 | Faust |  |
74
SCENE V
Scene.—An interval, during which the orchestra plays a stormy melody, gradually subsiding and ending in a peaceful strain reminiscent of the Chorus of Easter Angels which in Act I. prevented Faust from taking his life. The Curtain then rises on a desolate scene of strewn boulders, black pines, and a lurid sun setting.[Faust is discovered lying prone on the earth: slowly he raises himself.
Faust.
Spirit Sublime! thou hast given me what I asked.
Hither have I retired to Nature's breast
To ease me of this fever. Here to lose
Mid air and water and the silent wood
My wild unrest. Whatever stirs the bush
Or wings the air or troubles the dark pool,
With these am I acquainted. Thou hast given
No cold amazéd knowledge of thyself,
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Alas! yet nothing perfect comes to man!
Thou hast assigned me as a comrade one
Who cancels with a sneer thy loving-kindness
And ever fans within my heart a flame
Unwearied for one fair, delicious form.
I fly from her, but ever would return.
Enter Mephistopheles
Mephistopheles.
Have you not led this life now long enough?
The wilderness awhile, but not for ever.
Faust.
Find other work: to plague me thou returnest.
Mephistopheles.
Thou sitt'st here like an owl: or like a toad
From sodden moss thy nourishment deriving.
Faust.
I find a pleasure in the wilderness.
Mephistopheles.
Enough of this! Yonder, alone, she sits;
Her thoughts and yearnings all go out to thee,
And miserably long the hours delay.
She haunts her window, pacing to and fro,
Watching the clouds roll off the city wall.
Now she is lively, but more often sad—
Sad, sad and mad for thee.
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Serpent, be still!
Mephistopheles.
Ah! do I trap thee now?
Faust.
Bring not again
Desire of that white bosom to my mind.
I envy even the body of the Lord
When touched by her sweet lips.
Mephistopheles.
Back to her then!
Faust.
No! no! I will no more assail her peace;
She shall return to her old simple life,
Take up again the tranquil tasks of home.
Mephistopheles.
Fool! She shall ne'er recover that old peace;
She cannot now return to simple tasks.
Faust.
Cannot?
Mephistopheles.
She hath seen thee.
Faust.
Am I so vile
That sight of me hath shattered all her peace?
Mephistopheles.
Thou art her only peace: return to her;
Never can she be glad but on thy breast.
Faust.
All this may be; but I'll return no more.
If I have troubled so her serene days,
I trouble them no more. Have I disturbed
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I leave her.
Mephistopheles.
Leave her now? Is that quite fair?
You bring the trouble, then refuse to ease it.
Go back to her.
Faust.
What wouldst thou have me do?
Mephistopheles.
Finish what is begun.
Faust.
Away, thou pimp!
I'll not seduce her body and her soul!
Mephistopheles.
Her soul thou hast seduced—why hang on here?
She is no longer virgin in her thoughts,
Thou hast corrupted every wandering whim.
Think you she lieth now so still of nights?
She turns in darkness to the form of thee
And round thy image throws her burning arms.
What is the body's touch between you two?
Now her imagination is deflowered:
Thou hast defiled her, Faust, for evermore.
Faust.
Ah no! Ah no!
Mephistopheles.
The only recompense
Is now to sate the craving thou hast waked;
To-night!
Faust.
To-night!
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Aye, sir, the silvering moon
Heralds the dawn of love. Yet have a care!
Her mother sleeps but lightly! This shall serve
To smooth her restless pillow.
Faust.
[Taking phial.]
What is here?
Mephistopheles.
A sweet decoction that shall swiftly link
Sunset and dawn in one.
Faust.
Not poison?
Mephistopheles.
No!
Sleep is no poison though it last for ever.
Faust.
Then let us both in ruin fall together,
And one damnation quickly seize us both.
Mephistopheles.
Now Hell seethes up in her again. Away
Into her room, and leave it not till dawn.
| Faust | |