faust-第10部分
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must his soul infallibly be lost!
A Student enters
Student
But recently I've quitted home; Full of devotion am I come A man to know
and hear; whose name With reverence is known to fame。
Mephistopheles
Your courtesy much flatters me! A man like other men you see; Pray have
you yet applied elsewhere?
Student
I would entreat your friendly care! I've youthful blood and courage high; Of
gold I bring a fair supply; To let me go my mother was not fain; But here I
longed true knowledge to attain。
Mephistopheles
You've hit upon the very place。
Student
And yet my steps I would retrace。 These walls; this melancholy room;
O'erpower me with a sense of gloom; The space is narrow; nothing green; No
friendly tree is to be seen: And in these halls; with benches filled; distraught;
Sight; hearing fail me; and the power of thought。
Mephistopheles
It all depends on habit。 Thus at first The infant takes not kindly to the breast;
But before long; its eager thirst Is fain to slake with hearty zest: Thus at the
breasts of wisdom day by day With keener relish you'll your thirst allay。
Student
Upon her neck I fain would hang with joy; To reach it; say; what means must
I employ?
Mephistopheles
Explain; ere further time we lose; What special faculty you choose?
Student
Profoundly learned I would grow; What heaven contains would comprehend;
O'er earth's wide realm my gaze extend; Nature and science I desire to know。
Mephistopheles
Your are upon the proper track; I find; Take heed; let nothing dissipate your
mind。
Student
My heart and soul are in the chase! Though to be sure I fain would seize; On
pleasant summer holidays; A little liberty and careless ease。
Mephistopheles
Use well your time; so rapidly it flies; Method will teach you time to win;
Hence; my young friend; I would advise; With college logic to begin! Then
will your mind be so well braced; In Spanish boots so tightly laced; That on
'twill circumspectly creep; Thought's beaten track securely keep; Nor will it;
ignis … fatuus like; Into the path of error strike。 Then many a day they'll teach
you how The mind's spontaneous acts; till now As eating and as drinking free;
Require a process; … one! two! three! In truth the subtle web of thought Is like
the weaver's fabric wrought: One treadle moves a thousand lines; Swift dart
the shuttles to and fro; Unseen the threads together flow; A thousand knots
one stroke combines。 Then forward steps your sage to show; And prove to
you; it must be so; The first being so; and so the second; The third and fourth
deduc'd we see; And if there were no first and second; Nor third nor fourth
would ever be。 This; scholars of all countries prize; Yet 'mong themselves no
weavers rise。 He who would know and treat of aught alive; Seeks first the
living spirit thence to drive: Then are the lifeless fragments in his hand; There
only fails; alas! the spirit … band。 This process; chemists name; in learned
thesis; Mocking themselves; Naturae encheiresis。
Student
Your words I cannot full comprehend。
Mephistopheles
In a short time you will improve; my friend; When of scholastic forms you
learn the use; And how by method all things to reduce。
Student
So doth all this my brain confound; As if a mill … wheel there were turning
round。
Mephistopheles
And next; before aught else you learn; You must with zeal to metaphysics
turn! There see that you profoundly comprehend; What doth the limit of man's
brain transcend; For that which is or is not in the head A sounding phrase will
serve you in good stead。 But before all strive this half year From one fix'd
order ne'er to swerve! Five lectures daily you must hear; The hour still
punctually observe! Yourself with studious zeal prepare; And closely in your
manual look; Hereby may you be quite aware That all he utters standeth in the
book; Yet write away without cessation; As at the Holy Ghost's dictation!
Student
This; Sir; a second time you need not say! Your counsel I appreciate quite;
What we possess in black and white; We can in peace and comfort bear
away。
Mephistopheles
A faculty I pray you name。
Student
For jurisprudence; some distaste I own。
Mephistopheles
To me this branch of science is well known; And hence I cannot your
repugnance blame。 Customs and laws in every place; Like a disease; an heir …
loom dread; Still trail their curse from race to race; And furtively abroad they
spread。 To nonsense; reason's self they turn; Beneficence becomes a pest;
Woe unto thee; that thou'rt a grandson born! As for the law born with us;
unexpressed; That law; alas; none careth to discern。
Student
You deepen my dislike。 The youth Whom you instruct; is blest in sooth! To
try theology I feel inclined。
Mephistopheles
I would not lead you willingly astray; But as regards this science; you will find
So hard it is to shun the erring way; And so much hidden poison lies therein;
Which scarce can you discern from medicine。 Here too it is the best; to listen
but to one; And by the master's words to swear alone。 To sum up all … To
words hold fast! Then the safe gate securely pass'd; You'll reach the fane of
certainty at last。
Student
But then some meaning must the words convey。
Mephistopheles
Right! But o'er … anxious thought; you'll find of no avail; For there precisely
where ideas fail; A word comes opportunely into play Most admirable
weapons words are found; On words a system we securely ground; In words
we can conveniently believe; Nor of a single jot can we a word bereave。
Student
Your pardon for my importunity; Yet once more must I trouble you: On
medicine; I'll thank you to supply A pregnant utterance or two! Three years!
how brief the appointed tide! The field; heaven knows; is all too wide! If but a
friendly hint be thrown; 'Tis easier then to feel one's way。
Mephistopheles (aside)
I'm weary of the dry pedantic tone; And must again the genuine devil play。
(Aloud)
Of medicine the spirit's caught with ease; The great and little world you study
through; That things may then their course pursue; As heaven may please。 In
vain abroad you range through science' ample space; Each man learns only
that which learn he can; Who knows the moment to embrace; He is your
proper man。 In person you are tolerably made; Nor in assurance will you be
deficient: Self … confidence acquire; be not afraid; Others will then esteem you
a proficient。 Learn chiefly with the sex to deal! Their thousands ahs and ohs;
These the sage doctor knows; He only from one point can heal。 Assume a
decent tone of courteous ease; You have them then to humour as you please。
First a diploma must belief infuse; That you in your profession take the lead:
You then at once those easy freedoms use For which another many a year
must plead; Learn how to feel with nice address The dainty wrist; … and how
to press; With ardent furtive glance; the slender waist; To feel how tightly it is
laced。
Student
There is some sense in that! one sees the how and why。
Mephistopheles
Grey is; young friend; all theory: And green of life the golden tree。
Student
I swear it seemeth like a dream to me。 May I some future time repeat my visit;
To hear on what your wisdom grounds your views?
Mephistopheles
Command my humble service when you choose。
Student
Ere I retire; one boon I must solicit: Here is my album; do not; Sir; deny This
token of your favour!
Mephistopheles
Willingly!
(He writes and returns the book。)
Student (reads)
Eritis Sicut Deus; Scientes Bonum Et Malum (He reverently closes the book
and retires。)
Mephistopheles
Let but this ancient proverb be your rule; My cousin follow still; the wily
snake; And with your likeness to the gods; poor fool; Ere long be sure your
poor sick heart will quake!
Faust (enters)
Whither away?
Mephistopheles
〃Tis thine our course to steer。 The little world; and then the great we'll view。
With what delight; what profit too; Thou'lt revel through thy gay career!
Faust
Despite my length of beard I need The easy manners that insure success; Th'
attempt I fear can ne'er succeed; To mingle in the world I want address; I still
have an embarrass'd air; and then I feel myself so small with other men。
Mephistopheles
Time; my good friend; will all that's needful give; Be only self … possessed; and
thou hast learn'd to live。
Faust
But how are we to start; I pray? Steeds; servants; carriage; where are they?
Mephistopheles
We've but to spread this mantle wide; 'Twill serve whereon through air to
ride; No heavy baggage need you take; When we our bold excursion make;
A little gas; which I will soon prepare; Lifts us from earth; aloft through air;
Light laden we shall swiftly steer; I wish you joy of your new life … career。
Auerbach's Cellar In Leipzig
A Drinking Party
Frosch
No drinking? Naught a laugh to raise? None of your gloomy looks; I pray!
You; who so bright were wont to blaze; Are dull as wetted straw to … day。
Brander
'Tis all your fault; your part you do not bear; No beastliness; no folly。
Frosch
(pours a glass of wine over his head)
There; You have them both!
Brander
You double beast!
Frosch
'Tis what you ask'd me for; at least!
Siebel
Whoever quarrels; turn him out! With open throat drink; roar; and shout。
Hollo! Hollo! Ho!
Altmayer
Zounds; fellow; cease your deaf'ning cheers! Bring cotton … wool! He splits
my ears。
Siebel
'Tis when the roof rings back the tone; Then first the full power of the bass is
known。
Frosch
Right! out