lock at once.

She will then not let it go, and works on, because she cannot help it.

You know, upon our German stage, every one tries what he likes. Therefore spare me neither scenery nor machinery upon this day. Use the greater and the lesser light of heaven; you are free to squander the stars; there is no want of water, fire, rocks, beasts, and birds. So tread, in this narrow booth, the whole circle of creation; and travel, with considerate speed, from Heaven, through the World, to Hell.

FAUST.

PROLOGUE IN HEAVEN.

THE LORD THE HEAVENLY HOSTS. Afterwards
MEPHISTOPHELES.

The Three Archangels come forward.

Raphael. The sun chimes in, as ever, with the emulous music of his brother spheres, and performs his prescribed journey with thunder-speed. His aspect gives strength to the angels, though none can fathom him. Thy inconceivably sublime works are glorious as on the first day.

Gabriel. And rapid, inconceivably rapid, the pomp of the earth revolves; the brightness of paradise alternates with deep, fearful night. The sea foams up in broad waves at the deep base of the rocks; and rock and sea are whirled on in the ever rapid course of the spheres.

Michael. And storms are roaring as if in rivalry, from sea to land, from land to sea, and form all around a chain of the deepest ferment in their rage. There, flashing desolation flares before the path of the thunder-clap. But thy messengers, Lord, respect the mild going of thy day.

The Three. Thy aspect gives strength to the angels, though none can fathom thee, and all thy sublime works are glorious as on the first day.

Mephistopheles. Since, Lord, you approach once again, and inquire how things are going on with us, and on other occasions were generally not displeased to see me therefore is it that you see me also among your suite. Excuse me, I cannot talk fine, not though the whole circle should cry scorn on me. My pathos would certainly make you laugh, had you not left off laughing. I have nothing to say about suns and worlds; I only mark how men are plaguing themselves. The little god of the world continues ever of the same stamp, and is as odd as on the first day. He would lead a somewhat better life of it, had you not given him a glimmering of heaven's light. He calls it reason, and uses it only to be more brutal than every other brute. He seems to me, with your Grace's leave, like one of the long-legged grasshoppers, which is ever flying, and bounding as it flies, and then sings its old song in the grass;—and would that he did but lie always in the grass ! He thrusts his nose into every puddle.

The Lord. Have you nothing else to say to me? Are you always coming for no other purpose than to complain? Is nothing ever to your liking upon

earth?

Mephistopheles. No, Lord! I find things there, as ever, miserably bad. Men, in their days of wretchedness, move my pity; even I myself have not the heart to torment the poor things.

The Lord. Do you know Faust?
Mephistopheles. The Doctor?

The Lord. My servant?

Mephistopheles. Verily he serves you after a

fashion of his own. not of earth. the far away. He himself is half conscious of his madness. Of heaven-he demands its brightest stars; and of earth-its every highest enjoyment; and all the near, and all the far, contents not his deeply-agitated breast.

The fool's meat and drink are The ferment impels him towards

The Lord. Although he does but serve me in perplexity now, I shall soon lead him into light. When the tree buds, the gardener knows that blossom and fruit will deck the coming years.

Mephistopheles. What will you wager? you shall lose him yet, if you give me leave to guide him quietly my own way.

The Lord. So long as he lives upon the earth, so long be it not forbidden to thee. Man is liable to error, whilst his struggle lasts.

Mephistopheles. I am much obliged to you for that; for I have never had any fancy for the dead. I like plump, fresh cheeks the best. I am not at home to a corpse. I am like the cat with the mouse.

The Lord. Enough, it is permitted thee. Divert this spirit from his original source, and bear him, if thou canst seize him, down on thy own path with thee. And stand abashed, when thou art compelled to own a good man, in his dark strivings, may still be conscious of the right way.

Mephistopheles. Well, well,-only it will not last long. I am not at all in pain for my wager. Should I succeed, excuse my triumphing with my whole soul. Dust shall he eat, and with a relish, like my cousin, the renowned snake.

The Lord. There also you are free to act as you like. I have never hated the like of you. Of all the spirits that deny, the scoffer is the least offensive to

me.

Man's activity is all too prone to slumber : he soon gets fond of unconditional repose; I am therefore glad to give him a companion, who stirs and works, and must, as devil, be doing. But ye, the true children of heaven, rejoice in the living profusion of beauty. The creative essence, which works and lives through all time, embrace you within the happy bounds of love; and what hovers in changeful seeming, do ye fix firm with everlasting thoughts.

[Heaven closes, the Archangels disperse. Mephistopheles (alone). I like to see the Ancient One occasionally, and take care not to break with him. It is really civil in so great a Lord, to speak so kindly with the Devil himself.