FAUST

She’s past fourteen.

MEPHISTOPHELES
 You really talk
Like any gay Lothario,
Who every floweret from its stalk
Would pluck, and deems nor grace, nor truth,
Secure against his arts, forsooth! 
This ne’er the less won’t always do.

FAUST

Sir Moralizer, prithee, pause;
Nor plague me with your tiresome laws! 
To cut the matter short, my friend,
She must this very night be mine,—­
And if to help me you decline,
Midnight shall see our compact end.

MEPHISTOPHELES

What may occur just bear in mind! 
A fortnight’s space, at least, I need,
A fit occasion but to find.

FAUST

With but seven hours I could succeed;
Nor should I want the devil’s wile,
So young a creature to beguile.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Like any Frenchman now you speak,
But do not fret, I pray; why seek
To hurry to enjoyment straight? 
The pleasure is not half so great,
As when at first, around, above,
With all the fooleries of love,
The puppet you can knead and mold
As in Italian story oft is told.

FAUST

No such incentives, do I need.

MEPHISTOPHELES

But now, without offence or jest! 
You cannot quickly, I protest,
In winning this sweet child succeed. 
By storm we cannot take the fort,
To stratagem we must resort.

FAUST

Conduct me to her place of rest! 
Some token of the angel bring! 
A kerchief from her snowy breast,
A garter bring me—­any thing!

MEPHISTOPHELES

That I my anxious zeal may prove,
Your pangs to soothe and aid your love,
A single moment will we not delay,
Will lead you to her room this very day.

FAUST

And shall I see her?—­Have her?

MEPHISTOPHELES
 No! 
She to a neighbor’s house will go;
But in her atmosphere alone
The tedious hours meanwhile you may employ
In blissful dreams of future joy.

FAUST

Can we go now?

MEPHISTOPHELES

’Tis yet too soon.

FAUST

Some present for my love procure! [Exit.]

MEPHISTOPHELES

Presents so soon! ’tis well! success is sure! 
Full many a goodly place I know,
And treasures buried long ago;
I must a bit o’erlook them now. [Exit.]