Faust Part 38

XIII

A GARDEN-ARBOR

(MARGARET comes in, conceals herself behind the door, puts her finger to her lips, and peeps through the crack.)

MARGARET

He comes!

FAUST (entering)

Ah, rogue! a tease thou art: I have thee! (He kisses her.)

MARGARET

(clasping him, and returning the kiss)

Dearest man! I love thee from my heart.

(MEPHISTOPHELES knocks)

FAUST (stamping his foot)

Who's there?

MEPHISTOPHELES

A friend!

FAUST

A beast!

MEPHISTOPHELES

Tis time to separate.

MARTHA (coming)

Yes, Sir, 'tis late.

FAUST

May I not, then, upon you wait?

MARGARET

My mother would-farewell!

FAUST

Ah, can I not remain?

Farewell!

MARTHA

Adieu!

MARGARET

And soon to meet again!

[Exeunt FAUST and MEPHISTOPHELES.

MARGARET

Dear G.o.d! However is it, such A man can think and know so much?

I stand ashamed and in amaze, And answer "Yes" to all he says, A poor, unknowing child! and he- I can't think what he finds in me! [Exit.

XIV

FOREST AND CAVERN

FAUST (solus)

Spirit sublime, thou gav'st me, gav'st me all For which I prayed. Not unto me in vain Hast thou thy countenance revealed in fire.

Thou gav'st me Nature as a kingdom grand, With power to feel and to enjoy it. Thou Not only cold, amazed acquaintance yield'st, But grantest, that in her profoundest breast I gaze, as in the bosom of a friend.

The ranks of living creatures thou dost lead Before me, teaching me to know my brothers In air and water and the silent wood.

And when the storm in forests roars and grinds, The giant firs, in falling, neighbor boughs And neighbor trunks with crus.h.i.+ng weight bear down, And falling, fill the hills with hollow thunders,- Then to the cave secure thou leadest me, Then show'st me mine own self, and in my breast The deep, mysterious miracles unfold.

And when the perfect moon before my gaze Comes up with soothing light, around me float From every precipice and thicket damp The silvery phantoms of the ages past, And temper the austere delight of thought.

That nothing can be perfect unto Man I now am conscious. With this ecstasy, Which brings me near and nearer to the G.o.ds, Thou gav'st the comrade, whom I now no more Can do without, though, cold and scornful, he Demeans me to myself, and with a breath, A word, transforms thy gifts to nothingness.

Within my breast he fans a lawless fire, Unwearied, for that fair and lovely form: Thus in desire I hasten to enjoyment, And in enjoyment pine to feel desire.

(MEPHISTOPHELES enters.)

MEPHISTOPHELES

Have you not led this life quite long enough?

How can a further test delight you?

'Tis very well, that once one tries the stuff, But something new must then requite you.

FAUST

Would there were other work for thee!

To plague my day auspicious thou returnest.

MEPHISTOPHELES