Classic Poem

PART SECOND.

SCENE AT THE COURT OF THE EMPEROR .

MEPHISTOPHELES .

I T seems that everywhere on this dull earth
Something is lacking;— here of gold is dearth.
'T is true we cannot sweep it from the floor,
But wisdom can unfathomed depths explore.
In mountain clefts and dungeons manifold,
Are piles of minted and unminted gold,
And I, by spiritual force and trust
In mighty nature, can obtain the dust.


CHANCELLOR
.
Nature and spirit!—never Christian spake
Such words as these.—We burn men at the stake
For such profanities. Foul words and evil!
Nature means sin, and spirit means the Devil;
And, between both, is nursed the abortive brood
Whose monster heresies mankind delude.


MEPHISTOPHELES
.

By this I see what wiseaeres ye are;
What ye can handle not seems miles afar:
What ye can grasp not is an empty shade;
What ye divine not must all search evade:
That which ye have not poised in weight is stinted,
And no coin current save what ye have minted.