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Faust I

<h2>VII</h2> STREET FAUST MARGARET (passing by) FAUST Fair lady, let it not offend you, That arm and escort I would lend you! MARGARET I'm neither lady, neither fair, And home I can go without your care. <div class="indentedss"> [She releases herself, and exit. </div> FAUST By Heaven, the girl is wondrous fair! Of all I've seen, beyond compare; So sweetly virtuous and pure, And yet a little pert, be sure! The lip so red, the cheek's clear dawn, <hr style="width: 65%;" /> <div class="center"> <ANTIMG src="images/Illus-133.jpg" alt="So sweetly virtuous and pure,and yet a little pert be sure."title="So sweetly virtuous and pure,and yet a little pert be sure." /></div> <hr style="width: 65%;" /> I'll not forget while the world rolls on! How she cast down her timid eyes, Deep in my heart imprinted lies: How short and sharp of speech was she, Why, 'twas a real ecstasy! (MEPHISTOPHELES enters) FAUST Hear, of that girl I'd have possession! MEPHISTOPHELES Which, then? FAUST <div class="indented"> The one who just went by. </div> MEPHISTOPHELES She, there? She's coming from confession, Of every sin absolved; for I, Behind her chair, was listening nigh. So innocent is she, indeed, That to confess she had no need. I have no power o'er souls so green. FAUST And yet, she's older than fourteen. MEPHISTOPHELES How now! You're talking like Jack Rake, Who every flower for himself would take, And fancies there are no favors more, Nor honors, save for him in store; Yet always doesn't the thing succeed. FAUST Most Worthy Pedagogue, take heed! Let not a word of moral law be spoken! I claim, I tell thee, all my right; And if that image of delight Rest not within mine arms to-night, At midnight is our compact broken. MEPHISTOPHELES But think, the chances of the case! I need, at least, a fortnight's space, To find an opportune occasion. FAUST Had I but seven hours for all, I should not on the Devil call, But win her by my own persuasion. MEPHISTOPHELES You almost like a Frenchman prate; Yet, pray, don't take it as annoyance! Why, all at once, exhaust the joyance? Your bliss is by no means so great As if you'd use, to get control, All sorts of tender rigmarole, And knead and shape her to your thought, As in Italian tales 'tis taught. FAUST Without that, I have appetite. MEPHISTOPHELES But now, leave jesting out of sight! I tell you, once for all, that speed With this fair girl will not succeed; By storm she cannot captured be; We must make use of strategy. FAUST Get me something the angel keeps! Lead me thither where she sleeps! Get me a kerchief from her breast,— A garter that her knee has pressed! MEPHISTOPHELES That you may see how much I'd fain Further and satisfy your pain, We will no longer lose a minute; I'll find her room to-day, and take you in it. FAUST And shall I see—possess her? MEPHISTOPHELES <div class="indenteds"> No! </div>Unto a neighbor she must go, And meanwhile thou, alone, mayst glow With every hope of future pleasure, Breathing her atmosphere in fullest measure. FAUST Can we go thither? MEPHISTOPHELES 'Tis too early yet. FAUST A gift for her I bid thee get! <div class="indentedss"> [Exit. </div> MEPHISTOPHELES Presents at once? That's good: he's certain to get at her! Full many a pleasant place I know, And treasures, buried long ago: I must, perforce, look up the matter. [Exit. <div class="center"> <ANTIMG src="images/Illus-138.jpg" alt="Faust" title="Faust" /></div> <hr style="width: 65%;" /> <h2>VIII</h2> EVENING A SMALL, NEATLY KEPT CHAMBER MARGARET (plaiting and binding up the braids of her hair) I'd something give, could I but say Who was that gentleman, to-day. Surely a gallant man was he, And of a noble family; And much could I in his face behold,— And he wouldn't, else, have been so bold! [Exit MEPHISTOPHELES FAUST MEPHISTOPHELES Come in, but gently: follow me! FAUST (after a moment's silence) Leave me alone, I beg of thee! MEPHISTOPHELES (prying about) Not every girl keeps things so neat. FAUST (looking around) O welcome, twilight soft and sweet, That breathes throughout this hallowed shrine! Sweet pain of love, bind thou with fetters fleet The heart that on the dew of hope must pine! How all around a sense impresses Of quiet, order, and content! This poverty what bounty blesses! What bliss within this narrow den is pent! (He throws himself into a leathern arm-chair near the bed.) Receive me, thou, that in thine open arms Departed joy and pain wert wont to gather! How oft the children, with their ruddy charms, Hung here, around this throne, where sat the father! Perchance my love, amid the childish band, Grateful for gifts the Holy Christmas gave her, Here meekly kissed the grandsire's withered hand. I feel, O maid! thy very soul Of order and content around me whisper,— Which leads thee with its motherly control, The cloth upon thy board bids smoothly thee unroll, The sand beneath thy feet makes whiter, crisper. O dearest hand, to thee 'tis given To change this hut into a lower heaven! And here! (He lifts one of the bed-curtains.) What sweetest thrill is in my blood! Here could I spend whole hours, delaying: Here Nature shaped, as if in sportive playing, The angel blossom from the bud. Here lay the child, with Life's warm essence The tender bosom filled and fair, And here was wrought, through holier, purer presence, The form diviner beings wear! And I? What drew me here with power? How deeply am I moved, this hour! What seek I? Why so full my heart, and sore? Miserable Faust! I know thee now no more. Is there a magic vapor here? I came, with lust of instant pleasure, And lie dissolved in dreams of love's sweet leisure! Are we the sport of every changeful atmosphere? And if, this moment, came she in to me, How would I for the fault atonement render! How small the giant lout would be, Prone at her feet, relaxed and tender! MEPHISTOPHELES Be quick! I see her there, returning. FAUST Go! go! I never will retreat. MEPHISTOPHELES Here is a casket, not unmeet, Which elsewhere I have just been earning. Here, set it in the press, with haste! I swear, 'twill turn her head, to spy it: Some baubles I therein had placed, That you might win another by it. True, child is child, and play is play. FAUST I know not, should I do it? MEPHISTOPHELES <div class="indentedss"> Ask you, pray? </div>Yourself, perhaps, would keep the bubble? Then I suggest, 'twere fair and just To spare the lovely day your lust, And spare to me the further trouble. You are not miserly, I trust? I rub my hands, in expectation tender— (He places the casket in the press, and locks it again.) Now quick, away! The sweet young maiden to betray, So that by wish and will you bend her; And you look as though To the lecture-hall you were forced to go,— As if stood before you, gray and loath, Physics and Metaphysics both! But away! <div class="indenteds"> [Exeunt. </div> MARGARET (with a lamp) It is so close, so sultry, here! (She opens the window) And yet 'tis not so warm outside. I feel, I know not why, such fear!— Would mother came!—where can she bide? My body's chill and shuddering,— I'm but a silly, fearsome thing! (She begins to sing while undressing) There was a King in Thule, Was faithful till the grave,— To whom his mistress, dying, A golden goblet gave. Naught was to him more precious; He drained it at every bout: His eyes with tears ran over, As oft as he drank thereout. When came his time of dying, The towns in his land he told, Naught else to his heir denying Except the goblet of gold. He sat at the royal banquet With his knights of high degree, In the lofty hall of his fathers In the Castle by the Sea. There stood the old carouser, And drank the last life-glow; And hurled the hallowed goblet Into the tide below. He saw it plunging and filling, And sinking deep in the sea: Then fell his eyelids forever, And never more drank he! (She opens the press in order to arrange her clothes, and perceives the casket of jewels.) How comes that lovely casket here to me? I locked the press, most certainly. 'Tis truly wonderful! What can within it be? Perhaps 'twas brought by some one as a pawn, And mother gave a loan thereon? And here there hangs a key to fit: I have a mind to open it. What is that? God in Heaven! Whence came Such things? Never beheld I aught so fair! Rich ornaments, such as a noble dame On highest holidays might wear! How would the pearl-chain suit my hair? Ah, who may all this splendor own? (She adorns herself with the jewelry, and steps before the mirror.) Were but the ear-rings mine, alone! One has at once another air. What helps one's beauty, youthful blood? One may possess them, well and good; But none the more do others care. They praise us half in pity, sure: To gold still tends, On gold depends All, all! Alas, we poor! <hr style="width: 65%;" /> <div class="center"> <ANTIMG src="images/Illus-143.jpg" alt="Promenade"title="Promenade" /></div> <hr style="width: 65%;" /> <div class="center"> <ANTIMG src="images/Illus-144.jpg" alt="Promenade"title="Promenade" /></div> <hr style="width: 65%;" /> <h2>IX</h2> PROMENADE (FAUST, walking thoughtfully up and down. To him MEPHISTOPHELES.) MEPHISTOPHELES By all love ever rejected! By hell-fire hot and unsparing! I wish I knew something worse, that I might use it for swearing! FAUST What ails thee? What is't gripes thee, elf? A face like thine beheld I never. MEPHISTOPHELES I would myself unto the Devil deliver, If I were not a Devil myself! FAUST Thy head is out of order, sadly: It much becomes thee to be raving madly. MEPHISTOPHELES Just think, the pocket of a priest should get The trinkets left for Margaret! The mother saw them, and, instanter, A secret dread began to haunt her. Keen scent has she for tainted air; She snuffs within her book of prayer, And smells each article, to see If sacred or profane it be; So here she guessed, from every gem, That not much blessing came with them. "My child," she said, "ill-gotten good Ensnares the soul, consumes the blood. Before the Mother of God we'll lay it; With heavenly manna she'll repay it!" But Margaret thought, with sour grimace, "A gift-horse is not out of place, And, truly! godless cannot be The one who brought such things to me." A parson came, by the mother bidden: He saw, at once, where the game was hidden, And viewed it with a favor stealthy. He spake: "That is the proper view,— Who overcometh, winneth too. The Holy Church has a stomach healthy: Hath eaten many a land as forfeit, And never yet complained of surfeit: The Church alone, beyond all question, Has for ill-gotten goods the right digestion." FAUST A general practice is the same, Which Jew and King may also claim. MEPHISTOPHELES Then bagged the spangles, chains, and rings, As if but toadstools were the things, And thanked no less, and thanked no more Than if a sack of nuts he bore,— Promised them fullest heavenly pay, And deeply edified were they. FAUST And Margaret? MEPHISTOPHELES Sits unrestful still, And knows not what she should, or will; Thinks on the jewels, day and night, But more on him who gave her such delight. FAUST The darling's sorrow gives me pain. Get thou a set for her again! The first was not a great display. MEPHISTOPHELES O yes, the gentleman finds it all child's-play! FAUST Fix and arrange it to my will; And on her neighbor try thy skill! Don't be a Devil stiff as paste, But get fresh jewels to her taste! MEPHISTOPHELES Yes, gracious Sir, in all obedience! <div class="indentedss"> [Exit FAUST. </div> Such an enamored fool in air would blow Sun, moon, and all the starry legions, To give his sweetheart a diverting show. <div class="indentedss"> [Exit. </div> <hr style="width: 65%;" /> <div class="center"> <ANTIMG src="images/Illus-147.jpg" alt="The Neighbor's House"title="The Neighbor's House" /></div> <hr style="width: 65%;" /> <h2>X</h2> THE NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE MARTHA (solus) God forgive my husband, yet he Hasn't done his duty by me! Off in the world he went straightway,— Left me lie in the straw where I lay. And, truly, I did naught to fret him: God knows I loved, and can't forget him! (She weeps.) Perhaps he's even dead! Ah, woe!— Had I a certificate to show! MARGARET (comes) Dame Martha! MARTHA <div class="indenteds"> Margaret! what's happened thee? </div> MARGARET I scarce can stand, my knees are trembling! I find a box, the first resembling, Within my press! Of ebony,— And things, all splendid to behold, And richer far than were the old. MARTHA You mustn't tell it to your mother! 'Twould go to the priest, as did the other. MARGARET Ah, look and see—just look and see! MARTHA (adorning her) O, what a blessed luck for thee! MARGARET But, ah! in the streets I dare not bear them, Nor in the church be seen to wear them. MARTHA Yet thou canst often this way wander, And secretly the jewels don, Walk up and down an hour, before the mirror yonder,— We'll have our private joy thereon. And then a chance will come, a holiday, When, piece by piece, can one the things abroad display, A chain at first, then other ornament: Thy mother will not see, and stories we'll invent. MARGARET Whoever could have brought me things so precious? That something's wrong, I feel suspicious. (A knock) Good Heaven! My mother can that have been? MARTHA (peeping through the blind) 'Tis some strange gentleman.—Come in! (MEPHISTOPHELES enters.) MEPHISTOPHELES That I so boldly introduce me, I beg you, ladies, to excuse me. (Steps back reverently, on seeing MARGARET.) For Martha Schwerdtlein I'd inquire! MARTHA I'm she: what does the gentleman desire? MEPHISTOPHELES (aside to her) It is enough that you are she: You've a visitor of high degree. Pardon the freedom I have ta'en,— Will after noon return again. MARTHA (aloud) Of all things in the world! Just hear— He takes thee for a lady, dear! MARGARET I am a creature young and poor: The gentleman's too kind, I'm sure. The jewels don't belong to me. MEPHISTOPHELES Ah, not alone the jewelry! The look, the manner, both betray— Rejoiced am I that I may stay! MARTHA What is your business? I would fain— MEPHISTOPHELES I would I had a more cheerful strain! Take not unkindly its repeating: Your husband's dead, and sends a greeting. MARTHA Is dead? Alas, that heart so true! My husband dead! Let me die, too! MARGARET Ah, dearest dame, let not your courage fail! MEPHISTOPHELES Hear me relate the mournful tale! MARGARET Therefore I'd never love, believe me! A loss like this to death would grieve me. MEPHISTOPHELES Joy follows woe, woe after joy comes flying. MARTHA Relate his life's sad close to me! MEPHISTOPHELES In Padua buried, he is lying Beside the good Saint Antony, Within a grave well consecrated, For cool, eternal rest created. MARTHA He gave you, further, no commission? MEPHISTOPHELES Yes, one of weight, with many sighs: Three hundred masses buy, to save him from perdition! My hands are empty, otherwise. MARTHA What! Not a pocket-piece? no jewelry? What every journeyman within his wallet spares, And as a token with him bears, And rather starves or begs, than loses? MEPHISTOPHELES Madam, it is a grief to me; Yet, on my word, his cash was put to proper uses. Besides, his penitence was very sore, And he lamented his ill fortune all the more. MARGARET Alack, that men are so unfortunate! Surely for his soul's sake full many a prayer I'll proffer. MEPHISTOPHELES You well deserve a speedy marriage-offer: You are so kind, compassionate. MARGARET O, no! As yet, it would not do. MEPHISTOPHELES If not a husband, then a beau for you! It is the greatest heavenly blessing, To have a dear thing for one's caressing. MARGARET The country's custom is not so. MEPHISTOPHELES Custom, or not! It happens, though. MARTHA Continue, pray! MEPHISTOPHELES I stood beside his bed of dying. 'Twas something better than manure,— Half-rotten straw: and yet, he died a Christian, sure, And found that heavier scores to his account were lying. He cried: "I find my conduct wholly hateful! To leave my wife, my trade, in manner so ungrateful! Ah, the remembrance makes me die! Would of my wrong to her I might be shriven!" MARTHA (weeping) The dear, good man! Long since was he forgiven. MEPHISTOPHELES "Yet she, God knows! was more to blame than I." MARTHA He lied! What! On the brink of death he slandered? MEPHISTOPHELES In the last throes his senses wandered, If I such things but half can judge. He said: "I had no time for play, for gaping freedom: First children, and then work for bread to feed 'em,— For bread, in the widest sense, to drudge, And could not even eat my share in peace and quiet!" MARTHA Had he all love, all faith forgotten in his riot? My work and worry, day and night? MEPHISTOPHELES Not so: the memory of it touched him quite. Said he: "When I from Malta went away My prayers for wife and little ones were zealous, And such a luck from Heaven befell us, We made a Turkish merchantman our prey, That to the Soldan bore a mighty treasure. Then I received, as was most fit, Since bravery was paid in fullest measure, My well-apportioned share of it." MARTHA Say, how? Say, where? If buried, did he own it? MEPHISTOPHELES Who knows, now, whither the four winds have blown it? A fair young damsel took him in her care, As he in Naples wandered round, unfriended; And she much love, much faith to him did bear, So that he felt it till his days were ended. MARTHA The villain! From his children thieving! Even all the misery on him cast Could not prevent his shameful way of living! MEPHISTOPHELES But see! He's dead therefrom, at last. Were I in your place, do not doubt me, I'd mourn him decently a year, And for another keep, meanwhile, my eyes about me. MARTHA Ah, God! another one so dear As was my first, this world will hardly give me. There never was a sweeter fool than mine, Only he loved to roam and leave me, And foreign wenches and foreign wine, And the damned throw of dice, indeed. MEPHISTOPHELES Well, well! That might have done, however, If he had only been as clever, And treated your slips with as little heed. I swear, with this condition, too, I would, myself, change rings with you. MARTHA The gentleman is pleased to jest. MEPHISTOPHELES I'll cut away, betimes, from here: She'd take the Devil at his word, I fear. (To MARGARET) How fares the heart within your breast? MARGARET What means the gentleman? MEPHISTOPHELES (aside) <div class="indentedss"> Sweet innocent, thou art! </div> (Aloud.) Ladies, farewell! MARGARET <div class="indenteds"> Farewell! </div> MARTHA <div class="indentedss"> A moment, ere we part! </div>I'd like to have a legal witness, Where, how, and when he died, to certify his fitness. Irregular ways I've always hated; I want his death in the weekly paper stated. MEPHISTOPHELES Yes, my good dame, a pair of witnesses Always the truth establishes. I have a friend of high condition, Who'll also add his deposition. I'll bring him here. MARTHA <div class="indentedss"> Good Sir, pray do! </div> MEPHISTOPHELES And this young lady will be present, too? A gallant youth! has travelled far: Ladies with him delighted are. MARGARET Before him I should blush, ashamed. MEPHISTOPHELES Before no king that could be named! MARTHA Behind the house, in my garden, then, This eve we'll expect the gentlemen. <hr style="width: 65%;" /> <div class="center"> <ANTIMG src="images/Illus-155.jpg" alt="A Street" title="A Street" /></div> <hr style="width: 65%;" /> <div class="center"> <ANTIMG src="images/Illus-156.jpg" alt="A Street" title="A Street" /></div> <hr style="width: 65%;" /> <h2>XI</h2> A STREET FAUST MEPHISTOPHELES FAUST How is it? under way? and soon complete? MEPHISTOPHELES Ah, bravo! Do I find you burning? Well, Margaret soon will still your yearning: At Neighbor Martha's you'll this evening meet. A fitter woman ne'er was made To ply the pimp and gypsy trade! FAUST Tis well. MEPHISTOPHELES <div class="indented"> Yet something is required from us. </div> FAUST One service pays the other thus. MEPHISTOPHELES We've but to make a deposition valid That now her husband's limbs, outstretched and pallid, At Padua rest, in consecrated soil. FAUST Most wise! And first, of course, we'll make the journey thither? MEPHISTOPHELES Sancta simplicitas! no need of such a toil; Depose, with knowledge or without it, either! FAUST If you've naught better, then, I'll tear your pretty plan! MEPHISTOPHELES Now, there you are! O holy man! Is it the first time in your life you're driven To bear false witness in a case? Of God, the world and all that in it has a place, Of Man, and all that moves the being of his race, Have you not terms and definitions given With brazen forehead, daring breast? And, if you'll probe the thing profoundly, Knew you so much—and you'll confess it roundly!— As here of Schwerdtlein's death and place of rest? FAUST Thou art, and thou remain'st, a sophist, liar. MEPHISTOPHELES Yes, knew I not more deeply thy desire. For wilt thou not, no lover fairer, Poor Margaret flatter, and ensnare her, And all thy soul's devotion swear her? FAUST And from my heart. MEPHISTOPHELES <div class="indenteds"> 'Tis very fine! </div>Thine endless love, thy faith assuring, The one almighty force enduring,— Will that, too, prompt this heart of thine? FAUST Hold! hold! It will!—If such my flame, And for the sense and power intense I seek, and cannot find, a name; Then range with all my senses through creation, Craving the speech of inspiration, And call this ardor, so supernal, Endless, eternal and eternal,— Is that a devilish lying game? MEPHISTOPHELES And yet I'm right! FAUST <div class="indentedss"> Mark this, I beg of thee! </div>And spare my lungs henceforth: whoever Intends to have the right, if but his tongue be clever, Will have it, certainly. But come: the further talking brings disgust, For thou art right, especially since I must. <div class="center"> <ANTIMG src="images/Illus-158.jpg" alt="Garden" title="Garden" /></div> <hr style="width: 65%;" /> <div class="center"> <ANTIMG src="images/Illus-159.jpg" alt="Garden" title="Garden" /></div> <hr style="width: 65%;" /> <h2>XII</h2> GARDEN (MARGARET on FAUST'S arm. MARTHA and MEPHISTOPHELES walking up and down.) MARGARET I feel, the gentleman allows for me, Demeans himself, and shames me by it; A traveller is so used to be Kindly content with any diet. I know too well that my poor gossip can Ne'er entertain such an experienced man. FAUST A look from thee, a word, more entertains Than all the lore of wisest brains. (He kisses her hand.) MARGARET Don't incommode yourself! How could you ever kiss it! It is so ugly, rough to see! What work I do,—how hard and steady is it! Mother is much too close with me. <div class="indentedss"> [They pass. </div> MARTHA And you, Sir, travel always, do you not? MEPHISTOPHELES Alas, that trade and duty us so harry! With what a pang one leaves so many a spot, And dares not even now and then to tarry! MARTHA In young, wild years it suits your ways, This round and round the world in freedom sweeping; But then come on the evil days, And so, as bachelor, into his grave a-creeping, None ever found a thing to praise. MEPHISTOPHELES I dread to see how such a fate advances. MARTHA Then, worthy Sir, improve betimes your chances! <div class="indentedss"> [They pass. </div> MARGARET Yes, out of sight is out of mind! Your courtesy an easy grace is; But you have friends in other places, And sensibler than I, you'll find. FAUST Trust me, dear heart! what men call sensible Is oft mere vanity and narrowness. MARGARET <div class="indentedss"> How so? </div> FAUST Ah, that simplicity and innocence ne'er know Themselves, their holy value, and their spell! That meekness, lowliness, the highest graces Which Nature portions out so lovingly— MARGARET So you but think a moment's space on me, All times I'll have to think on you, all places! FAUST No doubt you're much alone? MARGARET Yes, for our household small has grown, Yet must be cared for, you will own. We have no maid: I do the knitting, sewing, sweeping, The cooking, early work and late, in fact; And mother, in her notions of housekeeping, Is so exact! Not that she needs so much to keep expenses down: We, more than others, might take comfort, rather: A nice estate was left us by my father, A house, a little garden near the town. But now my days have less of noise and hurry; My brother is a soldier, My little sister's dead. True, with the child a troubled life I led, Yet I would take again, and willing, all the worry, So very dear was she. FAUST <div class="indentedss"> An angel, if like thee! </div> MARGARET I brought it up, and it was fond of me. Father had died before it saw the light, And mother's case seemed hopeless quite, So weak and miserable she lay; And she recovered, then, so slowly, day by day. She could not think, herself, of giving The poor wee thing its natural living; And so I nursed it all alone With milk and water: 'twas my own. Lulled in my lap with many a song, It smiled, and tumbled, and grew strong. FAUST The purest bliss was surely then thy dower. MARGARET But surely, also, many a weary hour. I kept the baby's cradle near My bed at night: if 't even stirred, I'd guess it, And waking, hear. And I must nurse it, warm beside me press it, And oft, to quiet it, my bed forsake, And dandling back and forth the restless creature take, Then at the wash-tub stand, at morning's break; And then the marketing and kitchen-tending, Day after day, the same thing, never-ending. One's spirits, Sir, are thus not always good, But then one learns to relish rest and food. <div class="indentedss"> [They pass. </div> MARTHA Yes, the poor women are bad off, 'tis true: A stubborn bachelor there's no converting. MEPHISTOPHELES It but depends upon the like of you, And I should turn to better ways than flirting. MARTHA Speak plainly, Sir, have you no one detected? Has not your heart been anywhere subjected? MEPHISTOPHELES The proverb says: One's own warm hearth And a good wife, are gold and jewels worth. MARTHA I mean, have you not felt desire, though ne'er so slightly? MEPHISTOPHELES I've everywhere, in fact, been entertained politely. MARTHA I meant to say, were you not touched in earnest, ever? MEPHISTOPHELES One should allow one's self to jest with ladies never. MARTHA Ah, you don't understand! MEPHISTOPHELES I'm sorry I'm so blind: But I am sure—that you are very kind. <div class="indentedss"> [They pass. </div> FAUST And me, thou angel! didst thou recognize, As through the garden-gate I came? MARGARET Did you not see it? I cast down my eyes. FAUST And thou forgiv'st my freedom, and the blame To my impertinence befitting, As the Cathedral thou wert quitting? MARGARET I was confused, the like ne'er happened me; No one could ever speak to my discredit. Ah, thought I, in my conduct has he read it— Something immodest or unseemly free? He seemed to have the sudden feeling That with this wench 'twere very easy dealing. I will confess, I knew not what appeal On your behalf, here, in my bosom grew; But I was angry with myself, to feel That I could not be angrier with you. FAUST Sweet darling! MARGARET <div class="indenteds"> Wait a while! </div> (She plucks a star-flower, and pulls off the leaves, one after the other.) FAUST <div class="indentedss"> Shall that a nosegay be? </div> MARGARET No, it is just in play. FAUST <div class="indenteds"> How? </div> MARGARET <div class="indentedss"> Go! you'll laugh at me. </div>(She pulls off the leaves and murmurs.) FAUST What murmurest thou? MARGARET (half aloud) <div class="indenteds"> He loves me—loves me not. </div> FAUST Thou sweet, angelic soul! MARGARET (continues) Loves me—not—loves me—not— (plucking the last leaf, she cries with frank delight:) He loves me! FAUST Yes, child! and let this blossom-word For thee be speech divine! He loves thee! Ah, know'st thou what it means? He loves thee! (He grasps both her hands.) MARGARET I'm all a-tremble! FAUST O tremble not! but let this look, Let this warm clasp of hands declare thee What is unspeakable! To yield one wholly, and to feel a rapture In yielding, that must be eternal! Eternal!—for the end would be despair. No, no,—no ending! no ending! MARTHA (coming forward) The night is falling. MEPHISTOPHELES <div class="indenteds"> Ay! we must away. </div> MARTHA I'd ask you, longer here to tarry, But evil tongues in this town have full play. It's as if nobody had nothing to fetch and carry, Nor other labor, But spying all the doings of one's neighbor: And one becomes the talk, do whatsoe'er one may. Where is our couple now? MEPHISTOPHELES <div class="indenteds"> Flown up the alley yonder, </div>The wilful summer-birds! MARTHA <div class="indenteds"> He seems of her still fonder. </div> MEPHISTOPHELES And she of him. So runs the world away! <hr style="width: 65%;" /> <div class="center"> <ANTIMG src="images/Illus-166.jpg" alt="A GARDEN-ARBOR"title="A GARDEN-ARBOR" /></div> <hr style="width: 65%;" /> <div class="center"> <ANTIMG src="images/Illus-167.jpg" alt="A GARDEN-ARBOR"title="A GARDEN-ARBOR" /></div> <hr style="width: 65%;" /> <div style="break-after:column;"></div>

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