Chapter XXI: Act THE SECOND

HIGH-VAULTED, NARROW GOTHIC CHAMBER, FORMERLY FAUST'S, UNALTERED

MEPHISTOPHELES (_stepping from behind a curtain. While he raises it and looks back_, FAUST _is seen, stretched upon an old-fashioned bed_)

Lie there, ill-starred one! In love's chain, Full hard to loose, he captive lies! Not soon his senses will regain Whom Helena doth paralyze.

(_Looking round_)

Above, around, on every side I gaze, uninjured all remains: Dimmer, methinks, appear the color'd panes, The spiders' webs are multiplied, Yellow the paper, and the ink is dry; Yet in its place each thing I find; And here the very pen doth lie, Wherewith himself Faust to the Devil signed, Yea, quite dried up, and deeper in the bore, The drop of blood, I lured from him of yore-- O'erjoyed to own such specimen unique Were he who objects rare is fain to seek--; Here on its hook hangs still the old fur cloak, Me it remindeth of that merry joke, When to the boy I precepts gave, for truth, Whereon, perchance, he's feeding now, as youth. The wish comes over me, with thee allied, Enveloped in thy worn and rugged folds, Once more to swell with the professor's pride! How quite infallible himself he holds; This feeling to obtain your savants know; The devil parted with it long ago.

[_He shakes the fur cloak which he has taken down; crickets, moths, and chafers fly out._]

CHORUS OF INSECTS

We welcome thy coming, Our patron of yore! We're dancing and humming, And know thee once more. Us singly, in silence, Hast planted, and lo! By thousands, oh Father, We dance to and fro. The rogue hides discreetly The bosom within; We looseskins fly rather Forth from the fur skin.

MEPHISTOPHELES

O'erjoyed I am my progeny to know! We're sure to reap in time, if we but sow. I shake the old fur-mantle as before, And here and there out flutters one or more.-- Above, around, hasten, belovèd elves, In hundred thousand nooks to hide yourselves! 'Mid boxes there of by-gone time, Here in these age-embrownèd scrolls, In broken potsherds, foul with grime, In yonder skulls' now eyeless holes! Amid such rotten, mouldering life, Must foolish whims for aye be rife.

[_Slips into the fur mantle_.]

Come shroud my shoulders as of yore! Today I'm principal once more; But useless 'tis, to bear the name: Where are the folk to recognize my claim?

[_He pulls the bell, which emits a shrill penetrating sound, at which the halls shake and the doors spring open._]

FAMULUS (_tottering up the long dark passage_)

What a clamor! What a quaking! Stairs are rocking, walls are shaking: Through the windows' quivering sheen, Are the stormful lightnings seen; Springs the ceiling,--thence, below, Lime and mortar rattling flow: And, though bolted fast, the door Is undone by magic power! There, in Faust's old fleece bedight, Stands a giant,--dreadful sight! At his glance, his beck, at me! I could sink upon my knee. Shall I fly, or shall I stay? What will be my fate today?

MEPHISTOPHELES

Come hither, friend!--Your name is Nicodemus?

FAMULUS

Most honor'd Sir, such is my name.--Oremus!

MEPHISTOPHELES

That we'll omit!

FAMULUS

O joy, me you do not forget.

MEPHISTOPHELES

I know it well: old, and a student yet; My mossy friend, even a learned man Still studies on, because naught else he can: Thus a card-house each builds of medium height; The greatest spirit fails to build it quite. Your master, though, that title well may claim-- The noble Doctor Wagner, known to fame, First in the learned world! 'Tis he, they say, Who holds that world together; every day Of wisdom he augments the store! Who crave omniscience, evermore In crowds upon his teaching wait; He from the rostrum shines alone; The keys doth like Saint Peter own, And doth of Hell and Heaven ope the gate; As before all he glows and sparkles, No fame, no glory but grows dim, Even the name of Faustus darkles! Inventor there is none like him.

FAMULUS

Pardon, most honor'd Sir, excuse me, pray-- If I presume your utterance to gainsay-- This bears not on the question any way; A modest mind is his allotted share. The disappearance, unexplained as yet, Of the great man, his mind doth sorely fret; Comfort from his return and health are still his prayer. The chamber, as in Doctor Faustus' day, Maintains, untouched, its former state, And for its ancient lord doth wait. Venture therein I scarcely may. What now the aspect of the stars?-- Awe-struck the very walls appear; The door-posts quivered, sprang the bars-- Else you yourself could not have entered here.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Where then bestowed himself hath he? Lead me to him! bring him to me!

FAMULUS

Alas! Too strict his prohibition, Scarce dare I, without his permission. Months, on his mighty work intent, Hath he, in strict seclusion spent. Most dainty 'mong your men of books, Like charcoal-burner now he looks, With face begrimed from ear to nose; His eyes are blear'd while fire he blows; Thus for the crisis still he longs; His music is the clang of tongs.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Admittance unto me deny? To hasten his success, the man am I.

[_Exit_ FAMULUS. MEPHISTOPHELES _seats himself with a solemn air._]

Scarce have I ta'en my post, when lo! Stirs from behind a guest, whom well I know; Of the most recent school, this time, is he, And quite unbounded will his daring be.

BACCALAUREUS (_storming along the passage_)

Open find I door and gate! Hope at last springs up elate, That the living shall no more Corpse-like rot, as heretofore, And, while breathing living breath, Waste and moulder as in death.

Here partition, screen, and wall Are sinking, bowing to their fall, And, unless we soon retreat, Wreck and ruin us will greet. Me, though bold, nor soon afraid, To advance shall none persuade. What shall I experience next? Years ago, when sore perplexed, Came I not a freshman here, Full of anxious doubt and fear, On these gray-beards then relied, By their talk was edified?

What from musty tomes they drew, They lied to me; the things they knew Believed they not; with falsehood rife, Themselves and me they robbed of life. How?--Yonder is the murky glare, There's one still sitting in the Chair--

Drawing near I wonder more-- Just as him I left of yore, There he sits, in furry gown, Wrapped in shaggy fleece, the brown! Then he clever seemed, indeed, Him as yet I could not read; Naught will it avail today; So have at him, straight-away!

If Lethe's murky flood not yet hath passed, Old Sir, through your bald pate, that sideways bends, The scholar recognize, who hither wends, Outgrown your academic rods at last. The same I find you, as of yore; But I am now the same no more.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Glad am I that I've rung you here. I prized you then not slightingly; In grub and chrysalis appear The future brilliant butterfly. A childish pleasure then you drew From collar, lace, and curls.--A queue You probably have never worn?-- Now to a crop I see you shorn. All resolute and bold your air-- But from the _absolute_ forbear!

BACCALAUREUS

We're in the ancient place, mine ancient Sir, But think upon time's onward flow, And words of double-meaning spare! Quite otherwise we hearken now. You fooled the simple, honest youth; It cost but little art in sooth, To do what none today will dare.

MEPHISTOPHELES

If to the young the naked truth one speaks, It pleases in no wise the yellow beaks; But afterward, when in their turn On their own skin the painful truth they learn, They think, forsooth, from their own head it came; "The master was a fool," they straight proclaim.

BACCALAUREUS

A rogue perchance!--For where's the teacher found Who to our face, direct, will Truth expound? Children to edify, each knows the way, To add or to subtract, now grave, now gay.

MEPHISTOPHELES

For learning there's in very truth a time; For teaching, I perceive, you now are prime. While a few suns and many moons have waned, A rich experience you have doubtless gained!

BACCALAUREUS

Experience! Froth and scum alone, Not with the mind of equal birth! Confess! what men have always known, As knowledge now is nothing worth.

MEPHISTOPHELES (_after a pause_)

I long have thought myself a fool; Now shallow to myself I seem, and dull.

BACCALAUREUS

That pleases me! Like reason that doth sound; The first old man of sense I yet have found!

MEPHISTOPHELES

I sought for hidden treasures, genuine gold-- And naught but hideous ashes forth I bore!

BACCALAUREUS

Confess that pate of yours, though bare and old, Than yonder hollow skull is worth no more!

MEPHISTOPHELES (_good-naturedly_)

Thou know'st not, friend, how rude is thy reply.

BACCALAUREUS

In German to be courteous is to lie.

MEPHISTOPHELES (_still moving his wheel-chair ever nearer to the proscenium, to the pit_)

Up here I am bereft of light and air; I perhaps shall find a refuge with you there?

BACCALAUREUS

When at their worst, that men would something be, When they are naught, presumptuous seems to me. Man's life is in the blood, and where, in sooth, Pulses the blood so strongly as in youth? That's living blood, which with fresh vigor rife, The newer life createth out of life. There all is movement, something there is done; Falleth the weak, the able presses on! While half the world we 'neath our sway have brought, What have ye done? Slept, nodded, dream'd, and thought, Plan after plan rejected;--nothing won. Age is, in sooth, a fever cold, With frost of whims and peevish need: When more than thirty years are told, As good as dead one is indeed: You it were best, methinks, betimes to slay.

MEPHISTOPHELES

The devil here has nothing more to say.

BACCALAUREUS

Save through my will, no devil dares to be.

MEPHISTOPHELES (_aside_)

The devil now prepares a fall for thee!

BACCALAUREUS

The noblest mission this of youth's estate. The world was not, till it I did create; The radiant Sun I led from out the sea; Her changeful course the Moon began with me; The Day arrayed herself my steps to meet, The Earth grew green, and blossom'd me to greet: At my command, upon yon primal Night, The starry hosts unveiled their glorious light. Who, beside me, the galling chains unbound, Which cramping thought had cast your spirits round? But I am free, as speaks my spirit-voice, My inward light I follow, and rejoice; Swift I advance, enraptur'd, void of fear, Brightness before me, darkness in the rear. [_Exit._]

MEPHISTOPHELES

Go, in thy pride, Original, thy way!-- True insight would, in truth, thy spirit grieve! What wise or stupid thoughts can man conceive, Unponder'd in the ages passed away?-- Yet we for him need no misgiving have; Changed will he be, when a few years are past; Howe'er absurdly may the must behave, Nathless it yields a wine at last.--

(_To the younger part of the audience, who do not applaud._)

Though to my words you're somewhat cold, Good children, me you don't offend; Reflect! The devil, he is old; Grow old then, him to comprehend!

LABORATORY

(_After the fashion of the middle ages; cumbrous, useless apparatus, for fantastic purposes_)

WAGNER (_at the furnace_)

Soundeth the bell, the fearful clang Thrills through these sooty walls; no more Upon fulfilment waits the pang Of hope or fear;--suspense is o'er; The darknesses begin to clear, Within the inmost phial glows Radiance, like living coal, that throws, As from a splendid carbuncle, its rays; Athwart the gloom its lightning plays. A pure white lustre doth appear; O may I never lose it more!-- My God! what rattles at the door?

MEPHISTOPHELES (_entering_)

Welcome! As friend I enter here.

WAGNER

Hail to the star that rules the hour!

(_Softly_)

On breath and utterance let a ban be laid! Soon will be consummate a work of power.

MEPHISTOPHELES (_in a whisper_)

What is it, then?

WAGNER A man is being made.

MEPHISTOPHELES

A man? and pray what loving pair Have in your smoke-hole their abode?

WAGNER

Nay! Heaven forbid! As nonsense we declare The ancient procreative mode; The tender point, life's spring, the gentle strength That took and gave, that from within hath pressed, And seized, intent itself to manifest, The nearest first, the more remote at length,-- This from its dignity is now dethron'd! The brute indeed may take delight therein, But man, by whom such mighty gifts are own'd, Must have a purer, higher origin.

(_He turns to the furnace_)

It flashes, see!--Now may we trustful hold, That if, of substances a hundred-fold, Through mixture,--for on mixture it depends-- The human substance duly we compose, And then in a retort enclose, And cohobate; in still repose The work is perfected, our labor ends.

(_Again turning to the furnace_)

It forms! More clear the substance shows! Stronger, more strong, conviction grows! What Nature's mystery we once did style, That now to test, our reason tries, And what she organized erewhile, We now are fain to crystallize.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Who lives, doth much experience glean; By naught in this world will he be surprised; Already in my travel-years I've seen Full many a race of mortals crystallized.

WAGNER (_still gazing intently on the phial_)

It mounts, it glows, and doth together run, One moment, and the work is done! As mad, a grand design at first is view'd; But we henceforth may laugh at fate, And so a brain, with thinking-power embued, Henceforth your living thinker will create.

(_Surveying the phial with rapture_)

The glass resounds, with gracious power possessed; It dims, grows clear; living it needs must be! And now in form of beauty dressed, A dainty mannikin I see. What more can we desire, what more mankind? Unveiled is now what hidden was of late; Give ear unto this sound, and you will find, A voice it will become, articulate.--

HOMUNCULUS (_in the phial, to_ WAGNER)

Now, Fatherkin, how goes it? 'Twas no jest! Come, let me to thy heart be fondly pressed-- Lest the glass break, less tight be thine embrace This is the property of things: the All Scarcely suffices for the natural; The artificial needs a bounded space.

(_To_ MEPHISTOPHELES)

But thou, Sir Cousin, Rogue, art thou too here? At the right moment! Thee I thank. 'Tis clear To us a happy fortune leadeth thee; While I exist, still must I active be, And to the work forthwith myself would gird; Thou'rt skill'd the way to shorten.

WAGNER

Just one word! I oft have been ashamed that knowledge failed, When old and young with problems me assailed. For instance: no one yet could comprehend, How soul and body so completely blend, Together hold, as ne'er to part, while they Torment each other through the live-long day. So then--

MEPHISTOPHELES

Forbear! The problem solve for me, Why man and wife so wretchedly agree? Upon this point, my friend, thou'lt ne'er be clear; The mannikin wants work, he'll find it here.

HOMUNCULUS

What's to be done?

MEPHISTOPHELES (_pointing to a side door_)

Yonder thy gifts display!

WAGNER (_still gazing into the phial_)

A very lovely boy, I needs must say!

(_The side door opens_; FAUST _is seen stretched upon a couch_)

HOMUNCULUS (_amazed_)

Momentous!

(_The phial slips from_ WAGNER's _hands, hovers over_ FAUST, _and sheds a light upon him_)

Girt with beauty!--Water clear In the thick grove; fair women, who undress; Most lovely creatures!--grows their loveliness: But o'er the rest one shines without a peer, As if from heroes, nay from gods she came; In the transparent sheen her foot she laves; The tender life-fire of her noble frame She cools in yielding crystal of the waves.-- Of swiftly moving wings what sudden noise? What plash, what plunge the liquid glass destroys? The maidens fly, alarmed; alone, the queen, With calm composure gazes on the scene; With womanly and proud delight, she sees The prince of swans press fondly to her knees, Persistent, tame; familiar now he grows.-- But suddenly up-floats a misty shroud, And with thick-woven veil doth over-cloud The loveliest of all lovely shows.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Why thou in sooth canst everything relate! Small as thou art, as phantast thou art great. I can see nothing--

HOMUNCULUS

I believe it. Thou, Bred in the north, in the dark ages, how, In whirl of priesthood and knight-errantry, Have for such sights thy vision free! In darkness only thou'rt at home.

(_Looking round_)

Ye brown, repulsive blocks of stone, Arch-pointed, low, with mould o'ergrown! Should he awake, new care were bred, He on the spot would straight be dead. Wood-fountains, swans, fair nymphs undressed, Such was his dream, presageful, rare; In place like this how could he rest, Which I, of easy mood, scarce bear! Away with him!

MEPHISTOPHELES

I like your plan, proceed!

HOMUNCULUS

Command the warrior to the fight, The maiden to the dancers lead! They're satisfied, and all is right. E'en now a thought occurs, most bright; 'Tis classical Walpurgis-night--Most fortunate! It suits his bent, So bring him straightway to his element!

MEPHISTOPHELES

Of such I ne'er have heard, I frankly own.

HOMUNCULUS

Upon your ear indeed how should it fall? Only romantic ghosts to you are known; Your genuine ghost is also classical.

MEPHISTOPHELES

But whitherward to travel are we fain? Your antique colleagues are against my grain.

HOMUNCULUS

North-westward, Satan, lies thy pleasure-ground; But, this time, we to the south-east are bound.-- An ample vale Peneios floweth through, 'Mid bush and tree its curving shores it laves; The plain extendeth to the mountain caves, Above it lies Pharsalus, old and new.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Alas! Forbear! For ever be eschewed Those wars of tyranny and servitude! I'm bored with them: for they, as soon as done, Straight recommence; and no one calls to mind That he in sooth is only played upon By Asmodeus, who still lurks behind. They battle, so 'tis said, for freedom's rights-- More clearly seen, 'tis slave 'gainst slave who fights.

HOMUNCULUS

Leave we to men their nature, quarrel-prone! Each must defend himself, as best he can, From boyhood up; so he becomes a man. The question here is, how to cure this one?

(_Pointing to_ FAUST)

Hast thou a means, here let it tested be; Canst thou do naught, then leave the task to me.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Full many a Brocken-piece I might essay, But bolts of heathendom foreclose the way. The Grecian folk were ne'er worth much, 'tis true, Yet with the senses' play they dazzle you; To cheerful sins the human heart they lure, While ours are reckoned gloomy and obscure. And now what next?

HOMUNCULUS

Of old thou wert not shy; And if I name Thessalian witches,--why, I something shall have said,--of that I'm sure.

MEPHISTOPHELES (_lustfully_)

Thessalian witches--well! the people they Concerning whom I often have inquired. Night after night, indeed, with them to stay, That were an ordeal not to be desired; But for a trial trip--

HOMUNCULUS

The mantle there Reach hither, wrap it round the knight! As heretofore, the rag will bear Both him and thee; the way I'll light.

WAGNER (_alarmed_)

And I?

HOMUNCULUS

At home thou wilt remain, Thee most important work doth there detain; The ancient scrolls unfolding cull Life's elements, as taught by rule, And each with other then combine with care; Upon the _What_, more on the _How_, reflect! Meanwhile as through a piece of world I fare, I may the dot upon the "I" detect. Then will the mighty aim accomplish'd be; Such high reward deserves such striving;--wealth, Honor and glory, lengthen'd life, sound health, Knowledge withal and virtue--possibly. Farewell!

WAGNER

Farewell! That grieves my heart full sore! I fear indeed I ne'er shall see thee more.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Now to Peneios forth we wend! We must not slight our cousin's aid.

(_To the spectators_)

At last, in sooth, we all depend On creatures we ourselves have made.

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