[The WITCH, with many ceremonies, pours the drink into a cup;
as she puts it to FAUST'S lips, there rises a light flame.]
Mephistopheles. Down with it! Gulp it down! 'Twill prove
All that thy heart's wild wants desire.
Thou, with the devil, hand and glove,[25]
And yet wilt be afraid of fire?
[The WITCH breaks the circle; FAUST steps out.]
Mephistopheles. Now briskly forth! No rest for thee!
The witch. Much comfort may the drink afford you!
Mephistopheles [to the witch]. And any favor you may ask of me, I'll gladly on Walpurgis' night accord you.
The witch. Here is a song, which if you sometimes sing, 'Twill stir up in your heart a special fire.
Mephistopheles [to Faust]. Only make haste; and even shouldst thou tire,
Still follow me; one must perspire,
That it may set his nerves all quivering.
I'll teach thee by and bye to prize a noble leisure,
And soon, too, shalt thou feel with hearty pleasure,
How busy Cupid stirs, and shakes his nimble wing.
Faust. But first one look in yonder glass, I pray thee! Such beauty I no more may find!
Mephistopheles. Nay! in the flesh thine eyes shall soon display thee
The model of all woman-kind.
[Softly.]
Soon will, when once this drink shall heat thee,
In every girl a Helen meet thee!