Goethe's Faust (fourth section)

                                    EVENING
A TIDY, LITTLE ROOM

MARGARET (BRAIDING AND TYING UP HER HAIR)

I’d give a lot to know and say
Just who that gentleman was today.
He looked most valiant, a sign
That he comes from a noble line.
I read that from his brow, else he
Would not have been so bold with me.

(SHE EXITS)

(ENTER MEPHISTOPHELES AND FAUST)

MEPHISTOPHELES

Come on, come in on silent feet.

FAUST (AFTER A QUIET PAUSE)

Now please leave me alone. Retreat!

MEPHISTOPHELES (NOSING AROUND)

Not every girl is quite so neat.
           
                                   (HE EXITS)

FAUST

Oh, welcome sweet, soft twilight shine,
You who weave through this sanctuary!
Now grip my heart, oh, sweetest love-born pain,
Oh, you who live by sipping on hope's dew!
A feeling of tranquillity,
Of order and contentment too,
Breathes here. How full this poverty!
What blessedness in this cell’s view!

(HE THROWS HIMSELF INTO AN ARMCHAIR NEAR
THE BED)

Oh, take me now- you chair with arms spread out;
You held the joy and pain of worlds now gone.
How often at this old forefather's throne
A troop of children clustered round about!
Perhaps my dear, as child full-cheeked, would stand,
Give thanks for Christmas gift and, so devout,
Then kiss an elder one’s age-withered hand.
Oh girl, I feel your spirit play
And whisper through the order and completeness-
How mother-like it leads you day by day,
Prompts you to spread the tablecloth with neatness,
Smooth-scatter sand upon the flagstones' way.
Oh lovely hand! With godlike power!
Through you this hut becomes a heaven now.
And here!

HE LIFTS A BED CURTAIN

                    What shivers of delight seize me!
Here I could while away full hours. It seems,
O Nature, that here you built up in light dreams
Her inborn angel to maturity!

And you! What brought you to this town?
I feel so stirred within my inmost core.
What are you doing ? Why is your heart weighed down?
Poor Faust! I do not know you any more.

Does some enchanted fragrance rove
Around me?  Instant pleasure was the snare-
But now I feel dissolved in dreams of love.
Are we the sport of every breath of air?

And if this moment she walked in, how you
Would then feel punished for your crime, your fall;
Great boastful clown, you’d feel so small,
Lie at her feet and melt like dew!

MEPHISTOPHELES (ENTERING)

She’s down below; no time to waste!

FAUST

Off! Off! I’ll never return- never!

MEPHISTOPHELES

Here is a casket- somewhat heavy-
Procured from another place.
Put in that press these offerings,
I swear to you, she’ll lose her senses,
I got for you some little things
To broach more strongly-build defences-
But girls are girls and play is play.

FAUST

Don’t know, should I?

MEPHISTOPHELES

                                           You still ask, eh?
Perhaps you like to keep the treasure?
May I advise you keep your lust
From lovely daylight, so you’ll just
Spare me from toiling for your pleasure.
You’re not a skinflint too, I trust?
I scratch my head, I wring my hands-

HE PUTS THE CASKET INTO THE CLOTHES PRESS
AND CLICKS THE LOCK SHUT AGAIN

Let’s go! Quick! Forward!
It’s just to lead this sweet girl toward
The will and wish your heart commands.
Yet still you stall,
As though you stood within a lecture hall
And there, in grey reality, with you
Stood physics and metaphysics too!
Away!

THEY EXIT

MARGARET (WITH A LAMP)

Here it’s so sultry, close and hot,
(SHE OPENS A WINDOW)
And yet outside it’s not so warm.
There’s something  strange, I don’t know what-
I wish my mother would come home.
A shiver ran right through my frame-
Oh, what a silly, fearful girl I am!

(SHE STARTS TO SING AS SHE UNDRESSES)

In Thule there lived a king,
Stayed true to his last breath-
His lady gave to him
A gold cup at her death.

And nothing was more dear,
He used it every meal;
His eyes would brim with tears
Each time he drank his fill.

Near death he counted up
His kingdom town by town;
His heirs got all, all but
His goblet of renown.

He sat and dined where all
His faithful knights could be-
His high ancestral hall,
His castle by the sea.

There stood the old carouser
And drank his life’s last glow,
And threw the sacred beaker
Into the flood below.

He saw it falling, twinkling,
Then sink in ocean’s roar-
His eyes, they too were sinking,
He'd drink not one drop more.

(SHE OPENS THE CLOTHES PRESS TO PUT HER CLOTHES AWAY AND NOTICES THE CASKET)

How did this pretty casket get in this?
I’m sure I locked the clothing press.
It’s surely wonderful! And what’s inside? Perhaps
It’s brought as a security-
My mother’s made a loan on it.
There on the ribbon’s one small key,
I think I’ll see if it’s a fit!
What’s this! My God! In all my life
I’ve never seen such things in all my days!
What a jewel! Fit for a noble wife
To wear on highest holidays.
How would this necklace look on me?
Who’d own such shining splendour? Who?

SHE PUTS THEM ON AND STEPS BEFORE THE MIRROR

If only I’d such earrings too!
How straight away they change my face.
What use are beauty and youth alone?
They’re well and good, yet on their own
They leave you in your lowly place.
And praise is half pity, for
Towards gold still bends,
On gold depends
Everything. Ah! we poor!

       PROMENADE

FAUST IN THOUGHT WALKING UP AND DOWN

MEPHISTOPHELES ENTERS AND GOES TO HIM

MEPHISTOPHELES

By every scorn-seared love! By all the elements of hell!
I wish I knew what’s worse to curse with it as well!

FAUST

What’s wrong? What bites so bitterly?
I’ve never seen such looks in all my life!

MEPHISTOPHELES

I’d give myself right over to the devil if…
If only the devil wasn’t me!

FAUST

Is everything upstairs still humming?
This crazy raging is most becoming.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Just think- her gift, those precious jewels I got,
A two-bit priest just took the lot!
Her mother gets to see the thing
And straight away starts shuddering.
Her sense of smell is most aware,
She’s always sniffing in a book of prayer,
One whiff of property makes it quite plain,
If something is holy or profane;
She took one sniff and found the stuff
Was not at all near blessed enough.
My child, she cries, unrighteous wealth
Ensnares the soul, dilutes the health.
To God’s own Mother let these be given,
She’ll give us joy with manna from Heaven!
Poor Margaret had her lips pressed tightly,
What of a gift horse, she thought quietly.
In truth, a giver that’s so kind
Could not be godless and wrongly inclined.
Her mother got a priest to come;
He hardly heard about our fun,
But gazed well-pleased at everything.
He said: You sensed what’s right again!
Those overcoming self will gain.
The church’s belly’s big and strong,
It’s gobbled up whole lands complete,
Yet never has too much to eat;
Thus only the church, my dears, is free
To swallow down unrighteous property.

FAUST

That practice though is nothing new;
A king or count can do it too.

MEPHISTOPHELES

He plucked up necklace, brooch and rings
As if they were some pointless things
And gave them thanks, no less or more,
Than for some bag of nuts, well-fried,
Said heaven’s great reward was sure
And they were highly edified.

FAUST

And Gretchen?

MEPHISTOPHELES

                            Sits full of restlessness,
Knows neither what she should or will on this,
Thinks on the gems both day and night,
Still more on him who sent that sight.

FAUST

My loved one’s trouble saddens me.
Get her new jewels immediately!
The first were not much anyway.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Oh yes, to the gentleman it’s all child’s play!

FAUST

Get on with what I say to you!
And make up to her neighbour too!
Just be a devil, don’t go to mush,
And bring some new, real-sparkling stuff!

MEPHISTOPHELES

Yes, gracious lord, with all my heart.

FAUST EXITS

MEPHISTOPHELES

Such a love-struck fool would puff apart
The sun, the moon, and all the stars above,
Just as an idle pastime for his love.

HE EXITS
           THE NEIGHBOUR’S HOUSE

MARTHA  (ALONE)

God pardon my dear husband- he
Has not done very well by me!
To see the world he slips away
And leaves me lonely in the hay.
 God knows, I truly loved him so-
I didn’t get him all upset.
         
SHE WEEPS

Perhaps he’s dead by now- oh, no!-
If only I'd a death certificate.

MARGARET ENTERS

MARGARET

Frau Martha!

MARTHA

                   Gretchen dear, what’s wrong?

MARGARET
My knees are sinking under me!
I found a box of ebony
Once more in my clothes press- a throng
Of many dazzling jewels and rings,
Far richer than the other things.

MARTHA

You mustn’t tell your mother or
She’ll cart them to confession as before.

MARGARET

See these and these! Look at these too!

MARTHA (PUTTING SOME ON HER)

O, you lucky creature- you!

MARGARET

Too bad I can’t be seen with these
In street or church, or where I please.

MARTHA

Just come here often, none need know,
And try these jewels on secretly;
And stroll before the mirror for an hour or so,
We’ll have our fun in privacy;
Then some occasion comes up, some festivity,
And bit by bit you can let people see.
A small chain first, then on the ear- a pearl;
Your mother will not notice, else we’ll spin some tale.

MARGARET

And yet who could have sent the caskets here?
There’s something not quite right, I fear.

A KNOCK

Oh God! My mother- could it be her?

MARTHA ( PEEPING THROUGH THE CURTAINS)

A strange gentleman- please come in, sir!

MEPHISTOPHELES ENTERS

MEPHISTOPHELES

I’ll walk straight in, I’ll be so free,
If both the ladies pardon me.

          HE STEPS BACK RESPECTFULLY FROM MARGARET

It’s with Frau Martha Schwerdtlein I’m to speak.

MARTHA

I’m here. What does the good sir seek?

MEPHISTOPHELES  (SOFTLY TO HER)

It is enough I’ve met you, for I see
You have right noble company.
Forgive the freedom I’ve presumed-
I’ll come again this afternoon.

MARTHA (ALOUD)

Think, girl, of all things on this earth!
This sir thinks you of noble birth!

MARGARET
I’m only young and poor you’ll find.
Oh God! good sir, you’re far too kind
These pretty things are not my own

MEPHISTOPHELES

Oh no, it’s not the jewels alone;
You have that high-born gaze, that noble way,
I’m really pleased that I may stay.

MARTHA

Your message sir? We wait to know.

MEPHISTOPHELES

I wish I’d better tidings though!
I hope you’ll pardon me this meeting-
Your husband’s dead, and sends his greeting.

MARTHA

He’s dead! The faithful heart! Woe! Woe!
My husband’s dead! I’ll die, I know!

MARGARET

Oh please, dear woman, don’t despair!

MEPHISTOPHELES

Then hear the whole, quite sad affair!

MARGARET

I hope I’m not in love, one day,
The grief would kill me if he passed away.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Joy brings sorrow; sorrow, joy, you know.

MARTHA

So tell me of his end, I pray.

MEPHISTOPHELES

In Padua he’s down below,
Nearby St Anthony’s rich clay;
His is a spot that’s truly blessed,
An eternally cool bed of rest.

MARTHA

But have you nothing more to bring?

MEPHISTOPHELES

A great request, with weighty care,
To have three hundred masses sung for him!
But for the rest my pockets are both bare.

MARTHA

What! Not a luck piece! No jewellery!
A keepsake that some journeyman might stack
Into the bottom of his travelling sack
And rather beg or starve than lose,

MEPHISTOPHELES
Madam, I’m truly sad to bear such news.
And yet, he didn't waste his gold, not he.
He repented greatly each failing and each flaw
As well- yes, and bewailed his bad luck even more.

MARGARET

Ah, people are so luckless in this world!
I’ll send in prayer many requiems his way.

MEPHISTOPHELES

You’re worthy to be wedded right this day:
You’re such a lovable, fine girl.

MARGARET

No, that’s not possible as yet.

MEPHISTOPHELES

If not a husband, take a sweetheart- it
Is one of heaven’s greatest balms
To hold a loved one in one’s arms.

MARGARET

That’s not at all the custom here.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Well, custom or not, it happens, my dear.

MARTHA

But tell me more!

MEPHISTOPHELES

                                      I stood next to this dying bed,
Not quite manure; on the whole
Half-rotted straw, and yet he died a Christian soul,
Aware that he’d not paid much of his bill. He said,
“How I must hate myself, now leaving life,
For having left my good trade and my wife.
The memory just makes me die.
If she’d forgive before this life is run.”

MARTHA

The poor, good man! I’ve long forgiven all he’s done.

MEPHISTOPHELES

“Although, God knows, she was far worse than I.”

MARTHA

He lied! What- lying on the brink of death!

MEPHISTOPHELES

He was delirious by his last breath
If I can just half judge events.
“I did,” he said, “ not have to gape to pass the time,
First children, then obtaining bread for them,
And bread, that’s in the widest sense,
Not one time could I eat my part of it in peace.”

MARTHA

Did he forget all of the love and faithfulness,
The drudgery the whole day through!

MEPHISTOPHELES

Not so; he had most heartfelt thoughts of you.
He said, “ I prayed, as we left Malta’s shore,
With fevour for my wife and children’s sake,
So heaven beamed upon our wake,
We took a Turkish vessel with a store
Compiled from some great Sultan’s treasury.
Our courage paid and, as was fit,
I too was given what was due to me,
My truly well-earned part of it.

MARTHA

What? Where? Perhaps he buried it somehow?

MEPHISTOPHELES

Who knows where the four winds have blown it now?
A beautiful, young woman took his arm
As he strolled round Naples with a stranger’s gaze;
She lavished on him love and loyal charm-
He felt this till his happy end of days.

MARTHA

The ratbag! Robbing child and wife!
No misery, no need or wrong,
Could hinder his most shameful life!

MEPHISTOPHELES

Yes see! That’s why he’s dead and gone.
Were I at present in your place,
I’d mourn  a chaste and modest year,
Then meanwhile aim for some new treasure, some new face.

 MARTHA

Oh God, one like my first, I fear,  
Will not be found with ease in this world’s ring.
He really could be a right fool at times,
For he was just too fond of wandering;
And foreign women, and foreign wine,
And those accursed, damned games of dice.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Now, now- that could have almost been clear-sailing,
If, for his part, he’d been as nice
And tolerant about your failings.
With such good terms, I swear to you,
Perhaps I’d swap our rings now too.

MARTHA

Oh sir, you like to play the joker’s part!

MEPHISTOPHELES (TO HIMSELF)

High time I scampered, dropped this act!
She’d even make the devil keep his pact.

(TO GRETCHEN)

And how do things stand in your heart?

MARGARET

What do you mean, good sir?

MEPHISTOPHELES (TO HIMSELF)

                                                          You good and innocent child.

(ALOUD)

Farewell, dear ladies.

MARGARET

                                       Farewell.

MARTHA

                                                             Don’t rush off- stay awhile!
I’d like a testament to show
Where, how and when my dear passed on, was laid below.
I’ve always liked to do things properly-
The paper noting his obituary.

MEPHISTOPHELES

The witness of two lips I always known
To seal the truth. I’m not alone,
I have a fine companion who
Will swear before a judge for you.
I’ll bring him here.

MARTHA

                                 O yes, please do!

MEPHISTOPHELES

And will this sweet girl be here too?
A fine, far-travelled lad is he-
Pays ladies every courtesy.

MARGARET

I’d blush before one of such worth.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Before no king upon this earth!

MARTHA

Behind my house within the garden, when
The evening falls, we'll meet the gentlemen.

         STREET

FAUST, MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

What gives? Some progress? Is it soon?

MEPHISTOPHELES

Ah, bravo! Are you found aflame!
Soon Gretchen shall be your sweet gain.
Tonight you’ll see her in Frau Martha’s room:
That woman’s just ideal it seems
To spin out pimp and gypsy schemes.

FAUST

That’s good.

MEPHISTOPHELES

                        One thing is wanted of us too.

FAUST

Well, all good deeds must get their due.

MEPHISTOPHELES

We’ve first to set down, legally attesting,
That her dear husband’s limbs are resting
In Padua, outstretched in holy ground.

FAUST

Oh, brilliant!So first we have to journey there.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Sancta Simplicitus! No need for that, dear clown,
Just testify without a care.

FAUST

This plan is through if you've no better ideas spare.

MEPHISTOPHELES

O saintly man! once more the holy crown!
Is this the first occasion in life’s course
You’ve trumpeted false testimony?
On God, the world, what moves it all, were you not phoney;
Was man, what reigns in heart and head, not all baloney,
Infused with definitions of the greatest force?
With brazen brow and bold-set breast?
If deep within you venture to the true,
You’ll  surely straight away admit you knew
As much of them as Schwerdtlein’s place of rest.

FAUST

You are and stay a sophist and a liar!

MEPHISTOPHELES

Yes, if you probe no deeper in the mire.
Tomorrow, so sincere and brave,
Won’t you fool Gretchen, poor, young dove,
And swear she has your soul’s deep love?

FAUST

True from my heart.

MEPHISTOPHELES

                                     That’s well and good.
What springs from faith and love’s eternal spell,
That once and overall-mighty impulse, would
             That come straight from the heart as well?

FAUST

Stop that! It will!-  For when I feel
True feelings forming, for the storming
I seek for names, find none quite real,
Then through the world I seek with every sense
And grasp for highest words and hence
This glow, this glow with which I flame,
Call endless, eternal, as a name-
Is this a devilish play of lies?

MEPHISTOPHELES

I am still right!

FAUST

                           Hear me! Mark this thing-
I beg of you to spare my lungs-
Whoever holds he’s right and has a tongue
Can seem to win.
But come, I’ve had enough of noise. I'll just
Admit you’re right, but mainly for I must.

             GARDEN

MARGARET ON FAUST’S ARM. MARTHA WITH  MEPHISTOPHELES WALKING UP AND DOWN

MARGARET

I feel you shield me and downplay
Your true thoughts, causing me to blush.
A traveller is used to doing such-
Takes what he finds in some good way.
I know too well that such a travelled one
Won't be amused by my poor speech for long.

FAUST

A glance from you, a word, is worth
More than all wisdom of this earth.

HE KISSES HER HAND

MARGARET

Don’t put yourself out now! How could you kiss my hand?
It is so ugly- rough and thick!
What work I’ve done with it! You understand
My mother’s ways are just so strict.

THEY PASS

MARTHA

And you, good sir, you always see new faces?

MEPHISTOPHELES

Ah, trade and duty keep one on the go!
I’m deeply pained to leave so many places;
Yet I just cannot stay, you know.

MARTHA

Yes, in the rush of youth it’s fine
To roam around the world, so free and brave,
And yet there comes that evil time-
Alone, a bachelor, you’re creeping towards the grave,
That’s never good for anyone.

MEPHISTOPHELES

With dread I see it far, far on.

MARTHA

And so, good sir, take heed now while there’s time.

THEY PASS

MARGARET

Yes! out of sight is out of mind!
You wear politeness with great ease;
But often you’d find friends who please
With bright views that leave me behind.

FAUST

O best! believe me, what’s called bright is often more
Conceit and narrowness of mind.

MARGARET
 
                                                    How so?

FAUST

Oh, open, innocent natures never know
Their own true sacred worth! You may be sure
The highest gifts, like meekness, modesty,
That flow from giving, love-filled natures do-

MARGARET

Just think on me when you’ve some moments free,
I shall have time enough to think of you.

FAUST

You’re often then alone?

MARGARET

Though ours is but a little home
I’ve much to get done on my own.
We have no maid, so I must cook and sweep and knit
And sew and run from dawn to dusk.
My mother thinks that all things must
Be made so accurate.
Not that she really needs to skimp so much. In fact,
Our reach is wider than many of our kind.
My father left a fair amount behind,
A little house and garden close to town.
I lead a rather quiet life. My brother-
He is a soldier now.
My little sister died.
She took much loving care, I often sighed.
Yet I would gladly bear that burden over,
I loved that child so much.

FAUST

                                       An angel, if like you.

MARGARET

I brought her up; she really loved me too.
My father’s death was just before her birth;
My mother looked not long for earth
As she lay there in misery;
But she grew better, as the time went, gradually.
She couldn’t think, in her poor health,
Of nursing the poor mite herself;
And so I brought her up alone,
With water and milk; she grew my own.
And in her arms, and on my lap,
She smiled, she squirmed…and she grew up.

FAUST

You surely knew the purest happiness.

MARGARET

But surely also many hours of stress.
At night her cradle stood by me,
Right by my bed and if she stirred but slightly
I woke, for she
Might need to drink and be laid by me lightly,
And if not quiet, up in the gloom,
To skip her gently up and down the room;
Yet early I’d be at the wash and soon
Off to the market, then at the stove I’d stay…
And always tomorrow like today.
Such living, good sir, isn’t always blessed
With cheer- but food tastes good, and so does rest.

THEY PASS BY

MARTHA

And yet poor women still are badly off:
A bachelor's not likely to be swayed.

MEPHISTOPHELES

It would but take one like yourself
To lead me into better ways.

MARTHA

Be frank, good sir, you’re yet to find that one?
Your heart’s not bound to somewhere in the sun?

MEPHISTOPHELES

Your own hearth and a splendid wife
Are pearls and gold- if the saying’s right.

MARTHA

You’ve never had the leaning though, I mean.

MEPHISTOPHELES

I’ve met with great politeness everywhere I’ve been.

MARTHA

I meant to ask: it’s never mattered to your heart?

MEPHISTOPHELES

With ladies one should never play the joker’s part.

MARTHA

Oh, you don’t understand!

MEPHISTOPHELES

                                              I am most sorry! Mind,
I do know this- that you are very kind.

THEY PASS BY

FAUST

You knew me from the street before when I
Came in the garden here today?

MARGARET

You didn’t see? The way I lowered my eyes.

FAUST

And you forgive the freedom I presumed?
The impudence I showed the other day
As you came from cathedral gloom?

MARGARET

I was upset. It never happened here before.
No one could ever say bad things of me.
“Oh,” I thought, “ has he seen something free,
Not modest, in my bearing?”  Even more,
He seemed on sudden urge to sense
He’d straight off strike a bargain with this wench.
Let me confess! I didn’t know, what else
Was stirred to your advantage. I just knew
That I was angry with myself
That I could not be angrier with you.

FAUST

Sweet love!

MARGARET

                         Just wait awhile!

SHE PLUCKS A DAISY AND PULLS THE PETALS OFF, ONE
AFTER THE OTHER

FAUST

                                                      For what? A bunch?

MARGARET

No, just a game- don’t smile.

FAUST

                                            How?

MARGARET

                                                              Go away! You’ll laugh.

SHE PULLS OUT PETALS AND MURMURS

FAUST

What are your whispers weaving?

MARGARET (HALF AUDIBLY)

                                               He loves me- loves me not.

FAUST
Oh, shining face of heaven.

MARGARET (CONTINUING)

Loves me- not me- loves me- not me-

(SHE PULLS OFF THE LAST LEAF WITH CHARMING JOY)

He loves me!

FAUST

                       Yes, my love! Let this fair flower word
Be like a godlike speech- he loves you!
So now you  fully understand- he loves you!

HE CLASPS BOTH HER HANDS

MARGARET

It makes me shiver!

FAUST

Oh, do not tremble! Let this look,
This handclasp speak to you of what
Is inexpressible:
And so give over to it fully- feel
 A joy that must , must be forever there!
Forever! - For its end would be despair.
Without end! Without end!

MARGARET CLASPS HIS HANDS, THEN FREES HERSELF AND RUNS AWAY. HE STANDS FOR A MOMENT THINKING, THEN FOLLOWS HER

MARTHA (COMING UP)

The night comes.

MEPHISTOPHELES

                             Yes, and we must be away.

MARTHA

I’d beg you make a longer stay.
But this is not much of a place, it’s true.
You’d think folk had no business at all,
Or work to do,
But spying on their neighbour’s every call.
You’re gossip’s goal, no matter what you’ve done.
How’s our fine pair?

MEPHISTOPHELES

                                They flew on up the path that way;
Like butterflies at play.

MARTHA

                                           He likes her I would say.

MEPHISTOPHELES

She likes him too. Well, that’s the way things run.

   A LITTLE SUMMER HOUSE

MARGARET BOUNCES IN, HIDES BEHIND THE DOOR, HOLDING HER FINGER TO HER LIPS, AND PEEPS THROUGH THE CRACK

MARGARET
He’s coming!

FAUST (ENTERING)
                  You tease me then depart!
Now you’re caught!

HE KISSES HER

MARGARET (EMBRACING HIM AND RETURNING THE KISS)

                      Best of men! I love you from my heart!

MEPHISTOPHELES KNOCKS

FAUST (STAMPING HIS FOOT)

Who’s there?

MEPHISTOPHELES

                    A friend!

FAUST

                                 A beast!

MEPHISTOPHELES

                                    Our time has truly gone.

MARTHA (ENTERING)

Yes, it is late, good sir.

FAUST

                              Well, may I take you home?

MARGARET

I fear my mother would- good-bye!

FAUST

                                                Must I go then?
Good-bye!

MARTHA

                     Adieu!

MARGARET

             Soon may we meet again!

FAUST AND MEPHISTOPHELES EXIT

MARGARET

Dear God! Oh, all that one could find
Of thoughts in such a man’s deep mind.
I stand ashamed in front of him,
Just saying yes to everything.
I am but poor, unknowing… I cannot see
Just what it is he finds in me.

SHE EXITS