MEPHISTOPHELES

Flown up the alley yonder,
The wilful summer-birds!

MARTHA

He seems of her still fonder.

MEPHISTOPHELES

And she of him.  So runs the world away!

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

XIII

A GARDEN-ARBOR

(MARGARET comes in, conceals herself behind the door, puts her finger to her lips, and peeps through the crack.)

MARGARET

He comes!

FAUST (entering)

Ah, rogue! a tease thou art: 
I have thee!
(He kisses her.)

MARGARET

(clasping him, and returning the kiss)
             Dearest man!  I love thee from my heart.

(MEPHISTOPHELES knocks)

FAUST (stamping his foot)

Who’s there?

MEPHISTOPHELES

A friend!

FAUST

A beast!

MEPHISTOPHELES

Tis time to separate.

MARTHA (coming)

Yes, Sir, ’tis late.

FAUST

May I not, then, upon you wait?

MARGARET
My mother would—­farewell!

FAUST

Ah, can I not remain? 
Farewell!

MARTHA

Adieu!

MARGARET

And soon to meet again!

[Exeunt FAUST and MEPHISTOPHELES.

MARGARET

Dear God!  However is it, such
A man can think and know so much? 
I stand ashamed and in amaze,
And answer “Yes” to all he says,
A poor, unknowing child! and he—­
I can’t think what he finds in me! [Exit.

[Illustration]

XIV

FOREST AND CAVERN

FAUST (solus)

Spirit sublime, thou gav’st me, gav’st me all
For which I prayed.  Not unto me in vain
Hast thou thy countenance revealed in fire. 
Thou gav’st me Nature as a kingdom grand,
With power to feel and to enjoy it.  Thou
Not only cold, amazed acquaintance yield’st,
But grantest, that in her profoundest breast
I gaze, as in the bosom of a friend. 
The ranks of living creatures thou dost lead
Before me, teaching me to know my brothers
In air and water and the silent wood. 
And when the storm in forests roars and grinds,
The giant firs, in falling, neighbor boughs