Faust (Goethe)/Scene 1

Part I Night

In a narrow, high-vaulted Gothic room, FAUST, seated restlessly in an armchair at his desk.

FAUST: I've studied, alas, philosophy, Law and medicine, recto and verso And how I regret it, theology also Oh, God, how hard I've slaved away, With what result? Poor fool that I am, I'm no whit wiser than when I began! I've got a Master of Arts degree On top of that a P.h.D., For ten long years, around and about, Upstairs, downstairs, in and out, I've led my students by the nose To what conclusion? That nobody knows, Or can ever know, the tiniest crumb! Which is why I feel completely undone.

Of course I'm cleverer than these stuffed shirts, These Doctors, Masters, Jurists, Priests I'm not bothered by a doubt or a scruple I'm not afraid of Hell or the Devil — But the consequence is, my mirth's all gone; No longer can I fool myself I'm able to teach men How to be better, love true worth; I've got no money or property, Worldly honors or celebrity A dog wouldn't put up with this life! Which is why I've turned to magic Seeking to know, by ways occult, From ghostly mouths, many a secret; So I no longer need to sweat Painfully explaining what I don't know anything about; So I may penetrate the power That holds the universe together, Behold the source whence all proceeds And deal no more in words, words, words.

O full moon, melancholy-bright, Friend I've watched for, many a night Till your quiet-shining face Appeared above my high-piled desk — If this were only the last time You looked down on my pain! If only I might stray at will Beneath your light, high on the hill Haunt with spirits upland hollows, Fade with you in dim-light meadows And soul no longer gasping in The stink of learning's midnight lamp, Bathe in your dews till well again!