Faust (trans. Bayard Taylor)/Act IV/II
II.
ON THE HEADLAND.139
Drums and military music from below. The Emperor’s tent
is pitched.
is pitched.
Emperor. General-in-Chief. Life-Guardsman.
General-in-Chief.
IT still appears. the prudentest of courses
That here, in this appropriate vale,
We have withdrawn and strongly massed our forces:
I firmly trust we shall not fail.
That here, in this appropriate vale,
We have withdrawn and strongly massed our forces:
I firmly trust we shall not fail.
Emperor.
What comes of it will soon be brought to light;
Yet I dislike this yielding, semi-flight.
Yet I dislike this yielding, semi-flight.
General-in-Chief.
Look down, my Prince, where our right flank is planted!
The field which War desires hath here been granted:
Not steep the hills, yet access not preparing,
To us advantage, to the foe insnaring;
Their cavalry will hardly dare surround
Our strength half hid, on undulating ground.
The field which War desires hath here been granted:
Not steep the hills, yet access not preparing,
To us advantage, to the foe insnaring;
Their cavalry will hardly dare surround
Our strength half hid, on undulating ground.
Emperor.
My commendation, only, need I speak;
Now arm and courage have the test they seek.
Now arm and courage have the test they seek.
General-in-Chief.
Here, on the middle meadow’s level spaces
Thou seest the phalanx, eager in their places.
In air the lances gleam and sparkle, kissed
By sunshine, through the filmy morning mist.
How darkling sways the grand and powerful square!
The thousands burn for great achievements there.
Therein canst thou perceive the strength of masses;
And thine, be sure, the foemen’s strength surpasses.
Thou seest the phalanx, eager in their places.
In air the lances gleam and sparkle, kissed
By sunshine, through the filmy morning mist.
How darkling sways the grand and powerful square!
The thousands burn for great achievements there.
Therein canst thou perceive the strength of masses;
And thine, be sure, the foemen’s strength surpasses.
Emperor.
Now first do I enjoy the stirring sight:
An army, thus, appears of double might.
An army, thus, appears of double might.
General-in-Chief.
But of our left I ’ve no report to make.
Brave heroes garrison the rocky brake;
The stony cliffs, by gleams of weapons specked,
The entrance to the close defile protect.
Here, as I guess, the foemen’s force will shatter,
Forced unawares upon the bloody matter.
Brave heroes garrison the rocky brake;
The stony cliffs, by gleams of weapons specked,
The entrance to the close defile protect.
Here, as I guess, the foemen’s force will shatter,
Forced unawares upon the bloody matter.
Emperor.
And there they march, false kin, one like the other!
Even as they styled me Uncle, Cousin, Brother,
Assuming more, and ever more defying,
The sceptre’s power, the throne’s respect, denying;
Then, in their feuds, the realm they devastated,
And now as Rebels march, against me mated!
Awhile with halting minds the masses go,
Then ride the stream, wherever it may flow.
Even as they styled me Uncle, Cousin, Brother,
Assuming more, and ever more defying,
The sceptre’s power, the throne’s respect, denying;
Then, in their feuds, the realm they devastated,
And now as Rebels march, against me mated!
Awhile with halting minds the masses go,
Then ride the stream, wherever it may flow.
General-in-Chief.
A faithful man, sent out some news to win,
Comes down the rocks: may he have lucky been!
Comes down the rocks: may he have lucky been!
First Spy.
Luckily have we succeeded;
Helped by bold and cunning art,
Here and there have pressed, and heeded,
But ’t is ill news we impart.
Many, purest homage pledging,
Like the faithful, fealty swore,—
For inertness now alleging
People’s danger, strife in store.
Helped by bold and cunning art,
Here and there have pressed, and heeded,
But ’t is ill news we impart.
Many, purest homage pledging,
Like the faithful, fealty swore,—
For inertness now alleging
People’s danger, strife in store.
Emperor.
They learn from selfishness self-preservation,
Not duty, honor, grateful inclination.
You do not think that, when your reckoning ’s shown,
The neighbor’s burning house shall fire your own!
Not duty, honor, grateful inclination.
You do not think that, when your reckoning ’s shown,
The neighbor’s burning house shall fire your own!
General-in-Chief.
The Second comes, descending slowly hither;
A weary man, whose strength appears to wither.
A weary man, whose strength appears to wither.
Second Spy.
First with comfort we detected
What their plan confused was worth;
Then, at once and unexpected,
Came another Emperor forth.
As he bids, in ordered manner
March the gathering hosts away;
His unfolded lying banner
All have followed.—Sheep are they!
What their plan confused was worth;
Then, at once and unexpected,
Came another Emperor forth.
As he bids, in ordered manner
March the gathering hosts away;
His unfolded lying banner
All have followed.—Sheep are they!
Emperor.
Now, by a Rival Emperor shall I gain:
That I am Emperor, thus to me is plain.
But as a soldier I the mail put on;
Now for a higher aim the sword be drawn!
At all my shows, however grand to see,
Did nothing lack: but Danger lacked, to me.
Though you but tilting at the ring suggested,
My heart beat high to be in tourney tested;
And had you not from war my mind dissuaded,
For glorious deeds my name were now paraded.
But independence then did I acquire,
When I stood mirrored in the realm of fire:
In the dread element I dared to stand;—
’T was but a show, and yet the show was grand.
Of fame and victory I have dreamed alone;
But for the base neglect I now atone!
That I am Emperor, thus to me is plain.
But as a soldier I the mail put on;
Now for a higher aim the sword be drawn!
At all my shows, however grand to see,
Did nothing lack: but Danger lacked, to me.
Though you but tilting at the ring suggested,
My heart beat high to be in tourney tested;
And had you not from war my mind dissuaded,
For glorious deeds my name were now paraded.
But independence then did I acquire,
When I stood mirrored in the realm of fire:
In the dread element I dared to stand;—
’T was but a show, and yet the show was grand.
Of fame and victory I have dreamed alone;
But for the base neglect I now atone!
(The Heralds are despatched to challenge the Rival Emperor
to single combat.)
to single combat.)
Faust enters, in armor, with half-closed visor. The Three
Mighty Men, armed and clothed, as already described.
Mighty Men, armed and clothed, as already described.
Faust.
We come, and hope our coming is not chidden;
Prudence may help, though by the need unbidden.
The mountain race, thou know’st, think and explore,—
Of Nature and the rocks they read the lore.
The Spirits, forced from the level land to sever,
Are of the rocky hills more fain than ever.
Silent, they work through labyrinthine passes,
In rich, metallic fumes of noble gases,
On solving, testing, blending, most intent:
Their only passion, something to invent.
With gentle touch of spiritual power
They build transparent fabrics, hour by hour;
For they, in crystals and their silence, furled,140
Behold events that rule the Upper World.
Prudence may help, though by the need unbidden.
The mountain race, thou know’st, think and explore,—
Of Nature and the rocks they read the lore.
The Spirits, forced from the level land to sever,
Are of the rocky hills more fain than ever.
Silent, they work through labyrinthine passes,
In rich, metallic fumes of noble gases,
On solving, testing, blending, most intent:
Their only passion, something to invent.
With gentle touch of spiritual power
They build transparent fabrics, hour by hour;
For they, in crystals and their silence, furled,140
Behold events that rule the Upper World.
Emperor.
I understand it, and can well agree;
But say, thou gallant man, what ’s that to me?
But say, thou gallant man, what ’s that to me?
Faust.
The Sabine old, the Norcian necromancer,141
Thy true and worthy servant, sends thee answer:
What fearful fate it was, that overhung him!
The fagots crackled, fire already stung him;
The billets dry were closely round him fixed,
With pitch and rolls of brimstone intermixed;
Not Man, nor God, nor Devil, him could save,—
The Emperor plucked him from his fiery grave.
It was in Rome. Still is he bound unto thee;
Upon thy path his anxious thoughts pursue thee;
Himself since that dread hour forgotten, he
Questions the stars, the depths, alone for thee.
Us he commissioned, by the swiftest courses
Thee to assist. Great are the mountain’s forces;
There Nature works all-potently and free,
Though stupid priests therein but magic see.
Thy true and worthy servant, sends thee answer:
What fearful fate it was, that overhung him!
The fagots crackled, fire already stung him;
The billets dry were closely round him fixed,
With pitch and rolls of brimstone intermixed;
Not Man, nor God, nor Devil, him could save,—
The Emperor plucked him from his fiery grave.
It was in Rome. Still is he bound unto thee;
Upon thy path his anxious thoughts pursue thee;
Himself since that dread hour forgotten, he
Questions the stars, the depths, alone for thee.
Us he commissioned, by the swiftest courses
Thee to assist. Great are the mountain’s forces;
There Nature works all-potently and free,
Though stupid priests therein but magic see.
Emperor.
On days of joy, when we the guests are greeting,
Who for their gay delight are gayly meeting,
Each gives us pleasure, as they push and pull,
And crowd, man after man, the chambers full;
Yet chiefly welcome is the brave man, thus,
When as a bold ally he brings to us
Now, in the fateful morning hour, his talents,
While Destiny uplifts her trembling balance.
Yet, while the fates of this high hour unfold,
Thy strong hand from the willing sword withhold,—
Honor the moment, when the hosts are striding,
For or against me, to the field deciding!
Self is the Man!142 Who crown and throne would claim
Must personally be worthy of the same.
And may the Phantom, which against us stands,
The self-styled Emperor, Lord of all our lands,
The army’s Duke, our Princes’ feudal head,
With mine own hand be hurled among the dead!
Who for their gay delight are gayly meeting,
Each gives us pleasure, as they push and pull,
And crowd, man after man, the chambers full;
Yet chiefly welcome is the brave man, thus,
When as a bold ally he brings to us
Now, in the fateful morning hour, his talents,
While Destiny uplifts her trembling balance.
Yet, while the fates of this high hour unfold,
Thy strong hand from the willing sword withhold,—
Honor the moment, when the hosts are striding,
For or against me, to the field deciding!
Self is the Man!142 Who crown and throne would claim
Must personally be worthy of the same.
And may the Phantom, which against us stands,
The self-styled Emperor, Lord of all our lands,
The army’s Duke, our Princes’ feudal head,
With mine own hand be hurled among the dead!
Faust.
Howe’er the need that thy great work be finished,
Risked were thy head, the chances were diminished
Is not the helm adorned with plume and crest?
The head it shields, that steels our courage best.
Without a head, what should the members bridle?
Let it but sleep, they sink supine and idle.
If it be injured, all the hurt confess in ’t,
And all revive, when it is convalescent.
Then soon the arm its right shall reassert,
And lift the shield to save the skull from hurt:
The sword perceives at once its honored trust,
Parries with vigor, and repeats the thrust:
The gallant foot its share of luck will gain,
And plants itself upon the necks of slain.
Risked were thy head, the chances were diminished
Is not the helm adorned with plume and crest?
The head it shields, that steels our courage best.
Without a head, what should the members bridle?
Let it but sleep, they sink supine and idle.
If it be injured, all the hurt confess in ’t,
And all revive, when it is convalescent.
Then soon the arm its right shall reassert,
And lift the shield to save the skull from hurt:
The sword perceives at once its honored trust,
Parries with vigor, and repeats the thrust:
The gallant foot its share of luck will gain,
And plants itself upon the necks of slain.
Emperor.
Such is my wrath; I ’d meet him thus, undaunted,
And see his proud head as my footstool planted!
And see his proud head as my footstool planted!
Heralds (returning).
Little honor was accorded;
We have met with scorn undoubted:
Our defiance, nobly worded,
As an empty farce they flouted:
“Lo, your Lord is but a vision,—
Echo of a vanished prime:
When we name him, says Tradition:
‘He was—once upon a time!’”
We have met with scorn undoubted:
Our defiance, nobly worded,
As an empty farce they flouted:
“Lo, your Lord is but a vision,—
Echo of a vanished prime:
When we name him, says Tradition:
‘He was—once upon a time!’”
Faust.
It ’s happened as the best would fain have planned,
Who, firm and faithful, still beside thee stand.
There comes the foe, thy army waits and wishes;
Order attack! the moment is auspicious.
Who, firm and faithful, still beside thee stand.
There comes the foe, thy army waits and wishes;
Order attack! the moment is auspicious.
Emperor.
Yet I decline to exercise command.
(To the General-in-Chief.)
Thy duty, Prince, be trusted to thy hand!
(To the General-in-Chief.)
Thy duty, Prince, be trusted to thy hand!
General-in-Chief.
Then let the right wing now advance apace!
The enemy’s left, who just begin ascending,
Shall, ere the movement close, give up their place,
Before the youthful force our field defending.
The enemy’s left, who just begin ascending,
Shall, ere the movement close, give up their place,
Before the youthful force our field defending.
Faust.
Permit me, then, that this gay hero may
Be stationed in thy ranks, without delay,—
That with thy men most fully he consort,
And thus incorporate, ply his vigorous sport!
(He points to the Mighty Man on the right.)
Be stationed in thy ranks, without delay,—
That with thy men most fully he consort,
And thus incorporate, ply his vigorous sport!
(He points to the Mighty Man on the right.)
Bully (coming forward).143
Who shows his face to me, before he turn
Shall find his cheekbones and his chops are shattered:
Who shows his back, one sudden blow shall earn,
Then head and pig-tail dangling hang, and battered!
And if thy men, like me, will lunge
With mace and sword, beside each other,
Man over man the foe shall plunge
And in their own deep blood shall smother!
[Exit.
Shall find his cheekbones and his chops are shattered:
Who shows his back, one sudden blow shall earn,
Then head and pig-tail dangling hang, and battered!
And if thy men, like me, will lunge
With mace and sword, beside each other,
Man over man the foe shall plunge
And in their own deep blood shall smother!
[Exit.
General-in-Chief.
Let then our centre phalanx follow slow,—
Engage with caution, yet with might, the foe!
There to the right, already overtaken,
Our furious force their plan has rudely shaken!
Engage with caution, yet with might, the foe!
There to the right, already overtaken,
Our furious force their plan has rudely shaken!
Faust (pointing to the middle one).
Let also this one now obey thy word!
Havequick (comes forward).
Unto the host’s heroic duty
Shall now be joined the thirst for booty;
And be the goal, where all are sent,
The Rival Emperor’s sumptuous tent!
He shall not long upon his seat be lorded:
To lead the phalanx be to me accorded!
Shall now be joined the thirst for booty;
And be the goal, where all are sent,
The Rival Emperor’s sumptuous tent!
He shall not long upon his seat be lorded:
To lead the phalanx be to me accorded!
Speedbooty
(sutleress, fawning upon him).
Though never tied to him by priest,
He is my sweetheart dear, at least.
Our autumn ’t is, of ripest gold!
Woman is fierce when she takes hold,
And when she robs, is merciless:
All is allowed, so forth to victory press!
[Exeunt both.
Though never tied to him by priest,
He is my sweetheart dear, at least.
Our autumn ’t is, of ripest gold!
Woman is fierce when she takes hold,
And when she robs, is merciless:
All is allowed, so forth to victory press!
[Exeunt both.
General-in-Chief.
Upon our left, as was to be foreseen,
Their right is strongly hurled. Yon rocks between,
Ours will resist their furious beginning,
And hinder them the narrow pass from winning.
Their right is strongly hurled. Yon rocks between,
Ours will resist their furious beginning,
And hinder them the narrow pass from winning.
Faust
(beckons to the Mighty Man on the left).
I beg you, Sire, let this one also aid;
’T is well when even the strong are stronger made.
I beg you, Sire, let this one also aid;
’T is well when even the strong are stronger made.
Holdfast (coming forwards).
Now let the left wing have no fear!
The ground is surely held, where I appear:
I am the Ancient you were told of :
No lightning splits what I keep hold of!
[Exit.
The ground is surely held, where I appear:
I am the Ancient you were told of :
No lightning splits what I keep hold of!
[Exit.
Mephistopheles
(descending from above).
And now behold, how, more remote,
From every jagged rocky throat
Comes forth an arméd host, increasing,
Down every narrow pathway squeezing,
With helm and harness, sword and spear,
A living rampart in our rear,
And wait the sign to charge the foemen!
(Aside, to the knowing ones.)
You must not ask whence comes the omen.
I have not been a careless scout,
But cleared the halls of armor round about.
They stood a-foot, they sat on horses,
Like Lords of Earth and real forces:
Once Emperors, Kings, and Knights were they,
Now empty shells,—the snails have crawled away.
Full many ghosts, arrayed so, have for us
Revamped the Middle Ages thus.
Whatever Devils now the shells select,
This once ’t will still create effect.
(Aloud.)
Hark! in advance they stir their anger,
Each jostling each with brassy clangor!
The banner-rags of standards flutter flowing,
That restless waited for the breeze’s blowing.
Here standeth ready, now, an ancient race;
In the new conflict it would fain have place.
(Tremendous peal of trumpets from above: a perceptible wavering
in the hostile army.)
And now behold, how, more remote,
From every jagged rocky throat
Comes forth an arméd host, increasing,
Down every narrow pathway squeezing,
With helm and harness, sword and spear,
A living rampart in our rear,
And wait the sign to charge the foemen!
(Aside, to the knowing ones.)
You must not ask whence comes the omen.
I have not been a careless scout,
But cleared the halls of armor round about.
They stood a-foot, they sat on horses,
Like Lords of Earth and real forces:
Once Emperors, Kings, and Knights were they,
Now empty shells,—the snails have crawled away.
Full many ghosts, arrayed so, have for us
Revamped the Middle Ages thus.
Whatever Devils now the shells select,
This once ’t will still create effect.
(Aloud.)
Hark! in advance they stir their anger,
Each jostling each with brassy clangor!
The banner-rags of standards flutter flowing,
That restless waited for the breeze’s blowing.
Here standeth ready, now, an ancient race;
In the new conflict it would fain have place.
(Tremendous peal of trumpets from above: a perceptible wavering
in the hostile army.)
Faust.
The near horizon dims and darkles;
Yet here and there with meaning sparkles
A ruddy and presaging glow;144
The blades are red where strife is sorest,
The atmosphere, the rocks, the forest,
The very heavens the combat show.
Yet here and there with meaning sparkles
A ruddy and presaging glow;144
The blades are red where strife is sorest,
The atmosphere, the rocks, the forest,
The very heavens the combat show.
Mephistopheles.
The right flank holds its ground with vigor:
There, towering over all, defiant,
Jack Bully works, the nimble giant,
And drives them with his wonted rigor.
There, towering over all, defiant,
Jack Bully works, the nimble giant,
And drives them with his wonted rigor.
Emperor.
I first beheld one arm uplifted,
But now a dozen tossed and shifted:
Unnatural such things appear.
But now a dozen tossed and shifted:
Unnatural such things appear.
Faust.
Hast thou not heard of vapors banded,
O’er the Sicilian coasts expanded?
There, hovering in daylight clear,
When mid-air gleams in rarer phases,
And mirrored in especial hazes,
A vision wonderful awakes:
There back and forth are cities bending,
With gardens rising and descending,
As form on form the ether breaks.
O’er the Sicilian coasts expanded?
There, hovering in daylight clear,
When mid-air gleams in rarer phases,
And mirrored in especial hazes,
A vision wonderful awakes:
There back and forth are cities bending,
With gardens rising and descending,
As form on form the ether breaks.
Emperor.
Yet how suspicious! I behold
The tall spears tipped with gleams of gold:
Upon our phalanx’ shining lances
A nimble host of flamelets dances:
Too spectral it appears to me.
The tall spears tipped with gleams of gold:
Upon our phalanx’ shining lances
A nimble host of flamelets dances:
Too spectral it appears to me.
Faust.
Pardon me, Lord, those are the traces
Of spirits of the vanished races,—
The fires of Pollux and of Castor,
Whom seamen call on in disaster:
They here collect their final strength for thee.
Of spirits of the vanished races,—
The fires of Pollux and of Castor,
Whom seamen call on in disaster:
They here collect their final strength for thee.
Emperor.
But say, to whom are we indebted,
That Nature hath our plans abetted,
With shows of rarest potency?
That Nature hath our plans abetted,
With shows of rarest potency?
Mephistopheles.
To whom, indeed, but that old Roman
Whose care for thee at last is proved?
By the strong menace of thy foemen
His deepest nature has been moved.
His gratitude would see thee now delivered,
Though his own being for thy sake be shivered.
Whose care for thee at last is proved?
By the strong menace of thy foemen
His deepest nature has been moved.
His gratitude would see thee now delivered,
Though his own being for thy sake be shivered.
Emperor.
They cheered my march, with every pomp invested;
I felt my power, I meant to see it tested;
So, carelessly, I found it well, as ruler,
To send the white beard where the air was cooler.
I robbed the Clergy of a pleasant savor,
And, truly, have not thus acquired their favor.
Shall I, at last, since many years are over,
The payment for that merry deed recover?
I felt my power, I meant to see it tested;
So, carelessly, I found it well, as ruler,
To send the white beard where the air was cooler.
I robbed the Clergy of a pleasant savor,
And, truly, have not thus acquired their favor.
Shall I, at last, since many years are over,
The payment for that merry deed recover?
Faust.
Free-hearted help heaps interest:
Look up, and cease to watch the foemen!
Methinks that /e will send an omen:
Attend! the sign is now expressed.145
Look up, and cease to watch the foemen!
Methinks that /e will send an omen:
Attend! the sign is now expressed.145
Emperor.
An Eagle hovers in the heavenly vault:
A Griffin follows, menacing assault.
A Griffin follows, menacing assault.
Faust.
Give heed! It seems most favorable.
The Griffin is a beast of fable:
How dare he claim a rival regal,
And meet in fight a genuine Eagle?
The Griffin is a beast of fable:
How dare he claim a rival regal,
And meet in fight a genuine Eagle?
Emperor.
And now, in circles wide extended,
They wheel involved,—then, like a flash,
Upon each other swiftly dash,
That necks be cleft and bodies rended!
They wheel involved,—then, like a flash,
Upon each other swiftly dash,
That necks be cleft and bodies rended!
Faust.
Mark now the evil Griffin quail!
Rumpled and torn, the foe he feareth,
And with his drooping lion’s-tail,
Plunged in the tree-tops, disappeareth.
Rumpled and torn, the foe he feareth,
And with his drooping lion’s-tail,
Plunged in the tree-tops, disappeareth.
Emperor.
Even as presaged, so may it be!
I take the sign, admiringly.
I take the sign, admiringly.
Mephistopheles (towards the right).
From the force of blows repeated
Have our enemies retreated;
And in fight uncertain, shifting,
Towards their right they now are drifting,
Thus confusing, by their courses,
All the left flank of their forces.
See! our phalanx, firmly driven,
Moves to right, and, like the levin,
Strikes them in the weak position.—
Now, like waves in wild collision,
Equal powers, with rage opposing,
In the double fight are closing.
Gloriously the weapons rattle;
We, at last, have won the battle!
Have our enemies retreated;
And in fight uncertain, shifting,
Towards their right they now are drifting,
Thus confusing, by their courses,
All the left flank of their forces.
See! our phalanx, firmly driven,
Moves to right, and, like the levin,
Strikes them in the weak position.—
Now, like waves in wild collision,
Equal powers, with rage opposing,
In the double fight are closing.
Gloriously the weapons rattle;
We, at last, have won the battle!
Emperor
(on the left, to Faust).
Look! it yonder seems suspicious;
For our post the luck ’s capricious.
Not a stone I see them throw there;
Mounted are the rocks below there,
And the upper ones deserted.
Now!—to one huge mass converted
Nearer moves the foe, unshaken,
And perchance the pass hath taken.
Such the unholy plan’s conclusion!
All your arts are but delusion.
Pause.
Look! it yonder seems suspicious;
For our post the luck ’s capricious.
Not a stone I see them throw there;
Mounted are the rocks below there,
And the upper ones deserted.
Now!—to one huge mass converted
Nearer moves the foe, unshaken,
And perchance the pass hath taken.
Such the unholy plan’s conclusion!
All your arts are but delusion.
Pause.
Mephistopheles.
There come my ravens, croaking presage;
What nature, then, may be their message?
I fear we stand in evil plight.
What nature, then, may be their message?
I fear we stand in evil plight.
Emperor.
What mean these fatal birds enchanted?
Their inky sails are hither slanted,
Hot from the rocky field of fight.
Their inky sails are hither slanted,
Hot from the rocky field of fight.
Mephistopheles (to the Ravens).
Sit at mine ears, your flight retarded
He is not lost whom you have guarded;
Your counsel ’s logical and right.
He is not lost whom you have guarded;
Your counsel ’s logical and right.
Faust (to the Emperor).
Thou hast, of course, been told of pigeons,
Taught to return from distant regions
To nests upon their native coast.
Here, differently, the plan ’s succeeded;
The pigeon-post for Peace is needed,
But War requires the raven-post.
Taught to return from distant regions
To nests upon their native coast.
Here, differently, the plan ’s succeeded;
The pigeon-post for Peace is needed,
But War requires the raven-post.
Mephistopheles.
The birds announce us sore mischances.
See, yonder, how the foe advances
Against our heroes’ rocky wall,
The nearest heights even now attaining!
Should they succeed the pass in gaining,
Our fortunes, then, were critical.
See, yonder, how the foe advances
Against our heroes’ rocky wall,
The nearest heights even now attaining!
Should they succeed the pass in gaining,
Our fortunes, then, were critical.
Emperor.
Defeat and cheat at last are on me!
Into your meshes you have drawn me:
I shudder, since they bind me fast.
Into your meshes you have drawn me:
I shudder, since they bind me fast.
Mephistopheles.
Courage! Not yet the die is cast.
Patience and knack, for knot-untying!
The close will be the fiercest stand.
Sure messengers for me are flying:
Command that I may give command!
Patience and knack, for knot-untying!
The close will be the fiercest stand.
Sure messengers for me are flying:
Command that I may give command!
General-in-Chief
(who has meanwhile arrived).
To follow these hast thou consented;
Thence all the time was I tormented:
No fortune comes of jugglery.
The battle ’s lost, I cannot mend it;
’T was they began, and they may end it:
My baton I return to thee.
To follow these hast thou consented;
Thence all the time was I tormented:
No fortune comes of jugglery.
The battle ’s lost, I cannot mend it;
’T was they began, and they may end it:
My baton I return to thee.
Emperor.
Retain it for the better season
Which Fortune still to us may send!
I dread the customers with reason,—
The ravens and their ugly friend.
(To Mephistopheles.)
As for the baton, thou must leave it;
Thou ’rt not, methinks, the-proper man.
Command the fight, canst thou retrieve it!
Let happen all that happen can!
[Exit into the tent with the General-in-Chief.
Which Fortune still to us may send!
I dread the customers with reason,—
The ravens and their ugly friend.
(To Mephistopheles.)
As for the baton, thou must leave it;
Thou ’rt not, methinks, the-proper man.
Command the fight, canst thou retrieve it!
Let happen all that happen can!
[Exit into the tent with the General-in-Chief.
Mephistopheles.
The blunt stick still be his protection!
’T would naught avail in or direction;
There was a sort of Cross thereon.
’T would naught avail in or direction;
There was a sort of Cross thereon.
Faust.
What ’s to be done?
Mephistopheles.
The thing is done!146—
Now, my black cousins, speed upon your duties
To the mountain-lake! The Undines, watery beauties,
Entreat, the appearance of their floods to spare!
By female arts, beyond our sharpest seeing,
They can divide the Appearance from the Being,
And all will swear the Being ’s there!
Pause.
Now, my black cousins, speed upon your duties
To the mountain-lake! The Undines, watery beauties,
Entreat, the appearance of their floods to spare!
By female arts, beyond our sharpest seeing,
They can divide the Appearance from the Being,
And all will swear the Being ’s there!
Pause.
Faust.
Our ravens must, with flattery beladen,
Have sweetly coaxed each winsome water-maiden ;
The trickling streams at once descend.
The bald and rocky shoulders of the mountains
Give birth to full and swiftly-flowing fountains;
Their victory is at an end.
Have sweetly coaxed each winsome water-maiden ;
The trickling streams at once descend.
The bald and rocky shoulders of the mountains
Give birth to full and swiftly-flowing fountains;
Their victory is at an end.
Mephistopheles.
To such reception they ’re not used:
The boldest climbers grow confused.
The boldest climbers grow confused.
Faust.
Now brook roars down to brook with mighty bubble;
Then from the mouths of glens they issue double,
And fling themselves, in arches, o’er the pale;
Then suddenly spread along the rocky level,
And to and fro foam onward in their revel,
As down a stairway hurled into the vale.
What boots their gallant, hero-like resistance?
The billow bursts, and bears them down the distance;
Before such wild uproar even I must quail.
Then from the mouths of glens they issue double,
And fling themselves, in arches, o’er the pale;
Then suddenly spread along the rocky level,
And to and fro foam onward in their revel,
As down a stairway hurled into the vale.
What boots their gallant, hero-like resistance?
The billow bursts, and bears them down the distance;
Before such wild uproar even I must quail.
Mephistopheles.
Nothing I see of all this moist illusion:
To human eyes, alone, it brings confusion,
And in the wondrous chance I take delight.
They fly in headlong, hurried masses;
That they are drowning, think the asses:
Though on the solid land, they see an ocean,
And run absurdly with a swimming motion.
It is a most bewildering plight.
(The Ravens return.)
To the high Master will I praise you duly;
But would you test yourselves as masters fully,
Then hasten to that smithy eerie,
Where the dwarf-people, never weary,
Hammer the sparks from ore and stone.
Demand, while there you prate and flatter,
A fire to shine, and shoot, and scatter,
As in the highest sense ’t is known.
’T is true that distant lightning, quivering far-lights,
And falling, quick as wink, of highest star-lights,
May happen any summer night;
But lightning, loose among the tangled bushes,
And stars that hiss and fizzle in the rushes,
Are shows that seldom meet the sight.
Take no great pains, you understand;
But first entreat, and then command!
(Exeunt the Ravens. All takes place as prescribed.)
Upon the foe falls Night’s thick curtain,
And step and march become uncertain!
In every quarter wandering blazes,
And sudden glare, that blinds and dazes!
All that seems fine; yet we should hear
Their wild, commingled cries of fear.
To human eyes, alone, it brings confusion,
And in the wondrous chance I take delight.
They fly in headlong, hurried masses;
That they are drowning, think the asses:
Though on the solid land, they see an ocean,
And run absurdly with a swimming motion.
It is a most bewildering plight.
(The Ravens return.)
To the high Master will I praise you duly;
But would you test yourselves as masters fully,
Then hasten to that smithy eerie,
Where the dwarf-people, never weary,
Hammer the sparks from ore and stone.
Demand, while there you prate and flatter,
A fire to shine, and shoot, and scatter,
As in the highest sense ’t is known.
’T is true that distant lightning, quivering far-lights,
And falling, quick as wink, of highest star-lights,
May happen any summer night;
But lightning, loose among the tangled bushes,
And stars that hiss and fizzle in the rushes,
Are shows that seldom meet the sight.
Take no great pains, you understand;
But first entreat, and then command!
(Exeunt the Ravens. All takes place as prescribed.)
Upon the foe falls Night’s thick curtain,
And step and march become uncertain!
In every quarter wandering blazes,
And sudden glare, that blinds and dazes!
All that seems fine; yet we should hear
Their wild, commingled cries of fear.
Faust.
The hollow armor from the vaulted chambers
In the free air its ancient strength remembers:
It rattles there, and clatters all around,—
A wonderful, a cheating sound.
In the free air its ancient strength remembers:
It rattles there, and clatters all around,—
A wonderful, a cheating sound.
Mephistopheles.
Quite right! The forms there’s no restraining:
Already knightly whacks are raining,
As in the splendid times of old.
The brassarts there, as well as cuisses,
Are Guelfs and Ghibellines; and this is
Renewal of the feud they hold.
Firm in transmitted hate they anchor,
And show implacably their rancor:
Now far and wide the noise hath rolled.
At last, the Devils find a hearty
Advantage in the hate of Party,
Till dread and ruin end the tale:
Repulsive sounds of rage and panic,
With others, piercing and Satanic,
Resound along the frightened vale!
(Warlike tumult in the Orchestra, finally passing into lively
martial measures.)
Already knightly whacks are raining,
As in the splendid times of old.
The brassarts there, as well as cuisses,
Are Guelfs and Ghibellines; and this is
Renewal of the feud they hold.
Firm in transmitted hate they anchor,
And show implacably their rancor:
Now far and wide the noise hath rolled.
At last, the Devils find a hearty
Advantage in the hate of Party,
Till dread and ruin end the tale:
Repulsive sounds of rage and panic,
With others, piercing and Satanic,
Resound along the frightened vale!
(Warlike tumult in the Orchestra, finally passing into lively
martial measures.)