Part 13

MEPHISTOPHELES

And, to say truth, as yet with small success. Oppos'd to naught, this clumsy world, The something--it subsisteth still; Not yet is it to ruin hurl'd, Despite the efforts of my will. Tempests and earthquakes, fire and flood, I've tried; Yet land and ocean still unchang'd abide! And then of humankind and beasts, brood,-- Neither o'er them can I extend my sway. What countless myriads have I swept away! Yet ever circulates the fresh young blood. the accursed

It is enough to drive me to despair! As in the earth, in water, and in air, A thousand germs burst forth spontaneously; In moisture, drought, heat, cold, they still appear! Had I not flame selected as my sphere Nothing apart had been reserved for me.

FAUST

So thou with thy cold devil's fist Still clench'd in malice impotent Dost the creative power resist, The active, the beneficent! Henceforth some other task essay, Of Chaos thou the wondrous son!

MEPHISTOPHELES

We will consider what you say, And talk about it more anon! For this time have I leave to go?

FAUST

Why thou shouldst ask, I cannot see. Since thee I now have learned to know, At thy good pleasure, visit me. Here is the window, here the door, The chimney, too, may serve thy need.

MEPHISTOPHELES

I must confess, my stepping o'er Thy threshold a slight hindrance doth impede; The wizard-foot doth me retain.

FAUST

The pentagram thy peace doth mar? To me, thou son of hell, explain, How earnest thou in, if this thine exit bar? Could such a spirit aught ensnare?

MEPHISTOPHELES

Observe it well, it is not drawn with care, One of the angles, that which points without, Is, as thou seest, not quite closed.

FAUST

Chance hath the matter happily dispos'd! So thou my captive art? No doubt! By accident thou thus art caught!

MEPHISTOPHELES

In sprang the dog, indeed, observing naught; Things now assume another shape, The devil's in the house and can't escape.

FAUST

Why through the window not withdraw?

MEPHISTOPHELES

For ghosts and f or the devil 'tis a law. Where they stole in, there they must forth. We're free The first to choose; as to the second, slaves are we.

FAUST

E'en hell hath its peculiar laws, I see! I'm glad of that! a pact may then be made, The which you gentlemen will surely keep?

MEPHISTOPHELES

What e'er therein is promised thou shalt reap, No tittle shall remain unpaid. But such arrangements time require; We'll speak of them when next we meet; Most earnestly I now entreat, This once permission to retire.

FAUST