Part 67

These that I'm hitting off to-day Are sketches unpretending; Towards Italy without delay, My steps I think of bending.

PURIST

Alas! ill-fortune leads me here, Where riot still grows louder; And 'mong the witches gather'd here But two alone wear powder!

YOUNG WITCH

Your powder and your petticoat, Suit hags, there's no gainsaying; Hence I sit fearless on my goat, My naked charms displaying.

MATRON

We're too well-bred to squabble here, Or insult back to render; But may you wither soon, my dear, Although so young and tender.

LEADER OF THE BAND

Nose of fly and gnat's proboscis, Throng not the naked beauty! Frogs and crickets in the mosses, Keep time and do your duty!

WEATHERCOCK (towards one side)

What charming company I view Together here collected! Gay bachelors, a hopeful crew. And brides so unaffected!

WEATHERCOCK (towards the other side)

Unless indeed the yawning ground Should open to receive them, From this vile crew, with sudden bound, To Hell I'd jump and leave them.

XENIEN

With small sharp shears, in insect guise Behold us at your revel! That we may tender, filial-wise, Our homage to the devil.

HENNINGS

Look now at yonder eager crew, How naively they're jesting! That they have tender hearts and true, They stoutly keep protesting!

MUSAGET

Oneself amid this witchery How pleasantly one loses; For witches easier are to me To govern than the Muses!

CI-DEVANT GENIUS OF THE AGE

With proper folks when we appear, No one can then surpass us! Keep close, wide is the Blocksberg here As Germany's Parnassus.

INQUISITIVE TRAVELLER

How name ye that stiff formal man, Who strides with lofty paces? He tracks the game where'er he can, "He scents the Jesuits' traces."

CRANE

Where waters troubled are or clear, To fish I am delighted; Thus pious gentlemen appear With devils here united.

WORLDLING

By pious people, it is true, No medium is rejected; Conventicles, and not a few, On Blocksberg are erected.

DANCER