Yet write as earnestly the while
As if the Holy Ghost dictated!

Scholar. I shall not need your bidding twice, I judge how useful your advice;

What we in white and black can lay

We can securely bear away.

Meph. Yet choose you out a faculty!

Scholar. The Law will never suit with me!
Meph. I cannot blame you-for I know

All to this science link'd and wed;
Both laws and rights descending go,
Like a disease inherited.

They drag along from race to race,
They slowly shift from place to place;
Reason to nonsense turn'd we see,
Well-doing to a curse is worn;
And, 'neath the law,-'tis woe to thee
If thou hast been a grandson born!
But of the law born with us-of the heart-
Of this, alas! no question e'er is sought!
Scholar. You add to my aversion ;-lucky part
Is his who by your wisdom may be taught !
I almost think that I would be

A student of Theology.

Meph. I should not wish to lead you wrong; In all this study it is hard

Your steps from the false way to guard,
While to it there doth still belong

So much of hidden poison too, which we
Scarce from its antidote can tell or see.
In this too, it is best to hear

But one-and by his words to swear;
Upon the whole-fast by the word abide,

And safely through the porch 'twill be your guide,
Into the temple of calm Certainty.

Scholar. But still some meaning with the word must be. Meph. 'Tis true! but one need never care to spend

Too much anxiety or toil on this;

For, just where meaning fails, the word will lend

Its aid in time that cannot come amiss.
With words we safely may dispute,
On words we can a system lay;

With our belief, words nicely suit,

And from a word can nought be took away.
Scholar. You with my questions I detain,
But pray excuse me I would yet
Hear you on Medicine's art explain,
And words of guidance for me set.
Three years are but a shorten'd tide,
And, ah! the field is very wide;
When but a single hint is known

One then can better feel one's way.

Meph. (aside). I'm tired of this pedantic tone,
And must again the downright devil play.

[Aloud.]

The spirit of Med'cine soon is master'd ;—through
The great and little world you search your way,
And then let all things, at the last, pursue

Their course, just as it pleases God they may.
In vain you rove through such a space
With Science for your guide or plan;

Each one you meet will only trace

And learn the parts he easiest can. Who can the passing moment take And of it all advantage make,

Him you will find the proper man. You're fairly built, and seem beside As if you had some boldness too; If you but in yourself confide,

Then other souls will trust in you. But above all, learn how to treat

The women-for their "Ah's" and "Oh's "

So multiform, you soon may meet;

For from one point their healing flows.

Be you but passably demure,

Command o'er all you 'll soon secure ;
A title first must be possest,

In you a confidence to breed:
Superior knowledge 'twill attest,
And show your heart doth all exceed.
Those little favours then at once you gain,
For which another coaxes years in vain.
Adroitly learn their pulse to feel-

And boldly round the slender waist
Your arm, with knowing glances, steal,
To try how tightly it is laced!

Scholar. There 's sense in that-one seeth there,

At any rate, the how and where !

Meph. All theory, my friend, is grey ;

But green is life's bright, golden tree!
Scholar. And yet, in truth, I needs must say,
All this appears a dream to me !

Dare I another time your wisdom task,
And on these grounds once more to hear you, ask?
Meph. What I can give shall willingly be thine!
Scholar. But thus I really cannot from you go;
This blank-leaved volume I have here is mine;
This token of your favour will you show?

Meph. Most willingly

[He takes the book, writes, and returns it. Scholar (reads)." Eritis sicut Deus, scientes bonum et malum."

[He shuts the book reverentially, and takes his leave. Meph. Ay! only trust to that old text, and take The council of my ancient friend, the Snake, And soon will come a time when you shall see Good cause for grief, though "like to God" you be. Faust (enters). Where now, then? Meph.

Where it pleases thee;

The great and little world we'll see,

And with what joy and pleasure you

The boundless course will revel through!

Faust. But with this beard-too well I know

Life's light and easy art I need ;

One with the world I ne'er could grow,-
The experiment will not succeed.
When I in others' presence stand,

I feel myself so mean, so small,
That now I know on every hand
Embarrassments will on me fall.

Meph. All this, my friend, will time provide,

And of itself, itself will give ;

Soon as you in yourself confide,

You know the way to live!

Faust. How do we set upon our road?
Where is our carriage, servant, horse?
Meph. This mantle we but spread abroad,
And through the air 'twill speed our course.

For our bold journey you will take
Your baggage small, compact in girth;
Some vapour I will ready make

Shall lift us lightly from the earth.

Swift shall we mount if we are light of weight;
You, on your novel life, let me congratulate.

[Exeunt.

SCENE.-AUERBACH'S CELLAR, LEIPSIC.

A company of jovial fellows drinking.

FROSCH, BRAnder, Altmaier, Siebel.

Frosch. Will no one drink? none laughter wake? I'll teach you then some mouths to make;

You all seem like damp straw to-day,

Yet light enough can blaze away,

At other times ;

Bran.

The fault is thine,

You give not to our mirthfulness

Buffoonery nor beastliness.

Frosch. There, then, are both

Bran.

[Throws a glass of wine over BRANDER's head. You double swine!

Frosch. You wish'd yourself it should be so!

Siebel. Who quarrels to the door shall go !

With open heart strike up the round!
Swill, shout, till all the roofs resound!
Up, holla! Ho!

He splits my head—some cotton here!

Siebel. 'Tis only when the echoes burst,

Rolling from arch to arch along,

That to our ears is token'd first

The power of bass amid the song !

Frosch. Right! hence with him who takes amiss
Aught here! A tara, lara, da!