Chapter V: Act II: Scene I

_The Kermesse._

(One of the city gates. To the left, an Inn,
bearing the sign of the god Bacchus.)

WAGNER, Students, Burghers, Soldiers, Maidens, and Matrons.

_Studs._ Wine or beer, now, which you will!
So the glass quick you fill!
And replenish at our need:
At our bouts we drink with speed!

_Wag._ Now, young tipplers at the cask,
Don't refuse what I ask--
Drink to glory! drink to love!
Drain the sparkling glass!

_Studs._ We young tipplers at the cask
Won't refuse what you ask--
Here's to glory! here's to love!
Drain the sparkling glass!
(They drink.)

_Soldiers._ Castles, hearts, or fortresses,
Are to us all one.
Strong towers, maids with fair tresses,
By the brave are won;
He, who hath the art to take them,
Shows no little skill;
He, who knows the way to keep them,
Hath more wisdom still.

_Citizens._ On holy-days and feast-days,
I love to talk of war and battles.
While the toiling crowds around
Worry their brains with affairs,
I stroll calmly to this retreat
On the banks of the gliding river,
And behold the boats which pass
While I leisurely empty my glass.

(Citizens and soldiers go to back of stage.)
(A group of young girls enters.)

_Girls._ Merry fellows come this way,
Yes, they now advance;
Let us, then, our steps delay,
Just to take one glance.

(They go to right of stage.
A second chorus of students enters after them.)

_Studs._ Sprightly maidens now advance,
Watch their conquering airs;
Friends be guarded, lest a glance
Take you unawares.

_Matrons._
(watching the students and young girls).
Behold the silly damsels,
And the foolish young men;
We were once as young as they are,
And as pretty again.
(All join in the following chorus, each singing as follows.)

_Mats._ (to the Maidens).
Ye strive hard to please,
Your object is plain.

_Studs._ Beer or wine, wine or beer,
Nought care I, with heart of cheer.

_Soldiers._ On, then, let's on;
Brave soldiers are we,
To conquest we'll on.

_Citizens._ Come, neighbor! In this fine weather
Let us empty a bottle together!

_Maidens._ They wish to please us, but 'tis in vain!
If you are angry, little you'll gain.

_Young Students._ They are bright little maidens, 'tis plain;
We'll contrive their favor to gain.

(The soldiers and students, laughing, separate the women.
All the groups depart.)

* * * * *

SCENE II.

WAGNER, SIEBEL, VALENTINE, Students, and afterwards MEPHISTOPHELES.

_Val._
(advancing from the back of the stage and holding in his hand
a small silver medal).
O sacred medallion,
Gift of my sister dear
To ward off danger and fear,
As I charge with my brave battalion,
Rest thou upon my heart.

_Wag._ Here comes Valentine, in search of us, doubtless.

_Val._ Let us drain the parting cup, comrades,
It is time we were on the road.

_Wag._ What sayst thou?
Why this sorrowful farewell?

_Val._ Like you, I soon must quit these scenes,
Leaving behind me Marguerite.
Alas! my mother no longer lives,
To care for and protect her.

_Sie._ More than one friend hast thou
Who faithfully will thy place supply.

_Val._ My thanks!

_Sie._ On me you may rely.

_Stud._ In us thou surely mayst confide.

_Val._ Even bravest heart may swell
In the moment of farewell.
Loving smile of sister kind,
Quiet home I leave behind.
Oft shall I think of you
Whene'er the wine-cup passes round,
When alone my watch I keep.
But when danger to glory shall call me,
I still will be first in the fray,
As blithe as a knight in his bridal array.
Careless what fate shall befall me
When glory shall call me.

_Wag._ Come on, friends! No tears nor vain alarms;
Quaff we good wine, to the success of our arms!
Drink, boys, drink!
In a joyous refrain
Bid farewell, till we meet again.

_Cho._ We'll drink! Fill high!
Once more in song our voices
Let us raise.

_Wag._
(mounting on a table).
A rat, more coward than brave,
And with an exceedingly ugly head,
Lodged in a sort of hole or cave,
Under an ancient hogshead.
A cat--

* * * * *

SCENE III.

MEPHISTOPHELES and the preceding.

_Mep._ (appearing suddenly among the students and interrupting WAGNER). Good sir!

_Wag._ What!

_Mep._ If it so please ye I should wish
To mingle with ye a short time.
If your good friend will kindly end his song,
I'll tell ye a few things well worth the hearing.

_Wag._ One will suffice, but let that one be good.

_Mep._ My utmost I will do
Your worships not to bore.

I.
Calf of Gold! aye in all the world
To your mightiness they proffer,
Incense at your fane they offer
From end to end of all the world.
And in honor of the idol
Kings and peoples everywhere
To the sound of jingling coins
Dance with zeal in festive circle,
Round about the pedestal.
Satan, he conducts the ball.

II.
Calf of Gold, strongest god below!
To his temple overflowing
Crowds before his vile shape bowing,
The monster dares insult the skies.
With contempt he views around him
All the vaunted human race,
As they strive in abject toil,
As with souls debased they circle
Round about the pedestal.
Satan, he conducts the ball.

_All._ Satan, he conducts the ball.

_Cho._ A strange story this of thine.

_Val._
(aside).
And stranger still is he who sings it.

_Wag._
(offering a cup to MEPHISTOPHELES).
Will you honor us by partaking of wine?

_Mep._ With pleasure. Ah!
(Taking WAGNER by the hand, and scrutinizing his palm.)
Behold what saddens me to view.
See you this line?

_Wag._ Well!

_Mep._ A sudden death it presages,--
You will be killed in mounting to th' assault!

_Sie._ You are then a sorcerer!

_Mep._ Even so. And your own hand shows plainly
To what fate condemns. What flower you would gather
Shall wither in the grasp.

_Sie._ I?

_Mep._ No more bouquets for Marguerite.

_Val._ My sister! How knew you her name?

_Mep._ Take care, my brave fellow!
Some one I know is destined to kill you.

(Taking the cup.)
Your health, gentlemen!
Pah! What miserable wine!
Allow me to offer you some from my cellar?

(Jumps on the table, and strikes on a little cask,
surmounted by the effigy of the god Bacchus,
which serves as a sign to the Inn.)

What ho! thou god of wine, now give us drink!
(Wine gushes forth from cask, and
MEPHISTOPHELES fills his goblet.)
Approach, my friends!
Each one shall be served to his liking.
To your health, now and hereafter!
To Marguerite!

_Val._ Enough! If I do not silence him,
And that instantly, I will die.
(The wine bursts into flame.)

_Wag._ Hola!

_Cho._ Hola! (They draw their swords.) _Mep._ Ah, ha! Why do you tremble so, you who menace me?

(He draws a circle around him with his sword.
VALENTINE attacks; his sword is broken.)

_Val._ My sword, O amazement!
Is broken asunder.

_All_
(forcing MEPHISTOPHELES to retire by holding toward him the
cross-shaped handles of their swords).

Gainst the powers of evil our arms assailing,
Strongest earthly might is unavailing.
But thou canst not charm us,
Look hither!
While this blest sign we wear
Thou canst not harm us.

(Exeunt.)

* * * * *

SCENE IV.

MEPHISTOPHELES, then FAUST.

_Mep._
(replacing his sword).
We'll meet anon, good sirs,--adieu!

_Faust_
(enters).
Why, what has happened?

_Mep._ Oh, nothing! let us change the subject!
Say, Doctor, what would you of me?
With what shall we begin?

_Faust._ Where bides the beauteous maid
Thine art did show to me?
Or was't mere witchcraft?

_Mep._ No, but her virtue doth protect her from thee,
And heaven itself would keep her pure.

_Faust._ It matters not!
Come, lead me to her,
Or I straightway abandon thee.

_Mep._ Then I'll comply! 'twere pity you should think
So meanly of the magic power which I possess.
Have patience! and to this joyous tune.
Right sure am I, the maiden will appear.

* * * * *

SCENE V.

(Students, with Maidens on their arms, preceded by Musicians,
take possession of the stage. Burghers in the rear,
as at the commencement of the act.)

Students, Maidens, Burghers, etc., afterwards SIEBEL and MARGUERITE.

_Cho._
(marking waltz time with their feet).
As the wind that sportively plays,
At first will light dust only raise,
Yet, at last, becomes a gale,
So our dancing and our singing,
Soft at first, then loudly ringing,
Will resound o'er hill and dale.

(The Musicians mount upon the table, and dancing begins.)

_Mep._
(to FAUST).
See those lovely young maidens.
Will you not ask of them
To accept you?

_Faust._ No! desist from thy idle sport,
And leave my heart free to reflection.

_Sie._
(entering).
Marguerite this way alone can arrive.

_Some of the Maidens_
(approaching SIEBEL).
Pray seek you a partner to join in the dance?

_Sie._ No: it has no charm for me.

_Cho._ As the wind that sportively plays,
At first will light dust only raise,
Yet, at last, becomes a gale,
So our dancing and our singing,
Soft at first, then loudly ringing,
Will resound o'er hill and dale.

(MARGUERITE enters.)
_Faust._ It is she! behold her!

_Mep._ 'Tis well! now, then, approach!

_Sie._
(perceiving MARGUERITE and approaching her).
Marguerite!

_Mep._
(turning round and finding himself face to face with SIEBEL).
What say you?

_Sie._
(aside).
Malediction! here again!

_Mep._
(coaxingly).
What, here again, dear boy?
(laughing).
Ha, ha! a right good jest!

(SIEBEL retreats before MEPHISTOPHELES, who then compels him
to make a circuit of the stage, passing behind the dancers.)

_Faust_
(approaching MARGUERITE, who crosses the stage).
Will you not permit me, my fairest demoiselle,
To offer you my arm, and clear for you the way?

_Mar._ No, sir. I am no demoiselle, neither am I fair;
And I have no need to accept your offered arm.
(Passes FAUST and retires.)

_Faust_
(gazing after her).
What beauty! What grace! What modesty!
O lovely child, I love thee! I love thee!

_Sie._
(coming forward, without having seen what has occurred).
She has gone!

(He is about to hurry after MARGUERITE, when he suddenly finds
himself face to face with MEPHISTOPHELES--he hastily turns away
and leaves the stage.)

_Mep._ Well, Doctor!

_Faust._ Well. She has repulsed me.

_Mep._
(laughing).
Ay, truly, I see, in love,
You know not how to make the first move.

(He retires with FAUST, in the direction taken by MARGUERITE.)

_Some of the Maidens_
(who have noticed the meeting between FAUST and MARGUERITE).
What is it?

_Others._ Marguerite. She has refused the escort
Of yonder elegant gentleman.

_Studs._
(approaching).
Waltz again!

_Maidens._
Waltz always!