STUDY
SCENE - SCENE 4 FAUST (3rd study scene)
This
scene is important in the play as a whole as it is when Faust and
Mephistopheles come to a deal. However, this deal is not a bargain -
but a wager, a bet. The bet is that Mephistopheles cannot supply from
the world of outer experience a moment that would wholly satisfy
Faust. In there interaction Faust is full of a sort romantic
(in
the literary movement sense) despair over life
while Mephistopheles is the epitome of irony and cold cynicism. In
particular his characterization of various realms of "learning"
to the
student are quite amusing and have a certain justification (though
both with Faust and the student he makes it clear that the
abandonment of knowledge would put them more under his influence).
This scene is quite long but breaking it in two would weaken the
impression,
I think.
Faust and Mephistopheles illustration Tony Johannot
STUDY
FAUST, MEPHISTOPHELES
FAUST
A knock? Come in! Who wants to bother me?
MEPHISTOPHELES
It is I.
FAUST
Come in!
MEPHISTOPHELES
Now you must make it three.
FAUST
Come in then.
MEPHISTOPHELES
That’s how you’ll please me.
I hope we’ll get on well together!
To chase away your fancy’s bother,
Here I’m a noble squire- see
My suit of red with braids of gilt,
A little cloak of heavy silk,
My cock’s bright feather on my hat,
Long, pointed rapier one side.
In brief, let me advise you that
You dress the same way and decide,
Thus being free and not held fast,
To learn what living is at last.
FAUST
In any clothes I’d feel the pain of this
Restricted earth-imprisoned stay.
I am too old to merely play,
Too young to be without a wish.
What has the world to offer me?
Renounce, renounce you shall- entirely!
Yes, that is the eternal song
That in each person’s ears is ringing,
That thus, throughout our whole life long,
Each hour is ever hoarsely singing.
I only wake with horror in the morning,
And could weep bitterly to see the sun
Proclaim the risen day that in its forming
Will not fulfill one wish, not one;
With stubborn quibbling it will crush all traces,
All hints of any faint delight;
What stirs as heart’s creative might
It hinders with a thousand hideous grimaces.
What’s more, when night descends then I lie down
So anxiously upon my bed,
That there for me no rest is found,
But wild dreams frighten me instead.
The god that dwells within my heart,
Though inmost depths stir to his call,
Though ruling all my powers, his art
Can’t move the world outside at all.
So all existence is so burdened that
Life’s hateful to me, I desire death.
MEPHISTOPHELES
Yet death is never an entirely welcome guest.
FAUST
O happy he who dies with triumph’s glance,
A bloody laurel round his brow; or tires
After maddened, swift and frantic dance
And in a girl’s soft arms expires!
Oh, that before that high-born spirit’s power,
In rapture I’d sunk down- a lifeless pile!
MEPHISTOPHELES
And yet somebody failed, one late night hour,
To drink the brown juice from a phial.
FAUST
It looks like spying is your sport.
MEPHISTOPHELES
All-knowing I am not, and yet I know a lot.
FAUST
Though from a fearful turmoil, I
Was drawn by sweet-familiar ringing;
Though echoes of glad times gone by
Fooled what is left of childhood feeling;
I curse what circles soul's own ways
With lures, glitz, and trickery,
And bans it to this sad, sad cave
With force of sham and flattery!
Cursed first of all the high importance
In which the spirit wraps its being,
Cursed be the dazzle of appearance
That crowds on us from all our seeing.
Cursed be what feigns in dreams of fame,
False dreams of long-enduring name,
Cursed what so flatters as possession’s power,
As wife and child, as servant and as plough.
And cursed be Mammon when, with treasure,
He spurs us on to daring deeds,
Or lures us to idle leisure,
Adjusts the cushions to our needs.
Cursed be the fluid balm of grape.
Cursed be the highest gift of love. Let fall
A curse on hope! A curse on faith!
And cursed be patience most of all!
SPIRIT CHOIR (INVISIBLE)
Woe! Woe!
With forceful fist
You’ve destroyed and scattered
The beautiful world;
It tumbles, it’s shattered!
A demi-god has struck, uncaring!
We’re bearing
The ruins into the void;
Despairing,
We lament lost beauty’s worth.
Great one in
The sons of earth,
Build again,
More splendid-bright,
Build it up within your heart!
And a new life path
Begin
With clearest sight,
Let new songs ring,
Ring and sound forth!
MEPHISTOHELES
Small ones these be
Serving me.
Hear their sage advice to you-
Out to deeds and pleasure too!
Into wide creation,
From this isolation,
Where sense and sap grow still,
They would lure your will.
Hear this- don’t play so with your grieving
Which feeds on your life like a vulture; even
The worst companionship would find
You feeling like a man within mankind.
This does not mean we’ll see
You thrust into the rabble’s state;
Although I’m not one of the great,
Yet if you're closely joined with me
To take your steps through life, then I’m
Quite happy to submit my time
To be yours on the spot. So then
I shall be your friend,
And, if I suit you,
I’ll be your humble servant too!
FAUST
And what, for you, must I do in return?
MEPHISTOPHELES
There’s lots of time for that, so don’t insist.
FAUST
No, no, the devil is an egotist,
Not lightly serving God’s concern,
To give what’s needed for another. First list
All your conditions face to face,
Such servants brings much danger to one’s place.
MEPHISTOPHELES
I’ll bind myself to service to you here,
Be at your call without a rest. When we
Are yonder over there drawn near,
Then you shall do the same for me.
FAUST
That “yonder” is no trouble in my eyes.
Once you have smashed to bits this world,
Then let the other one arise.
For from this earth comes all my gladness,
And this sun shines upon my sadness;
Once I can part from them, let be unfurled
What will and can then, in whatever guise.
I’ll hear no more of this: of whether
One finds in that realm hate and love;
Or if, within those spheres hereafter,
There’s some Below and some Above.
MEPHISTOPHELES
With such an outlook you can risk a try.
Commit yourself. As coming weeks slip by,
With joy you’ll view my art’s vast scene,
I’ll give to you what no man’s ever seen.
FAUST
And what, poor devil, will you be giving?
When will the human spirit, with its noble striving,
Be grasped by such as live by lies?
For have you food that never satisfies,
Red gold that ceaseless runs and flies
Right through your fingers like quicksilver’s kin?
A game that you can never win,
A girl that as I hold her tight
Already binds my neighbour with her eyes,
Great honour’s most divine delight
That like some meteor swift-flies?
Show me the fruit that rots before it’s picked,
And trees that daily will renew their green.
MEPHISTOPHELES
Well, tasks like that don’t have me licked;
I’ll serve you with such treasure’s gleam.
And yet a time will also come, my friend,
To feast in peace upon those things which please.
FAUST
If ever I lie tranquil on a bed of ease,
Then let that instant be my end!
If flattering you fool me so,
That I’m pleased with my self and way,
Deceive me so with pleasure’s glow,
Then let that be my final day!
This bet I offer.
MEPHISTOPHELES
Done.
FAUST
And done I say!
If I, to any moment, say- Remain,
And linger on, you are so fair!
Then you may cast me into chains,
Then gladly I shall perish there!
Then may the tones of death-knell toll,
Then from your service you’ll be free,
The clock may stop, the hands may fall,
For then let time be done for me!
MEPHISTOPHELES
Consider well, for we shall not forget.
FAUST
You have a perfect right to that.
I did not lightly rate my bet.
If I'm a servant, this I swear,
To you or what else- who could care?
MEPHISTOPHELES
Today, at once now, at the doctor’s feast
I’ll do my duty serving you.
One thing! In terms with life and death
I’d beg from you a line or two.
FAUST
Demanding writing too, pedantic bird?
And have you never known a man or man’s true word?
And isn’t it enough my speaking can
Direct my days for all eternity?
Does not the world in all its streams rush on
And shall a promise fasten me?
Yet this illusion lies within our hearts, and who
Would willingly be free of it?
Oh, happy’s he whose heart clear-bears the true,
No sacrifice will he regret!
But only parchment, written up, all stamped and neat,
Is like a ghost before which all retreat.
The word has died within the pen,
For wax and leather rule it then.
Foul spirit, what shall I complete?
Brass, marble, parchment, paper sheet?
And will a chisel, pen or stylus do?
I give you every freedom for your choice.
MEPHISTOPHELES
Now why adopt this heated voice,
And overdone rhetoric too?
Just any scrap of paper’s fine.
Just take a little drop of blood and sign.
FAUST
Well, if it makes you happy- I'm
Prepared to let this farce stay in the act.
MEPHISTOPHELES
Blood is a very special fluid
FAUST
You needn’t fear that I shall break this pact
With all my might I'm striving toward
Precisely what I pledged, in fact.
I'd puffed-up thoughts about my role,
But I’m just one of your degree.
The mighty spirit scorned my soul,
And nature’s shut her gates on me.
The thread of thinking’s snapped. All knowing
Has long been sickening to me.
In deeps of sensuality
Let us quench passion’s fiery glowing!
In never-yet-pierced veils of magic might
Be every wonder ready for our sight!
We’ll plunge into the rush of time, we’ll swing
Into the whirl of happening!
Then may the pleasure and the pain,
The chagrin and the gain,
Swap with each other, as they can;
Only restless-active makes the man.
MEPHISTOPHELES
For you no mark or measure’s set.
If it please you to taste of everything
Or snatch up something on the wing;
May what delights, go well with you. Just grip
Right onto me and don’t be shy!
FAUST
I’ve said that joy is not the question. I
Shall now devote myself to giddy passion, find
Most painful of enjoyments, like the bind
Of loving hate or quickening distress.
Completely cured of all this,
This will to knowledge, then my heart
In future will not shut out pain and strife.
Whatever’s portioned out as mankind’s part
I wish to taste in my own inward life,
Grasp in my spirit high points and the low,
Pile on my breast all of its weal and woe,
Thus widen my own self to self of humankind,
And so like it, be shipwrecked in the end.
MEPHISTOPHELES
Oh, believe me, who, for many a thousand year,
Has chewed upon this hard old thing,
That from the cradle to the bier,
No man’s digested this old leavening.
Take it from one of us. The whole design
Is made but for a god. He finds
Himself in an eternal shine;
He’s thrown us into darkness with his might,
You’re only fit for day and night.
FAUST
But I alone will!
MEPHISTOPHELES
Well said, friend!
I fear but one thing makes you wrong:
That time is short and art is long.
You ought to be instructed then.
So find some poet, if you please.
Let him rove through what thoughts he’s bred,
And all the noble qualities
Heap up upon your honourable head,
The lion’s daring,
The hind’s fleet footedness,
Italian’s fiery blood and bearing,
The northerner’s tough steadfastness.
Let him teach you the secret mix
Of generosity and tricks:
With warm and youthful impulses you can
Then fall in love according to a plan.
I’d like to meet a man like that- good day
Sir Microcosm, I would say.
FAUST
What am I then, if there’s a bar
On ever gaining mankind’s crown,
That all our senses strive to own?
MEPHISTOPHELES
You’re ultimately- what you are.
Put on a periwig that has a million curls,
Or fit your feet with boots with yard-high soles,
You’ll still remain just what you are.
FAUST
I feel that I have gathered up in vain
The treasures of the human spirit. When
At last I sit and ponder it is plain
No new force wells within; I am not then
One hair breath higher because of it,
No nearer to the infinite.
MEPHISTOPHELES
My friend, you see the thing as those
Who merely see the thing. We must
Look sharper here, don’t you suppose,
Before the joy of living flies from us.
Confound it! Hands, feet, head and bum,
Are yours to have and own- that’s fine.
But things I find are really fun,
Now why are they at all less mine?
If I’ve six stallions as my own,
There strength is mine too, isn’t it?
I rush along and what a man I’ve grown,
As if I had two dozen pairs of feet.
Look alive! Let all reflecting be
And plunge into the world quite free.
I say the fool who ponders everything
|Is like a beast upon an arid heath
That some strange, evil spirit leads round in a ring,
While beautiful green meadows lie beneath.
FAUST
How shall we set about it?
MEPHISTOPHELES
We’ll simply flee.
What sort of torture chamber could this be?
What kind of life is this for you,
To bore yourself and the youngsters too?
Leave it to neighbour Paunch to lead.
Why plague yourself by threshing straw?
The best of what you know, indeed,
You may not tell the youths you get.
Right now I hear one in the hall.
FAUST
I really can’t see him just yet.
MEPHISTOPHELES
The poor boy’s waited long to call,
He mustn’t go away upset.
Come, give me now your cap and gown;
On me this costume reeks renown.
HE CHANGES CLOTHES
Just leave it to my ready wit!
I only need a quarter hour for it.
And meantime you prepare for our fine trip!
FAUST EXITS
MEPHISTOPHELES (IN FAUST’S LONG GOWN)
Despise all knowledge and all reason’s seeing,
All-highest power within the human being,
And just allow yourself to be,
In works of fraud and sorcery,
Thus strengthened by the spirit of lies,
And then, in any case, I’ll get your soul.
For fate has given him a spirit that’s so driving
It presses forward without control,
Leaps over all the joys that earth provides,
In its so over-hasty striving.
I’ll drag him through wild life and right
Through shallow triviality,
I’ll make him flounder, stiffen and stick tight.
In his insatiability
The drink shall float before his greedy lips,
In vain he’ll beg me for refreshing sips;
And even if had not signed
A bargain with a fiendish friend,
He’d still come to a nasty end.
A STUDENT ENTERS
STUDENT
I’ve only come quite recently;
I’ve come, in all humility,
To meet and speak with one all name
With reverence that is quite plain.
MEPHISTOPHELES
Your courtesy most pleases me.
You see a man like any that may be.
But have you made some calls on others?
STUDENT
I beg you, take me in these quarters.
I’ve come with every good resolve,
Fresh blood, a moderate bit of gold.
My mother would hardly let me depart.
While out, I’d like to learn a useful art.
MEPHISTOPHELES
You’re at the right location then.
STUDENT
Frankly, I would I could be off again:
I don’t like being here at all;
In all these walls, in all these halls,
I feel so very cramped. I see
Not one green thing, not even a tree.
And all the schoolroom benches hurt me,
My hearing, sense and thought desert me.
MEPHISTOPHELES
It’s just a habit; wait and see.
A child upon its mother’s breast,
That won’t at first take willingly,
Is quite soon sucking like the rest.
So you’ll find wisdom’s breasts, my boy,
Will every day bring you more joy.
STUDENT
I’d hang upon her neck with great delight,
If you can tell me how to reach that right.
MEPHISTOPHELES
Before continuing, please tell me
What is your chosen faculty?
STUDENT
I’d like great learning, want to try
To grasp all in the earth and sky.
All that's in knowledge I would know
And all that shines in Nature's day.
MEPHISTOPHELES
You’re on the proper track, although
Take care you do not go astray.
STUDENT
With body and with soul I’ll strive;
Yet I admit it’s good to raise
Some free time, just for being alive,
On sunny, summer holidays.
MEPHISTOPHELES
Make use of time, it flows so quickly past,
But system conquers it at last.
My dear friend, my advice to you
Is study logic first right through.
For when your mind is well and truly trained
And laced in “Spanish Boots” and maimed,
It’ll creep more carefully along
The paths of thought and not go on
Like something darting everywhere,
Will-o’-the-wisping here and there.
Then you’ll be taught, as your days fly,
That what you did once in a single try,
Like eating and drinking, unhampered and free,
Must be in order, one, two, three!
It's true, thought’s working is like this-
A weaver’s ceaseless masterpiece;
One pedal rules a thousand lines,
The shuttle shoots forth to and fro,
Lines flow unseen, and at a blow
A thousand threads are intertwined.
And then steps in philosophy
And proves that's how that it must be:
If first were so, and second so,
Then third and fourth would be so too-
If first and second were not though,
Then third and fourth would never do.
Though praised by pupils everywhere,
None find they win the weaver’s flair.
And he who studies what a living thing’s about
Seeks first to drive the spirit out;
He has each part now in his hand,
But lacks, I fear- the spirit’s band.“Manipulating Nature's sphere",
So it is called by Chemistry-
Not knowing its self-mockery.
STUDENT
I didn’t quite get all of it.
MEPHISTOPHELES
That will improve though, after a bit,
When you have learnt to lessen creation
And use a proper classification.
STUDENT
I feel confused by all you’ve said,
As though a mill wheel turned within my head.
MEPHISTOPHELES
Before all other things you must
Bite into Metaphysic’s crust.
There study and profoundly claim
What won’t go in the human brain.
For what is grasped and what’s not too,
A splendid word will always do.
Above all, for your first half year,
It’s best to keep strict order here.
So take five classes every day
And be there on the bell, I say!
Be well prepared before hand too,
Each paragraph quite studied through,
So you can tell, without a look,
That nothing’s said that’s not there in the book.
And eagerly take down each note,
As if the holy spirit spoke.
STUDENT
You shall no have to tell me twice!
I see how that makes useful sense;
For what you’ve got in black and white
You can bear home with confidence.
MEPHISTOPHELES
You’ve yet to choose a faculty!
STUDENT
I’m just not comfortable, I fear, with law.
MEPHISTOPHELES
I cannot blame you there, I’m sure.
I know about this field’s deformity
Like lasting illness rules and rights pass over
From one sad generation to another-
Soft-shift from place to place, thief-like.
Sound sense turns nonsense then; kind deeds to blight.
You’re still a youth, alas for you!
The rights we’re born with, sad but true,
Are never given their right due.
STUDENT
I loathe it even more. I am
In luck to learn from such a man.
I’m almost leaning towards Theology.
MEPHISTOPHELES
I would not wish to lead you so astray. You see,
Where knowledge of this sort applies,
It is so hard to shun false paths- within
This work so much well-hidden poison lies,
It’s hard to separate it from the medicine.
Here too it’s best if only one is heard;
One swears upon one master’s word.
In all- hold onto words! Thus sure,
Through this, the safest portal’s door,
You’ll enter the temple of certainty.
STUDENT
Yet thoughts must go with words to some degree.
MEPHISTOPHELES
All right! But do not be too anxious over that,
For just there, where ideas fall flat,
A word turns up in a nick of time. Trust me,
Words let you have fine altercation,
Or bring a system to creation.
In words you can believe unshaken,
For from a word there’s nothing can be taken.
STUDENT
Forgive me holding you with many questions,
Still I must trouble you once more.
Concerning medicine, I’m sure
You also have some strong suggestions.
Three years just flee so quickly past,
And God, the field is all too vast.
If only one had but one hint, just that alone
Would help one feel one's way to further levels.
MEPHISTOPHELES (ASIDE)
I’m fed up with this dust-dry tone;
Again I must right-play the devil.
(ALOUD)
The spirit of medicine’s easily grasped;
You work through macro- and then microcosm,
And then you let things go at last
As God wills them.
In vain you roam on being scientific,
For each one learns just what he can.
But he who seizes on the moment that’s specific,
He is your clued-up man.
You’re passably well-built. Audacity
Won’t fail you either, and if you
Will only trust yourself you’ll see
That other souls will trust you too.
Particularly learn a lot
About the managing of women;
For their eternal sighs and woes,
So thousandfold,
Can all be cured at one spot;
And if you’re just halfway discreet,
You’ll have them all right at your feet.
First off a title makes them trust
Your art transcends the common art;
For greetings you can tap each personal sweet part
Which others must skirt round for years. You grasp
Just how to press the little pulse
And clasp her, with a sly and fiery glance,
Around her slender, pretty waist
To see how tightly she is laced.
STUDENT
That’s more my thing. You see just why and how that way.
MEPHISTOPHELES
All theory, my dear friend, is grey;
The golden tree of life is green.
STUDENT
I swear to you, to me it’s like a dream.
So may I trouble you another time to sound
Your depths of wisdom to their very ground?
MEPHISTOPHELES
I’ll gladly do now what I can.
STUDENT
I cannot possibly be off again
Until I pass my album to you. Grant this good
Sign of your favour, if you would.
MEPHISTOPHELES
Very well.
HE WRITES AND HANDS IT BACK
STUDENT (READING)
Eritis sicut Deus scientes bonum et malum.
You’ll be like God, knowing good and evil.
STUDENT CLOSES THE BOOK REVERENTIALLY AND
EXITS
MEPHISTOPHELES
Just follow that and with it my cousin, the snake;
One day your likeness to God will make
You shiver and shake.
FAUST ENTERS
FAUST
And where shall we go now?
MEPHISTOPHELES
Wherever you want, don’t wait.
We’ll see the little world and then the great.
And with what joy, what gain you’ll find
You’ll sponge on through this course of mine.
FAUST
With my long beard you know that I’ll
Quite fail to lead the light life-style.
So this attempt’s no good. I’ve never grasped
How one’s to fit into the world at large.
I feel so small in front of others, I
Forever feel embarrassed if I try.
|
MEPHISTOPHELES
Good friend, that will all pass, have no misgiving;
When you can trust yourself, you’ll learn the art of living.
FAUST
How are we going? Who will get
The horses, coach and coachmen too?
MEPHISTOPHELES
We’ll just spread out my cloak a bit
And that will bear us through the blue.
So take this daring step and go,
But please don’t take much luggage though.
A little fire air, that I shall now prepare,
Will lift us swiftly from earth’s care.
And when we’re light we’ll quickly rise from here.
My friend, congratulations on your new career!
FAUST, MEPHISTOPHELES
FAUST
A knock? Come in! Who wants to bother me?
MEPHISTOPHELES
It is I.
FAUST
Come in!
MEPHISTOPHELES
Now you must make it three.
FAUST
Come in then.
MEPHISTOPHELES
That’s how you’ll please me.
I hope we’ll get on well together!
To chase away your fancy’s bother,
Here I’m a noble squire- see
My suit of red with braids of gilt,
A little cloak of heavy silk,
My cock’s bright feather on my hat,
Long, pointed rapier one side.
In brief, let me advise you that
You dress the same way and decide,
Thus being free and not held fast,
To learn what living is at last.
FAUST
In any clothes I’d feel the pain of this
Restricted earth-imprisoned stay.
I am too old to merely play,
Too young to be without a wish.
What has the world to offer me?
Renounce, renounce you shall- entirely!
Yes, that is the eternal song
That in each person’s ears is ringing,
That thus, throughout our whole life long,
Each hour is ever hoarsely singing.
I only wake with horror in the morning,
And could weep bitterly to see the sun
Proclaim the risen day that in its forming
Will not fulfill one wish, not one;
With stubborn quibbling it will crush all traces,
All hints of any faint delight;
What stirs as heart’s creative might
It hinders with a thousand hideous grimaces.
What’s more, when night descends then I lie down
So anxiously upon my bed,
That there for me no rest is found,
But wild dreams frighten me instead.
The god that dwells within my heart,
Though inmost depths stir to his call,
Though ruling all my powers, his art
Can’t move the world outside at all.
So all existence is so burdened that
Life’s hateful to me, I desire death.
MEPHISTOPHELES
Yet death is never an entirely welcome guest.
FAUST
O happy he who dies with triumph’s glance,
A bloody laurel round his brow; or tires
After maddened, swift and frantic dance
And in a girl’s soft arms expires!
Oh, that before that high-born spirit’s power,
In rapture I’d sunk down- a lifeless pile!
MEPHISTOPHELES
And yet somebody failed, one late night hour,
To drink the brown juice from a phial.
FAUST
It looks like spying is your sport.
MEPHISTOPHELES
All-knowing I am not, and yet I know a lot.
FAUST
Though from a fearful turmoil, I
Was drawn by sweet-familiar ringing;
Though echoes of glad times gone by
Fooled what is left of childhood feeling;
I curse what circles soul's own ways
With lures, glitz, and trickery,
And bans it to this sad, sad cave
With force of sham and flattery!
Cursed first of all the high importance
In which the spirit wraps its being,
Cursed be the dazzle of appearance
That crowds on us from all our seeing.
Cursed be what feigns in dreams of fame,
False dreams of long-enduring name,
Cursed what so flatters as possession’s power,
As wife and child, as servant and as plough.
And cursed be Mammon when, with treasure,
He spurs us on to daring deeds,
Or lures us to idle leisure,
Adjusts the cushions to our needs.
Cursed be the fluid balm of grape.
Cursed be the highest gift of love. Let fall
A curse on hope! A curse on faith!
And cursed be patience most of all!
SPIRIT CHOIR (INVISIBLE)
Woe! Woe!
With forceful fist
You’ve destroyed and scattered
The beautiful world;
It tumbles, it’s shattered!
A demi-god has struck, uncaring!
We’re bearing
The ruins into the void;
Despairing,
We lament lost beauty’s worth.
Great one in
The sons of earth,
Build again,
More splendid-bright,
Build it up within your heart!
And a new life path
Begin
With clearest sight,
Let new songs ring,
Ring and sound forth!
MEPHISTOHELES
Small ones these be
Serving me.
Hear their sage advice to you-
Out to deeds and pleasure too!
Into wide creation,
From this isolation,
Where sense and sap grow still,
They would lure your will.
Hear this- don’t play so with your grieving
Which feeds on your life like a vulture; even
The worst companionship would find
You feeling like a man within mankind.
This does not mean we’ll see
You thrust into the rabble’s state;
Although I’m not one of the great,
Yet if you're closely joined with me
To take your steps through life, then I’m
Quite happy to submit my time
To be yours on the spot. So then
I shall be your friend,
And, if I suit you,
I’ll be your humble servant too!
FAUST
And what, for you, must I do in return?
MEPHISTOPHELES
There’s lots of time for that, so don’t insist.
FAUST
No, no, the devil is an egotist,
Not lightly serving God’s concern,
To give what’s needed for another. First list
All your conditions face to face,
Such servants brings much danger to one’s place.
MEPHISTOPHELES
I’ll bind myself to service to you here,
Be at your call without a rest. When we
Are yonder over there drawn near,
Then you shall do the same for me.
FAUST
That “yonder” is no trouble in my eyes.
Once you have smashed to bits this world,
Then let the other one arise.
For from this earth comes all my gladness,
And this sun shines upon my sadness;
Once I can part from them, let be unfurled
What will and can then, in whatever guise.
I’ll hear no more of this: of whether
One finds in that realm hate and love;
Or if, within those spheres hereafter,
There’s some Below and some Above.
MEPHISTOPHELES
With such an outlook you can risk a try.
Commit yourself. As coming weeks slip by,
With joy you’ll view my art’s vast scene,
I’ll give to you what no man’s ever seen.
FAUST
And what, poor devil, will you be giving?
When will the human spirit, with its noble striving,
Be grasped by such as live by lies?
For have you food that never satisfies,
Red gold that ceaseless runs and flies
Right through your fingers like quicksilver’s kin?
A game that you can never win,
A girl that as I hold her tight
Already binds my neighbour with her eyes,
Great honour’s most divine delight
That like some meteor swift-flies?
Show me the fruit that rots before it’s picked,
And trees that daily will renew their green.
MEPHISTOPHELES
Well, tasks like that don’t have me licked;
I’ll serve you with such treasure’s gleam.
And yet a time will also come, my friend,
To feast in peace upon those things which please.
FAUST
If ever I lie tranquil on a bed of ease,
Then let that instant be my end!
If flattering you fool me so,
That I’m pleased with my self and way,
Deceive me so with pleasure’s glow,
Then let that be my final day!
This bet I offer.
MEPHISTOPHELES
Done.
FAUST
And done I say!
If I, to any moment, say- Remain,
And linger on, you are so fair!
Then you may cast me into chains,
Then gladly I shall perish there!
Then may the tones of death-knell toll,
Then from your service you’ll be free,
The clock may stop, the hands may fall,
For then let time be done for me!
MEPHISTOPHELES
Consider well, for we shall not forget.
FAUST
You have a perfect right to that.
I did not lightly rate my bet.
If I'm a servant, this I swear,
To you or what else- who could care?
MEPHISTOPHELES
Today, at once now, at the doctor’s feast
I’ll do my duty serving you.
One thing! In terms with life and death
I’d beg from you a line or two.
FAUST
Demanding writing too, pedantic bird?
And have you never known a man or man’s true word?
And isn’t it enough my speaking can
Direct my days for all eternity?
Does not the world in all its streams rush on
And shall a promise fasten me?
Yet this illusion lies within our hearts, and who
Would willingly be free of it?
Oh, happy’s he whose heart clear-bears the true,
No sacrifice will he regret!
But only parchment, written up, all stamped and neat,
Is like a ghost before which all retreat.
The word has died within the pen,
For wax and leather rule it then.
Foul spirit, what shall I complete?
Brass, marble, parchment, paper sheet?
And will a chisel, pen or stylus do?
I give you every freedom for your choice.
MEPHISTOPHELES
Now why adopt this heated voice,
And overdone rhetoric too?
Just any scrap of paper’s fine.
Just take a little drop of blood and sign.
FAUST
Well, if it makes you happy- I'm
Prepared to let this farce stay in the act.
MEPHISTOPHELES
Blood is a very special fluid
FAUST
You needn’t fear that I shall break this pact
With all my might I'm striving toward
Precisely what I pledged, in fact.
I'd puffed-up thoughts about my role,
But I’m just one of your degree.
The mighty spirit scorned my soul,
And nature’s shut her gates on me.
The thread of thinking’s snapped. All knowing
Has long been sickening to me.
In deeps of sensuality
Let us quench passion’s fiery glowing!
In never-yet-pierced veils of magic might
Be every wonder ready for our sight!
We’ll plunge into the rush of time, we’ll swing
Into the whirl of happening!
Then may the pleasure and the pain,
The chagrin and the gain,
Swap with each other, as they can;
Only restless-active makes the man.
MEPHISTOPHELES
For you no mark or measure’s set.
If it please you to taste of everything
Or snatch up something on the wing;
May what delights, go well with you. Just grip
Right onto me and don’t be shy!
FAUST
I’ve said that joy is not the question. I
Shall now devote myself to giddy passion, find
Most painful of enjoyments, like the bind
Of loving hate or quickening distress.
Completely cured of all this,
This will to knowledge, then my heart
In future will not shut out pain and strife.
Whatever’s portioned out as mankind’s part
I wish to taste in my own inward life,
Grasp in my spirit high points and the low,
Pile on my breast all of its weal and woe,
Thus widen my own self to self of humankind,
And so like it, be shipwrecked in the end.
MEPHISTOPHELES
Oh, believe me, who, for many a thousand year,
Has chewed upon this hard old thing,
That from the cradle to the bier,
No man’s digested this old leavening.
Take it from one of us. The whole design
Is made but for a god. He finds
Himself in an eternal shine;
He’s thrown us into darkness with his might,
You’re only fit for day and night.
FAUST
But I alone will!
MEPHISTOPHELES
Well said, friend!
I fear but one thing makes you wrong:
That time is short and art is long.
You ought to be instructed then.
So find some poet, if you please.
Let him rove through what thoughts he’s bred,
And all the noble qualities
Heap up upon your honourable head,
The lion’s daring,
The hind’s fleet footedness,
Italian’s fiery blood and bearing,
The northerner’s tough steadfastness.
Let him teach you the secret mix
Of generosity and tricks:
With warm and youthful impulses you can
Then fall in love according to a plan.
I’d like to meet a man like that- good day
Sir Microcosm, I would say.
FAUST
What am I then, if there’s a bar
On ever gaining mankind’s crown,
That all our senses strive to own?
MEPHISTOPHELES
You’re ultimately- what you are.
Put on a periwig that has a million curls,
Or fit your feet with boots with yard-high soles,
You’ll still remain just what you are.
FAUST
I feel that I have gathered up in vain
The treasures of the human spirit. When
At last I sit and ponder it is plain
No new force wells within; I am not then
One hair breath higher because of it,
No nearer to the infinite.
MEPHISTOPHELES
My friend, you see the thing as those
Who merely see the thing. We must
Look sharper here, don’t you suppose,
Before the joy of living flies from us.
Confound it! Hands, feet, head and bum,
Are yours to have and own- that’s fine.
But things I find are really fun,
Now why are they at all less mine?
If I’ve six stallions as my own,
There strength is mine too, isn’t it?
I rush along and what a man I’ve grown,
As if I had two dozen pairs of feet.
Look alive! Let all reflecting be
And plunge into the world quite free.
I say the fool who ponders everything
|Is like a beast upon an arid heath
That some strange, evil spirit leads round in a ring,
While beautiful green meadows lie beneath.
FAUST
How shall we set about it?
MEPHISTOPHELES
We’ll simply flee.
What sort of torture chamber could this be?
What kind of life is this for you,
To bore yourself and the youngsters too?
Leave it to neighbour Paunch to lead.
Why plague yourself by threshing straw?
The best of what you know, indeed,
You may not tell the youths you get.
Right now I hear one in the hall.
FAUST
I really can’t see him just yet.
MEPHISTOPHELES
The poor boy’s waited long to call,
He mustn’t go away upset.
Come, give me now your cap and gown;
On me this costume reeks renown.
HE CHANGES CLOTHES
Just leave it to my ready wit!
I only need a quarter hour for it.
And meantime you prepare for our fine trip!
FAUST EXITS
MEPHISTOPHELES (IN FAUST’S LONG GOWN)
Despise all knowledge and all reason’s seeing,
All-highest power within the human being,
And just allow yourself to be,
In works of fraud and sorcery,
Thus strengthened by the spirit of lies,
And then, in any case, I’ll get your soul.
For fate has given him a spirit that’s so driving
It presses forward without control,
Leaps over all the joys that earth provides,
In its so over-hasty striving.
I’ll drag him through wild life and right
Through shallow triviality,
I’ll make him flounder, stiffen and stick tight.
In his insatiability
The drink shall float before his greedy lips,
In vain he’ll beg me for refreshing sips;
And even if had not signed
A bargain with a fiendish friend,
He’d still come to a nasty end.
A STUDENT ENTERS
STUDENT
I’ve only come quite recently;
I’ve come, in all humility,
To meet and speak with one all name
With reverence that is quite plain.
MEPHISTOPHELES
Your courtesy most pleases me.
You see a man like any that may be.
But have you made some calls on others?
STUDENT
I beg you, take me in these quarters.
I’ve come with every good resolve,
Fresh blood, a moderate bit of gold.
My mother would hardly let me depart.
While out, I’d like to learn a useful art.
MEPHISTOPHELES
You’re at the right location then.
STUDENT
Frankly, I would I could be off again:
I don’t like being here at all;
In all these walls, in all these halls,
I feel so very cramped. I see
Not one green thing, not even a tree.
And all the schoolroom benches hurt me,
My hearing, sense and thought desert me.
MEPHISTOPHELES
It’s just a habit; wait and see.
A child upon its mother’s breast,
That won’t at first take willingly,
Is quite soon sucking like the rest.
So you’ll find wisdom’s breasts, my boy,
Will every day bring you more joy.
STUDENT
I’d hang upon her neck with great delight,
If you can tell me how to reach that right.
MEPHISTOPHELES
Before continuing, please tell me
What is your chosen faculty?
STUDENT
I’d like great learning, want to try
To grasp all in the earth and sky.
All that's in knowledge I would know
And all that shines in Nature's day.
MEPHISTOPHELES
You’re on the proper track, although
Take care you do not go astray.
STUDENT
With body and with soul I’ll strive;
Yet I admit it’s good to raise
Some free time, just for being alive,
On sunny, summer holidays.
MEPHISTOPHELES
Make use of time, it flows so quickly past,
But system conquers it at last.
My dear friend, my advice to you
Is study logic first right through.
For when your mind is well and truly trained
And laced in “Spanish Boots” and maimed,
It’ll creep more carefully along
The paths of thought and not go on
Like something darting everywhere,
Will-o’-the-wisping here and there.
Then you’ll be taught, as your days fly,
That what you did once in a single try,
Like eating and drinking, unhampered and free,
Must be in order, one, two, three!
It's true, thought’s working is like this-
A weaver’s ceaseless masterpiece;
One pedal rules a thousand lines,
The shuttle shoots forth to and fro,
Lines flow unseen, and at a blow
A thousand threads are intertwined.
And then steps in philosophy
And proves that's how that it must be:
If first were so, and second so,
Then third and fourth would be so too-
If first and second were not though,
Then third and fourth would never do.
Though praised by pupils everywhere,
None find they win the weaver’s flair.
And he who studies what a living thing’s about
Seeks first to drive the spirit out;
He has each part now in his hand,
But lacks, I fear- the spirit’s band.“Manipulating Nature's sphere",
So it is called by Chemistry-
Not knowing its self-mockery.
STUDENT
I didn’t quite get all of it.
MEPHISTOPHELES
That will improve though, after a bit,
When you have learnt to lessen creation
And use a proper classification.
STUDENT
I feel confused by all you’ve said,
As though a mill wheel turned within my head.
MEPHISTOPHELES
Before all other things you must
Bite into Metaphysic’s crust.
There study and profoundly claim
What won’t go in the human brain.
For what is grasped and what’s not too,
A splendid word will always do.
Above all, for your first half year,
It’s best to keep strict order here.
So take five classes every day
And be there on the bell, I say!
Be well prepared before hand too,
Each paragraph quite studied through,
So you can tell, without a look,
That nothing’s said that’s not there in the book.
And eagerly take down each note,
As if the holy spirit spoke.
STUDENT
You shall no have to tell me twice!
I see how that makes useful sense;
For what you’ve got in black and white
You can bear home with confidence.
MEPHISTOPHELES
You’ve yet to choose a faculty!
STUDENT
I’m just not comfortable, I fear, with law.
MEPHISTOPHELES
I cannot blame you there, I’m sure.
I know about this field’s deformity
Like lasting illness rules and rights pass over
From one sad generation to another-
Soft-shift from place to place, thief-like.
Sound sense turns nonsense then; kind deeds to blight.
You’re still a youth, alas for you!
The rights we’re born with, sad but true,
Are never given their right due.
STUDENT
I loathe it even more. I am
In luck to learn from such a man.
I’m almost leaning towards Theology.
MEPHISTOPHELES
I would not wish to lead you so astray. You see,
Where knowledge of this sort applies,
It is so hard to shun false paths- within
This work so much well-hidden poison lies,
It’s hard to separate it from the medicine.
Here too it’s best if only one is heard;
One swears upon one master’s word.
In all- hold onto words! Thus sure,
Through this, the safest portal’s door,
You’ll enter the temple of certainty.
STUDENT
Yet thoughts must go with words to some degree.
MEPHISTOPHELES
All right! But do not be too anxious over that,
For just there, where ideas fall flat,
A word turns up in a nick of time. Trust me,
Words let you have fine altercation,
Or bring a system to creation.
In words you can believe unshaken,
For from a word there’s nothing can be taken.
STUDENT
Forgive me holding you with many questions,
Still I must trouble you once more.
Concerning medicine, I’m sure
You also have some strong suggestions.
Three years just flee so quickly past,
And God, the field is all too vast.
If only one had but one hint, just that alone
Would help one feel one's way to further levels.
MEPHISTOPHELES (ASIDE)
I’m fed up with this dust-dry tone;
Again I must right-play the devil.
(ALOUD)
The spirit of medicine’s easily grasped;
You work through macro- and then microcosm,
And then you let things go at last
As God wills them.
In vain you roam on being scientific,
For each one learns just what he can.
But he who seizes on the moment that’s specific,
He is your clued-up man.
You’re passably well-built. Audacity
Won’t fail you either, and if you
Will only trust yourself you’ll see
That other souls will trust you too.
Particularly learn a lot
About the managing of women;
For their eternal sighs and woes,
So thousandfold,
Can all be cured at one spot;
And if you’re just halfway discreet,
You’ll have them all right at your feet.
First off a title makes them trust
Your art transcends the common art;
For greetings you can tap each personal sweet part
Which others must skirt round for years. You grasp
Just how to press the little pulse
And clasp her, with a sly and fiery glance,
Around her slender, pretty waist
To see how tightly she is laced.
STUDENT
That’s more my thing. You see just why and how that way.
MEPHISTOPHELES
All theory, my dear friend, is grey;
The golden tree of life is green.
STUDENT
I swear to you, to me it’s like a dream.
So may I trouble you another time to sound
Your depths of wisdom to their very ground?
MEPHISTOPHELES
I’ll gladly do now what I can.
STUDENT
I cannot possibly be off again
Until I pass my album to you. Grant this good
Sign of your favour, if you would.
MEPHISTOPHELES
Very well.
HE WRITES AND HANDS IT BACK
STUDENT (READING)
Eritis sicut Deus scientes bonum et malum.
You’ll be like God, knowing good and evil.
STUDENT CLOSES THE BOOK REVERENTIALLY AND
EXITS
MEPHISTOPHELES
Just follow that and with it my cousin, the snake;
One day your likeness to God will make
You shiver and shake.
FAUST ENTERS
FAUST
And where shall we go now?
MEPHISTOPHELES
Wherever you want, don’t wait.
We’ll see the little world and then the great.
And with what joy, what gain you’ll find
You’ll sponge on through this course of mine.
FAUST
With my long beard you know that I’ll
Quite fail to lead the light life-style.
So this attempt’s no good. I’ve never grasped
How one’s to fit into the world at large.
I feel so small in front of others, I
Forever feel embarrassed if I try.
|
MEPHISTOPHELES
Good friend, that will all pass, have no misgiving;
When you can trust yourself, you’ll learn the art of living.
FAUST
How are we going? Who will get
The horses, coach and coachmen too?
MEPHISTOPHELES
We’ll just spread out my cloak a bit
And that will bear us through the blue.
So take this daring step and go,
But please don’t take much luggage though.
A little fire air, that I shall now prepare,
Will lift us swiftly from earth’s care.
And when we’re light we’ll quickly rise from here.
My friend, congratulations on your new career!
No comments:
Post a Comment