V
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
Goethe, Johann Wolfgang von, Clarke, Harry, and Taylor, Bayard
SIEBEL
So that it be a bran-new strain!
MEPHISTOPHELES
We’ve just retraced our way from. Spain, The lovely land of wine, and song, and slumber.
(Sings.)
There was a king once reigning, Who had a big black flea—
FROSCH
Hear, hear! A flea! D’ye rightly take the jest? I call a flea a tidy guest.
MEPHISTOPHELES (sings)
There was a king once reigning, Who had a big black flea, And loved him past explaining, As his own son were he. He called his man of stitches; The tailor came straightway: Here, measure the lad for breeches. And measure his coat, I say!
BRANDER
But mind, allow the tailor no caprices: Enjoin upon him, as his head is dear, To most exactly measure, sew and shear, So that the breeches have no creases!
MEPHISTOPHELES
In silk and velvet gleaming He now was wholly drest— Had a coat with ribbons streaming, A cross upon his breast. He had the first of stations, A minister’s star and name; And also all his relations Great lords at court became. And the lords and ladies of honor Were plagued, awake and in bed; The queen she got them upon her, The maids were bitten and bled. And they did not dare to brush them, Or scratch them, day or night: We crack them and we crush them, At once, whene’er they bite. CHORUS (shouting) We crack them and we crush them, At once, whene’er they bite!
FROSCH Bravo! bravo! that was fine.
SIEBEL
Every flea may it so befall!
BRANDER
Point your fingers and nip them all!
ALTMAYER
Hurrah for Freedom! Hurrah for wine!
MEPHISTOPHELES
I fain would drink with you, my glass to Freedom clinking, If ’twere a better wine that here I see you drinking.
SIEBEL
Don’t let us hear that speech again!
MEPHISTOPHELES
Did I not fear the landlord might complain, I’d treat these worthy guests, with pleasure, To some from out our cellar’s treasure.
SIEBEL
Just treat, and let the landlord me arraign!
FROSCH
And if the wine be good, our praises shall be ample. But do not give too very small a sample; For, if its quality I decide, With a good mouthful I must be supplied.
ALTMAYER (aside)
They’re from the Rhine! I guessed as much, before.
MEPHISTOPHELES
Bring me a gimlet here!
BRANDER
What shall therewith be done?
You’ve not the casks already at the door?
ALTMAYER
Yonder, within the landlord’s box of tools, there’s one!