I do beseech thee, friend—’tis getting late,
’Twere wise to put an end to our debate.
Wagner.
Such learned talk to draw through all the night
With Doctor Faust were my supreme delight;
But on the morrow, being Easter, I
Your patience with some questions more may try.
With zeal I’ve followed Learning’s lofty call,
Much I have learned, but fain would master all. [Exit.
Scene III.
Faust. [alone]
Strange how his pate alone hope never leaves,
Who still to shallow husks of learning cleaves!
With greedy hand who digs for hidden treasure,
And, when he finds a grub, rejoiceth above measure!
Durst such a mortal voice usurp mine ear
When all the spirit-world was floating near?
Yet, for this once, my thanks are free,
Thou meanest of earth’s sons, to thee!
Thy presence drew me back from sheer despair,
And shock too keen for mortal nerve to bear;
Alas! so giant-great the vision came,
That I might feel me dwarf, ev’n as I am.
I, God’s own image that already seemed
To gaze where Truth’s eternal mirror gleamed,
And, clean divested of this cumbering clay,
Basked in the bliss of heaven’s vivific ray;
I, more than cherub, with fresh pulses glowing,
Who well nigh seemed through Nature’s deep veins flowing
Like a pure god, creative virtue knowing,
What sharp reproof my hot presumption found!
One word of thunder smote me to the ground.
Alas! ’tis true! not I with thee and thine
May dare to cope! the strength indeed was mine
To make thee own my call, but not
To chain thee to the charmèd spot.
When that blest rapture thrilled my frame,
I felt myself so small, so great;
But thou didst spurn me back with shame,
Into this crazy human state.
