FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   268   269   270   271   272   273   274   275   276   277   278   279   280   281   282   283   284   285   286   287   288   289   290   291   292  
293   294   295   296   297   298   299   300   301   302   303   304   305   306   307   308   >>  
airs are rocking, walls are shaking: Through the windows' quivering sheen, Are the stormful lightnings seen; Springs the ceiling,--thence, below, Lime and mortar rattling flow: And, though bolted fast, the door Is undone by magic power! There, in Faust's old fleece bedight, Stands a giant,--dreadful sight! At his glance, his beck, at me! I could sink upon my knee. Shall I fly, or shall I stay? What will be my fate today? MEPHISTOPHELES Come hither, friend!--Your name is Nicodemus? FAMULUS Most honor'd Sir, such is my name.--Oremus! MEPHISTOPHELES That we'll omit! FAMULUS O joy, me you do not forget. MEPHISTOPHELES I know it well: old, and a student yet; My mossy friend, even a learned man Still studies on, because naught else he can: Thus a card-house each builds of medium height; The greatest spirit fails to build it quite. Your master, though, that title well may claim-- The noble Doctor Wagner, known to fame, First in the learned world! 'Tis he, they say, Who holds that world together; every day Of wisdom he augments the store! Who crave omniscience, evermore In crowds upon his teaching wait; He from the rostrum shines alone; The keys doth like Saint Peter own, And doth of Hell and Heaven ope the gate; As before all he glows and sparkles, No fame, no glory but grows dim, Even the name of Faustus darkles! Inventor there is none like him. FAMULUS Pardon, most honor'd Sir, excuse me, pray-- If I presume your utterance to gainsay-- This bears not on the question any way; A modest mind is his allotted share. The disappearance, unexplained as yet, Of the great man, his mind doth sorely fret; Comfort from his return and health are still his prayer. The chamber, as in Doctor Faustus' day, Maintains, untouched, its former state, And for its ancient lord doth wait. Venture therein I scarcely may. What now the aspect of the stars?-- Awe-struck the very walls appear; The door-posts quivered, sprang the bars-- Else you yourself could not have entered here. MEPHISTOPHELES Where then bestowed himself hath he? Lead me to him! bring him to me! FAMULUS Alas! Too strict his prohibition, Scarce dare I, without his permission. Months, on his mighty work intent, Hath he, in strict seclusion spent. Most dainty 'mong your men of books, Like charcoal-burner now he looks, With face begrimed from ear to nose; His eyes are blear'd while fire he blows; Thus fo
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   268   269   270   271   272   273   274   275   276   277   278   279   280   281   282   283   284   285   286   287   288   289   290   291   292  
293   294   295   296   297   298   299   300   301   302   303   304   305   306   307   308   >>  



Top keywords:

MEPHISTOPHELES

 

FAMULUS

 

friend

 
Doctor
 
learned
 

Faustus

 

strict

 
Comfort
 

unexplained

 

excuse


sorely

 

return

 

prayer

 
darkles
 

health

 

sparkles

 

Pardon

 
question
 

utterance

 
gainsay

chamber

 
Inventor
 

modest

 

presume

 
allotted
 

disappearance

 

aspect

 

seclusion

 

intent

 

dainty


mighty

 

Scarce

 

prohibition

 

Months

 
permission
 

burner

 
charcoal
 
begrimed
 
scarcely
 

struck


Venture

 

untouched

 

ancient

 
quivered
 

bestowed

 

sprang

 

entered

 
Maintains
 

glance

 
Stands