# The Works of J. W. von Goethe/Volume 9/From Faust—Second Part

FROM FAUST—SECOND PART.
I. ARIEL.
When in spring the gentle rain Breathes into the flower new birth, When the green and happy plain Smiles upon the sons of earth, Haste to give what help we may, Little elves of wondrous might! Whether good or evil they, Pity for them feels the sprite.
II. CHORUS OF SPIRITS.
When the moist and balmly gale Round the verdant meadow sighs, Odours sweet in misty veil At the twilight-hour arise. Murmurings soft of calm repose Rock the heart to childlike rest, And the day's bright portals close On the eyes with toil oppressed.
​Night already reigns o'er all, Strangely star is linked to star; Planets mighty, sparklings small, Glitter near and gleam afar. Gleam above in clearer night, Glitter in the glassy sea; Pledging pure and calm delight, Rules the moon in majesty.
Now each well-known hour is over, Joy and grief have passed away; Feel betimes! thou'lt then recover: Trust the new-born eye of day. Vales grow verdant, hillocks teem, Shady nooks the bushes yield, And with waving, silvery gleam, Rocks the harvest in the field.
Wouldst thou wish for wish obtain, Look upon yon glittering ray! Lightly on thee lies the chain, Cast the shell of sleep away! Tarry not, but be thou bold, When the many loiter still; All with ease may be controlled By the man of daring will.
III.
ARIEL.
Hark! the storm of hours draws near, Loudly to the spirit-ear Signs of coming day appear. Rocky gates are wildly crashing, Phœbus' wheels are onward dashing;
(A wonderful noise proclaims the approach of the sun.)
Pealing loud as rolling thunder, Eye and ear it fills with wonder, Though itself unconscious yet Downward steals it, 'mongst the flowers Seeking deeper, stiller bowers, 'Mongst the foliage, neath the rock; Thou'lt be deafened by the shock!
FROM FAUST—SECOND PART.
SCENE THE LAST.
ANGELS.
[Hovering in the higher regions of air, and bearing the immortal part of Faust.]
The spirit-region's noble limb Hath 'scaped the Archfiend's power; For we have strength to rescue him Who labours every hour. And if he feels within his breast A ray of love from heaven, He's met by all the squadron blest With welcome gladly given.
THE YOUNGER ANGELS.
Yonder roses, from the holy Hands of penitents so lowly, Helped to render us victorious, And to do the deed all-glorious; For they gained us this soul-treasure. Evil ones those roses banished, Devils, when we met them, vanished. Spirits felt love's pangs with pleasure, ​Where hell's torments used to dwell; E'en the hoary king of hell Felt sharp torments through him run. Shout for joy! the prize is won.
THE MORE PERFECT ANGELS.
Strains of mortality Long have oppressed us; Pure could they ever be, If of asbestos. If mighty spirit strength Elements ever Knew how to seize at length, Angels could never Linked twofold natures move, Where single-hearted; By nought but deathless love Can they be parted.
THE YOUNGER ANGELS.
See where a spirit-race Bursts on the sight! Dimly their forms I trace Round the far height. Each cloud becometh clear, While the bright troops appear Of the blest boys, From the Earth's burden free, In a glad company Drinking in joys, Born of the world above, Spring-time and bliss. May they forerunners prove Of a more perfect love, Linked on to this!
THE BEATIFIED CHILDREN.
Thus as a chrysalis Gladly we gain him, And as a pledge of bliss Safely retain him; When from the shell he's free Whereby he's tainted, Perfect and fair he'll be, Holy and sainted.
DOCTOR MARIANUS.
(In the highest, purest cell.)
Wide is the prospect here, Raised is the soul; Women on high appear, Seeking their goal. 'Mongst them the radiant one, Queen of the skies, In her bright starry crown Greets my glad eyes.
(With ecstasy.)
Thou who art of earth the queen, Let me, 'neath the blue Heavenly canopy serene Thy sweet mystery view! Grant the gentle solemn force Which our breast can move, And direct our onward course Toward thy perfect love. Dauntless let our courage be, At the bright behest; Mild our ardour suddenly, When thou biddest us rest.
Virgin, type of holiness, Mother, honour-crowned, ​Thou whom we as queen confess, Godlike and renowned. Round her, in gentle play, Light clouds are stealing; Penitents fair are they, Who, humbly kneeling, Sip in the ether sweet, As they for grace entreat.
Thou, who art from passions free, Kindly art inclined, When the sons of frailty Seek thee, meek in mind. Borne by weakness' stream along, Hard it is to save them; Who can burst lust's chains so strong, That, alas, enslave them? Oh, how soon the foot may slip, When the smooth ground pressing! Oh, how false are eye and lip, False a breath caressing!
MATER GLORIOSA hovers past.
CHORUS OF PENITENT WOMEN.
To bright realms on high In majesty soaring, Oh, hark to our cry Thy pity imploring, Thou help to the cheerless, In glory so peerless!
MAGNA PECCATRIX (St. Luke vii. 36).
By the love, which o'er the feet Of the God-transfigured Son ​Dropped the tears, like balsam sweet, Spite of every scornful one; By the box of ointment rare, Whence the drops so fragrant fell; By the locks, whose gentle care Dried His holy members well—
MULIER SAMARITANA (St. John iv.).
Drove his flock to drink their fill; By the bucket which the thirst Of the Saviour served to still; By the fountain, balm-exhaling, That from yon bright region flows, Ever clear and never failing, As round every world it goes—
MARIA ÆGYPTIACA (Acta Sanctorum).
By the sacred spot immortal, Where the Lord's remains they placed; By the arm, that from the portal Drove me back with warning haste; By my forty years of lowly Penance in a desert land; By the farewell greetings holy That I wrote upon the sand—
THE THREE.
Thou who ne'er thy radiant face From the greatest sinners hidest, Thou who Thine atoning grace Through eternity providest, Let this soul, by virtue stirred, Self-forgetful though when living, That perceived not that it erred, Feel thy mercy, sin forgiving!
UNA PŒNITENTIA.
(Once named Margaret, pressing near them.)
O radiance-spreading One, Who equalled art by none, In mercy view mine ecstasy! For he whom erst I loved, No more by sorrow proved, Returns at length to me!
BEATIFIED CHILDREN.
(Approaching as they hover round.)
He now in strength of limb Far doth outweigh us, And as we tended him, So will repay us. Early removed were we Far from life's story; Trained now himself, will he Train us in glory.
THE PENITENT, once named Margaret.
Linked with the noble band of spirits, Scarce can the new one feel or see The radiant life he now inherits, So like that holy band is he. See how he bursts each bond material, And parts the olden veil at length,— In vesture clad in grace ethereal, Comes in the glow of youthful strength. Oh, let me guide his steps victorious, While dazzled by the new-born light.
MATER GLORIOSA.
Come! raise thyself to spheres more glorious, He'll follow when thou meetest his sight.
DOCTOR MARIANUS.
(Prostrated in adoration.)
Oh, repentant sinful ones, On that bright face gaze ye, And in grateful orisons, Your blest fortune praise ye! Be each virtue of the mind To thy service given! Virgin, mother, be thou kind! Goddess, queen of heaven!
CHORUS MYSTICUS.
Each thing of mortal birth Is but a type; What was of feeble worth Here becomes ripe. What was a mystery Here meets the eye; The ever-womanly Draws us on high.