STUDENT

No need to tell me twice to do it! 
I think, how useful ’tis to write;
For what one has, in black and white,
One carries home and then goes through it.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Yet choose thyself a faculty!

STUDENT

I cannot reconcile myself to Jurisprudence.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Nor can I therefore greatly blame you students: 
I know what science this has come to be. 
All rights and laws are still transmitted
Like an eternal sickness of the race,—­
From generation unto generation fitted,
And shifted round from place to place. 
Reason becomes a sham, Beneficence a worry: 
Thou art a grandchild, therefore woe to thee! 
The right born with us, ours in verity,
This to consider, there’s, alas! no hurry.

STUDENT

My own disgust is strengthened by your speech: 
O lucky he, whom you shall teach! 
I’ve almost for Theology decided.

MEPHISTOPHELES

I should not wish to see you here misguided: 
For, as regards this science, let me hint
’Tis very hard to shun the false direction;
There’s so much secret poison lurking in ’t,
So like the medicine, it baffles your detection. 
Hear, therefore, one alone, for that is best, in sooth,
And simply take your master’s words for truth. 
On words let your attention centre! 
Then through the safest gate you’ll enter
The temple-halls of Certainty.

STUDENT

Yet in the word must some idea be.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Of course!  But only shun too over-sharp a tension,
For just where fails the comprehension,
A word steps promptly in as deputy. 
With words ’tis excellent disputing;
Systems to words ’tis easy suiting;
On words ’tis excellent believing;
No word can ever lose a jot from thieving.

STUDENT

Pardon!  With many questions I detain you. 
Yet must I trouble you again. 
Of Medicine I still would fain
Hear one strong word that might explain you. 
Three years is but a little space. 
And, God! who can the field embrace? 
If one some index could be shown,
’Twere easier groping forward, truly.

MEPHISTOPHELES (aside)

I’m tired enough of this dry tone,—­
Must play the Devil again, and fully.

(Aloud)