Part 26 (1/2)

THE ANIMALS

If lucky our hits, And everything fits, 'Tis thoughts, and we're thinking!

FAUST (as above)

My bosom burns with that sweet vision; Let us, with speed, away from here!

MEPHISTOPHELES (in the same att.i.tude)

One must, at least, make this admission- They're poets, genuine and sincere.

(The caldron, which the SHE-APE has up to this time neglected to watch, begins to boil over: there ensues a great flame, which blazes out the chimney. The WITCH comes careering down through the flame, with terrible cries.)

THE WITCH

Ow! ow! ow! ow!

The d.a.m.ned beast-the cursed sow!

To leave the kettle, and singe the Frau!

Accursed fere!

(Perceiving FAUST and MEPHISTOPHELES.)

What is that here?

Who are you here?

What want you thus?

Who sneaks to us?

The fire-pain Burn bone and brain!

(She plunges the skimming-ladle into the caldron, and scatters flames towards FAUST, MEPHISTOPHELES, and the Animals.

The Animals whimper.)

MEPHISTOPHELES

(reversing the brush, which he has been holding in his hand, and striding among the jars and gla.s.ses)

In two! in two!

There lies the brew!

There lies the gla.s.s!

The joke will pa.s.s, As time, foul a.s.s!

To the singing of thy crew.

(As the WITCH starts back, full of wrath and horror)

Ha! know'st thou me? Abomination, thou!

Know'st thou, at last, thy Lord and Master?

What hinders me from smiting now Thee and thy monkey-sprites with fell disaster?

Hast for the scarlet coat no reverence?

Dost recognize no more the tall c.o.c.k's-feather?