Faust Part 31

He spake: "That is the proper view,- Who overcometh, winneth too.

The Holy Church has a stomach healthy: Hath eaten many a land as forfeit, And never yet complained of surfeit: The Church alone, beyond all question, Has for ill-gotten goods the right digestion."

FAUST

A general practice is the same, Which Jew and King may also claim.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Then bagged the spangles, chains, and rings, As if but toadstools were the things, And thanked no less, and thanked no more Than if a sack of nuts he bore,- Promised them fullest heavenly pay, And deeply edified were they.

FAUST

And Margaret?

MEPHISTOPHELES

Sits unrestful still, And knows not what she should, or will; Thinks on the jewels, day and night, But more on him who gave her such delight.

FAUST

The darling's sorrow gives me pain.

Get thou a set for her again!

The first was not a great display.

MEPHISTOPHELES

O yes, the gentleman finds it all child's-play!

FAUST

Fix and arrange it to my will; And on her neighbor try thy skill!

Don't be a Devil stiff as paste, But get fresh jewels to her taste!

MEPHISTOPHELES

Yes, gracious Sir, in all obedience!

[Exit FAUST.

Such an enamored fool in air would blow Sun, moon, and all the starry legions, To give his sweetheart a diverting show.

[Exit.

X

THE NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE

MARTHA (solus)

G.o.d forgive my husband, yet he Hasn't done his duty by me!

Off in the world he went straightway,- Left me lie in the straw where I lay.

And, truly, I did naught to fret him: G.o.d knows I loved, and can't forget him!

(She weeps.)

Perhaps he's even dead! Ah, woe!- Had I a certificate to show!

MARGARET (comes)

Dame Martha!

MARTHA

Margaret! what's happened thee?

MARGARET

I scarce can stand, my knees are trembling!

I find a box, the first resembling, Within my press! Of ebony,- And things, all splendid to behold, And richer far than were the old.

MARTHA

You mustn't tell it to your mother!

'Twould go to the priest, as did the other.

MARGARET

Ah, look and see-just look and see!

MARTHA (adorning her)

O, what a blessed luck for thee!

MARGARET

But, ah! in the streets I dare not bear them, Nor in the church be seen to wear them.

MARTHA

Yet thou canst often this way wander, And secretly the jewels don, Walk up and down an hour, before the mirror yonder,- We'll have our private joy thereon.

And then a chance will come, a holiday, When, piece by piece, can one the things abroad display, A chain at first, then other ornament: Thy mother will not see, and stories we'll invent.

MARGARET

Whoever could have brought me things so precious?

That something's wrong, I feel suspicious.

(A knock)