In the second study scene of Goethe’s Faust I, Mephisto asks Faust for ein paar Zeilen, a few lines in writing. Faust is offended that his word is not enough: Auch was Geschriebnes forderst du Pedant? / Hast du noch keinen Mann, nicht Manneswort gekannt? (You want something in writing too, you pedant? Have you never known a man, or a man’s word?) Then he asks the hard question himself: Rast nicht die Welt in allen Strömen fort, / Und mich soll ein Versprechen halten? (Does the world not rush on in every current, and a promise is meant to hold me?) A few lines later he answers it: Beglückt, wer Treue rein im Busen trägt, / Kein Opfer wird ihn je gereuen! (Happy is the one who carries loyalty pure in his heart. He will never regret any sacrifice.)