The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Volume I Part 77

The man who comes with thee, I hate, Yea, in my spirit's inmost depths abhor; As his loath'd visage, in my life before, Naught to my heart e'er gave a pang so great.

FAUST

Him fear not, my sweet love!

MARGARET

His presence chills my blood.

Toward all beside I have a kindly mood; Yet, though I yearn to gaze on thee, I feel At sight of him strange horror o'er me steal; That he's a villain my conviction's strong.

May Heaven forgive me, if I do him wrong!

FAUST

Yet such strange fellows in the world must be!

MARGARET

I would not live with such an one as he.

If for a moment he but enter here, He looks around him with a mocking sneer, And malice ill-conceal'd; That he with naught on earth can sympathize is clear; Upon his brow 'tis legibly revealed That to his heart no living soul is dear.

So blest I feel, within thine arms, So warm and happy--free from all alarms; And still my heart doth close when he comes near.

FAUST

Foreboding angel! check thy fear!

MARGARET

It so o'ermasters me that when, Or wheresoe'er, his step I hear, I almost think, no more I love thee then.

Besides, when he is near, I ne'er could pray.

This eats into my heart; with thee The same, my Henry, it must be.

FAUST

This is antipathy!

MARGARET

I must away.

FAUST

For one brief hour then may I never rest, And heart to heart, and soul to soul be pressed?

MARGARET

Ah, if I slept alone! Tonight The bolt I fain would leave undrawn for thee; But then my mother's sleep is light, Were we surprised by her, ah me!

Upon the spot I should be dead.

FAUST

Dear angel! there's no cause for dread.

Here is a little phial--if she take Mixed in her drink three drops, 'twill steep Her nature in a deep and soothing sleep.

MARGARET

What do I not for thy dear sake!

To her it will not harmful prove?

FAUST

Should I advise it else, sweet love?

MARGARET

I know not, dearest, when thy face I see, What doth my spirit to thy will constrain; Already I have done so much for thee, That scarcely more to do doth now remain. [_Exit._]

(MEPHISTOPHELES _enters_)

MEPHISTOPHELES

The monkey! Is she gone?

FAUST

Again hast played the spy?

MEPHISTOPHELES

Of all that pa.s.s'd I'm well apprized, I heard the doctor catechized, And trust he'll profit much thereby!

Fain would the girls inquire indeed Touching their lover's faith and creed, And whether pious in the good old way; They think, if pliant there, us too he will obey.

FAUST

Thou monster, dost not see that this Pure soul, possessed by ardent love, Full of the living faith, To her of bliss The only pledge, must holy anguish prove, Holding the man she loves fore-doomed to endless death!

MEPHISTOPHELES

Most sensual, supersensualist! The while A damsel leads thee by the nose!

FAUST

Of filth and fire abortion vile!

MEPHISTOPHELES

In physiognomy strange skill she shows; She in my presence feels she knows not how; My mask it seems a hidden sense reveals; That I'm a genius she must needs allow, That I'm the very devil perhaps she feels.

So then tonight--

FAUST