Faust

FAUST-14

Youth always has the upper hand.

MINISTER

They’re now too far from what is just and sage.

I praise the old ones, not unduly:

When we were all-in-all, then, truly,

Then was the real golden age.

PARVENU

We also were not stupid, either,

And what we should not, often did;

But now all things have from their bases slid,

Just as we meant to hold them fast together.

AUTHOR

Who, now, a work of moderate sense will read?

Such works are held as antiquate and mossy;

And as regards the younger folk, indeed,

They never yet have been so pert and saucy.

MEPHISTOPHELES

(who all at once appears very old)

I feel that men are ripe for Judgment-Day,

Now for the last time I’ve the witches’-hill ascended:

Since to the lees my cask is drained away,

The world’s, as well, must soon be ended.

HU