Mephistopheles. Which way it pleases thee.
The little world and then the great we see.
O with what gain, as well as pleasure,
Wilt thou the rollicking cursus measure!
Faust. I fear the easy life and free
With my long beard will scarce agree.
'Tis vain for me to think of succeeding,
I never could learn what is called good-breeding.
In the presence of others I feel so small;
I never can be at my ease at all.
Mephistopheles. Dear friend, vain trouble to yourself you're giving; Whence once you trust yourself, you know the art of living.
Faust. But how are we to start, I pray? Where are thy servants, coach and horses?
Mephistopheles. We spread the mantle, and away
It bears us on our airy courses.
But, on this bold excursion, thou
Must take no great portmanteau now.
A little oxygen, which I will soon make ready,
From earth uplifts us, quick and steady.
And if we're light, we'll soon surmount the sphere;
I give thee hearty joy in this thy new career.
AUERBACH'S CELLAR IN LEIPSIC.[20]
Carousal of Jolly Companions.
Frosch.[21] Will nobody drink? Stop those grimaces!
I'll teach you how to be cutting your faces!
Laugh out! You're like wet straw to-day,
And blaze, at other times, like dry hay.
Brander. 'Tis all your fault; no food for fun you bring, Not a nonsensical nor nasty thing.
Frosch [dashes a glass of wine over his bead]. There you have both!