 | Faust |  |
Scene I.
—Nuremberg. Margaret's Chamber. Twilight.Enter Mephistopheles and Faust.
Mephis.
Come in, tread softly; this is the dove's nest.
Faust.
Leave me.
Mephis.
I will.
None shall disturb thy saintly vigil.
My spell is on the house till I come back;
[Looking round the room]
Humph!
It is not every girl keeps things so neat.
[Exit.
Faust.
Sweet holy twilight, welcome! 'Tis the shrine
And sanctuary of spotless girlhood.
What peace and order!
What calm content reigns all around her chamber!
In this neat poverty there is a wealth,
In this small room, a maiden majesty!
Dear hand, which leaves its charm on these dull things,
And lends this lowly home the light of heaven.
Enter Mephistopheles.
Mephis.
Quick, quick, she's coming to the door.
Faust.
Aye, hence, and never more will I return!
Mephis.
Why, what a virtuous outburst!—
Here is the casket which I've brought.
Faust.
Brought what?
Mephis.
Some toasted cheese to catch a little mouse.
Quick, place it in the trap—pale pearls, bright diamonds.
I've been to fetch 'em—from—elsewhere.
19
I know not. Shall I?
Mephis.
Oh, shall you? Would you keep the trash yourself?
I hope you are not growing avaricious!
[Puts casket in press.
Faust.
She's here!
Mephis.
Come, come away. Aye, child is child, and play is play.
[Exeunt.
Enter Margaret with lamp.
Mar.
It seems so close, so sultry here, yet in the garden
The air was chilly. [Opens window.]
I feel strange and nervous.
'Tis mine own chamber—what should frighten me?
[Goes to a little statue of Virgin, and crosses herself.
From all things evil, holy mother, guard me!—
Why do I still keep thinking, thinking, thinking?
He was so handsome, manly, confident.
His boldness had a charm, a grace in it,
That proved distinction.
But when I checked him, in an angry tone,
How he submitted, with a silent bow,
And with an air respectful and yet sad.
I might have answered him with gentleness,
And so have spared myself from this regret.
He is a stranger—we'll not meet again.
Heigh ho! I know not why, but I feel sad.
[Singing.
“There was a king in Thulé,
Was faithful to the grave;
To whom his dying true-love
A golden goblet gave.
And when his days were ending,
His township o'er he told,
Gave all to his successors—
Gave not a cup of gold.
Aloft at the regal banquet,
Among his knights sat he,
All in the halls of his fathers
In the castle by the sea.”
[Opens the press to put away things, and discovers
the casket.
Was faithful to the grave;
To whom his dying true-love
A golden goblet gave.
And when his days were ending,
His township o'er he told,
Gave all to his successors—
Gave not a cup of gold.
Aloft at the regal banquet,
20
All in the halls of his fathers
In the castle by the sea.”
What's here! An inlaid casket! I'm sure I locked the press.
It must be fancy. Nay! a beauteous casket:
I feel it, it is real!
Why, how could it come here?
Sure such a shell must hide some lovely kernel;
And see! a ribbon, and a little key.
I'm trembling at the thought of opening it.
Yet I must take a peep. Would that be wrong?
If I do not I shall die of curiosity.
Heavens, what a blaze!
Oh!—oh!—never, never have I seen trinkets and jewels like to these!
[Mephistopheles peeps in.
They are quite wonderful!
Those pearls of moonlight, and those starry diamonds!
I wonder how this chain would look on me.
Mephis
[Aside].
She takes the bait—all women are alike!
Mar.
I almost feel afraid to touch it!
Oh, beautiful! how beautiful!
The earrings, too! oh, if they were but mine!
Whose can they be? they'd grace a duchess or a queen.
How do I look; I wonder?
Mephis
[Aside].
Bewitching! The best card in all my hand.
[Exit.
Mar.
How strange they make one!
They give one quite a different air.
A thought! perhaps 'twas he—
That noble he—who left them here!
I feel my head half wild with pride and pleasure.
No, no, he cannot think of a poor girl like me!
I wonder shall we ever meet again?
21
Ever grow dreamful and disturbed?
| Faust | |