been thirty years since Doctor Faustus and I have been writing each other without ever seeing each other. We are indeed both old, and I didn’t want to die without having shaken the hand of the greatest Savant of Germany—
It’s for that I’ve come express from Nurnberg.
Fridolin
(To Wagner) The greatest—? Then it’s not you?
Wagner
(After having made a gesture to Fridolin to remain at his furnace) Is it really true that the science of Master Faustus is so great?
Magnus
Why that question?
Wagner
Because I think I’m as learned as he—
Fridolin
More!
Magnus
(To Wagner) You! And from where comes it that you scorn your Master so much?
Wagner
Why I don’t scorn him, I esteem myself.
Fridolin
More.
Magnus
Speak, then.
Wagner
I don’t place Master Faust above me because I think with a little study I will end by doing what he has done, while he will never do—what I will do.
Fridolin
There you go!
Magnus
What’s that?
Wagner
You know that God created man in his image?
Magnus
I know that in their pride men pretend that.
Wagner
Well, I intend to create a living being. Understand, Doctor, I intend to create someone in my image; finally I intend to give it life.
Fridolin
Heavens! You are going to get married?
Wagner
Fie! That’s an old way which besides they could contest the invention with me.
Fridolin
Ah! It’s not possible.
Wagner
It’s a hackneyed way.
Magnus
Hackneyed! Hackneyed! But which could really be used for a long time.
Wagner
As for me, I intend to give existence to it, without associating a simple woman in my glory.
Fridolin
Ah! Bah!
Wagner
Yes—with the aid of combined substances, extracts and essences—
Fridolin
That’s fine that is—And what sex will he or she be?
Wagner
I intend to create something lovable, gracious, spiritual—
Fridolin
It’s a woman—
Wagner
A model of submission.
Fridolin
It’s a man—
Wagner
Faithful.
Fridolin
It’s a dog in that case.
Wagner
I’ve exhausted all the formulas; I’ve been ready to succeed, but at the supreme moment, I always lack something—
Magnus
You lack spirit.
Fridolin
There you go.
Wagner
What do you mean, spirit?
Magnus
(Rising) The breath, the soul, in the end life—
Wagner
Yes, life—! Absolutely, it only lacked that to animate my creature.
Magnus
It’s a little thing. (Giving him a flask) And by pouring this into the mix—the contents of this little viol—I believe it will be able to guarantee you success.
Wagner
What—in there?
Magnus
It’s what you lack.
Wagner
There’s spirit in there?
Magnus
Yes.
Wagner
There’s soul, breath—?
Magnus
(Cocking his ear) Be quiet. Hide that very carefully—your Master—
Wagner
My Master! Ah! I am going to be his, now. (Goes to right)
Faust
(Enters, bouquet in hand) I was able to master the storm; I was able to turn away lightning—and I am unable to restore to these flowers a little of their lost freshness—(Places the bouquet to the left) (Noticing Magnus) A stranger!
Magnus
A friend! Magnus, your old correspondent from Nurnberg.
Faust
Magnus. (To Fridolin and Wagner) Leave us.
Wagner
(Aside)
