Imatges de pàgina
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FAUST.

Gnash not thy ravenous teeth so at me! I abominate thee! Oh thou great, glorious Spirit, that didst vouchsafe to appear to me, that knowest my heart and soul, why fetter me to this vile companion that delights in evil, and revels in ruin?

Art thou done?

MEPHISTOPHELES.

FAUST.

Save her! or woe to thee! the curse of curses on thee for thousands of years!

MEPHISTOPHELES.

I cannot loose the bonds of the avenger,-I cannot withdraw her bolts. Save her! Who was it plunged her into perdition? I or thou?

FAUST looks wildly about.

MEPHISTOPHEles.

Graspest thou at the thunder? It is well for ye, wretched mortals that it is not granted ye! To crush him who is an innocent obstacle, such is the practice of all tyrants to clear a way through all perplexities.

FAUST.

Bring me to her! She shall be free!

MEPHISTOPHELES.

And the danger to which thou exposest thyself? Know the guilt of blood from thy hand yet lies upon the town. Over the fatal spot hover avenging spirits, on the stoop for the returning murderer.

FAUST.

That from thee? Murder and death of a world upon thee, thou monster! Bring me thither I say, and free her!

MEPHISTOPHELES.

I will conduct you there! and to what I can do, listen! Have I all power in Heaven and on earth? I will cloud the gaoler's senses; do thou seize the keys, and bring her out with the hand of man. keep watch! the goblin steeds are ready; I will carry you off. That can I do.

I

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NIGHT.-OPEN PLAIN.

FAUST-MEPHISTOPHELES, careering by on

black horses.

FAUST.

What are they busy at there on the scaffold?

MEPHISTOPHEles.

Don't know what they're boiling and brewing.

FAUST.

They soar, they swoop, they bend, they bow.

MEPHISTOPHELES.

A pack of witches.

FAUST.

They are strewing something, conjuring.

MEPHISTOPHELES.

Forward! Forward!

DUNGEON.

FAUST, with a bunch of keys and a lamp,
before an iron door.

A trembling, long unknown, doth on me fall,
All mankind's misery fastens on my breast;
Here dwelleth she within this damp, drear wall,
A kind delusion, all that she transgressed!
From going to her dost thou quail !

At seeing her thy heart doth fail!

On! on! thy dalliance dallieth with death.* [He takes hold of the lock-singing is heard within.

My mother the harlot,

Poor me that slew ;
My father the varlet

That ate me too;

* Zoegern means to delay, falter. Thy irresolution will be the cause of Margaret's death, which is approaching, if thou dost not act.

My sister dear, so young and small,
Took the bones up, one and all,
To a cool place, where I came to be
A bird of the greenwood, fair and free.

Fly away! Fly away

!

FAUST-unlocking.

Nought deemeth she, her lover's anxious ear

The clanking chain, the rustling straw can hear!

[He enters.

MARGARET, hiding herself in the litter.

Woe! woe! they come. Oh, death of bitterness!

FAUST, whispering.

Be still be still! to free thee I am here.

MARGARET, grovelling before him.

Art thou a man? oh, pity my distress!

FAUST.

Thou'lt wake the jailor, if thy cries he hear!

[He takes hold of the chains to unlock them.

MARGARET, on her knees.

Who, hangman, ever gave to thee the right

Me to entreat so rough?

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