A classical Walpurgis Night, or a love adventure with a resuscitated Helen of Troy, might have formed a very pleasing exhibition as a masque or show for an academical celebration--as at Oxford, for instance, in Commemoration season--while, as a second part of Faust, it falls flat. Let it contain as many allegories as the wise old poet-philosopher may have meant to smuggle into it, and as many mysteries as the mystery-loving race of German commentators may have strained themselves to draw out of it; as it stands, and where it stands, and with the claims which it necessarily makes, it remains a brilliant blunder and a magnificent mistake; and with this we must be content. Those whose organ of reverence is stronger than their love of truth, will, of course, think otherwise; and this is no doubt the most suitable excuse for any nonsense that may have been thought or written on the subject; but, if it be a part of the wisdom of life to learn to look calmly on plain facts, even when most disagreeable, it belongs no less to an educated literary judgment to admit honestly the special shortcomings of a great genius, without prejudice to his general merits. An ignorant worship is a poor substitute for a just appreciation. DRAMATIS PERSONÆ. Dr. Henry Faust, _a scholar._ Wagner, _Faust’s servant._ Mephistopheles, _a Devil._ Margaret, _Faust’s love. Also called Gretchen._ Martha, _Margaret’s neighbour._ Eliza, _an acquaintance of Margaret’s._ Valentin, _Margaret’s brother._ Altmayer, Brander, Frosch, Siebel, _patrons of Auerbach’s Wine Cellar. _Students, Spirits, Women, Angels, Servants, Beggars, Soldiers, Peasants, Cat-Apes, Witches, Director of the Theatre, Leader of the Orchestra, Idealist, Realist, Sceptic, etc._ DEDICATION. _Prefixed to the Later Editions of Faust._ Ye hover nigh, dim-floating shapes again, That erst the misty eye of Fancy knew! Shall I once more your shadowy flight detain, And the fond dreamings of my youth pursue? Ye press around!--resume your ancient reign,-- As from the hazy past ye rise to view; The magic breath that wafts your airy train Stirs in my breast long-slumbering chords again. Ye raise the pictured forms of happy days, And many a dear loved shade comes up with you; Like the far echo of old-memoried lays, First love and early friendship ye renew. Old pangs return; life's labyrinthine maze Again the plaint of sorrow wanders through, And names the loved ones who from Fate received A bitter call, and left my heart bereaved. They hear no more the sequel of my song, Who heard my early chant with open ear; Dispersed for ever is the favoring throng, Dumb the response from friend to friend so dear. My sorrow floats an unknown crowd among, Whose very praise comes mingled with strange fear; And they who once were pleased to hear my lay, If yet they live, have drifted far away.