SCENE I.
Marguerite's Garden.
(At the back a wall, with a little door. To the left a bower. On the right a pavilion, with a window facing the audience. Trees, shrubs, etc.)
Siebel, alone. (He enters through the little door at the back, and stops on the threshold of the pavilion, near a group of roses and lilies.)
Sie. I. Gently whisper to her of love, dear flow'r; Tell her that I adore her, And for me, oh, implore her, For my heart feels alone for her love's pow'r.
Say in sighing I languish, That for her, in my anguish, Beats alone, dearest flow'r, My aching heart. (Plucks flowers.)
Alas! they are wither'd! (Throws them away.) Can the accursed wizard's words be true? (Plucks another flower, which, on touching his hand, immediately withers.) "Thou shalt ne'er touch flower again But it shall wither!" I'll bathe my hand in holy water!
(Approaches the pavilion, and dips his fingers in a little font suspended to the wall.)
When day declines, Marguerite hither Comes to pray, so we'll try again. (Plucks more flowers.) Are they wither'd? No! Satan, thou art conquer'd!
II. In these flowers alone I've faith, For they will plead for me; To her they will reveal My hapless state. The sole cause of my woe is she, And yet she knows it not. But in these flowers I've faith, For they will plead for me.
(Plucks flowers in order to make a bouquet, and disappears amongst the shrubs.)