he.
He called the tailor of the court,
Who quickly came a-running,
To fit him doublets long and short
And breeches that were stunning.
BRANDER.
And don’t forget to warn that tailor
2220
to measure for a very tight fit;
if he wants to save his neck,
there’d better be no wrinkles in those breeches.
MEPHISTOPHELES.
In velvet and in silkiness
The courtly flea was dressed
To the hilt with ribbons on his dress
And a shiny cross on his breast.
And he nobly brought to court
His brothers and his sisters,
For he was now a mighty lord,
2230
One of the State’s ministers.
The lords and ladies of the State
Were very sorely tried.
The queen said to the chambermaid
“We cannot shield our hide.”
The fleas did make them shiver
And squeal as they were nicked.
We slither and we quiver
As soon as we are pricked.
CHORUS (
jubilant
) .
We slither and we quiver
2240
As soon as we are pricked.
FROSCH.
Bravo, bravo! That was beautiful!
SIEBEL.
It should happen to all fleas.
BRANDER.
Cock your fingers, squish them prettily.
ALTMAYER.
Long live wine, and long live liberty!
MEPHISTOPHELES.
I’d like to fill my glass and drink to freedom’s honor,
if only you had wine of better quality.
SIEBEL.
Don’t let us hear such talk again!
MEPHISTOPHELES.
I fear the landlord might not like it,
else I should treat our worthy guests
2250
to something rare from our cellar.
SIEBEL.
Let’s have it, man. I’ll take the blame for it.
FROSCH.
If you’ll produce the liquid, we’ll sing your praises to the sky
But let me have a generous sample,
for if I am asked to referee,
I must guzzle deep and long.
ALTMAYER (
aside
) .
I can tell they come from the Rhine.
MEPHISTOPHELES.
Bring me an auger now!
BRANDER.
What would you want with that?
You have no casks outside the door, or else?
ALTMAYER.
Back there the landlord keeps his box of tools.
MEPHISTOPHELES (
takes the auger
). (
To FROSCH .)
2260
Now tell me, what’s your favorite label?
FROSCH.
How do you mean? Do you have several kinds?
MEPHISTOPHELES.
The choice is free. It’s up to you.
ALTMAYER (
to FROSCH ) .
Aha! Even now he licks his lips.
FROSCH.
All right, if I can choose, I want some Rhenish wine.
The fatherland bestows the finest gifts of all.
MEPHISTOPHELES (
drills a hole into the edge of the table in front of FROSCH ).
Get me some wax, so we may stanch the flow.
ALTMAYER.
Ah, that’s just a juggler’s trick.
MEPHISTOPHELES (
to BRANDER ) .
And for you?
BRANDER.
Champagne for me,
and make it sparkle and tingle.
MEPHISTOPHELES (
bores holes; one of the others has meanwhile made the wax stoppers and begun to plug the holes
) .
BRANDER.
2270
Sometimes one can’t abstain from foreign stuff;
what is good
He called the tailor of the court,
Who quickly came a-running,
To fit him doublets long and short
And breeches that were stunning.
BRANDER.
And don’t forget to warn that tailor
2220
to measure for a very tight fit;
if he wants to save his neck,
there’d better be no wrinkles in those breeches.
MEPHISTOPHELES.
In velvet and in silkiness
The courtly flea was dressed
To the hilt with ribbons on his dress
And a shiny cross on his breast.
And he nobly brought to court
His brothers and his sisters,
For he was now a mighty lord,
2230
One of the State’s ministers.
The lords and ladies of the State
Were very sorely tried.
The queen said to the chambermaid
“We cannot shield our hide.”
The fleas did make them shiver
And squeal as they were nicked.
We slither and we quiver
As soon as we are pricked.
CHORUS (
jubilant
) .
We slither and we quiver
2240
As soon as we are pricked.
FROSCH.
Bravo, bravo! That was beautiful!
SIEBEL.
It should happen to all fleas.
BRANDER.
Cock your fingers, squish them prettily.
ALTMAYER.
Long live wine, and long live liberty!
MEPHISTOPHELES.
I’d like to fill my glass and drink to freedom’s honor,
if only you had wine of better quality.
SIEBEL.
Don’t let us hear such talk again!
MEPHISTOPHELES.
I fear the landlord might not like it,
else I should treat our worthy guests
2250
to something rare from our cellar.
SIEBEL.
Let’s have it, man. I’ll take the blame for it.
FROSCH.
If you’ll produce the liquid, we’ll sing your praises to the sky
But let me have a generous sample,
for if I am asked to referee,
I must guzzle deep and long.
ALTMAYER (
aside
) .
I can tell they come from the Rhine.
MEPHISTOPHELES.
Bring me an auger now!
BRANDER.
What would you want with that?
You have no casks outside the door, or else?
ALTMAYER.
Back there the landlord keeps his box of tools.
MEPHISTOPHELES (
takes the auger
). (
To FROSCH .)
2260
Now tell me, what’s your favorite label?
FROSCH.
How do you mean? Do you have several kinds?
MEPHISTOPHELES.
The choice is free. It’s up to you.
ALTMAYER (
to FROSCH ) .
Aha! Even now he licks his lips.
FROSCH.
All right, if I can choose, I want some Rhenish wine.
The fatherland bestows the finest gifts of all.
MEPHISTOPHELES (
drills a hole into the edge of the table in front of FROSCH ).
Get me some wax, so we may stanch the flow.
ALTMAYER.
Ah, that’s just a juggler’s trick.
MEPHISTOPHELES (
to BRANDER ) .
And for you?
BRANDER.
Champagne for me,
and make it sparkle and tingle.
MEPHISTOPHELES (
bores holes; one of the others has meanwhile made the wax stoppers and begun to plug the holes
) .
BRANDER.
2270
Sometimes one can’t abstain from foreign stuff;
what is good
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