Faust Part 40

Again it seethes, again it glows!

Thou fool, go in and comfort her!

When such a head as thine no outlet knows, It thinks the end must soon occur.

Hail him, who keeps a steadfast mind!

Thou, else, dost well the devil-nature wear: Naught so insipid in the world I find As is a devil in despair.

 

XV

MARGARET'S ROOM

MARGARET

(at the spinning-wheel, alone)

My peace is gone, My heart is sore: I never shall find it, Ah, nevermore!

Save I have him near.

The grave is here; The world is gall And bitterness all.

My poor weak head Is racked and crazed; My thought is lost, My senses mazed.

My peace is gone, My heart is sore: I never shall find it, Ah, nevermore!

To see him, him only, At the pane I sit; To meet him, him only, The house I quit.

His lofty gait, His n.o.ble size, The smile of his mouth, The power of his eyes,

And the magic flow Of his talk, the bliss In the clasp of his hand, And, ah! his kiss!

My peace is gone, My heart is sore: I never shall find it, Ah, nevermore!

My bosom yearns For him alone; Ah, dared I clasp him, And hold, and own!

And kiss his mouth, To heart's desire, And on his kisses At last expire!

XVI

MARTHA'S GARDEN

MARGARET FAUST

MARGARET

Promise me, Henry!-

FAUST

What I can!

MARGARET

How is't with thy religion, pray?

Thou art a dear, good-hearted man, And yet, I think, dost not incline that way.

FAUST

Leave that, my child! Thou know'st my love is tender; For love, my blood and life would I surrender, And as for Faith and Church, I grant to each his own.

MARGARET

That's not enough: we must believe thereon.

FAUST

Must we?

MARGARET

Would that I had some influence!

Then, too, thou honorest not the Holy Sacraments.

FAUST

I honor them.

MARGARET

Desiring no possession 'Tis long since thou hast been to ma.s.s or to confession.

Believest thou in G.o.d?

FAUST

My darling, who shall dare "I believe in G.o.d!" to say?

Ask priest or sage the answer to declare, And it will seem a mocking play, A sarcasm on the asker.

MARGARET

Then thou believest not!

FAUST

Hear me not falsely, sweetest countenance!

Who dare express Him?

And who profess Him, Saying: I believe in Him!

Who, feeling, seeing, Deny His being, Saying: I believe Him not!

The All-enfolding, The All-upholding, Folds and upholds he not Thee, me, Himself?