_Meph._ A travelling clock-cobbler, who repairs The moral timepiece when it’s out of order. _Faus._ A truce to riddles. _Meph._ Then I’ll speak more plainly Some clocks are well made, some are roughly fashioned, And need much tinkering; springs weaken, snap, Wheels loosen, dust gets in, and time is lost; Men lose all faith, and put the liar by As something worse than useless. I, clock-cobbler, Wind up the moral timepiece, make new faces, Repair this wheel, that spring, mend here, mend there; In short, I do my very best to make A timepiece that has lost its character Pass for a trusty herald of the hour. _Faus._ Get thee behind me, for I know thee now, Despite thy fair disguise! _Meph._ Oh, pardon me, I’ve no disguise. This is my own fair form. I’m not the horrible embodiment You doctors of the Church have painted me-- A very Satyr, with a dragon’s tail-- A nursemaid’s devil! Oh, shortsighted priests, My policy is to allure mankind, Not to repel them! _Faus._ What wouldst thou with me? _Meph._ A proper question! Why, you summoned me! It is a leading principle with me That no one ever needs to call me twice. _Faus._ I spake in haste. I did not weigh my words. _Meph._ That may be, or it may not be. I have A character for promptness to maintain, And can’t afford to risk my reputation On the mere hazard that your words were idle. _Faus._ You’ve saved your character, and so depart-- Prime cause of sin--accursed of God and man! _Meph._ Unjust--illogical! But you’re a Churchman. Prime cause of sin! Why, evil comes from good, As oft as good from evil. Motives? Pooh! Why, half the ills that vex mankind arise From motives that are unimpeachable. _Faus._ If goodly seed, well sown, bear evil fruit, The fault is scarcely with the husbandman. _Meph._ But why sow any goodly seed at all, If evil may result from doing so? _Faus._ Why try to stop my sowing goodly seed, If it produce the crops that please you best? _Meph._ He’s hit the blot! This clear-cut brain of his Is wasted in this world of half an acre! Cast off thy frock--come forth with me. The man Who can detect my sophisms at a glance Is safe enough, without the galling chains That fetter him to prayer and solitude. Come forth with me; There’s a fair field without these gloomy walls For such a brain as thine--a merry world, Teeming with song and dance--a grateful world, Where gallant deed and brilliant enterprise Meet with their due reward--a loving world, Where kindred hearts may chime in unison. Come forth with me! _Faus._ Peace--get thee hence away. My vows are taken!