FAUST. BY GOETHE. (Translation of Anna Swanwick.) [JOHANN WOLFgang Goethe was born August 28, 1749; went to Leipsic University in 1759; shortly after began to write dramas and songs; in 1771 took a doctor's degree at Strasburg and became an advocate at Frankfort; wrote "Götz von Berlichingen" in 1771, as also the "Wanderer" and "The Wanderer's Storm Song"; settled in Wetzlar for law practice in 1772, but had to fly on account of a love intrigue; in 1773 wrote "Prometheus," some farce satires, the comedy "Erwin and Elmira," and began "Faust"; "The Sorrows of Young Werther” and “Clavigo" in 1774 ; in 1775 settled in Weimar, became a privy councilor to the duke, and most useful public official; studied and made valuable discoveries in natural science; began "Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship" in 1777; wrote " Iphigenia" in prose 1779, in verse 1786; completed "Egmont" in 1787, and “Tasso" in 1789; was director of the court theater at Weimar, 1791; 1794-1805 was associated with Schiller, and they conducted the literary review Horen together; he finished "Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship" in 1796, "Hermann and Dorothea" in 1797, the first part of "Faust" in 1808, "Elective Affinities" in 1809, "Doctrine of Color" in 1810, and his autobiography "Fancy and Truth" in 1811. In 1815 he issued the "Divan of East and West," a volume of poems; in 1821 "Wilhelm Meister's Wanderjähre," a mélange of various pieces put together by his secretary. In 1831 he finished the second part of "Faust." He died March 22, 1832.] THE TEMPTATION OF FAust. Scene: Night. A high-vaulted, narrow Gothic chamber. restless, seated at his desk. Faust I have, alas! Philosophy, With ardent labor, studied through. My pupils by the nose-and learn This in my heart like fire doth burn. FAUST, 'Tis true, I've more cunning than all your dull tribe, Scruple or doubt comes not to enthrall me, Neither can devil nor hell now appall me— |