FAUST
In Hell itself are some laws binding reckoned?
Bravo! then Sirs, with you one might contract
A bond, and ye would keep it to a tittle?

MEPHISTOPHELES
From what we promise, not a shred we whittle,
And unalloyed thou shalt enjoy the pact.

[tr. Latham (1790)]

FAUST
Does Hell itself have its laws then?
that's fine! A compact in that case might be
Concluded safely with you gentlemen?

MEPHISTOPHELES
What's promised, you'll enjoy with naught subtracted,
With naught unduly snipped off or exacted.

[tr. Priest (1808)]

FAUST
Hell then, it seems, has laws. I like it well:
With gentry so precise, a solemn compact
May, I presume, be made, and will be kept.

MEPHISTOPHELES
Whate'er we promise you may safely trust to;
We will not bate one jot of the agreement.

[tr. Coleridge (1821)]

FAUST
E'en hell hath its peculiar laws, I see!
I'm glad of that! a pact may then be made,
The which you gentlemen will surely keep?

MEPHISTOPHELES
What e'er therein is promised thou shalt reap,
No tittle shall remain unpaid.

[tr. Swanwick (1950)]

FAUST: Hell itself has its laws ? I am glad of it; in that case a compact, a binding one, may be made with you gentlemen?

MEPHISTOPHELES: What is promised, that shalt thou enjoy to the letter; not the smallest deduction shall be made from it.

[tr. Hayward (1831)]

FAUST
In hell itself, then, laws are reckoned?
Now that I like; so then, one may, in fact,
Conclude a binding compact with you gentry?

MEPHSTOPHELES
Whatever promise on our books finds entry,
We strictly carry into act.

[tr. Brooks (1868)]

FAUST
In Hell itself, then, laws are reckoned?
That's well! So might a compact be
Made with you gentlemen -- and binding, -- surely?

MEPHISTOPHELES
All that is promised shall delight thee purely;
No skinflint bargain shalt thou see.

[tr. Taylor (1870)]

FAUST
So so! then hell too has its laws and rights,
Thus might one profit by the powers of evil,
And make an honest bargain with the devil.

MEPHISTOPHELES
The devil, sir, makes no undue exaction,
And pays what he has promised to a fraction

[tr. Blackie (1880)]

FAUST
For hell, too, laws have been ordained?
Superb! Then one could surely make a pact,
And one of you might enter my employ.

MEPHISTOPHELES
What we would promise you, you would enjoy.
And none of it we would subtract.

[tr. Kaufmann (1961)]

FAUST
So Hell itself has its legalities?
This suits me fine, and I suppose
a pact might be concluded with you gentlemen?

MEPHISTOPHELES
The promises we make you shall enjoy in full;
We will not skimp or haggle.

[tr. Salm (1962)]

FAUST
Is even Hell with statutes paved?
I am intrigued -- then with you gentlemen
A compact could, and safely too, be entered?

MEPHISTOPHELES
That which is promised shall be neatly rendered,
And nothing stinted or subtracted.

[tr. Arndt (1976)]

FAUST
So even hell has laws? Good; in that case
One might conclude a pact with you
Gentlemen, and a guaranteed one too?

MEPHISTOPHELES
Whatever is promised, you shall have your due,
There'll be no quibbling, no tergiversation.

[tr. Luke (1987)]

FAUST
So even in Hell there's law and order!
I'm glad, for then a man might sign
A contract with you gentlemen.

MEPHISTOPHELES
Whatever we promise, you get, full measure,
There's no cutting corners, no skulduggery.

[tr. Greenberg (1992)]

FAUST
So hell has its own laws and regulations too?
That's very good! So tell me --
I daresay it's possible to make a pact with you?

MEPHISTOPHOLES
Indeed; if you negotiate with us
, You'll find the offer tempting -- and we never cheat.

[tr. Williams (1999)]