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