But what comes sneaking, there, to view? 
If I mistake not, there are two. 
If he’s one, let me at him drive! 
He shall not leave the spot alive.

FAUST MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

How from the window of the sacristy
Upward th’eternal lamp sends forth a glimmer,
That, lessening side-wards, fainter grows and dimmer,
Till darkness closes from the sky! 
The shadows thus within my bosom gather.

MEPHISTOPHELES

I’m like a sentimental tom-cat, rather,
That round the tall fire-ladders sweeps,
And stealthy, then, along the coping creeps: 
Quite virtuous, withal, I come,
A little thievish and a little frolicsome. 
I feel in every limb the presage
Forerunning the grand Walpurgis-Night: 
Day after to-morrow brings its message,
And one keeps watch then with delight.

FAUST

Meanwhile, may not the treasure risen be,
Which there, behind, I glimmering see?

MEPHISTOPHELES

Shalt soon experience the pleasure,
To lift the kettle with its treasure. 
I lately gave therein a squint—­
Saw splendid lion-dollars in ’t.

FAUST

Not even a jewel, not a ring,
To deck therewith my darling girl?

MEPHISTOPHELES

I saw, among the rest, a thing
That seemed to be a chain of pearl.

FAUST

That’s well, indeed!  For painful is it
To bring no gift when her I visit.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Thou shouldst not find it so annoying,
Without return to be enjoying. 
Now, while the sky leads forth its starry throng,
Thou’lt hear a masterpiece, no work completer: 
I’ll sing her, first, a moral song,
The surer, afterwards, to cheat her.

(Sings to the cither.)

        What dost thou here
        In daybreak clear,
        Kathrina dear,
        Before thy lover’s door? 
        Beware! the blade
        Lets in a maid. 
        That out a maid
        Departeth nevermore!

        The coaxing shun
        Of such an one! 
        When once ’tis done
        Good-night to thee, poor thing! 
        Love’s time is brief: 
        Unto no thief
        Be warm and lief,
        But with the wedding-ring!

VALENTINE (comes forward)

Whom wilt thou lure?  God’s-element! 
Rat-catching piper, thou!—­perdition! 
To the Devil, first, the instrument! 
To the Devil, then, the curst musician!