age from their eyes! And do ye remember the devil's mode of jesting! [He disappears with FAUST. The fellows start back Siebel. What's the matter? Frosch. Was that thy nose? Brander (to SIEBEL). And I have thine in my hand! Altmayer. It was a shock which thrilled through every limb! Give me a chair, I am sinking. Frosch. No, do but tell me ; what has happened? Siebel. Where is the fellow ? If I meet with him, it shall be as much as his life is worth. Altmayer. I myself saw him at the cellar door, riding out upon a cask. My feet feel as heavy as lead. [Turning towards the table. My! I wonder whether the wine is running still? Siebel. It was all a cheat, a lie, and a makebelieve. Frosch. Yet it seemed to me as if I was drinking wine. Brander. But how was it with the grapes ? Altmayer. Let any one tell me after that, that one is not to believe in wonders! 69 WITCH'S KITCHEN. A large cauldron is hanging over the fire on a low hearth. Different figures are seen in the fumes which rise from it. A Female Monkey is sitting by the cauldron and skimming it, and taking care that it does not run over. The Male Monkey is seated near with the young ones, and warming himself. The walls and ceiling are hung with the strangest articles of Witch furniture. Faust. I loathe this mad concern of witchcraft. Do you promise me that I shall recover in this chaos of insanity. Do I need an old hag's advice? And will this mess of cookery really take thirty years from my body? Woe is me, if you know of nothing better! Hope is already gone. Has nature and has a noble spirit discovered no sort of balsam? Mephistopheles. My friend, now again you speak wisely! There is also a natural mode of renewing youth. But it is in another book, and is a strange chapter. Faust. Let me know it. Mephistopheles. Well! to have a mean without money, physician, or sorcery: betake thyself straightway to the field, begin to hack and dig, confine thyself and thy sense within a thoroughly contracted circle; support thyself on simple food; live with beasts as a beast, and think it no robbery to manure the land you crop. That is the best way, believe me, to keep you young to eighty. Faust. I am not used to it. I cannot bring myself to take the spade in hand. The confined life does not suit me at all. Mephistopheles. Then you must have recourse to the witch after all. Faust. But why the old woman in particular? Cannot you brew the drink yourself? Mephistopheles. That were a pretty pastime! I would rather build a thousand bridges in the time. Not art and science only, but patience is required for the job. A quiet spirit is busy at it for years; time only makes this fine fermented liquor strong. And the ingredients are exceedingly curious. The devil, it is true, has taught it her, but the devil cannot make it. (Perceiving the MONKEYS). See what a pretty breed! That is the lass that the lad. (To the MONKEYS). It seems your mistress is not at home? The Monkeys. At the feast, Out of the house, Out and away by the chimney-stone. Mephistopheles. How long does she usually rake? The Monkeys. Whilst we are warming our paws. Mephistopheles (to FAUST). What think you of the pretty creatures? Faust. The most disgusting I ever saw. Mephistopheles. Nay, a discourse like the present is precisely what I am fondest of engaging in. (To the MONKEYS). Tell me, accursed whelps, what are ye stirring up with the porridge? Monkeys. We are cooking coarse beggars' broth. Mephistopheles. You will have plenty of customers. The He Monkey (approaches and fawns on MEPHISTOPHELES). O quick throw the dice, And make me rich- My fate is a sorry one, And had I money I should not want for consideration. Mephistopheles. How happy the monkey would think himself, if he could only put into the lottery. [The Young MONKEYS have, in the mean time, been playing with a large globe, and roll it forwards. The He Monkey. That is the world; It rises and falls, My dear son, Thou must die! It is of clay, This makes potsherds. Mephistopheles. What is the sieve for? The He Monkey (takes it down). Wert thou a thief, I should know thee at once. [He runs to the female and makes her look through. Look through the sieve! Dost thou recognise the thief? And darest not name him? Mephistopheles (approaching the fire). And this pot? The Monkeys. The half-witted sot! He knows not the pot! Mephistopheles. Uncivil brute! Faust (who all this Take the brush here, and sit [He makes MEPHISTOPHELES sit down. time has been standing before a looking-glass, now approaching and now standing off from it). What do I see? What a heavenly image shows itself in this magic mirror! O Love! lend me the swiftest of thy wings, and bear me to her region! Ah! when I do not remain upon this spot, when I venture to go near, I can only see her as in a mist. The loveliest image of a woman! Is it possible, is woman so lovely? Must I see in these recumbent limbs the innermost essence of all Heavens? Is there anything like it upon earth? Mephistopheles. When a God first works hard for six days, and himself says bravo at the end, it is but natural that something clever should come of it. For this time look your fill. I know where to find out such a love for you, and happy he whose fortune it is to bear her home as a bridegroom. [FAUST continues looking into the mirror. MEPHISTOPHELES, stretching himself on the settle and playing with the brush, continues speaking. Here I sit, like the king upon his throne; here is my sceptre I only want the crown. The Monkeys (who have hitherto been playing all sorts of strange antics, bring MEPHISTOPHELES a crown, with loud acclamations). Oh, be so good as to glue the crown with sweat and blood. [They handle the crown awkwardly, and break it into two pieces, with which they jump about. Now it is done. We speak and see; We hear and rhyme Faust (before the mirror). Woe is me! I am becoming almost mad! Mephistopheles (pointing to the MONKEYS). My own head begins to totter now. |