SCENE I.
Faust's Study.
(Night. Faust discovered, alone. He is seated at a table covered with books and parchments; an open book lies before him. His lamp is flickering in the socket.)
Faust. No! In vain hath my soul aspired, with ardent longing, All to know,—all in earth and heaven. No light illumines the visions, ever thronging My brain; no peace is given, And I linger, thus sad and weary, Without power to sunder the chain Binding my soul to life always dreary. Nought do I see! Nought do I know!
(He closes the book and rises. Day begins to dawn.)
Again 'tis light! On its westward course flying, The somber night vanishes.
(Despairingly.)
Again the light of a new day! O death! when will thy dusky wings Above me hover and give me—rest?
(Seizing a flask on the table.)
Well, then! Since death thus evades me, Why should I not go in search of him? Hail, my final day, all hail! No fears my heart assail; On earth my days I number; For this draught immortal slumber Will secure me, and care dispel!
(Pours liquid from the flask into a crystal goblet. Just as he is about to raise it to his lips, the following chorus is heard, without.)
Cho. of Maidens. Why thy eyes so lustrous Hidest thou from sight? Bright Sol now is scatt'ring Beams of golden light; The nightingale is warbling Its carol of love; Rosy tints of morning Now gleam from above; Flow'rs unfold their beauty To the scented gale; Nature all awakens— Of love tells its tale.
Faust. Hence, empty sounds of human joys Flee far from me. O goblet, which my ancestors So many times have filled, Why tremblest thou in my grasp?
(Again raising the goblet to his lips.)
Cho. of Laborers (without). The morn into the fields doth summon us, The swallow hastes away! Why tarry, then? To labor let's away! to work let's on, The sky is bright, the earth is fair, Our tribute, then, let's pay to heav'n.
Cho. of Maidens and Laborers. Praises to God!
Faust. God! God!
(He sinks into a chair.) But this God, what will he do for me? (Rising.) Will he return to me youth, love, and faith? (With rage.) Cursed be all of man's vile race! Cursed be the chains which bind him in his place! Cursed be visions false, deceiving! Cursed the folly of believing! Cursed be dreams of love or hate! Cursed be souls with joy elate. Cursed be science, prayer, and faith! Cursed my fate in life and death! Infernal king, arise!