Siebel.
You broomstick, you!
Must we then bear your insolence too?
Brander.
Wait! wait! it shall rain blows anon!
Altmayer. [draws a stopper from the table, and fire rushes out on him]
I burn! I burn!
Siebel.
There’s witchcraft in his face!
The fellow’s an outlaw! strike him down!
[They draw their knives and attack Mephistopheles.
Mephistopheles. [with serious mien]
False be eye, and false be ear!
Change the sense, and change the place!
Now be there, and now be here!
[They look as thunderstruck, and stare at one another.
Altmayer.
Where am I? in what lovely land?
Frosch.
Vineyards! can it be so?
Siebel.
And grapes too quite at hand!
Brander.
And here beneath this shady tree,
This noble vine, these blushing clusters see!
[He seizes Siebel by the nose. The rest seize one another in the same manner, and lift up their knives.
Mephistopheles. [as above]
Let Error now their eyes unclose,
The devil’s joke to understand!
[He vanishes with Faust. The fellows start back from one another.
Siebel.
What’s the matter?
Altmayer.
How now?
Frosch.
Was that your nose?
Brander. [to Siebel]
And yours is in my hand!
Altmayer.
It was a stroke shot through my every limb!
