FAUST newly rendered into English verse- new scene STREET

Another short street scene, Faust and Mephistopheles argue as Faust is reluctant to lie.

STREET

FAUST, MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

What gives? Some progress? Is it soon?

MEPHISTOPHELES

Ah, bravo! Are you found aflame!

Soon Gretchen shall be your sweet gain.

Tonight you’ll see her in Frau Martha’s room:

That woman’s just ideal it seems

To spin out pimp and gypsy schemes.

FAUST

That’s good.

MEPHISTOPHELES

One thing is wanted of us too.

FAUST

Well, all good deeds must get their due.

MEPHISTOPHELES

We’ve first to set down, legally attesting,

That her dear husband’s limbs are resting

In Padua, outstretched in holy ground.

FAUST

Oh, brilliant!So first we have to journey there.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Sancta Simplicitus! No need for that, dear clown,

Just testify without a care.

FAUST

This plan is through if you've no better ideas spare.

MEPHISTOPHELES

O saintly man! once more the holy crown!

Is this the first occasion in life’s course

You’ve trumpeted false testimony?

On God, the world, what moves it all, were you not phoney;

Was man, what reigns in heart and head, not all baloney,

Infused with definitions of the greatest force?

With brazen brow and bold-set breast?

If deep within you venture to the true,

You’ll surely straight away admit you knew

As much of them as Schwerdtlein’s place of rest.

FAUST

You are and stay a sophist and a liar!

MEPHISTOPHELES

Yes, if you probe no deeper in the mire.

Tomorrow, so sincere and brave,

Won’t you fool Gretchen, poor, young dove,

And swear she has your soul’s deep love?

FAUST

True from my heart.

MEPHISTOPHELES

That’s well and good.

What springs from faith and love’s eternal spell,

That once and overall-mighty impulse, would

That come straight from the heart as well?

FAUST

Stop that! It will!- For when I feel

True feelings forming, for the storming

I seek for names, find none quite real,

Then through the world I seek with every sense

And grasp for highest words and hence

This glow, this glow with which I flame,

Call endless, eternal, as a name-

Is this a devilish play of lies?

MEPHISTOPHELES

I am still right!

FAUST

Hear me! Mark this thing-

I beg of you to spare my lungs-

Whoever holds he’s right and has a tongue

Can seem to win.

But come, I’ve had enough of noise. I'll just

Admit you’re right, but mainly for I must.