FROSCH

Let me alone! I'll set them first to drinking, And then, as one a child's tooth draws, with cleverness, I'll worm their secret out, I'm thinking.

They're of a n.o.ble house, that's very clear: Haughty and discontented they appear.

BRANDER

They're mountebanks, upon a revel.

ALTMAYER

Perhaps.

FROSCH

Look out, I'll smoke them now!

MEPHISTOPHELES (to FAUST)

Not if he had them by the neck, I vow, Would e'er these people scent the Devil!

FAUST Fair greeting, gentlemen!

SIEBEL

Our thanks: we give the same.

(Murmurs, inspecting MEPHISTOPHELES from the side.) In one foot is the fellow lame?

MEPHISTOPHELES

Is it permitted that we share your leisure?

In place of cheering drink, which one seeks vainly here, Your company shall give us pleasure.

ALTMAYER

A most fastidious person you appear.

FROSCH

No doubt 'twas late when you from Rippach started?

And supping there with Hans occasioned your delay?

MEPHISTOPHELES

We pa.s.sed, without a call, to-day.

At our last interview, before we parted Much of his cousins did he speak, entreating That we should give to each his kindly greeting.

(He bows to FROSCH.)

ALTMAYER (aside)

You have it now! he understands.

SIEBEL

A knave sharp-set!

FROSCH

Just wait awhile: I'll have him yet.

MEPHISTOPHELES

If I am right, we heard the sound Of well-trained voices, singing chorus; And truly, song must here rebound Superbly from the arches o'er us.

FROSCH

Are you, perhaps, a virtuoso?

MEPHISTOPHELES

O no! my wish is great, my power is only so-so.

ALTMAYER

Give us a song!

MEPHISTOPHELES

If you desire, a number.

SIEBEL

So that it be a bran-new strain!

MEPHISTOPHELES

We've just retraced our way from. Spain, The lovely land of wine, and song, and slumber.

(Sings.)

There was a king once reigning, Who had a big black flea-

FROSCH

Hear, hear! A flea! D'ye rightly take the jest?

I call a flea a tidy guest.

MEPHISTOPHELES (sings)