grows clear again,
the heart that knows itself will brighten.
The voice of reason can be heard,
and hope begins to bloom again;
1200
we crave to hold within our grasp
the streams of life and ah, its sources!
Poodle, stop growling! that brutish snarl
is not in tune with the sacred sound
that now enthralls my soul.
I am used to men who mock and scorn
the things beyond their comprehension,
who mutter at the Good and Beautiful
because it is often too much trouble.
Will the dog snarl his displeasure like men?
1210
But ah! though I am full of good intention,
contentment flows no longer from my breast.
Why must this stream run dry so soon
and I be parched and thirsty once again?
I’ve had more than my share of it,
but I am able to relieve this want:
one learns to prize the supernatural,
one yearns for highest Revelation,
which nowhere burns more nobly and more bright
than here in my New Testament.
1220
I feel impelled to read this basic text
and to transpose the hallowed words,
with feeling and integrity,
into my own beloved German.
(
He opens a volume and begins
.)
It is written: “In the beginning was the Word!” 12
Even now I balk. Can no one help?
I truly cannot rate the word so high.
I must translate it otherwise.
I believe the Spirit has inspired me
and I must write: “In the beginning there was Mind.”
1230
Think thoroughly on this first line,
hold back your pen from undue haste!
Is it mind that stirs and makes all things?
The text should state: “In the beginning there was Power!”
Yet while I am about to write this down,
something warns me I will not adhere to this.
The Spirit’s on my side! The answer is at hand:
I write, assured, “In the beginning was the Deed.”
If you wish to share this cell with me,
poodle, stop your yowling;
1240
bark no more.
A nuisance such as you
I cannot suffer in my presence.
One of us must leave this room;
I now reluctantly suspend
the law of hospitality.
The door is open, you are free to go.
But what is this?
Is this a natural occurrence?
Is it shadow or reality?
1250
How broad and long my poodle waxes!
He rises up with mighty strength;
this is no dog’s anatomy!
What a specter did I bring into my house!
Now he’s very like a river horse
with glowing eyes and vicious teeth.
Oh! I am sure of you!
For such a half-satanic brood
the key of Solomon will do.
SPIRITS (
in the corridor
) . 13
Someone is caught within!
1260
Stay out, and no one follow!
Like the fox in a snare
The hell-lynx quakes.
But take good care!
Hover here, hover there,
Flit up and down,
And once he’s loose,
You may be of use,
Don’t leave him in the lurch.
Remember that to all of us
1270
He granted many favors.
FAUST.
First, to confront the brute
I must use the Spell of the Four.
Glow, Salamander
Undine, coil
Sylph, meander
Kobold, toil. 14
Whoever is ignorant
of the four elements,
of the strength they wield
1280
and of their quality,
cannot master
the band of the spirits.
Vanish in
the heart that knows itself will brighten.
The voice of reason can be heard,
and hope begins to bloom again;
1200
we crave to hold within our grasp
the streams of life and ah, its sources!
Poodle, stop growling! that brutish snarl
is not in tune with the sacred sound
that now enthralls my soul.
I am used to men who mock and scorn
the things beyond their comprehension,
who mutter at the Good and Beautiful
because it is often too much trouble.
Will the dog snarl his displeasure like men?
1210
But ah! though I am full of good intention,
contentment flows no longer from my breast.
Why must this stream run dry so soon
and I be parched and thirsty once again?
I’ve had more than my share of it,
but I am able to relieve this want:
one learns to prize the supernatural,
one yearns for highest Revelation,
which nowhere burns more nobly and more bright
than here in my New Testament.
1220
I feel impelled to read this basic text
and to transpose the hallowed words,
with feeling and integrity,
into my own beloved German.
(
He opens a volume and begins
.)
It is written: “In the beginning was the Word!” 12
Even now I balk. Can no one help?
I truly cannot rate the word so high.
I must translate it otherwise.
I believe the Spirit has inspired me
and I must write: “In the beginning there was Mind.”
1230
Think thoroughly on this first line,
hold back your pen from undue haste!
Is it mind that stirs and makes all things?
The text should state: “In the beginning there was Power!”
Yet while I am about to write this down,
something warns me I will not adhere to this.
The Spirit’s on my side! The answer is at hand:
I write, assured, “In the beginning was the Deed.”
If you wish to share this cell with me,
poodle, stop your yowling;
1240
bark no more.
A nuisance such as you
I cannot suffer in my presence.
One of us must leave this room;
I now reluctantly suspend
the law of hospitality.
The door is open, you are free to go.
But what is this?
Is this a natural occurrence?
Is it shadow or reality?
1250
How broad and long my poodle waxes!
He rises up with mighty strength;
this is no dog’s anatomy!
What a specter did I bring into my house!
Now he’s very like a river horse
with glowing eyes and vicious teeth.
Oh! I am sure of you!
For such a half-satanic brood
the key of Solomon will do.
SPIRITS (
in the corridor
) . 13
Someone is caught within!
1260
Stay out, and no one follow!
Like the fox in a snare
The hell-lynx quakes.
But take good care!
Hover here, hover there,
Flit up and down,
And once he’s loose,
You may be of use,
Don’t leave him in the lurch.
Remember that to all of us
1270
He granted many favors.
FAUST.
First, to confront the brute
I must use the Spell of the Four.
Glow, Salamander
Undine, coil
Sylph, meander
Kobold, toil. 14
Whoever is ignorant
of the four elements,
of the strength they wield
1280
and of their quality,
cannot master
the band of the spirits.
Vanish in
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