Part 25

SIEBEL

Who are the strangers, should you guess?

FROSCH

Let me alone! I’ll set them first to drinking, And then, as one a child’s tooth draws, with cleverness, I’ll worm their secret out, I’m thinking. They’re of a noble house, that’s very clear: Haughty and discontented they appear.

BRANDER

They’re mountebanks, upon a revel.

ALTMAYER

Perhaps.

FROSCH

Look out, I’ll smoke them now!

MEPHISTOPHELES (to FAUST)

Not if he had them by the neck, I vow, Would e’er these people scent the Devil!

FAUST Fair greeting, gentlemen!

SIEBEL

Our thanks: we give the same. (Murmurs, inspecting MEPHISTOPHELES from the side.) In one foot is the fellow lame?

MEPHISTOPHELES

Is it permitted that we share your leisure? In place of cheering drink, which one seeks vainly here, Your company shall give us pleasure.

ALTMAYER

A most fastidious person you appear.

FROSCH

No doubt ’twas late when you from Rippach started? And supping there with Hans occasioned your delay?

MEPHISTOPHELES

We passed, without a call, to-day. At our last interview, before we parted Much of his cousins did he speak, entreating That we should give to each his kindly greeting.

(He bows to FROSCH.)

ALTMAYER (aside)

You have it now! he understands.

SIEBEL

A knave sharp-set!