Faust Part 22
Ah! I perceive a jugglers trick.
MEPHISTOPHELES (to BRANDER)
And you?
BRANDER
Champagne shall be my wine, And let it sparkle fresh and fine!
MEPHISTOPHELES
(bores: in the meantime one has made the wax stoppers, and plugged the holes with them.)
BRANDER
Whats foreign one cant always keep quite clear of, For good things, oft, are not so near; A German cant endure the French to see or hear of, Yet drinks their wines with hearty cheer.
SIEBEL
(as MEPHISTOPHELES approaches his seat) For me, I grant, sour wine is out of place; Fill up my gla.s.s with sweetest, will you?
MEPHISTOPHELES (boring)
Tokay shall flow at once, to fill you!
ALTMAYER
No-look me, Sirs, straight in the face!
I see you have your fun at our expense.
MEPHISTOPHELES
O no! with gentlemen of such pretence, That were to venture far, indeed.
Speak out, and make your choice with speed! With what a vintage can I serve you?
ALTMAYER
With any-only satisfy our need.
(After the holes have been bored and plugged)
MEPHISTOPHELES (with singular gestures)
Grapes the vine-stem bears, Horns the he-goat wears!
The grapes are juicy, the vines are wood, The wooden table gives wine as good!
Into the depths of Nature peer,- Only believe theres a miracle here!
Now draw the stoppers, and drink your fill!
ALL
(as they draw out the stoppers, and the wine which has been desired flows into the gla.s.s of each)
O beautiful fountain, that flows at will!
MEPHISTOPHELES
But have a care that you nothing spill!
(They drink repeatedly.)
ALL (sing)
As twere five hundred hogs, we feel So cannibalic jolly!
MEPHISTOPHELES
See, now, the race is happy-it is free!
FAUST
To leave them is my inclination.
MEPHISTOPHELES
Take notice, first! their b.e.s.t.i.a.lity Will make a brilliant demonstration.
SIEBEL
(drinks carelessly: the wine spills upon the earth, and turns to flame)
Help! Fire! Help! h.e.l.l-fire is sent!
MEPHISTOPHELES (charming away the flame)
Be quiet, friendly element!
(To the revellers)
A bit of purgatory twas for this time, merely.
SIEBEL
What mean you? Wait!-youll pay fort dearly!
Youll know us, to your detriment.
FROSCH
Dont try that game a second time upon us!