A game of
cracking
skulls we'll try now!
Faust, a Tragedy by Goethe
The maid his door
Lets in, no more
Goes out a maid--remember!
Take heed! take heed!
Once done, the deed
Ye'll rue with speed--
And then--good night--poor thing--a!
Though ne'er so fair
His speech, beware,
Until you bear
His ring upon your finger.
_Valentine_ [_comes forward_].
Whom lur'ft thou here? what prey dost scent?
Rat-catching[81] offspring of perdition!
To hell goes first the instrument!
To hell then follows the musician!
_Mephistopheles_. He 's broken the guitar! to music, then, good-bye, now.
_Valentine_.
A game of cracking skulls we'll try now!
_Mephistopbeles_ [_to Faust_]. Never you flinch, Sir Doctor! Brisk!
Mind every word I say---be wary!
Stand close by me, out with your whisk!
Thrust home upon the churl! I'll parry.
_Valentine_. Then parry that!
_Mephistopheles_. Be sure. Why not?
_Valentine_. And that!
_Mephistopheles_.
