MEPHISTOPHELES, FAUST, and the before-named.
_Mep._
(making a profound bow).
Tell me, I pray, are you Martha Schwerlein?
_Mart._ Sir, I am!
_Mep._ Pray pardon me,
If thus I venture to present myself.
(Aside, to FAUST.)
You see your presents
Are right graciously received.
(To MARTHA.)
Are you, then, Martha Schwerlein?
_Mart._ Sir, I am.
_Mep._ The news I bring
Is of an unpleasant kind:
Your much-loved spouse is dead,
And sends you greeting.
_Mart._ Great heaven!
_Mar._ Why, what has happened?
_Mep._ Stuff!
(MARGUERITE hastily takes off the jewels, and is about
to replace them in the casket.)
_Mart._ Oh woe! oh, unexpected news!
_Mar._
(aside).
How beats my heart
Now he is near!
_Faust_
(aside).
The fever of my love
Is lull'd when at her side!
_Mep._
(to MARTHA).
Your much-loved spouse is dead,
And sends you greeting!
_Mart._
(to MEPHISTOPHELES).
Sent he nothing else to me?
_Mep._
(to MARTHA).
No. We'll punish him for't;
Upon this very day
We'll find him a successor.
_Faust_
(to MARGUERITE).
Wherefore lay aside these jewels?
_Mar._
(to FAUST).
Jewels are not made for me;
'Tis meet I leave them where they are.
_Mep._
(to MARTHA).
Who would not gladly unto
You present the wedding-ring?
_Mart._
(aside).
Indeed!
(to MEPHISTOPHELES).
You think so?
_Mep._
(sighing).
Ah me! ah, cruel fate!
_Faust_
(to MARGUERITE)
Pray lean upon mine arm!
_Mar._
(retiring).
Leave me, I humbly pray!
_Mep._
(offering his arm to MARTHA).
Take mine!
_Mart._
(aside).
In sooth, a comely knight!
(taking his arm.)
_Mep._
(aside).
The dame is somewhat tough!
(MARGUERITE yields her arm to FAUST, and withdraws with him.
MEPHISTOPHELES and MARTHA remain together.)
_Mart._ And so you are always traveling!
_Mep._ A hard necessity it is, madame!
Alone and loveless. Ah!
_Mart._ In youth it matters not so much,
But in late years 'tis sad indeed!
Right melancholy it is in solitude
Our olden age to pass!
_Mep._ The very thought doth make me shudder.
But still, alas! what can I do?
_Mart._ If I were you, I'd not delay,
But think on't seriously at once.
_Mep._ I'll think on't!
_Mart._ At once and seriously!
(They withdraw. FAUST and MARGUERITE re-enter.)
_Faust._ Art always thus alone?
_Mar._ My brother is at the wars,
My mother dear is dead!
By misadventure, too,
My dear sister have I lost.
Dear sister mine!
My greatest happiness was she.
Sad sorrows these;
When our souls with love are filled,
Death tears the loved one from us!
At morn, no sooner did she wake,
Than I was always at her side!
The darling of my life was she!
To see her once again,
I'd gladly suffer all.
_Faust._ If heaven, in joyous mood,
Did make her like to thee,
An angel must she indeed have been!
_Mar._ Thou mock'st me!
_Faust._ Nay, I do love thee!
_Mar._
(sighing).
Flatterer! thou mock'st me!
I believe thee not! thou seekest to deceive.
No longer will I stay, thy words to hear.
_Faust_
(to MARGUERITE).
Nay, I do love thee! Stay, oh stay!
Heaven hath with an angel crown'd my path.
Why fear'st thou to listen?
It is my heart that speaks.
(Re-enter MEPHISTOPHELES and MARTHA.)
_Mart._
(to MEPHISTOPHELES).
Of what now are you thinking?
You heed me not--perchance you mock me.
Now list to what I say.--
You really must not leave us thus!
_Mep._
(to MARTHA).
Ah, chide me not, if my wanderings I resume.
Suspect me not; to roam I am compelled!
Need I attest how gladly I remain.
I hear but thee alone.
(Night comes on.)
_Mar._
(to FAUST).
It grows dark,--you must away.
_Faust_
(embracing her).
My loved one!
_Mar._ Ah! no more!
(Escapes.)
_Faust._ Ah, cruel one, would'st fly?
(Pursuing her.)
_Mep._
(aside, whilst MARTHA angrily turns her back to him).
The matter's getting serious,
I must away.
(Conceals himself behind a tree.)
_Mart._
(aside).
What's to be done? he's gone!
What ho, good sir!
(Retires.)
_Mep._ Yes, seek for me--that's right!
I really do believe
The aged beldame would
Actually have married Satan!
_Faust_
(without).
Marguerite!
_Mart._
(without).
Good sir!
_Mep._ Your servant!
* * * * *