Mephistopheles. Hast thou done?
Faust. Rescue her! O woe be unto thee! The most horrible curse on thee for thousands of years!
Mephistopheles. I cannot loose the bonds of the avenger, nor open his bolts.—Rescue her!—Who was it that plunged her into ruin? I or thou? [FAUST looks wildly round.] Grasp'st thou after the thunder? Well that it was not given to you miserable mortals! To crush an innocent respondent, that is a sort of tyrant's-way of getting room to breathe in embarrassment.
Faust. Lead me to her! She shall be free!
Mephistopheles. And the danger which thou incurrest? Know that the guilt of blood at thy hand still lies upon the town. Over the place of the slain, avenging spirits hover and lurk for the returning murderer.
Faust. That, too, from thee? Murder and death of a world upon thee, monster! Lead me thither, I say, and free her!
Mephistopheles. I will lead thee, and hear what I can do! Have I all power in heaven and on earth? I will becloud the turnkey's senses; possess thyself of the keys, and bear her out with human hand. I will watch! The magic horses shall be ready, and I will bear you away. So much I can do.
Faust. Up and away!
NIGHT. OPEN FIELD.
FAUST. MEPHISTOPHELES. Scudding along on black horses.