第 12 节
作者:敏儿不觉      更新:2021-02-20 17:59      字数:9322
  ride; No heavy baggage need you take; When we our bold excursion make;
  A little gas; which I will soon prepare; Lifts us from earth; aloft through air;
  Light laden we shall swiftly steer; I wish you joy of your new life … career。
  Auerbach's Cellar In Leipzig
  A Drinking Party
  Frosch
  No drinking? Naught a laugh to raise? None of your gloomy looks; I pray!
  You; who so bright were wont to blaze; Are dull as wetted straw to … day。
  Brander
  'Tis all your fault; your part you do not bear; No beastliness; no folly。
  Frosch
  (pours a glass of wine over his head)
  There; You have them both!
  Brander
  You double beast!
  Frosch
  'Tis what you ask'd me for; at least!
  Siebel
  Whoever quarrels; turn him out! With open throat drink; roar; and shout。
  Hollo! Hollo! Ho!
  Altmayer
  Zounds; fellow; cease your deaf'ning cheers! Bring cotton … wool! He splits
  my ears。
  Siebel
  'Tis when the roof rings back the tone; Then first the full power of the bass is
  known。
  Frosch
  Right! out with him who takes offence! A! tara lara da!
  Altmayer
  A! tara lara da!
  Frosch
  Our throats are tuned。 Come let's commence!
  (Sings)
  The holy Roman empire now; How holds it still together?
  Brander
  An ugly song! a song political! A song offensive! Thank God; every morn To
  rule the Roman empire; that you were not born! I bless my stars at least that
  mine is not Either a kaiser's or a chancellor's lot。 Yet 'mong ourselves should
  one still lord it o'er the rest; That we elect a pope I now suggest。 Ye know;
  what quality ensures A man's success; his rise secures。
  Frosch (sings)
  Bear; lady nightingale above; Ten thousand greetings to my love。
  Siebel
  No greetings to a sweetheart! No love … songs shall there be!
  Frosch
  Love … greetings and love kisses! Thou shalt not hinder me!
  (Sings)
  Undo the bolt! in silly night; Undo the bolt! the lover wakes。 Shut to the bolt!
  when morning breaks。
  Siebel
  Ay; sing; sing on; praise her with all thy might! My turn to laugh will come
  some day。 Me hath she jilted once; you the same trick she'll play。 Some
  gnome her lover be! where cross … roads meet;
  With her to play the fool; or old he … goat; From Blocksberg coming in swift
  gallop; bleat A good night to her; from his hairy throat! A proper lad of
  genuine flesh and blood; Is for the damsel far too good; The greeting she shall
  have from me; To smash her window … panes will be!
  Brander (striking on the table)
  Silence! Attend! to me give ear! Confess; sirs; I know how to live: Some love
  … sick folk are sitting here! Hence; 'tis but fit; their hearts to cheer; That I a
  good … night strain to them should give。 Hark! of the newest fashion is my
  song! Strike boldly in the chorus; clear and strong!
  (He sings)
  Once in a cellar lived a rat; He feasted there on butter; Until his paunch
  became as fat As that of Doctor Luther。 The cook laid poison for the guest;
  Then was his heart with pangs oppress'd; As if his frame love wasted。
  Chorus (shouting)
  As if his frame love wasted。
  Brander
  He ran around; he ran abroad; Of every puddle drinking。 The house with rage
  he scratch'd and gnaw'd; In vain; … he fast was sinking; Full many an anguish'd
  bound he gave; Nothing the hapless brute could save; As if his frame love
  wasted。
  Chorus
  As if his frame love wasted。
  Brander
  By torture driven; in open day; The kitchen he invaded; Convulsed upon the
  hearth he lay; With anguish sorely jaded; The poisoner laugh'd; Ha! ha! quoth
  she; His life is ebbing fast; I see; As if his frame love wasted。
  Chorus
  As if his frame love wasted。
  Siebel
  How the dull boors exulting shout! Poison for the poor rats to strew A fine
  exploit it is no doubt。
  Brander
  They; as it seems; stand well with you!
  Altmayer
  Old bald … pate! with the paunch profound! The rat's mishap hath tamed his
  nature; For he his counterpart hath found Depicted in the swollen creature。
  Auerbach's Cellar … Faust And Mephistopheles Enter
  Faust And Mephistopheles
  Mephistopheles
  I now must introduce to you Before aught else; this jovial crew; To show how
  lightly life may glide away; With tse folk here each day's a holiday。 With little
  wit and much content; Each on his own small round intent; Like sportive kitten
  with its tail; While no sick … headache they bewail; And while their host will
  credit give; Joyous and free from care they live。
  Brander
  They're off a journey; that is clear; From their strange manners; they have
  scarce been here An hour。
  Frosch
  You're right! Leipzig's the place for me! 'Tis quite a little Paris; people there
  Acquire a certain easy finish'd air。
  Siebel
  What take you now these travellers to be?
  Frosch
  Let me alone! O'er a full glass you'll see; As easily I'll worm their secret out;
  As draw an infant's tooth。 I've not a doubt That my two gentlemen are nobly
  born; They look dissatisfied and full of scorn。
  Brander
  They are but mountebanks; I'll lay a bet!
  Altmayer
  Most like。
  Frosch
  Mark me; I'll screw it from them yet!
  Mephistopheles (to Faust)
  These fellows would not scent the devil out; E'en though he had them by the
  very throat!
  Faust
  Good … morrow; gentlemen!
  Siebel
  Thanks for your fair salute。
  (Aside; glancing at Mephistopheles;)
  How! goes the fellow on a halting foot?
  Mephistopheles
  Is it permitted here with you to sit? Then though good wine is not forthcoming
  here; Good company at least our hearts will cheer。
  Altmayer
  A dainty gentleman; no doubt of it。
  Frosch
  You're doubtless recently from Rippach? Pray; Did you with Master Hans
  there chance to sup?
  Mephistopheles
  To … day we pass'd him; but we did not stop! When last we met him he had
  much to say Touching his cousins; and to each he sent Full many a greeting
  and kind compliment。 (With an inclination towards Frosch。)
  Altmayer (aside to Frosch)
  You have it there!
  Siebel
  Faith! he's a knowing one!
  Frosch
  Have patience! I will show him up anon!
  Mephistopheles
  We heard erewhile; unless I'm wrong; Voices well trained in chorus pealing?
  Certes; most choicely here must song Re … echo from this vaulted ceiling!
  Frosch
  That you're an amateur one plainly sees!
  Mephistopheles
  Oh no; though strong the love; I cannot boast much skill。
  Altmayer
  Give us a song!
  Mephistopheles
  As many as you will。
  Siebel
  But be it a brand new one; if you please!
  Mephistopheles
  But recently returned from Spain are we; The pleasant land of wine and
  minstrelsy。
  (Sings)
  A king there was once reigning; Who had a goodly flea
  Frosch
  Hark! did you rightly catch the words? a flea! An odd sort of a guest he
  needs must be。
  Mephistopheles (sings)
  A king there was once reigning; Who had a goodly flea; Him loved he without
  feigning; As his own son were he! His tailor then he summon'd; The tailor to
  him goes: Now measure me the youngster For jerkin and for hose!
  Brander
  Take proper heed; the tailor strictly charge; The nicest measurement to take;
  And as he loves his head; to make The hose quite smooth and not too large!
  Mephistopheles
  In satin and in velvet; Behold the yonker dressed; Bedizen'd o'er with ribbons;
  A cross upon his breast。 Prime minister they made him; He wore a star of
  state; And all his poor relations Were courtiers; rich and great。
  The gentlemen and ladies At court were sore distressed; The queen and all
  her maidens Were bitten by the pest; And yet they dared not scratch them;
  Or chase the fleas away。 If we are bit; we catch them; And crack without
  delay。
  Chorus (shouting)
  If we are bit; &c。
  Frosch
  Bravo! That's the song for me!
  Siebel
  Such be the fate of every flea!
  Brander
  With clever finger catch and kill!
  Altmayer
  Hurrah for wine and freedom still!
  Mephistopheles
  Were but your wine a trifle better; friend; A glass to freedom I would gladly
  drain;
  Siebel
  You'd better not repeat those words again!
  Mephistopheles
  I am afraid the landlord to offend; Else freely I would treat each worthy guest
  From our own cellar to the very best。
  Siebel
  Out with it then! Your doings I'll defend。
  Frosch
  Give a good glass; and straight we'll praise you; one and all。 Only let not your
  samples be too small; For if my judgment you desire; Certes; an ample
  mouthful I require。
  Altmayer (aside)
  I guess they're from the Rhenish land。
  Mephistopheles
  Fetch me a gimlet here!
  Brander
  Say; what therewith to bore? You cannot have the wine … casks at th