straining, vast upheaval. A bushy wood is spreading up the side, While rocks on rocks still roll on like a tide. A sphinx will never let such things perturb her, Nor in her sacred seat will aught disturb her. Griffins. Gold a-spangle, gold a-flitter, Through the chinks I see it glitter. Let none rob you of the prize: Up and claw it, emmets! Rise! Chorus of Ants. Whereas the giant ones Upward could shove it, Ye nimble, pliant ones, Swift speed above it! Scurry ye out and in! In each cranny Is every crumb ye win Wealth for the canny. Ye must discover it, The slightest treasure, Swiftly uncover it In every fissure. Toil like the busy bees, Ye swarms, retrieve it. Gold only shall ye seize! What's oreless, leave it! Griffins. Come, come! Bring in a heap of gold! Beneath our claws fast will we hold. They're bolts none others can excel, They guard the greatest treasure well. Pygmies. We are in our places truly, Know not how it did befall. Whence we came, don't ask unduly, For we're here now once for all. As a joyous place to settle, Suitable is every land; If a rocky rift shows metal, Straightway is the dwarf at hand. Male and female, busy, ready, Exemplary is each pair; We know not if once already This the case in Eden were. Our lot gratefully we treasure, For we find things here are best; Mother Earth brings forth with pleasure In the east as in the west. Dactyls. Hath in a night the Earth The little ones brought to birth, The smallest she will create too, They will find each his mate too. Eldest Pygmies. Hasten, in spaces Pleasant take places! Haste, the work heeding, Not strong but speeding! Peace is still with ye, Build ye the smithy For troops to shapen Armour and weapon. All ye ants, cluster, Busily fluster, Metals to muster! Dactyls conforming, Tiny but swarming, Our orders hear ye And firewood bear ye! Heap in a pyre Smothering fire! Charcoal prepare ye! Generalissimo. With bow and arrow Foes will we harrow! Herons that wander By that pond yonder, Numberless nesting there, Haughtily breasting there, Shoot them straightway, All them together, In helm and feather Us to array. Ants and Dactyls. Who now will save us! Iron we're bringing, Chains to enslave us. Chains we're not springing, Not yet the hour; Heed, then, their power! The Cranes of Ibycus. Cries of murder, moan of dying! Fearful pinions fluttering, flying! What a groan and moan and fright Pierces upward to our height! All have fallen in the slaughter, Reddened with their blood the water. Greedy lust, misshapen, cruel, Steals the heron's noble jewel. On the helmet now it waves, Oh, these fat-paunched, bow-legged knaves! Comrades with our host in motion, Serried wanderers of the ocean, Summon we, for vengeance mated, In a case so near related. Let none spare his strength or blood! Hate eternal to this brood! They disperse in the air, croaking. Mephistopheles [on the plain]. The northern witches I command, but these, Spirits so alien, make me ill at ease. The Blocksberg's a convenient place to roam; Wherever you are, you find yourself at home. Dame Ilsa watches for us on her Stone, Wakeful is Henry on his lofty Throne; The Snorers snort, in truth, in Elend's ears, But all remains unchanged a thousand years. But who knows here, if, where he stand or go, The ground will not heave upward from below?... I wander through a level dale quite happily, And then behind me rises suddenly A mountain- scarce a mountain, yet in height Enough to block the sphinxes from my sight. Here, down the valley, many a fire is glaring, Its light on these strange scenes and figures flaring... Still, knavishly confusing, lo! the amorous crew Flutter and dance before me, flee and woo. But softly now! Though used to many savours, Wherever they be, one still seeks novel flavours. Lamiae [drawing MEPHISTOPHELES after them]. Quicker and quicker! And never tarry! Then hesitating, Chatting and prating. It is so merry, The ancient tricker To lure behind us To penance dreary. Foot-stiff and weary, On he comes hobbling, After us wobbling; He drags his foot, Hasting to find us. Vain is his suit. Mephistopheles [standing still]. Cursed fate! Men are but women's fools! From Adam down, becozened tools! Older we grow but who grows wise and steady? Were you not fooled enough already? We know that wholly worthless is this race With pinched-in waist and painted face; Naught's wholesome in a folk so misbegotten; Grasp where you will, in every limb they're rotten. We know it, see it, we can feel it, And still we dance if but the vile jades reel it! Lamiae [pausing]. Halt! See him ponder, hesitate, delay! Turn back to meet him lest he slip away! Mephistopheles [striding forward]. Go on! nor in the web of doubt Let yourself be entangled foolishly; For if no witches were about, Why, who the devil would a devil be! Lamiae [most winsomely]. Round this hero circle we; Surely soon within his breast Love for one is manifest. Mephistopheles. True, in this uncertain gleam, Pretty wenches do you seem, And you'll hear no slurs from me. An Empusa [intruding]. Nor slur me! A maiden too, Let me join your retinue. Lamiae. In our group she'll never fit, And our sport? she ruins it. Empusa [to MEPHISTOPHELES]. From ass-foot Coz Empusa, greeting! The trusty one whom now you're meeting. You only have a horse's foot; Still, take, Sir Coz, my best salute! Mephistopheles. Strangers alone were here by expectations, But now, alas! I'm finding near relations. Indeed, an ancient book doth tell us: Everywhere cousins from the Hartz to Hellas. Empusa. I'm swift in acting with decision, In many forms could meet your vision; But honour due you I would pay And so the ass's head I've donned today. Mephistopheles. I note, with people of this sort Kinship is stuff of great import; But come what may, it's all the same, The ass's head I'd fain disclaim. Lamiae. Avoid this hag! She doth but scare Whatever lovely seems and fair; What fair and lovely was before, She comes, and see! it is no more! Mephistopheles. These cousins too, slim and delicious, Of one and all I am suspicious; Behind such darling cheeks of roses I have a fear of metamorphoses. Lamiae. Just try it, do! We are not few. Lay hold! and if the game's luck favours you, Grab for yourself the first, great prize. What means this lustful, droning tune? What sort of way is this to spoon? You strut along and act so wise! Into our group now see him stride! Lay one by one your masks aside And show your nature to his eyes. Mephistopheles. The fairest have chosen me... Clasping her. Oh, woe! A withered broomstick, she! Seizing another. And this one?... Hideous face! Oh, what a lot! Lamiae. Do you deserve things better? Think it not! Mephistopheles. The little one I'd like to clasp... A lizard's slipping from my grasp! And snake-like is her slippery braid. Well, then, a tall one I will catch... And now a thyrsus-pole I snatch! Only a pine-cone as its head. Where will this end?... Let's try a fat one. Perhaps I'll find delight in that one. A last attempt! Then it will do! So flabby, fubby, worth a treasure As Orientals such things measure... But ah, the puff-ball bursts in two! Lamiae. Scatter asunder, flicker around him, Like lightning, in black flight surround him. The interloping witch's son! Ye bats, in horrid, changeful reeling, Whirl ye, on noiseless pinions wheeling! He'll get off cheap when all is done. Mephistopheles [shaking himself]. I have not grown much wiser, that seems clear. The North's absurd, absurd it's also here; Ghosts here and there are a confounded crew, Tasteless the people and the poets too. A masquerade is here, I swear, A sensual dance as everywhere. At lovely rows of masks I grasped And shuddered at the things I clasped... I gladly lend myself to cheating But ask to have it not so fleeting. Losing himself among the rocks. Where am I? Where does this lead out? There was a path, now stone-heaps roundabout. I came along on level ways, And rubble-stuff now meets my gaze; I clamber up and down in vain. My sphinxes- where find them again? I'd not have dreamed so mad a sight, Aye, such a mountain in one night! "A witch-ride" would not name it wrong; They bring their own Blocksberg along. Oread [from a natural rock]. Come up to me! My mount is old And still has its primeval mould. Revere these cliff-paths steep ascending And Pindus' last spur far extending! Unshaken, thus I reared my head When over my shoulders Pompey fled. Beside me here this phantom rock Will vanish at the crow of cock. Such fairy-tales I often see arise And perish in like sudden wise. Mephistopheles. Honour to thee, thou honoured head! With mighty oaks engarlanded. Moonbeams, however clear and bright, Never can pierce thy sable night.- But by the bushes there I see A light that's glowing modestly. How strange that all must happen thus! In truth, it is Homunculus. Whence do you come, you little rover? Homunculus. From place to place I flit and hover And wish that in the best sense I might be. My glass I long impatiently to shatter; Only from what I've seen and see, I do not like to venture on this matter. But I'll tell you quite confidentially: I've tracked two sages whom I've overheard Say "Nature!" "Nature!"- 'twas their only word. I will not part me from them, seeing That they must know this earthly be-ing; And in the end I'll doubtless learn Whither most wisely I'm to turn. Mephistopheles. Accomplish that in your own way. Wherever ghosts may be appearing, The sage finds welcome and a hearing; And that his art and favour may elate, A dozen new ghosts he'll at once create. You'll not gain sense, except you err and stray! You'll come to birth? Do it in your own way! Homunculus. Good counsel, though, a man should never scout. Mephistopheles. Proceed, then, and we'll see how things turn out. They separate. Anaxagoras [to THALES]. You will not let your rigid mind be bent. Is aught more needed to make you assent? Thales. To every wind the wave bows fain enough, But from the rugged rock it holds aloof. Anaxagoras. Through flaming gas arose this rock we're seeing. Thales. In moisture came organic life to being. Homunculus [between the two]. Ah, by your side to go, pray, suffer me! I'm yearning to begin to be. Anaxagoras. Have you, O Thales, even in one night Brought such a mountain out of slime to light? Thales. Nature with all her living, flowing powers Was never bound by day and night and hours. By rule she fashions every form, and hence In great things too there is no violence. Anaxagoras. But here there was! Plutonic, savage fire, Aeolian vapours' force, explosive, dire, Broke through the ancient crust of level earth And a new mountain straightway came to birth. Thales. The hill is there; so much at least is gained. But what is thereby furthered and attained? Both time and leisure in such strife one poses And only leads the patient rabble by their noses. Anaxagoras. Quickly with Myrmidons the hill is teeming, They occupy the clefts; and now come streaming Pygmies and ants and fingerlings And other active little things. To HOMUNCULUS. After the great you never have aspired But hermit-like have lived retired; If you can wont yourself to sovereignty, Then crowned as king I'll have you be. Homunculus. What says my Thales? Thales. That I won't advise. With little people little deeds arise; Among the great, the little man grows great. See there! The cranes, the swarthy cloud, They menace the excited crowd And they would menace thus the king. With beaks sharp-pointed, talons fierce, The little ones they tear and pierce; Already doom comes thundering. Herons had suffered impious slaughter, Standing about the tranquil water. But from that rain of murd'rous engines Has sprung a blessed, bloody vengeance; It stirs the rage of brotherhood And lust for pygmies' impious blood. Shield, helmet, spear- how profit these? What use to dwarfs the heron feather? How ant and dactyl hide together! The host now wavers, breaks, and flees. Anaxagoras [after a pause, solemnly]. If till now subterranean I praised, In this case be my prayer to Heaven raised. O Thou on high, the same eternally, In name and form threefold supernally, By all my people's woe I cry to Thee, Diana, Luna, Hecate! Thou breast-expanding One, most deeply pensive One, Thou peaceful seeming One, mighty intensive One, Break from the glooms of Thy dark chasm clear, And without magic let Thine ancient might appear! Pause. Am I too quickly heard? Hath my prayer To yonder sphere The ordered course of Nature stirred? And greater, ever greater, draweth near The goddess' throne, her full-orbed sphere- To gaze upon, appalling, dire! And ruddier, redder glows its fire... No nearer! threatening orb, I pray, Lest Thou wilt sweep us, land, and sea away! Thessalian witches? Can it then be true That Thee once from Thy proper path they drew, By spells of impious magic sung, And fatal gifts from Thee so wrenched and wrung?... The brilliant shield, behold, it darkles! And now it splits and flares and sparkles! What clattering! What hissing yonder! And midst it what wild hurricane and thunder! Humbly I kneel here at Thy throne! Forgive I have invoked it, I alone! He throws himself on his face. Thales. What has this man not seen and heard! I know not rightly what occurred; Nor yet like him have I experienced it. They're crazy hours, let us admit. And Luna's swaying comfortably In her old place as formerly. Homunculus. Look at the pygmies' seat! I vow, The hill was round, it's pointed now. I seemed to feel an awful shock; Down from the moon had plunged a rock; At once, without a question, too, Both friend and foe it squashed and slew. High arts like these I have to praise, Which, by some great creative might, Working above, below, could raise This mountain-pile in but one night. Thales. Be calm! 'Twas but like thought in rapid flight. Let them be gone, the nasty brood! That you were not their king is good. Now to the sea's glad fate let us repair. They hope and honour rare guests there. Exeunt. Mephistopheles [climbing up on the opposite side]. Up steep rock stairways I am forced to fag me, Through stubborn roots of ancient oak trees drag me! Up in my Hartz there is a resinous savour With hints of pitch, and that enjoys my favour Almost like brimstone... In this Grecian place, Of scents like these there's scarcely any trace. I'm curious to know and would inquire Wherewith they feed hell's torments and hell's fire. A Dryad. At home be wise as it befits you there; Abroad you have no cleverness to spare. Homeward you should not turn your thoughts while here; You should the sacred oaks' high worth revere. Mephistopheles. We think of what behind us lies; What we were used to seems a Paradise. But say: What cowers in the cavern there, Threefold in form and dimly lighted? A Dryad. The Phorkyads! Approach them if you dare And speak to them if you are not affrighted. Mephistopheles. Why not?- I see a something and I wonder. I must confess although it hurts my pride: The Like of them I've never yet espied. Why, worse mandrakes, they look yonder... How can the Deadly Sins then ever be Considered ugly in the least degree If one has seen this monstrous trinity? We would not suffer it to dwell Upon the threshold of our grimmest hell. Here in the land of beauty it is rooted, The classic, antique land reputed... They seem to scent me now and stir and chitter; Like vampire bats they peep and twitter. A Phorkyad. Give me the eye, my sisters, to espy Who to our temple dares to come so nigh. Mephistopheles. Most honoured! I approach you, with your leave, That I your threefold blessing may receive. I come, though as a stranger, be it stated, Yet, if I err not, distantly related. Gods ancient and revered I've seen ere now, To Ops and Rhea made my deepest bow. The Fates, your sisters too, whom Chaos bore, I saw them yesterday- or else the day before. But others like yourselves I've never sighted, And I stand mute, amazed, delighted! The Phorkyads. Intelligent this spirit seems to be. Mephistopheles. That no bard sings your praise amazes me. And say! How came it, how could it have been? Your likeness, worthy ones, I've never seen! On you the chisel should try out its art, And not on Juno, Pallas, Venus, and that sort. The Phorkyads. Immersed in stillest night and solitude, We Three have never felt that thought intrude. Mephistopheles. How should it? Since withdrawn from earthly view, Here you see none, nor anyone sees you. But choose in other places to reside Where art and splendour equally preside, Where daily in quick time from marble blocks Heroes leap into life in flocks, Where- The Phorkyads. Silence! Stir in us no longings new! What would it profit if we better knew? We, born in night, akin to night alone, Are almost to ourselves, to others quite, unknown. Mephistopheles. In such a case there is not much to say. To others, though, one can one's self convey. One eye, one tooth, suffices for you three, So it would tally with mythology If into two the being of you three were blended And your third form to me were lended For a brief time. One Phorkyad. What think you? Should we try? The Other Phorkyads. Let's try it! But without the tooth or eye. Mephistopheles. Take these away? The essence then you'll take, For it's the perfect image that they make. One Phorkyad. Press one eye to- quite easily it's done- And of your tusks show only one; At once you will attain our profile meetly And sisterly resemble us completely. Mephistopheles. Much honour! Be it so! The Phorkyads. So be it! Mephistopheles [in profile like a PHORKYAD]. Done! Here stand I, Chaos' well-beloved son! The Phorkyads. Daughters of Chaos we, by undisputed right! Mephistopheles. Oh, shame! They'll call me now hermaphrodite! The Phorkyads. What beauty in the sisters' triad new! We have two eyes, our teeth are two. Mephistopheles. From all eyes I must hide this visage well To fright the devils in the pool of Hell. Exit. ROCKY COVES OF THE AEGEAN SEA Moon tarrying in the zenith. Sirens [couched around on the cliffs, fluting and singing]. If of yore, by spells nocturnal, Did Thessalian hags infernal Draw thee down, a crime intending, Gaze thou where night's arch is bending Down with calmness never-ending On the billowy, twinkling ocean, And illumine the commotion Rising from the billowing sea! To thy service vowed are we, Lovely Luna, gracious be! Nereids and Tritons [as wonders of the sea]. With a louder, shriller singing, Through the breadth of ocean ringing, Summon here the deep's gay throng! From the cruel tempest's riot Fled we to the deepest quiet, Hither lured by lovely song. Here behold us decorated With gold chains and high elated; Crowns and jewels do ye capture, Brooches, girdles that enrapture. All this harvest is your prey. To us here these shipwrecked treasures Ye have brought with your sweet measures, Ye, the magnets of our bay. Sirens. Well we know, in cool seas biding, How the fishes, smoothly gliding, Joy in life, from trouble far; Yet, ye festive hosts quick moving, We today would see you proving That ye more than fishes are. Nereids and Tritons. We, before we hither wandered, Thought of that and deeply pondered. Sisters, brothers, swiftly fare! Needs today but little travel Proof to show past any cavil That we more than fishes are. They disappear. Sirens. Away they speed and race Straight toward Samothrace; With kindly wind gone are they far. What mean they to do in the eerie Domain of the Mighty Cabiri? They're gods, and stranger were never; They beget their like ever and ever And never know what they are. Linger thou on thy height, Lovely Luna, stay thy light, That the night may not vanish Nor the day may us banish. Thales [on the shore, to HOMUNCULUS]. To ancient Nereus I would lead the way; We're not far distant from his cave today, But hard and stubborn is his pate, Contrary, sour, old reprobate. Nothing of mortal humankind Is ever to that grumbler's mind. The future, though, is known to him, Wherefore men hold him in esteem And honour him where he holds sway. Kind has he been to many a one. Homunculus. Let's try it then and see. Come on! My glass and flame not cost me straightway. Nereus. Are they men's voices that my ear has heard? How quick with wrath my inmost heart is stirred! These creatures would be gods by sheer endeavour, Yet damned to be like their own selves forever. In days of old I could divinely rest, Yet I was oft impelled to aid the Best, But when at last I saw what they had done, 'Twas quite as if I had not counselled one. Thales. Yet people trust you, greybeard, ocean seer; You are the Sage; oh, drive us not from here! Gaze on this flame, like to a man, indeed; Your counsel only will it hear and heed. Nereus. Counsel! With men has counsel once availed? Vain are shrewd warnings to a fast-closed ear. Oft as their deeds proved, men have grimly failed; Self-willed are they still as they always were. How I warned Paris with a father's trust Before another's wife ensnared his lust! Upon the Grecian shore he stood up bold, And what I saw in spirit I foretold: The reeking air above, a ruddy glow, Rafters ablaze, murder and death below: Troy's Judgment Day, held fast in noble rhyme, A horror famous to the end of time. Reckless he laughed at all that I could tell; He followed his own lust and Ilion fell- A giant corpse, stark when its torments ceased, To Pindus' eagles a right welcome feast. Ulysses too! Told I not him erewhiles Of Cyclops' horrors and of Circe's wiles? His dallying, his comrades' thoughtless vein, And what not all- but did it bring him gain? Till, late enough, a favouring billow bore The long-tossed wanderer to a friendly shore. Thales. Of course such action gives a wise man pain; Still, if he's kind, he'll try it once again. An ounce of thanks will in its bliss outweigh, Yes, tons of thanklessness for many a day. And nothing trifling to implore have we: The boy here wisely wants to come to be. Nereus. Don't spoil my rarest mood, I pray! Far other things await me here today: My daughters all I've summoned here to me, The Dorides, the Graces of the Sea. Olympus not, nor yet your soil, can bear A form that is so dainty and so fair. From dragons of the sea, all in most winsome motion, They leap on Neptune's coursers; in the ocean, Their element, so tenderly at home They seem to float upon the very foam. On Venus' radiant, pearly chariot drawn, Comes Galatea, lovely as the dawn. Since Cypris turned from us her face, She reigns in Paphos in the goddess' place. And so, long since, the gracious one doth own, As heiress, templed town and chariot-throne. Away! It spoils a father's hour of pleasure, Harshness of tongue or hate of heart to treasure. Away to Proteus! Ask that wondrous elf: How one can come to be and change one's self. He goes off toward the sea. Thales. We have gained nothing by this stay. Though one finds Proteus, straight he melts away; And if he stops for you, he'll say at last Things that confuse you, make you stand aghast. But, after all, such counsel do you need; Let's try it and pursue our path with speed. They go away. Sirens [above on the rocks]. What's that far off, half hiding, Through ocean's billows gliding? As if, to breezes bending, White sails were hither wending. Bright beam they over waters, Transfigured ocean's daughters! Let us climb down! They're singing! List to the voices ringing! Nereids and Tritons. What we escort and carry Shall make you glad and merry. Chelone's shield gigantic, Gleams with stern figures antic; They're gods whom we are bringing. High songs must ye be singing. Sirens. Little in height, Potent in might Who shipwrecked men deliver, Gods old and honoured ever. Nereids and Tritons. We're bringing the Cabiri To the peaceful pageant cheery, For where they rule auspicious Neptune will be propitious. Sirens. We give way to you: With resistless power Ye save the perishing crew In dire shipwreck's hour. Nereids and Tritons. We have brought three only, The fourth one tarried lonely; He said he must stay yonder Since he for all must ponder. Sirens. One god the other god Can jeer and prod. Their good deeds revere ye! All their ill ones fear ye! Nereids and Tritons. To seven ye should be praying. Sirens. Where are the three delaying? Nereids and Tritons. For that we've no suggestion, But on Olympus question; Haply the eighth's there biding, Not thought-of yet, and hiding. In favours to us steady, Yet are they all not ready. Peerless, unexplainable, Always further yearning, With desire and hunger burning For the unattainable. Sirens. Such our ways: Where power most sways, Worship we raise, Sunward, moonward: it pays! Nereids and Tritons. How brightly shines our fame! behold! Leading this pageant cheery! Sirens. The heroes of olden time To such fame don't climb, Where and how it unfold, Although they've won the Fleece of Gold, Ye've won the Cabiri! Repeated in full chorus. Although they've won the Fleece of Gold, We! Ye! the Cabiri! NEREIDS and TRITONS move past. Homunculus. These shapeless forms I look upon, As poor clay-pots I take them; Their hard heads wise men often run Against them and there break them. Thales. That's just the thing that men desire; The rusty coin is valued higher. Proteus [unperceived]. This pleases me, an ancient fabler! The odder 'tis, the respectabler. Thales. Where are you, Proteus? Proteus [ventriloquizing, now near, now far]. Here! and here! Thales. I pardon you that ancient jeer; But with a friend such idle words forgo! You speak from some false place, I know. Proteus [as if from a distance]. Farewell! Thales [softly to HOMUNCULUS]. He is quite near. Shine brilliantly! As curious as a fish is he; Assume what form and place he may, be sure, Flames are for him unfailing lure. Homunculus. At once a flood of light I'll scatter, Discreetly, though, for fear the glass might shatter. Proteus [in the form of a giant tortoise]. What beams so winsome, fair, and dear? Thales [concealing HOMUNCULUS]. Good! If you wish, you can observe it near. Don't let the little effort worry you, Appear on two feet just as humans do. It's with our will and by our courtesy That what we now conceal, who wills may see. Proteus [in a noble form]. In clever, worldly pranks you still have skill. Thales. You change your form with pleasure still. He has uncovered HOMUNCULUS. Proteus [astonished]. A radiant dwarflet! Such I never did see! Thales. He asks advice and fain would come to be. He has, he told me, come to earth But half-way formed, a quite peculiar birth. He has no lack of qualities ideal But lacks too much the tangible and real. Till now the glass alone has given him weight; He'd like forthwith to be incorporate. Proteus. You are a virgin's son, yea, verily: You are before you ought to be! Thales [softly]. And from another angle things seem critical; He is, methinks, hermaphroditical. Proteus. Success must come the sooner in that case; As soon as he arrives, all will fit into place. But here there is not much to ponder: Your start must be in that wide ocean yonder! There on a small scale one begins, The smallest things is glad to swallow, Till step by step more strength he wins And forms himself for greater things to follow. Homunculus. Here stirs a soft and tender air, What fragrant freshness and what perfume rare! Proteus. Dearest of urchins! I believe your story. Farther away, it grows more ravishing; The air upon that narrow promontory Is more ineffable, more lavishing; There, near enough, the host we'll see Now floating hither over the sea. Come with me there! Thales. I'll come along. Proceed! Homunculus. A threefold spirit striding- strange, indeed! TELCHINES OF RHODES on hippocampi and sea-dragons, wielding Neptune's trident. Chorus. The trident of Neptune we've forged which assuages The wildest of billows when old Ocean rages. When in the dense cloud-banks the Thund'rer is grumbling, It's Neptune opposes the horrible rumbling; However forked lightning may flash and may glow, Still wave upon wave dashes up from below, And all that between them in anguish has wallowed, Long hurled to and fro, by the depths all is swallowed; Wherefore he has lent us his sceptre today. Now float we contented and lightly and gay. Sirens. You, to Helios dedicated, You, to bright day consecrated, Greet we in this stirring hour When all worship Luna's power! Telchines. O loveliest goddess in night's dome appearing! The praise of thy brother with rapture art hearing. To Rhodes ever blessed an ear thou dost lend, For there doth a paean eternal ascend. He begins the day's course, with keen, radiant gaze, When finished the journey, our troop he surveys. The mountains, the cities, the wave, and the shore Are lovely and bright to the god we adore. No mist hovers round us, and if one appear, A beam and a zephyr- the island is clear! Phoebus there sees his image in forms hundredfold, As giant, as youth, as the Gentle, the Bold. We first, it was we who first nobly began To shape the high gods in the image of man. Proteus. Oh, leave them to their boasting, singing! To sunbeams, holy and life-bringing, Dead works are but an idle jest. They melt and mould in tireless rapture, And when in bronze a god they capture, They deem it great and swell their breast. What end comes to these haughty men? Their forms of gods, so great and true, Long since an earthquake overthrew, And they were melted down again. All life on earth, whatever it be, Is never aught but drudgery; In water life has far more gain. I'll bear you to the endless main, I, Proteus-Dolphin. He transforms himself. Now it's done! There where the happiest fates are leading I'll take you on back and speeding I'll wed you to the ocean. On! Thales. Yield to the worthy aspiration And at its source begin creation, Ready for life's effective plan! There you will move by norms unchanging; Through forms a thousand, myriad, ranging, You will, in time, become a man. Homunculus mounts upon PROTEUS-DOLPHIN. Proteus. Come, spirit, seek the realm of ocean; At once, unfettered every motion, Live here and move as you would do. But let not higher orders lure you, For once a man, I can assure you, Then all is at an end with you. Thales. That's as may be; yet it's not ill A man's role in one's time to fill. Proteus [to THALES]. Well, one of your kind, to be sure! For quite a while they do endure; For midst your pallid phantom-peers I've seen you now for many hundred years. Sirens [on the rocks]. See yon cloudlets, how they mingle Round the moon, how fair a ring! Doves they are, with love a-tingle, White as light is every wing. Paphos sent them as her greeting, Ardent, radiant, they appear, Thus our festival completing, Fraught with rapture full and clear! Nereus [approaching THALES]. Though night-wanderer make a pother, Call yon ring an apparition, Still we spirits take another, Take the only right position. They are doves that are attending On my daughter's pearly car; Taught long since, in times afar, Wondrously they're hither wending. Thales. Since it gives a real man pleasure, I too hold that as the best When a sacred, living treasure Finds in him a still, warm nest. Psylli and Marsil [on sea-bulls, sea-calves, and sea-rams]. In Cyprus' rugged vaults cavernal By sea-god never battered, By Seismos never shattered, Fanned by the zephyrs eternal, And, as in days long departed, In conscious quiet glad-hearted, The chariot of Cypris we've guarded, Through murmuring night's soft vibration, Over waves and their lovely pulsation, Unseen by the new generation, The loveliest daughter we lead. Our duty we're quietly plying, From no Eagle nor Winged Lion flying, Nor from Cross nor Moon, As each dwells upon its throne, Now swaying, now essaying, Driving forth and now slaying, Harvest and towns in ashes laying. Thus on, with speed, Hither the loveliest mistress we lead. Sirens. Lightly moving, hasting never, Round the chariot, line on line, Now ring twines with ring, to waver In a series serpentine. Come, ye vigorous Nereides, Sturdy women, pleasing, wild, Bring, ye delicate Dorides, Galatea, her mother's child: Earnest, like the gods, a woman Meet for immortality, Yet like women gently human, Of alluring charm is she. Dorides [in a chorus, all mounted on dolphins, passing by NEREUS]. Light and shadow, Luna, lend us, On this flower of youth shine clear! To our father we present us, Pleading bring we bridegrooms dear. To NEREUS. They are boys we saved from dreaded Gnashing of the angry main; On the reeds and mosses bedded, Warmed we them to light again. Here, with kisses warm and tender, Loyal thanks must they now render; May the Good thy favour gain! Nereus. Great is the gain to win a twofold treasure: Pity to show and in the show take pleasure. Dorides. Father, laudst thou our endeavour, Grant us joy deserved, in truth; Let us hold them fast forever To the deathless breast of youth. Nereus. You may delight in your fair capture. Fashion to men the youthful crew; Not mine to lend an endless rapture, That only Zeus can grant to you. The wave that surges and that rocks you, Allows to love no constant stand, And when this fancy fades and mocks you, Then set them quietly on land. Dorides. Your love; sweet boys, doth us inspire, Yet sadly we needs must sever; Eternal the troth that we desire, But gods will suffer it never. The Youths. We're sailor-boys of gallant mood, Pray further kindly tend us! We've never had a life so good, Nor can fate better send us. GALATEA approaches in her shell chariot. Nereus. It is you, my darling! Galatea. O Sire, the delight! Linger, ye dolphins! Entrancing the sight! Nereus. They're gone already, they draw us apart, Wider and wider the circles sweep. What do they care for the pain of my heart? Would they but take me out over the deep! Yet only one glance is so dear That it pays for the whole long year. Thales. Hail! Hail again! How blooms my joy amain! By Truth and Beauty I'm penetrated... From water first was all created! And water is the all-sustaining! Ocean, continue forever thy reigning. If thou the clouds wert sending not, Wert swelling brooks expending not, Here and there rivers wert bending not, And streams beginning, ending not, Where then were the world, the mountains, and plain? 'Tis thou who the freshest of life dost maintain. Echo [chorus of all the circles]. 'Tis thou from whom freshest of life wells again. Nereus. Wheeling afar, they turn apace, No more meet us face to face; In lengthened chains extended, In circles festively blended, In countless companies they career. But Galatea's sea-shell throne I see ever and anon. It shines like a star The crowd among! My loved one beams through all the throng, However far, Shimmers bright and clear, Ever true and near. Homunculus. In this dear water brightens All that my lamplet lightens, All wondrous fair to see. Proteus. This living water brightens Where first thy lamplet lightens With glorious harmony. Nereus. What mystery new to our wondering eyes Do I see in the midst of these bevies arise? What flames round the sea-shell, at Galatea's feet? Now mighty it flares up, now lovely, now sweet, As if with love's pulsing 'twere touched and arrayed. Thales. Homunculus is it, by Proteus swayed... The symptoms are those of a masterful yearning, Prophetic of agonized throbbing and burning. He'll shatter himself on the glittering throne. See it flame, now it flashes, pours forth- it is done! Sirens. What marvel of fire in the billows is flashing That sparkling against one another are crashing? It beams and hitherward wavers, and bright All forms are aglow on the pathway of night, And roundabout all is by fire overrun. Now Eros be ruler who all hath begun! Hail, ye waves! Hail, sea unbounded, By the holy fire surrounded! Water, hail! Hail, fire's glare! Hail to this adventure rare! All Together. Hail, thou gently blowing breeze! Hail, earth rich in mysteries! Hail, fire, sea, whom we adore, Hail, ye elements all four! ACT III BEFORE THE PALACE OF MENELAUS IN SPARTA HELENA. PANTHALIS, LEADER OF THE CHORUS. HELENA enters with a CHORUS of captive Trojan women. Helena. I, much admired and upbraided Helena Come from the strand where we but now have disembarked, Still giddy from the restless rocking of the waves Which with Poseidon's favour and the strength of Eurus bore Us on their high reluctant backs from Phrygia's plain Returning to our native bays and fatherland. There on the shore with all his bravest warriors King Menelaus knows the joy of safe return. But thou, O lofty dwelling, bid me welcome now, Thou whom, when he came home again from Pallas' hill, My father Tyndareus built near the slope and then Adorned supremely, more than all of Sparta's homes, The while, as sisters do, with Clytemnestra I- With Castor, Pollux too- grew up in happy play. And ye, wings of the brazen portal, you I hail! Yet wider once ye opened to greet a welcome guest When Menelaus, one from many singled out, Shone as a radiant bridegroom there before my gaze. Open thy wings again that I the king's behest May faithfully fulfil as doth become the wife. Let me go in and everything remain behind That hitherto hath stormed about me, threatening doom. For since, by care untroubled, I departed hence For Cytherea's fane, as sacred duty bade, And there a robber seized me, he, the Phrygian, Since then has happened much that mankind far and wide So fain relate but not so fain is heard by him Of whom the waxing legend hath a fable spun. Chorus. O lady glorious, do not disdain Honoured possession of highest estate! For to thee alone is the greatest boon given: The fame of beauty transcending all else. The hero's name resounds ere he comes, Hence proudly he strides, Yet bows at once the stubbornest man At the throne of Beauty, the all-conquering. Helena. Enough! I've sailed together with my consort here And now before him to his city am I sent; But what intent he harbours, that I can not guess. Do I come here as wife? do I come here as queen? Come I as victim for the prince's bitter pain And for the adverse fate the Greeks endured so long? Conquered I am but whether captive I know not! For truly the immortal gods ambiguously Ordained my fame and fate, attendants dubious For Beauty's person; and on this very threshold now They stand in gloomy threatening presence at my side. For rarely did my husband cast a glance at me There in the hollow ship, nor spake he heartening word. As if he brooded mischief, facing me he sat. But now when drawing near Eurotas' deep-bayed shore The foremost ships scarce touched their beaks against the land In greeting, he spake as if by Zeus himself inspired: "Here will my warriors in due order disembark; I'll muster them drawn up along the ocean-strand, But thou, proceed, go up Eurotas' holy stream Along its fruit-abounding shore, and ever on, Guiding the coursers on the moist, bejewelled mead, Until what time thou comest to the beauteous plain Where Lacedeamon once a wide and fruitful field, By solemn mountains close-engirdled, has been built. Then enter in the lofty-towered, princely house And muster me the maids whom there I left behind, And with them summon too the wise old stewardess. Let her display before thee all the treasure-hoard, Just as my father left it and what I myself Since then have added to the pile in war and peace. All wilt thou find there in due order standing, for It is the prince's privilege on coming home That he find all in faithful keeping in his house And each thing in its place just as he left it there. For of himself the slave has power to alter naught." Chorus. Now quicken with the glorious wealth, The ever-increased, thine eyes and thy breast; For the grace of chain, the glory of crown, Rest in their pride and hold themselves rare; But enter in and challenge them all. They quickly will arm. I joy in the conflict when beauty vies With gold and with pearls and with jewels of price. Helena. Thereafter followed further mandate from my lord: "Now when thou hast reviewed in order everything, Then take as many tripods as thou thinkst to need And vessels manifold which for the sacrifice The priest desires when he performs the sacred rite, The cauldrons and the bowls, the round and shallow plate; The purest water from the holy fountain be At hand in ewers high, and ready keep dry wood As well, that rapidly accepts and feeds the flame; And be not wanting finally a sharpened knife. But to thy care alone I now resign the rest." So spake he, urging me be gone, but not a thing That breathes with life did he, the orderer, appoint Which he, to honour the Olympians, wishes slain. Dubious it is, but further worry I dismiss, And let all be committed to the lofty gods Who evermore fulfil as seemeth good to them; Men may esteem it evil or esteem it good, But we who are but mortals must accept and bear. Ere now full oft the sacrificing priest has raised The heavy axe to consecrate the earth-bowed beast And yet he could not finish it, for he was checked By nearing foes or by an intervening god. Chorus. Thou canst not imagine what will come next; Queen, we beg, enter and be Of good cheer. Evil and good still come Unexpected to mortals; Though foretold, we credit it not. Truly, did Troy burn; truly, we saw Death before us, shamefullest death; And are we not here Joined with thee, serving gladly, Seeing the dazzling sun in the heavens, Also thee, the earth's fairest, Gracious to us happy ones? Helena. Be it as it may! What may impend, me it beseems That I at once ascend into the royal house, The long-renounced, much yearned-for, well-nigh forfeited, Which stands again before mine eyes, I know not how. My feet do not with so much spirit bear me up The high steps I sped over lightly as a child. Exit. Chorus. Cast now, O sisters, ye Captives who mourn your fate, All your sorrows far from you; Share in our mistress' joy, Share ye in Helena's joy, Who to her father's hearth and house -True, with tardily homeward-turned But with so much the firmer foot- Draweth joyfully nearer. Praise ye the ever holy, Happy establishing And home-bringing Immortals! How the unfettered one Soars as on eagle-wings Over the roughest! while in vain Doth the sad captive yearningly Over the prison's high parapets Spread his arms abroad and pine. But a god laid hold on her, Her the exile, And from Ilion's ruins Hither he bore her again To the ancient, the newly adorned Father-house, From unspeakable Raptures and torments, Days of early youth New-refreshed to remember. Panthalis [as leader of the CHORUS]. But now forsake ye the joy-encompassed path of song And turn your gaze toward the portal's open wings. Sisters, what do I see? Does not the Queen return Again to us here with swift and agitated step? What is it, O great Queen, that here within the halls Of this thy house, instead of greeting from thine own, Could meet and shake thee thus? Conceal it thou canst not; For on that brow of thine I see aversion writ, A noble anger that is battling with surprise. Helena [who has left the wings of the door open, agitated]. A vulgar fear beseemeth not the child of Zeus, No lightly fleeting hand of terror touches her; But that grim Fright, that from the womb of ancient Night Rose at the first beginning and still multiform, Like glowing clouds out of the mountain's fiery throat, Rolls upward, might make even heroes' breasts to quake. In such appalling wise today the Stygians Have marked my entrance to the house that I am fain To leave this threshold often trod and wished-for long, Turning my steps away as of a guest dismissed. But no! I have retreated hither to the light And ye'll not drive me further, Powers, be who ye may! I'll plan some consecration and then, purified, May glowing hearth bid lord and mistress welcome home. Leader of the CHORUS. Disclose, O noble lady, to thy serving-maids, To us who aid and honour thee, what has occurred. Helena. What I have seen, ye too with your own eyes shall see Unless old Night indeed has forthwith swallowed up Her creature in the fearful depths of her dark womb. But yet that ye may know, I'll tell it you in words. When through the sombre courtyard of the royal house I stepped with reverence, my nearest task in mind, I marvelled at the drear and silent corridors. No sound of busy going to and fro fell on Mine ear, no diligent swift hasting met my gaze. Before me there appeared no maid, no stewardess, They who are wont to greet each stranger as a friend, But when I now drew near to the bosom of the hearth, Beside the tepid glimmering embers there I saw What huge, veiled form! a woman seated on the ground, Not like to one asleep but one far lost in thought. With sharp, commanding words I summon her to work, Supposing her the stewardess whom there perhaps My husband prudently had stationed ere he left; But in her mantle's folds she still sits motionless; And only at my threat her right arm doth she move, As if from hearth and hall she'd motion me away. Angry I turn from her and forthwith hasten on Toward the steps on which aloft the thalamos Rises adorned, the treasure-chamber near thereto; But swiftly now the monster starts up from the floor, Imperiously it bars the way to me and shows Its haggard height, its hollow eyes bedimmed with blood, A form so strange, such as confuses eye and mind. Yet to the winds I speak, for all in vain do words Essay to build up forms as if they could create. There see herself! She even ventures forth to light! Here we are master till the lord and monarch comes. The grisly births of night doth Phoebus, Beauty's friend, Drive far away to caverns or he binds them fast. PHORKYAS appears on the sill between the door-posts. Chorus. Much have I lived through, although my tresses In youthful fashion flow round my temples! Many the horrors that I have witnessed, Woe of dire warfare, Ilion's night When it fell. Through the beclouded, dust-raising tumult, Warriors crowding, I heard th' Immortals Terribly shouting, I heard the brazen Accents of Strife that clanged through the field Rampart-ward. Ah, still standing were Ilion's Ramparts then, but the glowing flames Soon from neighbour to neighbour ran, Hence and thence spreading out With the gust itself had made Over the city in darkness. Fleeing I saw through smoke and glow And the fluttering tongues of flame Ghastly presences, wrathful gods, Wondrous forms, great as giants, Striding on through sinister Vapours illumined by fire. Saw I this or was it my Mind that, anguish-torn, bodied forth Such made confusion? I'll never say That it was, but yet that I See with mine eyes this horrid thing, Certainly this I do know; I could indeed lay hold on it, But that fear is restraining me, From the perilous keeps me. Which one of Phorkys' Daughters, then, art thou? For to that family Thee would I liken. Art thou perchance of those born hoary, With but one eye and but one tooth, Sharing them alternately, Art thou one of the Graiae? Darest thou, monster, Here beside beauty Under the eye of great Phoebus to show thee? Come, only step forth, notwithstanding, For the hideous sees he not, As his holy eye has not Yet alighted on shadow. But a sorrowful adverse fate Us poor mortals doth force, alas! To the unspeakable pain of eyes Which the detestable, ever accursed, on Beauty's lovers doth still inflict. Yea, then hearken, if thou darest Meet and defy us, hear the curse, Hear the menace of each rebuke, Out of the cursing mouths of the happy ones Formed and fashioned by very gods. Phorkyas. Old is the word, yet high and true remains the sense, That Modesty and Beauty never, hand in hand, Pursue their way along the verdant paths of earth. Deep-rooted dwells in both of them an ancient hate, That wheresoever on the way they chance to meet, Each on the other turns her back in enmity. Then each one hastens on with greater vehemence, Modesty sad but Beauty insolent of mood, Till Orcus' hollow night at last envelops them, Unless old age has fettered them before that time. You find I now, ye wantons, here from foreign lands, Your insolence outpouring, like a flight of cranes Proceeding high overhead with hoarse and shrilling screams, A drawn-out cloud that earthward sends its croaking tones, Which lure the quiet wanderer to lift his gaze And look at them; but they fly onward on their way, He goes on his, and so with us too will it be. Who are ye then, that round the high house of the king Like Maenads wild or like Bacchantes dare to rave? Who are ye then to meet the house's stewardess With howling as a pack of dogs howls at the moon? Dream ye 'tis hidden from me of what race ye are, Thou callow, war-begotten, slaughter-nurtured brood? Man-crazy, thou, seducing as thou art seduced, Wasting the strength of warrior and of burgher too. To see you in your crowd, a swarm of locusts seems To have swooped down, hiding the verdant harvest-field. Devourers, ye, of others' toil! Ye parasites, Destroyers, in the bud, of all prosperity, Thou ravished merchandise, bartered and marketed! Helena. Who in the presence of the mistress chides the maids, Doth boldly overstep the mistress' household right; For her alone 'tis to praise the laudable As it is hers to punish what there is to blame. And I am well contented with the service that They rendered when the lofty power of Ilion Beleaguered stood and fell and lay, and not the less When on our erring course the grievous, changeful woe We bore, where commonly each thinks but of himself. Here also I expect the like from this blithe throng; Not what the slave is, asks the lord, but how he serves. Therefore be silent, grin and jeer at them no more. Hast thou the palace of the king kept well till now, In place of mistress, to thy credit shall it stand; But now that she has come in person, step thou back Lest punishment be thine, not merited reward. Phorkyas. To threaten her domestics doth remain the right The which the heaven-blest ruler's lofty consort earned Indeed through many a year of prudent governance. Since thou, now recognized, dost tread thine ancient place Anew and once again as mistress and as Queen, Lay hold upon the reins long-slackened, govern now, Take in thy keep the treasure, all of us thereto. But first of all protect me now, the older one, Against this crowd that by thy swan-like beauty are Only a meanly-winged lot of cackling geese. Leader of the CHORUS. How ugly, near to beauty, ugliness appears! Phorkyas. How senseless, near to wisdom, seems the want of sense! From here on, members of the CHORUS respond in turn, stepping forth singly from the CHORUS. The First Chorister. Of Father Erebus tell us, tell us of Mother Night! Phorkyas. Then speak of Scylla, thine own flesh's kith and kin! The Second Chorister. There's many a monstrous shoot on thine ancestral tree. Phorkyas. Away to Orcus! There seek out thy kindred tribe! The Third Chorister. They who dwell there, in sooth, are far too young for thee. Phorkyas. Go to Tiresias the Old, make love to him! The Fourth Chorister. Great-great-granddaughter to thee was Orion's nurse. Phorkyas. Harpies, I fancy, fed thee up on filthiness. The Fifth Chorister. With what dost nourish thou such cherished meagreness? Phorkyas. 'T