What  mean  you  ?    Wait !  —  you  '11  pay  for  't  dearly !
You  '11  know  us,  to  your  detriment.
FROSCH.
Don't  try  that  game  a  second  time  upon  us  1

ALTMAYER.
I  think  we  'd  better  send  him  packing  quietly.
SIEBEL.
What,  Sir !  you  dare  to  make  so  free,
And  play  your  hocus-pocus  on  us  !

MEPHISTOPHELES.
Be  still,  old  wine-tub.
SIEBEL.
Broomstick,  you !
You  face  it  out,  impertinent  and  heady?

BRANDER.
Just  wait !  a  shower  of  blows  is  ready.
ALTMAYER
{draws  a  staffer  out  of  the  table:  fireflies  in  his  face).
I  burn !    I  burn !

SIEBEL.
'T  is  magic !     Strike  —
The  knave  is  outlawed !     Cut  him  as  you  like !
( They  draw  their  knives,  and  rush  ufon  Mephistopheles.)
VOL.  I.  S  ^


98


FAUST.
MEPHISTOPHELES
(with  solemn  gestures).
False  word  and  form  of  air,
Change  place,  and  sense  ensnare !  **
Be  here  —  and  there  !
( They  stand  amazed  and  look  at  each  other.)


ALTMAYER.
Where  am  I  ?    What  a  lovely  land !

FROSCH.
Vines  ?    Can  I  trust  my  eyes  ?

SIEBEL.
And  purple  grapes  at  hand !

BRANDER.
Here,  over  this  green  arbor  bending,
See,  what  a  vine  !  what  grapes  depending !

(He  takes  SlEBEL  by  the  nose :  the  others  do  the  same  recipro-
cally, and  raise  their  knives.)

MEPHISTOPHELES  {as  above).
Loose,  Error,  from  their  eyes  the  band.
And  how  the  Devil  jests,  be  now  enlightened !

{He  disappears  with  Faust  :  the  revellers  start  and  separate. )
SIEBEL.
What  happened  ?

ALTMAYER.
How?

FROSCH.
Was  that  your  nose  I  tightened  ?


SCENE:  V.  99,

BRANDER  ifo  SlEBEL).
And  yours  that  still  I  have  in  hand  ?

ALTMAYER.
