MEPHISTOPHELES
My friend, thou soon shalt lose all such misgiving:
Be thou but self-possessed, thou hast the art of living!
FAUST
How shall we leave the house, and start?
Where hast thou servant, coach and horses?
MEPHISTOPHELES
We'll spread this cloak with proper art,
Then through the air direct our courses.
But only, on so bold a flight,
Be sure to have thy luggage light.
A little burning air, which I shall soon prepare us,
Above the earth will nimbly bear us,
And, if we're light, we'll travel swift and clear:
I gratulate thee on thy new career!
[Illustration]
V
AUERBACH'S CELLAR IN LEIPZIG
CAROUSAL OF JOLLY COMPANIONS
FROSCH
I no one laughing? no one drinking?
I'll teach you how to grin, I'm thinking.
To-day you're like wet straw, so tame;
And usually you're all aflame.
BRANDER
Now that's your fault; from you we nothing see,
No beastliness and no stupidity.
FROSCH
(_Pours a glass of wine over_ BRANDER'S _head_.)
There's both together!
BRANDER
Twice a swine!
FROSCH
You wanted them: I've given you mine.
SIEBEL
Turn out who quarrels--out the door!
With open throat sing chorus, drink and roar!
Up! holla! ho!
ALTMAYER
Woe's me, the fearful bellow!
Bring cotton, quick! He's split my ears, that fellow.
SIEBEL
When the vault echoes to the song,
One first perceives the bass is deep and strong.
FROSCH
Well said! and out with him that takes the least offence!
_Ah, tara, lara da_!
ALTMAYER
_Ah, tara, lara, da_!
FROSCH
The throats are tuned, commence!
(_Sings_.)
_The dear old holy Roman realm,
How does it hold together_?
BRANDER
A nasty song! Fie! a political song--
A most offensive song! Thank God, each morning, therefore,
That you have not the Roman realm to care for!
At least, I hold it so much gain for me,
That I nor Chancellor nor Kaiser be.
Yet also we must have a ruling head, I hope,
And so we'll choose ourselves a Pope.
You know the quality that can
Decide the choice, and elevate the man.
FROSCH (_sings_)
_Soar up, soar up, Dame Nightingale!
Ten thousand times my sweetheart hail!_
SIEBEL
No, greet my sweetheart not! I tell you, I'll resent it.
FROSCH
My sweetheart greet and kiss! I dare you to prevent it!
(_Sings_.)
_Draw the latch! the darkness makes:
Draw the latch! the lover wakes.
Shut the latch! the morning breaks_.
SIEBEL
Yes, sing away, sing on, an
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