By cinematic montage we witness the marvel of seasons, the alteration of time upon Faustus’ garden in a span of several changes, so that across it the magic flowers grow and die more magically, in the spring naturally and in the winter supernaturally. The pace of change is rapid, yet rather than ever wearing or withering, we sense that it thrives in riotous fecundity and novelty, even in the shrouding snow.

Then, upon the appropriate musical cue, we plunge through the solid wall of the house to enter Faustus’ study.

There we see the sorcerer, seeming younger than before, seated at his desk, facing the audience, and Helen is to his right and Alexander to his left; beneath the desk in the spacious well at Faustus’ feet we see a blond child playing with a pestle and a mortar and some scales.

**

Image by Turkish graphic designer, Coheper, who can be found online here.

Music excerpt is Hovhaness: Garden of Adonis, Opus 127 performed by Yolanda Kondonassis (harp).