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Auerbach`s Cellar - Faust And Mephistopheles Enter
Auerbach`s Cellar - Faust And Mephistopheles Enter
Faust And Mephistopheles
Mephistopheles
I now must introduce to you
Before aught else, this jovial crew,
To show how lightly life may glide away;
With tse folk here each day`s a holiday.
With little wit and much content,
Each on his own small round intent,
Like sportive kitten with its tail;
While no sick - headache they bewail,
And while their host will credit give,
Joyous and free from care they live.
Brander
They`re off a journey, that is clear, -
From their strange manners; they have scarce been here
An hour.
Frosch
You`re right! Leipzig`s the place for me!
`Tis quite a little Paris; people there
Acquire a certain easy finish`d air.
Siebel
What take you now these travellers to be?
Frosch
Let me alone! O`er a full glass you`ll see,
As easily I`ll worm their secret out,
As draw an infant`s tooth. I`ve not a doubt
That my two gentlemen are nobly born,
They look dissatisfied and full of scorn.
Brander
They are but mountebanks, I`ll lay a bet!
Altmayer
Most like.
Frosch
Mark me, I`ll screw it from them yet!
Mephistopheles (to Faust)
These fellows would not scent the devil out,
E`en though he had them by the very throat!
Faust
Good - morrow, gentlemen!
Siebel
Thanks for your fair salute.
(Aside, glancing at Mephistopheles,)
How! goes the fellow on a halting foot?
Mephistopheles
Is it permitted here with you to sit?
Then though good wine is not forthcoming here,
Good company at least our hearts will cheer.
Altmayer
A dainty gentleman, no doubt of it.
Frosch
You`re doubtless recently from Rippach? Pray,
Did you with Master Hans there chance to sup?
Mephistopheles
To - day we pass`d him, but we did not stop!
When last we met him he had much to say
Touching his cousins, and to each he sent
Full many a greeting and kind compliment.
(With an inclination towards Frosch.)
Altmayer (aside to Frosch)
You have it there!
Siebel
Faith! he`s a knowing one!
Frosch
Have patience! I will show him up anon!
Mephistopheles
We heard erewhile, unless I`m wrong,
Voices well trained in chorus pealing?
Certes, most choicely here must song
Re - echo from this vaulted ceiling!
Frosch
That you`re an amateur one plainly sees!
Mephistopheles
Oh no, though strong the love, I cannot boast much skill.
Altmayer
Give us a song!
Mephistopheles
As many as you will.
Siebel
But be it a brand new one, if you please!
Mephistopheles
But recently returned from Spain are we,
The pleasant land of wine and minstrelsy.
(Sings)
A king there was once reigning,
Who had a goodly flea -
Frosch
Hark! did you rightly catch the words? a flea!
An odd sort of a guest he needs must be.
Mephistopheles (sings)
A king there was once reigning,
Who had a goodly flea,
Him loved he without feigning,
As his own son were he!
His tailor then he summon`d,
The tailor to him goes:
Now measure me the youngster
For jerkin and for hose!
Brander
Take proper heed, the tailor strictly charge,
The nicest measurement to take,
And as he loves his head, to make
The hose quite smooth and not too large!
Mephistopheles
In satin and in velvet,
Behold the yonker dressed;
Bedizen`d o`er with ribbons,
A cross upon his breast.
Prime minister they made him,
He wore a star of state;
And all his poor relations
Were courtiers, rich and great.
The gentlemen and ladies
At court were sore distressed;
The queen and all her maidens
Were bitten by the pest,
And yet they dared not scratch them,
Or chase the fleas away.
If we are bit, we catch them,
And crack without delay.
Chorus (shouting)
If we are bit, &c.
Frosch
Bravo! That`s the song for me!
Siebel
Such be the fate of every flea!
Brander
With clever finger catch and kill!
Altmayer
Hurrah for wine and freedom still!
Mephistopheles
Were but your wine a trifle better, friend,
A glass to freedom I would gladly drain,
Siebel
You`d better not repeat those words again!
Mephistopheles
I am afraid the landlord to offend;
Else freely I would treat each worthy guest
From our own cellar to the very best.
Siebel
Out with it then! Your doings I`ll defend.
Frosch
Give a good glass, and straight we`ll praise you, one and all.
Only let not your samples be too small;
For if my judgment you desire,
Certes, an ample mouthful I require.
Altmayer (aside)
I guess they`re from the Rhenish land.
Mephistopheles
Fetch me a gimlet here!
Brander
Say, what therewith to bore?
You cannot have the wine - casks at the door?
Altmayer
Our landlord`s tool - basket behind doth yonder stand.
Mephistopheles (takes the gimlet)
(To Frosch)
Now only say! what liquor will you take?
Frosch
How mean you that? have you of every sort?
Mephistopheles
Each may his own selection make.
Altmayer (to Frosch)
Ha! Ha! You lick your lips already at the thought.
Frosch
Good, If I have my choice, the Rhenish I propose;
For still the fairest gifts the fatherland bestows.
Mephistopheles
(boring a hole in the edge of the table opposite to where Frosch is sitting)
Give me a little wax - and make some stoppers - quick!
Altmayer
Why, this is nothing but a juggler`s trick!
Mephistopheles (to Brander)
And you?
Brander
Champagne`s the wine for me;
Right brisk, and sparkling let it be!
(Mephistopheles bores; one of the party has in the meantime prepared the
wax - stoppers and stopped the holes.)
Brander
What foreign is one always can`t decline,
What`s good is often scatter`d far apart.
The French your genuine German hates with all his heart,
Yet has a relish for their wine.
Siebel
(as Mephistopheles approaches him)
I like not acid wine, I must allow,
Give ma a glass of genuine sweet!
Mephistopheles (bores)
Tokay
Shall, if you wish it, flow without delay.
Altmayer
Come! look me in the face! no fooling now!
You are but making fun of us, I trow.
Mephistopheles
Ah! ah! that would indeed be making free
With such distinguished guests. Come, no delay;
What liquor can I serve you with, I pray?
Altmayer
Only be quick, it matters not to me.
(After the holes are bored and stopped.)
Mephistopheles (with strange gestures)
Grapes the vine - stock bears,
Horns the buck - goat wears!
Wine is sap, the vine is wood,
The wooden board yields wine as good.
With a deeper glance and true
The mysteries of nature view!
Have faith and here`s a miracle!
Your stoppers draw and drink your fill!
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