Faust; A Tragedy Volume 1 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1906 edition. Excerpt: ... A IV THE STUDY Faust. Mephistopheles. Faust. KNOCK? Come in Again my quiet broken? Mephistopheles. 'T is I Faust. Come in Mephistopheles. Thrice must the words be spoken. Faust. Come in, then Mephistopheles. Thus thou pleasest me. I hope we 'll suit each other well; For now, thy vapors to dispel, I come, a squire of high degree, '7 In scarlet coat, with golden trimming, A cloak in silken lustre swimming, A tall cock's-feather in my hat, A long, sharp sword for show or quarrel, -- And I advise thee, brief and flat, To don the self-same gay apparel, That, from this den released, and free, Life be at last revealed to thee Faust. This life of earth, whatever my attire, Would pain me in its wonted fashion.s* Too old am I to play with passion; Too young, to be without desire. What from the world have I to gain? Thou shalt abstain -- renounce -- refrain Such is the everlasting song That in the ears of all men rings, -- That unrelieved, our whole life long, Each hour, in passing, hoarsely sings. In very terror I at morn awake, Upon the verge of bitter weeping, To see the day of disappointment break, To no one hope of mine -- not one -- its promise keep ing: -- That even each joy's presentiment With wilful cavil would diminish, With grinning masks of life prevent My mind its fairest work to finish Then, too, when night descends, how anxiously Upon my couch of sleep I lay me: There, also, comes no rest to me,59 But some wild dream is sent to fray me. The God that in my breast is owned Can deeply stir the inner sources; The God, above my powers enthroned, He cannot change external forces. So, by the burden of my days oppressed, Death is desired, and Life a thing unblest Mephistopheles. And yet is never Death a wholly welcome guest. Faust. O...