To crush an
innocent
respondent, that is a sort of
tyrant's-way of getting room to breathe in embarrassment.
tyrant's-way of getting room to breathe in embarrassment.
Faust, a Tragedy by Goethe
--Great
and glorious spirit, thou that deignedst to appear to me, who knowest my
heart and soul, why yoke me to this shame-fellow, who feeds on mischief
and feasts on ruin?
_Mephistopheles_. Hast thou done?
_Faust_. Rescue her! O woe be unto thee! The most horrible curse on thee
for thousands of years!
_Mephistopheles_. I cannot loose the bonds of the avenger, nor open his
bolts. --Rescue her! --Who was it that plunged her into ruin? I or thou?
[FAUST _looks wildly round_. ]
Grasp'st thou after the thunder? Well that it was not given to you
miserable mortals!
To crush an innocent respondent, that is a sort of
tyrant's-way of getting room to breathe in embarrassment.
_Faust_. Lead me to her! She shall be free!
_Mephistopheles_. And the danger which thou incurrest? Know that the guilt
of blood at thy hand still lies upon the town. Over the place of the
slain, avenging spirits hover and lurk for the returning murderer.
_Faust_. That, too, from thee? Murder and death of a world upon thee,
monster! Lead me thither, I say, and free her!
_Mephistopheles_. I will lead thee, and hear what I can do! Have I all
power in heaven and on earth? I will becloud the turnkey's senses; possess
thyself of the keys, and bear her out with human hand.
and glorious spirit, thou that deignedst to appear to me, who knowest my
heart and soul, why yoke me to this shame-fellow, who feeds on mischief
and feasts on ruin?
_Mephistopheles_. Hast thou done?
_Faust_. Rescue her! O woe be unto thee! The most horrible curse on thee
for thousands of years!
_Mephistopheles_. I cannot loose the bonds of the avenger, nor open his
bolts. --Rescue her! --Who was it that plunged her into ruin? I or thou?
[FAUST _looks wildly round_. ]
Grasp'st thou after the thunder? Well that it was not given to you
miserable mortals!
To crush an innocent respondent, that is a sort of
tyrant's-way of getting room to breathe in embarrassment.
_Faust_. Lead me to her! She shall be free!
_Mephistopheles_. And the danger which thou incurrest? Know that the guilt
of blood at thy hand still lies upon the town. Over the place of the
slain, avenging spirits hover and lurk for the returning murderer.
_Faust_. That, too, from thee? Murder and death of a world upon thee,
monster! Lead me thither, I say, and free her!
_Mephistopheles_. I will lead thee, and hear what I can do! Have I all
power in heaven and on earth? I will becloud the turnkey's senses; possess
thyself of the keys, and bear her out with human hand.
