FAUST
Though dying, I am master. But you still
Are jester, even at death-beds—knowing well
I have no power to slay you. You retreat
But perish not; the sphere of your domain
Contracts, but it endures immortally.
Have done with jesting: look me in the eyes!
Acknowledge me, and all high heritors
Who shall succeed me, your eternal foe,
Your eternal victor in half-victories—
But never your destroyer to the last.
SATAN
I thank all prophets for their prophecy!
But I shall still remain?...
FAUST
You shall remain....
SATAN
I shall remain!...
[Faust and Satan sit silent, watching each other
steadily. Faust closes his eyes, then suddenly raises
himself in his chair.
FAUST
Ah, what a ghastly dream!
Ghastly, for all its cold and lofty state.
Nay, what have I to do with yearning thoughts
Of immortality? I am young with life!
I shall not die! Hope and the eager years
Of labor rise before me as I press
Clear of these shadows. I have dreamed dark dreams—
One very dark of late—but now my blood
Resurges in a not less passionate fire
Than when, less wise, I stretched my hands to life,
And all my hopes were winged. But that is past;
And dreams are past: the day of deed is come.
Aye, in the cities, on the hills of the world,
I shall uplift the banner of high wars—
I shall make mock of this strange dizziness—
I shall live—and Death retreats from me afraid!