Читать книгу The Greatest German Classics (Vol. 1-14) - Various - Страница 552

Poor lad! He must be tired, I trow;

He must not go disconsolate.

Hand me thy cap and gown; the mask

Is for my purpose quite first rate.

[He changes his dress.]

Now leave it to my wit! I ask

But quarter of an hour; meanwhile equip,

And make all ready for our pleasant trip!

[Exit FAUST.]

MEPHISTOPHELES (in FAUST'S long gown)

Mortal! the loftiest attributes of men,

Reason and Knowledge, only thus contemn;

Still let the Prince of lies, without control,

With shows, and mocking charms delude thy soul,

I have thee unconditionally then!—

Fate hath endow'd him with an ardent mind,

Which unrestrain'd still presses on forever,

And whose precipitate endeavor

Earth's joys o'erleaping, leaveth them behind.

Him will I drag through life's wild waste,

Through scenes of vapid dulness, where at last

Bewilder'd, he shall falter, and stick fast;

And, still to mock his greedy haste,

Viands and drink shall float his craving lips beyond—

Vainly he'll seek refreshment, anguish-tost,

And were he not the devil's by his bond,

Yet must his soul infallibly be lost!

A STUDENT enters.