John Lloyd-Jones - Mephistopheles

Mephistopheles

Here is man's curse; beguiled by idle bait,
Since Adam's time the paltry fool of fate!
Old you grow, yes, but which of you grows wise?
Or must you greater folly still devise?
One knows this worthless human race,
Cramped in their corsets and with painted face.
Their light of reason is a tallow glim;
You touch them and there's rot in every limb.
As clear as day we see their earthy type;
And yet we caper when the wretches pipe.

Faust, Part two.
Penguin Classics; Translation by Philip Wayne.

Song of The Rat