Faust (trans. Bayard Taylor)/Act III
Act III.
Before the Palace of Menelaus in Sparta.
Helena enters, with the Chorus of Captive Trojan Women.
Panthalis, Leader of the Chorus.
Panthalis, Leader of the Chorus.
Helena.103
I, much admired and much reviled,—I, Helena,
Come from the strand where we have disembarked but now,
Still giddy from the restless rocking of the waves
Of Ocean, which from Phrygian uplands hitherwards
On high, opposing backs—Poseidon’s favor won
And Euros’ strength—have borne us to our native bay.
Below there, with the bravest of his warriors, now
King Menelaus feels the joy of his return;
But thou, O bid me welcome back, thou lofty House
Which Tyndarus, my father, on the gentle slope,
Returning from the Hill of Pallas, builded up;
And when I here with Clytemnestra sister-like,
With Castor and with Pollux gayly sporting, grew,
Before all Sparta’s houses nobly was adorned.
Ye valves of yon dark iron portals, ye I hail!
Once through your festive and inviting opening
It happened that to me, from many singled out,
The coming of the bridegroom Menelaus shone.
Unfold again for me, that I the King’s command
Fulfil with strictness, as unto a spouse is meet:
Give entrance now, and let all things be left behind
Which hitherto have stormed upon me, full of doom!
For, since this place all unsuspicious I forsook
For Cytheræa’s fane, as holy duty called,
But there the robber seized me, he the Phrygian,—
Happened have many things, which people far and wide
So fain relate, but which so fain hears not the one
Of whom the legend rose, and to a fable grew.
Come from the strand where we have disembarked but now,
Still giddy from the restless rocking of the waves
Of Ocean, which from Phrygian uplands hitherwards
On high, opposing backs—Poseidon’s favor won
And Euros’ strength—have borne us to our native bay.
Below there, with the bravest of his warriors, now
King Menelaus feels the joy of his return;
But thou, O bid me welcome back, thou lofty House
Which Tyndarus, my father, on the gentle slope,
Returning from the Hill of Pallas, builded up;
And when I here with Clytemnestra sister-like,
With Castor and with Pollux gayly sporting, grew,
Before all Sparta’s houses nobly was adorned.
Ye valves of yon dark iron portals, ye I hail!
Once through your festive and inviting opening
It happened that to me, from many singled out,
The coming of the bridegroom Menelaus shone.
Unfold again for me, that I the King’s command
Fulfil with strictness, as unto a spouse is meet:
Give entrance now, and let all things be left behind
Which hitherto have stormed upon me, full of doom!
For, since this place all unsuspicious I forsook
For Cytheræa’s fane, as holy duty called,
But there the robber seized me, he the Phrygian,—
Happened have many things, which people far and wide
So fain relate, but which so fain hears not the one
Of whom the legend rose, and to a fable grew.
Chorus.
Disdain thou not, O beautiful Dame,
Possession proud of the highest estate!
For the greatest fortune is thine alone,
The fame of beauty that towers o’er all.
The name of the hero heralds his path,
Thence proudly he strides;
Yet bends at once the stubbornest man,
And yields to all-conquering Beauty’s might.
Possession proud of the highest estate!
For the greatest fortune is thine alone,
The fame of beauty that towers o’er all.
The name of the hero heralds his path,
Thence proudly he strides;
Yet bends at once the stubbornest man,
And yields to all-conquering Beauty’s might.
Helena.
Enough, with mine own spouse have I been hither shipped,
And now by him beforehand to his city sent;
Yet what his purposes may be, I fail to guess.
Do I come here as wife? Or do I come as queen?
Or come, an offering for the Prince’s bitter pain,
And for the long-endured misfortune of the Greeks?
For they, the Immortals, verily fixed my Fame and Fate
Ambiguously, attendants twain of doubtful worth
To Beauty, who upon this very threshold stand
With gloomy and with threatening presence at my side.
Then, even, in the hollow ship, but seldom looked
My spouse on me, nor ever word of comfort spake:
As if he brooded evil, fronting me he sat.
But now, when speeding towards the strand of that deep cove
Eurotas makes, scarce had the foremost vessels’ prows
The land saluted, than he spake, as urged the Gods:
“Here, in their ordered rank, my warriors disembark;
Them shall I muster, ranged along the ocean-strand.
But thou go ever onwards, up the hallowed banks
Of fair Eurotas, dowered with gifts of plenteous fruit,
Guiding the stallions o’er the bloom of watery meads,
Till there, on that most lovely plain thy journey ends,
Where Lacedemon, once a fruitful spreading field,
Surrounded by austerest mountains, built its seat.
Set thou thy foot within the high-towered princely House,
And muster well the maids, whom there behind I left,
Together with the old and faithful Stewardess.
Let her display to thee the wealth of treasures stored,
Even as thy father them bequeathed, and I myself,
In war and peace accumulating, have amassed.
All things shalt thou in ancient order find: because
It is the Ruler’s privilege, that he all things
In faithful keeping find, returning to his house,—
Where’er he may have left it, each thing in its place;
For power to change in aught possesses not the slave.”
And now by him beforehand to his city sent;
Yet what his purposes may be, I fail to guess.
Do I come here as wife? Or do I come as queen?
Or come, an offering for the Prince’s bitter pain,
And for the long-endured misfortune of the Greeks?
For they, the Immortals, verily fixed my Fame and Fate
Ambiguously, attendants twain of doubtful worth
To Beauty, who upon this very threshold stand
With gloomy and with threatening presence at my side.
Then, even, in the hollow ship, but seldom looked
My spouse on me, nor ever word of comfort spake:
As if he brooded evil, fronting me he sat.
But now, when speeding towards the strand of that deep cove
Eurotas makes, scarce had the foremost vessels’ prows
The land saluted, than he spake, as urged the Gods:
“Here, in their ordered rank, my warriors disembark;
Them shall I muster, ranged along the ocean-strand.
But thou go ever onwards, up the hallowed banks
Of fair Eurotas, dowered with gifts of plenteous fruit,
Guiding the stallions o’er the bloom of watery meads,
Till there, on that most lovely plain thy journey ends,
Where Lacedemon, once a fruitful spreading field,
Surrounded by austerest mountains, built its seat.
Set thou thy foot within the high-towered princely House,
And muster well the maids, whom there behind I left,
Together with the old and faithful Stewardess.
Let her display to thee the wealth of treasures stored,
Even as thy father them bequeathed, and I myself,
In war and peace accumulating, have amassed.
All things shalt thou in ancient order find: because
It is the Ruler’s privilege, that he all things
In faithful keeping find, returning to his house,—
Where’er he may have left it, each thing in its place;
For power to change in aught possesses not the slave.”
Chorus.
Let now the splendid, accumulate wealth
Rejoice and cheer thee, in eye and heart!
For the gleam of chain and the glory of crown
Are lying idly in haughty repose:
But enter thou in and challenge them all,
And they will respond.
I rejoice to witness Beauty compete
With gold and pearl and the jewel-stone.
Rejoice and cheer thee, in eye and heart!
For the gleam of chain and the glory of crown
Are lying idly in haughty repose:
But enter thou in and challenge them all,
And they will respond.
I rejoice to witness Beauty compete
With gold and pearl and the jewel-stone.
Helena.
Thereafter further came my lord’s imperious speech:
“Now when all things in order thou inspected hast,
Then take so many tripods as thou needful deem’st,
And vessels manifold, such as desires at hand
Who offers to the Gods, fulfilling holy use,—
The kettles, also bowls, the shallow basin’s disk;
The purest water from the sacred fountain fill
In lofty urns; and further, also ready hold
The well-dried wood that rapidly accepts the flame;
And let the knife, well-sharpened, fail not finally;
Yet all besides will I relinquish to thy care.”
So spake he, urging my departure; but no thing
Of living breath did he, who ordered thus, appoint,
That shall, to honor the Olympian Gods, be slain.
’T is critical; and yet I banish further care,
And let all things be now to the high Gods referred,
Who that fulfil, whereto their minds may be disposed,
Whether by men ’t is counted good, or whether bad;
In either case we mortals, we are doomed to bear.
Already lifted oft the Offerer the axe
In consecration o’er the bowed neck of the beast,
And could not consummate the act; for enemies
Approaching, or Gods intervening, hindered him.
“Now when all things in order thou inspected hast,
Then take so many tripods as thou needful deem’st,
And vessels manifold, such as desires at hand
Who offers to the Gods, fulfilling holy use,—
The kettles, also bowls, the shallow basin’s disk;
The purest water from the sacred fountain fill
In lofty urns; and further, also ready hold
The well-dried wood that rapidly accepts the flame;
And let the knife, well-sharpened, fail not finally;
Yet all besides will I relinquish to thy care.”
So spake he, urging my departure; but no thing
Of living breath did he, who ordered thus, appoint,
That shall, to honor the Olympian Gods, be slain.
’T is critical; and yet I banish further care,
And let all things be now to the high Gods referred,
Who that fulfil, whereto their minds may be disposed,
Whether by men ’t is counted good, or whether bad;
In either case we mortals, we are doomed to bear.
Already lifted oft the Offerer the axe
In consecration o’er the bowed neck of the beast,
And could not consummate the act; for enemies
Approaching, or Gods intervening, hindered him.
Chorus.
What shall happen, imagin’st thou not.
Queen, go forwards
With courage!
Blessing and evil come
Unexpected to men:
Though announced, yet we do not believe.
Burned not Ilion, saw we not also
Death in the face, shamefullest death?
And are we not here,
With thee companioned, joyously serving,
Seeing the dazzling sun in the heavens,
And the fairest of earth, too,—
Kindest one, thee,—we, the happy?
Queen, go forwards
With courage!
Blessing and evil come
Unexpected to men:
Though announced, yet we do not believe.
Burned not Ilion, saw we not also
Death in the face, shamefullest death?
And are we not here,
With thee companioned, joyously serving,
Seeing the dazzling sun in the heavens,
And the fairest of earth, too,—
Kindest one, thee,—we, the happy?
Helena.
Let come, what may! Whate’er awaits me, it beseems
That I without delay go up in the Royal House,
Which, long my need and yearning, forfeited almost,
Once more hath risen on my sight, I know not how.
My feet no longer bear me with such fearlessness
Up the high steps, which as a child I sprang across.
That I without delay go up in the Royal House,
Which, long my need and yearning, forfeited almost,
Once more hath risen on my sight, I know not how.
My feet no longer bear me with such fearlessness
Up the high steps, which as a child I sprang across.
Chorus.
Cast ye, O sisters! ye
Sorrowful captives,
All your trouble far from ye!
Your mistress’s joy partake,
Helena’s joy partake,
Who the paternal hearth
Delightedly now is approaching,
Truly with late-returning
But with firmer and surer feet!
Sorrowful captives,
All your trouble far from ye!
Your mistress’s joy partake,
Helena’s joy partake,
Who the paternal hearth
Delightedly now is approaching,
Truly with late-returning
But with firmer and surer feet!
Praise ye the sacredest,
Still re-establishing
And home-bringing Immortals!
How the delivered one
Soars as on lifted wings
Over asperities, while in vain
The prisoned one, yearningly,
Over the fortress-parapet
Pineth with outspread arms!
Still re-establishing
And home-bringing Immortals!
How the delivered one
Soars as on lifted wings
Over asperities, while in vain
The prisoned one, yearningly,
Over the fortress-parapet
Pineth with outspread arms!
But a God took hold of her,
The Expatriate,
And from Ilion’s ruins
Hither hath borne her again,
To the ancient, the newly embellished
Paternal house,
From unspeakable
Raptures and torments,
Early youthful days,
Now refreshed, to remember.
The Expatriate,
And from Ilion’s ruins
Hither hath borne her again,
To the ancient, the newly embellished
Paternal house,
From unspeakable
Raptures and torments,
Early youthful days,
Now refreshed, to remember.
Panthalis (as Leader of the Chorus).
Forsake ye now the joy-encompassed path of Song,
And towards the portal’s open valves your glances turn!
What, Sisters, do I see? Returneth not the Queen
With swift and agitated step again to us?
What is it now, great Queen, what could encounter thee
To move and shake thee so, within thy house’s halls,
Instead of greeting? Thou canst not conceal the thing;
For strong repulsion written on thy brow I see,
And noble indignation, struggling with amaze.
And towards the portal’s open valves your glances turn!
What, Sisters, do I see? Returneth not the Queen
With swift and agitated step again to us?
What is it now, great Queen, what could encounter thee
To move and shake thee so, within thy house’s halls,
Instead of greeting? Thou canst not conceal the thing;
For strong repulsion written on thy brow I see,
And noble indignation, struggling with amaze.
Helena.
(who has left the wings of the portal open, excitedly).
A common fear beseemeth not the child of Zeus;
No lightly-passing hand of terror touches her;
But that fell Horror, which the womb of ancient Night
With first of things delivered, rolled through many forms,
Like glowing clouds that from the mountain’s fiery throat
Whirl up expanding, even heroes’ breasts may shake.
Thus terribly have here to-day the Stygian Gods.
Mine entrance in the house betokened, and I fain,
Even as a guest dismissed, would take myself away
From this oft-trodden threshold I so longed to tread.
But, no! hither have I retreated to the light:
Nor further shall ye force me, Powers, be who ye may!
Some consecration will I muse: then, purified,
The hearth-fire may the wife so welcome, as the lord.
A common fear beseemeth not the child of Zeus;
No lightly-passing hand of terror touches her;
But that fell Horror, which the womb of ancient Night
With first of things delivered, rolled through many forms,
Like glowing clouds that from the mountain’s fiery throat
Whirl up expanding, even heroes’ breasts may shake.
Thus terribly have here to-day the Stygian Gods.
Mine entrance in the house betokened, and I fain,
Even as a guest dismissed, would take myself away
From this oft-trodden threshold I so longed to tread.
But, no! hither have I retreated to the light:
Nor further shall ye force me, Powers, be who ye may!
Some consecration will I muse: then, purified,
The hearth-fire may the wife so welcome, as the lord.
Leader of the Chorus.
Discover, noble Dame, unto thy servants here,
Who reverently assist thee, what hath come to pass.
Who reverently assist thee, what hath come to pass.
Helena.
What I beheld, shall ye with your own eyes behold,
If now that shape the ancient Night hath not at once
Re-swallowed to the wonders of her deepest breast.
But I with words will yet declare it, that ye know.
When solemnly, my nearest duty borne in mind,
The Royal House’s gloomy inner court I trod,
Amazed I saw the silent, dreary corridors.
No sound of diligent labor, going forwards, met
The ear, no signs of prompt and busy haste the eye;
And not a maid appeared to me, no stewardess
Such as is wont to greet the stranger, friendly-wise.
But when towards the ample hearth-stone I advanced,
I saw, beside the glimmering ashes that remained,
A veiled and giant woman seated on the ground,
Not like to one who sleeps, but one deep-sunkin thought,
With words of stern command I summoned her to work,
The stewardess surmising, who meanwhile, perchance,
My spouse with forethought there had stationed when he left;
But she, still crouched together, sat immovable.
Stirred by my threats at last, she lifted the right arm
As if from hearth and hall she beckoned me away.
I turned indignantly from her, and swiftly sped
Unto the steps whereon aloft the Thalamos
Adorned is set, and near thereto the treasure-room:
But suddenly from the floor the wondrous figure sprang,
Barring my way imperiously, and showed herself
In haggard height, with hollow, blood-discolored eyes,
A shape so strange that eye and mind confounded are,
But to the winds I speak: for all in vain doth Speech
Fatigue itself, creatively to build up forms.
There look, yourselves! She even ventures forth to light!
Here are we masters, till the lord and king shall come.
The horrid births of Night doth Phoebus, Beauty’s friend,
Drive out of sight to caverns, or he binds them fast.
(Phorkyas appears on the threshold, between the door-posts.)
If now that shape the ancient Night hath not at once
Re-swallowed to the wonders of her deepest breast.
But I with words will yet declare it, that ye know.
When solemnly, my nearest duty borne in mind,
The Royal House’s gloomy inner court I trod,
Amazed I saw the silent, dreary corridors.
No sound of diligent labor, going forwards, met
The ear, no signs of prompt and busy haste the eye;
And not a maid appeared to me, no stewardess
Such as is wont to greet the stranger, friendly-wise.
But when towards the ample hearth-stone I advanced,
I saw, beside the glimmering ashes that remained,
A veiled and giant woman seated on the ground,
Not like to one who sleeps, but one deep-sunkin thought,
With words of stern command I summoned her to work,
The stewardess surmising, who meanwhile, perchance,
My spouse with forethought there had stationed when he left;
But she, still crouched together, sat immovable.
Stirred by my threats at last, she lifted the right arm
As if from hearth and hall she beckoned me away.
I turned indignantly from her, and swiftly sped
Unto the steps whereon aloft the Thalamos
Adorned is set, and near thereto the treasure-room:
But suddenly from the floor the wondrous figure sprang,
Barring my way imperiously, and showed herself
In haggard height, with hollow, blood-discolored eyes,
A shape so strange that eye and mind confounded are,
But to the winds I speak: for all in vain doth Speech
Fatigue itself, creatively to build up forms.
There look, yourselves! She even ventures forth to light!
Here are we masters, till the lord and king shall come.
The horrid births of Night doth Phoebus, Beauty’s friend,
Drive out of sight to caverns, or he binds them fast.
(Phorkyas appears on the threshold, between the door-posts.)
Chorus.104
Much my experience, although the tresses,
Youthfully clustering, wave on my temples;
Many the terrible things I have witnessed,
Warriors lamenting, Ilion’s night,
When it fell.—
Youthfully clustering, wave on my temples;
Many the terrible things I have witnessed,
Warriors lamenting, Ilion’s night,
When it fell.—
Through the beclouded, dusty and maddened
Throngs of the combatants, heard I the Gods then
Terribly calling, heard I the iron
Accents of Discord clang through the field,
City-wards.
Throngs of the combatants, heard I the Gods then
Terribly calling, heard I the iron
Accents of Discord clang through the field,
City-wards.
Ah, yet stood they, Ilion’s
Ramparts; but ever the fiery glow
Ran from neighbor to neighbor walls,
Ever extending from here and there,
With the roar of its own storm,
Over the darkening city.
Ramparts; but ever the fiery glow
Ran from neighbor to neighbor walls,
Ever extending from here and there,
With the roar of its own storm,
Over the darkening city.
Flying saw I, through smoke and flame,
And the tongues of the blinding fire,
Fearful angering presence of Gods,
Stalking marvellous figures,
Giant-great, through the gloomy
Fire-illuminate vapors.
And the tongues of the blinding fire,
Fearful angering presence of Gods,
Stalking marvellous figures,
Giant-great, through the gloomy
Fire-illuminate vapors.
Faust.
Saw I, or was it but
Dread of the mind, that fashioned
Forms so affrighting? Never can
Justly I say it? Yet that I Her,
Horrible, here with eyes behold,
Is to me known and certain:
Even to my hand were palpable,
Did not the terror restrain me,
Holding me back from the danger.
Dread of the mind, that fashioned
Forms so affrighting? Never can
Justly I say it? Yet that I Her,
Horrible, here with eyes behold,
Is to me known and certain:
Even to my hand were palpable,
Did not the terror restrain me,
Holding me back from the danger.
Which one of Phorkys’
Daughters then art thou?
Since I compare thee
Unto that family.
Art thou, perchance, of the Graiæ,
One of the dreaded gray-born,
One eye and tooth only
Owning alternately?
Daughters then art thou?
Since I compare thee
Unto that family.
Art thou, perchance, of the Graiæ,
One of the dreaded gray-born,
One eye and tooth only
Owning alternately?
Darest thou, Monster,
Here beside Beauty,
Unto high Phœbus’
Vision display thee?
Here beside Beauty,
Unto high Phœbus’
Vision display thee?
Step thou forth, notwithstanding!
For the Ugly beholds he not,
Even as his hallowed glances
Never beheld the shadow.
For the Ugly beholds he not,
Even as his hallowed glances
Never beheld the shadow.
Yet a sorrowful adverse fate,
Us mortals compelleth, alas!
To endure the unspeakable eye-pain
Which She, the accurst, reprehensible,
Provokes in the lovers of Beauty.
Us mortals compelleth, alas!
To endure the unspeakable eye-pain
Which She, the accurst, reprehensible,
Provokes in the lovers of Beauty.
Yes, then hearken, if thou brazenly
Us shalt encounter, hear the curse,—
Hear the threat of every abuse
From the denouncing mouths of the Fortunate,
Whom the Gods themselves have fashioned!
Us shalt encounter, hear the curse,—
Hear the threat of every abuse
From the denouncing mouths of the Fortunate,
Whom the Gods themselves have fashioned!
Phorkyas.105
Old is the saw, and yet its sense is high and true,
That Shame and Beauty ne’er together, hand in hand,
Pursued their way across the green domains of Earth.
Deep-rooted dwells in both such force of ancient hate,
That wheresoever on their way one haps to meet
The other, each upon her rival turns her back:
Then forth again vehemently they hasten on,
Shame deep depressed, but Beauty insolent and bold,
Till her at last the hollow night of Orcus takes,
If Age hath not beforehand fully tamed her pride.
So now I find ye, shameless ones, come from abroad
With arrogance o’erflowing, as a file of cranes
That with their hoarse, far-sounding clangor high in air,
A cloudy line, slow-moving, send their creaking tones
Below, the lone, belated wanderer to allure
That he look up; but, notwithstanding, go their way,
And he goes his: and likewise will it be, with us.
Who, then, are you, that round the Royal Palace high
Like Mzenads wild, or like Bacchantes, dare to rave?
Who, then, are you, that you the House’s stewardess
Assail and how] at, as the breed of dogs the moon?
Think ye from me ’t is hidden, of what race ye are?
Ye brood, in war begotten and in battle bred,
Lustful of man, seducing no less than seduced,
Emasculating soldiers’, burghers’ strength alike!
Methinks, to see your crowd, a thick cicada-swarm
Hath settled on us, covering the green-sown fields.
Devourers ye of others’ toil! Ye snatch and taste,
Destroying in its bud the land’s prosperity!
Wares are ye, plundered, bartered, and in market sold!
That Shame and Beauty ne’er together, hand in hand,
Pursued their way across the green domains of Earth.
Deep-rooted dwells in both such force of ancient hate,
That wheresoever on their way one haps to meet
The other, each upon her rival turns her back:
Then forth again vehemently they hasten on,
Shame deep depressed, but Beauty insolent and bold,
Till her at last the hollow night of Orcus takes,
If Age hath not beforehand fully tamed her pride.
So now I find ye, shameless ones, come from abroad
With arrogance o’erflowing, as a file of cranes
That with their hoarse, far-sounding clangor high in air,
A cloudy line, slow-moving, send their creaking tones
Below, the lone, belated wanderer to allure
That he look up; but, notwithstanding, go their way,
And he goes his: and likewise will it be, with us.
Who, then, are you, that round the Royal Palace high
Like Mzenads wild, or like Bacchantes, dare to rave?
Who, then, are you, that you the House’s stewardess
Assail and how] at, as the breed of dogs the moon?
Think ye from me ’t is hidden, of what race ye are?
Ye brood, in war begotten and in battle bred,
Lustful of man, seducing no less than seduced,
Emasculating soldiers’, burghers’ strength alike!
Methinks, to see your crowd, a thick cicada-swarm
Hath settled on us, covering the green-sown fields.
Devourers ye of others’ toil! Ye snatch and taste,
Destroying in its bud the land’s prosperity!
Wares are ye, plundered, bartered, and in market sold!
Helena.
Who rates the servant-maids in presence of the Dame
Audaciously invades the Mistress’ household-right:
Her only it becometh to commend what is
Praiseworthy, as to punish what is blamable.
Content, moreover, am I with the service which
They gave me, when the lofty strength of Ilion
Beleaguered stood, and fell in ruin: none the less
When we the sorrowful and devious hardships bore
Of errant travel, where each thinks but of himself.
Here, too, the like from this gay throng do I expect:
Not what the slave is, asks the lord, but how he serves.
Therefore be silent, cease to grin and jeer at them!
If thou the Palace hitherto hast guarded well
In place of Mistress, so much to thy credit stands;
But now that she herself hath come, shouldst thou retire
Lest punishment, in place of pay deserved, befall!
Audaciously invades the Mistress’ household-right:
Her only it becometh to commend what is
Praiseworthy, as to punish what is blamable.
Content, moreover, am I with the service which
They gave me, when the lofty strength of Ilion
Beleaguered stood, and fell in ruin: none the less
When we the sorrowful and devious hardships bore
Of errant travel, where each thinks but of himself.
Here, too, the like from this gay throng do I expect:
Not what the slave is, asks the lord, but how he serves.
Therefore be silent, cease to grin and jeer at them!
If thou the Palace hitherto hast guarded well
In place of Mistress, so much to thy credit stands;
But now that she herself hath come, shouldst thou retire
Lest punishment, in place of pay deserved, befall!
Phorkyas.
To threaten the domestics is a right assured,
Which she, the spouse august of the God-prospered king,
By many years of wise discretion well hath earned.
Since thou, now recognized, thine ancient station here
Again assum’st, as Queen and Mistress of the House,
Grasp thou the reins so long relaxed, be ruler now,
Take in thy keep the treasure, and ourselves thereto!
But first of all protect me, who the eldest am,
From this pert throng, who with thee, Swan of Beauty, matched,
Are only stumpy-winged and cackling, quacking geese.
Which she, the spouse august of the God-prospered king,
By many years of wise discretion well hath earned.
Since thou, now recognized, thine ancient station here
Again assum’st, as Queen and Mistress of the House,
Grasp thou the reins so long relaxed, be ruler now,
Take in thy keep the treasure, and ourselves thereto!
But first of all protect me, who the eldest am,
From this pert throng, who with thee, Swan of Beauty, matched,
Are only stumpy-winged and cackling, quacking geese.
Leader of the Chorus.
How ugly, near to Beauty, showeth Ugliness!
Phorkyas.
How silly, near to understanding, want of sense!
(Henceforth the Choretids answer in turn, stepping singly
forth from the Chorus.)
forth from the Chorus.)
Choterid I.106
Of Father Erebus relate, relate of Mother Night!
Phorkyas.
Speak thou of Scylla, sister-children of one flesh !
Choterid II.
Good store of hideous monsters shows thy family tree!
Phorkyas.
Go down to Orcus! There thy tribe and kindred seek!
Choterid III.
Those who dwell there are all by far too young for thee.
Phorkyas.
On old Tiresias try thy lascivious arts!
Choterid IV.
Orion’s nurse was great-great-grandchild unto thee!
Phorkyas.
Thee harpies, I suspect, did nurse and feed on filth.
Choterid V.
Wherewith dost thou such choice emaciation feed?
Phorkyas.
Not with the b’ood, for which thou all too greedy art.
Choretid VI.
Thou, hungering for corpses, hideous corpse thyself!
Phorkyas.
The teeth of vampires in thy shameless muzzle shine!
Leader of the Chorus.
Thine shall I stop, when I declare thee who thou art.
Phorkyas.
Then name thyself the first! The riddle thus is solved.
Helena.
Not angered, but in sorrow, do I intervene,
Prohibiting the storm of this alternate strife!
For nothing more injurious meets the ruling lord
Than quarrels of his faithful servants, underhand.
The echo of his orders then returns no more
Accordantly to him in swiftly finished acts,
But, roaring wilfully, encompasses with storm
Him, self-confused, and chiding to the empty air.
Nor this alone: in most unmannered anger ye
Have conjured hither pictures of the shapes of dread,
Which so surround me, that to Orcus now I feel
My being whirled, despite these well-known native fields.
Can it be memory? Was it fancy, seizing me?
Was all that, I? and am I, now? and shall I hence forth be
The dream and terror of those town-destroying ones?
I see the maidens shudder: but, the eldest, thou
Composedly standest — speak a word of sense to me!
Prohibiting the storm of this alternate strife!
For nothing more injurious meets the ruling lord
Than quarrels of his faithful servants, underhand.
The echo of his orders then returns no more
Accordantly to him in swiftly finished acts,
But, roaring wilfully, encompasses with storm
Him, self-confused, and chiding to the empty air.
Nor this alone: in most unmannered anger ye
Have conjured hither pictures of the shapes of dread,
Which so surround me, that to Orcus now I feel
My being whirled, despite these well-known native fields.
Can it be memory? Was it fancy, seizing me?
Was all that, I? and am I, now? and shall I hence forth be
The dream and terror of those town-destroying ones?
I see the maidens shudder: but, the eldest, thou
Composedly standest — speak a word of sense to me!
Phorkyas.
Whoe’er the fortune manifold of years recalls,
Sees as a dream at last the favor of the Gods.
But thou, so highly dowered, so past all measure helped,
Saw’st in the ranks of life but love-desirous men,
To every boldest hazard kindled soon and spurred.
Thee early Theseus snatched, excited by desire,
Like Heraclés in strength, a splendid form of man.
Sees as a dream at last the favor of the Gods.
But thou, so highly dowered, so past all measure helped,
Saw’st in the ranks of life but love-desirous men,
To every boldest hazard kindled soon and spurred.
Thee early Theseus snatched, excited by desire,
Like Heraclés in strength, a splendid form of man.
Helena.
He bore me forth, a ten-year-old and slender roe,
And shut me in Aphidnus’ tower, in Attica.
And shut me in Aphidnus’ tower, in Attica.
Phorkyas.
But then, by Castor and by Pollux soon released,
The choicest crowd of heroes, wooing, round thee pressed.
The choicest crowd of heroes, wooing, round thee pressed.
Helena.
Yet most my secret favor, freely I confess,
Patroclus won, the likeness of Pelides he.
Patroclus won, the likeness of Pelides he.
Phorkyas.
Wed by thy father’s will to Menelaus then,
The bold sea-rover, the sustainer of his house.
The bold sea-rover, the sustainer of his house.
Helena.
My sire the daughter gave him, and the government:
Then from our wedded nearness sprang Hermione.
Then from our wedded nearness sprang Hermione.
Phorkyas.
et when he boldly claimed the heritage of Crete,
To thee, the lonely one, too fair a guest appeared.
To thee, the lonely one, too fair a guest appeared.
Helena.
Why wilt thou thus recall that semi-widowhood,
And all the hideous ruin it entailed on me?
And all the hideous ruin it entailed on me?
Phorkyas.
To me, a free-born Cretan, did that journey bring
Imprisonment, as well,—protracted slavery.
Imprisonment, as well,—protracted slavery.
Helena.
At once he hither ordered thee as stewardess,
Giving in charge the fortress and the treasure-stores.
Giving in charge the fortress and the treasure-stores.
Phorkyas.
Which thou forsookest, wending to the towered town
Of Ilion, and the unexhausted joys of love.
Of Ilion, and the unexhausted joys of love.
Helena.
Name not those joys to me! for sorrow all too stern
Unendingly was poured upon my breast and brain.
Unendingly was poured upon my breast and brain.
Phorkyas.
Nathless, they say, dost thou appear in double form,
Beheld in Ilion,—in Egypt, too, beheld.
Beheld in Ilion,—in Egypt, too, beheld.
Helena.
Make wholly not confused my clouded, wandering sense!
Even in this moment, who I am I cannot tell.
Even in this moment, who I am I cannot tell.
Phorkyas.
And then, they say, from out the hollow Realm of Shades
Achilles yet was joined in passion unto thee,
Who earlier loved thee, ’gainst all ordinances of Fate!
Achilles yet was joined in passion unto thee,
Who earlier loved thee, ’gainst all ordinances of Fate!
Helena.
To him, the Vision, I, a Vision, wed myself:107
It was a dream, as even the words themselves declare.
I vanish hence, and to myself a Vision grow.
(She sinks into the arms of the Semichorus.)
It was a dream, as even the words themselves declare.
I vanish hence, and to myself a Vision grow.
(She sinks into the arms of the Semichorus.)
Chorus.
Silence! silence!
False-seeing one, false-speaking one!
Out of the hideous, single-toothed
Mouth, what should be exhaled from
Such abominable horror-throat!
For the Malevolent, seeming benevolent,—
Wolf’s wrath under the sheep’s woolly fleece,—
Fearfuller far is unto me than
Throat of the three-headed dog.
Anxiously listening stand we here.
When? how? where shall break again forth
Further malice
From the deeply-ambushed monster?
False-seeing one, false-speaking one!
Out of the hideous, single-toothed
Mouth, what should be exhaled from
Such abominable horror-throat!
For the Malevolent, seeming benevolent,—
Wolf’s wrath under the sheep’s woolly fleece,—
Fearfuller far is unto me than
Throat of the three-headed dog.
Anxiously listening stand we here.
When? how? where shall break again forth
Further malice
From the deeply-ambushed monster?
Now, stead of friendly words and consoling,
Lethe-bestowing, gratefully mild,
Stirrest thou up from all the Past
Evillest more than good things,
And darkenest all at once
Both the gleam of the Present
And also the Future’s
Sweetly glimmering dawn of hope!
Silence! silence!
That the Queen’s high spirit,
Nigh to forsake her now,
Hold out, and upbear yet
The Form of all forms
Which the sun shone on ever.
(Helena has recovered, and stands again in the centre.)
Lethe-bestowing, gratefully mild,
Stirrest thou up from all the Past
Evillest more than good things,
And darkenest all at once
Both the gleam of the Present
And also the Future’s
Sweetly glimmering dawn of hope!
Silence! silence!
That the Queen’s high spirit,
Nigh to forsake her now,
Hold out, and upbear yet
The Form of all forms
Which the sun shone on ever.
(Helena has recovered, and stands again in the centre.)
Phorkyas.
Forth from transient vapors comes the lofty sun of this bright day,
That, obscured, could so delight us, but in splendor dazzles now.
As the world to thee is lovely, thou art lovely unto us;
Though as ugly they revile me, well I know the Beautiful.
That, obscured, could so delight us, but in splendor dazzles now.
As the world to thee is lovely, thou art lovely unto us;
Though as ugly they revile me, well I know the Beautiful.
Helena.
Tottering step I from the Void that—dizzy, fainting,—round me closed;
And again would fain be resting, for so weary are my limbs.
Yet to Queens beseemeth chiefly, as to all men it beseems,
Calm to be, and pluck up courage, whatsoe’er may menace them.
And again would fain be resting, for so weary are my limbs.
Yet to Queens beseemeth chiefly, as to all men it beseems,
Calm to be, and pluck up courage, whatsoe’er may menace them.
Phorkyas.
Standing now in all thy greatness, and in all thy beauty, here,
Says thine eye that thou commandest: what command’st thou? speak it out!
Says thine eye that thou commandest: what command’st thou? speak it out!
Helena.
Be prepared, for much neglected in your quarrel, to atone!
Haste, a sacrifice to furnish, as the king hath ordered me!
Haste, a sacrifice to furnish, as the king hath ordered me!
Phorkyas.
All is ready in the palace — vessels, tripods, sharpened axe,
For the sprinkling, fumigating: show to me the victim now!
For the sprinkling, fumigating: show to me the victim now!
Helena.
This the king not indicated.
Phorkyas.
Spake it not? O word of woe!
Helena.
What distress hath overcome thee?
Phorkyas.
Queen, the offering art thou!108
Helena.
I?
Phorkyas.
And these.
Chorus.
Ah, woe and sorrow!
Phorkyas.
Thou shalt fall beneath the axe.
Helena.
Fearful, yet foreboded! I, alas!
Phorkyas.
There seemeth no escape.
Chorus.
Ah! and what to us will happen?
Phorkyas.
She will die a noble death;
But upon the lofty beam, upholding rafter-frame and roof,
As in birding-time the throstles, ye in turn shall struggling hang!
(Helena and the Chorus stand amazed and alarmed, in
striking, well-arranged groups.)
But upon the lofty beam, upholding rafter-frame and roof,
As in birding-time the throstles, ye in turn shall struggling hang!
(Helena and the Chorus stand amazed and alarmed, in
striking, well-arranged groups.)
Phorkyas.
Ye Phantoms!—like to frozen images ye stand,
In terror thus from Day to part, which is not yours.
Men, and the race of spectres like you, one and ail,
Renounce not willingly the bright beams of the sun;
But from the end may none implore or rescue them.
All know it, yet ’t is pleasant unto very few.
Enough! ye all are lost: now speedily to work!
She claps her hands: thereupon appear in the doorway muffled
dwarfish forms, which at once carry out with alacrity
the commands expressed.)
This way, ye gloomy, sphery-bodied monster throng!
Roll hitherwards ! ye here may damage as ye will.
The altar portable, the golden-horned, set up!
The axe let shimmering lie across the silver rim!
The urns of water fill! For soon, to wash away,
Shall be the black blood’s horrible and smutching stains.
Here spread the costly carpets out upon the dust,
That so the offering may kneel in queenly wise,
And folded then, although with severed head, at once
With decent dignity be granted sepulture!
In terror thus from Day to part, which is not yours.
Men, and the race of spectres like you, one and ail,
Renounce not willingly the bright beams of the sun;
But from the end may none implore or rescue them.
All know it, yet ’t is pleasant unto very few.
Enough! ye all are lost: now speedily to work!
She claps her hands: thereupon appear in the doorway muffled
dwarfish forms, which at once carry out with alacrity
the commands expressed.)
This way, ye gloomy, sphery-bodied monster throng!
Roll hitherwards ! ye here may damage as ye will.
The altar portable, the golden-horned, set up!
The axe let shimmering lie across the silver rim!
The urns of water fill! For soon, to wash away,
Shall be the black blood’s horrible and smutching stains.
Here spread the costly carpets out upon the dust,
That so the offering may kneel in queenly wise,
And folded then, although with severed head, at once
With decent dignity be granted sepulture!
Leader of the Chorus.
The Queen is standing, sunk in thought, beside us here,
The maidens wither like the late-mown meadow grass;
Methinks that I, the eldest, in high duty bound,
Should words exchange with thee, primeval eldest thou!
Thou art experienced, wise, and seemest well-disposed,
Although this brainless throng assailed thee in mistake,
Declare then, if thou knowest, possible escape!
The maidens wither like the late-mown meadow grass;
Methinks that I, the eldest, in high duty bound,
Should words exchange with thee, primeval eldest thou!
Thou art experienced, wise, and seemest well-disposed,
Although this brainless throng assailed thee in mistake,
Declare then, if thou knowest, possible escape!
Phorkyas.
’T is easy said. Upon the Queen it rests alone,
To save herself, and ye appendages with her.
But resolution, and the swiftest, needful is.
To save herself, and ye appendages with her.
But resolution, and the swiftest, needful is.
Chorus.
Worthiest and most reverend of the Parc, wisest sibyl thou,
Hold the golden shears yet open, then declare us Day and Help!
We already feel discomfort of the soaring, swinging, struggling;
And our limbs in dances first would rather move in joyous cadence,
Resting afterwards on lovers’ breasts.
Hold the golden shears yet open, then declare us Day and Help!
We already feel discomfort of the soaring, swinging, struggling;
And our limbs in dances first would rather move in joyous cadence,
Resting afterwards on lovers’ breasts.
Helena.
Let these be timid! Pain I feel, but terror none;
Yet if thou know’st of rescue, grateful I accept!
Unto the wise, wide-seeing mind is verily shown
The Impossible oft as possible. Then speak, and say!
Yet if thou know’st of rescue, grateful I accept!
Unto the wise, wide-seeing mind is verily shown
The Impossible oft as possible. Then speak, and say!
Chorus.
Speak and tell us, tell us quickly, how escape we now the fearful,
Fatal nooses, that so menace, like the vilest form of necklace,
Wound about our tender throats? Already, in anticipation,
We can feel the choking, smothering—if thou, Rhea, lofty Mother
Of the Gods, to mercy be not moved.
Fatal nooses, that so menace, like the vilest form of necklace,
Wound about our tender throats? Already, in anticipation,
We can feel the choking, smothering—if thou, Rhea, lofty Mother
Of the Gods, to mercy be not moved.
Phorkyas.
Have you then patience, such long-winded course of speech
To hear in silence? Manifold the stories are.
To hear in silence? Manifold the stories are.
Chorus.
Patience enough! Meanwhile, in hearing, still we live.
Phorkyas.
Whoso, to guard his noble wealth, abides at home,
And in his lofty dwelling well cements the chinks
And also from the pelting rain secures the roof,
With him, the long days of his life, shall all be well:
But whosoe’er his threshold’s holy square-hewn stone
Lightly with flying foot and guilty oversteps,
Finds, when he comes again, the ancient place, indeed,
But all things altered, if not utterly o’erthrown.
And in his lofty dwelling well cements the chinks
And also from the pelting rain secures the roof,
With him, the long days of his life, shall all be well:
But whosoe’er his threshold’s holy square-hewn stone
Lightly with flying foot and guilty oversteps,
Finds, when he comes again, the ancient place, indeed,
But all things altered, if not utterly o’erthrown.
Helena.
Wherefore declaim such well-known sayings here, as these?
Thou wouldst narrate: then stir not up annoying themes!
Thou wouldst narrate: then stir not up annoying themes!
Phorkyas.
It is historic truth, and nowise a reproach.
Sea-plundering, Menelaus steered from bay to bay;
He skirted as a foe the islands and the shores,
Returning with the booty, which in yonder rusts.
Then ten long years he passed in front of Ilion;
But for the voyage home how many know I not.
And now how is it, where we stand by Tyndarus’
Exalted House? How is it with the regions round?
Sea-plundering, Menelaus steered from bay to bay;
He skirted as a foe the islands and the shores,
Returning with the booty, which in yonder rusts.
Then ten long years he passed in front of Ilion;
But for the voyage home how many know I not.
And now how is it, where we stand by Tyndarus’
Exalted House? How is it with the regions round?
Helena.
Has then Abuse become incarnated in thee,
That canst not open once thy lips, except to blame?
That canst not open once thy lips, except to blame?
Phorkyas.
So many years deserted stood the valley-hills
That in the rear of Sparta northwards rise aloft,
Behind Taygetus; whence, as yet a nimble brook,
Eurotas downward rolls, and then, along our vale
By reed-beds broadly flowing, nourishes your swans.
Behind there in the mountain-dells a daring breed
Have settled, pressing forth from the Cimmerian Night,
And there have built a fortress inaccessible,
Whence land and people now they harry, as they please.
That in the rear of Sparta northwards rise aloft,
Behind Taygetus; whence, as yet a nimble brook,
Eurotas downward rolls, and then, along our vale
By reed-beds broadly flowing, nourishes your swans.
Behind there in the mountain-dells a daring breed
Have settled, pressing forth from the Cimmerian Night,
And there have built a fortress inaccessible,
Whence land and people now they harry, as they please.
Helena.
Have they accomplished that? Impossible it seems.
Phorkyas.
They had the time: it may be twenty years, in all.
Helena.
Is one a Chief? and are they robbers many—leagued?
Phorkyas.
Not robbers are they ; yet of many one is Chief:1019
I blame him not, although on me he also fell.
He might, indeed, have taken all; yet was content
With some free-gifts, he said: tribute he called it not.
I blame him not, although on me he also fell.
He might, indeed, have taken all; yet was content
With some free-gifts, he said: tribute he called it not.
Helena.
How looked the man?
Phorkyas.
By no means ill: he pleased me well.
Cheerful and brave and bold, and nobly-formed is he,
A prudent man and wise, as few among the Greeks.
They call the race Barbarians; yet I question much
If one so cruel be, as there by Ilion
In man-devouring rage so many heroes were;
His greatness I respected, did confide in him.
And then, his fortress! That should ye yourselves behold!
’T is something other than unwieldy masonry,
The which your fathers, helter-skelter tumbling, piled,—
Cyclopean like the Cyclops, stones undressed at once.
On stones undressed upheaving: there, however, there
All plumb and balanced is, conformed to square and rule.
Behold it from without! It rises heavenward up
So hard, so tight of joint, and mirror-smooth as steel.
To climb up there—nay, even your Thought itself slides off!
And mighty courts of ample space within, enclosed
Around with structures of all character and use.
There you see pillars, pillarets, arches great and small,
Balconies, galleries for looking out and in,
And coats of arms.
Cheerful and brave and bold, and nobly-formed is he,
A prudent man and wise, as few among the Greeks.
They call the race Barbarians; yet I question much
If one so cruel be, as there by Ilion
In man-devouring rage so many heroes were;
His greatness I respected, did confide in him.
And then, his fortress! That should ye yourselves behold!
’T is something other than unwieldy masonry,
The which your fathers, helter-skelter tumbling, piled,—
Cyclopean like the Cyclops, stones undressed at once.
On stones undressed upheaving: there, however, there
All plumb and balanced is, conformed to square and rule.
Behold it from without! It rises heavenward up
So hard, so tight of joint, and mirror-smooth as steel.
To climb up there—nay, even your Thought itself slides off!
And mighty courts of ample space within, enclosed
Around with structures of all character and use.
There you see pillars, pillarets, arches great and small,
Balconies, galleries for looking out and in,
And coats of arms.
Chorus.
What are they?
Phorkyas.
Ajax surely bore
A twisted serpent on his shield, as ye have seen.
The Seven also before Thebes had images,
Each one upon his shield, with many meanings rich.
One saw there moon and star on the nocturnal sky,
And goddesses, and heroes, ladders, torches, swords,
And whatsoe’er afflicting threateneth good towns.
Such symbols also bore our own heroic band,
In shining tints, bequeathed from eldest ancestry.
You see there lions, eagles, likewise claws and beaks,
Then buffalo-horns, with wings and roses, peacock’s-tails,
And also bars—gold, black and silver, blue and red.
The like of these in halls are hanging, row on row,—
In halls unlimited and spacious as the world:
There might ye dance!
A twisted serpent on his shield, as ye have seen.
The Seven also before Thebes had images,
Each one upon his shield, with many meanings rich.
One saw there moon and star on the nocturnal sky,
And goddesses, and heroes, ladders, torches, swords,
And whatsoe’er afflicting threateneth good towns.
Such symbols also bore our own heroic band,
In shining tints, bequeathed from eldest ancestry.
You see there lions, eagles, likewise claws and beaks,
Then buffalo-horns, with wings and roses, peacock’s-tails,
And also bars—gold, black and silver, blue and red.
The like of these in halls are hanging, row on row,—
In halls unlimited and spacious as the world:
There might ye dance!
Chorus.
But tell us, are there dancers there
Phorkyas.
Ay, and the best!—a blooming, gold-haired throng of boys,
Breathing ambrosial youth! So only Paris breathed,
When he approached too nearly to the Queen.
Breathing ambrosial youth! So only Paris breathed,
When he approached too nearly to the Queen.
Helena.
Thou fall’st
Entirely from thy part: speak now the final word!
Entirely from thy part: speak now the final word!
Phorkyas.
’Tis thou shalt speak it: say with grave distinctness, Yes!
Then straight will I surround thee with that fortress.
Then straight will I surround thee with that fortress.
Chorus.
Speak,
O speak the one brief word, and save thyself and us!
O speak the one brief word, and save thyself and us!
Helena.
What! Shall I fear King Menelaus may transgress
So most inhumanly, as thus to smite myself?
So most inhumanly, as thus to smite myself?
Phorkyas.
Hast thou forgotten how he thy Deiphobus,
Brother of fallen Paris, who with stubborn claim
Took thee, the widow, as his fere, did visit with
Unheard-of mutilation? Nose and ears he cropped,
And otherwise disfigured: ’t was a dread to see.
Brother of fallen Paris, who with stubborn claim
Took thee, the widow, as his fere, did visit with
Unheard-of mutilation? Nose and ears he cropped,
And otherwise disfigured: ’t was a dread to see.
Helena.
That did he unto him: he did it for my sake.
Phorkyas.
Because of him he now will do the like to thee.
Beauty is indivisible:110 who once possessed
Her wholly, rather slays than only share in part.
(Trumpets in the distance: the Chorus starts in terror.)
Even as the trumpet’s piercing clangor gripes and tears
The ear and entrail-nerves, thus Jealousy her claws
Drives in the bosom of the man, who ne’er forgets
What once was his, but now is lost, possessed no more,
Beauty is indivisible:110 who once possessed
Her wholly, rather slays than only share in part.
(Trumpets in the distance: the Chorus starts in terror.)
Even as the trumpet’s piercing clangor gripes and tears
The ear and entrail-nerves, thus Jealousy her claws
Drives in the bosom of the man, who ne’er forgets
What once was his, but now is lost, possessed no more,
Chorus.
Hear’st thou not the trumpets pealing? see’st thou not the shine of swords?
Phorkyas.
King and Lord, be welcome hither! willing reckoning will I give.
Chorus.
What of us?
Phorkyas.
You know it clearly, see her death before your eyes;
There, within, your own shall follow: nay, there is no help for you!
Pause.
There, within, your own shall follow: nay, there is no help for you!
Pause.
Helena.
What I may venture first to do, have I devised.
A hostile Dzmon art thou, that I feel full well,
And much I fear thou wilt convert the Good to Bad,
But first to yonder fortress now I follow thee;
What then shall come, I know: but what the Queen thereby
As mystery in her deepest bosom may conceal,
Remain unguessed by all! Now, Ancient, lead the way!
A hostile Dzmon art thou, that I feel full well,
And much I fear thou wilt convert the Good to Bad,
But first to yonder fortress now I follow thee;
What then shall come, I know: but what the Queen thereby
As mystery in her deepest bosom may conceal,
Remain unguessed by all! Now, Ancient, lead the way!
Chorus.
O how gladly we go,
Hastening thither!
Chasing us, Death,
And, rising before us,
The towering castle’s
Inaccessible ramparts.
Guard us as well may they
As Ilion’s citadel-fort,
Which at last alone
Fell, through contemptible wiles!
Mists arise and spread, obscuring the background, also the
nearer portion of the scene, at pleasure.)
How is it? how?
Sisters, look around!
Was it not cheerfullest day?
Banded vapors are hovering up
Out of Eurotas’ holy stream;
Vanished e’en now hath the lovely
Reed-engarlanded shore from the sight,
Likewise the free, gracefully-proud,
Silently floating swans,
Mated in joy of their swimming,
See I, alas! no more.
Hastening thither!
Chasing us, Death,
And, rising before us,
The towering castle’s
Inaccessible ramparts.
Guard us as well may they
As Ilion’s citadel-fort,
Which at last alone
Fell, through contemptible wiles!
Mists arise and spread, obscuring the background, also the
nearer portion of the scene, at pleasure.)
How is it? how?
Sisters, look around!
Was it not cheerfullest day?
Banded vapors are hovering up
Out of Eurotas’ holy stream;
Vanished e’en now hath the lovely
Reed-engarlanded shore from the sight,
Likewise the free, gracefully-proud,
Silently floating swans,
Mated in joy of their swimming,
See I, alas! no more.
Still—but still
Crying, I hear them,
Hoarsely crying afar!
Ominous, death-presaging!
Ah, may to us the tones not also,
Stead of deliverance promised,
Ruin announce at the last!—
Us, the swan-like and slender,
Long white-throated, and She,
Our fair swan-begotten.
Woe to us, woe!
Crying, I hear them,
Hoarsely crying afar!
Ominous, death-presaging!
Ah, may to us the tones not also,
Stead of deliverance promised,
Ruin announce at the last!—
Us, the swan-like and slender,
Long white-throated, and She,
Our fair swan-begotten.
Woe to us, woe!
All is covered and hid
Round us with vapor and cloud:
Each other behold we not!
What happens? do we advance?
Hover we only with
Skipping footstep along the ground?
Seest thou naught? Soars not even, perchance,
Hermes before us? Shines not the golden wand,
Bidding, commanding us back again
To the cheerless, gray-twilighted,
Full of impalpable phantoms,
Over-filled, eternally empty Hades?
Round us with vapor and cloud:
Each other behold we not!
What happens? do we advance?
Hover we only with
Skipping footstep along the ground?
Seest thou naught? Soars not even, perchance,
Hermes before us? Shines not the golden wand,
Bidding, commanding us back again
To the cheerless, gray-twilighted,
Full of impalpable phantoms,
Over-filled, eternally empty Hades?
Yes, at once the air is gloomy, sunless vanish now the vapors,
Gray and darkly, brown as buildings. Walls present themselves before us,
Blank against our clearer vision. Is’t a court? a moat, or pitfall ?
Fear-inspiring, any way! and Sisters, ah, behold us prisoned,—
Prisoned now, as ne’er before!
(Iner court-yard of a Castle111 surrounded with rich, fantastic
buildings of the Middle Ages.)
Gray and darkly, brown as buildings. Walls present themselves before us,
Blank against our clearer vision. Is’t a court? a moat, or pitfall ?
Fear-inspiring, any way! and Sisters, ah, behold us prisoned,—
Prisoned now, as ne’er before!
(Iner court-yard of a Castle111 surrounded with rich, fantastic
buildings of the Middle Ages.)
Leader of the Chorus.
Precipitate and foolish, type of women ye!
Dependent on the moment, sport of every breeze
That blows mischance or luck! and neither ever ye
Supported calmly. One is sure to contradict
The others fiercely, and cross-wise the others her:
Only in joy and pain ye howl and laugh alike.
Be silent now, and hearken what the Mistress here,
High-thoughted, may determine for herself and us!
Dependent on the moment, sport of every breeze
That blows mischance or luck! and neither ever ye
Supported calmly. One is sure to contradict
The others fiercely, and cross-wise the others her:
Only in joy and pain ye howl and laugh alike.
Be silent now, and hearken what the Mistress here,
High-thoughted, may determine for herself and us!
Helena.
Where art thou, Pythoness? Whatever be thy name,
Step forth from out these arches of the gloomy keep!
if thou didst go, unto the wondrous hero-lord
Me to announce, preparing thus reception fit,
Then take my thanks, and lead me speedily to him!
I wish the wandering closed, I wish for rest alone.
Step forth from out these arches of the gloomy keep!
if thou didst go, unto the wondrous hero-lord
Me to announce, preparing thus reception fit,
Then take my thanks, and lead me speedily to him!
I wish the wandering closed, I wish for rest alone.
Leader of the Chorus.
In vain thou lookest, Queen, all ways around thee here;
That fatai shape hath vanished hence, perhaps remained
There in the mists, from out whose bosom hitherwards—
I know not how—we came, swiftly, without a step.
Perhaps, indeed, she strays, lost in the labyrinth
Of many castles wondrously combined in one,
Seeking august and princely welcome from the lord.
But see! up yonder moves in readiness a crowd:
In galleries, at windows, through the portals, comes
A multitude of servants, hastening here and there;
And this proclaims distinguished welcome to the guest,
That fatai shape hath vanished hence, perhaps remained
There in the mists, from out whose bosom hitherwards—
I know not how—we came, swiftly, without a step.
Perhaps, indeed, she strays, lost in the labyrinth
Of many castles wondrously combined in one,
Seeking august and princely welcome from the lord.
But see! up yonder moves in readiness a crowd:
In galleries, at windows, through the portals, comes
A multitude of servants, hastening here and there;
And this proclaims distinguished welcome to the guest,
Chorus.
Wy heart is relieved! O, yonder behold
How so orderly downward with lingering step
The crowd of the youths in dignity comes,
In regular march! Who hath given command
That they marshal in ranks, and so promptly disposed,
The youthfullest boys of the beautiful race?
What shall most I admire? Is ’t the delicate gait,
Or the curls of the hair on the white of the brow,
Or the twin-rounded cheeks, blushing red like the peach,
And also, like them, with the silkiest down?
Fain therein would I bite, yet 1 fear me to try 3
For, in similar case, was the mouth thereupon
Filled—I shudder to tell it!—with ashes.
How so orderly downward with lingering step
The crowd of the youths in dignity comes,
In regular march! Who hath given command
That they marshal in ranks, and so promptly disposed,
The youthfullest boys of the beautiful race?
What shall most I admire? Is ’t the delicate gait,
Or the curls of the hair on the white of the brow,
Or the twin-rounded cheeks, blushing red like the peach,
And also, like them, with the silkiest down?
Fain therein would I bite, yet 1 fear me to try 3
For, in similar case, was the mouth thereupon
Filled—I shudder to tell it!—with ashes.
But they, the fairest,
Hither they come:
What do they bear?
Steps to the throne
Carpet and seat,
Curtain and tent,
Or similar gear;
Waving around, and
Cloudy wreaths forming
O’er the head of our Queen;
For she already ascendeth,
Invited, the sumptuous couch.
Come forward, now,
Step by step,
Solemnly ranged!
Worthy, O, threefold worthy her,
May such a reception be blessed!
Hither they come:
What do they bear?
Steps to the throne
Carpet and seat,
Curtain and tent,
Or similar gear;
Waving around, and
Cloudy wreaths forming
O’er the head of our Queen;
For she already ascendeth,
Invited, the sumptuous couch.
Come forward, now,
Step by step,
Solemnly ranged!
Worthy, O, threefold worthy her,
May such a reception be blessed!
(All that is described by the Chorus takes place by degrees
After the boys and squires have descended in a long processsion,
Faust appears above, at the head of the staircase, in
knightly Court costume of the Middle Ages. and then comes
down slowly and with dignity.)
After the boys and squires have descended in a long processsion,
Faust appears above, at the head of the staircase, in
knightly Court costume of the Middle Ages. and then comes
down slowly and with dignity.)
Leader of the Chorus
(observing him attentively).
If now, indeed, the Gods to this man have not lent—
As oft they do to men —a brave, transcendent form,
A winning presence, stately dignity of mien,
For temporary service, all he undertakes
Will always bring him triumph, whether in fight with men,
Or in the minor wars with fairest ladies waged.
Him, verily, to hosts of others I prefer,
Whom, highly-famed withal, I have myself beheld.
With slow and solemn step, by reverence restrained,
I see the Prince approach: turn thou thy head, O Queen!
As oft they do to men —a brave, transcendent form,
A winning presence, stately dignity of mien,
For temporary service, all he undertakes
Will always bring him triumph, whether in fight with men,
Or in the minor wars with fairest ladies waged.
Him, verily, to hosts of others I prefer,
Whom, highly-famed withal, I have myself beheld.
With slow and solemn step, by reverence restrained,
I see the Prince approach: turn thou thy head, O Queen!
Faust.
(approaching: a man in fetters at his side).
Instead of solemn greeting, as beseems,
Or reverential welcome, bring I thee,
Fast-bound in welded fetters, here, the knave
Whose duty slighted cheated me of mine.112
Kneel down, thou Culprit, that this lofty Dame
May hear the prompt confession of thy guilt!
This, Sovereign Mistress, is the man select
For piercing vision, on the turret high
Stationed to look around, the space of heaven
And breadth of earth to read with sharpest glance,
If here or there perchance come aught to view,—
Between the stronghold and the circling hills
If aught may move, whether the billowy herds
Or waves of arméd men: those we protect,
Encounter these. To-day—what negligence!
Thou comest, he proclaims it not: we fail
In honorable reception, most deserved,
Of such high guest. Now forfeited hath he
His guilty life, and should have shed the blood
Of death deserved; but only thou shalt mete
Pardon or punishment, at thy good will.
Instead of solemn greeting, as beseems,
Or reverential welcome, bring I thee,
Fast-bound in welded fetters, here, the knave
Whose duty slighted cheated me of mine.112
Kneel down, thou Culprit, that this lofty Dame
May hear the prompt confession of thy guilt!
This, Sovereign Mistress, is the man select
For piercing vision, on the turret high
Stationed to look around, the space of heaven
And breadth of earth to read with sharpest glance,
If here or there perchance come aught to view,—
Between the stronghold and the circling hills
If aught may move, whether the billowy herds
Or waves of arméd men: those we protect,
Encounter these. To-day—what negligence!
Thou comest, he proclaims it not: we fail
In honorable reception, most deserved,
Of such high guest. Now forfeited hath he
His guilty life, and should have shed the blood
Of death deserved; but only thou shalt mete
Pardon or punishment, at thy good will.
Helena.
So high the power, which thou hast granted me,
As Mistress and as Judge, although it were
(I may conjecture) meant but as a test,—
Yet now I use the Judge’s bounden right
To give the Accused a hearing: speak then, thou
As Mistress and as Judge, although it were
(I may conjecture) meant but as a test,—
Yet now I use the Judge’s bounden right
To give the Accused a hearing: speak then, thou
Lynceus, the Warder of the Tower.
Let me kneel, and let me view her,
Let me live, or let me die!
For enslaved, devoted to her,
This God-granted Dame, am I.
Let me live, or let me die!
For enslaved, devoted to her,
This God-granted Dame, am I.
Watching for the Morn’s advancing
Where her pathways eastward run,
All at once, a sight entrancing,
In the South arose the sun.113
Where her pathways eastward run,
All at once, a sight entrancing,
In the South arose the sun.113
There to look, the Wonder drew me:
Not the glens, the summits cold,
Space of sky or landscape gloomy,—
Only Her did I behold.
Not the glens, the summits cold,
Space of sky or landscape gloomy,—
Only Her did I behold.
Beam of sight to me was given,
Like the lynx on highest tree;
But in vain I ’ve urged and striven,
’T was a dream that fettered me.
Like the lynx on highest tree;
But in vain I ’ve urged and striven,
’T was a dream that fettered me.
Could I know, or how be aided?
Think of tower or bolted gate?
Vapors rose and vapors faded,
And the Goddess came in state!
Think of tower or bolted gate?
Vapors rose and vapors faded,
And the Goddess came in state!
Eye and heart did I surrender
To the softly-shining spell:
Blinding all with Beauty’s splendor,
She hath blinded me, as well.
To the softly-shining spell:
Blinding all with Beauty’s splendor,
She hath blinded me, as well.
I forgot the warder’s duty
And the trumpet’s herald-call;
Threaten to destroy me! Beauty
Bindeth anger, frees her thrall.
And the trumpet’s herald-call;
Threaten to destroy me! Beauty
Bindeth anger, frees her thrall.
Helena.
The Evil which I brought, I dare no more
Chastise. Ah, woe to me! What fate severe
Pursues me, everywhere the breasts of men
So to infatuate, that nor them, nor aught
Besides of worth, they spare? Now plundering,
Seducing, fighting, hurried to and fro,
Heroes and Demigods, Gods, Demons even,
Hither and thither led me, sore-perplexed.
Sole, I the world bewildered, doubly more;
Now threefold, fourfold, woe on woe I bring.
Remove this guiltless man, let him go free!
The God-deluded merits no disgrace.
Chastise. Ah, woe to me! What fate severe
Pursues me, everywhere the breasts of men
So to infatuate, that nor them, nor aught
Besides of worth, they spare? Now plundering,
Seducing, fighting, hurried to and fro,
Heroes and Demigods, Gods, Demons even,
Hither and thither led me, sore-perplexed.
Sole, I the world bewildered, doubly more;
Now threefold, fourfold, woe on woe I bring.
Remove this guiltless man, let him go free!
The God-deluded merits no disgrace.
Faust.
Amazed, O Queen, do I behold alike
The unerring archer and the stricken prey.
I see the bow, wherefrom the arrow sped
That wounded him. Arrows on arrows fly,
And strike me. I suspect the feathered hum
Of bolts cross-fired through all the courts and towers.
What am I now? At once rebellious thou
Makest my faithfullest, and insecure
My walls. Thence do I fear that even my hosts
Obey the conquering and unconquered Dame.
What else remains, but that I give to thee
Myself, and all I vainly fancied mine?
Let me, before thy feet, in fealty true,
Thee now acknowledge, Lady, whose approach
Won thee at once possession and the throne!
The unerring archer and the stricken prey.
I see the bow, wherefrom the arrow sped
That wounded him. Arrows on arrows fly,
And strike me. I suspect the feathered hum
Of bolts cross-fired through all the courts and towers.
What am I now? At once rebellious thou
Makest my faithfullest, and insecure
My walls. Thence do I fear that even my hosts
Obey the conquering and unconquered Dame.
What else remains, but that I give to thee
Myself, and all I vainly fancied mine?
Let me, before thy feet, in fealty true,
Thee now acknowledge, Lady, whose approach
Won thee at once possession and the throne!
Lynceus.
(with a chest, and men who follow, bearing others).
Thou seest me, Queen, returned and free!
The wealthy begs a glance from thee:
Thee he beheld, and feeleth, since,
As beggar poor, yet rich as prince.
Thou seest me, Queen, returned and free!
The wealthy begs a glance from thee:
Thee he beheld, and feeleth, since,
As beggar poor, yet rich as prince.
What was I erst? What now am I?
What shall I will?—what do, or try?
What boots the eyesight’s sharpest ray?
Back from thy throne it bounds away.
What shall I will?—what do, or try?
What boots the eyesight’s sharpest ray?
Back from thy throne it bounds away.
Forth from the East we hither pressed,114
And all was over with the West:
So long and broad the people massed,
The foremost knew not of the last.
And all was over with the West:
So long and broad the people massed,
The foremost knew not of the last.
The foremost fell, the second stood;
The third one’s lance was prompt and good;
Each one a hundred’s strength supplied;
Unnoted, thousands fell and died.
The third one’s lance was prompt and good;
Each one a hundred’s strength supplied;
Unnoted, thousands fell and died.
We onward pressed, in stormy chase;
The lords were we from place to place;
And where, to-day, Z ruled as chief,
The morrow brought another thief.
The lords were we from place to place;
And where, to-day, Z ruled as chief,
The morrow brought another thief.
We viewed the ground, but viewed in haste:
The fairest woman one embraced,
One took the oxen from the stall;
The horses followed, one and all.
The fairest woman one embraced,
One took the oxen from the stall;
The horses followed, one and all.
But my delight was to espy
What rarest was, to mind and eye;
And all that others might amass
To me was so much withered grass.
What rarest was, to mind and eye;
And all that others might amass
To me was so much withered grass.
I hunted on the treasure-trail
Where’er sharp sight could me avail:
In every pocket did I see,
And every chest was glass to me.
Where’er sharp sight could me avail:
In every pocket did I see,
And every chest was glass to me.
And heaps of gold I came to own,
With many a splendid jewel-stone:
The emeralds only worthy seem
Greenly upon thy breast to gleam.
With many a splendid jewel-stone:
The emeralds only worthy seem
Greenly upon thy breast to gleam.
’Twixt lip and ear let swaying sleep
The pearly egg of Ocean’s deep;
Such place the rubies dare not seek,
They ’re blanched beside the rosy cheek.
The pearly egg of Ocean’s deep;
Such place the rubies dare not seek,
They ’re blanched beside the rosy cheek.
And thus, the treasure’s offering
I here before thy presence bring:
Laid at thy feet, be now revealed
The spoils of many a bloody field!
I here before thy presence bring:
Laid at thy feet, be now revealed
The spoils of many a bloody field!
Though I have brought of chests a store,
Yet iron caskets have I more.
Let me attend thee, do thy will,
And I thy treasure-vaults will fill.
Yet iron caskets have I more.
Let me attend thee, do thy will,
And I thy treasure-vaults will fill.
For scarcely didst thou mount the throne,
Than bowed to own and bent to own
Thy Beauty’s sway, that very hour,
Wisdom, and Wealth, and sovereign Power.
Than bowed to own and bent to own
Thy Beauty’s sway, that very hour,
Wisdom, and Wealth, and sovereign Power.
All such I held secure, as mine;
Now freed therefrom, behold it thine!
I deemed its worth and valu& plain;
Now see I, it was null and vain.
Now freed therefrom, behold it thine!
I deemed its worth and valu& plain;
Now see I, it was null and vain.
What I possessed from me doth pass,
Dispersed like mown and withered grass.
One bright and beauteous glance afford,
And all its worth is straight restored!
Dispersed like mown and withered grass.
One bright and beauteous glance afford,
And all its worth is straight restored!
Remove with speed the burden boldly won,
Not blamed, indeed, but neither with reward.
All is her own already, which the keep
Within it holds; and special offer thus
Is useless. Go, and pile up wealth on wealth
In order fit! Present the show august
Of splendors yet unseen! The vaulted halls
Make shine like clearest heaven! Let Paradise
From lifeless pomp of life created be!
Hastening, before her footsteps be unrolled
The flower-embroidered carpets! Let her tread
Fall on the softest footing, and her glance,
Gods only bear undazed, on proudest pomp!
Not blamed, indeed, but neither with reward.
All is her own already, which the keep
Within it holds; and special offer thus
Is useless. Go, and pile up wealth on wealth
In order fit! Present the show august
Of splendors yet unseen! The vaulted halls
Make shine like clearest heaven! Let Paradise
From lifeless pomp of life created be!
Hastening, before her footsteps be unrolled
The flower-embroidered carpets! Let her tread
Fall on the softest footing, and her glance,
Gods only bear undazed, on proudest pomp!
Lynceus.
What the lord commands is slight;
For the servants, labor light:
Over wealth and blood and breath
This proud Beauty governeth.
Lo! thy warrior-throngs are tame;
All the swords are blunt and lame;
Near the bright form we behold
Even the sun is pale and cold;
Near the riches of her face
All things empty, shorn of grace.
For the servants, labor light:
Over wealth and blood and breath
This proud Beauty governeth.
Lo! thy warrior-throngs are tame;
All the swords are blunt and lame;
Near the bright form we behold
Even the sun is pale and cold;
Near the riches of her face
All things empty, shorn of grace.
Helena (to Faust).
Fain to discourse with thee, I bid thee come
Up hither to my side! The empty place
Invites its lord, and thus secures me mine.
Up hither to my side! The empty place
Invites its lord, and thus secures me mine.
Faust.
First, kneeling, let the dedication be
Accepted, lofty Lady! Let me kiss
The gracious hand that lifts me te thy side.
Confirm me as co-regent of thy realm,
Whose borders are unknown, and win for thee
Guard, slave and worshipper, and all in one!
Accepted, lofty Lady! Let me kiss
The gracious hand that lifts me te thy side.
Confirm me as co-regent of thy realm,
Whose borders are unknown, and win for thee
Guard, slave and worshipper, and all in one!
Helena.
I hear and witness marvels manifold;
Amazement takes me, much would I inquire.
Yet now instruct me wherefore spake the man
With strangely-sounding speech, friendly and strange:
Each sound appeared as yielding to the next,115
And, when a word gave pleasure to the ear,
Another came, caressing then the first.
Amazement takes me, much would I inquire.
Yet now instruct me wherefore spake the man
With strangely-sounding speech, friendly and strange:
Each sound appeared as yielding to the next,115
And, when a word gave pleasure to the ear,
Another came, caressing then the first.
Faust.
If thee our people’s mode of speech delight,
O thou shalt be enraptured with our song,
Which wholly satisfies both ear and mind!
But it were best we exercise it now:
Alternate speech entices, calls it forth.
O thou shalt be enraptured with our song,
Which wholly satisfies both ear and mind!
But it were best we exercise it now:
Alternate speech entices, calls it forth.
Helena.
Canst thou to me that lovely speech impart?
Faust.
’T is easy: it must issue from the heart;
And if the breast with yearning overflow,
One looks around, and asks—
And if the breast with yearning overflow,
One looks around, and asks—
Helena.
Who shares the glow.
Faust.
Nor Past nor Future shades an hour like this;
But wholly in the Present—
But wholly in the Present—
Helena.
Is our bliss.
Faust.
Gain, pledge, and fortune in the Present stand:
What confirmation does it ask?
What confirmation does it ask?
Helena.
My hand.
Chorus.
Who would take it amiss, that our Princess
Granteth now to the Castle’s lord
Friendliest demonstration?
For, indeed, collectively are we
Captives, as ofttimes already,
Since the infamous downfall
Of Ilion, and the perilous,
Labyrinthine, sorrowful voyage.
Granteth now to the Castle’s lord
Friendliest demonstration?
For, indeed, collectively are we
Captives, as ofttimes already,
Since the infamous downfall
Of Ilion, and the perilous,
Labyrinthine, sorrowful voyage.
Women, to the love of men accustomed,
Dainty choosers are they not,
But proficients skilful;
And unto golden-haired shepherds,
Perchance black, bristly Fauns, too,
Even as comes opportunity,
Unto the limbs in their vigor
Fully award they an equal right.
Dainty choosers are they not,
But proficients skilful;
And unto golden-haired shepherds,
Perchance black, bristly Fauns, too,
Even as comes opportunity,
Unto the limbs in their vigor
Fully award they an equal right.
Near, and nearer already sit
They, to each other drawn,
Shoulder to shoulder, knee to knee;
Hand in hand, they bend and sway
Over the throne’s
Softly-pillowed, luxurious pomp.
Majesty here not withholds its
Secretest raptures,
Wilfully, boldly revealed
Thus to the eyes of the people.
They, to each other drawn,
Shoulder to shoulder, knee to knee;
Hand in hand, they bend and sway
Over the throne’s
Softly-pillowed, luxurious pomp.
Majesty here not withholds its
Secretest raptures,
Wilfully, boldly revealed
Thus to the eyes of the people.
Helena.
I feel so far away, and yet so near;
And am so fain to say: “Here am I! here.”
And am so fain to say: “Here am I! here.”
Faust.
I scarcely breathe; I tremble; speech is dead:
It is a dream, and day and place have fled.
It is a dream, and day and place have fled.
Helena.
I seem as life were done, and yet so new,
Blent thus with thee,—to thee, the Unknown, true!
Blent thus with thee,—to thee, the Unknown, true!
Faust.
To probe this rarest fate be not impelled!
Being is duty, though a moment held.
Being is duty, though a moment held.
Phorkyas (violently entering).
Spell in lovers’ primers sweetly!
Probe and dally, cosset featly,
Test your wanton sport completely!
But there is not time, nor place.
Feel ye not the gloomy presage?
Hear ye not the trumpet’s message?
For the ruin comes apace.
Menelaus with his legions
Storms across the hither regions;
Call to battle all your race!
By the victors execrated,
Like Deiphobus mutilated,
Thou shalt pay for woman’s grace:
First shall dangle every light one,
At the altar, then, the Bright One
Find the keen axe in its place!
Probe and dally, cosset featly,
Test your wanton sport completely!
But there is not time, nor place.
Feel ye not the gloomy presage?
Hear ye not the trumpet’s message?
For the ruin comes apace.
Menelaus with his legions
Storms across the hither regions;
Call to battle all your race!
By the victors execrated,
Like Deiphobus mutilated,
Thou shalt pay for woman’s grace:
First shall dangle every light one,
At the altar, then, the Bright One
Find the keen axe in its place!
Faust.
Disturbance rash! repulsively she presses in;
Not even in danger meet is senseless violence.
Ill message makes the fairest herald ugly seem;
Thou, Ugliest, delightest but in evil news.
Yet this time shalt thou not succeed; with empty breath
Stir, shatter thou the air! There is no danger here,
And unto us were danger but an idle threat.
Not even in danger meet is senseless violence.
Ill message makes the fairest herald ugly seem;
Thou, Ugliest, delightest but in evil news.
Yet this time shalt thou not succeed; with empty breath
Stir, shatter thou the air! There is no danger here,
And unto us were danger but an idle threat.
(Signals, explosions from the towers,116 trumpets and cornets,
martial music. A powerful armed force marches past.)
martial music. A powerful armed force marches past.)
No! hero-bands, none ever braver,
At once shalt thou assembled see:
He, sole, deserves the ladies’ favor,
Whose arm defends them gallantly.
At once shalt thou assembled see:
He, sole, deserves the ladies’ favor,
Whose arm defends them gallantly.
(To the leaders of the troops, who detach themselves from the
columns, and come forwards.)
columns, and come forwards.)
With rage restrained, in silence banded,
And certain of the victory-feast,
Ye, Northern blossoms, half expanded,
Ye, flowery fervors of the East!
And certain of the victory-feast,
Ye, Northern blossoms, half expanded,
Ye, flowery fervors of the East!
The light upon their armor breaking,
They plundered realm on realm, at will:
They come, and lo! the earth is quaking;
They march away, it thunders still!
They plundered realm on realm, at will:
They come, and lo! the earth is quaking;
They march away, it thunders still!
In Pylos we forsook the waters;
The ancient Nestor is no more,
And soon our lawless army scatters
The troops of kings on Grecian shore.
The ancient Nestor is no more,
And soon our lawless army scatters
The troops of kings on Grecian shore.
Back from these walls, no more delaying,
Drive Menelaus to the sea!
There let him wander, robbing, slaying,
As was his wish and destiny.
Drive Menelaus to the sea!
There let him wander, robbing, slaying,
As was his wish and destiny.
I hail you Dukes, as forth ye sally
Beneath the rule of Sparta’s Queen!
Now lay before her mount and valley,
And you shall share the kingdom green!
Beneath the rule of Sparta’s Queen!
Now lay before her mount and valley,
And you shall share the kingdom green!
Thine, German, be the hand that forges
Defence for Corinth and her bays:
Achaia, with its hundred gorges,
I give thee, Goth, to hold and raise.
Defence for Corinth and her bays:
Achaia, with its hundred gorges,
I give thee, Goth, to hold and raise.
Towards Elis, Franks, direct your motion;
Messene be the Saxon’s state:
The Norman claim and sweep the ocean,
And Argolis again make great!
Messene be the Saxon’s state:
The Norman claim and sweep the ocean,
And Argolis again make great!
Then each shall dwell in homes well-dowered,
And only outer foemen meet;
Yet still by Sparta over-towered,
The Queen’s ancestral, ancient seat.
And only outer foemen meet;
Yet still by Sparta over-towered,
The Queen’s ancestral, ancient seat.
Each one shall she behold, abiding
In lands that lack no liberal right;
And at her feet ye ’ll seek, confiding,
Your confirmation, law and light!
In lands that lack no liberal right;
And at her feet ye ’ll seek, confiding,
Your confirmation, law and light!
(Faust descends from the throne: the Princes form a circle around him, in order to receive special commands and instructions.)
Chorus.
Who for himself the Fairest desires,
First of all things, let him
Bravely and wisely a weapon acquire!
Flattering, indeed, he may conquer
What on earth is the highest;
But he quietly may not possess.
Wily sneaks entice her away,
Robbers boldly abduct her from him:
This to hinder be he prepared!
First of all things, let him
Bravely and wisely a weapon acquire!
Flattering, indeed, he may conquer
What on earth is the highest;
But he quietly may not possess.
Wily sneaks entice her away,
Robbers boldly abduct her from him:
This to hinder be he prepared!
Therefore now our Prince I praise,
Holding him higher than others,
Since he wisdom and strength combines,
So that the strong men obedient stand,
Waiting his every beckon.
They his orders faithfully heed,
Each for the profiting of himself
As for the Ruler’s rewarding thanks,
And for the highest renown of both.
Holding him higher than others,
Since he wisdom and strength combines,
So that the strong men obedient stand,
Waiting his every beckon.
They his orders faithfully heed,
Each for the profiting of himself
As for the Ruler’s rewarding thanks,
And for the highest renown of both.
For who shall tear her away
Now, from the mighty possessor?
His is she, and to him be she granted,
Doubly granted by us, whom he,
Even as her, within by sure walls hath surrounded,
And without by a powerful host.
Now, from the mighty possessor?
His is she, and to him be she granted,
Doubly granted by us, whom he,
Even as her, within by sure walls hath surrounded,
And without by a powerful host.
Faust.
The gifts they ’ve won by our concession,—
In fee to each a wealthy land,—
Are grand and fair: grant them possession!
We in the midst will take our stand.
In fee to each a wealthy land,—
Are grand and fair: grant them possession!
We in the midst will take our stand.
And they in rivalry protect thee,
Half-Island, girdled by the sea
With whispering waves,—whose soft hill-chains connect thee
With the last branch of Europe’s mountain-tree!
Half-Island, girdled by the sea
With whispering waves,—whose soft hill-chains connect thee
With the last branch of Europe’s mountain-tree!
This land, before all lands in splendor,117
On every race shall bliss confer,—
Which to my queen in glad surrender
Yields, as it first looked up to her,
On every race shall bliss confer,—
Which to my queen in glad surrender
Yields, as it first looked up to her,
When, ’mid Eurotas’ whispering rushes
She burst from Leda’s purple shell,
So blinding in her beauty’s flushes,
That mother, brothers, felt the spell!
She burst from Leda’s purple shell,
So blinding in her beauty’s flushes,
That mother, brothers, felt the spell!
This land, which seeks thy sole direction,
Its brightest bloom hath now unfurled:
Prefer thy fatherland’s affection
To what is wholly thine, the world!
Its brightest bloom hath now unfurled:
Prefer thy fatherland’s affection
To what is wholly thine, the world!
And though upon its ridgy backs of mountains
The Sun’s cold arrow smites each cloven head,
Yet, where the rock is greened by falling fountains,
The wild-goat nibbles and is lightly fed.
The Sun’s cold arrow smites each cloven head,
Yet, where the rock is greened by falling fountains,
The wild-goat nibbles and is lightly fed.
The springs leap forth, the streams united follow;
Green are the gorges, slopes, and meads below:
On hundred hillsides, cleft with many a hollow,
Thou seest the woolly herds like scattered snow,
Green are the gorges, slopes, and meads below:
On hundred hillsides, cleft with many a hollow,
Thou seest the woolly herds like scattered snow,
Divided, cautious, graze with measured paces
The cattle onward to the dizzy edge,
Yet for them all are furnished sheltered places,
Where countless caverns arch the rocky ledge.
The cattle onward to the dizzy edge,
Yet for them all are furnished sheltered places,
Where countless caverns arch the rocky ledge.
Pan guards them there, and nymphs of life are dwelling
In bushy clefts, that moist and freshest be;
And yearningly to higher regions swelling,
The branches crowd aloft of tree on tree.
In bushy clefts, that moist and freshest be;
And yearningly to higher regions swelling,
The branches crowd aloft of tree on tree.
Primeval woods! the strong oak there is regnant,
And bough crooks out from bough in stubborn state;
The maple mild, with sweetest juices pregnant,
Shoots cleanly up, and dallies with its weight.
And bough crooks out from bough in stubborn state;
The maple mild, with sweetest juices pregnant,
Shoots cleanly up, and dallies with its weight.
And motherly, in that still realm of shadows,
The warm milk flows, for child’s and lambkin’s lips:
At hand is fruit, the food of fertile meadows,
And from the hollow trunk the honey drips.
The warm milk flows, for child’s and lambkin’s lips:
At hand is fruit, the food of fertile meadows,
And from the hollow trunk the honey drips.
Here comfort is in birth transmitted;
To cheek and lip here joy is sent:
Each is immortal in his station fitted,
And all are healthy and content.
To cheek and lip here joy is sent:
Each is immortal in his station fitted,
And all are healthy and content.
And thus the child in that bright season gaineth
The father-strength, as in a dream:
We wonder; yet the question still remaineth,
If they are men, when Gods they seem.
The father-strength, as in a dream:
We wonder; yet the question still remaineth,
If they are men, when Gods they seem.
So was Apollo shepherd-like in feature,
That other shepherds were as fair and fleet;
For where in such clear orbit moveth Nature,
All worlds in inter-action meet.118
That other shepherds were as fair and fleet;
For where in such clear orbit moveth Nature,
All worlds in inter-action meet.118
(Taking his seat beside her.)
Thus hath success my fate and thine attended;
Henceforth behind us let the Past be furled!
O, feel thyself from highest God descended!
For thou belongest to the primal world.
Henceforth behind us let the Past be furled!
O, feel thyself from highest God descended!
For thou belongest to the primal world.
Thy life shall circumscribe no fortress frowning!
Still, in eternal youth, stands as it stood,
For us, our stay with every rapture crowning,
Arcadia in Sparta’s neighborhood.
Still, in eternal youth, stands as it stood,
For us, our stay with every rapture crowning,
Arcadia in Sparta’s neighborhood.
To tread this happy soil at last incited,
Thy flight was towards a joyous destiny !
Now let our throne become a bower unblighted,
Our bliss become Arcadian and free!
Thy flight was towards a joyous destiny !
Now let our throne become a bower unblighted,
Our bliss become Arcadian and free!
[The scene of action is completely transformed. Againsta range
of rocky caverns close bowers are constructed. A shadowy
grove extends to the foot of the rocks which rise on all sides.
Faust and Helena are not seen: the Chorus Lies scattered
about, sleeping.]
of rocky caverns close bowers are constructed. A shadowy
grove extends to the foot of the rocks which rise on all sides.
Faust and Helena are not seen: the Chorus Lies scattered
about, sleeping.]
Phorkyas.
How long these maidens have been sleeping, know I not:
If they allowed themselves to dream what now mine eyes
So clearly saw, is equally unknown to me.
Therefore, I wake them. They, the Young, shall be amazed,—
Ye also, Bearded Ones, who sit below and wait,119—
Solution of these marvels finally to see.
Awake! arise! and shake from off your locks the dew,
The slumber from your eyes! Listen, and cease to blink!
If they allowed themselves to dream what now mine eyes
So clearly saw, is equally unknown to me.
Therefore, I wake them. They, the Young, shall be amazed,—
Ye also, Bearded Ones, who sit below and wait,119—
Solution of these marvels finally to see.
Awake! arise! and shake from off your locks the dew,
The slumber from your eyes! Listen, and cease to blink!
Chorus.
Speak and tell us, quickly tell us, all the wonders that have happened!
We shall hear with greater pleasure, if belief we cannot give it,
For both eye and mind are weary, to behold these rocks alone.
We shall hear with greater pleasure, if belief we cannot give it,
For both eye and mind are weary, to behold these rocks alone.
Phorkyas.
Children, you have hardly rubbed your eyes, and are you weary now?
Hear me, then! Within these caverns, in the grottos and the arbors,
Screen and shelter have been lent, as unto twain idyllic lovers,
To our Lord and to our Lady.
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Hear me, then! Within these caverns, in the grottos and the arbors,
Screen and shelter have been lent, as unto twain idyllic lovers,
To our Lord and to our Lady.