Faust [part 1]. Translated Into English in the Original Metres · Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
MEPHISTOPHELES
Thou shouldst not find it so annoying, Without return to be enjoying. Now, while the sky leads forth its starry throng, Thou’lt hear a masterpiece, no work completer: I’ll sing her, first, a moral song, The surer, afterwards, to cheat her. (_Sings to the cither_.) What dost thou here In daybreak clear, Kathrina dear, Before thy lover’s door? Beware! the blade Lets in a maid. That out a maid Departeth nevermore! The coaxing shun Of such an one! When once ’tis done Good-night to thee, poor thing! Love’s time is brief: Unto no thief Be warm and lief, But with the wedding-ring! VALENTINE (_comes forward_) Whom wilt thou lure? God’s-element! Rat-catching piper, thou!—perdition! To the Devil, first, the instrument! To the Devil, then, the curst musician! The cither’s smashed! For nothing more ’tis fitting. There’s yet a skull I must be splitting! MEPHISTOPHELES (_to_ FAUST) Sir Doctor, don’t retreat, I pray! Stand by: I’ll lead, if you’ll but tarry: Out with your spit, without delay! You’ve but to lunge, and I will parry. Then parry that! Why not? ’tis light. VALENTINE That, too! Of course. I think the Devil must fight! How is it, then? my hand’s already lame: MEPHISTOPHELES (_to_ FAUST) Thrust home! VALENTINE (_jails_) O God! Now is the lubber tame! But come, away! ’Tis time for us to fly; For there arises now a murderous cry. With the police ’twere easy to compound it, But here the penal court will sift and sound it.
Text from Project Gutenberg, public domain in the United States.