SCENE II.

FAUST AND MEPHISTOPHELES.

_Mep._ (suddenly appearing). Here am I! So, I surprise you? SATAN, Sir, at your service! A sword at my side; on my hat a gay feather;-- A cloak o'er my shoulder; and altogether, Why, gotten up quite in the fashion! (Briskly.) But come, Doctor Faust, what is your will? Behold! Speak! Are you afraid of me?

_Faust._ No.

_Mep._ Do you doubt my power?

_Faust._ Perhaps.

_Mep._ Prove it, then.

_Faust._ Begone!

_Mep._ Fie! Fie! Is this your politeness! But learn, my friend, that with Satan One should conduct in a different way. I've entered your door with infinite trouble. Would you kick me out the very same day?

_Faust._ Then what will you do for me?

_Mep._ Anything in the world! All things. But Say first what you would have. Abundance of gold?

_Faust._ And what can I do with riches?

_Mep._ Good. I see where the shoe pinches. You will have glory.

_Faust._ Still wrong.

_Mep._ Power, then.

_Faust._ No. I would have a treasure Which contains all. I wish for youth. Oh! I would have pleasure, And love, and caresses, For youth is the season When joy most impresses. One round of enjoyment, One scene of delight, Should be my employment From day-dawn till night. Oh, I would have pleasure, And love, and caresses; If youth you restore me, My joys I'll renew!

_Mep._ 'Tis well--all thou desirest I can give thee.

_Faust._ Ah! but what must I give in return?

_Mep._ 'Tis but little: In this world I will be thy slave, But down below thou must be mine.

_Faust._ Below!

_Mep._ Below. (Unfolding a scroll.) Come, write. What! does thy hand tremble? Whence this dire trepidation? 'Tis youth that now awaits thee--Behold!

(At a sign from MEPHISTOPHELES, the scene opens and discloses MARGUERITE, spinning.)

_Faust._ Oh, wonder!

_Mep._ Well, how do you like it? (Taking parchment.) _Faust._ Give me the scroll! (Signs.) _Mep._ Come on then! And now, master, (Taking cup from the table.) I invite thee to empty a cup, In which there is neither poison nor death, But young and vigorous life.

_Faust._ (Taking cup and turning toward Marguerite.) O beautiful, adorable vision! I drink to thee!

(He drinks the contents of the cup, and is transformed into a young and handsome man. The vision disappears.)

_Mep._ Come, then.

_Faust._ Say, shall I again behold her?

_Mep._ Most surely!

_Faust._ When?

_Mep._ This very day!

_Faust._ 'Tis well.

_Mep._ Then let's away.

_Both._ 'Tis pleasure I covet, 'Tis beauty I crave; I sigh for its kisses, Its love I demand! With ardor unwonted I long now to burn; I sigh for the rapture Of heart and of sense.

(Exeunt. The curtain falls.)