Dost mark how round us, with wide spiral curves,
He wheels, each circle closer than before? 
And, if I err not, he appears to me
A line of ’fire upon his track to leave.

WAGNER

Naught but a poodle black of hue I see;
’Tis some illusion doth your sight deceive.

FAUST

Methinks a magic coil our feet around,
He for a future snare doth lightly spread.

WAGNER

Around us as in doubt I see him shyly bound,
Since he two strangers seeth in his master’s stead.

FAUST

The circle narrows, he’s already near!

WAGNER

A dog dost see, no spectre have we here;
He growls, doubts, lays him on his belly too,
And wags his tail-as dogs are wont to do.

FAUST

Come hither, Sirrah! join our company!

WAGNER

A very poodle, he appears to be! 
Thou standest still, for thee he’ll wait;
Thou speak’st to him, he fawns upon thee straight;
Aught thou mayst lose, again he’ll bring,
And for thy stick will into water spring.

FAUST

Thou’rt right indeed; no traces now I see
Whatever of a spirit’s agency,
’Tis training—­nothing more.

WAGNER

A dog well taught
E’en by the wisest of us may be sought. 
Ay, to your favor he’s entitled too,
Apt scholar of the students, ’tis his due!

[They enter the gate of the town.]

STUDY

FAUST (entering with, the poodle)

Now field and meadow I’ve forsaken;
O’er them deep night her veil doth draw;
In us the better soul doth waken,
With feelings of foreboding awe. 
All lawless promptings, deeds unholy,
Now slumber, and all wild desires;
The love of man doth sway us wholly,
And love to God the soul inspires.

Peace, poodle, peace!  Scamper not thus; obey me! 
Why at the threshold snuffest thou so? 
Behind the stove now quietly lay thee,
My softest cushion to thee I’ll throw. 
As thou, without, didst please and amuse me,
Running and frisking about on the hill,
So tendance now I will not refuse thee;
A welcome guest, if thou’lt be still.