“Faust” – Act 2

ACT TWO

Scene One

An Easter fair (One of the town gates, on the left an inn with the sign of Bacchus sitting astride a barrel. Burghers, students and soldiers are enjoying themselves.) First Students Wine or beer, beer or wine, may my glass ever be full! Unashamedly, glass after glass, a drunkard drinks everything! Wagner Youthful addict of the barrel, nought but water must be barred from it! May your glory, your heart’s desire be to drink now and forever! First Students Youthful addict, etc. (They toast and drink.) Soldiers Girls or fortresses,

it’s all one, by God! Old citadels and young mistresses are fair game for us! Whoever is clever and unscrupulous enough forces them to surrender and pay a ransom! Burghers On Sundays and holidays I like to talk of war and battles, while distant peoples are cracking each other’s pates. I go and sit on the banks which overlook the stream and watch the boats float past as I empty my glass! Young Girls Look at these bold fellows coming over there; we must not be too cruel, let’s walk slower. Second Students Look at their impudent miens and victorious looks! Friends, we must be on our guard and hold fast to our hearts! Matrons Look at those gentlemen rushing after their hussies! Aren’t we just as fine as they, not to say much handsomer? Young Girls They would like to bewitch, but they try in vain. We have nothing to fear from your wrath. A lowering brow merely grows redder! Should a lad want me, I take him at his word. One must surely trust all your fine speeches! Should a lad, etc. Matrons You want to bewitch, it’s plain to see. What a fine notion! Be as shameless

as they are tasteless. One must be a fool, I do declare, to pride oneself on such suitors. One must be a fool, etc. Burghers Come, neighbour, let us empty a glass of wine. My wife scolds about everything. She must always be right. My wife scolds, etc. Second Students Let us see things through to the end. See how cross they are, see how they behave. Their brows are lowering, they have good taste! Let us wager I am accepted at the very first word. Let us wager, etc. First Students Hurray for wine! Wine or beer, beer or wine, may my glass ever be full! Unashamedly, glass after glass, a drunkard drinks everything! Youthful addict of the barrel, nought but water must be barred from it! May your glory, your heart’s desire, be to drink now and forever! Soldiers Hurray for war, this godly calling! No proud beauties for us! We know how to please them in the twinkling of an eye! Let’s go about our task, with neither fear nor shame, let’s attack on all sides!

From that firm precept a soldier excludes no woman nor castle, and basking in glory he celebrates victory to the sound of the drums. From that firm precept, etc.

Scene Two

Valentin (walks in at the back, a small medal in his hand) O holy medal, which my sister gave me, on the day of battle remain on my heart to ward off death! Wagner Ah! Here is Valentin, looking for us no doubt! Valentin A last glass, gentlemen, and we must be off! Wagner What is wrong with you? What regrets sadden our leave-taking? Valentin Like you, I am going away for a long time; Marguerite stays behind, and to look after her my mother is no longer alive! Siebel More than one faithful friend will take your place at her side! Valentin (pressing his hand) Thank you! Siebel You can rely on me! Students Rely on us too! Valentin Before I leave this town, my forefathers’ native place, to you, Lord and King of Heaven, do I entrust my sister. I beg you to defend her

from every peril, my beloved sister. Freed from this harrowing thought, I shall seek glory in the enemy’s ranks, the first, the bravest, in the thick of the fray, I shall go and fight for my country. And if God should call me to his side, I shall faithfully watch over you, O Marguerite. Before I leave, etc. O King of Heaven, hear my prayer and defend Marguerite, O king of Heaven. Wagner Come now, friends, discard these idle fears! No tears must be mixed with this good wine! A drink, a toast and a merry ditty to cheer us up! Students A drink, a toast and a merry ditty to cheer us up! Wagner (mounting on a stool) A rat, more cowardly than brave, more repellent than handsome, lived deep down in a cellar, underneath an old barrel. A cat...

Scene Three

Mephistopheles (appearing suddenly) I beg your pardon! Wagner Eh! Mephistopheles I crave that you will allow me to take a place in your midst. First, your friend must finish his song! I promise you several in my own style! Wagner (stepping down) One song is quite enough, provided it is good! Mephistopheles I shall try my hardest not to bore anyone! The golden calf is still standing, his might is celebrated from one end of the world to the other! Nations and kings mix together to hail the infamous idol and to the sinister clink of coins they whirl in a frenzied ring round and round his pedestal! And Satan leads the dance!

Students And Satan leads the dance! Mephistopheles The golden calf triumphs over the gods; basking in his preposterous glory the base monster insults Heaven! He looks down – O strange madness! – on a human race at his feet sallying forth, sword in hand, through blood and filth, where the burning metal is shining! And Satan leads the dance! All And Satan leads the dance! We thank you for your song! Valentin (aside) What an odd fellow! Wagner (handing a glass to Mephistopheles) Will you do us the honour of drinking with us? Mephistopheles With pleasure! (He takes Wagner’s hand and studies it.) Ah! This makes me grieve for you! Do you see this line? Wagner Well? Mephistopheles An ill-boding sign! You will be killed in an attack! (Wagner withdraws his hand.) Siebel Are you a wizard, then? Mephistopheles (taking his hand) Just enough of a wizard to read in your hand that fate condemns you

never to touch a flower again but it withers. Siebel (withdrawing his hand) Me! Mephistopheles No more nosegays for Marguerite! Valentin My sister! Who told you her name? Mephistopheles Take heed, my fine fellow, you will be killed by someone I know! (taking the glass from Wagner’s hand) Your health! (He throws the wine away.) Pshaw! Your wine is revolting! Allow me to offer you some from my own cellar! (He raps on the barrel of the inn-sign.) Ho there, Lord Bacchus, wine please! (Wine gushes from the barrel. To the students) Come nearer! Everyone to his taste! Let’s drink the health you mentioned but a moment ago, friends: to Marguerite! Valentin (knocking the glass out of his hand) Enough of that! Upon my life I shall silence you here and now! (The wine from the barrel bursts into flames. Valentin and Wagner unsheathe their swords.) Wagner Ho there! Students Ho there! Mephistopheles Why do you quake as you threaten me? (He draws a circle around him with his sword. Valentin tries to attack him. His sword falls to pieces.) Valentin Amazing! My sword breaks in the air!

All We cannot repulse the spells of hell, come to blunt our weapons! Valentin But since you can break swords... All But since you can break swords... Valentin Look! All Look! Valentin (taking his broken sword by the blade and showing it like a cross to Mephistopheles) It is a cross which protects us from hell! All It is a cross which protects us from hell! (As he sees the cross Mephistopheles draws back. The crowd leave the stage.)

Scene Four

Mephistopheles (sheathing his sword) We shall meet again, friends! Your servant! Faust (entering) What is wrong with you? Mephistopheles Nothing! Now, to the point, dear doctor, what do you expect me to do? What shall I begin with? Faust Where is the fair girl hiding whom your arts showed me? Was it mere witchcraft? Mephistopheles Not at all! But her virtue defends her from us and Heaven itself protects her!

Faust No matter! I want to see her! Come! Lead me to her side or I shall part company with you! Mephistopheles Enough said! I am too keen on my new office to let you doubt my zeal for a moment! Let’s wait! In this very spot, at this merry call, the fair and chaste maid will come before you.

Scene Five

(Arm in arm, students and young girls rush onto the stage. They are followed by burghers and preceded by fiddlers.) Chorus Just as the light breeze blows up into thick whirling clouds the dust of the furrows, let the waltz carry us away! Make the whole plain resound with the clamour of your songs! Mephistopheles (to Faust) See these charming lasses! Will you not offer your arm to the fairest among them? Faust No, pray desist from jeering and leave my heart to its dream! Siebel (as he enters) Marguerite must walk through here! Young Girls (sidling up to Siebel) Must a girl invite you to dance? Siebel No, no, I have no wish to dance! Chorus Just as the light breeze, etc. (Marguerite walks in.) Faust Here she is! This is she! Mephistopheles Well, then, accost her!

Siebel (starting towards Marguerite) Marguerite! Mephistopheles I beg your pardon! Siebel (aside) Curse that man! Here he is again! Mephistopheles What, my friend, are you here? Ah, well and truly, my friend, here you are! Faust (stepping up to Marguerite) My lovely young lady, will you not allow me to offer you my arm and escort you on your way? Marguerite No thank you, sir: I am neither a lady, nor lovely, and I really have no need for a supporting arm! (She walks past Faust and disappears.) Faust (looking after her) By Heaven, such grace and such modesty! O fair maid, I love you! Siebel She has gone! Mephistopheles (to Faust) Well? Faust Well, I am repulsed! Mephistopheles (laughing) Come, dear doctor, I see I must foster your love affairs! (He and Faust go out the same way as Marguerite has gone.)

Young Girls What is it? Other Young Girls Marguerite, who has declined this fine lord’s company! All Let’s waltz again! Let’s waltz for ever! Just as a light breeze blows up into thick whirling clouds the dust of the furrows, let the waltz carry us away! Make the whole plain resound with the clamour of your songs! Until they are gasping for breath, until they are dying, a god drags them in his wake, the god Pleasure! The earth is spinning and flying away from them! What a noise, what bliss in every eye! The earth is spinning, etc.