She  spends  what  spoil  she  may  recover

Upon  her  body,  or  her  lover ;

In  luxury  eats,  and  to  excess

Drinks  with  the  flirts  that  round  her  press ;

For  me  that  raises  money's  price :

Male  is  my  gender.  Avarice !

LEADER   OF   THE   WOMEN.
With  dragons,  mean  may  be  the  dragon ;
It 's  all,  at  best,  but  lying  stuff !
He  comes,  the  men  to  spur  and  egg  on,
And  now  they  're  troublesome  enough.
CROWD   OF   WOMEN.
The  scarecrow !     Knock  him  from  the  wagon !

What  means  the  fag,  to  threaten  here  ?

As  if  his  ugly  face  we  'd  fear  !

Of  wood  and  pasteboard  is  each  dragon :

Come  on  —  his  words  shall  cost  him  dear !

HERALD.
Now,  by  jny  wand !    Be  still  —  let  none  stir,!
Yet  for  my  help  there  's  scarcely  need ;


44


FAUST.
See  how  each  grim  and  grisly  monster,
Clearing  the  space  around  with  speed,
Unfolds  his  fourfold  wings  of  dread !
The  dragons  shake  themselves  in  anger.
With  flaming  throats,  and  scaly  clangor ;
The  place  is  clear,  the  crowd  has  fled.
(Plutus  descends  from  the  chdriot.)
HERALD.
How  kingly  comes  he  from  above !
He  beckons,  and  the  dragons  move;
Then  from  the  chariot  bring  the  chest
With  gold,  and  Avarice  thereon.
See,  at  his  feet  the  load  they  rest !
A  marvel 't  is,  how  it  was  done.
PLUTUS  (to  the  Charioteer).
Now  thou  hast  left  the  onerous  burden  here,
Thou  'rt  wholly  free :  away  to  thine  own  sphere !
Here  it  is  not !     Confused  and  wild,  to-day.
Distorted  pictures  press  around  our  way.
Where  clear  thy  gaze  in  sweet  serenity,
Owning  thyself,  confiding  but  in  thee,
Thither,  where  Good  and  Beauty  are  unfurled.
