Faust (trans. Bayard Taylor)/Act I/III
III:
SPACIOUS HALL.
WITH ADJOINING APARTMENTS
Arranged and Decorated for the Carnival Masquerade.16
Herald.
THINK not, as in our German bounds, your chance is
Of Death’s or Fools’ or Devils’ dances:
Here cheerful revels you await.
Our Ruler, on his Roman expedition,
Hath for his profit, your fruition,
Crossed o’er the Alpine high partition,
And won himself a gayer State.
He to the holy slipper bowed him
And first the right of power besought;
Then, as he went to get the Crown allowed him,
For us the Fool’s-cap he has also brought.
Now are we all new-born, to wear it:
Each tactful and experienced man,
Drawn cosily o’er head and ears, doth bear it;
A fool he seems, yet he must share it,
And be, thereby, as sober as he can.
They crowding come, I see already,
Close coupling, or withdrawn unsteady,—
The choruses, like youth from school.
Come in or out, bring on your ranks!
Before or after—’t is the rule—
With all its hundred thousand pranks,
The World is one enormous Fool!
Of Death’s or Fools’ or Devils’ dances:
Here cheerful revels you await.
Our Ruler, on his Roman expedition,
Hath for his profit, your fruition,
Crossed o’er the Alpine high partition,
And won himself a gayer State.
He to the holy slipper bowed him
And first the right of power besought;
Then, as he went to get the Crown allowed him,
For us the Fool’s-cap he has also brought.
Now are we all new-born, to wear it:
Each tactful and experienced man,
Drawn cosily o’er head and ears, doth bear it;
A fool he seems, yet he must share it,
And be, thereby, as sober as he can.
They crowding come, I see already,
Close coupling, or withdrawn unsteady,—
The choruses, like youth from school.
Come in or out, bring on your ranks!
Before or after—’t is the rule—
With all its hundred thousand pranks,
The World is one enormous Fool!
Garden-Girls.17
(Song, accompanied with mandolines.)
That we win your praises tender
We are decked in festal gear;
At the German Court of splendor,
Girls of Florence, we appear.
We are decked in festal gear;
At the German Court of splendor,
Girls of Florence, we appear.
On our locks of chestnut glosses
Wear we many a flowery bell;
Silken threads and silken flosses
Here must play their parts, as well.
Wear we many a flowery bell;
Silken threads and silken flosses
Here must play their parts, as well.
Our desert, not over-rated,
Seems to us assured and clear,
For by art we ’ve fabricated
Flowers that blossom all the year.
Seems to us assured and clear,
For by art we ’ve fabricated
Flowers that blossom all the year.
Every sort of colored snipping
Won its own symmetric right:
Though your wit on each be tripping,
In the whole you take delight.
Won its own symmetric right:
Though your wit on each be tripping,
In the whole you take delight.
We are fair to see and blooming,
Garden-girls, and gay of heart;
For the natural way of woman
Is so near akin to art.
Garden-girls, and gay of heart;
For the natural way of woman
Is so near akin to art.
Herald.
Let us see the wealth of blossoms
Basket-crowning heads that bear them,
Garlanding your arms and bosoms!
Each select, and lightly wear them.
Haste! and bosky arbors dressing,
Let a garden here enring us!
Worthy they of closer pressing,
Hucksters and the wares they bring us.
Basket-crowning heads that bear them,
Garlanding your arms and bosoms!
Each select, and lightly wear them.
Haste! and bosky arbors dressing,
Let a garden here enring us!
Worthy they of closer pressing,
Hucksters and the wares they bring us.
Garden-Girls.
Now in cheerful places chaffer,
But no marketing be ours!
Briefly, clearly, let each laugher
Know the meaning of his flowers.
But no marketing be ours!
Briefly, clearly, let each laugher
Know the meaning of his flowers.
Olive Branch, with Fruit.18
Flowery sprays I do not covet;
Strife I shun, or branch above it,
Foe of conflict I remain.
Yet am I the marrow of nations,
Pledge of happy consummations,
Sign of peace on every plain.
Be, to-day, my lucky fate
Worthy head to decorate!
Strife I shun, or branch above it,
Foe of conflict I remain.
Yet am I the marrow of nations,
Pledge of happy consummations,
Sign of peace on every plain.
Be, to-day, my lucky fate
Worthy head to decorate!
Wreath of Ears (golden).
You to crown, the gifts of Ceres
Here their kindly grace have sent;
Unto Use what chiefly dear is
Be your fairest ornament!
Here their kindly grace have sent;
Unto Use what chiefly dear is
Be your fairest ornament!
Fancy Wreath.
Gayest blossoms, like to mallows,—
From the moss a marvel grew!
Fashion calls to light, and hallows,
That which Nature never knew.
From the moss a marvel grew!
Fashion calls to light, and hallows,
That which Nature never knew.
Fancy Nosegay.
What our name is, Theophrastus19
Would not dare to say: contrast us!
Yet we hope to please you purely,
If not all, yet many, surely,—
Such as fain we ’d have possess us,
Braiding us in shining tresses,
Or, a fairer fate deciding,
On the heart find rest abiding.
Would not dare to say: contrast us!
Yet we hope to please you purely,
If not all, yet many, surely,—
Such as fain we ’d have possess us,
Braiding us in shining tresses,
Or, a fairer fate deciding,
On the heart find rest abiding.
Challenge.
Motley fancies blossom may
For the fashion of the day,
Whimsical and strangely moulded,
Such as Nature ne’er unfolded:
Bells of gold and stems of green
In the plenteous locks be seen!—
Yet we
For the fashion of the day,
Whimsical and strangely moulded,
Such as Nature ne’er unfolded:
Bells of gold and stems of green
In the plenteous locks be seen!—
Yet we
Rosebuds.
lie concealed behind ;
Lucky, who shall freshly find !
When the summer-time returneth,
And the rosebud, bursting, burneth,
Who such blisses would surrender ?
Promise sweet, and yielding tender,
They, in Flora’s realm, control
Swiftly eyes and sense and soul.
Lucky, who shall freshly find !
When the summer-time returneth,
And the rosebud, bursting, burneth,
Who such blisses would surrender ?
Promise sweet, and yielding tender,
They, in Flora’s realm, control
Swiftly eyes and sense and soul.
Under green, leafy arcades, the Garden-Girls adorn and
gracefully exhibit their wares)
gracefully exhibit their wares)
Gardeners.20
(Song, accompanied with theorbos.)
Blossoms there, that sprout in quiet,
Round your heads their charms are weaving;
But the fruits are not deceiving,
One may try the mellow diet.
Blossoms there, that sprout in quiet,
Round your heads their charms are weaving;
But the fruits are not deceiving,
One may try the mellow diet.
Sunburnt faces tempt with glowing
Cherries, peaches, plums, your vision:
Buy! for vain the eye’s decision
To the tongue’s and palate’s showing.
Cherries, peaches, plums, your vision:
Buy! for vain the eye’s decision
To the tongue’s and palate’s showing.
Ripest fruit from sunniest closes
Eat, with taste and pleasure smitten!
Poems one may write on roses,
But the apple must be bitten.
Eat, with taste and pleasure smitten!
Poems one may write on roses,
But the apple must be bitten.
Then permit that we be mated
With your youth, so flowery-fair:
Thus is also decorated,
Neighbor-like, our riper ware.
With your youth, so flowery-fair:
Thus is also decorated,
Neighbor-like, our riper ware.
Under wreaths of flowery tether,
As the leafy arbors suit,
All may then be found together,
Buds and leaves, and flower and fruit!
As the leafy arbors suit,
All may then be found together,
Buds and leaves, and flower and fruit!
(With alternating songs, accompanied with mandolines and
theorbos, both Choruses continue to set forth their wares upon
steps rising aloft, and to offer them to the spectators.)
theorbos, both Choruses continue to set forth their wares upon
steps rising aloft, and to offer them to the spectators.)
Mother and Daughter.21
Mother.
Maiden, when thou cam’st to light,
Tiny caps I wrought thee;
Body tender, soft, and white,
Lovely face I brought thee.
As a bride I thought thee, led
To the richest, wooed and wed,
As a wife I thought thee.
Tiny caps I wrought thee;
Body tender, soft, and white,
Lovely face I brought thee.
As a bride I thought thee, led
To the richest, wooed and wed,
As a wife I thought thee.
Ah! already many a year,
Profitless, is over:
None of all the wooers here
Now around thee hover;
Though with one wast wont to dance,
Gav’st another nudge and glance,—
Hast not found thy lover!
Profitless, is over:
None of all the wooers here
Now around thee hover;
Though with one wast wont to dance,
Gav’st another nudge and glance,—
Hast not found thy lover!
I to feast and revel thee
Vainly took, to match one:
Pawns, and hindmost man of three,
Would not help thee snatch one.
Every fool now wears his cap:
Sweetheart, open thou thy lap!
Still, perchance, mayst catch one!
Vainly took, to match one:
Pawns, and hindmost man of three,
Would not help thee snatch one.
Every fool now wears his cap:
Sweetheart, open thou thy lap!
Still, perchance, mayst catch one!
[Other maiden-playmates, young and beautiful, join the garden-girls:
the sound of familiar gossip is heard. Fishers and
bird-catchers, with nests, fishing-rods, limed twigs, and other
implements, appear, and disperse themselves among the
maidens. Reciprocal attempts to win, to catch, to escape, and
to hold fast, give opportunity for the most agreeable dialagues.]
the sound of familiar gossip is heard. Fishers and
bird-catchers, with nests, fishing-rods, limed twigs, and other
implements, appear, and disperse themselves among the
maidens. Reciprocal attempts to win, to catch, to escape, and
to hold fast, give opportunity for the most agreeable dialagues.]
Wood-Cutters.22
(Enter, boisterously and boorishly.)
Room! make a clearing !
Room in your revel!
The trees we level
That tumble cracking:
Where we ’re appearing
Look out for whacking.
Our praise adjudging,
Make clear this fable!
Save Coarse were drudging
Within your borders,
Would Fine be able
To build their orders,
Howe’er they fretted?
Be taught in season,
For you ’d be freezing
Had we not sweated!
Room in your revel!
The trees we level
That tumble cracking:
Where we ’re appearing
Look out for whacking.
Our praise adjudging,
Make clear this fable!
Save Coarse were drudging
Within your borders,
Would Fine be able
To build their orders,
Howe’er they fretted?
Be taught in season,
For you ’d be freezing
Had we not sweated!
Pulcinelli.
(uncouth, almost idiotic)
You, Fools, are trooping,
Since birth so stooping;
The wise ones we are,
From burdens freer.
Our caps, though sleazy,
And jackets breezy
To wear are easy:
It gives us pleasure
To go with leisure,
With slippered shuffles
Through market-scuffles,
To gape at the pother,
Croak at each other!
Through crowded places
You always trace us,
Eel-like gliding,
Skipping and hiding,
Storming together:
Moreover, whether
You praise—reprove us,
It does n’t move us.
Since birth so stooping;
The wise ones we are,
From burdens freer.
Our caps, though sleazy,
And jackets breezy
To wear are easy:
It gives us pleasure
To go with leisure,
With slippered shuffles
Through market-scuffles,
To gape at the pother,
Croak at each other!
Through crowded places
You always trace us,
Eel-like gliding,
Skipping and hiding,
Storming together:
Moreover, whether
You praise—reprove us,
It does n’t move us.
Parasites (fawningly-lustful).
Ye woodland bandsmen,
And they, your clansmen,
The charcoal-burners,
To you we turn us:
For all such plodding,
Affirmative nodding,
Tortuous phrases,
Blowing both ways—is
Warming or chilling,
Just as you ’re feeling:
What profit from it?
There might fall fire,
Enormous, dire,
From heaven’s summit,
Were there not billets
And coal in wagons,
To boil your skillets
And warm your flagons.
It roasts and frizzles;
It boils and sizzles!
The taster and picker,
The platter-licker,
He sniffs the roasting,
Suspects the fishes,
And clears, with boasting,
His patron’s dishes.
And they, your clansmen,
The charcoal-burners,
To you we turn us:
For all such plodding,
Affirmative nodding,
Tortuous phrases,
Blowing both ways—is
Warming or chilling,
Just as you ’re feeling:
What profit from it?
There might fall fire,
Enormous, dire,
From heaven’s summit,
Were there not billets
And coal in wagons,
To boil your skillets
And warm your flagons.
It roasts and frizzles;
It boils and sizzles!
The taster and picker,
The platter-licker,
He sniffs the roasting,
Suspects the fishes,
And clears, with boasting,
His patron’s dishes.
Drunken Man23 (unconsciously).
Naught, to-day, bring melancholy!
Since I feel so frank and free:
Fresh delight and songs so jolly,
And I brought them both with me!
Thus I’m drinking, drinking, drinking?
Clink your glasses, clinking, clinking!
You behind there, join the rout!
Clink them stout, and then it’s out!
Since I feel so frank and free:
Fresh delight and songs so jolly,
And I brought them both with me!
Thus I’m drinking, drinking, drinking?
Clink your glasses, clinking, clinking!
You behind there, join the rout!
Clink them stout, and then it’s out!
Though my wife assailed me loudly,
Rumpled me through thin and thick;
And, howe’er I swaggered proudly,
Called me “masquerading stick”:
Yet I’m drinking, drinking, drinking!
Clink your glasses ! clinking, clinking!
Masking sticks, another bout!
When you ’ve clinked them, drink them out!
Rumpled me through thin and thick;
And, howe’er I swaggered proudly,
Called me “masquerading stick”:
Yet I’m drinking, drinking, drinking!
Clink your glasses ! clinking, clinking!
Masking sticks, another bout!
When you ’ve clinked them, drink them out!
Say not mine a silly boast is!
I am here in clover laid:
Trusts the host not, trusts the hostess,—
She refusing, trusts the maid.
Still I’m drinking, drinking, drinking!
Come, ye others, clinking, clinking!
Each to each! keep up the rout!
We, I’m thinking, drink them out.
I am here in clover laid:
Trusts the host not, trusts the hostess,—
She refusing, trusts the maid.
Still I’m drinking, drinking, drinking!
Come, ye others, clinking, clinking!
Each to each! keep up the rout!
We, I’m thinking, drink them out.
How and where my fun I ’m spying,
Let me have it as I planned!
Let me lie where I am lying,
For I cannot longer stand.
Let me have it as I planned!
Let me lie where I am lying,
For I cannot longer stand.
Chorus.
Every chum be drinking, drinking!
Toast afresh, with clinking, clinking!
Bravely keep your seats, and shout!
Under the table he ’s drunk out.
Toast afresh, with clinking, clinking!
Bravely keep your seats, and shout!
Under the table he ’s drunk out.
[The Heald announces various Poets24—Poets of Nature,
Courtly and Knightly Minstrels, Sentimentalists as well as
Enthusiasts. In the crowd of competitors of all kinds, no
one allows another to commence his declamation. One slips
past with a few words:]
Courtly and Knightly Minstrels, Sentimentalists as well as
Enthusiasts. In the crowd of competitors of all kinds, no
one allows another to commence his declamation. One slips
past with a few words:]
Satirist.
Know ye what myself, the Poet,
Would the most rejoice and cheer?
If I dared to sing, and utter,
That which no one wants to hear.
Would the most rejoice and cheer?
If I dared to sing, and utter,
That which no one wants to hear.
[The Night and Churchyard Poets excuse themselves, because
they have just become engaged in a most interesting conversation
with a newly-arisen vampire, and therefrom a new
school of poetry may possibly be developed. The Herald is
obliged to accept their excuses, and meanwhile calls forth the
Grecian Mythology, which, even in modern masks, loses
neither its character nor its power to charm.]
they have just become engaged in a most interesting conversation
with a newly-arisen vampire, and therefrom a new
school of poetry may possibly be developed. The Herald is
obliged to accept their excuses, and meanwhile calls forth the
Grecian Mythology, which, even in modern masks, loses
neither its character nor its power to charm.]
The Graces.25
Aglaia.
Life we bless with graces living ;
So be graceful in your giving!
So be graceful in your giving!
Hegemone.
Graceful be in your receival;
Wish attained is sweet retrieval.
Wish attained is sweet retrieval.
Euphrosyne.
And in days serene and spacious,
In your thanks be chiefly gracious!
In your thanks be chiefly gracious!
The Parcæ26
Atropos.
I, the eldest, to the spinning
Have received the invitation ;
When the thread of Life’s beginning
There is need of meditation.
Have received the invitation ;
When the thread of Life’s beginning
There is need of meditation.
Finest flax I winnow featly
That your thread be softly given;
Draw it through my fingers neatly,
Make it thin, and smooth, and even.
That your thread be softly given;
Draw it through my fingers neatly,
Make it thin, and smooth, and even.
If too wanton your endeavor,
Grasping here of joy each token,
Think, the thread won’t stretch forever!
Have a care! it might be broken.
Grasping here of joy each token,
Think, the thread won’t stretch forever!
Have a care! it might be broken.
Clotho.
Know that, given to me for wearing,
Lately were the shears supplied;
Since men were not by the bearing
Of our eldest edified.
Lately were the shears supplied;
Since men were not by the bearing
Of our eldest edified.
Useless webs she long untangled,
Dragging them to air and light;
Dreams of fortune, hope-bespangled,
Clipped and buried out of sight.
Dragging them to air and light;
Dreams of fortune, hope-bespangled,
Clipped and buried out of sight.
Also I, in ignorance idle,
Made mistakes in younger years,
But to-day, myself to bridle,
In their sheath I stick the shears.
Made mistakes in younger years,
But to-day, myself to bridle,
In their sheath I stick the shears.
Thus restrained in proper measure,
Favor I this cheerful place:
You these hours of liberal pleasure
Use at will, and run your race!
Favor I this cheerful place:
You these hours of liberal pleasure
Use at will, and run your race!
Lachesis.
In my hands, the only skilful,
Was the ordered twisting placed;
Active are my ways, not wilful,
Erring not through over-haste.
Was the ordered twisting placed;
Active are my ways, not wilful,
Erring not through over-haste.
Threads are coming, threads are reeling;
In its course I each restrain ;
None, from off the circle wheeling,
Fails to fit within the skein.
In its course I each restrain ;
None, from off the circle wheeling,
Fails to fit within the skein.
If I once regardless gadded,
For the world my hopes were vain:
Hours are counted, years are added,
And the weaver takes the chain.
For the world my hopes were vain:
Hours are counted, years are added,
And the weaver takes the chain.
Herald.
You would not recognize who now appear,
Though ne’er.so learned you were in ancient writing;
To look at them, in evil so delighting,
You ’d call them worthy guests, and welcome here.
Though ne’er.so learned you were in ancient writing;
To look at them, in evil so delighting,
You ’d call them worthy guests, and welcome here.
They are The Furies,27 no one will believe us,—
Fair, well-proportioned, friendly, young in years:
But make acquaintance, and straightway appears
How snake-like are such doves to wound, deceive us.
Fair, well-proportioned, friendly, young in years:
But make acquaintance, and straightway appears
How snake-like are such doves to wound, deceive us.
Though they are spiteful, yet on this occasion,
When every fool exults in all his blame,
They also do not crave angelic fame,
But own themselves the torments of the nation.
When every fool exults in all his blame,
They also do not crave angelic fame,
But own themselves the torments of the nation.
Alecto.
What good of that, for you will trust us still!—
Each of us young and fair, a wheedling kitten.
Hath one of you a girl with whom he ’s smitten,
We'll rub and softly stroke his ears, until
Each of us young and fair, a wheedling kitten.
Hath one of you a girl with whom he ’s smitten,
We'll rub and softly stroke his ears, until
’T is safe to tell him, spite of all his loathing,
That she has also this and the other flame,—
A blockhead he, or humpbacked, squint and lame,
And if betrothed to him, she’s good-for-nothing!
That she has also this and the other flame,—
A blockhead he, or humpbacked, squint and lame,
And if betrothed to him, she’s good-for-nothing!
We’re skilled, as well, the bride to vex and sever:
Why scarce a week ago, her very lover
Contemptuous things to her was saying of her!
Though they make up, there ’s something rankles ever.
Why scarce a week ago, her very lover
Contemptuous things to her was saying of her!
Though they make up, there ’s something rankles ever.
Megæra.
That ’s a mere jest! For, let them once be married,
I go to work, and can, in every case,
The fairest bliss by wilful whims displace.
Man has his various moods, the hours are varied,
I go to work, and can, in every case,
The fairest bliss by wilful whims displace.
Man has his various moods, the hours are varied,
And, holding the Desired that once did charm him,
Each for the More-desired, a yearning fool,
Leaves the best fortune, use has rendered cool:
He flies the sun, and seeks the frost to warm him.
Each for the More-desired, a yearning fool,
Leaves the best fortune, use has rendered cool:
He flies the sun, and seeks the frost to warm him.
Of ills for all I understand the brewing,
And here Asmodi as my follower lead,28
To scatter mischief at the proper need,
And send the human race, in pairs, to ruin.
And here Asmodi as my follower lead,28
To scatter mischief at the proper need,
And send the human race, in pairs, to ruin.
Tisiphone.
Steel and poison I, not malice,
Mix and sharpen for the traitor:
Lov’st thou others, soon or later,
Ruin pours for thee the chalice.
Mix and sharpen for the traitor:
Lov’st thou others, soon or later,
Ruin pours for thee the chalice.
Through the moment’s sweet libation
See the gall and wormwood stealing!
Here no bargaining, no dealing!
Like the act and retaliation.
See the gall and wormwood stealing!
Here no bargaining, no dealing!
Like the act and retaliation.
No one babble of forgiving!
To the rocks I cry: Revenge! is
Echo’s answer: he who changes
Shall be missed among the living.
To the rocks I cry: Revenge! is
Echo’s answer: he who changes
Shall be missed among the living.
Herald.
Do me the favor, now, to stand aside,
For that which comes is not to you allied.
You see a mountain pressing through the throng,”
The flanks with brilliant housings grandly hung,
A head with tusks, a snaky trunk below,—
A mystery, yet I the key will show.
A delicate woman sits upon his neck,
And with a wand persuades him to her beck;
The other, throned aloft, superb to see,
Stands in a glory, dazzling, blinding me.
Beside him walk two dames in chains; one fearful
And sore depressed, the other glad and cheerful.
One longs for freedom and one feels she ’s free:
Let each declare us who she be!
For that which comes is not to you allied.
You see a mountain pressing through the throng,”
The flanks with brilliant housings grandly hung,
A head with tusks, a snaky trunk below,—
A mystery, yet I the key will show.
A delicate woman sits upon his neck,
And with a wand persuades him to her beck;
The other, throned aloft, superb to see,
Stands in a glory, dazzling, blinding me.
Beside him walk two dames in chains; one fearful
And sore depressed, the other glad and cheerful.
One longs for freedom and one feels she ’s free:
Let each declare us who she be!
Fear.
Smoky torches, lamps are gleaming
Through the festal’s wildering train;
Ah! amid these faces scheming
I am fastened by my chain.
Through the festal’s wildering train;
Ah! amid these faces scheming
I am fastened by my chain.
Off, ridiculously merry!
I mistrust your grinning spite;
Each relentless adversary
Presses nearer in the night.
I mistrust your grinning spite;
Each relentless adversary
Presses nearer in the night.
Friend would here as foe waylay me,
But I know the masking shapes;
Yonder ’s one that wished to slay me,—
Now, discovered, he escapes.
But I know the masking shapes;
Yonder ’s one that wished to slay me,—
Now, discovered, he escapes.
From the world I fain would wander
Through whatever gate I find;
But perdition threatens yonder,
And the horror holds my mind.
Through whatever gate I find;
But perdition threatens yonder,
And the horror holds my mind.
Hope.
Good my sisters, I salute you!
Though to-day already suit you,
Masquerading thus demurely,
Yet I know your purpose surely
To reveal yourselves to-morrow.
And if we, by torches lighted,
Fail to feel a special pleasure,
Yet in days of cheerful leisure,
At our will, delight we ’ll borrow,
Or alone or disunited
Free through fairest pastures ranging,
Rest and action interchanging,
And in life no cares that fetter
Naught forego, but strive for better.
Welcome guests are all around us,
Let us mingle with the rest!
Surely, what is best hath found us,
Or we ’ll somewhere find the best.
Though to-day already suit you,
Masquerading thus demurely,
Yet I know your purpose surely
To reveal yourselves to-morrow.
And if we, by torches lighted,
Fail to feel a special pleasure,
Yet in days of cheerful leisure,
At our will, delight we ’ll borrow,
Or alone or disunited
Free through fairest pastures ranging,
Rest and action interchanging,
And in life no cares that fetter
Naught forego, but strive for better.
Welcome guests are all around us,
Let us mingle with the rest!
Surely, what is best hath found us,
Or we ’ll somewhere find the best.
Prudence.
Two of human foes, the greatest,
Fear and Hope, I bind the faster,
Thus to save you at the latest:
Clear the way for me, their master.
Fear and Hope, I bind the faster,
Thus to save you at the latest:
Clear the way for me, their master.
I conduct the live colossus,
Turret-crowned with weighty masses;
And unweariedly he crosses,
Step by step, the steepest passes.
Turret-crowned with weighty masses;
And unweariedly he crosses,
Step by step, the steepest passes.
But aloft the goddess planted,
With her broad and ready pinions,
Turns to spy where gain is granted
Everywhere in Man’s dominions.
With her broad and ready pinions,
Turns to spy where gain is granted
Everywhere in Man’s dominions.
Round her all is bright ana glorious;
Splendor streams on all her courses:
Victory is she—the victorious
Goddess of all active forces.
Splendor streams on all her courses:
Victory is she—the victorious
Goddess of all active forces.
Zoïlo-Thersites.30
Ho! ho! I’ve hit the time of day.
You ’re all together bad, I say!
But what appeared my goal to me
Is she up there, Dame Victory.
She, with her snowy wings spread out,
Thinks she ’s an eagle, past a doubt;
And, wheresoever she may stir,
That land and folk belong to her;
But when a famous thing is done
I straightway put my harness on,
To lift the low, the high upset,
The bent to straighten, bend the straight,—
That, only, gives my heart a glow,
And on this earth I ’ll have it so.
You ’re all together bad, I say!
But what appeared my goal to me
Is she up there, Dame Victory.
She, with her snowy wings spread out,
Thinks she ’s an eagle, past a doubt;
And, wheresoever she may stir,
That land and folk belong to her;
But when a famous thing is done
I straightway put my harness on,
To lift the low, the high upset,
The bent to straighten, bend the straight,—
That, only, gives my heart a glow,
And on this earth I ’ll have it so.
Herald.
Then take, thou beggar-cur, the blow,
This magic baton’s stroke of skill!—
So, twist and wriggle at thy will!
See how the double dwarfish ape
Rolls to a hideous ball in shape!—
A marvel! ’T is an egg we view;
It puffs itself and cracks in two:
A pair of twins come forth to day,
The Adder and the Bat are they.
Forth in the dust one winds and creeps;
One darkly round the ceiling sweeps.
They haste to join in company:
The third therein I would not be!
This magic baton’s stroke of skill!—
So, twist and wriggle at thy will!
See how the double dwarfish ape
Rolls to a hideous ball in shape!—
A marvel! ’T is an egg we view;
It puffs itself and cracks in two:
A pair of twins come forth to day,
The Adder and the Bat are they.
Forth in the dust one winds and creeps;
One darkly round the ceiling sweeps.
They haste to join in company:
The third therein I would not be!
Murmurs.
Come! the dance is yonder gay.—
No! I would I were away.—
Feel’st thou how the phantom race
Flits about us in this place?—
Something whizzes past my hair.—
Round my feet I saw it fare.—
None of us are injured, though.—
But we all are frightened so.—
Wholly spoiled is now the fun.—
Which the vermin wanted done.
No! I would I were away.—
Feel’st thou how the phantom race
Flits about us in this place?—
Something whizzes past my hair.—
Round my feet I saw it fare.—
None of us are injured, though.—
But we all are frightened so.—
Wholly spoiled is now the fun.—
Which the vermin wanted done.
Herald.
Since, as Herald, I am aiding
At your merry masquerading,
At the gate I ’m watching, fearful
Lest within your revels cheerful
Something slips of evil savor;
And I neither shrink nor waver.
Yet, I fear, the airy spectres
Enter, baffling all detectors,
And from goblins that deceive you
I ’m unable to relieve you.
First, the dwarf became suspicious;
Now a mightier pageant issues
Yonder, and it is my duty
To explain those forms of beauty:
But the thing I comprehend not,
How can I its meaning mention?
Help me to its comprehension!
Through the crowd you see it wend not?
Lo! a four-horse chariot wondrous,
Hither drawn, the tumult sunders;
Yet the crowd seems not to share in ’t—
Nowhere is a crush apparent.
Colored lights, in distance dimmer,
Motley stars around it shimmer;
Magic lantern-like they glimmer.
On it storms, as to assault.
Clear the way! I shudder!
At your merry masquerading,
At the gate I ’m watching, fearful
Lest within your revels cheerful
Something slips of evil savor;
And I neither shrink nor waver.
Yet, I fear, the airy spectres
Enter, baffling all detectors,
And from goblins that deceive you
I ’m unable to relieve you.
First, the dwarf became suspicious;
Now a mightier pageant issues
Yonder, and it is my duty
To explain those forms of beauty:
But the thing I comprehend not,
How can I its meaning mention?
Help me to its comprehension!
Through the crowd you see it wend not?
Lo! a four-horse chariot wondrous,
Hither drawn, the tumult sunders;
Yet the crowd seems not to share in ’t—
Nowhere is a crush apparent.
Colored lights, in distance dimmer,
Motley stars around it shimmer;
Magic lantern-like they glimmer.
On it storms, as to assault.
Clear the way! I shudder!
Boy Charioteer.
Halt!
Steeds, restrain the eager pinion,
Own the bridle’s old dominion,
Check yourselves, as I desire you,
Sweep away, when I inspire you!—
Honor we these festal spaces!
See, the fast increasing faces,
Circles, full of admiration!
Herald, come! and in thy fashion,
Ere we take from here our glories,
Name us, and describe and show us!
For we ’re naught but allegories,
Therefore ’t is thy place to know us.
Steeds, restrain the eager pinion,
Own the bridle’s old dominion,
Check yourselves, as I desire you,
Sweep away, when I inspire you!—
Honor we these festal spaces!
See, the fast increasing faces,
Circles, full of admiration!
Herald, come! and in thy fashion,
Ere we take from here our glories,
Name us, and describe and show us!
For we ’re naught but allegories,
Therefore ’t is thy place to know us.
Herald.
No, thy name from me is hidden,—
Could describe thee, were I bidden.
Could describe thee, were I bidden.
Boy Charioteer.
Try it!
Herald.
Granted, at the start,
Young and beautiful thou art,—
A half-grown boy ; and yet the woman-nature
Would rather see thee in completed stature.
To me thou seem’st a future fickle wooer,
Changing the old betrayed love for a newer.
Young and beautiful thou art,—
A half-grown boy ; and yet the woman-nature
Would rather see thee in completed stature.
To me thou seem’st a future fickle wooer,
Changing the old betrayed love for a newer.
Boy Charioteer.
Goon! So far, ’t is very fine:
Make the enigma’s gay solution thine!
Make the enigma’s gay solution thine!
Herald.
Black lightning of the eyes, the dark locks glowing,31
Yet bright with jewelled anadem,
And light thy robe as flower on stem,
From shoulder unto buskin flowing
With tinsel-braid and purple hem!
One for a maiden might surmise thee,
Yet, good or ill, as it might be,
The maids, e’en now, would take and prize thee:
They ’d teach thee soon thy A B C.
Yet bright with jewelled anadem,
And light thy robe as flower on stem,
From shoulder unto buskin flowing
With tinsel-braid and purple hem!
One for a maiden might surmise thee,
Yet, good or ill, as it might be,
The maids, e’en now, would take and prize thee:
They ’d teach thee soon thy A B C.
Boy Charioteer.
And he, who like a splendid vision,
Sits proudly on the chariot’s throne?
Sits proudly on the chariot’s throne?
Herald.
He seems a king, of mien Elysian;
Blest those, who may his favor own!
No more has he to earn or capture;
His glance detects where aught ’s amiss,
And to bestow his perfect rapture
Is more than ownership and bliss.
Blest those, who may his favor own!
No more has he to earn or capture;
His glance detects where aught ’s amiss,
And to bestow his perfect rapture
Is more than ownership and bliss.
Boy Charioteer.
Thou darest not at this point desist:
Describe him fully, I insist!
Describe him fully, I insist!
Herald.
But undescribed is Dignity.
The healthy, full-moon face I see,
The ample mouth, the cheeks that fresher
Shine out beneath his turban’s pressure,
Rich comfort in the robe he’s wearing,—
What shall I say of such a bearing?
He seems, as ruler, known to me.
The healthy, full-moon face I see,
The ample mouth, the cheeks that fresher
Shine out beneath his turban’s pressure,
Rich comfort in the robe he’s wearing,—
What shall I say of such a bearing?
He seems, as ruler, known to me.
Boy Charioteer.
Plutus, the God of Wealth, is he.
He hither comes in proud attire;
Much doth the Emperor him desire.
He hither comes in proud attire;
Much doth the Emperor him desire.
Herald.
Of thee the What and How declare to me!
Boy Charioteer.
I am Profusion, I am Poesy.32
The Poet I, whose perfect crown is sent
When he his own best goods hath freely spent.
Yet, rich in mine unmeasured pelf,
Like Plutus I esteem myself:
I prank and cheer his festal show
And whatsoe’er he lacks bestow.
The Poet I, whose perfect crown is sent
When he his own best goods hath freely spent.
Yet, rich in mine unmeasured pelf,
Like Plutus I esteem myself:
I prank and cheer his festal show
And whatsoe’er he lacks bestow.
Herald.
Fresh charm to thee thy brag imparts,
But let us now behold thine arts!
But let us now behold thine arts!
Boy Charioteer.
Just see me fillip with my fingers!
What brilliance round the chariot lingers,
And there a string of pearls appears!
What brilliance round the chariot lingers,
And there a string of pearls appears!
[continuing to fillip and snap his fingers in all directions:]
Take golden spangles for neck and ears,
Combs, and diadems free of flaw,
And jewelled rings as ne’er ye saw!
I also scatter flamelets bright,
Awaiting where they may ignite,
Combs, and diadems free of flaw,
And jewelled rings as ne’er ye saw!
I also scatter flamelets bright,
Awaiting where they may ignite,
Herald.
How strives the crowd with eager longing,
Almost upon the giver thronging!
As in a dream he snaps the toys;
All catch and snatch with crush and noise.
But now new tricks have I detected:
What each has zealously collected
His trouble doth but poorly pay;
The gifts take wings and fly away.
The pearls are loosened from their band
And beetles crawl within his hand;
He shakes them off, and then instead,
Poor dolt, they hum around his head!
The others find their solid things
Are butterflies with gaudy wings.
How much the scamp to promise seems,
And only gives what golden gleams!33
Almost upon the giver thronging!
As in a dream he snaps the toys;
All catch and snatch with crush and noise.
But now new tricks have I detected:
What each has zealously collected
His trouble doth but poorly pay;
The gifts take wings and fly away.
The pearls are loosened from their band
And beetles crawl within his hand;
He shakes them off, and then instead,
Poor dolt, they hum around his head!
The others find their solid things
Are butterflies with gaudy wings.
How much the scamp to promise seems,
And only gives what golden gleams!33
Boy Charioteer.
Masks to announce, I grant, thou ’rt worthy;
But ’neath the shell of Being to bestir thee
Is not a herald’s courtly task:
A sharper sight for that we ask.
Yet every quarrel I evade;
To thee, my Chief, be speech and question made!
But ’neath the shell of Being to bestir thee
Is not a herald’s courtly task:
A sharper sight for that we ask.
Yet every quarrel I evade;
To thee, my Chief, be speech and question made!
(Turning to Plutus.)
Didst thou not unto me confide
The tempest of the steeds I guide?
Canst thou not on my guidance reckon?
Am I not there, where thou dost beckon?
And have I not, on pinions boldest,
Conquered for thee the palm thou holdest?
When in thy battles I have aided,
I ever have been fortunate;
Thy brow when laurels decorate,
Have I not them with hand and fancy braided?34
The tempest of the steeds I guide?
Canst thou not on my guidance reckon?
Am I not there, where thou dost beckon?
And have I not, on pinions boldest,
Conquered for thee the palm thou holdest?
When in thy battles I have aided,
I ever have been fortunate;
Thy brow when laurels decorate,
Have I not them with hand and fancy braided?34
Plutus.
If there be need that I bear witness now,
I ’m glad to say: soul of my soul art thou!
Thine acts are always to my mind,
And thou the richer art, I find.
Thy service to reward, I hold
The green bough higher than my crowns of gold.
To all a true word spoken be:
Dear Son, I much delight in thee.
I ’m glad to say: soul of my soul art thou!
Thine acts are always to my mind,
And thou the richer art, I find.
Thy service to reward, I hold
The green bough higher than my crowns of gold.
To all a true word spoken be:
Dear Son, I much delight in thee.
Boy Charioteer (to the Crowd).
The greatest gifts my hand flings out,
See! I have scattered round about.
On divers heads there glows the tongue
Of flame which I upon them flung,—
Leaps back and forth among the shapes,
On this remains, from that escapes,
But very seldom upward streams
In transient flush of mellow beams;
And unto many, ere they mark,
It is extinct and leaves them dark.
See! I have scattered round about.
On divers heads there glows the tongue
Of flame which I upon them flung,—
Leaps back and forth among the shapes,
On this remains, from that escapes,
But very seldom upward streams
In transient flush of mellow beams;
And unto many, ere they mark,
It is extinct and leaves them dark.
Chatter of Women.
Upon the chariot that man
Is certainly a charlatan:
There, perched behind, the clown is seen,
From thirst and hunger grown so lean
As one ne’er saw him; if you’d pinch,
He has n’t flesh to feel and flinch.
Is certainly a charlatan:
There, perched behind, the clown is seen,
From thirst and hunger grown so lean
As one ne’er saw him; if you’d pinch,
He has n’t flesh to feel and flinch.
The Starveling.
Disgusting women, off! I know
That when I come, you'd have me go.
When woman fed her own hearth-flame,
Then Avaritia was my name;35
Then throve the household fresh and green,
For naught went out and much came in.
To chest and press I gave good heed,
And that you ’d call a vice, indeed!
But since in later years, the fact is,
Economy the wife won’t practise,
And, like the host of spendthrift scholars,
Has more desires than she has dollars,
The husband much discomfort brooks,
For there are debts where’er he looks.
She spends what spoil she may recover
Upon her body, or her lover;
In luxury eats, and to excess
Drinks with the flirts that round her press;
For me that raises money’s price:
Male is my gender, Avarice!
That when I come, you'd have me go.
When woman fed her own hearth-flame,
Then Avaritia was my name;35
Then throve the household fresh and green,
For naught went out and much came in.
To chest and press I gave good heed,
And that you ’d call a vice, indeed!
But since in later years, the fact is,
Economy the wife won’t practise,
And, like the host of spendthrift scholars,
Has more desires than she has dollars,
The husband much discomfort brooks,
For there are debts where’er he looks.
She spends what spoil she may recover
Upon her body, or her lover;
In luxury eats, and to excess
Drinks with the flirts that round her press;
For me that raises money’s price:
Male is my gender, Avarice!
Leader of the Women.
With dragons, mean may be the dragon;
It’s all, at best, but lying stuff!
He comes, the men to spur and egg on,
And now they ’re troublesome enough.
It’s all, at best, but lying stuff!
He comes, the men to spur and egg on,
And now they ’re troublesome enough.
Crowd of Women.
The scarecrow! Knock him from the wagon!
What means the fag, to threaten here?
As if his ugly face we ’d fear!
Of wood and pasteboard is each dragon:
Come on—his words shall cost him dear!
What means the fag, to threaten here?
As if his ugly face we ’d fear!
Of wood and pasteboard is each dragon:
Come on—his words shall cost him dear!
Herald.
Now, by my wand! Be still—let none stir!
Yet for my help there ’s scarcely need;
See how each grim and grisly monster,
Clearing the space around with speed,
Unfolds his fourfold wings of dread!
The dragons shake themselves in anger,
With flaming throats, and scaly clangor;
The place is clear, the crowd has fled.
Yet for my help there ’s scarcely need;
See how each grim and grisly monster,
Clearing the space around with speed,
Unfolds his fourfold wings of dread!
The dragons shake themselves in anger,
With flaming throats, and scaly clangor;
The place is clear, the crowd has fled.
(Plutus descends from the chariot.)
Herald.
How kingly comes he from above!
He beckons, and the dragons move;
Then from the chariot bring the chest
With gold, and Avarice thereon.
See, at his feet the load they rest!
A marvel ’t is, how it was done.
He beckons, and the dragons move;
Then from the chariot bring the chest
With gold, and Avarice thereon.
See, at his feet the load they rest!
A marvel ’t is, how it was done.
Plutus (to the Charioteer).
Now thou hast left the onerous burden here,
Thou ’rt wholly free: away to thine own sphere!
Here it is not! Confused and wild, to-day,
Distorted pictures press around our way.
Where clear thy gaze in sweet serenity,
Owning thyself, confiding but in thee,
Thither, where Good and Beauty are unfurled,
To Solitude!—and there create thy world!
Thou ’rt wholly free: away to thine own sphere!
Here it is not! Confused and wild, to-day,
Distorted pictures press around our way.
Where clear thy gaze in sweet serenity,
Owning thyself, confiding but in thee,
Thither, where Good and Beauty are unfurled,
To Solitude!—and there create thy world!
Boy Charioteer.
Thus, as an envoy, am I worthy of thee;
Thus, as my next of kindred, do I love thee.
Where thou art, is abundance; where I go
Each sees a splendid profit round him grow.
In inconsistent life each often wavers,
Whether to seek from thee, or me, the favors.
Thy followers may be indolent, ’t is true;
Who follows me, has always work to do.
My deeds are never secret and concealed;
I only breathe, and I ’m at once revealed.
Farewell, then! Thou the bliss hast granted me;
But whisper low, and I return to thee!
[Exit, as he came.
Thus, as my next of kindred, do I love thee.
Where thou art, is abundance; where I go
Each sees a splendid profit round him grow.
In inconsistent life each often wavers,
Whether to seek from thee, or me, the favors.
Thy followers may be indolent, ’t is true;
Who follows me, has always work to do.
My deeds are never secret and concealed;
I only breathe, and I ’m at once revealed.
Farewell, then! Thou the bliss hast granted me;
But whisper low, and I return to thee!
[Exit, as he came.
Plutus.
’T is time, now, to unchain the precious metals!
The padlocks with the herald’s wand I smite:
The chest is opened: look! from iron kettles
It pours like golden blood before your sight.
It boils, and threatens to devour, as fuel,
Melting them, crown and ring and chain and jewel!
The padlocks with the herald’s wand I smite:
The chest is opened: look! from iron kettles
It pours like golden blood before your sight.
It boils, and threatens to devour, as fuel,
Melting them, crown and ring and chain and jewel!
Alternate Cries of the Crowd.
See here, and there! they boil and swim;
The chest is filling to the brim!—
Vessels of gold are burning there,
And minted rolls are turning there,
And ducats jingle as they jump!—
O, how my heart begins to thump!—
All my desire I see, and more.
They ’re rolling now along the floor.—
’T is offered you: don’t be a dunce,
Stoop only, and be rich at once!—
Then, quick as lightning we, the rest,
Will take possession of the chest.
The chest is filling to the brim!—
Vessels of gold are burning there,
And minted rolls are turning there,
And ducats jingle as they jump!—
O, how my heart begins to thump!—
All my desire I see, and more.
They ’re rolling now along the floor.—
’T is offered you: don’t be a dunce,
Stoop only, and be rich at once!—
Then, quick as lightning we, the rest,
Will take possession of the chest.
Herald.
What ails ye, fools? What mean ye all?
’T is but a joke of Carnival.
To-night be your desires controlled;
Think you we ’d give you goods and gold?
Why, in this game there come to view
Too many counters even, for you.
’T is but a joke of Carnival.
To-night be your desires controlled;
Think you we ’d give you goods and gold?
Why, in this game there come to view
Too many counters even, for you.
A pleasant cheat, ye dolts! forsooth
You take at once for naked truth.
What’s truth to you? Illusion bare
Surrounds and rules you everywhere.
Thou Plutus-mask, Chief unrevealed,
Drive thou this people from the field!36
You take at once for naked truth.
What’s truth to you? Illusion bare
Surrounds and rules you everywhere.
Thou Plutus-mask, Chief unrevealed,
Drive thou this people from the field!36
Plutus.
Thy wand thereto is fit and free;
Lend it a little while to me!
I dip it in the fiery brew,—
Look out, ye maskers ! all of you.
It shines, and snaps, and sparkles throws;
The burning wand already glows.
Who crowdeth on, too near to me,
Is burned and scorched relentlessly.—
And now my circuit I ’ll commence.
Thy wand thereto is fit and free;
Lend it a little while to me!
I dip it in the fiery brew,—
Look out, ye maskers ! all of you.
It shines, and snaps, and sparkles throws;
The burning wand already glows.
Who crowdeth on, too near to me,
Is burned and scorched relentlessly.—
And now my circuit I ’ll commence.
Cries and Crowding.
Woe’s me! We ’re lost—there’s no defence!—
Let each one fly, if fly he can!—
Back! clear the way, you hindmost man!—
It sparkles fiercely in mine eyes.—
The burning wand upon me lies.—
We all are lost, we all are lost!—
Back, back! ye maskers, jammed and tossed!—
Back, senseless crowd, away from there!—
O, had I wings, I'd take the air.
Let each one fly, if fly he can!—
Back! clear the way, you hindmost man!—
It sparkles fiercely in mine eyes.—
The burning wand upon me lies.—
We all are lost, we all are lost!—
Back, back! ye maskers, jammed and tossed!—
Back, senseless crowd, away from there!—
O, had I wings, I'd take the air.
Plutus.
Now is the circle crowded back,
And none, I think, scorched very black.
The throng retires,
Scared by the fires.
As guaranty for ordered law,
A ring invisible I draw.
And none, I think, scorched very black.
The throng retires,
Scared by the fires.
As guaranty for ordered law,
A ring invisible I draw.
Herald.
A noble work is thine, to-night:
I thank thy wisdom and thy might.
I thank thy wisdom and thy might.
Plutus.
Preserve thy patience, noble friend,
For many tumults yet impend.
For many tumults yet impend.
Avarice.
Thus, if one pleases, pleasantly
May one survey this circle stately;
For, ever foremost, crowd the women greatly,
If aught to stare at, or to taste, there be.
Not yet entirely rusty are my senses!
A woman fair is always fair to me:
And since, to-day, it makes me no expenses,
We ’ll go a courting confidently.
But in a place so populate
All words to every ear don’t penetrate;
So, wisely I attempt, and hope success,
Myself by pantomime distinctly to express.
Hand, foot, and gesture will not quite suffice,
So I employ a jocular device.
Like clay will I the gold manipulate;
One may transform it into any state.
May one survey this circle stately;
For, ever foremost, crowd the women greatly,
If aught to stare at, or to taste, there be.
Not yet entirely rusty are my senses!
A woman fair is always fair to me:
And since, to-day, it makes me no expenses,
We ’ll go a courting confidently.
But in a place so populate
All words to every ear don’t penetrate;
So, wisely I attempt, and hope success,
Myself by pantomime distinctly to express.
Hand, foot, and gesture will not quite suffice,
So I employ a jocular device.
Like clay will I the gold manipulate;
One may transform it into any state.
Herald.
What will the lean fool do?37 Has he,
So dry a starveling, humor? See,
He kneads the gold as it were dough!
Beneath his hands ’t is soft; yet, though
He roll and squeeze it, for his pains
Disfigured still the stuff remains.
He turns to the women there, and they
All scream, and try to get away,
With gestures of disgust and loathing:
The ready rascal stops at nothing.
I fear he takes delight to see
He has offended decency.
I dare not silently endure it:
Give me my wand, that I may cure it!
So dry a starveling, humor? See,
He kneads the gold as it were dough!
Beneath his hands ’t is soft; yet, though
He roll and squeeze it, for his pains
Disfigured still the stuff remains.
He turns to the women there, and they
All scream, and try to get away,
With gestures of disgust and loathing:
The ready rascal stops at nothing.
I fear he takes delight to see
He has offended decency.
I dare not silently endure it:
Give me my wand, that I may cure it!
Plutus.
The danger from without he does not see:
Let him alone; his Fool’s-hour fast is waning.
There ’ll be no space for his mad pranks remaining;
Mighty is Law, mightier Necessity.
Let him alone; his Fool’s-hour fast is waning.
There ’ll be no space for his mad pranks remaining;
Mighty is Law, mightier Necessity.
Tumult and Song.
The savage hosts, with shout and hail,
From mountain-height and forest-vale
Come, irresistibly as Fate:
Their mighty Pan they celebrate.
They know, forsooth, what none can guess,
And in the empty circle press.
From mountain-height and forest-vale
Come, irresistibly as Fate:
Their mighty Pan they celebrate.
They know, forsooth, what none can guess,
And in the empty circle press.
Plutus.
I know you well, and your illustrious Pan!
Boldly together you ’ve performed your plan.
Full well I know what every one does not,
And clear for you, as duty bids, the spot.
Be Fortune still her favor lending!
The strangest things may here be bred:
They know not whitherward they ’re wending,
Because they have not looked ahead.38
Boldly together you ’ve performed your plan.
Full well I know what every one does not,
And clear for you, as duty bids, the spot.
Be Fortune still her favor lending!
The strangest things may here be bred:
They know not whitherward they ’re wending,
Because they have not looked ahead.38
Savage Song.
Furbished people, tinsel-stuff!
They ’re coming rude, they ’re coming rough;
In mighty leap, in wildest race,
Coarse and strong they take their place.
They ’re coming rude, they ’re coming rough;
In mighty leap, in wildest race,
Coarse and strong they take their place.
Fauns.
Fauns, pair on pair,
Come dancing down,
With oaken crown
On crispy hair;
The fine and pointed ear is seen,
Leaf-like, the clustering curls between:
A stubby nose, face broad and fiat,
The women don’t object to that;
For when his paw holds forth the Faun,
The fairest to the dance is drawn.
Come dancing down,
With oaken crown
On crispy hair;
The fine and pointed ear is seen,
Leaf-like, the clustering curls between:
A stubby nose, face broad and fiat,
The women don’t object to that;
For when his paw holds forth the Faun,
The fairest to the dance is drawn.
Satyr.
See now, behind, the Satyr skip,
With foot of goat, lean leg and hip,—
Lean and sinewy must they be:
For, chamois-like, on mountains he
Loveth to stand or scamper free.
Then, strong in freedom of the skies,
Child, wife, and man doth he despise,
Who, deep in the valley’s smoke and steam
That they live also, snugly dream;
While, pure and undisturbed, alone
The upper world is all his own.
With foot of goat, lean leg and hip,—
Lean and sinewy must they be:
For, chamois-like, on mountains he
Loveth to stand or scamper free.
Then, strong in freedom of the skies,
Child, wife, and man doth he despise,
Who, deep in the valley’s smoke and steam
That they live also, snugly dream;
While, pure and undisturbed, alone
The upper world is all his own.
Gnomes.39
The little crowd comes tripping there;
They don’t associate pair by pair.
In mossy garb, with lantern bright,
They move commingling, brisk and light,
Each working on his separate ground,
Like firefly-emmets swarming round;
And press and gather here and there,
Always industrious everywhere.
With the “Good People” kin we own;
As surgeons of the rocks we ’re known.
Cupping the mountains, bleeding them
From fullest veins, depleting them
Of store of metals, which we pile,
And merrily greet: “Good cheer!” the while.
Well-meant the words, believe us, then!
We are the friends of all good men.
Yet we the stores of gold unseal
That men may pander, pimp, and steal;
Nor iron shall fail his haughty hand
Who universal murder planned:
And who these three Commandments breaks
But little heed o’ the others takes.
For that we ’re not responsible:
We ’re patient—be you, too, as well!
They don’t associate pair by pair.
In mossy garb, with lantern bright,
They move commingling, brisk and light,
Each working on his separate ground,
Like firefly-emmets swarming round;
And press and gather here and there,
Always industrious everywhere.
With the “Good People” kin we own;
As surgeons of the rocks we ’re known.
Cupping the mountains, bleeding them
From fullest veins, depleting them
Of store of metals, which we pile,
And merrily greet: “Good cheer!” the while.
Well-meant the words, believe us, then!
We are the friends of all good men.
Yet we the stores of gold unseal
That men may pander, pimp, and steal;
Nor iron shall fail his haughty hand
Who universal murder planned:
And who these three Commandments breaks
But little heed o’ the others takes.
For that we ’re not responsible:
We ’re patient—be you, too, as well!
Giants.
The wild men of the woods they ’re named,
And in the Hartz are known and famed;
In naked nature’s ancient might
They come, each one a giant wight,
With fir-tree trunk in brawny hand,
Around the loins a puffy band,
The merest apron of leaf and bough:—
The Pope hath no such guards, I trow.
And in the Hartz are known and famed;
In naked nature’s ancient might
They come, each one a giant wight,
With fir-tree trunk in brawny hand,
Around the loins a puffy band,
The merest apron of leaf and bough:—
The Pope hath no such guards, I trow.
Nymphs in Chorus.
(They surround the great Pan.)
He comes! We scan
The world’s great All,
Whose part doth fall
To mighty Pan.
Ye gayest ones, advance to him,
Your maddest measures dance to him!
Since serious and kind is he,
He wills that we should joyous be.
Under the blue, o’er-vaulting roof,
Ever he seemeth slumber-proof;
Yet murmurs of the brooks he knows,
And soft airs lull him to repose.
At midday sleeping, o’er his browFaust (trans. Bayard Taylor)/Part-2-endnotes#endnote-400
The leaf is moveless on the bough:
Of healthy buds the balsam there
Pervades the still, suspended air:
The nymph no longer dares to leap,
And where she stands, she falls asleep.
But when, all unexpected, he
Maketh his voice heard terribly,
Like rattling thunder, roar of wave,
Then each one seeks himself to save;
The serried ranks disperse in fright,
The hero trembles in the fight.
Then honor to whom the honor is due,
And hail to him who led us to you!
The world’s great All,
Whose part doth fall
To mighty Pan.
Ye gayest ones, advance to him,
Your maddest measures dance to him!
Since serious and kind is he,
He wills that we should joyous be.
Under the blue, o’er-vaulting roof,
Ever he seemeth slumber-proof;
Yet murmurs of the brooks he knows,
And soft airs lull him to repose.
At midday sleeping, o’er his browFaust (trans. Bayard Taylor)/Part-2-endnotes#endnote-400
The leaf is moveless on the bough:
Of healthy buds the balsam there
Pervades the still, suspended air:
The nymph no longer dares to leap,
And where she stands, she falls asleep.
But when, all unexpected, he
Maketh his voice heard terribly,
Like rattling thunder, roar of wave,
Then each one seeks himself to save;
The serried ranks disperse in fright,
The hero trembles in the fight.
Then honor to whom the honor is due,
And hail to him who led us to you!
Deputation of Gnomes
(to the great Pan).
When the rich possession, shining
Through the rocks in thread and vein,
To the skilful wand’s divining
Shows its labyrinthine chain,
Through the rocks in thread and vein,
To the skilful wand’s divining
Shows its labyrinthine chain,
We in vaults and caverns spacious,
Troglodytes, contented bide;
While in purest daylight, gracious,
Thou the treasures dost divide.
Troglodytes, contented bide;
While in purest daylight, gracious,
Thou the treasures dost divide.
Now we see, wilt thou believe us,
Here a wondrous fountain run,
Promising with ease to give us
What was hardly to be won.
Here a wondrous fountain run,
Promising with ease to give us
What was hardly to be won.
Lo! It waits for thy attaining:
Then be moved to break the spell!
All the wealth which thou art gaining
Profits all the world as well.
Then be moved to break the spell!
All the wealth which thou art gaining
Profits all the world as well.
Plutus (to the Herald).
We, in the highest sense, must be collected,
And let what may come, come, though unexpected,
Thy courage has not yet been counted short:
The fearful thing we now shall see will try it;
The world and History will both deny it,
So write it faithfully in thy report!
And let what may come, come, though unexpected,
Thy courage has not yet been counted short:
The fearful thing we now shall see will try it;
The world and History will both deny it,
So write it faithfully in thy report!
Herald.
(Grasping the wand which Plutus holds in his hand.)
The dwarfs conduct the great Pan nigher,
Yet gently, to the fount of fire.
It bubbles from the throat profound,
Then sinks, retreating, to the ground,
And dark the open crater shows;
And then again it boils and glows.
Great Pan in cheerful mood stands by,
Rejoiced the wondrous things to spy,
And right and left the foam-pearls fly.
How can he in the cheat confide?
He bends and stoops, to look inside.—
But now, behold! his beard falls in:
Whose is that smoothly-shaven chin?
His hand conceals it from our sight.
What follows is a luckless plight;
The beard, on fire, flies back to smite
His wreath and head and breast with flame:
To pain is turned the merry game.
They haste to quench the fire, but none
The swiftly-kindling flames can shun,
That flash and dart on other heads
Till wide the conflagration spreads:
Wrapped in the element, in turn
The masking groups take fire and burn.
But hark! what news is bruited here
From mouth to mouth, from ear to ear?
O evermore ill-fated night,
That brings to us such woe and blight!
To-morrow will proclaim to all
What no one wishes to befall,
For everywhere the cry I hear:
“The Emperor suffers pain severe!”
O were the proclamation wrong!
The Emperor burns and all his throng.
Accurst be they who him misled,
With resinous twigs on breast and head,
To rave and bellow hither so,
To general, fatal overthrow.
O Youth! O Youth! wilt never thou
Limit thy draught of joy, in season?—
O Majesty, wilt never thou,
Omnipotent, direct with reason?
The mimic woods enkindled are;
The pointed tongues lick upward far
To where the rafters interlace:
A fiery doom hangs o’er the place.
Our cup of misery overflows,
For who shall save us no one knows.
The ash-heap of a night shall hide,
To-morrow, this imperial pride.
Yet gently, to the fount of fire.
It bubbles from the throat profound,
Then sinks, retreating, to the ground,
And dark the open crater shows;
And then again it boils and glows.
Great Pan in cheerful mood stands by,
Rejoiced the wondrous things to spy,
And right and left the foam-pearls fly.
How can he in the cheat confide?
He bends and stoops, to look inside.—
But now, behold! his beard falls in:
Whose is that smoothly-shaven chin?
His hand conceals it from our sight.
What follows is a luckless plight;
The beard, on fire, flies back to smite
His wreath and head and breast with flame:
To pain is turned the merry game.
They haste to quench the fire, but none
The swiftly-kindling flames can shun,
That flash and dart on other heads
Till wide the conflagration spreads:
Wrapped in the element, in turn
The masking groups take fire and burn.
But hark! what news is bruited here
From mouth to mouth, from ear to ear?
O evermore ill-fated night,
That brings to us such woe and blight!
To-morrow will proclaim to all
What no one wishes to befall,
For everywhere the cry I hear:
“The Emperor suffers pain severe!”
O were the proclamation wrong!
The Emperor burns and all his throng.
Accurst be they who him misled,
With resinous twigs on breast and head,
To rave and bellow hither so,
To general, fatal overthrow.
O Youth! O Youth! wilt never thou
Limit thy draught of joy, in season?—
O Majesty, wilt never thou,
Omnipotent, direct with reason?
The mimic woods enkindled are;
The pointed tongues lick upward far
To where the rafters interlace:
A fiery doom hangs o’er the place.
Our cup of misery overflows,
For who shall save us no one knows.
The ash-heap of a night shall hide,
To-morrow, this imperial pride.
Plutus.
Terror is enough created;
Now be help inaugurated!
Smite, thou hallowed wand, and make
Earth beneath thee peal and quake!
Thou, the spacious breadth of air,
Cooling vapors breathe and bear!
Hither speed, around us growing,
Misty films and belts o’erflowing,
And the fiery tumult tame!
Trickle, whisper, clouds, be crisper,
Roll in masses, softly drenching,
Mantling everywhere, and quenching!
Ye, the moist, the broadly bright’ning,
Change to harmless summer lightning
All this empty sport of flame!—
When by spirits we ’re molested,
Then be Magic manifested.
Now be help inaugurated!
Smite, thou hallowed wand, and make
Earth beneath thee peal and quake!
Thou, the spacious breadth of air,
Cooling vapors breathe and bear!
Hither speed, around us growing,
Misty films and belts o’erflowing,
And the fiery tumult tame!
Trickle, whisper, clouds, be crisper,
Roll in masses, softly drenching,
Mantling everywhere, and quenching!
Ye, the moist, the broadly bright’ning,
Change to harmless summer lightning
All this empty sport of flame!—
When by spirits we ’re molested,
Then be Magic manifested.