Of Wonder, and the wisdom of the World,
I have essayed, and in my mind there is
A power to make these subject to itself—
But they avail not: I have done men good,
And I have met with good even among men—
But this availed not: I have had my foes,
And none have baffled, many fallen before me—20
But this availed not:—Good—or evil—life—
Powers, passions—all I see in other beings,
Have been to me as rain unto the sands,
Since that all-nameless hour. I have no dread,
And feel the curse to have no natural fear,
Nor fluttering throb, that beats with hopes or wishes,
Or lurking love of something on the earth.
Now to my task,—
Mysterious Agency!
Ye Spirits of the unbounded Universe![1]
Whom I have sought in darkness and in light—30
Ye, who do compass earth about, and dwell
In subtler essence—ye, to whom the tops
Of mountains inaccessible are haunts,[2]
And Earth's and Ocean's caves familiar things—
I call upon ye by the written charm[3]
Which gives me power upon you—Rise! Appear!
[A pause.
They come not yet.—Now by the voice of him
Who is the first among you[4]—by this sign,
Which makes you tremble—by the claims of him
Who is undying,—Rise! Appear!——Appear!40
[A pause.
If it be so.—Spirits of Earth and Air,
Ye shall not so elude me! By a power,
- ↑
Eternal Agency!
Ye spirits of the immortal Universe!—[MS. M.] - ↑ Of inaccessible mountains are the haunts.—[MS. M.]
- ↑ [Faust contemplates the sign of the macrocosm, and makes use of the sign of the Spirit of the Earth. Manfred's written charm may have been "Abraxas," which comprehended the Greek numerals 365, and expressed the all-pervading spirits of the Universe.]
- ↑ [The Prince of the Spirits is Arimanes, vide post, act ii sc. 4. line 1, seq.]
