Chapter 6
She from confession coineth here, From every sin absolved and free; I crept near the confessor's chair. All innocence her virgin soul, For next to nothing went she there; O'er such as she I've no control!
FAUST
She's past fourteen.
MEPHISTOPHELES
You really talk Like any gay Lothario, Who every floweret from its stalk Would pluck, and deems nor grace, nor truth, Secure against his arts, forsooth! This ne'er the less won't always do.
FAUST
Sir Moralizer, prithee, pause; Nor plague me with your tiresome laws! To cut the matter short, my friend, She must this very night be mine,-- And if to help me you decline, Midnight shall see our compact end.
MEPHISTOPHELES
What may occur just bear in mind! A fortnight's space, at least, I need, A fit occasion but to find.
FAUST
With but Seven hours I could succeed; Nor should I want the devil's wile, So young a creature to beguile.
MEPHISTOPHELES
Like any Frenchman now you speak, But do not fret, I pray; why seek To hurry to enjoyment straight? The pleasure is not half so great, As when at first around, above, With all the fooleries of love, The puppet you can knead and mould As in Italian story oft is told.
FAUST
No such incentives do I need.
MEPHISTOPHELES
But now, without offence or jest! You cannot quickly, I protest, In winning this sweet child succeed. By storm we cannot take the fort, To stratagem we must resort.
FAUST
Conduct me to her place of rest! Some token of the angel bring! A kerchief from her snowy breast, A garter bring me,--any thing!
MEPHISTOPHELES
That I my anxious zeal may prove, Your pangs to sooth and aid your love, A single moment will we not delay, Will lead you to her room this very day.
FAUST
And shall I see her ?--Have her?
MEPHISTOPHELES
No! She to a neighbour's house will go; But in her atmosphere alone, The tedious hours meanwhile you may employ, In blissful dreams of future joy.
FAUST
Can we go now?
MEPHISTOPHELES
'Tis yet too soon.
FAUST
Some present for my love procure! (Exit.)
MEPHISTOPHELES
Presents so soon! 'tis well! success is sure! Full many a goodly place I know, And treasures buried long ago; I must a bit o'erlook them now. (Exit.)
EVENING. A SMALL AND NEAT ROOM
MARGARET (braiding and binding up her hair)
I would give something now to know, Who yonder gentleman could be! He had a gallant air, I trow, And doubtless was of high degree: That written on his brow was seen-- Nor else would lie so bold have been. (Exit.)
MEPHISTOPHELES
Come in! tread softly! be discreet!
FAUST (after a pause)
Begone and leave me, I entreat!
MEPHISTOPHELES (looking round)
Not every maiden is so neat.
FAUST (gazing round)
Welcome sweet twilight, calm and blest, That in this hallow'd precinct reigns! Fond yearning love, inspire my breast, Feeding on hope's sweet dew thy blissful pains! What stillness here environs me! Content and order brood around. What fulness in this poverty! In this small cell what bliss profound! (He throws himself on the leather arm-chair beside the bed.)
Receive me thou, who hast in thine embrace, Welcom'd in joy and grief the ages flown! How oft the children of a by-gone race Have cluster'd round this patriarchal throne! Haply she, also, whom I hold so dear, For Christmas gift, with grateful joy possess'd, Hath with the full round cheek of childhood, here, Her grandsire's wither'd hand devoutly press'd. Maiden! I feel thy spirit haunt the place, Breathing of order and abounding grace. As with a mother's voice it prompteth thee, The pure white cover o'er the board to spread, To strew the crisping sand beneath thy tread. Dear hand! so godlike in its ministry! The hut becomes a paradise through thee! And here (He raises the bed-curtain.) How thrills my pulse with strange delight! Here could I linger hours untold; Thou, Nature, didst in vision bright, The embryo angel here unfold. Here lay the child, her bosom warm With life; while steeped in slumber's dew, To perfect grace, her godlike form, With pure and hallow'd weavings grew!
And thou! ah here what seekest thou? How quails mine inmost being now! What wouldst thou here? what makes thy heart so sore? Unhappy Faust! I know thee now no more.
Do I a magic atmosphere inhale? Erewhile, my passion would not brook delay! Now in a pure love-dream I melt away. Are we the sport of every passing gale?
Should she return and enter now, How wouldst thou rue thy guilty flame! Proud vaunter--thou wouldst hide thy brow,-- And at her feet sink down with shame.
MEPHISTOPHELES
Quick! quick! below I see her there.
FAUST
Away! I will return no more!
MEPHISTOPHELES
Here is a casket, with a store Of jewels, which I got elsewhere. Just lay it in the press; make haste! I swear to you, 'twill turn her brain; Therein some trifles I have placed, Wherewith another to obtain. But child is child, and play is play.
FAUST
I know not--shall I?
MEPHISTOPHELES
Do you ask? Perchance you would retain the treasure? If such your wish, why then, I say, Henceforth absolve me from my task, Nor longer waste your hours of leisure. I trust you're not by avarice led! I rub my hands, I scratch my head,-- (He places the casket in the press and closes the lock,) Now quick! Away! That soon the sweet young creature may The wish and purpose of your heart obey; Yet stand you there As would you to the lecture-room repair, As if before you stood, Arrayed in flesh and blood, Physics and metaphysics weird and grey!-- Away! (Exeunt.)
MARGARET (with a lamp) Here 'tis so close, so sultry now, (She opens the window.) Yet out of doors 'tis not so warm. I feel so strange, I know not how-- I wish my mother would come home. Through me there runs a shuddering-- I'm but a foolish timid thing! (While undressing herself she begins to sing.)
There was a king in Thule, True even to the grave; To whom his dying mistress A golden beaker gave.
At every feast he drained it, Naught was to him so dear, And often as he drained it, Gush'd from his eyes the tear.
When death came, unrepining His cities o'er he told; All to his heir resigning, Except his cup of gold.
With many a knightly vassal At a royal feast sat he, In yon proud ball ancestral, In his castle o'er the sea.
Up stood the jovial monarch, And quaff'd his last life's glow, Then hurled the hallow'd goblet Into the flood below.
He saw it splashing, drinking, And plunging hi the sea; His eyes meanwhile were sinking, And never again drank he. (She opens the press to put away her clothes, and perceives the casket.)
How comes this lovely casket here? The press I locked, of that I'm confident. 'Tis very wonderful! What's in it I can't guess; Perhaps 'twas brought by some one in distress. And left in pledge for loan my mother lent. Here by a ribbon hangs a little key! I have a mind to open it and see! Heavens! only look! what have we here! In all my days ne'er saw I such a sight! Jewels! which any noble dame might wear, For some high pageant richly dight! This chain--how would it look on me! These splendid gems, whose may they be? (She puts them on and steps before the glass.)
Were but the ear-rings only mine! Thus one has quite another air. What hoots it to be young and fair? It doubtless may be very flue; But then, alas, none cares for you, And praise sounds half like pity too. Gold all doth lure, Gold doth secure All things. Alas, we poor!
PROMENADE
FAUST walking thoughtfully up and down. To him MEPHISTOPHELES.
MEPHISTOPHELES
By all rejected love! By hellish fire I curse, Would I knew aught to make my imprecation worse!
FAUST
What aileth thee? what chafes thee now so sore? A face like that I never saw before!
MEPHISTOPHELES
I'd yield me to the devil instantly, Did it not happen that myself am he!
FAUST
There must be some disorder in thy wit! To rave thus like a madman, is it fit?
MEPHISTOPHELES
Think! only think! The gems for Gretchen brought, Them hath a priest now made his own!-- A glimpse of them the mother caught, And 'gan with secret fear to groan. The woman's scent is keen enough; Doth ever in the prayer-book snuff; Smells every article to ascertain Whether the thing is holy or profane, And scented in the jewels rare, That there was not much blessing there. "My child," she cries, "ill-gotten good Ensnares the soul, consumes the blood; With them we'll deck our Lady's shrine, She'll cheer our souls with bread divine!" At this poor Gretchen 'gan to pout; 'Tis a gift-horse, at least, she thought, And sure, he godless cannot be, Who brought them here so cleverly. Straight for a priest the mother sent, Who, when he understood the jest, With what he saw was well content. "This shows a pious mind!" Quoth he: "Self-conquest is true victory. The Church bath a good stomach, she, with zest, Whole countries hath swallow'd down, And never yet a surfeit known. The Church alone, be it confessed, Daughters, can ill-got wealth digest."
FAUST
It is a general custom, too. Practised alike by king and jew.
MEPHISTOPHELES
With that, clasp, chain, and ring, he swept As they were mushrooms; and the casket, Without one word of thanks, he kept, As if of nuts it were a basket. Promised reward in heaven, then forth he hied-- And greatly they were edified.
FAUST
And Gretchen!
MEPHISTOPHELES
In unquiet mood Knows neither what she would or should; The trinkets night and day thinks o'er, On him who brought them, dwells still more.
FAUST
The darling's sorrow grieves me, bring Another set without delay! The first, methinks, was no great thing.
MEPHISTOPHELES
All's to my gentleman child's play!
FAUST
Plan all things to achieve my end! Engage the attention of her friend! No milk-and-water devil be, And bring fresh jewels instantly!
MEPHISTOPHELES
Ay, sir! Most gladly I'll obey. (FAUST exit.)
MEPHISTOPHELES
Your doting love-sick fool, with ease, Merely his lady-love to please, Sun, moon, and stars in sport would puff away. (Exit.)
THE NEIGHBOUR'S HOUSE MARTHA (alone)
God pardon my dear husband, he Doth not in truth act well by me! Forth in the world abroad to roam, And leave me on the straw at home. And yet his will I ne'er did thwart, God knows, I lov'd him from my heart. (She weeps.)
Perchance he's dead!--oh wretched state!-- Had I but a certificate!
(MARGARET comes)
MARGARET
Dame Martha!
MARTHA
Gretchen?
MARGARET
Only think! My knees beneath me well-nigh sink! Within my press I've found to-day, Another case, of ebony. And things--magnificent they are, More costly than the first, by far.
MARTHA
You must not name it to your mother! It would to shrift, just like the other.
MARGARET
Nay look at them! now only see!
MARTHA (dresses her up)
Thou happy creature!
MARGARET
Woe is me! Them in the street I cannot wear, Or in the church, or any where.
MARTHA
Come often over here to me, The gems put on quite privately; And then before the mirror walk an hour or so, Thus we shall have our pleasure too. Then suitable occasions we must seize, As at a feast, to show them by degrees: A chain at first, pearl ear-drops then,--your mother Won't see them, or we'll coin some tale or other.
MARGARET
But, who, I wonder, could the caskets bring? I fear there's something wrong about the thing! (a knock,)
MARTHA (peering through the blind)
'Tis a strange gentleman, I see. Come in!
(MEPHISTOPHELES enters)
MEPHISTOPHELES
I've ventur'd to intrude to-day. Ladies, excuse the liberty, I pray. (He steps back respectfully before MARGARET.)
After dame Martha Schwerdtlein I inquire!
MARTHA
'Tis I. Pray what have you to say to me?
MEPHISTOPHELES (aside to her)
I know you now,--and therefore will retire; At present you've distinguished company. Pardon the freedom, Madam, with your leave, I will make free to call again at eve.
MARTHA (aloud)
Why, child, of all strange notions, he For some grand lady taketh thee!
MARGARET
I am, in truth, of humble blood-- The gentleman is far too good-- Nor gems nor trinkets are my own.
MEPHISTOPHELES
Oh 'tis not the mere ornaments alone; Her glance and mien far more betray. Rejoiced I am that I may stay.
MARTHA
Your business, Sir? I long to know
MEPHISTOPHELES
Would I could happier tidings show! I trust mine errand you'll not let me rue; Your husband's dead, and greeteth you.
MARTHA
Is dead? True heart! Oh misery! My husband dead! Oh, I shall die!
MARGARET
Alas! good Martha! don't despair!
MEPHISTOPHELES
Now listen to the sad affair!
MARGARET
I for this cause should fear to love. The loss my certain death would prove.
MEPHISTOPHELES
Joy still must sorrow, sorrow joy attend.
MARTHA
Proceed, and tell the story of his end!
MEPHISTOPHELES
At Padua, in St. Anthony's, In holy ground his body lies; Quiet and cool his place of rest, With pious ceremonials blest.
MARTHA
And had you naught besides to bring?
MEPHISTOPHELES
Oh yes! one grave and solemn prayer; Let them for him three hundred masses sing! But in my pockets, I have nothing there.
MARTHA
No trinket! no love-token did he send! What every journeyman safe in his pouch will hoard There for remembrance fondly stored, And rather hungers, rather begs than spend!
MEPHISTOPHELES
Madam, in truth, it grieves me sore, But he his gold not lavishly bath spent. His failings too he deeply did repent, Ay! and his evil plight bewail'd still more.
MARGARET
Alas! That men should thus be doomed to woe! I for his soul will many a requiem pray.
MEPHISTOPHELES
A husband you deserve this very day; A child so worthy to be loved.
MARGARET
Ah no, That time bath not yet come for me.
MEPHISTOPHELES
If not a spouse, a gallant let it be. Among heaven's choicest gifts, I place, So sweet a darling to embrace.
MARGARET
MEPHISTOPHELES
Usage or not, it happens so.
MARTHA
Go on, I pray!
MEPHISTOPHELES
I stood by his bedside. Something less foul it was than dung; 'Twas straw half rotten; yet, he as a Christian died. And sorely hath remorse his conscience wrung. "Wretch that I was," quoth he, with parting breath, "So to forsake my business and my wife! Ah! the remembrance is my death, Could I but have her pardon in this life! "--
MARTHA (weeping)
Dear soul! I've long forgiven him, indeed!
MEPHISTOPHELES
"Though she, God knows, was more to blame than I."
MARTHA
He lied! What, on the brink of death to lie!
MEPHISTOPHELES
If I am skill'd the countenance to read, He doubtless fabled as he parted hence.-- "No time had I to gape, or take my ease," he said, "First to get children, and then get them bread; And bread, too, in the very widest sense; Nor could I eat in peace even my proper share."
MARTHA
What, all my truth, my love forgotten quite? My weary drudgery by day and night!
MEPHISTOPHELES
Not so! He thought of you with tender care. Quoth he: "Heaven knows how fervently I prayed, For wife and children when from Malta bound;-- The prayer hath heaven with favour crowned; We took a Turkish vessel which conveyed Rich store of treasure for the Sultan's court; It's own reward our gallant action brought; The captur'd prize was shared among the crew And of the treasure I received my due."
MARTHA
How? Where? The treasure hath he buried, pray?
MEPHISTOPHELES
Where the four winds have blown it, who can say? In Naples as he stroll'd, a stranger there,-- A comely maid took pity on my friend; And gave such tokens of her love and care, That he retained them to his blessed end.
MARTHA
Scoundrel! to rob his children of their bread! And all this misery, this bitter need, Could not his course of recklessness impede!
MEPHISTOPHELES
Well, he bath paid the forfeit, and is dead. Now were I in your place, my counsel hear; My weeds I'd wear for one chaste year, And for another lover meanwhile would look out.
MARTHA
Alas, I might search far and near, Not quickly should I find another like my first! There could not be a fonder fool than mine, Only he loved too well abroad to roam; Loved foreign women too, and foreign wine. And loved besides the dice accurs'd.
MEPHISTOPHELES
All had gone swimmingly, no doubt, Had he but given you at home, On his side, just as wide a range. Upon such terms, to you I swear, Myself with you would gladly rings exchange!
MARTHA
The gentleman is surely pleas'd to jest!
MEPHISTOPIIELES (aside)
Now to be off in time, were best! She'd make the very devil marry her. (To MARGARET.)
How fares it with your heart?
MARGARET
How mean you, Sir?
MEPHISTOPHELES (aside)
The sweet young innocent! (aloud)
Ladies, farewell!
MARGARET
Farewell!
MARTHA
But ere you leave us, quickly tell! I from a witness fain had heard, Where, how, and when my husband died and was interr'd. To forms I've always been attached indeed, His death I fain would in the journals read.
MEPHISTOPHELES
Ay, madam, what two witnesses declare Is held as valid everywhere; A gallant friend I have, not far from here, Who will for you before the judge appear. I'll bring him straight.
MARTHA
I pray you do!
MEPHISTOPHELES
And this young lady, we shall find her too? A noble youth, far travelled, he Shows to the sex all courtesy.
MARGARET
I in his presence needs must blush for shame.
MEPHISTOPHELES
Not in the presence of a crowned king!
MARTH A
The garden, then, behind my house, we'll name, There we'll await you both this evening.
A STREET
FAUST. MEPHISTOPHELES
FAUST
How is it now? How speeds it? Is't in train?
MEPHISTOPHELES
Bravo! I find you all aflame! Gretchen full soon your own you'll name. This eve, at neighbour Martha's, her you'll meet again; The woman seems expressly made To drive the pimp and gipsy's trade.
FAUST
Good!
MEPHISTOPHELES
But from us she something would request.
FAUST
A favour claims return as this world goes.
MEPHISTOPHELES
We have on oath but duly to attest, That her dead husband's limbs, outstretch'd, repose In holy ground at Padua.
FAUST
Sage indeed! So I suppose we straight must journey there!
MEPHISTOPHELES
Sancta simplicitas! For that no need! Without much knowledge we have but to swear.
FAUST
If you have nothing better to suggest, Against your plan I must at once protest.
MEPHISTOPHELES
Oh, holy man! methinks I have you there! In all your life say, have you ne'er False witness borne, until this hour? Have you of God, the world, and all it doth contain, Of man, and that which worketh in his heart and brain, Not definitions given, in words of weight and power, With front unblushing, and a dauntless breast? Yet, if into the depth of things you go, Touching these matters, it must be confess'd, As much as of Herr Schwerdtlein's death you know!
FAUST
Thou art and dost remain liar and sophist too.
MEPHISTOPHELES
Ay, if one did not take a somewhat deeper view! To-morrow, in all honour, thou Poor Gretchen wilt befool, and vow Thy soul's deep love, in lover's fashion.
FAUST
And from my heart.
MEPHISTOPHELES
All good and fair! Then deathless constancy thou'lt swear; Speak of one all o'ermastering passion,-- Will that too issue from the heart?
FAUST
Forbear! When passion sways me, and I seek to frame Fit utterance for feeling, deep, intense, And for my frenzy finding no fit name, Sweep round the ample world with every sense, Grasp at the loftiest words to speak my flame, And call the glow, wherewith I burn, Quenchless, eternal, yea, eterne-- Is that of sophistry a devilish play?
MEPHISTOPHELES
Yet am I right!
FAUST
Mark this, my friend, And spare my lungs; who would the right maintain, And hath a tongue wherewith his point to gain, Will gain it in the end. But come, of gossip I am weary quite; Because I've no resource, thou'rt in the right.
GARDEN
MARGARET on FAUST'S arm. MARTHA with MEPHISTOPHELES walking up and down
MARGARET
I feel it, you but spare my ignorance, The gentleman to shame me stoops thus low. A traveller from complaisance, Still makes the best of things; I know Too well, my humble prattle never can Have power to entertain so wise a man.
FAUST
One glance, one word from thee doth charm me more, Than the world's wisdom or the sage's lore. (He kisses her hand.)
MARGARET
Nay! trouble not yourself! A hand so coarse, So rude as mine, how can you kiss! What constant work at home must I not do perforce! My mother too exacting is. (They pass on.)
MARTHA
Thus, sir, unceasing travel is your lot?
MEPHISTOPHELES
Traffic and duty urge us! With what pain Are we compelled to leave full many a spot, Where yet we dare not once remain!
MARTHA
In youth's wild years, with vigour crown'd, 'Tis not amiss thus through the world to sweep; But ah, the evil days come round! And to a lonely grave as bachelor to creep, A pleasant thing has no one found.
MEPHISTOPHELES
The prospect fills me with dismay.
MARTHA
Therefore in time, dear sir, reflect, I pray. (They pass on.)
MARGARET
Ay, out of sight is out of mind! Politeness easy is to you; Friends everywhere, and not a few, Wiser than I am, you will find.
FAUST
O dearest, trust me, what doth pass for sense Full oft is self-conceit and blindness!
MARGARET
How?
FAUST
Simplicity and holy innocence,-- When will ye learn your hallow'ed worth to know! Ah, when will meekness and humility, Kind and all-bounteous nature's loftiest dower--
MARGARET
Only one little moment think of me! To think of you I shall have many an hour.
FAUST
You are perhaps much alone?
MARGARET
Yes, small our household is, I own, Yet must I see to it. No maid we keep, And I must cook, sew, knit, and Sweep, Still early on my feet and late; My mother is in all things, great and small, So accurate! Not that for thrift there is such pressing need; Than others we might make more show indeed; My father left behind a small estate, A house and garden near the city-wall. But fairly quiet now my days, I own; As soldier is my brother gone; My little sister's dead; the babe to rear Occasion'd me some care and fond annoy; But I would go through all again with joy, The darling was to me so dear.
FAUST
An angel, sweet, if it resembled thee!
MARGARET
I reared it up, and it grew fond of me. After my father's death it saw the day; We gave my mother up for lost, she lay In such a wretched plight, and then at length So very slowly she regain'd her strength. Weak as she was, 'twas vain for her to try Herself to suckle the poor babe, so I Reared it on milk and water all alone; And thus the child became as 'twere roy own; Within my arms it stretched itself and grew, And smiling, nestled in my bosom too.
FAUST
Doubtless the purest happiness was thine.
MARGARET
But many weary hours, in sooth, were also mine. At night its little cradle stood Close to my bed; so was I wide awake If it but stirred; One while I was obliged to give it food, Or to my arms the darling take; From bed full oft must rise, whene'er its cry I heard, And, dancing it, must pace the chamber to and fro; Stand at the wash-tub early; forthwith go To market, and then mind the cooking too-- To-morrow like to-day, the whole year through. Ah, sir, thus living, it must be confess'd One's spirits are not always of the best; Yet it a relish gives to food and rest. (They pass on.)
MARTHA
Poor women! we are badly off, I own; A bachelor's conversion's hard, indeed!
MEPHISTOPHELES
Madam, with one like you it rests alone, To tutor me a better course to lead.
MARTHA
Speak frankly, sir, none is there you have met? Has your heart ne'er attach'd itself as yet?
MEPHISTOPHELES
One's own fire-side and a good wife are gold And pearls of price, so says the proverb old.
MARTHA
I mean, has passion never stirred your breast?
MEPHISTOPHELES
I've everywhere been well received, I own.
MARTHA
Yet hath your heart no earnest preference known?
MEPHISTOPHELES
With ladies one should ne'er presume to jest.
MARTHA
Ah! you mistake!
MEPHISTOPHELES
I'm sorry I'm so blind! But this I know--that you are very kind. (They pass on.)
FAUST
Me, little angel, didst thou recognise, When in the garden first I came?
MARGARET Did you not see it? I cast down my eyes.