Auerbach’s Cellar in Leipzig
Is no one laughing? no one drinking?I’ll teach you how to grin, I’m thinking.To-day you’re like wet straw, so tame;And usually you’re all aflame.
Now that’s your fault; from you we nothing see,No beastliness and no stupidity.
(Pours a glass of wine over BRANDER’S head.)There’s both together!You wanted them: I’ve given you mine.
Turn out who quarrels—out the door!With open throat sing chorus, drink and roar!Up! holla! ho!
Woe’s me, the fearful bellow!Bring cotton, quick! He’s split my ears, that fellow.
When the vault echoes to the song,One first perceives the bass is deep and strong.
Well said! and out with him that takes the least offence!Ah, tara, lara da!
Ah, tara, lara, da!
The throats are tuned, commence!(Sings.)The dear old holy Roman realm,How does it hold together?
A nasty song! Fie! a political song—A most offensive song! Thank God, each morning, therefore,That you have not the Roman realm to care for!At least, I hold it so much gain for me,That I nor Chancellor nor Kaiser be.Yet also we must have a ruling head, I hope,And so we’ll choose ourselves a Pope.You know the quality that canDecide the choice, and elevate the man.
Soar up, soar up, Dame Nightingale!Ten thousand times my sweetheart hail!
No, greet my sweetheart not! I tell you, I’ll resent it.
My sweetheart greet and kiss! I dare you to prevent it!
Draw the latch! the darkness makes:Draw the latch! the lover wakes.Shut the latch! the morning breaks.
Yes, sing away, sing on, and praise, and brag of her!I’ll wait my proper time for laughter:Me by the nose she led, and now she’ll lead you after.Her paramour should be an ugly gnome,Where four roads cross, in wanton play to meet her:An old he-goat, from Blocksberg coming home,Should his good-night in lustful gallop bleat her!A fellow made of genuine flesh and bloodIs for the wench a deal too good.Greet her? Not I: unless, when meeting,To smash her windows be a greeting!
Attention! Hearken now to me!Confess, Sirs, I know how to live.Enamored persons here have we,And I, as suits their quality,Must something fresh for their advantage give.Take heed! ’Tis of the latest cut, my strain,And all strike in at each refrain!
There was a rat in the cellar-nest,Whom fat and butter made smoother:He had a paunch beneath his vestLike that of Doctor Luther.The cook laid poison cunningly,And then as sore oppressed was heAs if he had love in his bosom.
He ran around, he ran about,His thirst in puddles laving;He gnawed and scratched the house throughout.But nothing cured his raving.He whirled and jumped, with torment mad,And soon enough the poor beast had,As if he had love in his bosom.
As if he had love in his bosom!
And driven at last, in open day,He ran into the kitchen,Fell on the hearth, and squirming lay,In the last convulsion twitching.Then laughed the murderess in her glee:“Ha! ha! he’s at his last gasp,” said she,“As if he had love in his bosom!”As if he had love in his bosom!
How the dull fools enjoy the matter!To me it is a proper artPoison for such poor rats to scatter.
Perhaps you’ll warmly take their part?
The bald-pate pot-belly I have noted:Misfortune tames him by degrees;For in the rat by poison bloatedHis own most natural form he sees.
Before all else, I bring thee hitherWhere boon companions meet together,To let thee see how smooth life runs away.Here, for the folk, each day’s a holiday:With little wit, and ease to suit them,They whirl in narrow, circling trails,Like kittens playing with their tails?And if no headache persecute them,So long the host may credit give,They merrily and careless live.
The fact is easy to unravel,Their air’s so odd, they’ve just returned from travel:A single hour they’ve not been here.
You’ve verily hit the truth! Leipzig to me is dear:Paris in miniature, how it refines its people!Who are the strangers, should you guess?
Let me alone! I’ll set them first to drinking,And then, as one a child’s tooth draws, with cleverness,I’ll worm their secret out, I’m thinking.They’re of a noble house, that’s very clear:Haughty and discontented they appear.
They’re mountebanks, upon a revel.
Look out, I’ll smoke them now!
Not if he had them by the neck, I vow,Would e’er these people scent the Devil!
Fair greeting, gentlemen!
Our thanks: we give the same.(Murmurs, inspecting MEPHISTOPHELES from the side.)In one foot is the fellow lame?
Is it permitted that we share your leisure?In place of cheering drink, which one seeks vainly here,Your company shall give us pleasure.A most fastidious person you appear.
No doubt ’twas late when you from Rippach started?And supping there with Hans occasioned your delay?
We passed, without a call, to-day.At our last interview, before we partedMuch of his cousins did he speak, entreatingThat we should give to each his kindly greeting.You have it now! he understands.
A knave sharp-set!
Just wait awhile: I’ll have him yet.
If I am right, we heard the soundOf well-trained voices, singing chorus;And truly, song must here reboundSuperbly from the arches o’er us.
Are you, perhaps, a virtuoso?
O no! my wish is great, my power is only so-so.
If you desire, a number.
So that it be a bran-new strain!
We’ve just retraced our way from. Spain,The lovely land of wine, and song, and slumber.
There was a king once reigning,Who had a big black flea—
Hear, hear! A flea! D’ye rightly take the jest?I call a flea a tidy guest.
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!
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!
In silk and velvet gleamingHe 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 relationsGreat lords at court became.
And the lords and ladies of honorWere 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.
We crack them and we crush them,At once, whene’er they bite!
Bravo! bravo! that was fine.Every flea may it so befall!
Point your fingers and nip them all!
Hurrah for Freedom! Hurrah for wine!
I fain would drink with you, my glass to Freedom clinking,If ’twere a better wine that here I see you drinking.
Don’t let us hear that speech again!
Did I not fear the landlord might complain,I’d treat these worthy guests, with pleasure,To some from out our cellar’s treasure.
Just treat, and let the landlord me arraign!
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.They’re from the Rhine! I guessed as much, before.
Bring me a gimlet here!
What shall therewith be done?You’ve not the casks already at the door?
Yonder, within the landlord’s box of tools, there’s one!
Now, give me of your taste some intimation.
How do you mean? Have you so many kinds?
The choice is free: make up your minds.
Aha! you lick your chops, from sheer anticipation.
Good! if I have the choice, so let the wine be Rhenish!Our Fatherland can best the sparkling cup replenish.
(boring a hole in the edge of the table, at the place whereFROSCH sits)
Get me a little wax, to make the stoppers, quick!
Ah! I perceive a juggler’s trick.
Champagne shall be my wine,And let it sparkle fresh and fine!
What’s foreign one can’t always keep quite clear of,For good things, oft, are not so near;A German can’t endure the French to see or hear of,Yet drinks their wines with hearty cheer.
(as MEPHISTOPHELES approaches his seat)For me, I grant, sour wine is out of place;Fill up my glass with sweetest, will you?Tokay shall flow at once, to fill you!
No—look me, Sirs, straight in the face!I see you have your fun at our expense.
O no! with gentlemen of such pretence,That were to venture far, indeed.Speak out, and make your choice with speed!With what a vintage can I serve you?With any—only satisfy our need.
Grapes the vine-stem bears,Horns the he-goat wears!The grapes are juicy, the vines are wood,The wooden table gives wine as good!Into the depths of Nature peer,—Only believe there’s a miracle here!Now draw the stoppers, and drink your fill!
O beautiful fountain, that flows at will!
But have a care that you nothing spill!
As ’twere five hundred hogs, we feelSo cannibalic jolly!
See, now, the race is happy—it is free!
To leave them is my inclination.
Take notice, first! their bestialityWill make a brilliant demonstration.Help! Fire! Help! Hell-fire is sent!
Be quiet, friendly element!
A bit of purgatory ’twas for this time, merely.
What mean you? Wait!—you’ll pay for’t dearly!You’ll know us, to your detriment.
Don’t try that game a second time upon us!
I think we’d better send him packing quietly.
What, Sir! you dare to make so free,And play your hocus-pocus on us!Be still, old wine-tub.
Broomstick, you!You face it out, impertinent and heady?
Just wait! a shower of blows is ready.
(draws a stopper out of the table: fire flies in his face.)I burn! I burn!
’Tis magic! Strike—The knave is outlawed! Cut him as you like!(They draw their knives, and rush upon MEPHISTOPHELES.)
False word and form of air,Change place, and sense ensnare!Be here—and there!Where am I? What a lovely land!
Vines? Can I trust my eyes?
And purple grapes at hand!
Here, over this green arbor bending,See what a vine! what grapes depending!
Loose, Error, from their eyes the band,And how the Devil jests, be now enlightened!Was that your nose I tightened?
And yours that still I have in hand?
It was a blow that went through every limb!Give me a chair! I sink! my senses swim.
But what has happened, tell me now?
Where is he? If I catch the scoundrel hiding,He shall not leave alive, I vow.
I saw him with these eyes upon a wine-cask ridingOut of the cellar-door, just now.Still in my feet the fright like lead is weighing.(He turns towards the table.)Why! If the fount of wine should still be playing?
’Twas all deceit, and lying, false design!
And yet it seemed as I were drinking wine.
But with the grapes how was it, pray?
Shall one believe no miracles, just say!
Words in this poem 56
- grin n.
- A snare; a gin. [AS. grin.]
- aflame adv.
- Inflames; glowing with light or passion; ablaze. G. Eliot. [Pref. a- + flame.]
- beastliness n.
- The state or quality of being beastly.
- offence n.
- The act of offending in any sense; esp., a crime or a sin, an affront or an injury. [F., fr. L. offensa. See Offend.]
- thank n.
- A expression of gratitude; an acknowledgment expressive of a sense of favor or kindness received; obligation, claim, or desert, or gratitude; -- now generally used in the plural. [AS. Þanc, Þonc, thanks, favor, thought; akin to OS. thank favor, pleasure, thanks, D. & G. dank thanks, Icel. Þ\'94kk, Dan. tak, Sw. tack, Goth. Þagks thanks; -]
- kaiser n.
- The ancient title of emperors of Germany assumed by King William of Prussia when crowned sovereign of the new German empire in 1871. [Gr., fr. L. Caesar. Cf. Kesar, and Czar.]
- dame n.
- A mistress of a family, who is a lady; a womam in authority; especially, a lady. [F. dame, LL. domna, fr. L. domina mistress, lady, fem. of dominus master, ruler, lord; akin to domare to tame, subdue. See Tame, and cf. Dam mother, Dan, Danger]
- resent v. t.
- To be sensible of; to feel; as: (a) In a good sense, to take well; to receive with satisfaction. [F. ressentir; L. pref. re- re- + sentire to feel. See Sense.]
- latch v. t.
- To smear; to anoint. [Cf. F. lécher to lick (of German origin). Cf. Lick.]
- gnome n.
- An imaginary being, supposed by the Rosicrucians to inhabit the inner parts of the earth, and to be the guardian of mines, quarries, etc. [F. gnome, prob. fr. Gr. i. e., of the treasures in the inner parts of the earth, or fr. Know.]
- bleat v. i.
- To make the noise of, or one like that of, a sheep; to cry like a sheep or calf. [OE. bleten, AS. bl; akin to D. blaten, bleeten, OHG. blazan, plazan; prob. of imitative origin.]
- smash v. t.
- To break in pieces by violence; to dash to pieces; to crush. [Cf. Sw. smisk a blow, stroke, smiska to strike, dial. Sw. smaske to kiss with a noise, and E. smack a loud kiss, a slap.]
- smoother n.
- One who, or that which, smooths.
- paunch n.
- The belly and its contents; the abdomen; also, the first stomach, or rumen, of ruminants. See Rumen. [OF. panch, pance, F. panse, L. pantex, panticis.]
- vest n.
- An article of clothing covering the person; an outer garment; a vestment; a dress; a vesture; a robe. [L. vestis a garment, vesture; akin to Goth. wasti, and E. wear: cf. F. veste. See Wear to carry on the person, and cf. Divest, Invest, Travesty.]
- convulsion n.
- An unnatural, violent, and unvoluntary contraction of the muscular parts of an animal body. [L. convulsio: cf. F. convulsion.]
- murderess n.
- A woman who commits murder.
- glee n.
- Music; minstrelsy; entertainment.
- gasp v. i.
- To open the mouth wide in catching the breath, or in laborious respiration; to labor for breath; to respire convulsively; to pant violently. [OE. gaspen, gaispen, to yawn, gasp, Icel. geispa to yawn; akin to Sw. gäspa, Dan. gispe to gasp.]
- warmly adv.
- In a warm manner; ardently.
- boon n.
- A prayer or petition. [OE. bone, boin, a petition, fr. Icel. b; akin to Sw. & Dan. b, AS. b, and perh. to E. ban; but influenced by F. bon good, fr. L. bonus. Ban, Bounty.]
- folk n.
- In Anglo-Saxon times, the people of a group of townships or villages; a community; a tribe. [AS. folc; akin to D. volk, OS. & OHG. folk, G. volk, Icel. f, Sw. & Dan. folk, Lith. pulkas crowd, and perh. to E. follow.]
- miniature n.
- Originally, a painting in colors such as those in mediæval manuscripts; in modern times, any very small painting, especially a portrait. [It. miniatura, fr. L. miniare. See Miniate, v.,Minium.]
- cleverness n.
- The quality of being clever; skill; dexterity; adroitness.
- haughty a.
- High; lofty; bold. [OE. hautein, F. hautain, fr. haut high, OF. also halt, fr. L. altus. See Altitude.]
- shall v. i.
- To owe; to be under obligation for. [OE. shal, schal, imp. sholde, scholde, AS. scal, sceal, I am obliged, imp. scolde, sceolde, inf. sculan; akin to OS. skulan, pres. skal, imp. skolda, D. zullen,]
- supping n.
- The act of one who sups; the act of taking supper.
- knave n.
- A boy; especially, a boy servant. Wyclif. [OE., boy, servant, knave, AS. cnafa boy, youth; cf. AS. cnapa boy, youth, D. kna, G. knabe boy, knappe esquire, Icel. knapi, Sw. knape esquire, knäfvel knave.]
- awhile adv.
- For a while; for some time; for a short time. [Adj. a + while time, interval.]
- rightly adv.
- Straightly; directly; in front. [AS. richtlice.]
- jest n.
- A deed; an action; a gest. [OE. jeste, geste, deed, action, story, tale, OF. geste, LL. gesta, orig., exploits, neut. pl. from L. gestus, p. p. of gerere to bear, carry, accomplish, perfor]
- straightway adv.
- Immediately; without loss of time; without delay.
- enjoin v. t.
- To join or unite. Hooker.
- streaming a.
- Sending forth streams.
- bravo n.
- A daring villain; a bandit; one who sets law at defiance; a professional assassin or murderer. [I. See Brave, a.]
- hurrah interj.
- A word used as a shout of joy, triumph, applause, encouragement, or welcome. [Cf. G., Dan., & Sw. hurra. Cf. Huzza.]
- fain v. t.
- To be glad ; to wish or desire.
- arraign v. t.
- To call or set as a prisoner at the bar of a court to answer to the matter charged in an indictment or complaint. Blackstone. [OE. arainen, arenen, OF. aragnier, aranier, araisnier, F. arraisonner, fr. LL. arrationare to address to call before court; L. ad + ratio reason, reasoning, LL.]
- mouthful n.
- As much as is usually put into the mouth at one time.
- therewith adv.
- With that or this.
- yonder adv.
- At a distance, but within view. [OE. yonder, ýonder; cf. OD. ginder, Goth. jaindr there. Yond, adv.]
- chops n.
- The jaws; also, the fleshy parts about the mouth. [See Chop a jaw.]
- rhenish a.
- Of or pertaining to the river Rhine; as, Rhenish wine. [L. Rhenus the Rhine.]
- fatherland n.
- One's native land; the native land of one's fathers or ancestors. [Imitated fr. D. vaderland. See Father, and Land.]
- replenish v. i.
- To recover former fullness.
- champagne n.
- A light wine, of several kinds, originally made in the province of Champagne, in France. [F. See Champaign.]
- tokay n.
- A grape of an oval shape and whitish color. [Named fr. Tokay in Hungary.]
- pretence n.
- The act of laying claim; the claim laid; assumption; pretension. [LL. praetensus, for L. praetentus, p. p. of praetendere. See Pretend, and cf. Tension.]
- spill n.
- A bit of wood split off; a splinter. [sq. root170. Cf. Spell a splinter.]
- bestiality n.
- The state or quality of being bestial. [F. bestialité.]
- purgatory a.
- Tending to cleanse; cleansing; expiatory. Burke. [L. purgatorius.]
- broomstick n.
- A stick used as a handle of a broom.
- heady a.
- Willful; rash; precipitate; hurried on by will or passion; ungovernable. [From Head.]
- ensnare v. t.
- To catch in a snare. See Insnare.
- arbor n.
- A kind of latticework formed of, or covered with, vines, branches of trees, or other plants, for shade; a bower. Sir P. [OE. herber, herbere, properly a garden of herbs, F. herbier, fr. L. herbarium. See Herb, and cf. Herbarium.]
- went n.
- Course; way; path; journey; direction.
Definitions and etymologies from Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913.
About this text
Auerbach’s Cellar in Leipzig is in the public domain. This text is taken from Faust, Part One, Project Gutenberg ebook #14591, the Bayard Taylor translation; the transcription's header, footer and licence were removed and nothing else was changed. You may copy, print and reuse it freely.
Cite as: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Auerbach’s Cellar in Leipzig, in Faust, Part One (1870), text of Project Gutenberg ebook #14591, Laurel, https://laurelpoetry.com/poem/goethe-faust/auerbach-s-cellar-in-leipzig.html, id L26281.
Form and metre
Auerbach’s Cellar in Leipzig is 280 lines in 105 stanzas. The metre is iambic tetrameter, measured from the stress the words themselves fix (confidence 87%).
See other poems in iambic tetrameter.
Measured by Laurel's pipeline, not copied from a handbook: how stress and metre are counted, how rhyme is lettered, how a drifted rhyme is found. Where the dictionary cannot confirm a rhyme the letter is withheld, not guessed.
Rhyme words, stanza by stanza
The word that ends each line, lettered by the rhyme it makes; a dash is a line whose rhyme the dictionary could not confirm.
- 1 AABB drinkingA · thinkingA · tameB · aflameB
- 4 CC- doorC · roarC · ho
- 5 DD bellowD · fellowD
- 6 EE songE · strongE
- 7 F- offenceF · da
- 9 F--- commenceF · sings · realm · together
- 10 -GGHHIIJJ song · thereforeG · forG · meH · beH · hopeI · popeI · canJ · manJ
- 14 KKK makesK · wakesK · breaksK
- 15 -LLM-M---NN her · laughterL · afterL · gnomeM · her · homeM · her · blood · good · meetingN · greetingN
- 16 O-O--PP meO · live · weO · quality · give · strainP · refrainP
- 17 Q-Q---- nestQ · smoother · vestQ · luther · cunningly · he · bosom
- 18 RSRSTT- aboutR · lavingS · throughoutR · ravingS · madT · hadT · bosom
- 20 U-U-VV-- dayU · kitchen · layU · twitching · gleeV · sheV · bosom · bosom
- 21 WXW matterW · artX · scatterW
- 22 X partX
- 23 -Y-Y noted · degreesY · bloated · seesY
- 24 --ZZ-aa--- hither · together · awayZ · holidayZ · them · trailsa · tailsa · them · give · live
- 25 bbc unravelb · travelb · herec
- 26 c-- dearc · people · guess
- 27 d-dcc drinkingd · cleverness · thinkingd · clearc · appearc
- 28 e revele
- 29 f nowf
- 30 fe vowf · devile
- 32 g-g sameg · side · lameg
- 33 hihi leisureh · herei · pleasureh · appeari
- 34 jk startedj · delayk
- 35 kjll- dayk · partedj · entreatingl · greetingl · understands
- 36 m setm
- 37 m yetm
- 38 n-n- soundn · chorus · reboundn · us
- 41 o numbero
- 42 p strainp
- 43 po spainp · slumbero
- 44 qr reigningq · flear
- 45 ss jests · guests
- 46 qrqr-t-t reigningq · flear · explainingq · her · stitches · straightwayt · breeches · sayt
- 47 -uu- caprices · dearu · shearu · creases
- 48 vwvwxyxy gleamingv · drestw · streamingv · breastw · stationsx · namey · relationsx · becamey
- 49 -z-z-A-A honor · bedz · her · bledz · them · nightA · them · biteA
- 50 -A them · biteA
- 51 BC fineB · befallC
- 52 C allC
- 53 B wineB
- 54 DD clinkingD · drinkingD
- 56 EFF complainE · pleasureF · treasureF
- 57 E arraignE
- 58 GGHHI ampleG · sampleG · decideH · suppliedH · beforeI
- 60 JI doneJ · doorI
- 61 J oneJ
- 62 K intimationK
- 63 L kindsL
- 64 L mindsL
- 65 K anticipationK
- 66 MM rhenishM · replenishM
- 68 N quickN
- 69 N trickN
- 70 OO wineO · fineO
- 71 -P-P of · nearP · of · cheerP
- 72 -Q-- seat · placeQ · you · you
- 73 Q- faceQ · expense
- 74 -RR-R pretence · indeedR · speedR · you · needR
- 75 SSTTUUV bearsS · wearsS · woodT · goodT · peerU · hereU · fillV
- 76 V willV
- 77 V spillV
- 80 W inclinationW
- 81 -W- bestiality · demonstrationW · sent
- 83 X merelyX
- 84 X- dearlyX · detriment
- 88 -Y you · headyY
- 89 Y readyY
- 91 ZZ- strikeZ · likeZ · mephistopheles
- 92 aaab aira · ensnarea · therea · landb
- 94 b handb
- 95 cc bendingc · dependingc
- 96 bdd bandb · enlightenedd · tightenedd
- 97 b handb
- 98 ee limbe · swime
- 99 f nowf
- 100 gf hidingg · vowf
- 101 gfh-h ridingg · nowf · weighingh · table · playingh
- 102 i designi
- 103 i winei
- 104 j prayj
- 105 j sayj
Scansion, line by line
Each line with its syllable count and the stresses the words themselves fix: / stressed, ˘ unstressed, · a syllable the word leaves free and the metre decides. Read against iambic tetrameter. How this is done.
| Line | Syl. | Stress |
|---|---|---|
| Is no one laughing? no one drinking? | 9 | ···/˘··/˘ |
| I’ll teach you how to grin, I’m thinking. | 9 | ·······/˘ |
| To-day you’re like wet straw, so tame; | 8 | ········ |
| And usually you’re all aflame. | 8 | ·/˘˘··˘/ |
| Now that’s your fault; from you we nothing see, | 10 | ·······/˘· |
| No beastliness and no stupidity. | 9 | ·/˘˘··˘/˘ |
| (Pours a glass of wine over BRANDER’S head.) | 9 | ······/˘· |
| There’s both together! | 5 | ··˘/˘ |
| You wanted them: I’ve given you mine. | 8 | ·/˘··/·· |
| Turn out who quarrels—out the door! | 8 | ···/˘··· |
| With open throat sing chorus, drink and roar! | 10 | ·/˘··/˘··· |
| Up! holla! ho! | 4 | ·/˘· |
| Woe’s me, the fearful bellow! | 7 | ···/˘/˘ |
| Bring cotton, quick! He’s split my ears, that fellow. | 11 | ·/˘······/˘ |
| When the vault echoes to the song, | 8 | ···/˘··· |
| One first perceives the bass is deep and strong. | 10 | ··˘/······ |
| Well said! and out with him that takes the least offence! | 12 | ··········˘/ |
| Ah, tara, lara da! | 6 | ·/˘/˘· |
| Ah, tara, lara, da! | 6 | ·/˘/˘· |
| The throats are tuned, commence! | 7 | ····˘˘/ |
| (Sings.) | 1 | · |
| The dear old holy Roman realm, | 8 | ···/˘/˘· |
| How does it hold together? | 7 | ····˘/˘ |
| A nasty song! Fie! a political song— | 10 | ·/˘···˘/˘· |
| A most offensive song! Thank God, each morning, therefore, | 13 | ··˘/˘····/˘·· |
| That you have not the Roman realm to care for! | 11 | ·····/˘···· |
| At least, I hold it so much gain for me, | 10 | ·········· |
| That I nor Chancellor nor Kaiser be. | 8 | ···/˘·/· |
| Yet also we must have a ruling head, I hope, | 12 | ·/˘····/˘··· |
| And so we’ll choose ourselves a Pope. | 8 | ····˘/·· |
| You know the quality that can | 8 | ···/˘˘·· |
| Decide the choice, and elevate the man. | 10 | ˘/···/˘··· |
| Soar up, soar up, Dame Nightingale! | 8 | ·····/˘˘ |
| Ten thousand times my sweetheart hail! | 8 | ·/˘··/·· |
| No, greet my sweetheart not! I tell you, I’ll resent it. | 13 | ···/······˘/· |
| My sweetheart greet and kiss! I dare you to prevent it! | 13 | ·/········˘/· |
| Draw the latch! the darkness makes: | 7 | ····/˘· |
| Draw the latch! the lover wakes. | 7 | ····/˘· |
| Shut the latch! the morning breaks. | 7 | ····/˘· |
| Yes, sing away, sing on, and praise, and brag of her! | 12 | ··˘/········ |
| I’ll wait my proper time for laughter: | 9 | ···/˘··/˘ |
| Me by the nose she led, and now she’ll lead you after. | 13 | ············· |
| Her paramour should be an ugly gnome, | 10 | ·/˘˘···/˘· |
| Where four roads cross, in wanton play to meet her: | 11 | ·····/˘···· |
| An old he-goat, from Blocksberg coming home, | 10 | ·······/˘· |
| Should his good-night in lustful gallop bleat her! | 11 | ·····/˘/˘·· |
| A fellow made of genuine flesh and blood | 10 | ·/˘··/˘··· |
| Is for the wench a deal too good. | 8 | ········ |
| Greet her? Not I: unless, when meeting, | 9 | ·······/˘ |
| To smash her windows be a greeting! | 9 | ···/˘··/˘ |
| Attention! Hearken now to me! | 8 | ˘/˘/˘··· |
| Confess, Sirs, I know how to live. | 8 | ˘/······ |
| Enamored persons here have we, | 8 | ˘/˘/˘··· |
| And I, as suits their quality, | 8 | ·····/˘˘ |
| Must something fresh for their advantage give. | 10 | ·/˘···˘/˘· |
| Take heed! ’Tis of the latest cut, my strain, | 10 | ·····/˘··· |
| And all strike in at each refrain! | 8 | ······˘/ |
| There was a rat in the cellar-nest, | 9 | ······/˘· |
| Whom fat and butter made smoother: | 8 | ···/˘·/˘ |
| He had a paunch beneath his vest | 8 | ········ |
| Like that of Doctor Luther. | 7 | ···/˘/˘ |
| The cook laid poison cunningly, | 8 | ···/˘/˘˘ |
| And then as sore oppressed was he | 8 | ····˘/·· |
| As if he had love in his bosom. | 9 | ·······/˘ |
| He ran around, he ran about, | 8 | ········ |
| His thirst in puddles laving; | 7 | ···/˘·· |
| He gnawed and scratched the house throughout. | 8 | ········ |
| But nothing cured his raving. | 8 | ·/˘·˘·/˘ |
| He whirled and jumped, with torment mad, | 8 | ·····/·· |
| And soon enough the poor beast had, | 8 | ··˘/···· |
| As if he had love in his bosom. | 9 | ·······/˘ |
| As if he had love in his bosom! | 9 | ·······/˘ |
| And driven at last, in open day, | 8 | ·/···/˘· |
| He ran into the kitchen, | 7 | ·····/˘ |
| Fell on the hearth, and squirming lay, | 8 | ·····/˘· |
| In the last convulsion twitching. | 8 | ···˘/˘/˘ |
| Then laughed the murderess in her glee: | 9 | ···/˘˘··· |
| “Ha! ha! he’s at his last gasp,” said she, | 9 | ········· |
| “As if he had love in his bosom!” | 9 | ·······/˘ |
| As if he had love in his bosom! | 9 | ·······/˘ |
| How the dull fools enjoy the matter! | 9 | ····˘/·/˘ |
| To me it is a proper art | 8 | ·····/˘· |
| Poison for such poor rats to scatter. | 9 | /˘·····/˘ |
| Perhaps you’ll warmly take their part? | 8 | ˘/·/˘··· |
| The bald-pate pot-belly I have noted: | 10 | ····/˘··/˘ |
| Misfortune tames him by degrees; | 8 | ˘/˘···˘/ |
| For in the rat by poison bloated | 9 | ·····/˘/˘ |
| His own most natural form he sees. | 8 | ···/˘··· |
| Before all else, I bring thee hither | 9 | ·······/˘ |
| Where boon companions meet together, | 9 | ··˘/˘·˘/˘ |
| To let thee see how smooth life runs away. | 10 | ········˘/ |
| Here, for the folk, each day’s a holiday: | 10 | ·······/˘· |
| With little wit, and ease to suit them, | 9 | ·/˘······ |
| They whirl in narrow, circling trails, | 8 | ···/˘/˘· |
| Like kittens playing with their tails? | 8 | ·/˘/˘··· |
| And if no headache persecute them, | 9 | ···/·/˘·· |
| So long the host may credit give, | 8 | ·····/˘· |
| They merrily and careless live. | 8 | ·/˘˘·/˘· |
| The fact is easy to unravel, | 9 | ···/˘·˘/˘ |
| Their air’s so odd, they’ve just returned from travel: | 11 | ······˘/·/˘ |
| A single hour they’ve not been here. | 8 | ·/˘/···· |
| You’ve verily hit the truth! Leipzig to me is dear: | 13 | ·/˘˘···/˘···· |
| Paris in miniature, how it refines its people! | 13 | /˘·/˘···˘/·/˘ |
| Who are the strangers, should you guess? | 8 | ···/˘··· |
| Let me alone! I’ll set them first to drinking, | 11 | ··˘/·····/˘ |
| And then, as one a child’s tooth draws, with cleverness, | 11 | ·········/˘ |
| I’ll worm their secret out, I’m thinking. | 9 | ···/˘··/˘ |
| They’re of a noble house, that’s very clear: | 10 | ···/˘··/˘· |
| Haughty and discontented they appear. | 10 | /˘··˘/˘·˘/ |
| They’re mountebanks, upon a revel. | 9 | ·······/˘ |
| Look out, I’ll smoke them now! | 6 | ······ |
| Not if he had them by the neck, I vow, | 10 | ·········· |
| Would e’er these people scent the Devil! | 9 | ···/˘··/˘ |
| Fair greeting, gentlemen! | 6 | ·/˘/˘˘ |
| Our thanks: we give the same. | 7 | /˘····· |
| (Murmurs, inspecting MEPHISTOPHELES from the side.) | 12 | /˘˘/˘······· |
| In one foot is the fellow lame? | 8 | ·····/˘· |
| Is it permitted that we share your leisure? | 11 | ··˘/˘····/˘ |
| In place of cheering drink, which one seeks vainly here, | 12 | ···/˘····/˘· |
| Your company shall give us pleasure. | 9 | ·/˘˘···/˘ |
| A most fastidious person you appear. | 10 | ··˘/˘/˘·˘/ |
| No doubt ’twas late when you from Rippach started? | 11 | ·········/˘ |
| And supping there with Hans occasioned your delay? | 12 | ·/˘···˘/˘·˘/ |
| We passed, without a call, to-day. | 8 | ········ |
| At our last interview, before we parted | 11 | ·/·/˘····/˘ |
| Much of his cousins did he speak, entreating | 11 | ···/˘······ |
| That we should give to each his kindly greeting. | 11 | ·······/˘/˘ |
| You have it now! he understands. | 8 | ······˘/ |
| A knave sharp-set! | 4 | ···· |
| Just wait awhile: I’ll have him yet. | 8 | ··˘/···· |
| If I am right, we heard the sound | 8 | ········ |
| Of well-trained voices, singing chorus; | 9 | ···/˘/˘/˘ |
| And truly, song must here rebound | 8 | ·/˘···˘/ |
| Superbly from the arches o’er us. | 8 | /˘··/˘·· |
| Are you, perhaps, a virtuoso? | 9 | ··˘/·˘˘/˘ |
| O no! my wish is great, my power is only so-so. | 13 | ·······/·/˘·· |
| If you desire, a number. | 8 | ··˘/˘·/˘ |
| So that it be a bran-new strain! | 8 | ········ |
| We’ve just retraced our way from. Spain, | 8 | ··˘//··· |
| The lovely land of wine, and song, and slumber. | 11 | ·/˘······/˘ |
| There was a king once reigning, | 7 | ·····/˘ |
| Who had a big black flea— | 6 | ······ |
| Hear, hear! A flea! D’ye rightly take the jest? | 10 | ·····/˘··· |
| I call a flea a tidy guest. | 8 | ·····/˘· |
| There was a king once reigning, | 7 | ·····/˘ |
| Who had a big black flea, | 6 | ······ |
| And loved him past explaining, | 8 | ··˘··˘/˘ |
| As his own son were he. | 6 | ······ |
| He called his man of stitches; | 8 | ··˘···/˘ |
| The tailor came straightway: | 6 | ·/˘·/˘ |
| Here, measure the lad for breeches. | 8 | ·/˘···/˘ |
| And measure his coat, I say! | 7 | ·/˘···· |
| But mind, allow the tailor no caprices: | 11 | ··˘/·/˘·˘/˘ |
| Enjoin upon him, as his head is dear, | 10 | ˘/········ |
| To most exactly measure, sew and shear, | 10 | ··˘/˘/˘··· |
| So that the breeches have no creases! | 9 | ···/˘··/˘ |
| In silk and velvet gleaming | 7 | ···/˘/˘ |
| He now was wholly drest— | 6 | ···/˘· |
| Had a coat with ribbons streaming, | 8 | ····/˘/˘ |
| A cross upon his breast. | 6 | ······ |
| He had the first of stations, | 7 | ·····/˘ |
| A minister’s star and name; | 7 | ·/˘˘··· |
| And also all his relations | 8 | ·/˘··˘/˘ |
| Great lords at court became. | 6 | ····˘/ |
| And the lords and ladies of honor | 9 | ····/˘·/˘ |
| Were plagued, awake and in bed; | 8 | ··˘˘/··· |
| The queen she got them upon her, | 8 | ········ |
| The maids were bitten and bled. | 7 | ···/˘·· |
| And they did not dare to brush them, | 8 | ········ |
| Or scratch them, day or night: | 6 | ······ |
| We crack them and we crush them, | 7 | ······· |
| At once, whene’er they bite. | 7 | ······· |
| We crack them and we crush them, | 7 | ······· |
| At once, whene’er they bite! | 7 | ······· |
| Bravo! bravo! that was fine. | 7 | /˘/˘··· |
| Every flea may it so befall! | 8 | /˘····˘/ |
| Point your fingers and nip them all! | 8 | ··/˘···· |
| Hurrah for Freedom! Hurrah for wine! | 9 | ˘/·/˘˘/·· |
| I fain would drink with you, my glass to Freedom clinking, | 13 | ·········/˘/˘ |
| If ’twere a better wine that here I see you drinking. | 13 | ···/˘······/˘ |
| Don’t let us hear that speech again! | 8 | ······˘/ |
| Did I not fear the landlord might complain, | 10 | ·····/··˘/ |
| I’d treat these worthy guests, with pleasure, | 9 | ···/˘··/˘ |
| To some from out our cellar’s treasure. | 9 | ····//˘/˘ |
| Just treat, and let the landlord me arraign! | 10 | ·····/··˘/ |
| And if the wine be good, our praises shall be ample. | 13 | ······//˘··/˘ |
| But do not give too very small a sample; | 11 | ·····/˘··/˘ |
| For, if its quality I decide, | 8 | ···/˘·˘/ |
| With a good mouthful I must be supplied. | 10 | ···/····˘/ |
| They’re from the Rhine! I guessed as much, before. | 10 | ·········· |
| Bring me a gimlet here! | 6 | ···/˘· |
| What shall therewith be done? | 6 | ··˘/·· |
| You’ve not the casks already at the door? | 10 | ····˘/˘··· |
| Yonder, within the landlord’s box of tools, there’s one! | 12 | /˘···/······ |
| Now, give me of your taste some intimation. | 11 | ········˘/˘ |
| How do you mean? Have you so many kinds? | 9 | ·······/· |
| The choice is free: make up your minds. | 8 | ········ |
| Aha! you lick your chops, from sheer anticipation. | 13 | ·/······˘·˘/˘ |
| Good! if I have the choice, so let the wine be Rhenish! | 13 | ···········/˘ |
| Our Fatherland can best the sparkling cup replenish. | 13 | //˘····/˘·˘/˘ |
| (boring a hole in the edge of the table, at the place where | 15 | /˘·······/˘···· |
| FROSCH sits) | 2 | ·· |
| Get me a little wax, to make the stoppers, quick! | 12 | ···/˘····/˘· |
| Ah! I perceive a juggler’s trick. | 8 | ··˘/·/˘· |
| Champagne shall be my wine, | 6 | ˘/···· |
| And let it sparkle fresh and fine! | 8 | ···/˘··· |
| What’s foreign one can’t always keep quite clear of, | 11 | ·/˘··/····· |
| For good things, oft, are not so near; | 8 | ········ |
| A German can’t endure the French to see or hear of, | 13 | ·/˘·˘/······· |
| Yet drinks their wines with hearty cheer. | 8 | ·····/˘· |
| (as MEPHISTOPHELES approaches his seat) | 10 | ·····˘/˘·· |
| For me, I grant, sour wine is out of place; | 10 | ····/····· |
| Fill up my glass with sweetest, will you? | 9 | ·····/˘·· |
| Tokay shall flow at once, to fill you! | 9 | ˘/······· |
| No—look me, Sirs, straight in the face! | 8 | ········ |
| I see you have your fun at our expense. | 10 | ·······/˘/ |
| O no! with gentlemen of such pretence, | 9 | ···/˘···· |
| That were to venture far, indeed. | 8 | ···/˘·˘/ |
| Speak out, and make your choice with speed! | 8 | ········ |
| With what a vintage can I serve you? | 9 | ···/˘···· |
| With any—only satisfy our need. | 10 | ·/˘/˘/˘·/· |
| Grapes the vine-stem bears, | 5 | ····· |
| Horns the he-goat wears! | 5 | ····· |
| The grapes are juicy, the vines are wood, | 9 | ···/˘···· |
| The wooden table gives wine as good! | 9 | ·/˘/˘···· |
| Into the depths of Nature peer,— | 8 | ·····/˘· |
| Only believe there’s a miracle here! | 9 | /˘˘/··/˘· |
| Now draw the stoppers, and drink your fill! | 9 | ···/˘···· |
| O beautiful fountain, that flows at will! | 9 | ·/˘/˘···· |
| But have a care that you nothing spill! | 9 | ······/˘· |
| As ’twere five hundred hogs, we feel | 8 | ···/˘··· |
| So cannibalic jolly! | 7 | ·····/˘ |
| See, now, the race is happy—it is free! | 10 | ·····/˘··· |
| To leave them is my inclination. | 9 | ······˘/˘ |
| Take notice, first! their bestiality | 9 | ·/˘··˘/˘˘ |
| Will make a brilliant demonstration. | 9 | ···/˘·˘/˘ |
| Help! Fire! Help! Hell-fire is sent! | 8 | ·/··/˘·· |
| Be quiet, friendly element! | 8 | ·/˘/˘/˘˘ |
| A bit of purgatory ’twas for this time, merely. | 13 | ···/˘·˘····/˘ |
| What mean you? Wait!—you’ll pay for’t dearly! | 9 | ·······/˘ |
| You’ll know us, to your detriment. | 8 | ·····/˘˘ |
| Don’t try that game a second time upon us! | 11 | ·····/˘···· |
| I think we’d better send him packing quietly. | 11 | ···/˘··/˘/˘ |
| What, Sir! you dare to make so free, | 8 | ········ |
| And play your hocus-pocus on us! | 9 | ···/˘/˘·· |
| Be still, old wine-tub. | 5 | ····· |
| Broomstick, you! | 3 | /·· |
| You face it out, impertinent and heady? | 10 | ····˘/˘·/˘ |
| Just wait! a shower of blows is ready. | 9 | ···/···/˘ |
| (draws a stopper out of the table: fire flies in his face.) | 14 | ··/˘···/˘/···· |
| I burn! I burn! | 4 | ···· |
| ’Tis magic! Strike— | 4 | ·/˘· |
| The knave is outlawed! Cut him as you like! | 10 | ···/······ |
| (They draw their knives, and rush upon MEPHISTOPHELES.) | 12 | ············ |
| False word and form of air, | 6 | ······ |
| Change place, and sense ensnare! | 6 | ····˘/ |
| Be here—and there! | 4 | ···· |
| Where am I? What a lovely land! | 8 | ·····/˘· |
| Vines? Can I trust my eyes? | 6 | ······ |
| And purple grapes at hand! | 6 | ·/˘··· |
| Here, over this green arbor bending, | 9 | ·····/˘/˘ |
| See what a vine! what grapes depending! | 9 | ······˘/˘ |
| Loose, Error, from their eyes the band, | 8 | ·/˘····· |
| And how the Devil jests, be now enlightened! | 10 | ···/···˘/˘ |
| Was that your nose I tightened? | 8 | ·····/˘˘ |
| And yours that still I have in hand? | 8 | ········ |
| It was a blow that went through every limb! | 10 | ·······/˘· |
| Give me a chair! I sink! my senses swim. | 10 | ·······/˘· |
| But what has happened, tell me now? | 8 | ···/˘··· |
| Where is he? If I catch the scoundrel hiding, | 11 | ·······/˘/˘ |
| He shall not leave alive, I vow. | 8 | ····˘/·· |
| I saw him with these eyes upon a wine-cask riding | 13 | ···········/˘ |
| Out of the cellar-door, just now. | 8 | ···/˘··· |
| Still in my feet the fright like lead is weighing. | 11 | ·········/˘ |
| (He turns towards the table.) | 7 | ·····/˘ |
| Why! If the fount of wine should still be playing? | 11 | ·········/˘ |
| ’Twas all deceit, and lying, false design! | 10 | ··˘/·/˘·˘/ |
| And yet it seemed as I were drinking wine. | 10 | ·······/˘· |
| But with the grapes how was it, pray? | 8 | ········ |
| Shall one believe no miracles, just say! | 9 | ··˘/·/˘·· |
The reader shows the same poem with its rhymes coloured and a stress row above each line, the notes beside their stanzas, and any word's definition on a tap; the analysis page takes the whole book apart. How every part of this site was made.