Part 33

How findest thou the tender creatures?

FAUST

Absurder than I ever yet did see.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Why, just such talk as this, for me, Is that which has the most attractive features!

(To the Animals)

But tell me now, ye cursed puppets, Why do ye stir the porridge so?

THE ANIMALS

We’re cooking watery soup for beggars.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Then a great public you can show.

THE HE-APE

(comes up and fawns on MEPHISTOPHELES)

O cast thou the dice! Make me rich in a trice, Let me win in good season! Things are badly controlled, And had I but gold, So had I my reason.

MEPHISTOPHELES

How would the ape be sure his luck enhances. Could he but try the lottery’s chances!

(In the meantime the young apes have been playing with a large ball, which they now roll forward.)

THE HE-APE

The world’s the ball: Doth rise and fall, And roll incessant: Like glass doth ring, A hollow thing,— How soon will’t spring, And drop, quiescent? Here bright it gleams, Here brighter seems: I live at present! Dear son, I say, Keep thou away! Thy doom is spoken! ’Tis made of clay, And will be broken.

MEPHISTOPHELES

What means the sieve?

THE HE-APE (taking it down)

Wert thou the thief, I’d know him and shame him.

(He runs to the SHE-APE, and lets her look through it.)

Look through the sieve! Know’st thou the thief, And darest not name him?

MEPHISTOPHELES (approaching the fire)

And what’s this pot?

HE-APE AND SHE-APE