There was a rat in the cellar-nest Whom fat and butter made smoother; He had a paunch beneath his vest Like that of Doctor Luther; The cook laid poison cunningly, And then as sore oppressed was he, As if he had love in his bosom. He ran around, he ran about, His thirst in puddles laving; He gnawed and scratched the house throughout, But nothing cured his raving; He whirled and jumped with torment mad, And soon enough the poor beast had, As if he had love in his bosom. And driven at last, in open day, He ran at last into the kitchen, Fell on the hearth and squirming lay In the last convulsion twitching; Then laughed the murd'ress in her glee, "Ha, ha! He's at his last gasp," said she, As if he had love in his bosom. "Requiescat in pace, amen!" the Devil sang, and all joined on the "amen." "Now then, permit _me_ to sing you a ballad," the Devil cried, gaily, and he jumped upon his feet. "What, you pretend that you can do better than Brander?" they demanded, a little piqued. "Well, you see, I am expert at anything nasty and bad; so let us see: There was a king once reigning, Who had a big black flea, And loved him past explaining, As his own son were he. He called his man of stitches, The tailor came straightway, 'Here, measure the lad for breeches, And measure his coat, I say.' In silk and velvet gleaming, He now was wholly drest, Had a coat with ribbons streaming, A cross upon his breast. He had the first of stations, A minister's star and name, And also his relations, Great lords at court became. And lords and dames of honour Were plagued awake and in bed. The Queen, she got them upon her, The maids were bitten and bled. And they did not dare to brush them, Or scratch them day or night. We crack them and we crush them, At once whene'er they bite." "Enough!" said Faust; "I want to leave this brutal company. There can be no joys found where there is so much that is low and degrading. I wish to go." And turning angrily to the Devil, he signified that he would leave instantly. "Very well," said the Prince of Darkness, smiling his satirical smile. "Away we go--and better success with thee, next time." At which he placed his mantle upon the ground, they stood upon it, and away they flew into the air and disappeared. When next they stopped, it was upon a grassy bank of the Elbe River. "Now, my friend; let us rest. Lie thou down upon the grassy bank and close thine eyes, and dream of joys to come. When we awake we shall wish again and see what new experience the world holds for us. Thus far you do not seem too well satisfied."