The wine is juicy, the vine is of wood,
The wooden table can give it as good.
Look into Nature’s depths with me!
Whoso hath faith shall wonders see!
Now draw the corks, and quaff the wine!
All. [drawing the corks, and quaffing the out-streaming liquor each as he had desired]
O blessed stream!—O fount divine!
Mephistopheles.
Drink on! only be cautious in your hurry.
[They drink freely.
All. [singing]
No king of cannibals to day
More bravely rules the drinking bout,
Than we, when, like five hundred swine,
We drain the brimming bumpers out!
Mephistopheles. [to Faust]
Look at the fellows now!—are they not merry?
Faust.
I feel inclined to go!—’tis getting late.
Mephistopheles.
Soon shall we have a glorious revelation
Of the pure beast in man, if you but wait.
Siebel. [drinks carelessly; the wine falls to the ground and becomes flame]
Help! fire! the devil’s here! death and damnation!
Mephistopheles. [Addressing himself to the flames]
Peace, friendly element! be still!
[To the company.] This time ’twas but a spurt of purgatorial flame.
Siebel.
What’s that?—you little know your men; we’ll tame
Your impudence, you juggling knave, we will!
Frosch.
’Twere dangerous to repeat such gambols here!
Altmayer.
Methinks ’twere best to whisper in his ear
That he had better leave the room.
Siebel.
What, sirrah? do you then presume
To play your hocus-pocus here?
Mephistopheles.
Peace, old wine-cask!
