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'^'fiRAB^^ 



FAUST 



THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 

NEW YORK • BOSTON • CHICAGO 
ATLANTA • SAN FRANCISCO 

MACMILLAN & CO., Limited 

LONDON • BOMBAY • CALCUTTA , 
MELBOURNE f 

THE MACMILLAN CO. OF CANADA, Ltd. 

TORONTO 



FAUST 



FREELY ADAPTED FROM GOETHE'S 
DRAMATIC POEM 



BY 

STEPHEN PHILLIPS 

AND 

J. COMYNS CARR 



Weto gotfe 

THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 

1908 

All rights reserved 









COPYKIGHT, X908, 

By the MACMILLAN COMPANY. 



Set «p and electrotyped. Published September, 1908. 



Vorfvooti Iprff fl 

J. S. Gashing Co. — Berwick & Smith Co. 

Norwood, Mass., U.S.A. 



CHARACTERS 



Faust 
Mephistopheles 


BURGOM 

Frosch 


Margaret 




Siebel 


Martha 




LiSBETH 


Valentine 




Elsa 


Brander 




Lisa 


Altmayer 




Laine 




The ^ 


Witch 



Apes, Witches, Students, Soldiers, etc. etc. 




PROLOGUE 



PROLOGUE 

Scene. — A range of mountains between Heaven 

and Earth. 
[The Archangels Raphael, Gabriel, and 
Michael discovered, A faint Chorus of 
invisible Angels from above, 
Raphael. The sun his ancient music makes, 
Rolling amid the rival spheres; 
Still his predestined course he takes 

In thunder speed throughout the years. 
By angels, though uncomprehended. 

Strength from his aspect still is drawn; 
The universe abideth splendid, 

And fresh as at Creation's dawn. 

ix 



FA UST PROLOGUE 

Gabriel. Swift, beyond understanding quite, 

Circles the earth in glorious guise. 
Now plunged into profoundest night, 

Now sparkling into paradise. 
The ocean foams up from the deep. 

And over ricks and crags is hurled, 
And crags and ocean onward sweep — 

On with the rapid spheres are whirled. 
Michael. Contending tempests rage and rain 

From land to land, from sea to sea; 
Weaving a girdle and a chain 

Out of their hissing enmity. 
A flashing desolation thence 

Ushers the awful thunder-way; 
But, Lord, Thy servants reverence 

The gentle order of the day. 

X 



PROLOGUE FAUST 

All Three. By angels, though uncompre- 
hended, 

Strength from Thy aspect still is drawn; 
The universe abideth splendid, 

And fresh as at Creation's dawn. 

[Mephistopheles appears suddenly on the 
peak. He is dressed in a glimmering robe 
suggestive of a glory obscured. 

[Note on Appearance of Mephistoph- 
eles : — Both in the Prologue and in the 
Epilogue of this drama Mephistopheles 
appears as the Fallen Angel or Satan of 
tradition. His speech is suited to this 
character, Bui wheny in pursuit of his 
wager and the soul of Faust, he appears 
on earthy he has put on the form he judges 

xi 



FA UST PROLOGUE 

most serviceable to his ends — that of a 

cavalier-troubadour of the Middle Ages; and 

his speech is light, cynical, and of the world, 

Mephistopheles. Hail to mine ancient friends, 

my present foes ! 

This neutral mountain between Hell and Heaven 

Is still permitted to these exiled feet; 

Here may my Darkness mingle with your Light. 

Raphael. Whence com'st thou now? 

Mephistopheles. From 

yonder speck, the earth; 

From wandering up and down upon the place, 

And pacing to and fro in hate unresting. 

. And yet man so torments himself, my toil 

Seems idle: and heedless my unceasing task. 

: I would he were more difl&cult to damn ! 

xu 



PROLOGUE FA UST 

He is a grasshopper that flies and springs, 
And from the grass the same old ditty sends. 
Better he always lay among the grass. 
Had I a free rein given me to seduce, 
There is no soul on earth I could not win 
Were it permitted me. 

[Stretching his hand upwards, 
[An Angel descends from above, and stands 
on a superior peak at hack. 
Angel. It is permitted ! 

Man writhes to glory but through pain of error. 
Mephistopheles. Angel sent down from 
bliss ! Have I permission 
Whence all permission flows, to lure and snare 
A human soul, and draw it my own way? 
However rich or rare, I will seduce it. 

• •• 
Xlll 



FA UST PROLOGUE 

Angel. Whence all permission flows, thou 

hast permission. 
Mephistopheles. a wager vast! Look 

down upon the earth ! [He points downward. 
Whom shall I choose? That theologian 
That sits and blinks at Truth, and toys with 

words ? 
Too easy! Or yonder mighty emperor. 
Who sitteth, dark against the Orient, 
Throned above prostrate millions? No, not 

him! 
/ My victory shall be deep and not of show. 
Or yonder lady in the convent garden 
Pure from ths world, and pacing lawns of 

peace ? 
Not her! No spirit starved will I select! 

xiv 



PROLOGUE FAUST 

See I I will choose for test a rarer soul ! 
Yonder he sits, the famous Doctor Faust. 
Has Heaven a better servant on the earth? 

Angel. None ! 

Mephistopheles. Yonder soul I choose then 
for my wager; 
Nothing the tumult of his heart assuages, 
For all of earth and all of heaven he asks. 
The ferment drives him to the far-away. 
And yet is he half-conscious of his madness. 
To grasp the far the near he hath neglected, 
And still has nothing grasped, and now regrets 
The once despised pleasures of the world. 
I will so draw him onward to lost pleasures, 
So plunge him deep in sensuality. 
His heavy soul no more shall upward strive. 

XV 



FAUST PROLOiiUE 

Angel. So long as he is breathing on the 

earth, 
So long is nothing unto thee forbidden. 
Thou art permitted to ensnare the spirit 
Of Faust, and turn it from the fountain-head; 
Till thou shalt stand abashed at last, and 

learn 
That a good man, though in the dark he 

strives. 
Hath still an instinct for the truer way. 
Raphael. And thou shalt batter thee, and 

all in vain, 

Against an influence appearing slight, 

And frail as the resistance of a flower; 

And yet a power thou canst not comprehend. 

He through the woman-soul at last shall win. 

xvi 



PROLOGUE FA UST 

Angel. Man is too prone lo slumber, and 
he needs 
As a companion one who goads and works, 
And who, being devil, must be up and doing. 
All Three. But we to Eternal Beauty tiurn \ 
again. 
Lord, and in bliss Thy splendours contemplate; 
Though we Thy angels may not fathom them. 
Thy works are fresh as at Creation's day. 
Raphael. [Turning towards Mephistophe- 
LES.] And thou! Wilt thou not cease vain 
war with Heaven? 
To will the evil, and achieve the good? 
Mephistopheles. Never! Until that hour 
when the Usurper, 
Who wrested from my mother Night her reign, 

XV ii 



FA UST PROLOGUE 

And fevered Chaos with his b listering star a^ 
Shall be himself deposed, consent, and cease. 
For this same light but lives by what it breeds, 
A carrion ofiFspring suckled by the sun. 
And never will I cease this war with Heaven 
Till the bound elements shall mutiny, 
And the imprisoned thunder shall be freed, 
And old tremendous blasts shall fly abroad. 
And all His millions of rash fires be quenched; 
And space shall be again as once it was 
Ere He disturbed us with his fiery brain, 
Timeless and tideless, limitless and dark! 
Mother! Still crouching on the bounds of light, 
With face of sea and hair of tempest, still 
Huddled in huge and immemorial hate, 
Behold thy son, and some dark aid extend! 

xviii 



PROLOGUE FA UST 

So, Faust, to win this wager and thy soul 
Pass we from heaven across the earth to hell. 
[Thunder and darkness as Mephistopheles, 
with wings outspread, swoops suddenly 
like lightning downwards to the earth. 



XIX 



I FAUST 9 

He never need despair who clings to trash. 
There goes myself — as great a fool am I, 
And when I flung those bitter words at him 
'Twas at myself I railed. It seemed indeed 
As if my past life mocked me in his words ! 
Dust, dust, and ashes! 

[He sinks dejectedly on a cliair. 
Ah, that Spirit splendid 1 
He with a thunder word swept me away. 
I am no god. Deep in my heart I feel it, 
I am a worm beneath the wanderer's feet. 
Grin on, thou skull ! thy brain was once as mine. 
[Gazing around, his eye is caught by a gleaming 
flask. 
Why dost thou lure me so, thou gleaming gobletj 
Drawing me like a magnet? Seeing thee 



»*. 



10 FAUST ACT 

The stings of pain diminish, struggle ends. 

The air glows now like moonlight in a forest, 

I see a dreaming ocean and new shores. 

Shall I unlock the one door left to me 

And, draining this deep draught of slumber 

juices. 
Venture on death, although I sleep for ever ? 
Come down, then, from thy shelf, thou flask of 

crystal. 
How often at old banquets didst thou pass 
From hand to hand, gladding the solemn guests ! 
Now to a neighbour never shall I pass thee. 
Here is the deadly juice: I chose, prepared it. 
Hail to the morn ! I drink my final cup. 

\He sets the cup to his lips, when there is heard 
a chime of Easter Bells and a Choral Song. 



I FAUST II 

Christ is arisen ! 
Hail the joyful mom ! 
The tomb He hath broken, 
Our bonds He hath shattered. 
Death is defeated. 

Faust. [Setting down the cup.] I cannot 
drink: the ancient music holds me. 
And the remembered bells of Easter mom. 



Chorus 
Christ is ascended : 

Bliss hath invested Him, 
Our woe He hath ended. 
Faust. Once on my childish brow the Sab- 
bath stillness 
Fell like the kiss of heaven : mystical bells 



12 FAUST ACT 

And prayer dissolved my yearning soul in bliss. 
Sound on, ye hymns of heaven! ye sacred bells! 
The old tear starts! Earth has her child 
' again. 

\A pause. 
But I shall ne'er regain the ancient rapture, 
When as a child I watched the sun recede 
Firing the peaceful vales and mountain peaks, 
And some eternal longing came on me 
To flee away and up! as over crag 
And piney headland slow the eagle soared. 
And past me sailed the crane to other shores. 
But now not only childhood shattered lies. 
But manhood, too, is sold for a barren dream. 
Ah ! now those fleeting songs I would recall 
Which I despised; the feast, the lips of women, 



I FAUST 13 

The brief yet luring hours all lost to me. 
Only the cup is left. 

\H.e again takes the cup and again pauses. 

And yet, and yet, 
One power I ne'er invoked I might invoke. 
Seeking the light I called not upon darkness. 
Spirit of Chaos, now to thee I turn. 
The choice before me lies of Death or Hell, — 
Death that leads on to sleep, or Hell that yields 
That riot of the blood my soul hath spumed. 
I cry to God: the vacant Heavens are dumb; 
He answers not. On Evil then I call. 
I will not die; PU risk the eternal woe 
So I be rapt into the whirl of sense. 
Ye elemental spirits four, 
Fire and Water, Earth and Air, 



14 FAUST ACT 

From riven skies, from Ocean's floor, 
I bid ye hither! Beware! Beware! 

[He raises the sign of the Hexagon. 
Salamander ! by thy name 
I call thee from thy haunt of flame, 
Fair Undine, whose sea-worn home 
Lies beneath the circling foam, 
Sylph whose feet have found their way 
Through the viewless fields of day. 
And thou poor gnome who evermore 
Art tied and tethered at Earth's core, 
I here command ye ! Yield unto my sight 
From out the dusky cohorts of the night 
The Spirit of the Dark who dreads the Light. 

[A flame leaps in the hollow of the chimney ^ 
and from the risen vapour that follows 



I FAUST 15 

the flame the form of Mephistopheles 
gradually emerges. 
Faust. What art thou? Speak! 
Mephistopheles. A part of that fell power 
Which ever seeking ill, yet makes for good. 
Faust. Some riddle doth lurk here ! Yield up 

thy name. 
Mephistopheles. My name ? I am the spirit 
that denies. 
And wherefore not ? For all created things 
That are, are naught or should be turned to 

naught. 
This whirling planet issuing from the void, 
Teeming with empty life, I would consign 
Unto the void once more. There where I ruled 
A part of Primal night that knew no dawn — 



i6 FA UST ACT 

Prince of the darkness that brought forth the 

light ! 
Now, all-conceiving, all-consuming night 
Hath lost her ancient place. The upstart day 
Disputes her throne. Yet not for ever so I 
For Dawn and Day have but their place in Time, 
And shall as surely 3deld that place again 
When earth's poor spawn have spent their little 

hour 
And timeless Night resumes her larger sway. 
Meanwhile for lighter sport I tread the earth, 
Tormenting those I may not yet destroy. 
Faust. Strange son of Chaos, now I know 

thee well. 
Mephistopheles. Yet when all's said there's 
little left to boast of! 



I FAUST 17 

This poor blind mole o* the world, howe'er I 

shake it, 
With flood or earthquake, storm and fire and 

plague. 
Hath a dull way of settling down again 
Most heart-breaking to one who loves his trade. 
And even mankind, my latest perquisite. 
Proves a poor plaything. Though I kill 'em off 
Like flies in jelly, myriads at a stroke. 
They breed again before my back is turned. 
Then all's to do once more, a weary toil ! 
Look where I may there's naught but birth and 

life 

From Water, Earth, and Air for ever teeming; 

And were it not for a poor modest crib 

Lit by a flick of flame that still is mine — 
c 



l8 FAUST ACT 

That last red rod in pickle down below — 
I'd quit the business straight. But there, enough ! 
An egotist makes but a sorry devil, 
So now for your commands ! 

Faust. Nay, I have none; 

My prayer half -uttered dies upon my lips. 

Mephistopheles. Good Doctor, not so fast, 
ere night shall fall 
We'll tread a merrier measure, you and I, 
For see you here, I cast aside that garb. 
Stitched in the nether world for working hours. 
And stand revealed a gallant gentleman — 
A part the deviPs very apt to play! 

[The dusky cloak falls from him and he stands 
under a lightning flame in his dress of scarlet. 
Go swiftly, Doctor, find a worthy garb 



I FAUST 19 

To match this gay attire. Then, arm in arm 
We'll sally forth from out this mouldy den 
And look on life. 

Faust. Nay, that were all in vain ; 

No outward change can change this outworn world 
Where every passing hour croaks but one cry; — 
"Abstain, renounce, refrain, and for reward 
Take the dried parchment of Life's withering law." 
Such is the strain that echoes in men's ears 
From waking dawn to phantom-haunted night, 
Whose every dream is shattered by the day. 
There is no cure but Death. I'll fight no more I 

Mephistopheles. Yet death, too, has its 
drawbacks, so I've heard { 

Faust. Happy the warrior whose blood- 
stained brows 



20 FAUST ACT 

Death's marble fingers crown. Thrice happy he 
Who, drunk with passion, on his lover's lips 
Prints the last kiss and finds death waiting there. 
Mephistopheles. And yet I know a Doctor 
hereabouts 
Who grasped the cup but let the liquor go. 
Faust. You spied and saw me fail. 
Mephistopheles. Ah, Doctor, no ! 

Faust. Where all is known 'twere vain to hide 

the truth. 
Mephistopheles. I know a thing or two, yet 

not quite all! 
Faust. Cursed be the coward hand that 
held me back, 
And cursed those winning strains of childhood 
bom, 



I FAUST 21 

That snared my soul upon the edge of all ! 
A curse on life, honour, and wealth and fame, 
Ambition's toils, the cheating gleam of gold. 
And pomp and power — the empty spoils of war, 
A curse on all; aye, even the best of all, 
The vine's ripe juice that brings the trance of 

love 
And love's brief ecstasy that turns to hate. 
And last of all on man, that patient drudge 
Who still endures what Death may fitly end. 
Mephistopheles. Doctor, let me prescribe! 

For such a case 
I know a sovereign cure ! You wrong yourself 
In tearing at a wound my arts may heal ! 
For think not I would thrust you midst the herd 
Of common folk whose lot you rightly spurn. 



22 FAUST ACT 

No! While Pm here I move among the best, 
Naught else would suit my quality. Trust to me 
To guide you through life*s maze, and you shall 

learn 
This Earth can furnish unimagined joys 
Of sense unfettered by the illiberal bonds 
The haunting spirit forges for the flesh. 
Now and henceforth through Time's unmeasured 

span 
ril be your comrade, servant, and your slave. 
Shall that content you? 

Faust. What is thy reward 

When this long service hath run out its course? 

Mephistopheles. We'll call the reckoning 
when the feast is done. 

Faust. Nay, I would know the cost! 



1 FA UST 23 

Mephistopheles. Then hearken, Doctor. 

Till Time's unfathomed waters cease to flow 
I'll stand beside thee at thy beck and call. 
The Earth and all its countless joys are thine 
And I thy willing slave to serve the feast! 

Faust. And then? 

Mephistopheles. Why, then I'll ask as 
much of thee. 
What's here is thine, the all hereafter mine. 

Faust. That doth not fright me! When 
this shattered world 
Thou hast cast into the abyss, what else may 

come 
To fill the vacant void may count for naught. 
Our hooded vision vainly seeks to pierce 
What lies beyond the ruin of this earth, — 



24 FAUST ACT 

Cradle and grave of every joy and pain 
The soul hath sense to capture. — 'Tis not that 
Which bids my spirit halt. 

Mephistopheles. Why then, good Doctor. 
There's nothing left but just to close the bargain; 
That done, PU get to work, and with swift arts 
Will 3deld thee such a harvest of sweet sense 
As none have dreamed of yet. 

Faust. What canst thou know 

Of joys the uplifted soul would seek to win ? 
The sordid sweets of sated appetite 
Whose savour dies, untasted, on men's lips, 
Like fruit that rots within the hand that grasps it, 
Dead leaves that scatter ere the buds have 

burst: 
I know them all! 



T FAUST 25 

Mephistopheles. Nay, be assured, good Doc- 
tor; 
I would not trafl&c in such damaged wares. 
That were to lose all custom! From this hour 
With pleasures new for newly-born desire 
Your cup of life shall bubble to the brim. 

Faust. If in thy boasted store of rich delights 
Thou hast but one that is not linked with pain, 
If from all time one moment thou canst pluck 
So rich in beauty that my soul shall cry 
Tarry ! thou art so fair ! — 
Then shalt thou claim the immortal part in 

me! 
Then let Time's beating pulses cease to stir: 
The shattered hands upon the diaPs face 
Fling down into the dust: their use is gone, 



36 FAUST ACT 

And Hell itself shall toll the final hour. 
So stands my challenge! 

Mephistopheles. Count the bargain closed I 
Yet ponder well ! The Devil hath a trick 
Of not forgetting! 

Faust. Nor shall I forget! 

Mephistopheles. But one thing more re- 
mains: we*re formal folk! 
One line of writing just to seal the bond ! 

Faust. My soul is pledged, yet wouldst thou 
still exact 
The feebler witness of this faltering hand ! 

Mephistopheles. An idle whim of mine 
which sometimes serves 
To save dispute hereafter. 

Faust. Have thy way! 



I FAUST 27 

[Mephistopheles produces a document. 
Mephistopheles. And for our present pur- 
pose we will choose 
One drop of blood. See here ! I prick the vein. 
Faust. Be it so. I am content! 
Mephistopheles. And I content! 

[Mephistopheles punctures Faust's arm 
and hands him the pen, Faust signs the 
parchment. 
Mephistopheles. I love that crimson stream : 
what's current here 
Is of a different colour! 

Faust. Have no fear! 

Lest I should break the bond ! My rightful place 
Is henceforth by thy side. To plumb the depths 
Of every earthly pleasure born of sense, 



28 FA UST ACT 

To win from life a world of new desire, 
And quench desire in unimagined joys, — 
Is all that's left to one who vainly sought 
To win the secrets of the Universe. 
Mephistopheles. Fall to, then, with a will; 

the table's spread 
With every dish most cunningly devised ! 
But first we'll make an end of all this lumber 
Of empty knowledge stored for empty heads ! 
No longer wield the flail on barren straw 
That yields no wheat; nor seek to teach to 

youth 
What age has failed to learn. There are fools 

enough 
Wearing a Doctor's gown, whose addled brains 
May well suffice to fill the addled brains 



I FA UST 29 

Of fools who seek to leam. Your freer soul 
Deserves a richer diet. 

[Knock at door. 
Some one knocks. 
One of your faithful students waits without ! 
Faust. I have no heart to see him. Bid 

him go! 
Mephistopheles. Nay, he hath journeyed 
far; 'twere scarcely fair 
To leave his famished brain without a meal ! 
Lend me your hood and gown, my wit may 

serve. 
Meanwhile make ready for our wajrf aring. 
Faust. Across the world ! 

[Eocit Faust. 
Mephistopheles. Across the world to Hell! 



30 FAUST ACT 

I hold him fast and sure. That bolder spirit 
That drove him upwards, onwards past those 

joys 
Man may inherit here, shall prove at last 
The rock to wreck his soul. 

[The knocking is repeated. 
Come in ! Come in ! 
A Student enters. 
Student. Great Doctor, I have journeyed 

# 

from afar 
To set mine eyes upon the face of one 
Whose fame spreads through the world. 

Mephistopheles. You flatter me. 

I'm but a simple man, or something more, 
Or haply something less. It's hard to tell. 

Student. Vm all athirst for knowledge. 



I FAUST 31 

Mephistopheles. Happy youth! 

You couldn't have done better than come here. 

Student. Yet, to confess a fault, these 
haunts of learning 
Sometimes oppress me. Something in the air 
Falls on my brain like lead. 

Mephistopheles. Nay; that will pass! 

The new-bom child turns from its mother's 

breast, 
Then turns again to take what it refused. 
The paps of learning do not lure at first, 
The rapture grows in feeding. 

Student. Thank you, Doctor! 

I would in all be led by thy advice. 

Mephistopheles. What is the special faculty 
you seek? 



32 FAUST ACT 

Student. All fields of knowledge either in 
Earth or Heaven, 
All secrets Science wrings from Nature's breast, — 
These I would call my own ! 

Mephistopheles. 'Tis fortunate 

You have made no larger choice! A prudent 

lad! 
Yet even for this narrow course of study 
Attention will be needed. 

Student. Body and soul 

And all my life I freely consecrate 
To this great task ! Although in summer time 
I own my spirit longs for summer joys. 
Is that a fault ? 

Mephistopheles. No! that can be arranged. 
Yet with this tendency, which think you not 



I FA UST 33 

I would condemn — that never was my plan, — 
Perhaps 'twere wiser in the first, at least. 
To take some special province. 

Student. Once I thought 

To choose the Law, but now, I know not 

why, 
My spirit turns from it. 

Mephistopheles. And mine, sweet youth. 

I own I have no liking for the Law, — 
A rebel prejudice that haunts me still. 

Student. Your wiser words confirm me. 
If I may 
I'll start my studies with Theology. 

Mephistopheles. Ah ! that's my special sub- 
ject! hold to that! 
Its laws are simple, and its facts are sure. 

D 



34 FAUST ACT 

Unlike those merely human fields of thought 
Where men dispute, and rage in angry strife, 
This study makes for peace — and when all's 

learned, — 
Your spiritual belly crammed with creeds, — 
And you shall come to teach the heavenly law, 
See that you spice your list of punishments 
That wait on evil-doers I Cite them all 
As though the Devil stood beside your chair. 

[He hisses this in the Student's ear. 

Student. Doctor, you frighten me. 

Mephistopheles. Why so, my lad? 

There's warrant for such teaching. 

Student. True; there is. 

Mephistopheles. But come, a three years' 
course may well sufl&ce 



I FAUST 35 

To sift the lumber of the centuries 
Men call Theology — and after that ? 

Student. I thought of Medicine. 

Mephistopheles. a pretty thought, 

Yet deem not that this ancient science dwells 
In mouldy parchment. There's a shorter way 
To reach to eminence. For true disease, 
Death is your sole and sovereign remedy ! 
Leave all such cases to those meddling fools 
Who seek to hinder Nature in her task. 
But there's a world of women's maladies 
That have one source, and only need one cure. 
There you may win distinction. Tend them 

weU! 
In consultation always feel their pulse; 
Look long into their eyes, for there it is 



36 FAUST ACT 

The symptoms show themselves. And now and 

then 
It may be needful in the cause of science 
To test the heart beneath a loosened bodice. 
Or even to pass an arm about the waist 
Just to discover if the corset strings 
Are over-tightly drawn. These simple hints 
Should serve to set a student on his way. 
The rest is easy if you love your work. 

Student. Oh, thank you, Doctor; never 
until now 
Has science seemed so plain; I almost wish 
This very hour my studies might begin. 

Mephistopheles. The fruit of knowledge 
hangs upon the tree 
And only needs the plucking. 



1 FAUST 37 

Student. Ere I go 

Here in my album pray you write one word. 
Mephistopheles. Most willingly. 
[He writes and hands back the book, from 
which the Student reads: 
Student. **Be self-possessed and thou 
Shalt own the worid." 

[Exit Student. 
Mephistopheles. Young hopeful should go far, 
And maybe at the goal we'll meet again. 

[Enter Faust. 
Ah, Doctor, so thou art ready ! All the worid 
Lies spread beneath our feet. 

Faust. Yet in that worid 

The years that bow me down must keep me still 
An exile from all joy. 



38 FAUST ACT 

Mephistopheles. That's swiftly cured! 
There lies a cavern in the cloven earth 
Where dwells a witch served by an apish brood 
That are her slaves and mine. There, as she sits 
Beside a cauldron that is ever seething, 
She weaves a spell that yields to outworn age 
The prize of youth. Straightway we'U journey 
there. 

\A roll of thunder. 
See, as I cast this garment round about thee 
We are speeding on our way ! The hills divide 
As down the vacant highways of the dark 
We sink in sudden flight. Above our heads 
The circling eagle dwarfed to a dusky star 
Soars o'er the moonlit world. Dost thou not feel 
The rush of midnight air upon thy brows 



I FA UST 39 

As upward from the deep in chorus chanting 
My subject spirits signal our approach ? 

Chorus 
Through shaken rocks that are rent and riven, 

Across the fallow fields of night, 
He drives his steeds as a flame is driven 

From Deep to Deep in measureless flight. 

Mephistopheles. Time cannot count the 
lightning lapse of time 
Till we are there ! Hark ! we are nearing now. 

Chorus of Apes 
Beside a cauldron ever brewing, 

We weave a garment of earth and air, 
The withered hide of age renewing 

With wondrous tissues shining fair. 



40 FAUST ACT 

[During the preceding speech of Mephis- 
TOPHELES and tJie accompanying Choruses 
the Scene fades and darkens^ with only a 
glint of light upon the Two Figures who 
stand at the side of the stage. At first the 
change is to a world of cloud and vapour ^ 
the effect at the hack so contrived by the 
rushing upward course of the clouds oj 
to make it seem as though Faust and 
Mephistopheles were swiftly descending. 
When the clouds finally disappear and 
reveal the Witches^ Cavern, they are seen 
standing on a ledge of rock slightly raised 
from the stage. 
[The Scene should he designed to represent a 
hollowed cavern at the base of a deep, torn 



1 FAUST 41 

fissure in the earth. The Apish Forms 
are grouped round a cauldron, 
Faust. Why hast thou brought me to this 
filthy den? 
The antics of this foul mis-shapen crew 
Offend my spirit. 
Mephistopheles. That's strange ! they please 
me well ! 
Look where they frolic with that glowing ball 
That sinks and rises o'er the savoury stew. 
What's that, my winsome puppet ? Tell your story. 

Ape 
The world's a ball 
Shall rise and fall, 
It soars like a star 
Afar and afar! 



42 FAUST ACT 

Then falls and falls 
As its master calls. 
*Tis fashioned of clay 
And shall last a day. 
Hark ! the word is spoken, 
*Tis shivered and broken. 
Away ! Away ! 

\He flings the orb to the ground, and it breaks 
into fragments upon which the Ape and 
his Comrades dance in revelry, 
Mephistopheles. Where is thy mistress? 

Ape 
Up and away 
To the fields of day, 
Gathering mice 
And bats and lice, 



I FA UST 43 

With simples new 
To feed our stew. 

Faust. What need to call on her? 

Mephistopheles. What need to ask? 

'Tis in thy service she is summoned here. 

Faust. If thou wouldst give me back my 
vanished yoyth 
This hag's foul witchery is naught to thee. 
Canst not thy larger power weave the spell? 

Mephistopheles. That power is naught 
which uses but itself. 
The mightier spirit that conceives all ill, 
Still needs all service to complete its task. 
Since time began a myriad whirring looms 
In varied hues of texture, ever changing, 
Have wrought the constant pattern of man's fate. 



44 faust act 

Ape 
Hark, hark, and hark! 
On the winds of the dark 
As a plummet plumbs 
To the water's floor 
She comes, she comes, 
She is here once more! 
\The catddron suddenly boils over; a great 
flame leaps up, and the Witch shoots 
down as though through a chimney in the 
rock. 
[She seizes the ladle and threatens the Apes, 
who scatter at her approach. 
Witch. Ye damned crew, so this is how 
ye work! 
Letting our precious potage boil and spoil. 



1 FAUST 45 

[Turning to Faust and Mephistopheles. 
And ye, what do ye here, accursed pair? 
Let burning fire lick all your flesh away, 
Consuming heart and brain. 

[She fills the ladle from the cauldron and 
flyings the fire towards them. 
Mephistopheles. Vile, filthy witch! 

Dost thou not know thy master? At a word 
I'll scatter thee and all thy antic brood 
In coimtless fragments to the hissing flames. 
So there! and there! 

[He seizes the ladle and smashes the goblets and 
pitchers that are piled around the cauldron. 
Witch. [Grovelling at his feet.] Good 
master, pardon me. 
In truth I did not see the cloven foot. 



46 FAUST ACT 

Mephistopheles. Umph! Well, of late 
IVe chosen a neater shoe 
That better suits the tripping courtly measure 
I tread up there on Earth. 

Witch. Most noble master, 

Would I had leave to call thee by thy name. 

Mephistopheles. Nay, not just now. I have 
some work on hand 
That claims another title. 

Witch. Tell me then 

How I can serve thee best? 

Mephistopheles. My comrade here 

Would like to taste that ancient brew of thine. 

Witch. You'll pay me for it? 

Mephistopheles. On Walpurgis night 

Ask of me what thou wilt, it shall be thine. 



I FAUST 47 

But mark you, of the best with age in bottle ! 
We want no third-rate vintage. 

Witch, [Pointing,] That was brewed 

A thousand years ere yonder ape was bom. 

[Whispering. 
Yet have a care, it either kills or cures. 
There's no half measure. 

Mephistopheles. ril look after that I 

I know his malady: he needs the drug. 
So quickly to your craft, and when alPs done 
Fill up the glittering goblet to the brim. 
Witch. Come, then, make ready. 
[The Apes gather round her in a circle^ snaking 
their hacks a reading desk for the great hook 
she opens; then she turns to Faust. 
Faust. This poor jugglery 



48 FAUST ACT 

Was made for fools. I loathe its apish tricks 
And would no more. 
Mephistopheles. Nay, patience! patience, 
Doctor ! 
The end is near, and while she weaves her spell 
Look well in yonder hollow of the rock — 
'Tis said that once ere Eden's lawns had flowered 
The Mother of the Mother of the World 
Lay hidden there. 

]The Witch continues her incatUaUons and 
as she does so a Vision appears, — a 
Vision of a Figure nearly nude and 
draped by the growth of leaves about her 
form, in which she seems partly incorporate, 
Faust. Wonderful form divine, 

Pure primal mould of every separate charm 



I FA UST 49 

Created nature owns. Oh, lend me, Love, 
The swiftest of thy wings that I may speed 
To that enchanted bower wherein she lies ! 
Can this be mortal, or may mortal mate 
With that celestial beauty ? 

Mephistopheles. Nay, turn thine eyes. 

The cup is ready, brimming to the full. 
What's imaged there the world that waits thee holds 
In myriad changing shapes, yet ever one. 
See, now 'tis gone. 

[The Vision fades. 
Faust. Ah, yield it back again. 

Mephistopheles. The drink will yield thee 
all, for all lies there. 

[He holds the cup to Faust as the Witch 
pronounces the spell. 

E 



50 faust act 

Witch 

Here the shrunken skin of age 
In the cauldron sinks and dies, 

All the learning of the sage, 
All the wisdom of the wise, 
Count for naught beside what lies 

Hidden in that magic brew. 
Drink! and thou shalt feel the fire 

Of youth renewed with pulses new. 
Longings that shall never tire 

Freshly bom of fresh desire, — 
All are there and all are thine, 

Hidden in that magic wine. 



[Faust sets the cup to his lips and then starts 
hack as a fiame leaps from it. 



I FAUST 51 

Mephistopheles. a mate of mine and 
wouldst thou shrink at fire? 
Drink deep and have no fear. 

[Faust drains the cup. The Scene suddenly 
darkens. There is a crash of thunder, and 
then in a lightning flash Faust appears 
richly clad, with youthful face and form. 
Witch. 'Tis done ! *Tis done ! 

[With a wild shriek she leaps away, pointing 
towards Faust, who stands in shining light. 
Mephistopheles with a red glow upon 
his face, and the Witch surrounded by 
her Attendant Apes, circle in a wild 
dance as the Curtain falls. 

Curtain 



n 



ACT n 



ACT II 

Scene I 
Scene. — An open square in a medicdval German 
city. On one side is a tavern with table set 
beside the door^ round which a group of Stu- 
dents are seated, and with them one or two 
Soldiers in armour. On the other side are 
the steps of the Cathedral. 

[The Scene opens with Students' Song. 

Song 
Up, nightingale, and wake my dear, 

Hi! Bird — Ho! Bird! 
The lattice opens, thy love is near. 

Hi! Bird — Ho! Bird! 

Nay, who is that who clambers down ? 

55 



$6 FAUST ACT II 

'Tis the veriest knave in all the town, 
But thy kiss hath cost him a broken crown 
With a Hi ! Bird, Ho ! 

\A roll of the drum is heard off L. 

Brander. Enough of thy cracked tuning ! 

Dost not hear the drum which summons our 
comrades ? 

1ST Soldier. Truly 'tis time to join our 
troop. 

Frosch. Well, here's to all men of valour 
who go forth to war. 

Altmayer. And to all valorous men who 
sit at home and sing of victory. 

Siebel. Nay, in war-time your student counts 
for little, drink as deep as he may. I can boast 
it that I have as pretty a way with women as any 



SCI FAUST 57 

man in all the city, yet have I been vilely de- 
ceived. 

Brander. And look you where she goes with 
yon bearded warrior by her side! 

Altmayer. Alack! 'tis true. Would I had 
been a soldier: it should have fitted me well. 

Brander. Dost hear him? Why, old butter- 
tub, there is not enough steel in all Augsburg to 
make a case for thy belly. 

Altmayer. Yet had I the wit to fall in battle, 
'tis like I should win a maid's kiss at the last. 

Siebel. Ay, when there was naught left of 
thee but a blown carcase beneath the moon. 

Altmayer. Truly that must be thought of! 
When alPs said, the wine-cup makes the safest 
kissing, and drink, not love, is your wiser beverage. 



58 FAUST ACT II 

\A Troop of Soldiers efUety followed by a 
Crowd of Town Folk. The Soldiers 
who had been drinking join them, and aU 
move off to the sound of the drum, 
Frosch. Is Valentine not among them? 
SiEBEL. No, he's for the next troop — and, 
look you, here he comes ! 

Altmayer. Then here's a flagon for him, 
and for all, and at my account! We shall drink 
deep to serve him. 

Brander. [Looking off.] Have a care, old 
waggle-tongue. He hath his sister Margaret with 
him, who loves not ribaldry. 

Altmayer. Nay, then we'll drink deep but 
dumb. 

[There is a sort of hush upon the revellers as 



sc. I FA UST 59 

Valentine and Margaret enter from 

R, above the revellers. The music is heard 

from the Church and Citizens pass behind 

them^ ascending the steps of the Cathedral, 

Margaret. Must you go now ? 

Valentine. I must, dear Margaret; 

That beating drum forewarns me. 

Margaret. Then good-bye! 

There'll be no hour I shall not think of thee, 
No day at dawn I shall not pray for thee. 
Valentine. And I, dear sister, shall for ever 
keep 
Thine image next my heart. Once as I trudged 
Across our snows in winter, all my thought 
Sped backward to a little lonely flower 
That decked the spring. So it shall be again ! 



6o FAUST ACT II 

Beneath War's thunder skies where'er I go 
I'll think of thee the whitest flower of all. 

\The drum draws nearer. 
My troop draws near. 

Margaret. I cannot see thee go, 

But there within, before the Virgin's shrine, 
I'll pray that Heaven may yield thee safe once 

more. 
Good-bye ! 
Valentine. Good-bye ! 

[The music within swells as Margaret enters 
the door, and at the same time the beating 
drum draws nearer. Valentine pauses 
on the steps of the Cathedral, looking after 
her. The revellers break out again in 
laughter. 



SC. I FA UST 6i 

Altmayer. Come, Valentine, there's time and 

•♦ 
place for just one draught ! 

SiEBEL. And just one toast! 

Valentine. Most willingly! Here's to you 
alll 

Altmayer. And to thee, good Valentine; and 
a speedy return from the war with just wounds 
enough to win a tear from thy sweetheart. 

Frosch. Ay, name her to us! Thou hast 
kept her hidden till now. That shall be our toast. 

Valentine. When I find her 'twill be time 
enough to name her. Sweetheart have I none. 
Such sport is for idle dogs who lag at home. A 
soldier's sweetheart is his sword. 

Altmayer. Yet a toast there must be, else 
there's no cause for drinking. 



62 FAUST ACT II 

Brander. [To Valentine.] Pray you take 
pity on him, poor soul, for he would fain drink. 

Valentine. Well, then, here's to my sister 
Margaret; and he who has the worth to win her 
shall then toast the purest maiiin our city. 
[As they drink the Troop comes on to the 
stage, and Valentine rises to join them, 
Valentine. Farewell, comrades ! Have a care 
to leave just one bottle for my return. 

Brander. 'Twill surely be no more than one, 
if Old Altmayer lives so long I 

[Amid general laughter and shouting of fare- 
well, the Troop marches off, Valentine 
with them, to the sound of the drum, 
[As the Soldiers go off and the Crowd dis- 
perses, Faust and Mephistopheles have 



SCI FAUST 63 

entered and stand at the foot of the Cathedral 
steps, 
Faust. There goes a gallant soldier to the war ! 
Mephistopheles. Ay, to be spitted on a 
friendly pike 
And so win death or glory, haply both. 
In truth, good Doctor, 'tis most fortunate 
That our first upward flight should land us here, 
For in this litde life is mirrored all. 
Those weeping maids who whisper fond farewells 
Shall, laughing, yield their lips unto another 
Ere the day dies. So here in brief you see 
Both love and glory. Life's twin fading dreams. 

[Pointing to Cathedral. 
And here are those who pray, then quit the shrine 
To sin again that they may pray again. 



/' 



64 FAUST ACT 11 

Body and soul still chasing one another 

Like kittens who would seek to catch their tails. 

Faust. [Pointing to revellers,] And there, 
what life is there? 

Mephistopheles. The best of all. 
Such wine-butts are your true philosophers, 
Who neither pray, nor dream, nor fight, nor love, 
But pass from cup to cup to lifers last goal. 

Faust. Poor sodden fools! Is this in truth 

life's goal ? 

Mephistopheles. Nay, not for thee. I do 

#^ 

but show thee here 
How mortals fare who lack the DeviPs aid. 
Our feast is better ordered. But meanwhile 
We'll board these roisterers. Good morrow, sir! 

[To Frosch.] 



sc. I FAUST 65 

SiEBEL. \To Altmayer.] Who are these 

gallants? 
Altmayer. Nobly bom, be sure, 
For so their garments speak them. 

Brander. Nobly bom! 

Mpre like poor mountebanks who ply their trade 
In borrowed plumes. 
Mephistopheles. \To Faust.] There are 
some folk, you'll find, 
Who never know the Devil when they see 
him. 
Faust. Fair greeting, gentlemen! 
SiEBEL. You come from far? 

Mephistopheles. Lately from Spain, that 

land of wine and song. 
Altmayer. Said I not so?' 

F 



66 FAUST Acrn 

Frosch. ril board them, you shall see ! 

Didst chance to meet my noble cousin there? 

Mephistopheles. Ay, the Court fool I He 
had the same pork face, 
And slobbered at the lips as thou dost now. 

Altmayer. a shrewd stroke that! He had 
thee there, sweet Frosch! 
Wouldst join us in a drink? 

Mephistopheles. Your pardon, sir, 

I only drink the best. 

Brander. That's one for thee! 

Our friend is set on drinking: if naught else, 
The drippings from the counter will content him ; 
So that it burns his throat, he hath no care 
To name the vintage. 

Mephistopheles. Time may come, perhaps. 



\ 



\ 



SCI FAUST 67 

When he shall find a liquor to his liking ; 
I know the cellar where it waits for him. 
Meanwhile, if so you please, we'll broach a 

cask 
Of something worth the tasting. 

Altmayer. Willingly ! 

Go, call the landlord. 

Mephistopheles. Nay, sir, let him be. 
I own a richer store than he can boast of. 
Give me a gimlet. 

Altmayer. Yonder one there lies 

Within that basket. Look you, noble sir, 
We want no scanty sample just to taste, 
But full and brimming measure. 

Mephistopheles. [Boring hole in table.] Give 
it a name. 



68 FA UST ACT II 

Altmayer. Fm local in my cups and patriotic — 
Rhenish for me! 

Frosch. Have you so many kinds? 

Mephistopheles. Call what you will. I'm 
here to serve all tastes. 

Brander. This is some juggler's trick. 

Mephistopheles. A litde wax 

To serve as stoppers. Quick, old pot-belly, 
That none be wasted. Now, good sir, your choice. 

Brander. Champagne, if you can yield it. 

Mephistopheles. [To Faust.] Mark you 
that, 
Your cultured patriot calls an alien brand 
And fills his Prussian paunch with Gallic wine. 

SiEBEL. I crave for something luscious ! 

Mephistopheles. Then for you 



SCI FAUST 69 

We'll broach this old Tokay. And you, good sir ? 
Student. Ill name the vintage when I see 
it flow. 
This knave doth fool us all ! 

Mephistopheles. Say you so? 
Then draw the stoppers forth and drink your fill. 
[They hold their glasses and the wine flows. 
SiEBEL. Most wonderful! 
Altmayer. This is a happy day. 
Mephistopheles. Yet have a care no drop- 
pings from your glass 

[Altmayer lets his glass fall and the wine 
turns to flume. 
Altmayer. Help! Help! The flames of Hell ! 
Mephistopheles. No, no I 

A touch of purgatory — nothing more. 



TO FAUST Acrn 

[SiEBEL hds drawn another stopper and fire 

files in his face, 

SiEBEL. He uses some vile magic. Out on him ! 

Brander. 'Tis witchcraft ! Strike him down 1 

We*ll none of it I 
[They draw their knives on Mephistopheles. 

Mephistopheles 
Snare their senses, close their eyes, 
Bear them hence to Southern skies. 

[They draw hack in a trance, 
SiEBEL. What land is this? 
Brander. A land of milk and honey. 

Altmayer. With luscious purple grapes on 

every bough. 
Brander. [Seizing Altmayer's nose,] Here 

hangs a glorious bunch that noeds but cutting ! 



sc. I FAUST 71 

[He puts his knife to Altmayer's nose, 
Frosch. And here another! 
Student. This is best of all! 

Mephistopheles. Now see them change again, 
while 'neath this cloak 
We stand invisible. 

End their dream and ope their eyes, 
Lead them back from Southern skies! 

Frosch. Why, what is this? 

Where are those vines ? 

SiEBEL. In truth weVe been bewitched. 

Brander. [To Altmayer.] I took thy nose 
to be a purple grape. 

Mephistopheles. [Aside,] No wonder, for 
the vine hath painted it! 

Altmayer. And so I deemed was thine. 



72 FAUST ACT II 

SiEBEL. [To Frosch.] And thine. 

Frosch. [To Siebel.] And thine. 

Mephistopheles. [Aside.] Poor fools! Be- 
gone! the Devil's jest is ended. 
Siebel. Whither hath he fled? 
Altmayer. Methought I saw him ride 

Over yon steeple on a butt of wine. 
Brander. Were the knave here, I'd cleave his 

head in twain 1 
Mephistopheles. [Aside,] Go, braggart, ere 

I spit thee on a skewer. 
Frosch. Let's go within. There's something 
in the air 
That freezes all my marrow. 

Altmayer. Ay, within! 

There's hiding in the cellar. Drink's the cure! 



sc. I FAUST 73 

For witchcraft drink's your sovereign remedy. 
[They go into the house like men dazed. A 
laugh from Mephistopheles. 
Faust. Let's quit the place; these drunkards 
sicken me. 

[Music from Church, 
Mephistopheles. Nay, hark! the mass is 
ended. Wait awhile. 
Prayer's a provocative and ofttimes sets 
The senses newly itching. 

[They begin to stream out of Church. 

See you there 
That buxom housewife on her husband's arm ? 
Last night she kissed the butcher 'neath the elm 
That shades their garden patch. Yon 'prentice 
youth 



74 FAUST ACT n 

Wth sheeplike eyes that ever seek the ground, 
Can boast of more than his indentures warrant. 
Ask of his master's daughter, she can tell thee ! 
And that pale priest who but an hour ago 
Confessed a maiden who will ne'er confess 
The thing she learnt of him, — see how his gaze , 
Would seem to mount toward Heaven ! 

[Margaret has come from the Church and 

stands at the head of the steps as she gives 

a flower to a child. Faust's gaze has been 

riveted upon her during the Devil's speech, 

Faust. Enough, enough ! 

[He advances towards Margaret. 

Fair lady, let me see you to your door ? 

Margaret. I am no lady, sir, nor am I fair. 
And have no need of escort on my way. 



sc i FAUST 75 

[She passes across and off. 
Faust. By Heaven, how beautiful! In all 
the world 
Dwells not her equal. Fresh and sweet and 

pure 
As the first flower of spring that greets the snow, 
Yet with red lips that ripen for a kiss 
Those downcast eyelids still refuse to yield. 
Ah I could I would win that maid! 
Mephistopheles. What maid is that? 

Faust. She who but now passed by. Look 
where she goes. 
Didst thou not see her shrink at my approach? 
Mephistopheles. Oh, that young thing ! She's 
lately from confession. 
I stood beside her whilst the greasy priest 



76 FAUST ACT II 

Absolved her of her sins, for she has none. 

I would you had looked higher: these fledgling 

buds 
Take far more plucking than a full-blown rose. 
Faust. There is no higher, nay, nor none so 

high. 
Mephistopheles. \Aside,\ The scentless per- 
fume of pure innocence 
Works like a poison in the air I breathe, 
Its very frailty saps all my powers. 
\To Faust.] I could have set the fairest at 
thy feet. 
Disrobed an Empress but to serve thy sport, 
Or sacked the centuries to yield thee back 
Dead Queens whose beauty wrecked an elder 
world. 



sc. I FAUST 77 

Yet with this feast outspread thou needs must 

choose 
A wind-flower from the hedgerow. Think again ! 

Faust. My choice lies there; naught else I 
care to win. 
Yield to my arms this image of delight 
Or count our bargain ended. 

Mephistopheles. Not so fast! 

The thing needs time, that's all ! — and strategy. 

Faust. Time I that's a mortal's plea: it fits 
thee not. 
It needs thy will — no more. Be swift and sure. 
Bear me some token that shall speak of her — 
A kerchief from her breast — I care not what ! 
Then lead me where she dwells — 

Mephistopheles. Nay, sir, not yet! 



78 FAUST ACT II 

The day is still a-dying. When the moon 
Peeps through her lattice — that's love's fitting 
hour. 
Faust. Meanwhile I need some gift to bear 

to her. 
Mephistopheles. a good thought that I The 
purest maiden's soul 
Yields to the treacherous lure of glittering stones. 
I know a hidden treasure hereabouts, 
Left by a miser who went mad and died. 
We'll pick and choose from out his buried store. 
\As he speaks a Company of Priests come 
from the Churchy the foremost bearing a 
cross, at sight of which Mephistopheles 
shrinks and cowers, half in fear. 
There's something here I like not. Come away ! 




SCENE II 

Scene. — A smalls neatly kept chamber. 
Enter Mephistopheles, beckoning Faust. 

Mephistopheles. Doctor, come on, but 

gently; follow me I 
Faust. [After a pause,] Leave me alone I 

Depart, I beg of thee ! 
Mephistopheles. [Peering round,] H'm! 

'Tis not every girl keeps things so neat. 

[Exit. 
Faust. O welcome twilight, soft and sweet, 

that fills 

This virgin shrine! What peace and order 

breathe 

79 



80 FAUST ACT II 

Around me! In this penury what plenty, 
And in this cell what bliss! 

\He draws aside the bed curtain. 

How am I thrilled! 

Here could I pass long hours. Here Nature 

shaped 
The angel blossom from the holy bud. 
Ah, Faust, what dost thou here with heavy 

heart? 
I who in lust's mere madness hither stole, 
Now lie overwhelmed in the pure trance of love. 
Mephistopheles. [Returning.] Quick! She 

is coming! 
Faust. I return no more! 
Mephistopheles. Here is a casket not 
unserviceable ; 



sc II FAUST 8i 

It came from — somewhere else — quick, place it 

here! 
The gewgaws stored within will turn her head. 
Faust. Ah, but I know not — Shall I ? 
Mephistopheles. Ask you that? 

Perhaps you'd keep the treasure to yourself. 
I trust you are not growing avaricious; 
If so, I beg you spare me further trouble; 
I rub my hands in tender expectation. 

[Places casket in press. 
Now, quick! away! You'll have her at your 

pleasure ; 
And there you stand as in the lecture-hall — 
You with a sweet young girl within your grasp, — 
As grim as Physics and Metaphysics! Come! 

[Exeunt Faust and Mephistopheles. 

G 



82 FAUST ACT II 

Enter Margaret with lamp. 

Margaret. How close, how sultry here! 

[Opens window. 
And yet without 
It is not wann. 

[Begins to braid her hair. 
I wonder who he was, 
That gentleman I saw to-day. He seemed 
Gallant and of a noble family. 
Besides, he would not else have been so for- 
ward. 
I tremble strangely, I am silly, timid — 
Ah! but I wish my mother would come 
home! 

[She sings as she undresses herself. 



sc. II FAUST 83 

Song 
A king there lived in Thule 

Was faithful till the grave, 
To whom his mistress, dying, 

A golden goblet gave. 

Before all things he prized it, 
He drained it at every bout. 

The tears his eyes overflowing 
Whene'er he drank thereout. 

And when he came to dying. 

His towns he reckoned up. 
All to his heir he left them — 

But not the golden cup ! 

He sat at the royal banquet 
With his knights of high degree, 



S4 FAUST ACT n 

In the proud hall of his fathers, 
In his castle by the sea. 

There stood the old carousersi 
As he drank life's parting glow, 

He hurled the hallowed goblet 
Into the surf below. 

He watched it filling and sinking; 

Deep into the sea it sank; 
His eyelids closed, and never 

Again a draught he drank. 

[She opens the press and perceives the casket. 
How comes this lovely casket here, I wonder! 
I am quite sure I locked the press. How 

strange ! 
What can there be inside it? And a key 



sc. II FAUST 85 

Hangs by a ribbon! I should love to open it! 

[She unlocks casket. 
Ah! what is this? Was anything ever like it? 
Heavens! never in all my days have I seen the 

Uke! 
Why, ornaments and trinkets such as these 
A noble lady might wear on holidays. 
I wonder how this chain would suit my neck! 

[She steps before the mirror. 
Oh! were those earrings mine! At once they 

give one 
A different air. Youth, beauty are well enough, 
But who cares? People praise one half in pity — 
But all depends on gold ! Alas ! we poor ones. 



SCENE III 

Scene. — Garden of Margaret's house. 

[Martha erUers, 
Martha. [Calling.] Margaret! Alack I 'tis 
a hard fate to have lost a husband! Yet that 
might be borne; but to have no certainty of 
widowhood — why, 'tis enough to break the heart 
of any woman! No man hath a right to die 
unless he send home word he is decently buried. 
How else should his widow grieve for him in 
due fashion, or put away her weeds at the fit- 
ting time ? Truth, 'tis a hard world ! 

86 



\ 



sc. Ill FAUST 87 

EfUer Margaret, agUated. 
Ah! thou art there! 

Margaret. Oh, Dame Martha! Dear 
Dame Martha! 

Martha. Why, what ails thee, chUd? 

Margaret. This morning, as I woke I foimd 
within my press this second casket like unto the 
first, yet stored with richer gems. I know not 
what to do ! 

Martha. Then Pll tell thee. Say nothing 
to thy mother. She would but give them to the 
priest, as she did the last. 

Margaret. Look, how beautiful they are! 

Martha. Oh, you're a lucky girl ! 

Margaret. And yet I dare not wear them 
in the street. 



88 FA UST ACT n 

Martha. Why, then we'll hide them, and 
now and then you shall put them on before 
the mirror. For the first let that content you. 
As time goes we'll choose some holiday when you 
may wear, perhaps, a chain or ring — then some- 
thing more. Your mother will never know, or 
if she should, we'll forge some pretty tale of how 
you came by them. 

Margaret. Who could have brought them? 
I fear, yet know not why, that I do wrong to keep 
them. 
Martha. Tut, tut, child! [A knock, 

Margaret. Is that my mother, think you? 

[Martha peeps through a little grille in the gate, 
Martha. No, 'tis some strange gentleman. 
Pray you walk in. 



sc. Ill FAUST 89 

Mephistopheles enters, 

Mephistopheles. Forgive me, ladies, but 
I sought for Dame Martha Schwartlein! 

Martha. I am she, sir. May I enquire 
your errand? 

Mephistopheles. \As%ds to Martha.] Nay, 
that can wait. I see you entertain a lady of 
quality. Another time shall serve. 

Martha. Hear you that, Margaret? He 
takes thee for a lady! 

Margaret. Nay, sir, I am only a poor maid. 
These jewels have deceived thee. They are not 
mine. 

Mephistopheles. No, I took no thought of 
the jewels. It was rather the look, the manner, 
the air, that struck me. 



90 FAUST ACT II 

Martha. And now, sir, your business, if I 
may? 

Mephistopheles. I would I had a cheerier 
note to sound. Your husband's dead and sends 
you loving greeting. 

Martha. Dead! O dear, true heart! 
My husband dead I Then I must needs die 
tool 

Margaret, Courage, dear Martha! 

Mephistopheles. I feared the shock. A 
very pitiful case! 

Margaret. Indeed 'tis terrible! What use 
is love when death can shatter all! I would 
choose to die unwed. 

Mephistopheles. Yet joy follows swiftly 
on the heels of woe. That's life! 



saui . FAUST 91 

Martha. Tell me, I pray you, how he met 
his end? 

Mephistopheles. Very prettily, Madame. 
He lies in Padua beside St. Antony. A very 
cool and comfortable grave in consecrated ground. 
A temperate home for one who loved his glass ! 

Martha. Were there no last words? — no 
message for his fond and loving wife? 

Mephistopheles. He did command thee to 
buy three hundred masses to save his soul. 

Martha. And sent the wherewithal? Good, 
generous heart! A very worthy man! 

Mephistopheles. No, Madame, no! He 
must have clean forgot it. 

Martha. What, not a trinket even? Was 
there no little hoarded fund to leave to his wife? 



92 FAUST ACT II 

Mephistopheles. True penitence was all 
he died possessed of. His cash he had expended 
on himself. A very worthy man ! 

Martha. Worthy, forsooth! 

Margaret. Day and night I'll pray for his 
soul, dear Martha! 

Mephistopheles. So pitiful a lady should 
well deserve a husband of her own. 

Margaret. I dream not yet of that, sir. 

Mephistopheles. Well, then, let's say some 
gallant to love and cherish. There's nothing 
makes life sweeter. 

Margaret. 'Tis not our custom here. 

Mephistopheles. And yet it sometimes hap- 
pens so, I'm told! 

Martha. Pray you, sir, and at the last? 



sc. Ill FAUST 93 

Mephistopheles. Ay, he much desired 
that all his sins against his wife might be 
forgiven. 

Martha. Poor soul, he was forgiven long 
agol 

Mephistopheles. And yet, he added, "She 
was the more to blame." 

Martha. Oh, what a liar I On his death- 
bed tool 

Mephistopheles. Maybe his mind was 
wandering at the close. "I had no home," he 
said, "no peace, no quiet." Those were his very 
words. 'Twas sad to hear him. 

Martha. And I who slaved so hard to make 
him happy! 

Mephistopheles. Ah! he didn't speak of 



94 FAUST ACT II 

that. It seems that after he left his home, he 
made a bit of money by fair means or foul. 

Martha. We will not judge too strictly of 
the means. Where think you he hath hidden 
it? 

Mephistopheles. 'Twere hard to tell. He 
told me that in Naples, where he was friendless, 
a fair young maid had taken pity on his hard 
case. They're sometimes costly, those fair 
young pitiful maids. 

Martha. The villain! Oh, the villain I 
He was ever a shameful man! Wine and dice 
and you understand me, sir? 

Mephistopheles. Perfectly, Madame. Mourn 
him for a year, and meanwhile keep a sharp look- 
out to find another. 



sc. Ill FAUST 95 

Martha. Oh, I couldn't, sirl I could 
never love again! 

Mephistopheles. a hopeless case, eh? A 
pity ! Otherwise I should be almost tempted 

Martha. Oh, sir, you're not in earnest ! 

[Approaches him. 

Mephistopheles. Umph! I'd best make 
off, or, who knows, she might take the Devil at 
his word! [Turning to Margaret.] What's 
in your thought, fair lady? 

Margaret. I know not, sir. 

Mephistopheles. Sweet innocent I Ladies, 
farewell I 

Martha. One moment, sir! Perhaps 'twere 
wiser, in view of what you've said, that this 
death should be duly attested. 



96 FAUST ' Acrn 

Mephistopheles. I had thought of that. 
A noble friend of mine who travels with me, can 
add his deposition. I'll bring him here. 

Martha. Oh, do sir, pray I 

Mephistopheles. A very gallant youth, 
and noble too. [To Margaret.] All ladies 
love him I 

Margaret. I should not know how to 
greet so great a lord! 

Mephistopheles. There is no king thou 
art not fit to greet. 

[Door opens at a gesture from Mephistoph- 
eles, and Faust appears. 

Martha. Here in this garden this evening 
we'll wait you here. 



SCENE IV 

Scene. — A garden. 
EfUer Faust and Margaret. 

Margaret. Ah, sir, but I know you are 
only trifling with me I You put up with me, 
as travellers do, out of good nature. How can 
I hope to entertain you who have seen the great 
world? 

Faust. But a glance, but a word from you, 
is sweeter to me than all the wisdom of the world. 

[He kisses her hand. 

Margaret. How can you bring yourself 

to kiss a hand like mine, so coarse and hard? 
H 97 



98 FAUST ACT II 

But then I am obliged to well, mother is 

really too close. 

\ExeurtJt. 
Enter Martha and Mephistopheles. 

Martha. So you, sir, are always travelling 
about hither and thither? 

Mephistopheles. Alas I business and 
pleasure! And many a place one regrets to 
leave, yet one cannot stay. 

Martha. In the wild years of youth of course 
to move about is well enough; but the evil day 
must come, and then to sneak into one's grave 
a solitary old bachelor — that cannot be right for 
any one. 

Mephistopheles. I shudder at the mere 
prospect. 



saiv FAUST 99 

Martha. Then think better of it, sir, 
while there is time. 

Mephistopheles. I am beginning to ahready. 

{EoceurU. 
Re-enter Faust and Margaret. 

Margaret. Ah yes! Out of sight, out of 
mind! It is easy for you to be polite; and you 
have many friends more sensible than I am. 

Faust. People one calls sensible are more 
often only mean and narrow-minded — but you ! 

Margaret. Will you think of me, then, just 
for one brief moment? Ah I I shall have time 
enough to think of youl 

Faust. You are alone a great deal ? 

Margaret. Yes; our household is small, 
but one must look after it. We keep no maid; 



^pl^r 1^1 



100 FAUST ACT n 

eveiything falls to me. I must cook, knit, sweep 
and nm here and there — and mother is so par- 
ticular. Not that there is such great need to 
stint. However, just now my days are passably 
quiet. My brother is a soldier. I had a little sister, 
but she is dead. I loved her so much. 

Faust. If she was like you, an angel! 

Margaret. My mother lay so ill, she could 
not suckle the poor little mite ; so I brought it up 
with milk and water. It thus became mine; on 
my arm and on my bosom it smiled and sprawled 
and grew. 

Faust. What a pure joy for thee! 

Margaret. Ah yes I indeed. 

Yet many an anxious time. Beside my bed 
Its cradle stood; and if it merely stirred 



• • • • • 



sc. IV FAUST loi 

I was awake to soothe it ere it cried! 

And then for many an hour, night after 

night 
I'd pace the room, warming it next my breast 
Till sleep should come again. 

Faust. Oh, gentle heart! 

Hast thou forgiven me yet? 

Margaret. Forgiven thee? 

Faust. Ay, for those downcast eyelids as 
I came 
Told me thou hadst not forgotten. 

Margaret. Did they so? 

Why then, sir, it was true ! 

Faust. I did thee wrong 

To stay thee on the threshold of the Church; 
Yet 'twas thy beauty made me over-bold. 



• , • • . a 

• * 



I02 FAUST ACT a 

Margaret. Fll own it hurt me, at the first, 
to think 
I might have given thee warrant. 

Faust. Nay, 'twas I 

Who dared too much I 

Margaret. And yet, I know not why, 

I could not be as angry as I would I 
Something there was within me still would plead 
For thee against myself; till I felt sore 
I was not sore with thee. 

Faust. Thou hast forgiven me! 

{They go up and off^ hand in hand, as 



Re-enter Martha and Mephistopheles. 
Martha. Ah! it is not so easy to convert 
an old bachelor — but I should not call you old ! 



sc. IV FAUST 103 

Mephistopheles. I am getting on, you know ; 
but it only needs some one like you to teach me 
better. 

Martha. But tell me, sir, have you never 
felt an inclination for any one? 

Mephistopheles. Well, I am very difficult 
to please. I am more attracted by the soul than 
the body. 

Martha. Of coiirse, good looks are not 
everything. 

Mephistopheles. But I am rather partial 
to the plump. 

Martha. And your heart has never been 
really touched? 

Mephistopheles. Not yet; and yet you 
would hardly believe the variety of women I 



104 FAUST ACT n 

have come across here — and there. Charming, 
I assure you : I have alwa3rs been at home to them. 
I wonder if it is too late for me to be constant 
to one? 

[He puts his arm round her. 

Martha. It is growing dark. 

Mephistopheles. Yes, we must be going. 

Martha. I would ask you to stay here longer, 
but you have no notion what a place this is for 
scandal. 

Mephistopheles. It can't be worse than the 
place I come from. 

Martha. Is that very far away, sir? 

Mephistopheles. A good distance, but they 
make the journey there as comfortable as possible. 

Martha. I have to be most careful here, I 



sc. IV FAUST 105 

assure you. If I were to be seen alone with you it 
would be news everywhere in the morning. 
Mephistopheles. Surely they wouldn't mind 

— if they knew who I was ! 

Martha. Yes; but you see they don't. They 
would suspect you. 

Mephistopheles. How extraordinary I I 
would not compromise you for the world. 

Martha. And besides, I would not trust my- 
self with you for long. 

Mephistopheles. I assure you you need have 
no fear. 

Martha. And our love-birds — where are 
they? 

Mephistopheles. Flown up the garden path 

— naughty butterflies! 



io6 FAUST ACT n 

Martha. He seems fond of her. 
Mephistopheles. Of course, and she of him. 
Ah, dear lady, it is the way of all flesh ! 

[Mephistopheles and Martha pass out 
by the upper path as Margaret comes 
lightly down from the gate. 
Margaret. Now ere he comes — 
[She plucks a star flower (w Faust follows her. 
Faust. [Aside.] And would'st 

thou hide again? 
Nay, but I have thee now I 

Margaret. I'm half afraid 

To put thee to the test; yet so I will ! 

[She begins to pidl the leaves. 
He loves me — loves me not ! . . . 
Faust. What's in thy thought? 



sc. IV FAUST 107 

To bind a nosegay ere the sun be down? 

Margaret. No! 'Tis a foolish sport that 
children love! 
Faust. Teach me that sport. 
Margaret. Thou would'st but laugh at me. 

\She tnaves away. 
He loves me not ! — he loves me I . . . 

Faust. Angel soul 

Thou need'st not slay a flower to tell thee 
that. 
Margaret. Nay, wait! there's more to 
come. He loves me not! — 
And now the last! — He loves me! 

[She drops the last petal to the ground as he 
takes her in his arms. 
Faust. Ay, he loves thee! 



io8 FAUST ACT II 

[She sinks on his breast as he kisses her. 
Lord of the world, for so in truth I am 
In owning thee : there is naught else to win. 

[Mephistopheles has peeped in at the garden 
gate during the last speech. 
Mephistopheles. Lord of the world, I fear 
'tis time to go! 



SCENE V 

Scene. — An interval j during which the orchestra 
plays a stormy melody, gradually subsiding and 
ending in a peaceful strain reminiscent of the 
Chorus of Easter Angels which in Act I, pre- 
vented Faust from taking his life. The Curtain 
then rises on a desolate scene of strewn boulders, 
black pines, and a lurid sun setting, 
[Faust is discovered lying prone on the earth: 
slowly he raises himself, 
Faust. Spirit SubKme! thou hast given me 
what I asked. 
Hither have I retired to Nature's breast 

To ease me of this fever. Here to lose 

109 



no FAUST ACT u 

'Mid air and water and the silent wood 
My wild unrest. Whatever stirs the bush 
Or wings the air or troubles the dark pool, 
With these am I acquainted. Thou hast given 
No cold amazed knowledge of thyself, 
But hast revealed thy countenance in fire. 
Alas! yet nothing perfect comes to man! 
Thou hast assigned me as a comrade one 
Who cancels with a sneer thy loving-kindness 
And ever fans within my heart a flame 
Unwearied for one fair, delicious form. 
I fly from her, but ever would return. 
Enter Mephistopheles. 
Mephistopheles. Have you not led this life 
now long enough? 
The wilderness awhile, but not for ever. 



sc. V FAUST III 

Faust. Find other work: to plague me thou 
retumest. 

Mephistopheles. Thou sitt'st here lil^e an 
owl : or like a toad 
From sodden moss thy nourishment deriving. 

Faust. I find a pleasure in the wilderness. 

Mephistopheles. Enough of this! Yonder, 
alone, she sits; 
Her thoughts and yearnings all go out to thee, 
And miserably long the hours delay. 
She haunts her window, pacing to and fro, 
Watching the clouds roll off the city wall. 
Now she is lively, but more often sad — 
Sad, sad and mad for thee. 

Faust. Serpent, be still! 

Mephistopheles. Ah! do I trap thee now? 



112 FAUST ACT II 

Faust. Bring not again 

Desire of that white bosom to my mind. 
I envy even the body of the Lord 
When touched by her sweet lips. 

Mephistopheles. Back to her then! 

Faust. No! no! I will no more assail her 
peace; 
She shall return to her old simple life, 
Take up again the tranquil tasks of home. 

Mephistopheles. Fool! She shall ne'er re- 
cover that old peace; 
She cannot now return to simple tasks. 

Faust. Cannot? 

Mephistopheles. She hath seen thee. 

Faust. Am I so vile 

That sight of me hath shattered all her peace? 



SC. V FAUST 113 

Mephistopheles. Thou art her only peace: 
return to her; 
Never can she be glad but on thy breast 

Faust. All this may be; but 1*11 return no 
more. 
If I have troubled so her serene days, 
I trouble them no more. Have I distiu"bed 
Her virgin soul, then I no more disturb it; 
I leave her. 

Mephistopheles. Leave her now? Is that 
quite fair? 
You bring the trouble, then refuse to ease it 
Go back to her. 

Faust. What would'st thou have me do? 

Mephistopheles. Finish what is begun. 

Faust. Away, thou pimp! 

I 



114 FAUST ACT II 

I'll not seduce her body and her soul I 

Mephistopheles. Her soul thou hast se- 
duced — why hang on here? 
She is no longer virgin in her thoughts, 
Thou hast corrupted every wandering whim. 
Think you she lieth now so still of nights? 
She turns in darkness to the form of thee 
And round thy image throws her burning arms. 
What is the body's touch between you two? 
Now her imagination is deflowered: 
Thou hast defiled her, Faust, for evermore. 

Faust. Ah no I Ah no ! 

Mephistopheles. The only recompense 

Is now to sate the craving thou hast waked; 
To-night ! 

Faust. To-night ! 



sc. V FAUST IIS 

Mephistopheles. Ay, sir, the silvering moon 
Heralds the dawn of love. Yet have a care ! 
Her mother sleeps but lightly! This shall serve 
To smooth her restless pillow. 

Faust. [Taking phial.] What is here? 

Mephistopheles. A sweet decoction that shall 
swiftly link 
Sunset and dawn in one. 

Faust. Not poison ? 

Mephistopheles. No I 

Sleep is no poison though it last for ever. 

Faust. Then let us both m ruin fall together, 
And one damnation quickly seize us both. 

Mephistopheles. Now Hell seethes up in her 
again. Away 
Into her room, and leave it not till dawn. 



SCENE VI 

Scene. — Margarei^s garden 

[Margaret spinning in the doorway. 

Margaret 

Gk>ne is my peace, and with heart so sore 

I shall find it again nevermore. 

If he be not near me, the world is a grave 

And bitter as is the sea-wave. 

Ah ! my poor brain is racked and crazed, 

My spirit and senses amazed! 

Gone is my peace, and with heart so sore 

I shall find it again nevermore. 

At the window I stand only to greet him, 

I leave the house but to meet him. 

ii6 



sc. VI FAUST 117 

Ah ! the smile of his mouth and the power of his 
eye 

And his noble symmetry! 
What a charm in his speech, in his touch what 
bliss! 

The rapture of his wild kiss! 
My bosom is aching for him alone — 

Might I make him my very own I 
Might I kiss but his lips till my mouth were fire. 

And then on his kisses expire I 



Enter Faust 

Ah, dearest ! thou hast been so long away, 

I almost feared . . . What it would be to lose 

thee 
Thou know'st not! 



SCENE VI 

Scene. — Margarets garden 

[Margaret spinning in the doorway, 

Margaret 

Gone is my peace, and with heart so sore 

I shall find it again nevermore. 

If he be not near me, the world is a grave 

And bitter as is the sea-wave. 

Ah ! my poor brain is racked and crazed, 

My spirit and senses amazed! 

Gone is my peace, and with heart so sore 

I shall find it again nevermore. 

At the window I stand only to greet him, 

I leave the house but to meet him. 

ii6 



sc. VI FAUST 119 

And now I loved in rapture, now in gloom. 
Ah ! leave me nevermore. 

Faust. Nay, nevermore. 

Margaret. Oh 1 the deep bliss descending on 
me fast, 
Like steady rain on an imfolding flower. 
Yet one thing troubles me. 

Faust. What troubles thee? 

Margaret. Dearest, dost thou believe? 

Faust. In what? 

Margaret. In God. 

Faust. Darling, who dares say "I believe in 
God''? 

Margaret. Oh ! but we must I 

Faust. I feel the living God 

Trembling in starlight, surging in the sea, 



lao FAUST Acrn 

And rushing by me in the wind; I feel ICm 
Approach me close in twilight without word. 
He shakes my soul with thimder — oh, to feel 
It all ! I have no single name to give it — 
Bliss, Love, God, what you will, the name is 

smoke 
Obscuring all the serene glow of Heaven. 

Margaret. And, dear, long has it been a 
grief to me 
To see thee in such company. 

Faust. How so? 

Margaret. Thy comrade, who is ever at thy 
side; 
His face with a deep horror fills my soul, 
And my heart shudders at his voice. 

Faust. Yet why? 



sc. VI FAUST 121 

Margaret. I know not; but believe me I can 
teU 
He is not a good man. O God forgive me 
If I speak ill of any; but I feel 
He is not good. I am so happy here, 
So yielding and free, and warm upon thy arm, 
But if his face peer round the garden wall 
I am struck cold, and cannot love, or pray. 
But I must go. 

Faust. Ah ! will there never come 

A quiet hour when we two, heart to heart 
And soul to soul may cling; when we two may 
Drive down the stream and headlong greet the 

sea. 
The full ocean of bliss ? 

Margaret. Now am I thine 



123 FAUST ACTU 

So wholly, thine in every thought and hope, 
In my outgoing and returning, night 
And day, by sunlight or by moonlight thine; 
So utterly am I given o'er to thee 
In spirit, that what else thou dost desire 
Can have no strangeness in it, only bliss. 
I have yielded — then do with me what thou 
wilt. 

Faust. Oh, if to-night 1 bum for thee ! 

Margaret. And I 

For thee! 

Faust. To-night then! 

Margaret. If I slept alone 

I would undraw the bolt for thy desire; 
But mother sleeps so light of late, and if 
She should discover us I could but die. 



SC. VI FAUST 123 

Faust. Thou angel, fear it not. Here is a 
phial: 
Pour but three drops into her sleeping cup 
And she will sleep on deeply thro' the night. 

Margaret. It will not harm her: thou art 
sure? 

Faust. Would I 
Give it if there were danger? 

Margaret. O belov&l, 

I can refuse thee nothing thou dost wish, 
I will refuse thee nothing. I will open 
That window when she is fallen quite asleep; 
Listen for that — and then I'll unlock the door. 
How heavy come the roses on the air 
To-night ! Kiss me — I must go in. 

\H€ kisses her passionately. 



124 FAUST iicru 

Faust. »Tis hard 

To part but for a moment. 
Margaret. Only wait! 

\She goes into the house. As Faust stands 
expectant, the door of the garden opens and 
Mephistopheles appears, 
Faust. Who's there? 
Mephistopheles. A friend. 
Faust. A fiend! 

Mephistopheles. Ay, both in onel 

Faust. Monster, begone! 
Mephistopheles. I have no need to stay. 
My work is done. 

[Margaret's hand is seen opening the lattice 
as Faust makes a threatening gesture to 
Mephistopheles. 



sc. VI FAUST 125 

Sof dy ! The rest is thine ! 

[Faust holts: his eyes turn toward the cottage, 

the door of which slowly opens, Faust is 

drawn towards it. He looks back as he 

enters, 

Faust. And thine I 

Mephistopheles. [As the door closes on 
Faust.] Ay, truly thine and mine in one! 



' ■ • . 



V 



ACT III 



ACT III 

ScEj«E. — Outside the Cathedral, with Marthd*s 

house to R, The nave and choir of the Cathedral 

set across the stage, leaving space for a narrow 

street that runs up stage between it and Martha^s 

house. Down stage L.C, a fountain. Above it, 

beside a buttress in the Cathedral wall, stands an 

image of the Virgin. It is close upon Vesper 

time, and a group of Girls are gossiping by the 

fountain as they fill their pitchers. 

[Elsa enters down street R. 

Elsa. Hast heard the news? 

Laine. Old Katrine's cat is deadl 

LiSBETH. We heard that yesterday. 
K 129 



I30 FAUST ACT 

1ST Girl. Ay, that's no news! 

At dawn the cobbler slit his thumb in twain 
In mending Sach's shoe ! 

2Ni> Girl. I saw it done. 

LiSBETH. Hast thou naught else to tell? 

Elsa. In truth I have! 

A mighty throng is gathered in the Platz, 
'Tis cried the war is ended, and to-day 
Our troops draw toward the city. 

Lisa. News indeed! 

Then Valentine comes with them? 

Elsa. At their head! 

He hath won such glory that he now returns 
As captain of his band! 

Laine. Poor Margaret! 

I wonder hath she heard? 



m FAUST 131 

Lisa. 'Tis likely not, 

For since her mother's death three months gone by, 
She seldom goes abroad. 

Laine. Both day and night 

The shuttered windows of her house are closed, 
And there she sits alone. 

Lisa. 'Twas late last night 

I had tended poor old Anna who lay sick, 
And as I hurried homeward, here she stood. 
Filling her pitcher 'neath the darkened moon 
Whilst all the city slept! 

Laine. I'U go to her; 

Her brother's home-coming will cheer her heart. 

Lisa. Hush ! here she comes. 

[Margaret eifUers and sits wearily on the 
^g^ of the wall. 



132 FAUST ACT 

Lisa. Dear Margaret, hast thou heard 

The war is at an end? 

Margaret. Hither as I came 

They cried the news along our narrow street. 

Laine. And Valentine returns a captain now ! 
Shall that not make thee glad? 

Margaret. I must be glad 

That he is safely home. 

Lisa. Not every gurl 

Can boast so proud a brother. 

LiSBETH. Some there are 

Who are lucky to have none I 

Lisa. Ay, true enough! 

LiSBETH. 'Twould be no joy for Mistress 
Barbara 
Had she a brother homeward bound to-night. 



Ill FAUST 133 

Laine. Nay, nor for him who brought her to 

this pass. 
LiSBETH. The fault was hers, not his! 
No man's to blame 
Who takes the gift a wanton flings to him. 
Margaret. [Clinging to Laine.] What is it 

that they say? 
LiSBETH. Dost thou not know? 

Margaret. I've been too much indoors for 
three months past, 
I have heard nothing but the bell that tolls 
From hour to hour. 

LiSBETH. Oh, 'tis a pretty story! 

But now she's got her due, and serves her right. 
What else could she expect? Both day and 
night 



134 FAUST ACT 

She hung upon his kisses. Now she knows 
What comes of too much kissing. 

Margaret. Oh, poor thing! 

But is it so indeed ? 

Lisa. Indeed it is I 

LiSBETH. Ask through the cityl Every gos- 
ap's tongue 
Is wagging of her shame. Why pity her? 
Whilst honest girls would sit at home and spin 
She'd steal away o' nights to meet her swain, 
Who leaves her for reward a sinner's shift. 

Margaret. Nay, surely he will take her for 
his wife? 

LiSBETH. Not he! And who can wonder? 
There are more 
Like proud Miss Barbara who only wait 



Ill FAUST 135 

Till he shall have a mind to kiss again. 
He*ll meet them on his journey. 

Margaret. Has he gone? 

Oh, 'tis not fair ! 

LiSBETH. Why, think you he would wed 

A maid who could not wait to claim a ring? 
Not he 1 Come, giris, 'tis late, and I've no mind 
To furnish food for gossips! 
1ST Girl. Nay, nor I! 

[They take up their pitchers and move off in 
different directions, Margaret is left weep- 
ing. Lisa, who is just going out, returns 
to her. 
Margaret. Poor Barbara! 
Lisa. Dear Margaret, grieve not so 1 

Thy gentle heart is all too pure to know 



136 FAUST ACT 

The sin that tempted her. Yet thou canst weep 
While others speak in scorn! 

Margaret. Oh, leave me — go! 

Lisa. See then, I'll take the pitcher to thy door 
And come again for thee ! 

[Lisa goes out. 

Margaret. In days long flown 

I too have scorned each sinner as she fell! 
Sxire of myself, there were no words too hard 
To paint the thing I deemed I ne'er could be — 
The thing I am to-day — a living sin ! 
And yet — and yet — that one who drew me 

down 
Seemed then, dear God, so true, so good, so dear ! 
[She throws herself at the feet of the Virgin. 
O Mother of all sorrows, thou alone 



Ill FAUST 137 

Canst pierce my sorrow; thou alone canst cure 
The ceaseless pain that bows me to the earth. 
The prayer I dare not utter thou canst hear! 
And those vain tears that washed thy stainless 

feet 
Night after night, hast thou not seen them 

faU? 
I have no help but thee ! no hope but here. 
As thou wert once a maid, be pitiful, 
Take in thy hands my breaking, bleeding heart 
And save my ruined soul from death's last stain. 
[There is a pause. The organ sounds from 
the Church, the windows of which show 
the candle-light within, A few Citizens 
come from L. and enter the porch. They 
are followed by Lisa. 



138 FAUST ACT 

Lisa. Dear Margaret, you are weaiy. Let 

us go. 
Margaret. Ay, let us go within. Lend me 
your hand; 
To-night we'll pray together, if I may I 

[As Lisa supports her into the Churchy Faust 
and Mephistopheles come doTvn the dark 
alley from the right, Mephistopheles 
peeps round the angle of the Church and sees 
Margaret. 
Faust. Who was it entered there? 
Mephistopheles. Some aged crone 

With crooked, twisted limbs — no dish for 
thee. 
Faust. I thought 'twas Margaret I 
Mephistopheles. Nay, that lonely bird 



Ill FAUST 139 

Sits in her wicker cage waiting for him 
Who clipped her wings. 
Faust. Why, then I'll go to her! 

Mephistopheles. What! doth that poorer 
fancy still endure ? 
Doctor, you shame my trade! For this mean 

feast 
The merest prentice pander might have served! 
Have I not cured you yet ? What find you there ? 
Faust. A fluttering flower that lures me like 

a star. 
Mephistopheles. I love them not, these 
flowers that scent the air 
I was not bom to breathe. In these past months 
Since first that bud was plucked, we have seen 
the world. 



I40 FAUST ACT 

Faust. Ay! and not once her equal in the 

world. 
Mephistopheles. Nay! there are worlds on 
worlds unfolded yet 
Whose treasured store of beauty still awaits us. 
As children strew the hedge-blooms they have 

gathered 
Along the dusty highway — cast her off 
And let us on our road. 

Faust. There is no road 

That leads not back to her. 

Mephistopheles. Well, as you will I 

Meanwhile I have some business of my own 
That needs my presence here. 
Faust. I need thee not! 

[EocU Faust. 



in FAUST 141 

Mephistopheles. This comedy must end, 
and swiftly too. 
Beside that purer soul my spirit flags; 
I have no scythe to sheajr a harebell down, 
Its weakness masters me. Till that hour come, 
When all engulfed in sin she sinks and drowns, 
My power is powerless. Once that hour is past, 
Then, Faust, thou art mine again ! 

[Music heard from Church, 
She kneels within 
Yet knows not how to pray. I'll go to her. 
Unseen, yet seeing all, beside her chair 
I'll breathe a whispered poison in her ear 
Shall draw her soul down to the verge of Hell. 
[As he speaks the stage darkens and the waU 
of the Church becomes transparent, shomng 



142 FAUST ACT 

the dimly lU interior where Margaret ktieels 
among the worshippers, Mephistopheles 
bending over her. The opening lines of the 
Latin hymn are being chanted. 

Chorus 
Dies Irae dies ilia 
Solvet saeclum in favilla. 

Mephistopheles. It is not with thee now as 
once it was, 
When as a prattling child those innocent lips 
First learned by rote the words of Holy Writ 
From out the well-worn book thy mother held. 
Margaret. I cannot pray 1 Across my dark- 
ened soul 
Hither and thither in a tangled flight 
Come thoughts that drag me down. 



Ill FAUST 143 

Chorus 
Judex ergo cum sedebit, 
Quidquid latet adparebit, 
Nil inultum remanebit. 

Mephistopheles. Where tends 

thy thought? 
What hidden crime within thy bosom dwells? 
Would'st pray for mercy on thy mother's soul, 
Who slept nor woke again through thee ! through 

thee! 
Her blood lies at thy door. 

Chorus 

^Uh third, verse,] 

Margaret. Oh, woe is me! 

I dare not look toward Heaven : the gate is shut, 

My heart sinks to the dust. 



144 FAUST ACT 

Mephistopheles. Beneath thy breast 

Canst thou not feel the pulse of that new life 
That stirs and quickens there? Dost thou not 

know 
Whither thy sin shall drive thee? 

Chorus 
Quid sum miser time dicturus, 
Quem patronum rogatxirus, 
Cum vix Justus sit securus? 

Margaret. Oh ! no more ! 

The pillars close me in ; the roof falls down 
To crush me to the earth. I cannot breathe! 
Dear Mary Mother, turn thy face once more. 

Mephistopheles. Her face is turned away, 
she heeds thee not; 



Ill FAUST 145 

The light of Heaven goes out. 
Margaret. [To Lisa.] Thy cordial! Oh! 
[Margaret half swoons as, with the final 
repeat of the Chorus, the vision fades and 
the exterior view of the Cathedral is re- 
stored. In the darkness Mephistopheles 
creeps stealthily from the door and is 
about to go off as Altmayer and Others 
enter R, He hides behind a buttress, 
Altmayer. They've reached the city! We'll 

drink deep to-night. 
1ST Student. [To Frosch, who comes with 
Others down the alley,] Where are they 
now? 
Frosch. Within the Western gate. 

Altmayer. And Valentine? 

L 



146 FAUST ACT 

Frosch. He marches at their head. 

Altmayer. That serves as fit occasion for our 

cups. 
Frosch. The crowds draw round him shouting 
Victory ! 
But he, scarce heeding them, still presses on 
To greet his sister Margaret. 

[Brander and Siebel, vAih Others, have 
entered L. 
Brander. Say you so? 

Why, then he hath not heard? 

Mephistopheles. [Aside,] Nay, sirs, not yet ! 
The Devil takes his time. 
Frosch. What should he hear? 

Brander. The sorriest news, if what is said be 
true. 



m FAUST 147 

Seebel. Ay ! and the foulest slander if 'tis false, 
As here upon my soul I vouch it so. 

Mephistopheles. [Aside.] Be thrifty with 
your soul; you have but one. 

Brander. To-night 'tis whispered that her 
mother's death 
Came not at Nature's call. Within her room 
A poisoned phial was found. 

Frosch. Is that enough 

To brand as mxirderess the gentlest maid 
That dwells within our city? 

Siebel. Nay, there's more; 

So slander grows on slander! Now 'tis said 
She slew her mother to conceal her sin. 

Student. Oh, shame ! I'll not believe it ! 

2ND Student. Nay, nor II 



148 FAUST ACT 

Mephistopheles. [A side. \ The world grows 

charitable ! No fault of mine ! 
SiEBEL. Is there one here who would dare 
breathe this lie 
To Valentine her brother ? 
Voices. Nay, not one! 

SiEBEL. If this foul gossip needs must reach 
his ears, 
It shall not be through us. 

Enter Student. 

Well, sir, what now? 
1ST Student. The Burgomaster with the city 
guard 
Keep watch on Margaret's house. 

2ND Student. Ay, and 'tis said 

A warrant's out against her. 



ra FAUST 149 

SiEBEL. Nay then, friends! 

At such a time 'tis fit that we who love her 
Should speak on her behalf. 
All. Ay, so we will! 

]They go off L. 
Mephistopheles. Oh, faithful hounds! be- 
fore the dawn is here 
Your tongues shall learn to sound another 

note. 

Enkr Faust. 

What, Doctor, back so soon? 

Faust. She is not there; 

The house is closed; there is no light within; 
I have sought her through the city all in 
vain. 

Mephistopheles. Have you no tidings of her? 



150 FAUST ACT 

Faust. Ay, the worst! 

The whisper grows against her. Every tongue 
Breathes slander on her name. 

Mephistopheles. I feared as much! 

Some gossip hath made mischief. Gossips will. 
Doctor, we'd best make off. 

Faust. No, I will stay 

Till I have seen her face, and at her feet 
Have prayed for pardon. 

Mephistopheles. Well, I'm still yoiu: slave. 
An ancient pet of mine dwells hereabouts; 

[Striking his guitar. 
These strains may wake her; she is still romantic; 
We'll gather news of her. 

Faust. I care not how, 

So that these eyes may greet her once again. 



Ill FAUST 151 

Mephistopheles. Doctor, to-night I'm in a 
frolic mood 
And, like some old Tom cat upon the tiles 
Who stalks his love behind each chimney-stack, 
I'll thread this alley, mewing as I go ! 

]T^}iey go of and up, the Song dying away as 

shouts are heard and 
[The Crowd enters, Valentine marching 
through them at the head of his Troop 
amidst the shotUs of the midtUude. 
Voices. All hail to Valentine! 
Voices. All hail! all hail! 

3RD Student. Come, bear him to the tavern; 
'tis not far ! 
The city hath decreed good wine for all, 
And at the city's charge. 



152 FAUST ACT 

4TH Student. Come then, let's on! 

5TH Student. Ay, set him shoulder high! 
Our backs shall serve 
In place of that stout steed that carried him. 

]T^hey approach Valentine, who checks them, 
' Valentine. Good comrades, wait awhile. 

Ere that shall be 
There's one I needs must greet the first of all. 
My sister Margaret. There at her feet 
I'll lay this sword, so hacked and carved with war, 
And then we'll drink till dawn! 

[SiEBEL, Brander, and Others have entered 
and stand in a silent group. 

Ah, Siebel there! 
Brander ! and thou, old Altmayer ! — ay, and 
Frosch ! 



Ill FAUST 153 

Well met, old friends! It seems an age and 

more 
Since last I grasped your hands! So long, in 

truth, 
IVe grown a stranger to our city lanes. 
Come, lead me on my way! 
Brander. Where, Valentine? 

Valentine. Where else but home to 
Margaret? 

[SiEBEL ifUervenes, 
SiEBEL. Go not there! 

Valentine. Why not? 
SiEBEL. I dare not tell thee! 

Valentine. Dare not? Speak! 

Are ye all dumb? I am no more than man. 
Yet being man, must school me to endure 



154 FAUST ACT 

What Heaven shall please to send. She is not dead ? 

SiEBEL. No, Valentine, not dead! 

Brander. Would Heaven she were! 

Valentine. What is it then that strangles 

all your tongues? 
SiEBEL. Speak, Brander, for I cannot! 
Frosch. Nay, nor I! 

Brander. 'Tis said thy mother died by 

Margaret's hand. 
Valentine. My mother dead, and slain by 
Margaret ! 
Liar! I could choke thee! 

Brander. I'd forgive thee that 

Could I unsay what's said, undo what's done! 
Valentine. This is some villainous slander. 
If God willed 



Ill FAUST 155 

In sudden wrath to change an angel child 
Into a fiend, there would be cause for it. 
What cause was here ? She loved her mother well 
And was as well beloved. Why should she take 
That mother's life? 

Brander. Nay, that is worst of all! 

She took that mother's life to hide her shame. 

Valentine. Liar ! I'll go to her I 
Enter Burgomaster. 

Burgomaster. Stay, Valentine! 

We all had hoped to give thee pubhc greeting 
And a triumphant welcome from the town, 
But this must stand aside till happier hours : 
Our duty now gives no excuse for joy. 

Valentine. Art thou, too, in this treachery, 

this plot 



156 FAUST ACT 

Against my sister's honour? 

Burgomaster. If 'twere so, 

The wrong were quickly righted. 'Tis not so. 
Upon approved witness of her crime 
Thy sister Margaret stands accused of murder, 
And here I hold the warrant of the law 
To arrest her as my prisoner. 

Valentine. Is that all? 

Does not your parchment publish some excuse 
To inform the world why she, a maid so pure. 
Should on a sudden turn a murderess? 

Burgomaster. 'Tis known and proved that 
night thy mother died 
An unknown gallant, stranger to our town, 
Was seen to enter Margaret's chamber door. 
Nor left it till the dawn. 



Ill FAUST 157 

Altmayer. Sure that was he 

Whose comrade tricked us as we sat at wine I 

Frosch. 'Twas he, I'll warrant it ! 

Valentine. Enough ! Enough ! 

We'll think of him hereafter. For the time 
This must seem all — that all I loved is lost. 
Now, comrades, turn those torches to the ground; 
Oh ! that I had foimd death in glorious war ! 
Or any stroke but this ! But yesterday 
Round the camp fire we sat and talked of home, 
And as each comrade with a brimming cup 
Toasted in turn the maid he loved the best, 
I let them all run on, till at the last 
With lifted glass I did but breathe her name. 
And all were dumb. "'Tis true, 'tis true!" 
they cried, 



158 FAUST ACT 

'' In all our town there's but one Margaret, 
The fairest, best of all ! *' — And now — and now — 
Ijc\ every braggart spurn me as he will, 
I have no answer, for her shame is mine. 

[Mephistopheles and Faust are seen 

coming down the aUey^ Mephistopheles 

singing to the guitar, with Faust beside him. 

Siebel. Why, here he comes! That knave 

who ruined her! 
Frosch. Ay, and that juggling villain by his 

side! 
Valentine. Then stand aside. This issue 
must be mine, 
And mine alone. 

[He draws his sword and approaches 
Mepiiistopjieles, who stUl sings. 



Ill FAUST 159 

Thou whining rat-catcher, 
Whom now wilt thou allure? That blow's for 
thee! 

\He dashes the guitar to the ground, 
Mephistopheles. The lute is broken, so 

the song must cease. 
Valentine. And thou who lurk'st behind, 

IVe more for thee. 
Mephistopheles. He knows thee, who thou 

art, yet stand thy ground. 
Valentine. Draw, or I'll spit thee ! 
Faust. Thou shalt have thy will! 

[Faust draws. 
Mephistopheles. Lunge on now, have no 
fear; I'll parry all. [They fight, 

Valentine. Then parry that! 



i6o FA UST ACT 

Mephistopheles. Why not? 

Valentine. And that! 

Mephistopheles. That too! 

Valentine. I think the Devil's here, my arm 

grows weak. 
Mephistopheles. Now is your time — thrust 

home! 

[Faust lunges at Valentine, who falls, 

Valentine. O God, 'tis done! 

[The Crowd gathers round Valentine. 

Mephistopheles. He's skewered at last! 

Now quick, no word — away! 

[He throws his cloak round Faust and they 
vanish. 
Burgomaster. There's murder here! Go, 

seize them both. 



• * 

• »• • • 



in FAUST i6l 

SiEBEL. They've gone! 

Burgomaster. Whither ? 
Brander. I know not. As we 

followed them 
It seemed to me that they became as air. 
Burgomaster. Look then to him who 
feU! 

[Martha's head appears at the window 
above. And other heads from other 
windows, 
Martha. What brawl is this? 

[Margaret, with a crowd of Citizens, 
enters from the Church, 
Margaret. Who is it wounded there? 
Brander. Thy mother's son. 

Margaret. Almighty God! Not dying? 

M 



i62 FA UST ACT 

Valentine. Ay, I'm dying, 

Yet that may coimt for little. Cease your 

tears 
And listen while ye may; my time is brief. 

Margaret. O Valentine! 

Valentine. Why dost thou loiter here ? 

Thou shonld'st be at thy trade. The night is 

young; 
For what thou hast to sell there are buyers yet. 

Margaret. Dear God, have mercy! 

Valentine. Thou wert best advised 

To leave God's name alone. As yet 'tis plain 
Thou art but a prentice hand — I'll grant thee 

that; 
But custom starves all scruples, in a month 
Thy beauty will be free of all the town. 



Ill FAUST 163 

And then when that same beauty's worn and 

spent 
Thou'lt stalk the street a flaunting, painted thing, 
Till at the last the flaring lights shall fright 

thee 
And thou shalt lurk beneath some darkened 

arch, 
A wanton to the end. 

Martha. O slanderous tongue. 

Commend thy soul to God! 

Valentine. Foul hag of Hell, 

If I could slay thee ere my life were spent, 
I'd think that all my sins were all forgiven! 
Margaret. Oh, speak to me ! 
Valentine. It is too late! Too 

late! 



l64 FAUST ACT lu 

I loved thee more than all! May God forgive 

thee! 
Now like a soldier go I to my God. 

[He falls hack dead, Margaeet swoons 
in the arms of Lisa, and the Guard, ai 
a sign from the Burgomaster, gather 
round her. 



ACT rv 



ACT IV 

Scene I 
Scene. — The Walpurgis Night. 

[The summit of the Brocken, The Scene 
represents the verge of a great chasm with 
mountain peaks jutting up from the depths 
below. Across the gulf stands a high 
mountain with jagged sides. On the R, 
in front is a path descending to rocks. 
On the left, an uplifted crag overlooking the 
depths below. 

[In a hollow at the foot of the crag the 

Witch is seated by her cauldron. The 

Scene opens with thunder and lightning and 

a raging wind. On separate peaks that 

167 



i68 FAUST ACT IV 

rise from the gulf Witches are posted as 
sentinels. 
1ST Witch. What cry is in the air? 
2ND Witch. Out master comes. 

I saw him riding by the raven stone. 
3RD Witch. Give warning down the gulf: 
from peak to peak, 
Down to the lake that fills the crater bowl, 
Follow the owlet's cry. 
Voice. [Below,] He comes! 

2ND Voice. He comes! 

3RD Voice. Away! Away! He is here. 
Voices. Away ! Away ! 

[Witches disappear as 
[Mephistopheles and FAust ascend the 
rocky path R, 



SCI FAUST 169 

Faust. FU go no farther! Whither 

would'st thou lead? 
Mephistopheles. Upward to yonder crag 
whose nodding crown 
Leans o'er the sulphurous vale. 

Faust. Fll climb no more.' 

Through shrieking caverns and o*er desert fells, 
By cliff and headland down whose shuddering 

sides 
The roaring cataract cleaves its thunder-road, — 
Borne upward as a feather on the gale 
Still have I followed thee! 

Mephistopheles. As still thou shalt 

Till I have shown thee all! Hark! 'tis the 
hour. 



i70 faust act iv 

Chorus 

\From bdow,] 

The witches ride to the Brocken top 
Upward and onward they may not stop. 

[Mephistopheles draws Faust to the edge 
of the abyss. 
Mephistopheles. Dost see them swarming 
in the mists below? 
Now poised for flight, and herding in the sky 
They blacken out the moon. 

Chorus 
Upward and onward across the night 
To the topmost beacon we take our flight ! 
[During the Chorus there is a flight of 
Witches across the sky. 



SCI FAUST 171 

Mephistopheles. Far down below 

They scale each slope and crag, a myriad throng. 
Round gnarled roots like serpents intercoiling, 
O'er rock and boulder leaping, skipping, 

scudding, — 
See how they press and jostle, push and scramble 
To reach their master's feet! Yet some there 

are 
That stumble on the path. Up! up! and on! 
The Devil's road grows easier at the last! 

\As he speaks, the crags and mountain tops 
gradtmlly Jill with shadowy forms whose 
voices echo across the gtdf. 
1ST Witch. Whence comest thou? 
2ND Witch. Round by the Usen rock 

I saw the white owl blinking on its nest. 



172 FAUST ACT IV 

3RD Witch. Old Baubo rides upon a farrow 

sow. 
4TH Witch. Ay! Baubo first and all the 

flock to follow. 
Mephistopheles. On then! and on! lest I 

should flay and score ye. 
Voice. \From below.] Hi! there! Ho! 
Mephistopheles. Nay, heed him not, 

press on! 
1ST Witch. Who is it calls from the rocky 

lake below? 
Voice. [From bdow.] Fve climbed and 

climbed three hundred years and more, 
Yet cannot reach the top! 

[A wild laugh from the Witches as 
Mephistopheles looks down the gulf. 



sc. I FAUST 173 

Mephistopheles. Old Dotard, no! 

Hast not yet learned that towards the Devil's 

porch 
The lighter step of woman wins the lead? 
While club-foot man a laggard even in sin 
Toils slowly at her heels. Trudge on, old fool! 
Thou shalt reach the goal at last. Trudge on I 
Trudge on I 

^ild laughter again. 

Chorus 
With a rag for a sail 
We soar on the gale, 
Then swoop and fall 
At our master's call. 

Faust. What are these shapes and wherefore 
are they here? 



174 FAUST ACT IV 

Mephistopheles. To-night Sir Mammon 

r 

holds high holiday, 
And these my vassal slaves are all his guests. 
A goodly throng — see how they laugh and chatter ! 
Sweet witches aU — they have their working 

days, 
But now in wanton measure to and fro 
They fill a vacant hour of liberty. 
Dance on! Dance on! 

[The Witches dance, singing as they move. 



Witches' Chorus 

Through fog and fen, o'er broom and heather, 
From hidden caves and from hill and dell, 

As leaves that scatter and drift together 
We draw to our master, the Lord of Hell. 



sc. I FAUST 17s 

The owlet's cry is the note we follow I 

As the night-wind whistles its ceaseless tune, 
We hurry and scurry o'er hill and hollow 

With feet as fleet as the racing moon. 

Now! the wind is hushed, the stars are falling. 
The moon hath fled! The skies are bare; 

Hark ! Hark ! in the dark 'tis the owlet calling ! 
The night is waning. Beware ! Beware I 

Dost hear her crying? 

Below ! Below ! 
The clouds are flying. 
The night is dying ! 

We go! We go! 

\As the sound dies away, the Witches 
gradually disappear. 



I 



176 FAUST ACT IV 

Faust. What crazy .world is this ? 

Mephistopheles. a world where worlds are 
made — a busy hive 
Of murmuring bees whose poisoned honey-bags 
Yield to men's lips that bitter-sweet called Love. 
^ Here beauty ere it takes on mortal shape 
Sips at the fount of sin, then onward speeding, 
Enters Life's portals, gathering as it goes 
The voices and the blossoms of the Spring. 
Here the rough gold first takes its glittering sheen 
To sate the greedy pangs of avarice; 
Here crowns are fashioned, and on yonder anvil 
For every crown a beaten blade is forged 
To fit the usurper's hand. Glory and Power, 
Ambition and the countless painted toys 
That draw men onward in the race toward Hell 



SCI FAUST . 177 

Here, by deft hands are decked and garlanded 
To lure the world I my world ! 

Faust. And is it here 

Thou dost think to stay the memory of those 

tears 
That drip and fall upon my coward soul 
Like rain through ruined woods? 

Mephistopheles. Good Doctor, no; 

This is but preface to the feast to come. 
See, here is more. 

\They approach the Witch's cauldron. 

Old huckster, I should know thee. 

Faust. And I too well I 

Witch. And I, I know ye both! 

Mephistopheles. What hast thou here to 

please this Lord I serve? 

N 



178 FAUST ACT IV 

Witch. Good store of richest wares of every 

fashion 
Most cunningly assorted. Scan them well! 
For all have served their turn! That dagger 

there 
Still bears upon it the red rust of blood I 
Of all these jewelled cups there is not one 
That hath not borne to lips now marble-white 
The sleepy wine of death. There is no gem 
Of all this glittering heap but once hath served 
To bring a maid to shame. 
Faust. Foul hag, be dvunbl 

Mephistopheles. She doth mistake our 

errand. — All that's done 
Is done. — To-night we seek from out the past 
A fairer vision. 



sc. 1 FAUST 179 

Witch. Master, pay me then! 

'Twas on the Brocken I should claim my fee; 
So stood our bargain. 

Mephistopheles. Would'st thou threaten 
me? 
I'll pay thee naught till I shall pay thee all. 

WrrcH. [Aside.} Then ere night ends I'jil earn 
my fee in full, 
And trick thee with a vision fair and foul 
That shall affright ye both. 

Mephistopheles. Cease ! mumbling hag. 

Faust. Is this thy power? whose vilest min- 
isters 
Still mock and scoff at thee? 

Mephistopheles. Would'st know my power? 
I who have changed thy lean and withered age 



i8o FAUST ACT IV 

To this new garb of youth? Stand then and 

hearken 
While from the void my hounds of Hell give tongue. 
\A roll of thunder with lightning gleam. 

Chorus 
[From behw,] 

Cling fasti cling fast! 

The owlet is hiding 
On the tail of the blast 

Our master is riding. 

Mephistopheles. Dost hear those thunder 
steeds whose clattering hoofs 
Tear the night's covering to a tattered sheet? 
Ride on! Ride on! my lightning lamps shall 
guide ye. 

[Drawing Faust to the brink of the chasm. 



SCI FAUST i8i 

Look where old Chaos takes a newer fashion 
As down the abyss the cloven mountains fall, 
And shifting forests slide into the gulf. 
Doth that content thee? 

[During this speech the rocks have sundered 
and fallen. Uprooted trees have crashed 
into the abyss, and the mountain across the 
gulf has been so shattered as to leave a vast 
cavern in its side. 
Faust. Ay ! no more ! no more ! 

I have seen enough. 
Mephistopheles. [Laughing.] Nay, tremble 
not, good Doctor! 
The work of demolition's always noisy; 
Yet here it has served our turn; for yonder cleft 
Carved by the thunder, yields a fitting stage 



i8a FAUST ACT IV 

Whereon we'll summon for thy amorous glance 
From out their scattered tombs those Queens of 

Love 
Whom Time hath still left peerless. 
[To the WircH.] On, old Granny! 

Quick ! stir thy brew ! and let the sport begin, 
As high encamped upon this airy shelf 
My Lord shall watch the pageant as it grows, 
And claim of all these buried vanished lips 
Whose kiss he fain would win ! Lead on ! Lead 
on! 

[A group of young Witches leave the cauldron 
and draw Faust with chains of flowers up 
to the summit of the crag where Mephistoph- 
ELES is already standing. And as he 
follows them half entranced, the Chorus is 



SCI FAUST 183 

heard across the gulf and the Vision of 
Helen of Troy is gradiuUly revealed. 

Chorus 
Once more upon the purple main 

That scudding sail doth bear her home, 
Troy's cindered towers are fired again 

And flare across the crimsoned foam. 

Mephistopheles. See how they press around 
her, all her train, 
She for whose lips the world was drenched in 

blood. 
Yet note that changeless beauty bears no 

trace 
Of all her countless slain. 
Faust. Helen? 



i84 FAUST ACTiv 

Mephistopheles. Ay, Helen, 

My loyal subject Queen who shattered Troy, 
And dyed the ^Egean with a Tyrian stain. 
Faust. Draw closer, closer, till I touch those 

lips. 
Mephistopheles. Nay ! wait awhile ! I know 
an Orient bough 
Whereon there hangs a riper, ruddier fruit 
Embrowned by Egypt's sun. Lead on, sweet 

hag! 
The feast is not half served. 
WrrcH. [From her catddron,] Nay, Sire, there 



is more, 



As thou shalt learn before the cauldron cools. 
[The Vision of Helen has faded as the 
Chorus is renewed. 



sci faust 185 

Chorus 
Down old Nilus' vacant stream 

Steers, with silken sail unfurled, 
She who in a golden dream 
Chained the masters of the world. 

Ever toying, never cloying, 

Soul and body ever new. 
All enjoyed and all enjoying 

Ever false and ever true! 



[During the Chorus the Vision of Cleopatra 
is revealed, preceded by Egyptian Dancing 
Girls. 
Mephistopheles. Dost see her, Faust? The 
ruin that she wrought 
Lies buried deep beneath the shifting Nile, 



i86 FAUST ACT IV 

While she whose conquering beauty laughed at 

Time 
Sails o'er the centuries to greet her Lord. 
Fair Cleopatra, kindred serpent soul, 
I hail thee peerless still 1 

Faust. And I! And II 

Mephistopheles. Doth that not tempt thee? 

Faust. Let me but print one kiss 

Between those breasts that cushioned Antony; 
There is no more to win. 

{The Vision fades. 

Mephistopheles. Wait till the close, 

Then thou shalt choose at will. 
\To Witch. Go back to Rome. 

Witch. Ay, back to Rome, and back and back 
again ! 



sci faust 187 

Chorus 

She stands by Tiber's reddened flood! 

That door she guards is Love's last tomb, 
Those gilded breasts are smeared with blood 

Wrung from the ruined heart of Rome. 



[During the Chorus the vision of Messalina 
appears. 
Mephistopheles. Look where she stands, 

passion's ungrudging slave, 
Who leased a throne to wear a strumpet's 

crown. 
Hail! Messalina, whose enfolding arms 
Caught to thee nightly all the lust of Rome, 
Those crimson lips have drained the lees of 

Love 



i88 FAUST ACT IV 

In many a Stygian stew : yet drink again, 
My master holds the cup. 

Faust. Nay, let her pass; 

'Tis not so fair. 
Mephistopheles. Then count the feast as 
ended. 
Where falls thy choice? 

WrrcH. My master, wait awhile. 

Yet one remains, the last and best of all. 
Mephistopheles. Wretch, wilt thou trick 

me? 
Witch. Look again and see. 
\The Vision of Messalina fades as the 
Chorus is repeated. 



sc. 1 FAUST 189 

Chorus 
The Springtime comes, the Springtime goes, 
The lily changes to the rose, 

Now Spring hath fled, 

And Summer is dead, 
And dead the Lily ! and dead the Rose ! 

[During the Chorus the lonely figure of Mar- 
garet is revealed with chains about her 
wrists^ her dead child lying at her feet, 
Mephistopheles. [To Witch.] Foul hag, 

I'll scorch thee! 
Witch. Master, I am paid! 

\With a vAld yell she rises into the air and van- 
ishes across the gulf. 
Faust. Look! it is Margaret! What to me 
the past? 



I90 FAUST ACT IV 

What any queen re-risen from the grave? 
I can see nothing but that lovely form. 
But what is that lies frozen at her feet? 
Mephistopheles. What lieth at her feet thou 

should'st know. 
Faust. Those eyes are turned upon me! 
Margaret, stay ! 
Across the gulf of Hell I'll fly to thee. 
Go, bear me to that prison where she lies, 
Her anguish is my anguish, all her sin 
Is mine to suffer, ay, or mine to cure. 
To her 1 to her I bear me away. On ! On I 
[There is a crash of thunder, and of a sudden 
the gulf swarms with Witches who shriek 
amidst the thunder as Faust and Mephis- 
topheles disappear. 



SCENE II 

Scene. — A prison celL 

[Margaret is lying in a stupor chained on a 

bed of straw at the hack. The sound of a key 

in the lock is heard and Faust and Mephis- 

TOPHELES enter, 

Mephistopheles. See I there she lies ! Quick, 

rouse her! We must fly. 

Drugged lies the jailer; but I cannot say 

When he may wake and blunder on us here. 

Faust. [Gazing on Margaret.] The woe of 

the whole earth catches at my heart. 

And then ! Ah, stand and roll thy devilish eyes : 

This is thy work ! Lo, in a dungeon shut, 

Delivered up to torment and to night! 

191 



192 FAUST ACTIV 

From me thou hast concealed this ruin, me 
With hollow dissipations hast thou lulled. 

Mephistopheles. She's not the first ! 

Faust. Abortion! Not the fiarst! 

Did not the first in her death agony 
Expiate all the guilt of all the rest? 
Her single misery to my marrow pierces, 
And thou art grinning at the doom of thousands. 

Mephistopheles. Why dost thou make a 
compact with the Devil 
And canst not see it out? Did I on thee 
Thrust myself? Come, confess ! Or thou on me? 

Faust. Rescue her: or the curse of ages on 
thee! 

Mephistopheles. Rescue her? Who then 
plunged her into ruin? 



sc. II FAUST 193 

Whose kisses stretched her on that bed of straw ? 
Whose hot embraces cast those chains on her? 

[Faust looks wUdly round. 
Wilt grasp the thunder? Lucky thou canst not. 

Faust. She shall be free ! 

Mephistopheles. O maudlin murderer, 

Weep over thy victim sentimental tears! 

Faust. Free her — or 

Mephistopheles. Gently 1 1 will watch without 
And keep the jailer mazed in a deep sleep, 
But not for long 1 Drag her away with thee. 
The magic steeds are ready. Quick! 

Faust. Begone ! 

[Eocit Mephistopheles. 

[Faust approaches Margaret, who starts up 

dishevelled, 
o 



194 FAUST ACT IV 

Margaret. Oh, they are come for mel O 

death of deaths 1 
Faust. Margaret! I have come to set thee 
free once more. 
Come, let us fly — give me your hand, come, come. 
Margaret. [Looking at him,] Who art thou ? 
Oh, it is not Morning yet. 
Sir, let me live till dawn ! And I am still 
So young, and fair, but that was my undoing. 
[Faust seizes the chains^ endeavouring to un- 
lock them. 
What have I done to thee ? Use me not roughly ! 
Faust. Margaret, look on me! I am thy 

lover. 
Margaret. [Looking earnestly at him,] I ne'er 
saw thee before in all my life. 



sc. II FAUST 195 

I had a lover, but he's far away. 
Love, did I weary thee? 

Faust. Can I outlive 

These stabbing words? 

Margaret. Ah, let me suckle first 

My baby : but they've taken it away, 
And they sing songs about me in the street. 
They should not do it. 

Faust. I love thee for ever. 

Margaret. See, he is coming ! The evil one : 
Hell heaves 
In thunder — see, he makes towards his prey. 

Faust. Margaret ! 

Margaret. Ah, that was my lover's voice. 

Margaret! So now in the howl of Hell 
Still on his bosom I shall lie again. 



196 FAUST ACT IV 

'Tis he! The garden once again I see 

Where thou and I walked up and down in bliss. 

Faust. [Struggling with her. 

Come! Come awayl 

Margaret. Dost thou not care to kiss me? 
Once didst thou kiss as thou would'st stifle me. 

Faust. Follow me, darling — oh, delay no 
more! 

Margaret. But is it thou, thou surely? 

Faust. It is I. 

Come, come away ! 

Margaret. My mother I have killed 

But out of love for thee ! • 

Faust. Can I endure? 

Margaret. The baby too, our baby, I have 
drowned. 



sc. II FAUST 197 

Faust. Oh, swiftly, swiftly I the night vanishes. 
Margaret. It tries to rise, it struggles still; 

quick, seize it. 
Faust. One step and thou art free: I must 
use force. 

[He seizes her to bear her away, 
Margaret. Oh, grasp me not so miurderously, sir. 
Faust. Day ! day is dawning. 
Margaret. Yes, 'tis the last day. 

Hark to the crowd ! They push me to the block : 
Now o'er each neck the blade is quivering 
That quivers over mine! Dumb lies the world. 

[She falls hack on his arm, 
Faust. God! She is dying! I shall never 
free her. 

[Mephistopheles eniers quickly. 



198 FAUST ACT IV 

Mephistopheles. Fast, fast 1 to all love-mak- 
ing put an end, 
My coursers shiver in the morning air. 
Awayl 

Faust. No! She is dying: cold she 
grows. 

Mephistopheles. Leave her if she is cold: 
no moment more. 

Faust. I will not — cannot Margaret! 

Margaret ! 

Mephistopheles. Would'st thou die with her? 

Faust. I can leave her not. 

Mephistopheles. The living wait thee I Stay 
not by the dead I 

Faust. Leave me ! I go not ! 

Mephistopheles. Come to fresher faces, 



sc. II FAUST 199 

Others have warm blood still. 

[Margaret dies, 
Faust. Ah ! she is dead ! 

No motion : chill all o'er ! 
Mephistopheles. Faust, wilt thou come? 

Faust. Never ! 
Mephistopheles. Farewell then 1 

\Exit Mephistopheles. 
[Faust lays her reverenUy on the bed, composing 

her limbs, 
Faust. I with thee must die. 

For I am fainting with thy faintness, I 
Am going with thee fast. I ebb and sink 
After thee, and my blood thy blood pursues. 
Hath thy heart stopped? Mine slow and slower 
beats. 



20O FAUST ACT IV 

Still is thy pulse ? My pulse is faltering ! 
Wherever thou goest I with thee shall go, 
Whether thou catch me into highest Heaven, 
Or I involve thee in the lowest Hell. 
Margaret, Margaret ! after thee I come 
And rush behind thee in thy headlong flight. 
Dim grows the world. 

[Mephistopheles appears in the dress he 
wore in the Prologue, 

Is this the fllm of death? 
Do I behold thee, Mephistopheles, 
Or some superior angel? Now no more 
The sneering smile and jaunty step I see; 
I feel that thou art Evil yet dost wear 
EviPs auguster immortality. 
Say wherefore art thou come ? 



sc. u FAUST 20I 

Mephistopheles. Remember, Faust, 

Thy compact. Though it pleased me to take on 
A lighter shape more easily to liure thee, 
Yet know I am that Spirit who rebelled. 
With whom a million angels mutinied. 
Behold the thunder-scar and withered cheek ! 
With me, then, was thy holy compact signed. 
Faust. Though I should die yet thou canst 
fright me not. 
Even from thy lips shall I believe the tale 
Of biuning coals and everlasting fire 
And all the windy jargon of the priests? 
Mephistopheles. Far other is that Hell where 
thou shalt live. 
As I did serve thee faithfully on earth, 
Thou faithfully shalt serve me after death. 



ao2 FAUST ACTiv 

Listen! On dreadful errands shalt thou go, 
On journeys fraught with mischief to the soul; 
Shalt be a whisperer in the maiden's ears, 
Drawing her to defilement — shalt persuade 
The desperate to self-slaughter, thou shalt guide 
The murderer to his work, thou shalt instil 
Into the child its first polluting thought. 
And bring to the world's apple many an Eve. 
In taverns shalt thou drink invisibly 
Urging the drinkers on, and thou shalt walk 
With painted women to and fro the streets. 
So, Faust, shalt thy eternity be spent 
Seducing and polluting human souls, 
Purveying anguish, madness, through the world. 
This was thy compact: this shalt thou fulfil. 
Faust. Horrible! horrible! Yet do I defy thee. 



sen FAUST 203 

Hast thou fulfilled thy promise, brought an hour — 
A single hoiu: — to which I could cry "Stay, 
Thou art so fair" ? 

Mephistopheles. That hour shall come; 
My service is not ended. Countless years 
Are left thee yet ere life's full cup be drained. 
Up, then, and on ! 

Faust. Weary and stale the life 

Thou gavest me; from pleasure hurled to pleasure, 
And evermore satiety and hate. 
Weary and stale is all that's yet to come. 
Though countless years, chained ever at thy side. 
Be still my doom, my spirit newly winged 
Outspeeds the flight of time. That flower I 

crushed 
And trod beneath my feet, see where it springs 



204 FAUST ACT IV 

And blooms again in Heaven's serener air. 
Beyond the night I see the final dawn 
Wherein from out that ruin I have wrought, 
Purged at the last, my soul shall win its way 
Whither her soul hath sped. The laggard years. 
That chain me prisoner to this desert earth, 
Though in their simi they should consume all 

time, 
Were all too short for what is left to do. 
Up, then, and on ! I shall abide the end; 
Still I fight upward, battle to the skies, 
And still I soar for ever after her. 
I shall go past thee, Mephistopheles, 
For ever upward to the woman soul! 
How long? How long? 

[Rolling clouds ascend, obscuring the stage. 



sen FAUST 205 

until the First Scene, the neutral mountains, 
is discovered again. During the change a 
Chorus of invisible Angels is heard from 
above. 

Chorus 
All the unnumbered years of man 

Count not against thy larger day 
That flushed and dawned ere time began, 

And still runs radiant on its way. 

Onward and on in ceaseless flight 

The rolling centuries race by, 
Onward to where thy torches light 

The threshold of Eternity. 

[When the scene is fully revealed, Margaret 
is seen lying robed in white at the feet of 



2o6 FAUST ACT IV 

Raphael, the Other Angels attending, 
Mephistopheles remains below. 
Mephistopheles. Lo ! on this neutral ground 
I reappear 
To claim of the Most High the soul of Faust. 
Is not the wager won? Have I not drawn 
A high aspiring spirit from his height, 
Plunged it at will in lust and wantonness ? 
Hath not this servant of the King of Heaven, 
This famous Doctor, proud philosopher. 
Seduced a maiden to a grave of shame. 
To drug her Mother, and to drown her Child? 
While he with his own hand her Brother slew? 
Have I not now reclaimed a soul for night? 
Have I not now the great world wager won? 
Answer !