DostthoubelieveinGod?
  FaustMydarling,whodaressay,Yes,IinGodbelieve?Questionorpriestorsage,andtheySeem,intheansweryoureceive,Tomockthequestioner。
  MargaretThenthoudostnotbelieve?
  FaustSweetone!mymeaningdonotmisconceive!Himwhodarename?Andwhoproclaim,HimIbelieve?Whothatcanfeel,Hisheartcansteel,Tosay:I
  believehimnot?TheAll-embracer,All-sustainer,HoldsandsustainshenotThee,me,himself?LiftsnottheHeavenitsdomeabove?Dothnotthefirm-
  setearthbeneathuslie?Andbeamingtenderlywithlooksoflove,Climbnottheeverlastingstarsonhigh?Dowenotgazeintoeachother’seyes?Nature’simpenetrableagencies,Aretheynotthrongingonthyheartandbrain,Viewless,orvisibletomortalken,Aroundtheeweavingtheirmysteriouschain?Fillthencethyheart,howlargesoe’eritbe;Andinthefeelingwhenthouutterlyartblest,Thencallit,whatthouwilt,CallitBliss!Heart!Love!
  God!Ihavenonameforit!’Tisfeelingall;NameisbutsoundandsmokeShroudingtheglowofheaven。
  MargaretAllthisisdoubtlessgoodandfair;Almostthesametheparsonsays,Onlyinslightlydifferentphrase。
  FaustBeneathHeaven’ssunshine,everywhere,Thisistheutteranceofthehumanheart;Eachinhislanguagedoththelikeimpart;ThenwhynotIinmine?
  MargaretWhatthusIhearSoundsplausible,yetI’mnotreconciled;There’ssomethingwrongaboutit;muchIfearThatthouartnotaChristian。
  FaustMysweetchild!
  MargaretAlas!itlonghathsorelytroubledme,Toseetheeinsuchodiouscompany。
  FaustHowso?
  MargaretThemanwhocomeswiththee,Ihate,Yea,inmyspirit’sinmostdepthsabhor;Ashisloath’dvisage,inmylifebefore,Naughttomyhearte’ergaveapangsogreat。
  FaustHimfearnot,mysweetlove!
  MargaretHispresencechillsmyblood。TowardsallbesideIhaveakindlymood;Yet,thoughIyearntogazeonthee,IfeelAtsightofhimstrangehorroro’ermesteal;Thathe’savillainmyconviction’sstrong。MayHeavenforgiveme,ifI
  dohimwrong!
  FaustYetsuchstrangefellowsintheworldmustbe!
  MargaretIwouldnotlivewithsuchanoneashe。Ifforamomenthebutenterhere,Helooksaroundhimwithamockingsneer,Andmaliceill-conceal’d;ThathewithnaughtonearthcansympathizeisclearUponhisbrow’tislegiblyrevealed,Thattohisheartnolivingsoulisdear。SoblestIfeel,withinthinearms,Sowarmandhappy,-freefromallalarms;Andstillmyheartdothclosewhenhecomesnear。
  FaustForebodingangel!checkthyfear!
  MargaretItsoo’ermastersme,thatwhen,Orwheresoe’er,hisstepIhear,Ialmostthink,nomoreIlovetheethen。Besides,whenheisnear,Ine’ercouldpray。
  Thiseatsintomyheart;withtheeThesame,myHenry,itmustbe。
  FaustThisisantipathy!
  MargaretImustaway。
  FaustForonebriefhourthenmayIneverrest,Andhearttoheart,andsoultosoulbepressed?
  MargaretAh,ifIsleptalone!To-nightTheboltIfainwouldleaveundrawnforthee;
  Butthenmymother’ssleepislight,Werewesurprisedbyher,ahme!UponthespotIshouldbedead。
  FaustDearangel!there’snocausefordread。Hereisalittlephial,-ifshetakeMixedinherdrinkthreedrops,’twillsteepHernatureinadeepandsoothingsleep。
  MargaretWhatdoInotforthydearsake!Toheritwillnotharmfulprove?
  FaustShouldIadviseitelse,sweetlove?
  MargaretIknownot,dearest,whenthyfaceIsee,Whatdothmyspirittothywillconstrain;AlreadyIhavedonesomuchforthee,Thatscarcelymoretododothnowremain。
  (Exit。)
  Mephistopheles(enters)
  MephistophelesThemonkey!Isshegone?
  FaustAgainhastplayedthespy?
  MephistophelesOfallthatpass’dI’mwellapprized,Iheardthedoctorcatechised,Andtrusthe’llprofitmuchthereby!FainwouldthegirlsinquireindeedTouchingtheirlover’sfaithandcreed,Andwhetherpiousinthegoodoldway;Theythink,ifpliantthere,ustoohewillobey。
  FaustThoumonster,doesnotseethatthisPuresoul,possessedbyardentlove,Fullofthelivingfaith,ToherofblissTheonlypledge,mustholyanguishprove,Holdingthemansheloves,fore-doomedtoendlessdeath!
  MephistophelesMostsensual,supersensualist?ThewhileAdamselleadstheebythenose!
  FaustOffilthandfireabortionvile!
  MephistophelesInphysiognomystrangeskillsheshows;Sheinmypresencefeelssheknowsnothow;Mymaskitseemsahiddensensereveals;ThatI’mageniusshemustneedsallow,ThatI’mtheverydevilperhapsshefeels。Sothento-nightFaustWhat’sthattoyou?
  MephistophelesI’vemyamusementinittoo!
  AtTheWellMargaretandBessy,withpitchersBessyOfBarbarahastnothingheard?
  MargaretIrarelygofromhome,-no,notaword。
  Bessy’Tistrue:Sybillatoldmesoto-day!Thatcomesofbeingproud,methinks;
  Sheplayedthefoolatlast。
  MargaretHowso?
  BessyTheysayThattwoshefeedethwhensheeatsanddrinks。
  MargaretAlas!
  BessyShe’srightlyserved,insooth,Howlongshehungupontheyouth!Whatpromenades,whatjauntstherewere,Todancingboothandvillagefair!Thefirstsheeverywheremustshine,HealwaystreatinghertopastryandtowineOfhergoodlooksshewassovain,Soshamelesstoo,thattoretainHispresents,shedidnotdisdain;SweetwordsandkissescameanonAndthenthevirginflowerwasgone。
  MargaretPoorthing!
  BessyForsoothdostpityher?Atnight,whenatourwheelswesat,Abroadourmothersne’erwouldletusstir。Thenwithherlovershemustchat,Oronthebenchorintheduskywalk,Thinkingthehourstoobrieffortheirsweettalk;
  Herproudheadshewillhavetobow,Andinwhitesheetdopenancenow!
  MargaretButhewillsurelymarryher?
  BessyNothe!Hewon’tbesuchafool!agallantladLikehim,canroamo’erlandandsea,Besides,he’soff。
  MargaretThatisnotfair!
  BessyIfsheshouldgethim,’twerealmostasbad!Hermyrtlewreaththeboyswouldtear;Andthenwegirlswouldplaguedhertoo,Forwechopp’dstrawbeforeherdoorwouldstrew!
  (Exit。)
  Margaret(walkingtowardshome)
  HowstoutlyonceIcouldinveigh,Ifapoormaidenwentastray;Notwordsenoughmytonguecouldfind,’Gainstothers’sintospeakmymind!Blackasitseemed,Iblacken’ditstillmore,Andstrovetomakeitblackerthanbefore。
  AnddidmyselfsecurelyblessNowmyowntrespassdothappear!Yetah!-
  whaturg’dmetotransgress,Godknows,itwassosweet,sodear!
  ZwingerEnclosurebetweentheCity-wallandtheGate。
  (InthenicheofthewalladevotionalimageoftheMaterdolorosa,withflower-potsbeforeit)
  Margaret(puttingfreshflowersinthepots)
  Ah,richinsorrow,thou,Stoopthymaternalbrow,Andmarkwithpityingeyemymisery!Theswordinthypiercedheart,Thoudostwithbittersmart,GazeupwardsonthySon’sdeathagony。TothedearGodonhigh,Ascendsthypiteoussigh,Pleadingforhisandthysoremisery。Ah,whocanknowThetorturingwoe,Thepangsthatrackmetothebone?Howmypoorheart,withoutrelief,Tremblesandthrobs,itsyearninggriefThouknowest,thoualone!Ah,wheresoe’erIgo,Withwoe,withwoe,withwoe,Myanguish’dbreastisaching!WhenallaloneIcreep,Iweep,Iweep,Iweep,Alas!myheartisbreaking!Theflower-potsatmywindowWerewetwithtearsofmine,ThewhileIpluck’dtheseblossoms,Atdawntodeckthyshrine!WhenearlyinmychamberShonebrighttherisingmorn,Isatthereonmypallet,Myheartwithanguishtorn。Help!fromdisgraceanddeathdeliverme!Ah!richinsorrow,thou,Stoopthymaternalbrow,Andmarkwithpityingeyemymisery!
  Night。StreetBeforeMargaret’sDoorValentine(asoldier,Margaret’sbrother)
  Whenseated’mongthejovialcrowd,WheremerrycomradesboastingloudEachnamedwithpridehisfavouritelass,Andinherhonourdrain’dhisglass;
  UponmyelbowsIwouldlean,Witheasyquietviewthescene,NorgivemytonguethereinuntilEachswaggeringbladehadtalkedhisfill。ThensmilingI
  mybeardwouldstroke,Thewhile,withbrimmingglass,Ispoke;"Eachtohistaste!-buttomymind,Whereinthecountrywillyoufind,Amaid,asmydearGretchenfair,Whowithmysistercancompare?"Cling!Clang!sorangthejovialsound!Shoutsofassentwentcirclinground;Prideofhersexisshe!-
  criedsome;Thenwerethenoisyboastersdumb。
  Andnow!-Icouldtearoutmyhair,Ordashmybrainsoutindespair!Meeveryscurvyknavemaytwit,Withstingingjestandtauntingsneer!LikeskulkingdebtorImustsit,Andsweateachcasualwordtohear!AndthoughI
  smash’dthemoneandall,YetthemIcouldnotliarscall。
  Whocomesthisway?who’ssneakinghere?IfImistakenot,twodrawnear。
  Ifhebeone,haveathim;-wellIwotAliveheshallnotleavethisspot!
  Faust。MephistophelesFaustHowfromyonsacristy,athwartthenight,Itsbeamstheever-burningtaperthrows,Whileeverwaning,fadestheglimmeringlight,Asgatheringdarknessdotharounditclose!Sonight-likegloomdothinmybosomreign。
  MephistophelesI’mlikeatom-catinathievishvein,Thatupfire-ladderstallandsteep,Androundthewallsdothslylycreep;Virtuouswithal,Ifeel,with,Iconfess,A
  touchofthievishjoyandwantonness。ThusthroughmylimbsalreadyburnsThegloriousWalpurgisnight!Afterto-morrowitreturns,Thenwhyonewakes,oneknowsaright!
  FaustMeanwhile,thetreasureIseeglimmeringthere,Willitascendintotheopenair?
  MephistophelesErelongthouwiltproceedwithpleasure,Toraisethecasketwithitstreasure;
  Itookapeep,thereinarestored,Oflion-dollarsarichhoard。
  FaustAndnotatrinket?notaring?Wherewithmylovelygirltodeck?
  MephistophelesIsawamongthemsomesuchthing,Astringofpearlstograceherneck。
  Faust’Tiswell!I’malwaysloathtogo,Withoutsomegiftmylovetoshow。
  MephistophelesSomepleasuresgratistoenjoy,Shouldsurelycauseyounoannoy。Whilebrightwithstarstheheavensappear,I’llsingamasterpieceofart:Amoralsongshallcharmherear,Moresurelytobeguileherheart。
  (Singstotheguitar。)
  Kathrinasay,WhylingeringstayAtdawnofdayBeforeyourlover’sdoor?
  Maiden,beware,Norenterthere,Lestforthyoufare,Amaidennevermore。
  Maidentakeheed!Reckwellmyrede!Is’tdone,thedeed?Goodnight,youpoor,poorthing!Thespoiler’slies,Hisartsdespise,Noryieldyourprize,Withoutthemarriagering!
  Valentine(stepsforward)
  Whomareyouluringhere?I’llgiveityou!Accursedrat-catchers,yourstrainsI’llend!First,tothedeviltheguitarI’llsend!Thentothedevilwiththesingertoo!
  MephistophelesThepoorguitar!’tisdonefornow。
  ValentineYourskullshallfollownext,Itrow!
  Mephistopheles(toFaust)
  Doctor,standfast!yourstrengthcollect!Beprompt,anddoasIdirect。Outwithyourwhisk,keepclose,Ipray,I’llparry!doyouthrustaway!
  ValentineThenparrythat!
  MephistophelesWhynot?
  ValentineThattoo!
  MephistophelesWithease!
  ValentineThedevilfightsforyou!Whyhowisthis?myhand’salreadylamed!
  Mephistopheles(toFaust)
  Thrusthome!
  Valentine(falls)
  Alas!
  MephistophelesThere!Nowthelubber’stamed!Butquick,away!Wemustatoncetakewing;Acryofmurderstrikesupontheear;WiththepoliceIknowmycoursetosteer,Butwiththeblood-ban’tisanotherthing。
  Martha(atthewindow)
  Without!without!
  Margaret(atthewindow)
  Quick,bringalight!
  Martha(asabove)
  Theyrailandscuffle,screamandfight!
  PeopleOneliethherealreadydead!
  Martha(comingout)
  Wherearethemurderers?aretheyfled?
  Margaret(comingout)
  Wholiethhere?
  PeopleThymother’sson。
  MargaretAlmightyGod!Iamundone!
  ValentineI’mdying-’tisasoon-toldtale,Andsoonerdonethedeed。Why,women,doyehowlandwail?Tomylastwordsgiveheed!(Allgatherroundhim。)MyGretchensee!stillyoungartthou,Artnotdiscreetenough,Itrow,Thoudostthymattersill;Letthisinconfidencebesaid:Sincethouthepathofshamedosttread,Treaditwithrightgoodwill!
  MargaretMybrother!God!whatcanthismean?
  ValentineAbstain,NordareGod’sholynameprofane!What’sdone,alas,isdoneandpast!Matterswilltaketheircourseatlast;Bystealththoudostbeginwithone,Otherswillfollowhimanon;Andwhenadozentheehaveknown,Thou’ltcommonbetoallthetown。Wheninfamyisnewlyborn,Insecretsheisbroughttolight,AndthemysteriousveilofnightO’erheadandearsisdrawn;Theloathsomebirthmenfainwouldslay;Butsoon,fullgrown,shewaxesbold,Andthoughnotfairertobehold,Withbrazenfrontinsultstheday:Themoreabhorrenttothesight,Themoreshecourtstheday’spurelight。
  ThetimealreadyIdiscern,Whentheeallhonestfolkwillspurn,Andshunthyhatedformtomeet,Aswhenacorpseinfectsthestreet。Thyheartwillsinkinblankdespair,Whentheyshalllooktheeintheface!Agoldenchainnomorethou’ltwear!Nornearthealtartakeinchurchthyplace!InfairlacecollarsimplydightThou’ltdancenomorewithspiritslight!Indarksomecornersthouwiltbide,Wherebeggarsvileandcrippleshide,Ande’enthoughGodthycrimeforgive,Onearth,athingaccursed,thou’ltlive!
  MarthaYourpartingsoultoGodcommend!Yourdyingbreathinslanderwillyouspend?
  ValentineCouldIbutreachthywither’dframe,Thouwretchedbeldame,voidofshame!FullmeasureImighthopetowinOfpardonthenforeverysin。
  MargaretBrother!whatagonizingpain!
  ValentineItellthee,fromvaintearsabstain!’Twasthydishonourpiercedmyheart,Thyfallthefataldeath-stabgave。Throughthedeath-sleepInowdepartToGod,asoldiertrueandbrave。(dies。)
  InTheCathedralService,Organ,andAnthemMargaretamongstanumberofpeopleEvil-SpiritbehindMargaretEvil-SpiritHowdifferent,Gretchen,wasitoncewiththee,Whenthou,stillfullofinnocence,Heretothealtarcamest,Andfromthesmallandwell-conn’dbookDidstlispthyprayer,Halfchildishsport,HalfGodinthyyoungheart!
  Gretchen!Whatthoughtsarethine?WhatdeedofshameLurksinthysinfulheart?Isthyprayerutter’dforthymother’ssoul,Whointolong,longtormentsleptthroughthee?Whosebloodisonthythreshold?-Andstirstherenotalready’neaththyheartAnotherquick’ningpulse,thatevennowTorturesitselfandtheeWithitsforebodingpresence?
  MargaretWoe!Woe!OhcouldIfreemefromthethoughtsThathither,thither,crowduponmybrain,Againstmywill!
  ChorusDiesirae,diesilla,Solvetsaecluminfavilla。
  (Theorgansounds。)
  Evil-SpiritGrimhorrorseizesthee!Thetrumpetsounds!Thegravesareshaken!AndthyheartFromashyrestFortorturingflamesAnewcreated,Tremblesintolife!
  MargaretWouldIwerehence!ItisasiftheorganChokedmybreath,AsifthechoirMeltedmyinmostheart!
  ChorusJudexergocumsedebit,Quidquidlatetadparebit,Nilinultumremanebit。
  MargaretIfeeloppressed!ThepillarsofthewallImprisonme!ThevaultedroofWeighsdownuponme!-air!
  Evil-SpiritWouldsthidethee?sinandshameRemainnothidden!Air!light!Woe’sthee!
  ChorusQuidsummisertuncdicturus?Quempatronumrogaturus!Cumvixjustussitsecurus。
  Evil-SpiritTheglorifiedtheirfacesturnAwayfromthee!ShudderthepuretoreachTheirhandstothee!Woe!
  ChorusQuidsummisertuncdicturusMargaretNeighbour!yoursmellingbottle!
  (Sheswoonsaway。)
  Walpurgis-NightActfour,sceneone,"WalpurgisNight"themefromtheopera"Faust"1859,byCharlesGounod。Overtheheather,marshes,meadows,Lightasafeather,Eerieshadows,Airilyflashinglower,higher,flamingandflashing,glowingfire,theyfloat,theyhover,below,above,Infieldsofclover,Inwoodandgrove,Flamesburningbrightly,Raysblazingred,Soulsdriftinglightly,Soulsofthedead。
  TheHartzMountains。DistrictofSchierkeandElendFaustandMephistophelesMephistophelesAbroomstickdostthounotatleastdesire?Theroughesthe-goatfainwouldIbestride,Bythisroadfromourgoalwe’restillfarwide。
  FaustWhilefreshuponmylegs,solongInaughtrequire,Exceptthisknottystaff。
  Beside,Whatbootsittoabridgeapleasantway?Alongthelabyrinthofthesevalestocreep,Thenscaletheserocks,whence,ineternalspray,Adownthecliffsthesilveryfountainsleap:Suchisthejoythatseasonspathslikethese!
  Springweavesalreadyinthebirchentrees;E’enthelatepine-grovefeelsherquickeningpowers;Shouldshenotworkwithintheselimbsofours?
  MephistophelesNaughtofthisgenialinfluencedoIknow!Withinmealliswintry。FrostandsnowIshouldprefermydismalpathtobound。Howsadly,yonder,withbelatedglowRisestheruddymoon’simperfectround,Sheddingsofaintalight,ateverytreadOne’ssuretostumble’gainstarockortree!AnIgnisFatuusImustcallinstead。Yonderoneburningmerrily,Isee。Holla!myfriend!mayIrequestyourlight?Whyshouldyouflareawaysouselessly?Bekindenoughtoshowusuptheheight!
  IgnisFatuusThroughreverence,IhopeImaysubdueThelightnessofmynature;true,Ourcourseisbutazigzagone。
  MephistophelesHo!ho!
  Somen,forsooth,hethinkstoimitate!Now,inthedevil’sname,foroncegostraight!OroutatonceyourflickeringlifeI’llblow。
  IgnisFatuusThatyouaremasterhereisobviousquite;Todoyourwill,I’llcordiallyessay;
  Onlyreflect!Thehillismagic-madto-night;Andiftoshowthepathyouchooseameteor’slight,Youmustnotwondershouldwegoastray。
  Faust,Mephistopheles,IgnisFatuus(inalternatesong)
  Throughthedreamandmagic-sphere,Asitseems,wenowarespeeding;
  Honourwin,usrightlyleading,ThatbetimeswemayappearInyonwideanddesertregion!
  Treesontrees,astalwartlegion,Swiftlypastusareretreating,Andthecliffswithlowlygreeting;Rockslong-snouted,rowonrow,Howtheysnort,andhowtheyblow!
  Throughthestonesandheatherspringing,Brookandbrooklethastebelow;
  Harktherustling!Harkthesinging!Hearkentolove’splaintivelays;VoicesofthoseheavenlydaysWhatwehope,andwhatwelove!Likeataleofoldentime,Echo’svoiceprolongsthechime。
  To-whit!To-whoo!Itsoundsmorenear;Plover,owlandjayappear,Allawake,around,above?PaunchysalamanderstooPeer,long-limbed,thebushesthrough!And,likesnakes,therootsoftreesCoilthemselvesfromrockandsand,Stretchingmanyawondrousband,Ustofrighten,ustoseize;Fromrudeknotswithlifeembued,Polyp-fangsabroadtheyspread,Tosnarethewanderer!’Neathourtread,Mice,inmyriads,thousand-hued,Throughtheheathandthroughthemoss!Andthefire-flies’glitteringthrong,Wilderingescort,whirlsalong,Hereandthere,ourpathacross。Tellme,standwemotionless,Orstillforwarddowepress?Allthingsrounduswhirlandfly;Rocksandtreesmakestrangegrimaces,Dazzlingmeteorschangetheirplaces,Howtheypuffandmultiply!
  MephistophelesNowgraspmydoublet-weatlastAcentralpeakhavereached,whichshows,Ifroundawonderingglancewecast,HowinthemountainMammonglows,FaustHowthroughthechasmsstrangelygleams,Aluridlight,likedawn’sredglow,Pervadingwithitsquiveringbeams,Thegorgesofthegulfbelow!Herevapoursrise,therecloudsfloatby,Herethroughthemistthelightdothshine;
  Now,likeafount,itburstsonhigh,Meandersnow,aslenderline;Farreaching,withahundredveins,Herethroughthevalleyseeitglide;Here,whereitsforcethegorgerestrains,Atonceitscatters,farandwide;Anear,likeshowersofgoldensandStrewnbroadcast,sputtersparksoflight:AndmarkyonrockywallsthatstandAblaze,inalltheirtoweringheight!
  MephistophelesDothnotSirMammonforthisfeteGrandlyillumehispalace!ThouArtluckytohaveseenit;now,Theboisterousguests,Ifeel,arecomingstraight。
  FaustHowthroughtheairthestormdothwhirl!Uponmyneckitstrikeswithsuddenshock。
  MephistophelesClingtotheseancientribsofgraniterock,Elsetoyondepthsprofoundityouwillhurl。Amurkyvapourthickensnight。Hark!Throughthewoodsthetempestsroar!Theowletsflitinwildaffright。Hark!Splinter’darethecolumnsthatupboreTheleafypalace,greenforaye:Theshiveredbrancheswhirrandsigh,Yawnthehugetrunkswithmightygroan。Therootsupriven,creakandmoan!Infearfulandentangledfall,Onecrashingruinwhelmsthemall,Whilethroughthedesolateabyss,Sweepingthewreck-strewnprecipice,Theragingstorm-blastshowlandhiss!Aloftstrangevoicesdostthouhear?
  Distantnowandnowmorenear?Hark!themountainridgealong,Streametharavingmagic-song!
  WitchesAndWizardsChorus-VisionsAndDancesWitches(inchorus)
  NowtotheBrockenthewitcheshie,Thestubbleisyellow,thecornisgreen;
  Thitherthegatheringlegionsfly,AndsittingaloftisSirUrianseen:O’erstickando’erstonetheygowhirlingalong,Witchesandhe-goats,amotleythrong,VoicesAloneoldBaubo’scomingnow;Sheridesuponafarrowsow。
  ChorusHonourtoher,towhomhonourisdue!Forward,DameBaubo!Honourtoyou!Agoodlysowandmotherthereon,Thewholewitchchorusfollowsanon。
  VoiceWhichwaydidstcome?
  VoiceO’erIlsenstein!ThereIpeep’dinanowlet’snest。Withherbroadeyeshegazedinmine!
  VoiceDrivetothedevil,thouhellishpest!Whyridesohard?
  VoiceShehasgraz’dmyside,Lookatthewounds,howdeepandhowwide!
  Witches(inchorus)
  Thewayisbroad,thewayislong;Whatmadpursuit!Whattumultwild!
  Scratchesthebesomandstickstheprong;Crush’disthemother,andstifledthechild。
  Wizards(halfchorus)
  Likehouse-encumber’dsnailwecreep;Whilefaraheadthewomenkeep,Forwhentothedevil’shousewespeed,Byathousandstepstheytakethelead。
  TheOtherHalfNotso,preciselydoweviewit;Theywithathousandstepsmaydoit;Butletthemhastenastheycan,Withonelongbound’tisclear’dbyman。
  Voices(above)
  Comewithus,comewithusfromFelsensee。
  Voices(frombelow)
  Alofttoyouwewouldmountwithglee!Wewash,andfreefromallstainarewe,Yetbarrenevermoremustbe!
  BothChorusesThewindishushed,thestarsgrowpale,Thepensivemoonherlightdothveil;
  Andwhirlingon,themagicchoirSputtersforthsparksofdrizzlingfire。
  Voice(frombelow)
  Stay!stay!
  Voice(fromabove)
  WhatvoiceofwoeCallsfromthecavern’ddepthsbelow?
  Voice(frombelow)
  Takemewithyou!Ohtakemetoo!ThreecenturiesIclimbinvain,Andyetcanne’erthesummitgain!TobewithmykindredIamfain。
  BothChorusesBroomandpitch-fork,goatandprong,Mountedonthesewewhirlalong;
  Whovainlystrivestoclimbto-night,Isevermorealucklesswight!
  Demi-Witch(below)
  Ihobbleafter,manyaday;Alreadytheothersarefaraway!NorestathomecanIobtainHeretoomyeffortsareinvain!
  ChorusofWitchesSalvegivesthewitchesstrengthtorise;Aragforasaildoeswellenough;A
  goodlyshipiseverytrough;To-nightwhofliesnot,neverflies。
  BothChorusesAndwhenthetopmostpeakweround,Thenalightyeontheground;Theheath’swideregionscoveryeWithyourmadswarmsofwitchery!
  (Theyletthemselvesdown。)
  MephistoplelesTheycrowdandjostle,whirlandflutter!Theywhisper,babble,twirl,andsplutter!Theyglimmer,sparkle,stinkandflareAtruewitch-element!
  Beware!Stickclose!elseweshallseveredbe。Whereartthou?
  Faust(inthedistance)
  Here!
  MephistophelesAlready,whirl’dsofaraway!ThemasterthenindeedIneedsmustplay。Giveground!SquireVolandcomes!Sweetfolk,giveground!Here,doctor,graspme!WithasingleboundLetusescapethisceaselessjar;Evenformetoomadthesepeopleare。Hardbythereshinethsomethingwithpeculiarglare,Yonbrakeallurethme;itisnotfar;Come,comealongwithme!we’llslipinthere。
  FaustSpiritofcontradiction!Lead!I’llfollowstraight!’Twaswiselydone,however,torepairOnMay-nighttotheBrocken,andwhenthereByourownchoiceourselvestoisolate!
  MephistophelesMark,ofthoseflamesthemotleyglare!Amerryclubassemblesthere。Inasmallcircleoneisnotalone。
  FaustI’dratherbeabove,though,Imustown!AlreadyfireandeddyingsmokeI
  view;Theimpetuousmillionstothedevilride;Fullmanyariddlewillbethereuntied。
  MephistophelesAy!andfullmanyariddletiedanew。Butletthegreatworldraveandriot!
  Herewillwehouseourselvesinquiet。Acustom’tisofancientdate,Ourlesserworldswithinthegreatworldtocreate!YoungwitchesthereIsee,nakedandbare,Andoldones,veil’dmoreprudently。Formysakeonlycourteousbe!Thetrouble’ssmall,thesportisrare。OfinstrumentsIhearthecurseddinOnemustgetusedtoit。Comein!comein!There’snownohelpforit。I’llstepbeforeAndintroducingyouasmygoodfriend,Conferonyouoneobligationmore。Howsayyounow?’Tisnosuchpaltryroom;Whyonlylook,youscarcecanseetheend。Ahundredfiresinrowsdispersethegloom;
  Theydance,theytalk,theycook,makelove,anddrink:Wherecouldwefindaughtbetter,doyouthink?
  FaustTointroduceus,doyoupurposehereAsdeviloraswizardtoappear?
  MephistophelesThoughIamwontindeedtostrictincognito,Yetupongala-daysonemustone’sordersshow。NogarterhaveItodistinguishme,Nathlesstheclovenfootdothheregivedignity。Seestthouyondersnail?Crawlingthiswayshehies:Withsearchingfeelers,she,nodoubt,Hathmealreadyscentedout;
  Here,evenifIwould,formethere’snodisguise。Fromfiretofire,we’llsaunteratourleisure,Thegallantyou,I’llcaterforyourpleasure。
  (Toapartyseatedroundsomeexpiringembers。)
  Oldgentleman,apart,whysityemopinghere?Yeinthemidstshouldbeofallthisjovialcheer,Girtroundwithnoiseandyouthfulriot;Athomeonesurelyhasenoughofquiet。
  GeneralInnationsputhistrust,whomay,Whate’erforthemonemayhavedone;Forwiththepeople,aswithwomen,theyHonouryourrisingstarsalone!
  MinisterNowalltoofartheywanderfromtheright;Ipraisethegoodoldways,tothemIhold,Thenwasthegenuineageofgold,Whenweourselveswereforemostinmen’ssight。
  ParvenuNe’erwerewe’mongyourdullardsfound,Andwhatweoughtnot,thattodowerefair;Yetnowareallthingsturningroundandround,Whenonfirmbasiswewouldthemmaintain。
  AuthorWho,asarule,atreatisenowwouldcareToread,ofevenmoderatesense?
  Asfortherisinggeneration,ne’erHasyouthdisplayedsucharrogantpretence。
  Mephistopheles(suddenlyappearingveryold)
  SinceforthelasttimeItheBrockenscale,Thatfolkareripefordoomsday,nowonesees;Andjustbecausemycaskbeginstofail,Sothewholeworldisalsoonthelees。
  Huckster-WitchStop,gentlemen,norpassmeby,OfwaresIhaveachoicecollection:Prayhonourthemwithyourinspection。Losenothisopportunity!Yetnothinginmyboothyou’llfindWithoutitscounterpartonearth;there’snaught,Whichtotheworld,andtomankind,Hathnotsomedirefulmischiefwrought。Nodaggerhere,whichhathnotflow’dwithblood,Nochalice,whence,intosomehealthyframeHathnotbeenpouredhotpoison’swastingflood。Notrinket,buthathwroughtsomewoman’sshame,Noweaponbuthathcutsomesacredtie,Orfrombehindhathstabb’danenemy。
  MephistophelesGossip!Forwareslikethesethetime’sgoneby,What’sdoneispast!what’spastisdone!Withnoveltiesyourboothsupply;Usnoveltiesattractalone。
  FaustMaythiswildscenemysensesspare!This,mayintruthbecalledafair!
  MephistophelesUpwardtheeddyingconcoursethrong;Thinkingtopush,thyselfartpush’dalong。
  FaustWho’sthat,pray?
  MephistophelesMarkherwell!That’sLilith。
  FaustWho?
  MephistophelesAdam’sfirstwife。Ofherrichlocksbeware!Thatcharminwhichshe’sparallel’dbyfew;Wheninitstoilsayouthshedothensnare,Hewillnotsoonescape,Ipromiseyou。
  FaustTheresitapair,theoldonewiththeyoung;Alreadytheyhavebravelydancedandsprung!
  MephistophelesHerethereisnoreposeto-day。Anotherdancebegins;we’lljoinit,comeaway!
  Faust(dancingwiththeyoungone)
  Onceafairvisioncametome;ThereinIsawanapple-tree,Twobeauteousapplescharmedmineeyes;Iclimb’dforthwithtoreachtheprize。
  TheFairOneApplesstillfondlyyedesire,Fromparadiseithathbeenso。FeelingsofjoymybreastinspireThatsuchtooinmygardengrow。
  Mephistopheles(withtheoldone)
  Onceaweirdvisioncametome;ThereinIsawariftedtree。Ithada……;
  Butasitwasitpleasedmetoo。
  TheOldOneIbegmosthumblytosaluteThegallantwiththeclovenfoot!Lethima……
  havereadyhere,Ifhea……doesnotfear。
  ProctophantasmistAccursedmob!Howdareyethustomeet?HaveInotshownanddemonstratedtoo,Thatghostsstandnotonordinaryfeet?Yethereyedance,asothermortalsdo!
  TheFairOne(dancing)
  Thenatourball,whatdothhehere?
  Faust(dancing)
  Oh!Hemusteverywhereappear。Hemustadjudge,whenothersdance;Ifoneachstephissay’snotsaid,Soisthatstepasgoodasnevermade。He’smostannoyed,sosoonasweadvance;Ifyewouldcircleinonenarrowround,Asheinhisoldmill,thendoubtlessheYourdancingwouldapprove,-especiallyIfyeforthwithsalutehimwithrespectprofound!
  ProctophantasmistStillhere!whatarrogance!unheardofquite!Vanish;wenowhavefill’dtheworldwithlight!Lawsareunheededbythedevil’shost;Wiseasweare,yetTegelhathitsghost!HowlongatthisconceitI’vesweptwithallmymight,Lostisthelabour:’tisunheardofquite!
  TheFairOneCeaseheretoteazeusanymore,Ipray。
  ProctophantasmistSpirits,Iplainlytoyourfacedeclare:Nospiritualcontrolmyselfwillbear,Sincemyownspiritcanexertnosway。
  (Thedancingcontinues。)
  To-night,Isee,Ishallinnaughtsucceed;ButI’mprepar’dmytravelstopursue,Andhope,beforemyfinalstepindeed,Totriumphoverbardsanddevilstoo。
  MephistophelesNowinsomepuddlewillhetakehisstation,Suchishismodeofseekingconsolation;Whereleeches,feastingonhisrump,willdrainSpiritsalikeandspiritfromhisbrain。
  (ToFaust,whohasleftthedance。)
  Butwhythecharmingdamselleave,Ipray,Whotoyouinthedancesosweetlysang?
  FaustAh,intheverymiddleofherlay,Outofhermouthasmallredmousetheresprang。
  MephistophelesSupposetheredid!Onemustnotbetoonice。’Twaswellitwasnotgrey,letthatsuffice。Who’midhispleasuresforatriflecares?
  FaustThensawI
  MephistophelesWhat?
  FaustMephisto,seestthouthereStandingfaroff,alonechild,paleandfair?Slowfromthespotherdroopingformshetears,Andseemswithshackledfeettomovealong;Iown,withinmethedelusion’strong,ThatshethelikenessofmyGretchenwears。
  MephistophelesGazenotuponher!’Tisnotgood!Forbear!’Tislifeless,magical,ashapeofair,Anidol。Suchtomeetwith,bodesnogood;Thatrigidlookofhersdothfreezeman’sblood,Andwell-nighpetrifieshishearttostone:ThestoryofMedusathouhastknown。
  FaustAy,verily!acorpse’seyesarethose,Whichtherewasnofondlovinghandtoclose。ThatisthebosomIsofondlypress’d,ThatmysweetGretchen’sform,sooftcaress’d!
  MephistophelesDeludedfool!’Tismagic,Ideclare!Toeachshedothhislov’done’simagewear。
  FaustWhatbliss!whattorture!vainlyIessayToturnmefromthatpiteouslookaway。HowstrangelydothasinglecrimsonlineAroundthatlovelyneckitscoilentwine,Itshowsnobroaderthanaknife’sbluntedge!
  MephistophelesQuiteright。Iseeitalso,andallegeThatshebeneathherarmherheadcanbear,SincePerseuscutitoff-ButyouIswearArecravingforillusionstill!
  Comethen,ascendyonlittlehill!AsonthePraterallisgay,Andifmysensesarenotgone,Iseeatheatre,-what’sgoingon?
  ServibilisTheyareabouttorecommence;-theplayWillbethelastofseven,andspick-spannew’Tisusualherethatnumbertopresent。Adilettantedidthepieceinvent,Anddilettantiwillenactittoo。Excuseme,gentlemen;tome’sassign’dAsdilettantetoupliftthecurtain。
  MephistophelesYouontheBlocksbergI’mrejoicedtofind,That’tisyourmostappropriatesphereiscertain。
  Walpurgis-Night’sDreamOrOberonAndTitania’sGoldenWedding-FeastIntermezzoTheTheatreManagerVales,wheremistsstillshiftandplay,Toancienthillssucceeding,Theseourscenes;-sowe,to-day,Mayrest,bravesonsofMieding。
  HeraldThatthemarriagegoldenbe,Mustfiftyyearsbeended;Moredearthisfeastofgoldtome,Contentionnowsuspended。
  OberonSpirits,ifpresent,gracethescene。Andifwithmeunited,Thengratulatethekingandqueen,Theirtroththusnewlyplighted!
  PuckPuckdrawsnearandwheelsabout,Inmazycirclesdancing!Hundredsswellhisjoyousshout,Behindhimstilladvancing。
  ArielArielwakeshisdaintyair,Hislyrecelestialstringing。Foolshelureth,andthefair,Withhiscelestialsinging。
  OberonWeddedones,wouldyeagree,Wecourtyourimitation:Wouldyefondlyloveaswe,Wecounselseparation。
  TitaniaIfhusbandscoldandwiferetort,Thenbearthemfarasunder;Hertotheburningsouthtransport,AndhimtheNorthPoleunder。
  TheWholeOrchestra(fortissimo)
  FliesandmidgesalluniteWithfrogandchirpingcricket,Ourorchestrathroughoutthenight,Resoundinginthethicket!
  (Solo)
  Yonderdoththebagpipecome!Itssackanairybubble。Schnick,schnick,schnack,withnasalhum,Itsnotesitdothredouble。
  EmbryoSpiritSpider’sfootandmidge’swing,Atoadinformandfeature;Togetherversesitcanstring,Thoughscarcealivingcreature。
  ALittlePairTinystepandloftybound,Throughdewandexhalation;Yetripitdeftlyontheground,Butgainnoelevation。
  InquisitiveTravellerCanIindeedbelievemyeyes?Is’tnotmeremasquerading?What!Oberoninbeauteousguise,Amongthegroupsparading!
  OrthodoxNoclaws,notailtowhiskabout,Tofrightusatourrevel;YetlikethegodsofGreece,nodoubt,Hetoo’sagenuinedevil。
  NorthernArtistThesethatI’mhittingoffto-dayAresketchesunpretending;TowardsItalywithoutdelay,MystepsIthinkofbending。
  PuristAlas!ill-fortuneleadsmehere,Whereriotstillgrowslouder;And’mongthewitchesgather’dhereButtwoalonewearpowder!
  YoungWitchYourpowderandyourpetticoat,Suithags,there’snogainsaying;HenceIsitfearlessonmygoat,Mynakedcharmsdisplaying。
  MatronWe’retoowell-bredtosquabblehere,Orinsultbacktorender;Butmayyouwithersoon,mydear,Althoughsoyoungandtender。
  LeaderoftheBandNoseofflyandgnat’sproboscis,Throngnotthenakedbeauty!Frogsandcricketsinthemosses,Keeptimeanddoyourduty!
  Weathercock(towardsoneside)
  WhatcharmingcompanyIviewTogetherherecollected!Gaybachelors,ahopefulcrew。Andbridessounaffected!
  Weathercock(towardstheotherside)
  UnlessindeedtheyawninggroundShouldopentoreceivethem,Fromthisvilecrew,withsuddenbound,ToHellI’djumpandleavethem。
  XenienWithsmallsharpshears,ininsectguiseBeholdusatyourrevel!Thatwemaytender,filial-wise,Ourhomagetothedevil。
  HenningsLooknowatyondereagercrew,Hownaivelythey’rejesting!Thattheyhavetenderheartsandtrue,Theystoutlykeepprotesting!
  MusagetOneselfamidthiswitcheryHowpleasantlyoneloses;ForwitcheseasieraretomeTogovernthantheMuses!
  Ci-devantGeniusoftheAgeWithproperfolkswhenweappear,Noonecanthensurpassus!Keepclose,wideistheBlocksberghereAsGermany’sParnassus。
  InquisitiveTravellerHownameyethatstiffformalman,Whostrideswithloftypaces?Hetracksthegamewhere’erhecan,"HescentstheJesuits’traces。"
  CraneWherewaterstroubledareorclear,TofishIamdelighted;ThuspiousgentlemenappearWithdevilshereunited。
  WorldlingBypiouspeople,itistrue,Nomediumisrejected;Conventicles,andnotafew,OnBlocksbergareerected。
  DancerAnotherchorusnowsucceeds,Faroffthedrumsarebeating。Bestill!Thebitterns’mongthereedsTheironenotearerepeating。
  DancingMasterEachtwirlsaboutandneverstops,Andashecanhefareth。Thecrookedleaps,theclumsyhops,Norforappearancecareth。
  FiddlerTotakeeachother’slife,Itrow,Wouldcordiallydelightthem!AsOrpheus’
  lyrethebeasts,sonowThebagpipedothunitethem。
  DogmatistMyviews,inspiteofdoubtandsneer,Iholdwithstoutpersistence,Inferringfromthedevilshere,Theevilone’sexistence。
  IdealistMyeverysenserulesPhantasyWithswayquitetoopotential;SureI’mdementediftheIAloneistheessential。
  RealistThisentity’sadreadfulbore,Andcannotchoosebutvexme;Thegroundbeneathmene’erbeforeThustotter’dtoperplexme。
  SupernaturalistWellpleasedassembledhereIviewOfspiritsthisprofusion;Fromdevils,touchingangelstoo,Igathersomeconclusion。
  ScepticTheignisfatuustheytrackout,Andthinkthey’renearthetreasure。Devilalliterateswithdoubt,HereIabidewithpleasure。
  LeaderoftheBandFrogandcricketinthemosses,Confoundyourgasconading!Noseofflyandgnat’sproboscis;Mosttunefulserenading!
  TheKnowingOnesSans-souci,sothishostwegreet,Theirjovialhumourshowing;There’snownowalkingonourfeet,Soonourheadswe’regoing。
  TheAwkwardOnesInseasonspastwesnatch’d,’tistrue,Sometit-bitsbyourcunning;Ourshoes,alas,arenowdancedthrough,Onourbaresoleswe’rerunning。
  Will-o’-the-WispsFrommarshybogswesprangtolight,Yetherebeholdusdancing;Thegayestgallantsofthenight,Inglitt’ringrowsadvancing。
  ShootingStarWithrapidmotionfromonhigh,Ishotinstarrysplendour;NowprostrateonthegrassIlie;Whoaidwillkindlyrender?
  TheMassiveOnesRoom!wheelround!They’recominglo!Downsinkthebendinggrasses。
  Thoughspirits,yettheirlimbs,weknow,Arehugesubstantialmasses。
  PuckDon’tstampsoheavily,Ipray;Likeelephantsyou’retreading!And’mongtheelvesbePuckto-day,Thestoutestatthewedding!
  ArielIfnatureboon,orsubtlesprite,Endowyoursoulwithpinions;Thenfollowtoyonrosyheight,Throughether’scalmdominions!
  Orchestra(pianissimo)
  DriftingcloudandmistywreathesArefill’dwithlightelysian;O’erreedandleafthezephyrbreathesSofadesthefairyvision!
  AGloomyDay。APlainFaustandMephistophelesFaustInmisery!despairing!longwanderingpitifullyonthefaceoftheearthandnowimprisoned!Thisgentlehaplesscreature,immuredinthedungeonasamalefactorandreservedforhorridtortures!Thatitshouldcometothis!Tothis!-Perfidious,worthlessspirit,andthisthouhastconcealedfromme!
  Stand!ay,stand!rollinmaliciousragethyfiendisheyes!Standandbravemewiththineinsupportablepresence!Imprisoned!Inhopelessmisery!Deliveredovertothepowerofevilspiritsandthejudgmentofunpityinghumanity!Andme,thewhile,thouwertlullingwithtastelessdissipations,concealingfrommehergrowinganguish,andleavinghertoperishwithouthelp!
  MephistophelesSheisnotthefirst。
  FaustHound!Execrablemonster!-Backwithhim,ohthouinfinitespirit!backwiththereptileintohisdog’sshape,inwhichitwashiswonttoscamperbeforemeateventide,torollbeforethefeetoftheharmlesswanderer,andtofastenonhisshoulderswhenhefell!Changehimagainintohisfavouriteshape,thathemaycrouchonhisbellybeforemeinthedust,whilstIspurnhimwithmyfoot,thereprobate!-Notthefirst!-Woe!Woe!Bynohumansoulisitconceivable,thatmorethanonehumancreaturehaseversunkintoadepthofwretchednesslikethis,orthatthefirstinherwrithingdeathagonyshouldnothaveatonedinthesightofall-pardoningHeavenfortheguiltofalltherest!
  Themiseryofthisonepiercesmetotheverymarrow,andharrowsupmysoul;thouartgrinningcalmlyoverthedoomofthousands!
  MephistophelesNowweareonceagainatourwit’send,justwherethereasonofyoumortalssnaps!Whydostthouseekourfellowship,ifthoucanstnotgothroughwithit?Wiltfly,andartnotproofagainstdizziness?Didweforceourselvesonthee,orthouonus?
  FaustCeasethustognashthyravenousfangsatme!Iloathethee!-Greatandgloriousspirit,thouwhodidstvouchsafetorevealthyselfuntome,thouwhodostknowmyveryheartandsoul,whyhastthoulinkedmewiththisbaseassociate,whofeedsonmischiefandrevelsindestruction?
  MephistophelesHastdone?
  FaustSaveher!-orwoetothee!Thedirestofcursesontheeforthousandsofyears!
  MephistophelesIcannotloosethebandsoftheavenger,norwithdrawhisbolts-Saveher!-
  Whowasitplungedherintoperdition?Iorthou?
  (Faustlookswildlyaround。)
  MephistophelesWould’stgraspthethunder?Wellforyou,poormortals,that’tisnotyourstowield!Tosmitetoatomsthebeinghoweverinnocent,whoobstructshispath,suchisthetyrant’sfashionofrelievinghimselfindifficulties!
  FaustConveymethither!Sheshallbefree!
  MephistophelesAndthedangertowhichthoudostexposethyself?Know,theguiltofblood,shedbythyhand,liesyetuponthetown。Overtheplacewherefellthemurderedone,avengingspiritshoverandwatchforthereturningmurderer。
  FaustThistoofromthee?Thedeathanddownfallofaworldbeonthee,monster!
  Conductmethither,Isay,andsetherfree!
  MephistophelesIwillconductthee。AndwhatIcando,-hear!HaveIallpowerinheavenanduponearth!I’llcloudthesensesofthewarder,-dothoupossessthyselfofthekeysandleadherforthwithhumanhand!Iwillkeepwatch!Themagicsteedsarewaiting,Ibeartheeoff。Thusmuchisinmypower。
  FaustUpandaway!
  Night。OpenCountryFaust。Mephistopheles(Rushingalongonblackhorses)
  FaustWhatweavetheyyonderroundtheRavenstone?
  MephistophelesIknownotwhattheyshapeandbrew。
  FaustThey’resoaring,swooping,bending,stooping。
  MephistophelesAwitche’spack。
  FaustTheycharm,theystrew。
  MephistophelesOn!On!
  DungeonFaust(withabunchofkeysandalampbeforeasmallirondoor)
  Afearunwontedo’ermyspiritfalls;Man’sconcentratedwoeo’erwhelmsmehere!Shedwellsimmur’dwithinthesedrippingwalls;Heronlytrespassadelusiondear!Thoulingerestatthefataldoor,Thoudread’sttoseeherfaceoncemore?On!Whilethoudalliest,drawsherdeath-hournear。
  (Heseizesthelock。Singingwithin。)
  Mymother,theharlot,Shetookmeandslew!Myfather,thescoundrel,Hatheatenmetoo!MysweetlittlesisterHathallmyboneslaid,WheresoftbreezeswhisperAllinthecoolshade!
  ThenbecameIawood-bird,andsangonthespray,Flyaway!littlebird,flyaway!flyaway!
  Faust(openingthelock)
  Ah!sheforebodesnotthatherlover’snear,Theclankingchains,therustlingstraw,tohear。
  (Heenters。)
  DungeonScene:DungeonscenewithMephistopheles,Faust,andMargaret。
  LithographbyEugeneDelacroix。]
  Margaret(hidingherfaceinthebedofstraw)
  Woe!woe!theycome!onbitter’tistodie!
  Faust(softly)
  Hush!hush!bestill!Icometosettheefree!
  Margaret(throwingherselfathisfeet)
  Ifthouarthuman,feelmymisery!
  FaustThouwiltawakethejailorwiththycry!
  (Hegraspsthechainstounlockthem。)
  Margaret(onherknees)
  Who,headsman,untotheethispowerO’ermecouldgive?Thoucom’stformeatmidnight-hour。Bemerciful,andletmelive!Ismorrow’sdawnnottimeenough?(Shestandsup。)
  I’mstillsoyoung,soyoungAndmustsoearlydie!FairwasItoo,andthatwasmyundoing。Myloveisnowafar,hethenwasnigh;Tornliesthegarland,thefairblossomsstrew’d。Nay,seizemenotwithhandsorude!Spareme!
  WhatharmhaveIe’erdonetothee?Ohletmenotinvainimplore!Ine’erhaveseentheeinmylifebefore!
  FaustCanIendurethisbitteragony?
  MargaretInowamatthymercyquite。Letmemybabebutsuckleonceagain!I
  fondleditthelive-longnight;Theytookitfrommebuttogivemepain,Andnow,theysaythatImychildhaveslain。GladnessIne’eragainshallknow。
  Thentheysingsongsaboutme,-’tiswickedofthethrongAnancientballadendethso;Whobadethemthusapplythesong?
  Faust(throwinghimselfontheground)
  Aloveratthyfeetbendslow,Toloosethebondsofwretchednessandwoe。
  Margaret(throwsherselfbesidehim)
  Oh,letuskneelandmovethesaintsbyprayer!Look!look!yonstairsbelow,Underthethresholdthere,Hell’sflamesareallaglow!Beneaththefloor,Withhideousnoise,Thedevilsroar!
  Faust(aloud)
  Gretchen!Gretchen!
  Margaret(listening)
  Thatwasmylov’done’svoice!
  (Shespringsup,thechainsfalloff。)
  Whereishe?Iheardhimcallingme。FreeamI!There’snoneshallhinderme。
  TohisneckwillIfly,Onhisbosomwilllie!Gretchen,hecalled!-Onyonthresholdhestood;Amidstallthehowlingofhell’sfieryflood,Thescoffandthescornofitsdevilishcrew,Thetonesofhisvoice,sweetandloving,I
  knew。
  Faust’TisI!
  Margaret’Tisthou!Osaysoonceagain!
  (embracinghim。)
  ’Tishe!’Tishe!where’snowthetorturingpain?Wherearethefetters?wherethedungeon’sgloom?’Tisthou!Tosavemethouartcome!AndIamsav’d!
  AlreadynowthestreetIseeWherethefirsttimeIcaughtaglimpseofthee。
  Theretoothepleasantgardenshade,WhereIandMarthaforthycomingstay’d。
  Faust(endeavouringtoleadheraway)
  Come!comeaway!
  MargaretOhdonothaste!
  Ilovetolingerwherethoustayest。(caressinghim。)
  FaustAhhaste!Forifthoustilldelayest,Ourlingeringweshallbothdeplore。
  MargaretHow,dearest?canstthoukissnomore!Soshortatimeawayfromme,andyet,Tokissthoucouldstsosoonforget!WhyonthynecksoanxiousdoI
  feelWhenformerlyaperfectheavenofblissFromthydearlooksandwordswouldo’ermesteal?Asthouwouldststiflemethouthendidstkiss!Kissme!
  OrI’llkissthee!(Sheembraceshim。)Woe!woe!Thylipsarecold,Aredumb!Thylovewherehastthouleft?Whohathmeofthylovebereft?
  (Sheturnsawayfromhim。)
  FaustCome!Followme,mydearestlove,bebold!I’llcherishtheewithardourthousand-fold;Ibutentreattheenowtofollowme!
  Margaret(turningtowardshim)
  Andartthouhe?andartthoureallyhe?
  Faust’TisI!Ocome!
  MargaretThouwiltstrikeoffmychain,Andthouwilttakemetothinearmsagain。Howcomesitthatthoudostnotshrinkfromme?Anddostthouknow,love,whomthouwouldstsetfree?
  FaustCome!come!alreadynightbeginstowane。
  MargaretIsentmymothertohergrave,Idrown’dmychildbeneaththewave。Wasitnotgiventotheeandme-theetoo?’Tisthouthyself!Iscarcebelieveityet。
  Givemethyhand!Itisnodream!’Tistrue!Thineowndearhand!-Buthowisthis?’Tiswet?Quick,wipeitoff!MeseemsthatyetThere’sbloodthereon。
  AhGod!whathastthoudone?Putupthysword,Ibegofthee!
  FaustOh,dearest,letthepastforgottenbe!Deathisineveryword。
  MargaretNo,thoumustlingerhereinsorrow!ThegravesIwilldescribetothee,AndthoutothemmustseeTo-morrow:Thebestplacegivetomymother,Closeathersidemybrother,MeatsomedistancelayButnottoofaraway!Andthelittleoneplaceonmyrightbreast,Nobodyelsewillnearmelie!Tonestlebesidetheesolovingly,Thatwasarapture,graciousandsweet!AraptureI
  neveragainshallprove;MethinksIwouldforcemyselfonthee,love,Andthoudostspurnme,andbackretreatYet’tisthyself,thyfondkindlooksI
  see。
  FaustIfthoudostfeel’tisI,thencomewithme!
  MargaretWhat,there?without?
  FaustYes,forthinthefreeair。
  MargaretAy,ifthegrave’swithout,-Ifdeathlurkthere!Hencetotheeverlastingresting-place,Andnotonestepbeyond!-Thou’rtleavingme?OhHenry!
  wouldthatIcouldgowiththee!
  FaustThoucanst!Butwillit!Openstandsthedoor。
  MargaretIdarenotgo!I’venaughttohopeformore。Whatbootsittoescape?Theylurkforme!’Tiswretchedtobeg,asImustdo,Andwithanevilconsciencethereto!’Tiswretched,inforeignlandstostray;Andmetheywillcatch,dowhatImay!
  FaustWiththeewillIabide。
  MargaretQuick!Quick!Savethypoorchild!KeeptothepathThebrookalong,OverthebridgeTothewoodbeyond,Totheleft,wheretheplankis,Inthepond。
  Seizeitatonce!Itfainwouldrise,Itstrugglesstill!Saveit。Ohsave!
  FaustDearGretchen,morecollectedbe!Onelittlestep,andthouartfree!
  MargaretWerewebutonlypastthehill!TheresitsmymotheruponastoneMybrain,alas,iscoldwithdread!Theresitsmymotheruponastone,Andtoandfrosheshakesherhead;Shewinksnot,shenodsnot,herheaditdroopssore;
  Shesleptsolong,shewakednomore;Sheslept,thatwemighttasteofbliss:
  Ah!thosewerehappytimes,Iwis!
  FaustSincehereavailsnorargumentnorprayer,TheehencebyforceIneedsmustbear。
  MargaretLooseme!Iwillnotsufferviolence!Withmurderoushandholdnotsofast!I
  havedonealltopleasetheeinthepast!
  FaustDaydawns!Mylove!Mylove!
  MargaretYes!daydrawsnear。Thedayofjudgmenttoowillsoonappear!Itshouldhavebeenmybridal!Noonetell,ThatthypoorGretchenthouhastknowntoowell。Woetomygarland!Itsbloomiso’er!ThoughnotatthedanceWeshallmeetoncemore。Thecrowddothgather,insilenceitrolls;Thesquares,thestreets,Scarceholdthethrong。Thestaffisbroken,-thedeath-belltolls,Theybindandseizeme!I’mhurriedalong,TotheseatofbloodalreadyI’mbound!QuiverseachneckasthenakedsteelQuiversonminetheblowtodealThesilenceofthegravenowbroodsaround!
  FaustWouldIhadne’erbeenborn!
  Mephistopheles(appearswithout)
  Up!oryou’relost。Vainhesitation!Babbling,quaking!Mysteedsareshivering,Mornisbreaking。
  MargaretWhatfromthefloorascendethlikeaghost?’Tishe!’Tishe!Himfrommypresencechase!Whatwouldheinthisholyplace?Itisformehecometh!
  FaustThoushaltlive!
  MargaretJudgmentofGod!TotheemysoulIgive!
  Mephistopheles(toFaust)
  Come,come!WithherI’llelseabandonthee!
  MargaretFather,I’mthine!Dothoudeliverme!Yeangels!Yeangelichosts!descend,Encamparoundtoguardmeanddefend!Henry!Ishuddernowtolookonthee!
  MephistophelesShenowisjudged!
  Voices(fromabove)
  Issaved!
  Mephistopheles(toFaust)
  Comethouwithme!
  (VanisheswithFaust。)
  Voice(fromwithin,dyingaway)
  Henry!Henry!
  TheEnd