  Faust's Study. (Night. Faust discovered, alone. He is seated at a table covered with books and parchments; an open book lies before him. His lamp is flickering in the socket.) Faust. No! In vain hath my soul aspired, with ardent longing, All to know,—all in earth and heaven. No light illumines the visions, ever thronging My brain; no peace is given, And I linger, thus sad and weary, Without power to sunder the chain Binding my soul to life always dreary. Nought do I see! Nought do I know! (He closes the book and rises. Day begins to dawn.) Again 'tis light! On its westward course flying, The somber night vanishes. (Despairingly.) Again the light of a new day! O death! when will thy dusky wings Above me hover and give me—rest? (Seizing a flask on the table.) Well, then! Since death thus evades me, Why should I not go in search of him? Hail, my final day, all hail! No fears my heart assail; On earth my days I number; For this draught immortal slumber Will secure me, and care dispel! (Pours liquid from the flask into a crystal goblet. Just as he is about to raise it to his lips, the following chorus is heard, without.) Cho. of Maidens. Why thy eyes so lustrous Hidest thou from sight? Bright Sol now is scatt'ring Beams of golden light; The nightingale is warbling Its carol of love; Rosy tints of morning Now gleam from above; Flow'rs unfold their beauty To the scented gale; Nature all awakens— Of love tells its tale. Faust. Hence, empty sounds of human joys Flee far from me. O goblet, which my ancestors So many times have filled, Why tremblest thou in my grasp? (Again raising the goblet to his lips.) Cho. of Laborers (without). The morn into the fields doth summon us, The swallow hastes away! Why tarry, then? To labor let's away! to work let's on, The sky is bright, the earth is fair, Our tribute, then, let's pay to heav'n. Cho. of Maidens and Laborers. Praises to God! Faust. God! God! (He sinks into a chair.) But this God, what will he do for me? (Rising.) Will he return to me youth, love, and faith? (With rage.) Cursed be all of man's vile race! Cursed be the chains which bind him in his place! Cursed be visions false, deceiving! Cursed the folly of believing! Cursed be dreams of love or hate! Cursed be souls with joy elate. Cursed be science, prayer, and faith! Cursed my fate in life and death! Infernal king, arise! SCENE II.Faust and Mephistopheles. Mep. (suddenly appearing). Here am I! So, I surprise you? Satan, Sir, at your service! A sword at my side; on my hat a gay feather;— A cloak o'er my shoulder; and altogether, Why, gotten up quite in the fashion! (Briskly.) But come, Doctor Faust, what is your will? Behold! Speak! Are you afraid of me? Faust. No. Mep. Do you doubt my power? Faust. Perhaps. Mep. Prove it, then. Faust. Begone! Mep. Fie! Fie! Is this your politeness! But learn, my friend, that with Satan One should conduct in a different way. I've entered your door with infinite trouble. Would you kick me out the very same day? Faust. Then what will you do for me? Mep. Anything in the world! All things. But Say first what you would have. Abundance of gold? Faust. And what can I do with riches? Mep. Good. I see where the shoe pinches. You will have glory. Faust. Still wrong. Mep. Power, then. Faust. No. I would have a treasure Which contains all. I wish for youth. Oh! I would have pleasure, And love, and caresses, For youth is the season When joy most impresses. One round of enjoyment, One scene of delight, Should be my employment From day-dawn till night. Oh, I would have pleasure, And love, and caresses; If youth you restore me, My joys I'll renew! Mep. 'Tis well—all thou desirest I can give thee. Faust. Ah! but what must I give in return? Mep. 'Tis but little: In this world I will be thy slave, But down below thou must be mine. Faust. Below! Mep. Below. (Unfolding a scroll.) Come, write. What! does thy hand tremble? Whence this dire trepidation? 'Tis youth that now awaits thee—Behold! (At a sign from Mephistopheles, the scene opens and discloses Marguerite, spinning.) Faust. Oh, wonder! Mep. Well, how do you like it? (Taking parchment.) Faust. Give me the scroll! (Signs.) Mep. Come on then! And now, master, (Taking cup from the table.) I invite thee to empty a cup, In which there is neither poison nor death, But young and vigorous life. Faust. (Taking cup and turning toward Marguerite.) O beautiful, adorable vision! I drink to thee! (He drinks the contents of the cup, and is transformed into a young and handsome man. The vision disappears.) Mep. Come, then. Faust. Say, shall I again behold her? Mep. Most surely! Faust. When? Mep. This very day! Faust. 'Tis well. Mep. Then let's away. Both. 'Tis pleasure I covet, 'Tis beauty I crave; I sigh for its kisses, Its love I demand! With ardor unwonted I long now to burn; I sigh for the rapture Of heart and of sense. (Exeunt. The curtain falls.) |
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