SCENE VIII.

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!

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