Part 28

SIEBEL

What means the knave! For this you'll dearly pay! Us, it appears, you do not know.

FROSCH

Such tricks a second time he'd better show!

ALTMAYER

Methinks 'twere well we pack'd him quietly away.

SIEBEL

What, sir! with us your hocus-pocus play!

MEPHISTOPHELES

Silence, old wine-cask!

SIEBEL

How! add insult, too! Vile broomstick!

BRANDER

Hold, or blows shall rain on you!

ALTMAYER

(draws a stopper out of the table; fire springs out against him) I burn! I burn!

SIEBEL

'Tis sorcery, I vow! Strike home! The fellow is fair game, I trow! (They draw their knives and attack MEPHISTOPHELES.)

MEPHISTOPHELES (with solemn gestures)

Visionary scenes appear! Words delusive cheat the ear! Be ye there, and be ye here! (They stand amazed and gaze at each other.)

ALTMAYER

Where am I? What a beauteous land!

FROSCH

Vineyards! unless my sight deceives?

SIEBEL

And clust'ring grapes too, close at hand!

BRANDER

And underneath the spreading leaves, What stems there be! What grapes I see! (He senses SIEBEL by the nose. The others reciprocally do the same, and raise their knives.)