New Year.
So let us celebrate now and here
With rah, rah, rah and a bottle of beer!

CURTAIN

THE FIFTH ACT

_The scene is once more Faust's library. The dim slanting sunlight of
late afternoon streams through the open windows, touching the gold of
books and the brown of furniture with an enamel-like brilliancy.

Brander and Faust's butler stand just inside the door._

BUTLER

I am afraid you cannot see him now.
The doctor is still here. I do not know
If anyone may see him.

BRANDER

I will wait
A moment, and perhaps may see the doctor
As he goes out. Have things been bad to-day?

BUTLER

Yes, sir.

[_The doctor enters from the door on the left. The
butler goes out._

BRANDER

How is he?

DOCTOR

As one might expect.
The fever's gone; but strength has gone with it:
No one can tell how long his heart will stand
The strain.

BRANDER

You see no hope?

DOCTOR

I only see
That we are doing all we can for him.
Beyond that, I can say no more than you.

BRANDER

You think I should not see him?

DOCTOR

Oh, no harm.
You might have seen him when you came this morning
If you had waited. You can see him here.
He wanted to be in this room again,
And I make no objection. Well, good-bye.

[_The doctor goes out. Brander moves restlessly
about the room. A moment later, the door on the
left opens, and Faust, reclining in an invalid's
chair, is wheeled into the room by the butler. He
is clad in a long dressing-gown; he is very pale.
The butler, after placing the chair before the
fireplace, goes out. Brander remains doubtfully in
the background; Faust does not observe his
presence._

FAUST

Again these walls!--home to what barren dreams!--
And home to me! O dreams and bitterness,
How are you gilded by this setting light
Of afternoon! Meseems I have not been
Happy save here, where all unhappiness
Of mine had source and root. That forest holds
Now nothing grievous to my eyes that see
What once they saw not. Sweetness like the light
Of setting suns now lingers over it
In my enchambering memory-- Life, life
With all its glow and wonder pours a flood
On this strait room whence I have watched the world--
Whence I must go with all my love and wonde