SCENE VIII.
Mephistopheles, Faust, and the before-named.
Mep. (making a profound bow). Tell me, I pray, are you Martha Schwerlein?
Mart. Sir, I am!
Mep. Pray pardon me, If thus I venture to present myself. (Aside, to Faust.) You see your presents Are right graciously received.
(To Martha.)
Are you, then, Martha Schwerlein?
Mart. Sir, I am.
Mep. The news I bring Is of an unpleasant kind: Your much-loved spouse is dead, And sends you greeting.
Mart. Great heaven!
Mar. Why, what has happened?
Mep. Stuff!
(Marguerite hastily takes off the jewels, and is about to replace them in the casket.)
Mart. Oh woe! oh, unexpected news!
Mar. (aside). How beats my heart Now he is near!
Faust (aside). The fever of my love Is lull'd when at her side!
Mep. (to Martha). Your much-loved spouse is dead, And sends you greeting!
Mart. (to Mephistopheles). Sent he nothing else to me?
Mep. (to Martha). No. We'll punish him for't; Upon this very day We'll find him a successor.
Faust (to Marguerite). Wherefore lay aside these jewels?
Mar. (to Faust). Jewels are not made for me; 'Tis meet I leave them where they are.
Mep. (to Martha). Who would not gladly unto You present the wedding-ring?
Mart. (aside). Indeed! (to Mephistopheles). You think so?
Mep. (sighing). Ah me! ah, cruel fate!
Faust (to Marguerite) Pray lean upon mine arm!
Mar. (retiring). Leave me, I humbly pray!
Mep. (offering his arm to Martha). Take mine!
Mart. (aside). In sooth, a comely knight! (taking his arm.)
Mep. (aside). The dame is somewhat tough!
(Marguerite yields her arm to Faust, and withdraws with him.
Mephistopheles and Martha remain together.)
Mart. And so you are always traveling!
Mep. A hard necessity it is, madame! Alone and loveless. Ah!
Mart. In youth it matters not so much, But in late years 'tis sad indeed! Right melancholy it is in solitude Our olden age to pass!
Mep. The very thought doth make me shudder. But still, alas! what can I do?
Mart. If I were you, I'd not delay, But think on't seriously at once.
Mep. I'll think on't!
Mart. At once and seriously!
(They withdraw.) (Faust and Marguerite re-enter.)
Faust. Art always thus alone?
Mar. My brother is at the wars, My mother dear is dead! By misadventure, too, My dear sister have I lost. Dear sister mine! My greatest happiness was she. Sad sorrows these; When our souls with love are filled, Death tears the loved one from us! At morn, no sooner did she wake, Than I was always at her side! The darling of my life was she! To see her once again, I'd gladly suffer all.
Faust. If heaven, in joyous mood, Did make her like to thee, An angel must she indeed have been!
Mar. Thou mock'st me!
Faust. Nay, I do love thee!
Mar. (sighing). Flatterer! thou mock'st me! I believe thee not! thou seekest to deceive. No longer will I stay, thy words to hear.
Faust (to Marguerite). Nay, I do love thee! Stay, oh stay! Heaven hath with an angel crown'd my path. Why fear'st thou to listen? It is my heart that speaks.
(Re-enter Mephistopheles and Martha.)
Mart. (to Mephistopheles). Of what now are you thinking? You heed me not—perchance you mock me. Now list to what I say.— You really must not leave us thus!
Mep. (to Martha). Ah, chide me not, if my wanderings I resume. Suspect me not; to roam I am compelled! Need I attest how gladly I remain. I hear but thee alone.
(Night comes on.)
Mar. (to Faust). It grows dark,—you must away.
Faust (embracing her). My loved one!
Mar. Ah! no more! (Escapes.)
Faust. Ah, cruel one, would'st fly? (Pursuing her.)
Mep. (aside, whilst Martha angrily turns her back to him). The matter's getting serious, I must away.
(Conceals himself behind a tree.)
Mart. (aside). What's to be done? he's gone! What ho, good sir! (Retires.)
Mep. Yes, seek for me—that's right! I really do believe The aged beldame would Actually have married Satan!
Faust (without). Marguerite!
Mart. (without). Good sir!
Mep. Your servant!