MEPHISTOPHELES

This once I must admit your plea;—­
For truly I must own that we
Each other have not seen for many a day. 
The culture, too, that shapes the world, at last
Hath e’en the devil in its sphere embraced;
The northern phantom from the scene hath pass’d;
Tail, talons, horns, are nowhere to be traced! 
As for the foot, with which I can’t dispense,
’Twould injure me in company, and hence,
Like many a youthful cavalier,
False calves I now have worn for many a year.

THE WITCH (dancing)

I am beside myself with joy,
To see once more the gallant Satan here!

MEPHISTOPHELES

Woman, no more that name employ!

THE WITCH

But why? what mischief hath it done?

MEPHISTOPHELES

To fable-books it now doth appertain;
But people from the change have nothing won. 
Rid of the evil one, the evil ones remain. 
Lord Baron call thou me, so is the matter good;
Of other cavaliers the mien I wear. 
Dost make no question of my gentle blood;
See here, this is the scutcheon that I bear!

[He makes an unseemly gesture.]

THE WITCH (laughing immoderately)

Ha!  Ha!  Just like yourself!  You are, I ween,
The same mad wag that you have ever been!

MEPHISTOPHELES (to FAUST)

My friend, learn this to understand, I pray! 
To deal with witches this is still the way.

THE WITCH

Now tell me, gentlemen, what you desire?

MEPHISTOPHELES

Of your known juice a goblet we require. 
But for the very oldest let me ask;
Double its strength with years doth grow.

THE WITCH

Most willingly!  And here I have a flask,
From which I’ve sipp’d myself ere now;
What’s more, it doth no longer stink;
To you a glass I joyfully will give.

(Aside.)

If unprepar’d, however, this man drink,
He hath not, as you know, an hour to live.

MEPHISTOPHELES

He’s my good friend, with whom ’twill prosper well;
I grudge him not the choicest of thy store. 
Now draw thy circle, speak thy spell,
And straight a bumper for him pour!

[The WITCH, with extraordinary gestures, describes a circle, and places strange things within it.  The glasses meanwhile begin to ring, and the caldron to sound and make music.  Lastly, she brings a great book; places the MONKEYS in the circle to serve her as a desk, and to hold the torches.  She beckons FAUST to approach.]