Faust. The circle narrows, he is near!
Wagner. Thou seest! a dog we have, no spectre, here! He growls and stops, crawls on his belly, too, And wags his tail,—as all dogs do.
Faust. Come here, sir! come, our comrade be!
Wagner. He has a poodle's drollery.
Stand still, and he, too, waits to see;
Speak to him, and he jumps on thee;
Lose something, drop thy cane or sling it
Into the stream, he'll run and bring it.
Faust. I think you're right; I trace no spirit here, 'Tis all the fruit of training, that is clear.
Wagner. A well-trained dog is a great treasure,
Wise men in such will oft take pleasure.
And he deserves your favor and a collar,
He, of the students the accomplished scholar.
[They go in through the town gate.]
STUDY-CHAMBER.
Enter FAUST with the POODLE.
I leave behind me field and meadow
Veiled in the dusk of holy night,
Whose ominous and awful shadow
Awakes the better soul to light.
To sleep are lulled the wild desires,
The hand of passion lies at rest;
The love of man the bosom fires,
The love of God stirs up the breast.