Thy  talents  here  employ !

WAGNER  (still  gasing  at  the  phial).
Forsooth,  thou  art  the  very  loveliest  boy !
( The  side-door  opens :  FAUSr  is  seen  stretched  out  upon  a  couch.)

HOMUXCULUS  (astonished).
Significant !  —

( The  phial  slips  out  o/Wacner's  hands,  hovers  aver  Faust,
and  shines  npon  him.)
Fair  scenery !  ^  —  Waters,  mpying
VOL.  II.  S  G


98  FAUST.
In  forest  shadows  :  women  there,  undressing,

The  loveliest  forms  !  — the  picture  is  improving.
One,  marlced  by  beauty,  splendidly  expressing

Descent  from  Gods  or  high  heroic  races.
Now  dips  her  foot  in  the  translucent  shimmer :

The  living  flame  of  her  sweet  form  displaces

The  yielding  crystal,  cool  around  the  swimmer.
But  what  a  sound  of  wings  !     What  rapid  dashing

Across  the  glassy  pool,  what  fluttering,  splashing !

The  maidens  fly,  alarmed ;  but  only  she.
The  queen,  looks  on,  composed  and  terror-free,

And  sees  with  proud  and  womanly  delight

The  swan-prince  press  her  knee  with  plumage  white,

Importunately  tame :  he  grows  acquainted.  —

But  all  at  once  floats  up  a  vapor  pale,

And  covers  with  its  closely-woven  veil

The  loveliest  picture  ever  dreamed  or  painted.
MEPHISTOPHELES.
How  much  hast  thou  to  tell,  —  what  stories  merry !
So  small  thou  art,  so  great  a  visionary !
Nothing  see  I !  —

HOMUNCULUS.
Of  course.     Thou,  from  the  North,
And  in  the  age  of  mist  brought  forth,
In  knighthood's  and  in  priestcraft's  murky  den,
How  should  thy  sight  be  clearer,  then  ?
In  gloom  alorie  art  thou  at  home.
( Gazing  around. )
Brown  masonry,  repellent,  crumbling  slowly,
Arch-pointed,  finical,  fantastic,  lowly !  —
If  this  man  wakes,  another  danger  's  nigh ;
At  once  upon  the  spot  he  'II  die.
Wood-fountains,  swans,  and  nalced  beauties.
