And if we're light, we'll soon
surmount
the sphere;
I give thee hearty joy in this thy new career.
I give thee hearty joy in this thy new career.
Faust, a Tragedy by Goethe
The little world and then the great we see.
O with what gain, as well as pleasure,
Wilt thou the rollicking cursus measure!
_Faust_. I fear the easy life and free
With my long beard will scarce agree.
'Tis vain for me to think of succeeding,
I never could learn what is called good-breeding.
In the presence of others I feel so small;
I never can be at my ease at all.
_Mephistopheles_. Dear friend, vain trouble to yourself you're giving;
Whence once you trust yourself, you know the art of living.
_Faust_. But how are we to start, I pray?
Where are thy servants, coach and horses?
_Mephistopheles_. We spread the mantle, and away
It bears us on our airy courses.
But, on this bold excursion, thou
Must take no great portmanteau now.
A little oxygen, which I will soon make ready,
From earth uplifts us, quick and steady.
And if we're light, we'll soon surmount the sphere;
I give thee hearty joy in this thy new career.
AUERBACH'S CELLAR IN LEIPSIC. [20]
_Carousal of Jolly Companions_.
_Frosch_. [21] Will nobody drink? Stop those grimaces!
I'll teach you how to be cutting your faces!
Laugh out! You're like wet straw to-day,
And blaze, at other times, like dry hay.
_Brander_. 'Tis all your fault; no food for fun you bring,
Not a nonsensical nor nasty thing.
_Frosch [dashes a glass of wine over his bead_]. There you have both!
_Brander_. You hog twice o'er!
_Frosch_.
