Mephistopheles
Time, my good friend, will all that's needful give; Be only self - possessed, and
thou hast learn'd to live.
Faust
But how are we to start, I pray? Steeds, servants,
carriage, where are they?
Mephistopheles
We've but to spread this
mantle wide, 'Twill serve
whereon through air to
ride, No heavy
baggage need you take, When we our bold
excursion make,
A little gas, which I will soon prepare, Lifts us from earth; aloft through air,
Light laden we shall
swiftly steer; I wish you joy of your new life - career.
Auerbach's Cellar In Leipzig
A Drinking Party
Frosch
No drinking? Naught a laugh to raise? None of your
gloomy looks, I pray!
You, who so bright were wont to blaze, Are dull as wetted straw to - day.
Brander
'Tis all your fault; your part you do not bear, No beastliness, no folly.
Frosch
(pours a glass of wine over his head)
There, You have them both!
Brander
You double beast!
Frosch
'Tis what you ask'd me for, at least!
Siebel
Whoever quarrels, turn him out! With open
throat drink, roar, and shout.
Hollo! Hollo! Ho!
Altmayer
Zounds, fellow, cease your deaf'ning cheers! Bring cotton - wool! He splits
my ears.
Siebel
'Tis when the roof rings back the tone, Then first the full power of the bass is
known.
Frosch
Right! out with him who takes offence! A! tara lara da!
Altmayer
A! tara lara da!
Frosch
Our
throats are tuned. Come let's commence!
(Sings)
The holy Roman empire now, How holds it still together?
Brander
An ugly song! a song political! A song offensive! Thank God, every morn To
rule the Roman empire, that you were not born! I bless my stars at least that
mine is not Either a kaiser's or a chancellor's lot. Yet 'mong ourselves should
one still lord it o'er the rest; That we elect a pope I now suggest. Ye know,
what quality ensures A man's success, his rise secures.
Frosch (sings)
Bear, lady
nightingale above, Ten thousand greetings to my love.
Siebel
No greetings to a sweetheart! No love - songs shall there be!
Frosch
Love - greetings and love kisses! Thou shalt not
hinder me!
(Sings)
Undo the bolt! in silly night, Undo the bolt! the lover wakes. Shut to the bolt!
when morning breaks.
Siebel
Ay, sing, sing on, praise her with all thy might! My turn to laugh will come
some day. Me hath she jilted once, you the same trick she'll play. Some
gnome her lover be! where cross - roads meet,
With her to play the fool; or old he - goat, From Blocksberg coming in swift
gallop, bleat A good night to her, from his hairy
throat! A proper lad of
genuine flesh and blood, Is for the
damsel far too good; The greeting she shall
have from me, To smash her window - panes will be!
Brander (striking on the table)
Silence! Attend! to me give ear! Confess, sirs, I know how to live: Some love
- sick folk are sitting here! Hence, 'tis but fit, their hearts to cheer, That I a
good - night
strain to them should give. Hark! of the newest fashion is my
song! Strike
boldly in the
chorus, clear and strong!
(He sings)
Once in a
cellar lived a rat, He feasted there on butter, Until his paunch
became as fat As that of Doctor Luther. The cook laid
poison for the guest,
Then was his heart with pangs oppress'd, As if his frame love wasted.
Chorus (shouting)
As if his frame love wasted.
Brander
He ran around, he ran
abroad, Of every puddle drinking. The house with rage
he
scratch'd and gnaw'd, In vain, - he fast was sinking; Full many an
anguish'd
bound he gave, Nothing the
hapless brute could save, As if his frame love
wasted.
Chorus
As if his frame love wasted.
Brander
By
torturedriven, in open day, The kitchen he invaded, Convulsed upon the
hearth he lay, With
anguishsorely jaded; The
poisoner laugh'd, Ha! ha! quoth
she, His life is ebbing fast, I see, As if his frame love wasted.
Chorus
As if his frame love wasted.
Siebel
How the dull boors exulting shout! Poison for the poor rats to strew A fine
exploit it is no doubt.
Brander
They, as it seems, stand well with you!
Altmayer
Old bald - pate! with the paunch profound! The rat's
mishap hath tamed his
nature; For he his counterpart hath found Depicted in the
swollen creature.
Auerbach's Cellar - Faust And Mephistopheles Enter
Faust And Mephistopheles
Mephistopheles
I now must introduce to you Before aught else, this jovial crew, To show how
lightly life may glide away; With tse folk here each day's a
holiday. With little
wit and much content, Each on his own small round
intent, Like sportive kitten
with its tail; While no sick -
headache they
bewail, And while their host will
credit give, Joyous and free from care they live.
Brander
They're off a journey, that is clear, From their strange manners; they have
scarce been here An hour.
Frosch
You're right! Leipzig's the place for me! 'Tis quite a little Paris; people there
Acquire a certain easy finish'd air.
Siebel
What take you now these travellers to be?
Frosch
Let me alone! O'er a full glass you'll see, As easily I'll worm their secret out,
As draw an infant's tooth. I've not a doubt That my two gentlemen are nobly
born, They look
dissatisfied and full of scorn.
Brander
They are but mountebanks, I'll lay a bet!
Altmayer
Most like.
Frosch
Mark me, I'll screw it from them yet!
Mephistopheles (to Faust)
These fellows would not scent the devil out, E'en though he had them by the
very
throat!
Faust
Good -
morrow, gentlemen!
Siebel
Thanks for your fair salute.
(Aside, glancing at Mephistopheles,)
How! goes the fellow on a halting foot?
Mephistopheles
Is it permitted here with you to sit? Then though good wine is not forthcoming
here, Good company at least our hearts will cheer.
Altmayer
A
dainty gentleman, no doubt of it.
Frosch
You're
doubtless recently from Rippach? Pray, Did you with Master Hans
there chance to sup?
Mephistopheles
To - day we pass'd him, but we did not stop! When last we met him he had
much to say Touching his cousins, and to each he sent Full many a greeting
and kind
compliment. (With an
inclination towards Frosch.)
Altmayer (aside to Frosch)
You have it there!
Siebel
Faith! he's a
knowing one!
Frosch
Have patience! I will show him up anon!
Mephistopheles
We heard erewhile, unless I'm wrong, Voices well trained in
chorus pealing?
Certes, most choicely here must song Re - echo from this vaulted ceiling!
Frosch
That you're an
amateur one
plainly sees!
Mephistopheles
Oh no, though strong the love, I cannot boast much skill.
Altmayer
Give us a song!
Mephistopheles
As many as you will.
Siebel
But be it a brand new one, if you please!
Mephistopheles
But recently returned from Spain are we, The pleasant land of wine and
minstrelsy.
(Sings)
A king there was once reigning, Who had a
goodly flea
Frosch
Hark! did you
rightly catch the words? a flea! An odd sort of a guest he
needs must be.
Mephistopheles (sings)
A king there was once reigning, Who had a
goodly flea, Him loved he without
feigning, As his own son were he! His
tailor then he summon'd, The
tailor to
him goes: Now
measure me the
youngster For jerkin and for hose!
Brander
Take proper heed, the
tailorstrictlycharge, The nicest
measurement to take,
And as he loves his head, to make The hose quite smooth and not too large!
Mephistopheles
In satin and in
velvet, Behold the yonker dressed; Bedizen'd o'er with ribbons,
A cross upon his breast. Prime
minister they made him, He wore a star of
state; And all his poor relations Were courtiers, rich and great.
The gentlemen and ladies At court were sore distressed; The queen and all
her maidens Were
bitten by the pest, And yet they dared not
scratch them,
Or chase the fleas away. If we are bit, we catch them, And crack without
delay.
Chorus (shouting)
If we are bit, &c.
Frosch
Bravo! That's the song for me!
Siebel
Such be the fate of every flea!
Brander
With clever finger catch and kill!
Altmayer
Hurrah for wine and freedom still!
Mephistopheles
Were but your wine a
trifle better, friend, A glass to freedom I would gladly
drain,
Siebel
You'd better not repeat those words again!
Mephistopheles