Part 10

FAUST: We step forth and hope to pass unchidden; Even without need, precaution has been fitting. You know the mountain folk think and simulate, Are schooled in nature's and the rock's own script. The spirits, long withdrawn from flatland's measure, Favor the rocky hills more than elsewhere. They work in stillness through labyrinthine clefts In noble gas of metallically rich scents; In constant sorting, testing, and combining, Their only drive is new things to be designing. With gentle finger of spiritual might They build transparent figures in their flight; Then in the crystal and its endless hush They see the upper world's events and rush.

EMPEROR: I've heard it, and I trust your word; Yet, worthy man, say: what means this here conferred?

FAUST: The necromancer of Norcia, the Sabine, Is your true, honorable servant, line by line. What ghastly fate loomed hugely o'er his head! The brushwood crackled, already flames had spread; The dry logs, crosswise bound on every side, With pitch and brimstone rods commingled, tied; No man, nor God, nor devil could redeem, The Majesty burst glowing chains, supreme. There it was in Rome. He remains bound to you, On your path ever watchful, firm and true. From that hour wholly he forgot his self, He questions stars, the deep, for you alone his wealth. He charged us, as the swiftest task to bear, To stand by you. Great are the mountain's care; There Nature works so overpoweringly free, The clergy's dullness calls it sorcery.

EMPEROR: On joyous day, when we the guests salute Who come in cheer, to cheerfully salute, We gladly see each, how he pushes and throngs And, man by man, the halls' space prolongs. Yet highly welcome must the honest be, Steps he as helper powerfully to us, free, At morning hour, which rules o'er anxious fate, Because above it Destiny's scales rotate. Yet here, at this exalted moment, guide The strong hand back from willing sword with pride, Honor the instant, where thousands march in line, For or against me, to battle's design. Himself the man! Who throne and crown desires, Personally be he worthy of such fires. Be the specter, that against us rose, Calls himself Emperor and lord of our close, Of our army duke, of our nobles liege, With his own fist thrust into death's besiege!

FAUST: However it be, the great to fulfill, You do not well, your head thus to pledge at will. Is not the helm with crest and plume adorned? It shields the head that our courage has borne. What, without head, what would the members gain? For if that slumbers, all sink in pain; Is it wounded, straight all are wounded too, Rise fresh, when that one swiftly heals anew. Quick knows the arm its strong right to use; It lifts the shield, the skull to excuse; The sword observes its duty straightway, Turns strongly off and repeats the fray; The able foot shares in their happy luck, Sets on the slain fresh in the neck's stuck.

EMPEROR: That is my wrath, so would I him handle, That proud head into footstool trample, candle!

HERALDS: Little honor, little weight Did we there enjoy and meet, At our noble, forceful state They laughed as stale conceit: "Your Emperor is forgot, Echo there in narrow vale; If we of him think ought, Tale says:--It was a tale."

FAUST: According to the wish of the best it is done, Who firmly and truly stand by your throne. There nears the foe, your own burn eagerly; Command the attack, the moment favors thee.

EMPEROR: Of the command I here renounce the right. In your hands, Prince, be your duty's light.

SUPREME GENERAL: Then let the right wing step to the fray! The foe's left, even now upon the way, Shall, ere it takes the last advancing stride, Yield to youth's proved, faithful power and pride.

FAUST: Then permit that this brisk hero bold Into your ranks unslackened be enrolled, To your ranks most inwardly be wed And, so allied, his forceful being spread.

RAUFEBOLD: Who shows me face, turns not back free Save with smashed lower and upper jaw; Who turns me back, straight lies limp, see, Neck, head and scalp, flopping in awe. And if your men then strike, as I rage, With sword and mace in bloody cage, The foe falls, man o'er man in stack, Drowned in his own blood's wrack.

SUPREME GENERAL: The phalanx of our center follow soft, Meet the foe, wise with forces aloft; A bit to right, there has, embittered sore, Our strength's battle-plan already shaken more.

FAUST: So follow then also this one your word! He is swift, tears all along unblurred.

HABEBALD: To the imperial host's heroic mood Shall pair the thirst for plunder's brood; And all be set the goal to gain: The counter-emperor's rich domain. He boasts not long upon his seat, I rank myself at phalanx' head's greet.

EILEBEUTE: Though not to him I'm wed in rite, He stays my dearest lover's light. For us such autumn ripe has grown! The woman is fierce when she has flown, Is without mercy when she robs; In victory ahead! and all allows.

SUPREME GENERAL: Upon our left, as to foresee, Their right storms, powerfully. Will resist man by man the raging start, The narrow pass of rock-path to impart.

FAUST: So pray, sir, also this one to mark; It harms not if the strong reinforce the dark.

HALTEFEST: To left wing no sorrow! Where I am, possession safe to borrow; In him the old proves true, No lightning-bolt splits what I hold to view.

MEPHISTOPHELES: Now look, how in the background's ground From every jagged rocky wound Armed ones press forth in crowded band, The narrow paths to make more spanned, With helm and harness, swords, and shields In our rear a wall that yields, Awaiting sign, to strike the blow. Whence this comes, need ye not know. I surely did not hesitate, The armories all around to vacate; There stood they foot, and horse, in row, As were they lords of earth below; Else were they knights, king, emperor, Now are they naught but empty snail-sheller; Full many a ghost has dressed therein, The Middle Ages livelily akin. What little devil also sticks, For this once makes it effects and tricks. Hear how they rage in advance ahead, Clinking sheet-metal, struck and spread! Also flutter banner-rags by standards' show, That fresher breezes impatiently foreknow. Consider, here an ancient folk is ready And gladly mingles in the newer steady.

FAUST: The horizon has darkened in its round, Only here and there significantly bound A red, ominous gleam sparks from ground; Already bloody blink the muskets' sound; The rock, the wood, the atmosphere, The whole sky mingles in the fear.

MEPHISTOPHELES: The right flank holds itself with might; Yet see I towering in this sight Hans Raufbold, the nimble giant, On his own way swiftly compliant.

EMPEROR: First saw I one arm lifted high, Now see I already a dozen rage and cry; Not naturally this comes to pass.

FAUST: Heard you naught of mist-strips that pass, Which on Sicily's coasts are driven? There, wavering clear, in daylight given, Raised to the middle airs above, Reflected in peculiar love, Appears a strange and wondrous face: There sway cities to and fro in place, There rise gardens up and down, As image on image breaks the ethereal crown.

EMPEROR: Yet how alarming! All the tips Of lofty spears I see in eclipse; On our phalanx' bright lances' sheen I see light flames dance, brisk and keen. That seems to me too ghostly seen.

FAUST: Forgive, O lord, those are the traces Of vanished spiritual natures' graces, A reflection of the Dioscures, By whom all sailors swore their cures; They gather here the final force.

EMPEROR: Yet say: to whom are we indebted, That Nature, on us directed, The rarest together has collected?

MEPHISTOPHELES: To whom but the master, that high one, Who bears your fate within his breast? Through your foes' strong threatening as a lion He is in deepest moved and pressed. His thanks would see you saved from fall, Even if himself should perish in the thrall.

EMPEROR: They jubilated, me pompously to lead; I was now something, that would I also read And found it fit, without much thinking, To the white beard cool air to be bringing. The clergy I have spoiled a lust, And their favor surely not won in trust. Now should I, since so many a year, The effect of joyous deed appear?

FAUST: Free-hearted benefaction usurous grows; Let your gaze turn upward as it goes! Methinks he wants a sign to send, Take heed, it shows itself as friend.

EMPEROR: An eagle soars in heaven's height, A griffin after with wild affright.

FAUST: Take heed: most favorable seems to me. Griffin is a fabulous entity; How can it so far forget its place, With genuine eagle to measure its grace?

EMPEROR: Now, in wide-extended circles drawn, They circle each;--in equal dawn They dart upon each other's track, Their breasts and necks to rend and crack.

FAUST: Now mark, how the loathsome griffin, torn, Tattered, tousled, finds but forlorn, And with lowered lion-tail, To peak-wood plunged, begins to fail.

EMPEROR: Be it, as interpreted, so done! I take it with astonishment, my son!

MEPHISTOPHELES: To pressing, oft-repeated stroke Must our foes yield the yoke, And with uncertain fencing's art They press toward their right's part And so confuse in battle's tide Their main force's left side. Our phalanx' firm and pointed head Draws right, and like the lightning sped Drives into the weak place.-- Now, like storm-aroused wave's embrace, Sparking, rage equal powers' chase Wild in doubled battle's space; Naught more glorious e'er was thought, This battle to us has been brought!

EMPEROR: Look! It seems to me there doubtful, Our post stands ensnared and woeful. No stones see I flying free, Lower rocks already mounted be, Upper stand already left alone. Now!--The foe, in masses blown, Ever nearer pressed and clung, Has perhaps the pass been won, End-result of unholy striving! Your arts are vainly driving.

MEPHISTOPHELES: Here come my two ravens in their flight, What message may they bring to light? I fear me, things go ill for us.

EMPEROR: What would these loathsome birds confer? They steer their black sails hither From hot rock-combat's stir.

MEPHISTOPHELES: Sit quite near to my ear. Whom you protect is not lost, my dear, For your counsel is follow-worthy here.

FAUST: Of doves you have indeed heard tell, That from farthest lands compel To their nest's brood and cost. Here 'tis with important difference crossed: The dove-post serves the peace, War commands the raven's lease.

MEPHISTOPHELES: A heavy doom announces itself, see: Behold! the distress and the jeopardy Around our heroes' rocky strand! The nearest heights already scanned, And if they the pass should overcome, We'd have a heavy burden's sum.

EMPEROR: So am I finally betrayed! You've drawn me in the net's parade; I shudder, since it wound me round.

MEPHISTOPHELES: Only courage! Not yet lost the ground! Patience and cunning to the final knot! Usually at end it goes sharp on the spot. I have my certain messengers; Command, that I command may press!

SUPREME GENERAL: With these you've allied in the play, It pained me all the time, I say, The juggling creates no solid luck. I know naught at the battle to pluck; They began it, let them end it too, I give my staff of command to you.

EMPEROR: Keep it till better hours' delight, Which perhaps fortune brings to light. I shudder at the ghastly knower And his raven-familiar's lower. The staff I cannot lend to thee, You seem not the right man to me; Command and seek to set us free! Let happen what may happen, see.

MEPHISTOPHELES: May the blunt staff protect him there! Us others it could little spare, There was somewhat of the cross thereon.

FAUST: What is to do? +

MEPHISTOPHELES: It is already done!-- Now, black cousins, swift in service, run To the great mountain-lake! Greet me the Undine And beg of them for their flood's sheen. Through women's arts, hard to be seen, They know from being the seeming to wean, And each swears, that is the being, clean.

FAUST: Our ravens must have flattered well The water-ladies from the depth's cell; There it begins already to drizzle. On many a dry, bare rocky place Develops the full, rapid grace, Of that victory 'tis the grizzle.

MEPHISTOPHELES: That is a wondrous salutation, The boldest climbers are in consternation.

FAUST: Already rushes a brook to streams of might, From gorges doubled they return to sight, A river now casts the bow's ray; Suddenly lays it in flat rocky breadth's way And roars and foams to this and that side, And step by step throws itself in the vale's pride. What helps a brave, hero-like stem? The mighty wave streams, them to condemn. I shudder myself before such wild stream.

MEPHISTOPHELES: I see naught of these water-lies, Only human eyes let themselves surprise, And I enjoy the wondrous fall. They rush on in whole heaps' call, The fools think to be drowning, While freely on firm land sounding And laughably with swimming-gestures running. Now confusion is everywhere. I'll praise you to the high master's care; Would you as masters yourselves prove, Then hasten to the glowing smithy's cove, Where the dwarf-folk, never weary, Metal and stone to sparks query. Demand, at length chatting them around, A fire, luminous, blinking, astound, As one in high sense has bound. Though heat-lightning in far distance's night, Swift-falling of highest stars' light May every summer night befall; Yet heat-lightning in tangled bush's call And stars that on damp ground hiss and pall, That one has not so lightly seen. So must you, without much toil's spleen, First pray, then command, as I ween.

MEPHISTOPHELES: To the foes dense darkness' kiss! And step and tread into the abyss! Err-spark glance at every end, A light, suddenly to blind and rend! All that were wondrously fair, Now yet needs a terrifying air.

FAUST: The hollow weapons from the halls' crypts Feel strengthened in free air's scripts; Up there clatters, rattles long since, A wondrous, false tone's offense.

MEPHISTOPHELES: Quite right! They are no more to rein; Already sounds of knightly pain, As in the lovely olden time. Arm-guards as of the legs' rime, As Guelphs and as Ghibellines, Renew swiftly the eternal lines. Firm, in inherited sense's mood, They prove themselves unsubdued; Already rings the roar wide and broad. At last, at all devilish feasts' abode, Party-hatred works for the best's goad, Into the uttermost horror's load; Sounds contra-contrary, panic's brood, At times shrill and sharply satanic's food, Frightening into the valley's rood.

The Counter-Emperor's Tent

EILEBEUTE: So we are yet the first ones here!

HABEBALD: No raven flies as swift as we appear.

EILEBEUTE: O! what a treasure lies here in heap! Where shall I start? Where shall I reap?

HABEBALD: The whole space stands so full, indeed! Know not, at what I first should lead.

EILEBEUTE: The carpet were just right for me, My couch is oft too wretchedly.

HABEBALD: Here hangs of steel a morning-star, Such I have long desired afar.

EILEBEUTE: The red mantle gold-embroidered, Such as I had in dream weathered.

HABEBALD: With that 'tis soon enough done, One slays him dead and moves anon. You have so much already packed And yet naught proper in sack attacked. The trash leave at its place, Take one of these small chests with grace! This is the army's assigned pay, In its belly pure gold's array.

EILEBEUTE: That has a murderous weight! I lift it not, I bear it not, straight.

HABEBALD: Quick duck! Must bend your back! I hunch it on your strong rack.

EILEBEUTE: O woe! O woe, now 'tis past! The load breaks my cross in half, aghast.

HABEBALD: There lies the red gold in heap-- Quick to it and rake it deep!

EILEBEUTE: Quick only into the lap's inlay! Still ever will it be enough, I say.

HABEBALD: And so enough! And hasten yet! O woe, the apron has a net! Where you go and where you stand, Wastefully you sow the treasure's band.

TRABANTS OF OUR EMPEROR: What do you here at the holy place? What rummage you in the imperial grace?

HABEBALD: We bore our limbs for sale's embrace And fetch our booty's share's space. In enemy-tents 'tis the use, And we, soldiers are we, no excuse.

TRABANTS: That fits not in our circle's gloss: Both soldier and thievish dross; And who approaches our Emperor near, Be an honest soldier, clear.

HABEBALD: The honesty, that is well known, It calls itself: contribution's tone. You all are on the same foot's pass: Give here! that is the craftsman's glass. Make off and drag what you possess, Here we are not welcome guest's dress.

FIRST TRABANT: Say, why gave you not straightway The impudent fellow a cheek's display?

SECOND: I know not, my strength from me went, They were so ghostly bent.

THIRD: Me it before the eyes went ill, There flickered it, I saw not still.

FOURTH: How I cannot say it to know: It was the whole day so hot's glow, So anxious, so oppressed and humid, One stood, the other fell, a pyramid, One groped and struck at same time's throw, The opponent fell at every blow, Before eyes it floated like a veil, Then hummed and rushed and hissed in the trail; That went so on, now we are here And know ourselves not how it came clear.

EMPEROR: Be it as it may! The battle won is ours, The foe's scattered flight in flat field's bowers. Here stands the empty throne, traitorous hoard, By carpets wrapped, the space narrowed and floored. We, honorably shielded by our own trabands, Await imperially the peoples' commands; From all sides comes the joyful tidings' span: The realm be calmed, to us in gladness clan. Though into our fight juggling was woven, In end we only by ourselves have striven. Chances come indeed to the striver's good: From heaven falls a stone, on foe rains blood, From rocky caves resounds of mighty wonder-tones That raise our breast, the foe's breast's stones. The vanquished fell, to ever-renewed scorn, The victor, as he pranks, praises the favored morn. And all chime in, he needs not to command, Lord God, we praise thee! from millions' strand. Yet to the highest praise I turn the pious look, Rare else it was, to mine own breast's book. A young, brisk prince may his day's gift waste, The years teach him the moment's taste. Therefore unslackened I bind myself straightway With you four worthy, for house and court and sway. Thine was, O Prince! the army's ordered wise division, Then in the main moment heroically bold decision; In peace work now, as time demands with worth, Arch-Marshal I name thee, bestow on thee the sword.

ARCH-MARSHAL: Thy faithful host, till now in inner duty caught, When at the border it confirms thee and thy throne's thought, Then be it granted us, at feast's press in the hall Of spacious fathers' castle to prepare thy meal's call. Bright I'll bear it before thee, bright hold it at thy side, The highest Majesty's eternal guide.

EMPEROR: Who as brave man also gently pleasing shows, Thou! be Arch-Chamberlain; the charge not light bestows. Thou art the chief of all the household's kind, In whose inner strife I find ill servants blind; Thy example be henceforth in honor set, How one pleases lord, court and all, no debt.

ARCH-CHAMBERLAIN: The lord's great sense to further, bring to grace: To the best helpful be, the bad oneself not chase, Then clear be without guile and calm without deceit! If thou, lord, seest through me, enough is my receipt. May fancy stretch to that feast's extent? When to table thou goest, I reach the golden vent, The rings I hold for thee, that in joy's time Thy hand refreshes, as thy glance refreshes mine.

EMPEROR: Though feel I too earnest for festivity's thought, Yet be it! It furthers also cheerful deed's caught. Thee I choose as Arch-Truchsess! So be henceforth To thee hunt, poultry-yard and manor's worth. The favorite dishes' choice leave to me at all times, As the month brings, and carefully's rhymes.

ARCH-TRUCHSESS: Strict fasting be for me the pleasantest plight, Till, before thee set, thee joys a well-made bite. The kitchen's servant-band shall with me unite, The far to draw in, the season to expedite. Thee tempts not far and early, wherewith the table shines, Simple and strong it is, whereto thy sense inclines.

EMPEROR: Since unavoidably here of naught but feasts is hand, So be, young hero, to cupbearer's turned brand. Arch-cupbearer, take care, that our cellar's array Be most abundantly supplied with wine's good play. Be thou moderate thyself, let not over cheer's light Through opportunity's enticement lead thee to flight!

ARCH-CUPBEARER: My prince, youth itself, if one but trusts its flight, Stands, ere one sees, to men built in the light. Also I transport me to that great feast's ground; An imperial buffet I adorn with best surround With splendid vessels, golden, silver all the same, Yet choose I for thee first the loveliest cup's name: A bright Venetian glass, wherein comfort listens near, The wine's taste strengthens and never intoxicates clear. On such wonder-treasure one trusts too oft and more; Yet thy moderation, thou Highest, guards the door.

EMPEROR: What I destined you in this earnest hour, You heard with trust from reliable power. The Emperor's word is great and secures each gift, Yet for confirmation needs the noble script, Needs the signature. To prepare them formally, I see the right man at right time's decree.

EMPEROR: When a vault entrusts itself to the keystone's clasp, Then 'tis with certainty for eternal time's grasp. Thou seest four princes there! We have first debated What the subsistence next of house and court has weighted. Now but, what the realm in its whole bears, Be, with weight and force, on the fivefold's cares. In lands shall they before all others shine; Therefore I widen straight the possession's line From the inheritance of those, who from us turned. To you faithful I speak so many a fair learned Land, likewise the high right, you by occasions Through accretion, purchase, exchange to widen's stations; Then be determined--permitted, to exercise undisturbed-- What of rights to you as territorial lords referred. As judges you shall final verdicts deal, Appeal hold not from your highest seal. Then tax, tribute and prayer, fief and conduct and toll, Mining, salt and coin regal to you shall roll. For my gratitude fully to prove, Have I you next to Majesty raised in love.

ARCHBISHOP: In all their name be deepest thanks to thee brought! Thou makest us strong and firm and strengthenest thy thought.

EMPEROR: You five I will yet raise to higher dignity's ring. Still live I to my realm and have lust to bring; Yet high ancestors' chain draws the considerate look From rapid striving back into the threatening nook. Also shall I in time from the dear ones part, Then be it your duty, the successor to impart. Crowned raise him high on holy altar's mart, And peacefully end what now so stormy art.

ARCH-CHANCELLOR: With pride in deepest breast, with humility in guise, Stand princes to thee bowed, the first upon the prize. So long the faithful blood the full veins sways, Are we the body, which thy will lightly plays.

EMPEROR: And thus be, to conclusion, what we hitherto achieved, For all futurity through script and stroke relieved. Though have you the possession as lords wholly free, With the condition however, that undivided it be. And how you also increase what from us you received, It shall the eldest son in equal measure conceived.

ARCH-CHANCELLOR: To parchment forthwith I trust with cheerful mood, To luck of realm and us, the statute's chief good; Fair-copy and sealing shall the chancellery employ, With holy signature thou, lord, shalt it enjoy.

EMPEROR: And so dismiss I you, that the great day's flag Gathered everyone may himself overweigh the crag.

THE CLERIC: The chancellor went away, the bishop has remained, By the earnest warning-spirit to thy ear constrained! His fatherly heart, of care, trembles for thee.

EMPEROR: What hast thou fearful at the joyful hour? speak free!

ARCHBISHOP: With what bitter pain I find, in this hour's ground, Thy highly-hallowed head with Satan in the bound! Though, as it seems, secured upon the throne, Yet alas! to God the Lord, the Father Pope, to moan. If this one hears it, swift will he punish the sin, With holy ray thy realm, the sinful, to begin. For still forgot he not, how thou, at highest time, On thy coronation day, the sorcerer didst unbind. From thy diadem, to Christendom's hurt and blot, The accursed head struck the first ray of grace's lot. Yet strike upon thy breast and give from impious luck A moderate mite straight to the holy's suck: The broad hill-space, where thy tent has stood, Where evil spirits bound themselves to thy good, To the lie-prince thou a listening ear didst loan, That found, piously taught, to holy endeavor's stone; With mountain and dense wood, as far as they extend, With heights that greenly cover to fat pasture's end, Fish-rich, clear lakes, then brooks without count's fall, As they, hastily winding, plunge down to the vale's call; The broad vale then itself, with meadows, districts, grounds: Repentance speaks itself out, and grace thou shalt bound.

EMPEROR: Through my heavy fault am I so deeply scared; The boundary be by thee set as thy measure shared.

ARCHBISHOP: First! the desecrated space, where one so sinned, Be straight to the Highest's service declaimed and pinned. Swift in spirit rises masonry strong and high, The morning-sun's look already lights the choir's sky, To cross expands the growing edifice's frame, The nave lengthens, rises to believers' acclaim; They stream already fervent through the worthy portal, The first bell's call resounded through mountain and vale's fall, From high towers sounds it, as they to heaven strive, The penitent comes near to new-created life. To the high consecration day--let it soon step in!-- Will thy presence be the highest ornament's win.

“Stories of the world, in your language.”