The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries - novelonlinefull.com
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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 NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE
MARTHA (_alone_)
G.o.d 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, G.o.d 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 today 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 anywhere.
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._]
Good heavens! can that my mother be?
MARTHA (_peering through the blind_)
'Tis a strange gentleman, I see.
Come in!
[MEPHISTOPHELES _enters_.]
MEPHISTOPHELES
I've ventur'd to intrude today.
Ladies, excuse the liberty, I pray.
[_He steps back respectfully before_ MARGARET.]
