But ah, with the best will, I feel already,
No peace will well up in me, clear and steady. 
But why must hope so soon deceive us,
And the dried-up stream in fever leave us? 
For in this I have had a full probation. 
And yet for this want a supply is provided,
To a higher than earth the soul is guided,
We are ready and yearn for revelation: 
And where are its light and warmth so blent
As here in the New Testament? 
I feel, this moment, a mighty yearning
To expound for once the ground text of all,
The venerable original
Into my own loved German honestly turning.
        [He opens the volume, and applies himself to the task.]
“In the beginning was the Word.”  I read. 
But here I stick!  Who helps me to proceed? 
The Word—­so high I cannot—­dare not, rate it,
I must, then, otherwise translate it,
If by the spirit I am rightly taught. 
It reads:  “In the beginning was the thought.” 
But study well this first line’s lesson,
Nor let thy pen to error overhasten! 
Is it the thought does all from time’s first hour? 
“In the beginning,” read then, “was the power.” 
Yet even while I write it down, my finger
Is checked, a voice forbids me there to linger. 
The spirit helps!  At once I dare to read
And write:  “In the beginning was the deed.”

If I with thee must share my chamber,
Poodle, now, remember,
No more howling,
No more growling! 
I had as lief a bull should bellow,
As have for a chum such a noisy fellow. 
Stop that yell, now,
One of us must quit this cell now! 
’Tis hard to retract hospitality,
But the door is open, thy way is free. 
But what ails the creature? 
Is this in the course of nature? 
Is it real? or one of Fancy’s shows?

How long and broad my poodle grows! 
He rises from the ground;
That is no longer the form of a hound! 
Heaven avert the curse from us! 
He looks like a hippopotamus,
With his fiery eyes and the terrible white
Of his grinning teeth! oh what a fright
Have I brought with me into the house!  Ah now,
No mystery art thou! 
Methinks for such half hellish brood
The key of Solomon were good.

Spirits [in the passage].  Softly! a fellow is caught there! 
  Keep back, all of you, follow him not there! 
  Like the fox in the trap,
  Mourns the old hell-lynx his mishap. 
  But give ye good heed! 
  This way hover, that way hover,
  Over and over,
  And he shall right soon be freed. 
  Help can you give him,
  O do not leave him! 
  Many good turns he’s done us,
  Many a fortune won us.

Faust.  First, to encounter the creature
By the spell of the Four, says the teacher: 
    Salamander shall glisten,[12]
    Undina lapse lightly,
    Sylph vanish brightly,
    Kobold quick listen.