Faust has just repeated a spell to try and "confront this thing of hell" (73), but nothing happens until Faust tells Mephisto to look on the "symbol divine" (74). After this, Mephisto begins to grow and loom over Faust, who starts to get confused and a bit worried, wondering "What recognition, / Thing of perdition, / Strikes on your vision accurst?" (74) Mephisto emerges from the surrounding mist as a travelling scholar, questioning Faust's worship. Faust demands to know Mephisto's name and who he is, but Mephisto just continues to give him very vague, cryptic answers, saying he is "Part of a power that would / Alone work evil, but engenders good." (75) He tells Faust that he prospers in "downfall, ruin, sin" (75), and that it is plentiful in the world. He then informs Faust he's only part of a spirit, and that he is not the "perfect whole" that mankind assumes. So, Faust tries to clarify things a bit sarcastically, saying that Mephisto's "powers of grand annihilation fail" (76). Mephisto replies, saying that he has tried everything to accomplish what he wants, but can get nowhere, and that all he really possesses is "the power of flame alone" (76). Faust tells him he should find something better to do instead of searching for evil and for things to annihilate. Mephisto then tells Faust they will discuss such matters later, but that he'd like to leave; Faust shows him the exits, and Mephisto comments on the pentagram above Faust's door. Apparently, because an angle is left open, and therfore Mephisto cannot leave unless he enters the way he did before. Faust asks Mephisto to stay because he has no idea of he'll ever come back again, seeing as Faust did not call upon him. Faust promises his "full consent, / If what you have is pleasant to present" (78), and so Mephisto promises that Faust's "palate shall be satisfied, / Your sense of fragrance gratified, / And all your subtle feelings set aglow." (78) He then asks the spirits to begin the incantation.
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Faust has just repeated a spell to try and "confront this thing of hell" (73), but nothing happens until Faust tells Mephisto to look on the "symbol divine" (74). After this, Mephisto begins to grow and loom over Faust, who starts to get confused and a bit worried, wondering "What recognition, / Thing of perdition, / Strikes on your vision accurst?" (74) Mephisto emerges from the surrounding mist as a travelling scholar, questioning Faust's worship. Faust demands to know Mephisto's name and who he is, but Mephisto just continues to give him very vague, cryptic answers, saying he is "Part of a power that would / Alone work evil, but engenders good." (75) He tells Faust that he prospers in "downfall, ruin, sin" (75), and that it is plentiful in the world. He then informs Faust he's only part of a spirit, and that he is not the "perfect whole" that mankind assumes. So, Faust tries to clarify things a bit sarcastically, saying that Mephisto's "powers of grand annihilation fail" (76). Mephisto replies, saying that he has tried everything to accomplish what he wants, but can get nowhere, and that all he really possesses is "the power of flame alone" (76). Faust tells him he should find something better to do instead of searching for evil and for things to annihilate. Mephisto then tells Faust they will discuss such matters later, but that he'd like to leave; Faust shows him the exits, and Mephisto comments on the pentagram above Faust's door. Apparently, because an angle is left open, and therfore Mephisto cannot leave unless he enters the way he did before. Faust asks Mephisto to stay because he has no idea of he'll ever come back again, seeing as Faust did not call upon him. Faust promises his "full consent, / If what you have is pleasant to present" (78), and so Mephisto promises that Faust's "palate shall be satisfied, / Your sense of fragrance gratified, / And all your subtle feelings set aglow." (78) He then asks the spirits to begin the incantation.
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