other, and raise their knives
.)
MEPHISTOPHELES (
more gestures
) .
2320
Illusion, release these eyes from error!
And you take notice how the devil plays his game.
(
He disappears with
FAUST .
The students scatter.)
SIEBEL.
What’s up?
ALTMAYER.
Eh?
FROSCH.
Was that your nose?
BRANDER (
to SIEBEL ) .
And yours I hold here in my hand!
ALTMAYER.
It was a shock that went through bone and marrow!
Bring me a chair, I think I’m fainting.
FROSCH.
Will someone tell me what has happened?
SIEBEL.
Where is he? If I can get my hands on him,
he won’t come off alive this time.
ALTMAYER.
I’m sure I saw him on a cask—
2330
riding out the open cellar door—
My legs feel heavier than lead.
(
Turning to the table
.)
Do you suppose the wine might still be running?
SIEBEL.
It was a fraud, a lie, and trickery.
FROSCH.
I was so sure that I was drinking wine.
BRANDER.
And how about those luscious grapes?
ALTMAYER.
Who says there are no miracles!
WITCH’S KITCHEN
A great cauldron stands on the fire over a low hearth. Various grotesque figures can be seen through the rising smoke. A she-ape sits by the cauldron, stirring and skimming it. A he-ape with his young ones sits near her, warming himself. Walls and ceilings are decorated with bizarre household implements.
Faust, Mephistopheles
.
FAUST.
I am repelled by all this magic stew and fuss!
Can you promise me that I’ll be cured
by wallowing in that whirling frenzy?
2340
Should I seek counsel from an ancient hag?
And can that filthy, frothing cookery
relieve my carcass of some thirty years?
I am lost if you can think of nothing better!
My dearest hope has vanished even now.
Why has not nature or a noble spirit
found some remedial balm for me?
MEPHISTOPHELES.
Now you speak more sensibly again, my friend!
You may yet naturally regain your youth,
but that is written in a different book
2350
and constitutes a special chapter.
FAUST.
I wish to know it.
MEPHISTOPHELES.
Good! A method can be used
without physicians, gold, or magic.
Go out into the open field
and start to dig and cultivate;
keep your body and your spirit
in a humble and restricted sphere,
sustain yourself by simple fare,
live with your herd and spread your own manure
on land from which you reap your nourishment.
2360
Believe me, that’s the best procedure
to keep your youth for eighty years or more.
FAUST.
I am not used to that. I cannot bring myself
to take a spade and till the ground.
The narrow life has no appeal for me.
MEPHISTOPHELES.
Then, I suppose the witch is worth a try.
FAUST.
Why must it be that ancient hag?
Why can’t you brew the drink yourself?
MEPHISTOPHELES.
A pretty pastime during which
I’d rather build a thousand bridges!
2370
Art and science is not all we need,
this business requires patience too.
A tranquil mind must labor many years;
the fermentation is supplied by time.
The recipe requires care
and strange, exotic condiments.
The devil showed the witch the way,
but the devil cannot stoop to brew the potion.
(
Notices
THE ANIMALS .)
Observe the dainty couple here!
This is the houseboy, that’s the maid.
(
To
THE ANIMALS .)
2380
It seems your mistress isn’t home?
THE ANIMALS.
Slipped away to carouse,
Flew from the house,
Out through the chimney!
MEPHISTOPHELES.
When do her revels usually end?
THE ANIMALS.
When our paws
.)
MEPHISTOPHELES (
more gestures
) .
2320
Illusion, release these eyes from error!
And you take notice how the devil plays his game.
(
He disappears with
FAUST .
The students scatter.)
SIEBEL.
What’s up?
ALTMAYER.
Eh?
FROSCH.
Was that your nose?
BRANDER (
to SIEBEL ) .
And yours I hold here in my hand!
ALTMAYER.
It was a shock that went through bone and marrow!
Bring me a chair, I think I’m fainting.
FROSCH.
Will someone tell me what has happened?
SIEBEL.
Where is he? If I can get my hands on him,
he won’t come off alive this time.
ALTMAYER.
I’m sure I saw him on a cask—
2330
riding out the open cellar door—
My legs feel heavier than lead.
(
Turning to the table
.)
Do you suppose the wine might still be running?
SIEBEL.
It was a fraud, a lie, and trickery.
FROSCH.
I was so sure that I was drinking wine.
BRANDER.
And how about those luscious grapes?
ALTMAYER.
Who says there are no miracles!
WITCH’S KITCHEN
A great cauldron stands on the fire over a low hearth. Various grotesque figures can be seen through the rising smoke. A she-ape sits by the cauldron, stirring and skimming it. A he-ape with his young ones sits near her, warming himself. Walls and ceilings are decorated with bizarre household implements.
Faust, Mephistopheles
.
FAUST.
I am repelled by all this magic stew and fuss!
Can you promise me that I’ll be cured
by wallowing in that whirling frenzy?
2340
Should I seek counsel from an ancient hag?
And can that filthy, frothing cookery
relieve my carcass of some thirty years?
I am lost if you can think of nothing better!
My dearest hope has vanished even now.
Why has not nature or a noble spirit
found some remedial balm for me?
MEPHISTOPHELES.
Now you speak more sensibly again, my friend!
You may yet naturally regain your youth,
but that is written in a different book
2350
and constitutes a special chapter.
FAUST.
I wish to know it.
MEPHISTOPHELES.
Good! A method can be used
without physicians, gold, or magic.
Go out into the open field
and start to dig and cultivate;
keep your body and your spirit
in a humble and restricted sphere,
sustain yourself by simple fare,
live with your herd and spread your own manure
on land from which you reap your nourishment.
2360
Believe me, that’s the best procedure
to keep your youth for eighty years or more.
FAUST.
I am not used to that. I cannot bring myself
to take a spade and till the ground.
The narrow life has no appeal for me.
MEPHISTOPHELES.
Then, I suppose the witch is worth a try.
FAUST.
Why must it be that ancient hag?
Why can’t you brew the drink yourself?
MEPHISTOPHELES.
A pretty pastime during which
I’d rather build a thousand bridges!
2370
Art and science is not all we need,
this business requires patience too.
A tranquil mind must labor many years;
the fermentation is supplied by time.
The recipe requires care
and strange, exotic condiments.
The devil showed the witch the way,
but the devil cannot stoop to brew the potion.
(
Notices
THE ANIMALS .)
Observe the dainty couple here!
This is the houseboy, that’s the maid.
(
To
THE ANIMALS .)
2380
It seems your mistress isn’t home?
THE ANIMALS.
Slipped away to carouse,
Flew from the house,
Out through the chimney!
MEPHISTOPHELES.
When do her revels usually end?
THE ANIMALS.
When our paws
Similar Books
