MARGARET.

This feeling hath gained such a mastery o'er
My heart, that if towards us he chance to stray,
I almost feel that I love thee no more,
And in his presence not a prayer could say;
And that upon my very heart doth prey.
Doth not that, Henry, too, occur to thee?

FAUST.

Now yieldest thou to mere antipathy.

MARGARET.

But now, farewell! I must be gone.

FAUST.

Ah, can I never count upon

One little hour to hang upon thy breast;
Breast to breast, soul to soul in calmness pressed.

MARGARET.

Alas, if I but only slept alone,

Gladly the bolt I'd open leave this night.
But then my mother sleeps so very light,

And should she find us out, assuredly
I should upon the very instant die.

S

FAUST.

Thou angel, have no fear. This vial take,

Pour three drops in her night draught; it will steep
Her nature in profound and soothing sleep.

MARGARET.

What is there I would not do for thy sake?
I trust it can do her no injury.

FAUST.

If it could, love, would I advise it thee?

MARGARET.

Thou best of men, when thee I gaze upon,
I know not what me to thy will constrains;
So much for thee I have already done,
That little more to do for me remains.

MEPHISTOPHELES enters.

MEPHISTOPHELES.

The monkey, is it gone?

FAUST.

[Exit.

Again the spy dost play?

MEPHISTOPHEles.

I heard the whole throughout; the worthy Doctor say
His catechism: I hope with him it will agree.
The girls in that are interested mightily.

If one is pious and meek, after the ancient way,

If he is humble in that, he'll be guided by us, think

they.

FAUST.

Thou monster that thou art, thou canst not see,

How this dear soul in its fidelity,

Full of its faith, she thinks alone can give
Eternal happiness, should deeply grieve,
With holy grief, to think him she loves most,
She must consider as for ever lost.

MEPHISTOPHEles.

Thou sighing, supersensual sensualist;
Thou art led by the nose by a little flirt.

FAUST.

Thou monster birth of Fire and Dirt.

MEPHISTOPHELES.

Then she's a first-rate physiognomist;

And in my presence all abroad she feels,

Some mystic faculty my mask reveals.
She feels a genius at the least in me,
Perhaps the very devil I may be.

Well-to-night?

FAUST.

What hast thou with that to do?

MEPHISTOPHELES.

I have my pleasure in it too.

AT THE FOUNTAIN.

MARGARET and ELIZABETH, with pitchers.

ELIZABETH.

Hast thou heard nought of Barbara ?

MARGARET.

No,

Nothing. Abroad I seldom go.

ELIZABETH.

Sybilla told me all to-day.

For certain, she has chosen to play
The fool. So much for upstart pride.

How so?

MARGARET.

ELIZABETH.

Whene'er she eats and drinks,

She feeds herself and one beside.