SCENE III.
Mephistopheles and the preceding.
Mep. (appearing suddenly among the students and interrupting Wagner). Good sir!
Wag. What!
Mep. If it so please ye I should wish To mingle with ye a short time. If your good friend will kindly end his song, I'll tell ye a few things well worth the hearing.
Wag. One will suffice, but let that one be good.
Mep. My utmost I will do Your worships not to bore.
I. Calf of Gold! aye in all the world To your mightiness they proffer, Incense at your fane they offer From end to end of all the world. And in honor of the idol Kings and peoples everywhere To the sound of jingling coins Dance with zeal in festive circle, Round about the pedestal. Satan, he conducts the ball.
II. Calf of Gold, strongest god below! To his temple overflowing Crowds before his vile shape bowing, The monster dares insult the skies. With contempt he views around him All the vaunted human race, As they strive in abject toil, As with souls debased they circle Round about the pedestal. Satan, he conducts the ball.
All. Satan, he conducts the ball.
Cho. A strange story this of thine.
Val. (aside). And stranger still is he who sings it.
Wag. (offering a cup to Mephistopheles). Will you honor us by partaking of wine?
Mep. With pleasure. Ah! (Taking Wagner by the hand, and scrutinizing his palm.) Behold what saddens me to view. See you this line?
Wag. Well!
Mep. A sudden death it presages,— You will be killed in mounting to th' assault!
Sie. You are then a sorcerer!
Mep. Even so. And your own hand shows plainly To what fate condemns. What flower you would gather Shall wither in the grasp.
Sie. I?
Mep. No more bouquets for Marguerite.
Val. My sister! How knew you her name?
Mep. Take care, my brave fellow! Some one I know is destined to kill you. (Taking the cup.) Your health, gentlemen! Pah! What miserable wine! Allow me to offer you some from my cellar?
(Jumps on the table, and strikes on a little cask, surmounted by the effigy of the god Bacchus, which serves as a sign to the Inn.)
What ho! thou god of wine, now give us drink! (Wine gushes forth from cask, and Mephistopheles fills his goblet.) Approach, my friends! Each one shall be served to his liking. To your health, now and hereafter! To Marguerite!
Val. Enough! If I do not silence him, And that instantly, I will die.
(The wine bursts into flame.)
Wag. Hola!
Cho. Hola!
(They draw their swords.)
Mep. Ah, ha! Why do you tremble so, you who menace me?
(He draws a circle around him with his sword. Valentine attacks; his sword is broken.)
Val. My sword, O amazement! Is broken asunder.
All (forcing Mephistopheles to retire by holding toward him the cross-shaped handles of their swords). Gainst the powers of evil our arms assailing, Strongest earthly might is unavailing. But thou canst not charm us, Look hither! While this blest sign we wear Thou canst not harm us.
(Exeunt.)