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promenades； what jaunts there were； To dancing booth and village fair！ The
first she everywhere must shine； He always treating her to pastry and to wine
Of her good looks she was so vain； So shameless too； that to retain His
presents； she did not disdain； Sweet words and kisses came anon And then
the virgin flower was gone。
Margaret
Poor thing！
Bessy
Forsooth dost pity her？ At night； when at our wheels we sat； Abroad our
mothers ne'er would let us stir。 Then with her lover she must chat； Or on the
bench or in the dusky walk； Thinking the hours too brief for their sweet talk；
Her proud head she will have to bow； And in white sheet do penance now！
Margaret
But he will surely marry her？
Bessy
Not he！ He won't be such a fool！ a gallant lad Like him； can roam o'er land
and sea； Besides； he's off。
Margaret
That is not fair！
Bessy
If she should get him； 'twere almost as bad！ Her myrtle wreath the boys
would tear； And then we girls would plagued her too； For we chopp'd straw
before her door would strew！
（Exit。）
Margaret （walking towards home）
How stoutly once I could inveigh； If a poor maiden went astray； Not words
enough my tongue could find； 'Gainst others' sin to speak my mind！ Black as it
seemed； I blacken'd it still more； And strove to make it blacker than before。
And did myself securely bless Now my own trespass doth appear！ Yet ah！ …
what urg'd me to transgress； God knows； it was so sweet； so dear！
Zwinger
Enclosure between the City … wall and the Gate。
（In the niche of the wall a devotional image of the Mater dolorosa； with flower
… pots before it）
Margaret （putting fresh flowers in the pots）
Ah； rich in sorrow； thou； Stoop thy maternal brow； And mark with pitying eye
my misery！ The sword in thy pierced heart； Thou dost with bitter smart； Gaze
upwards on thy Son's death agony。 To the dear God on high； Ascends thy
piteous sigh； Pleading for his and thy sore misery。 Ah； who can know The
torturing woe； The pangs that rack me to the bone？ How my poor heart；
without relief； Trembles and throbs； its yearning grief Thou knowest； thou
alone！ Ah； wheresoe'er I go； With woe； with woe； with woe； My anguish'd
breast is aching！ When all alone I creep； I weep； I weep； I weep； Alas！ my
heart is breaking！ The flower…pots at my window Were wet with tears of
mine； The while I pluck'd these blossoms； At dawn to deck thy shrine！ When
early in my chamber Shone bright the rising morn； I sat there on my pallet； My
heart with anguish torn。 Help！ from disgrace and death deliver me！ Ah！ rich in
sorrow； thou； Stoop thy maternal brow； And mark with pitying eye my
misery！
Night。 Street Before Margaret's Door
Valentine （a soldier； Margaret's brother）
When seated 'mong the jovial crowd； Where merry comrades boasting loud
Each named with pride his favourite lass； And in her honour drain'd his glass；
Upon my elbows I would lean； With easy quiet view the scene； Nor give my
tongue the rein until Each swaggering blade had talked his fill。 Then smiling I
my beard would stroke； The while； with brimming glass； I spoke； 〃Each to his
taste！ … but to my mind； Where in the country will you find； A maid； as my
dear Gretchen fair； Who with my sister can compare？〃 Cling！ Clang！ so rang
the jovial sound！ Shouts of assent went circling round； Pride of her sex is she！
… cried some； Then were the noisy boasters dumb。
And now！ … I could tear out my hair； Or dash my brains out in despair！ Me
every scurvy knave may twit； With stinging jest and taunting sneer！ Like
skulking debtor I must sit； And sweat each casual word to hear！ And though I
smash'd them one and all； Yet them I could not liars call。
Who comes this way？ who's sneaking here？ If I mistake not； two draw near。
If he be one； have at him； … well I wot Alive he shall not leave this spot！
Faust。 Mephistopheles
Faust
How from yon sacristy； athwart the night； Its beams the ever … burning taper
throws； While ever waning； fades the glimmering light； As gathering darkness
doth around it close！ So night … like gloom doth in my bosom reign。
Mephistopheles
I'm like a tom … cat in a thievish vein； That up fire … ladders tall and steep； And
round the walls doth slyly creep； Virtuous withal； I feel； with； I confess； A
touch of thievish joy and wantonness。 Thus through my limbs already burns
The glorious Walpurgis night！ After to … morrow it returns； Then why one
wakes； one knows aright！
Faust
Meanwhile； the treasure I see glimmering there； Will it ascend into the open
air？
Mephistopheles
Ere long thou wilt proceed with pleasure； To raise the casket with its treasure；
I took a peep； therein are stored； Of lion … dollars a rich hoard。
Faust
And not a trinket？ not a ring？ Wherewith my lovely girl to deck？
Mephistopheles
I saw among them some such thing； A string of pearls to grace her neck。
Faust
'Tis well！ I'm always loath to go； Without some gift my love to show。
Mephistopheles
Some pleasures gratis to enjoy； Should surely cause you no annoy。 While
bright with stars the heavens appear； I'll sing a masterpiece of art： A moral
song shall charm her ear； More surely to beguile her heart。
（Sings to the guitar。）
Kathrina say； Why lingering stay At dawn of day Before your lover's door？
Maiden； beware； Nor enter there； Lest forth you fare； A maiden never more。
Maiden take heed！ Reck well my rede！ Is't done； the deed？ Good night； you
poor； poor thing！ The spoiler's lies； His arts despise； Nor yield your prize；
Without the marriage ring！
Valentine （steps forward）
Whom are you luring here？ I'll give it you！ Accursed rat … catchers； your
strains I'll end！ First； to the devil the guitar I'll send！ Then to the devil with the
singer too！
Mephistopheles
The poor guitar！ 'tis done for now。
Valentine
Your skull shall follow next； I trow！
Mephistopheles （to Faust）
Doctor； stand fast！ your strength collect！ Be prompt； and do as I direct。 Out
with your whisk； keep close； I pray； I'll parry！ do you thrust away！
Valentine
Then parry that！
Mephistopheles
Why not？
Valentine
That too！
Mephistopheles
With ease！
Valentine
The devil fights for you！ Why how is this？ my hand's already lamed！
Mephistopheles （to Faust）
Thrust home！
Valentine （falls）
Alas！
Mephistopheles
There！ Now the lubber's tamed！ But quick； away！ We must at once take
wing； A cry of murder strikes upon the ear； With the police I know my course
to steer； But with the blood … ban 'tis another thing。
Martha （at the window）
Without！ without！
Margaret （at the window）
Quick； bring a light！
Martha （as above）
They rail and scuffle； scream and fight！
People
One lieth here already dead！
Martha （coming out）
Where are the murderers？ are they fled？
Margaret （coming out）
Who lieth here？
People
Thy mother's son。
Margaret
Almighty God！ I