I knew it not! thou knowest I knew it not!
Faus. (kneeling over her). Gretchen, in Heaven’s eyes I am no priest—
Apostate, if thou wilt; but still no priest.
If there be power in boundless love to heal
The wound that I have opened in thy heart,
That boundless love is thine.
Gret. (clinging to cross, and shrinking from him). Thou art a priest;
Thou hast a Bride—thy Church! Thy vows are plighted,
And thou hast cheated her! Away! away!
Lose not a moment—get thee hence to her—