Ready at hand the Emperor's realm will hold

Henceforth enough of paper, jewels, gold.

Emperor. Our realm owes you this great prosperity;

As is the service, the reward should be.

Our empire's soil be trusted to your care,

The worthiest guardians of the treasures there.

You know the vast and well-preserved hoard,

And when men dig, it's you must give the word.

Become as one, ye masters of our treasure,

Fulfil your stations' dignities with pleasure

Here where in blest accord and unity

The upper and the lower world agree.

Treasurer. Twixt us no slightest strife shall cause division;

I love to have as colleague the magician. -

Exit with FAUST. -

Emperor. If now I shall endow each man of you,

Let each confess what use he'll put it to.

A Page [receiving]. I'll joy to live, be glad and gay.

Another Page [likewise]. My love shall have a chain and rings

today.

A Chamberlain [accepting].

Wine twice as good shall henceforth down me trickle.

Another Chamberlain [likewise]. I feel the dice inside my pocket

tickle.

A Banneret [thoughtfully]. From debt I'll make my land sand castle

free.

Another Banneret [likewise]. I'll add this treasure to my treasury.

Emperor. I hoped for joy and heart for new emprise,

But knowing you one can your course surmise.

Well do I see, with all this treasure-store

You still remain just as you were before.

Fool [approaching]. You're scattering favours, grant me some, I

pray.

Emperor. Alive again? You'd soon drink them away.

Fool. The magic leaves! I don't quite comprehend-

Emperor. Of course, for you'd put them to some bad end.

Fool. Still more drop there, I don't know what to do.

Emperor. Just pick them up, I let them fall for you. -

Exit. -

Fool. Five thousand crowns are mine? How unexpected!

Mephistopheles. Two-legged wineskin, are you resurrected?

Fool. That happens oft but like this never yet.

Mephistopheles. You are so glad you're breaking out in sweat.

Fool. Is that the same as cash? Look, are you sure?

Mephistopheles. What throat and belly want it will procure.

Fool. And cattle can I buy and house and land?

Mephistopheles. Of course! Just bid and they will be at hand.

Fool. Castle with wood, chase, fish-brook?

Mephistopheles. On my word!

I'd like to see you as a stern Milord!

Fool. Tonight a landed owner I shall sit! -

Exit. -

Mephistopheles [solus]. Who still will have a doubt of our fool's

wit?

A DARK GALLERY -

FAUST. MEPHISTOPHELES. -

Mephistopheles. Why draw me into this dark gallery?

Is not in there enough of sport,

Enough of fun and fraud and raillery

Amid the crowded motley of the court?

Faust. Don't speak of tricks! Your jests are old and hoary;

Down to the very soles you've worn that story;

But now you're going to and fro to flee

From having any talk with me.

I am tormented further things to do;

The Chamberlain is urging and the Steward too.

The Emperor orders- straightway must it be-

Both Helena and Paris will he see,

Of man and woman in their true ideal

Demands to see the forms distinct and real.

To work! I gave my word- I must not break it.

Mephistopheles. A foolish promise- fool you were to make it.

Faust. Whither your powers lead us, friend,

You have not well reflected;

We first have made him rich- no end!

Now to amuse him we're expected.

Mephistopheles. You fancy these things easy to arrange.

Here where we stand, the steps are steeper.

You grapple with a realm most strange,

And wantonly will plunge in debt still deeper.

You think that Helena is summoned here

As quickly as the paper spectres were.

With witches' witchery and ghostly ghost,

With changeling dwarfs I'm ready at my post;

But devils' darlings, though one may not flout them,

As heroines no one goes mad about them.

Faust. There you go harping on the same old chord!

Into uncertainty you always lead us,

Sire of all hindrances that can impede us;

For each new help you want a new reward.

Mutter a little and the deed is done;

She will be here ere I can turn me.

Mephistopheles. The heathen-folk do not concern me.

They occupy a hell that's all their own.

But help there is.

Faust. Quick! Tell its history!

Mephistopheles. Not glad do I reveal a loftier mystery-

Enthroned sublime in solitude are goddesses;

Around them is no place, a time still less;

To speak of them embarrasses.

They are the Mothers!

Faust [terrified]. Mothers!

Mephistopheles. Do you fear?

Faust. The Mothers! Mothers! Strange the word I hear.

Mephistopheles. Strange is it. Goddesses, to men unknown,

Whom we are loath to name or own.

Deep must you dig to reach their dwelling ever;

You are to blame that now we need their favour.

Faust. Whither the way?

Mephistopheles. No way! To the Unexplorable,

Never to be explored; to the Unimplorable,