SCENE II.
Faust and Mephistopheles.
Mep. (suddenly appearing). Here am I! So, I surprise you? Satan, Sir, at your service! A sword at my side; on my hat a gay feather;— A cloak o'er my shoulder; and altogether, Why, gotten up quite in the fashion! (Briskly.) But come, Doctor Faust, what is your will? Behold! Speak! Are you afraid of me?
Faust. No.
Mep. Do you doubt my power?
Faust. Perhaps.
Mep. Prove it, then.
Faust. Begone!
Mep. Fie! Fie! Is this your politeness! But learn, my friend, that with Satan One should conduct in a different way. I've entered your door with infinite trouble. Would you kick me out the very same day?
Faust. Then what will you do for me?
Mep. Anything in the world! All things. But Say first what you would have. Abundance of gold?
Faust. And what can I do with riches?
Mep. Good. I see where the shoe pinches. You will have glory.
Faust. Still wrong.
Mep. Power, then.
Faust. No. I would have a treasure Which contains all. I wish for youth. Oh! I would have pleasure, And love, and caresses, For youth is the season When joy most impresses. One round of enjoyment, One scene of delight, Should be my employment From day-dawn till night. Oh, I would have pleasure, And love, and caresses; If youth you restore me, My joys I'll renew!
Mep. 'Tis well—all thou desirest I can give thee.
Faust. Ah! but what must I give in return?
Mep. 'Tis but little: In this world I will be thy slave, But down below thou must be mine.
Faust. Below!
Mep. Below. (Unfolding a scroll.) Come, write. What! does thy hand tremble? Whence this dire trepidation? 'Tis youth that now awaits thee—Behold!
(At a sign from Mephistopheles, the scene opens and discloses Marguerite, spinning.)
Faust. Oh, wonder!
Mep. Well, how do you like it?
(Taking parchment.)
Faust. Give me the scroll!
(Signs.)
Mep. Come on then! And now, master, (Taking cup from the table.) I invite thee to empty a cup, In which there is neither poison nor death, But young and vigorous life.
Faust. (Taking cup and turning toward Marguerite.) O beautiful, adorable vision! I drink to thee!
(He drinks the contents of the cup, and is transformed into a young and handsome man. The vision disappears.)
Mep. Come, then.
Faust. Say, shall I again behold her?
Mep. Most surely!
Faust. When?
Mep. This very day!
Faust. 'Tis well.
Mep. Then let's away.
Both. 'Tis pleasure I covet, 'Tis beauty I crave; I sigh for its kisses, Its love I demand! With ardor unwonted I long now to burn; I sigh for the rapture Of heart and of sense.
(Exeunt. The curtain falls.)