May 1st marks the final victory of Spring over Winter, but before departing, the witches and their cohorts have one last fling. The night from April 30 to May 1 is called "Walpurgisnacht", the night of Walpurgis or Walpurga. The festival is marked by numerous rituals to ward off evil. Legend has it that on Walpurgisnacht the witches would gather on the Brocken, the highest peak in the Harz Mountains. Because of the Walpurgisnacht scene in Goethe's Faust, in which Mephistopheles takes Faust to the Brocken and has him revel with the witches, the witches gathering became widely known.

Under Christian influence Walpurgisnacht became a fest to drive out evil spirits. Walpurgis derives its name from Walpurga or Walburga. Walburga, Abbess of Heidenheim near Eichst�tt, a Catholic Saint, was known as the protectoress against witchcraft and sorcery. On the Eve of May 1, bells may toll in some areas and prayers may be said; there may be blessings with holy-water and blessed sprigs can be found in homes and barns. The most widespread remedy against evil spirits during Walpurgisnacht is noise. As soon as the sun sets, boys of all ages may make noise. Their equipment ranges from boards to beat onto the ground to pistols for firing shots.

Six months from Halloween Walpurgis Eve begins, and at midnight is when the evil spirits, hobgoblins, will-o-the-wisps, imps, and the ilk emerge from the bowels of the Earth with six months of pent up mischief. Hence the general mayhem after midnight, especially in the German University towns. The debauchery on Walpurgis Eve does not reflect the life of St. Walpurgis (Walpurga), May first is not even her primary feast day, but only a translation feast acknowledging when some of her bones were moved. Her misfortune is that there was an old fertility goddess named Waldborg in the region where she set up her monastery, and the names have become confused.

Witches in chorus The witches t'ward the Brocken strain When the stubble yellow, green the grain. The rabble rushes - as 'tis meet - To Sir Urian's lordly seat. O'er stick and stone we come, by jinks! The witches f..., the he-goat s... Voice Old Baubo comes alone, I see; Astride on farrow sow is she!

Chorus So honor be where honor is due! Dame Baubo first! to lead the crew, A hag upon a sturdy sow! All witches come and follow now!

Voice Which way didst thou come here?

Voice By Ilsenstein crest; I peered into an owlet's nest. Her wild eyes stared at me!

Voice To hell, I say, with thee! Why ride so furiously?

Voice She almost flayed me! See here, the wounds she made me!

Chorus of Witches The road is wide, the way is long: How madly swirls the raving throng The pitchfork pricks, the broom us hurts; the infant chokes, its mother bursts.

Wizards. Semi-chorus We creep as slowly as a snail; Far, far ahead the witches sail. When to the Devil's home they speed, Women by a thousand paces lead.

The Other Half Not so precise are we! Perhaps A woman takes a thousand steps. Although she hastes as best she can, One leap suffices for a man.

Voice (above) Come with us from the rockbound lake!

Voices (below) We fain would follow in your wake! We've washed, are clean as clean can be; Yet barren evermore are we.

Both Choruses The wind is hushed, the starlight pales, The dismal moon her features veils; As magic-mad the hosts whiz by, A myriad sparks spurt forth and fly.

Voice (from below) Tarry! Tarry!

Voice (from above) Who calls so loud from rocky quarry?

Voice (from below) Take me too! Take me too! Three hundred years I have been striving To reach the peak - I'm not arriving; I fain would join my equals too.