MEPHISTOPHELES

Now forth at once! thou dar’st not rest.

WITCH

And much, sir, may the liquor profit you!

MEPHISTOPHELES (to the WITCH)

And if to pleasure thee I aught can do,
Pray on Walpurgis mention thy request.

WITCH

Here is a song, sung o’er, sometimes you’ll see,
That ’twill a singular effect produce.

MEPHISTOPHELES (to FAUST)

Come, quick, and let thyself be led by me;
Thou must perspire, in order that the juice
Thy frame may penetrate through every part. 
Then noble idleness I thee will teach to prize,
And soon with ecstasy thou’lt recognize
How Cupid stirs and gambols in thy heart.

FAUST

Let me but gaze one moment in the glass! 
Too lovely was that female form!

MEPHISTOPHELES

Nay! nay! 
A model which all women shall surpass,
In flesh and blood ere long thou shalt survey.
(Aside.)
As works the draught, thou presently shalt greet
A Helen in each woman thou dost meet.

A STREET

FAUST (MARGARET passing by).

FAUST

Fair lady, may I thus make free
To offer you my arm and company?

MARGARET

I am no lady, am not fair,
Can without escort home repair.
[She disengages herself and exit.]

FAUST

By heaven!  This girl is fair indeed! 
No form like hers can I recall. 
Virtue she hath, and modest heed,
Is piquant too, and sharp withal. 
Her cheek’s soft light, her rosy lips,
No length of time will e’er eclipse! 
Her downward glance in passing by,
Deep in my heart is stamp’d for aye;
How curt and sharp her answer too,
To ecstasy the feeling grew!

[MEPHISTOPHELES enters.]

FAUST

This girl must win for me!  Dost hear?

MEPHISTOPHELES

Which?

FAUST

She who but now passed.

MEPHISTOPHELES

What!  She? 
She from confession cometh here,
From every sin absolved and free;
I crept near the confessor’s chair. 
All innocence her virgin soul,
For next to nothing went she there;
O’er such as she I’ve no control!

[Illustration:  MARGARET From the Painting by Wilhelm von Kaulbach]