English poem
Mephistopheles
by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832)
Gaze not upon her! 'Tis not good! Forbear! 'Tis lifeless, magical, a shape of air, An idol. Such to meet with, bodes no good; That rigid look of hers doth freeze man's blood, And well-nigh petrifies his heart to stone:-- The story of Medusa thou hast known.