University of Virginia Library

ACT III

SCENE I.

A Room in Faustus' Palace.
Faustus and Mephistophiles.
Meph.
I could be angry with you.

Faus.
Well, be angry.

Meph.
To carry her away, and all for nothing!
From Venice here to Milan!—My back aches for it.
E'en Rosolia, if she be a woman,
Must laugh at such an innocent!

Faus.
The better!

Meph.
Why did you bear her off then?

Faus.
Why? To please
The humour of the moment, the wild whim,
That tickled me, as laughter tickles fools,
They know not wherefore. Plague not me for reasons;
Had I a jot of reason, I'd not use
The devil's company.

Meph.
One comfort still!
Though she be innocent, her fame is gone;
The rest will follow. She will scarcely be
Such perfect fool to bear the plagues of virtue
When all the profit's gone—I mean the name.
But here the fair one comes. I spy a storm.
She'll rate you soundly, doctor; yes, I spy it.
'Tis glimmering in her nose. I wish you joy.
[Exit Mephistophiles.

Faus.
Her eye indeed looks anger—Simple fool!—
I know not why, but in me is a scorn,
A deadly withering scorn, of all that is,
From the mean worm we tread on, to the thing
Nature made last and greatest—wretched man!
I'm weary of it all.

Enter Rosolia.
Ros.
Oh, villain! villain!
What spells, what dev'lish magic, did you use
To witch my better senses?

Faus.
All men, lady,
Use some art with your sex, to win its favour:
Many prevail by wit, and more by titles;
Some sing themselves into a lady's heart;
And some have danc'd their way there; some have done
The feat by a fair person; some, by gold;
But most, by flattery. Now I, indeed,
Us'd none of these: I bore you bravely off,
And you, I know it, love me all the better.

Ros.
I will denounce thee!

Faus.
Will you so, indeed?
Take my advice; be silent!

Ros.
Villain!

Faus.
Woman!

Ros.
I'll have revenge—I will—and such revenge—
If there is law in Milan.

Faus.
Woman still.

Ros.
What! do you mock me, wretch?

Faus.
A little, lady;
Pray you excuse it; we'll be better friends.

Ros.
Unhand me, sorcerer! I will not stay.

Faus.

[Music.—The scene opens and discovers, as in a mirror, the interior of a cemetery, where the body of Enrico lies.
Faus.
Spirits, ye obey me well;
Change again, and at my spell
Show us how they kneel in pray'r,
Monks and lords and ladies fair.

[Music.—The vision changes to the Interior of a Church, where the Count di Casanova, Orsini, &c. appear.
Faus.
Away! Away!
Dull visions, pass!
And on thy magic glass
Show Naples' Bay.

[Music.—The Scene changes to the Bay of Naples. —Continued Music.—Loud knocking at the door—the vision instantly passes away, and the apartment resumes its original appearance. Rosolia starts up.
Faus.
The sound dissolves my spell.

Roso.
Help! Help!

[The door is burst open. An Officer and Soldiers enter.
Off.
You are our prisoner.

Faus.
Art sure of that?

Off.
The Countess Rosolia! I much grieve
A daughter of your house should e'er be found
As I find you.

Faus.
In truth it must be own'd
A parlous meeting for a maiden's fame!
Alone, sir, with a man!—
Fie, lady, fie! I blush for you, indeed.

Ros.
Oh, monstrous villainy! I'll to the king;
He'll right me on thee, sorcerer.

Faus.
Farewell!
[Exit Rosolia.
A shrewd young vixen! Are you married, sir?

Off.
His impudence confounds me!

Faus.
For, if not,
I recommend the lady; crede experto;
She's young, sir, as you see; dark sparkling eyes;
A tolerable brow; her nose indeed
Is somewhat of the shortest; but her tongue—
That's long enough I promise you.

Off.
Do I dream?

Faus.
Oh, marry her—by all means marry her;
I see it by your brow (but that's a secret)
You were ordained a cuckold.

Off.
Seize and bind him!

Faus.
You'll ask my good will first. Ho, Mephistophiles!
Quick! to my rescue! by that word—that word!—
Why, Mephistophiles!

Off.
Thy fiend deserts thee.
Bear him to prison.

[They seize him.
Faus.
Dost thou leave me, fiend?

Off.
As he leaves all who trust him.

Faus.
Dost desert me?
I do implore thee! Mephistophiles!

Off.
Off with him!

Faus.
No; if I must die, I'll die
Here, on this spot, and not by hangman hands.

[He suddenly breaks from them, and, drawing out a pistol, is about to shoot himself, when Mephistophiles appears, and beats down his hand as he fires.
Meph.
Stop, my dear Faustus—not that I object
To this same suicide; I like the deed;
But 'tis not yet your time.

Off.
What being's that?
Whence did he come?

Faus.
Quick! save me, I command thee!

Meph.
So brave, too, on the sudden? I command thee!
Good bye, dear domine!

Faus.
Stay, false one! stay!
Dost thou not fear my power?

Meph.
Try me.

Faus.
Stay!

Music. Faustus seizes the hand of Mephistophiles. Thunder; the Demon sinks.
Faus.
That icy touch has wither'd me. I'm lost!

Off.
Away with him!

Faus.
Nay, sirs; it shall not need;
I am your prisoner—if it must be so;
But keep your base hands from me. I am your's—
This wretched body's your's, and for my soul—
There lies the secret! I shall know it soon.

Off.
You must away.

Faus.
Well, fellow; lead you on—
I shall be free the sooner of your presence.

[The Soldiers bear off Faustus, followed by the Officer.

SCENE II.

Before the Inn, as in Act I.
Enter Grognoso, the Innkeeper, and Brevillo, his Servant.
Bre.

Oh, Master—Master Grognoso, listen to me!

Grog.

Well, Brevillo, what have you to say?

Bre.

I want to be married.

Grog.

To whom?

Bre.

To your daughter Lucetta.

Grog.

You are free and easy.

Bre.

No; I'm free, but not easy—I should be
much easier, were I no longer free; therefore, I wish
to marry, and set up for myself.

Grog.

Set up for yourself, then—who hinders you?
But how dare you set up for my daughter?—you,
who have spread my napkins, opened my bottles, and
cheated my customers for these ten years—how dare
you think of my daughter as a wife?

Bre.

And why not? What have you been but a
napkin-spreader and a bottle-opener yourself? and as
to cheating customers, under whom have I learnt,
pray?—Will you give me your daughter?

Grog.

No; she loves another, and I won't. I'm
for the freedom of the affections. I'm a soft-hearted
father, though I don't look so—I was once a victim
myself to the tender passion.

Bre.

Were you? you're what you look like now,
however.

Grog.

What's that?

Bre.

The butcher of it. I'm going—

Enter Lucetta.
Luc.

Where are you going, Brevillo?

Bre.

To death.

Luc.

A pleasant journey to you.

Grog.

And write when you get there, will you?

Bre.

Wicked wretches!

Grog.

But, in the mean time, hadn't you better go
and see what letters are for the house at the post-office?

Bre.

Your heart's harder than an anvil.

[Exit Brevillo.

Enter Wagner.
Wag.

Father-in-law and Mrs. Wagner elect, I'm
happy to see you. Lucetta, give me a kiss.

Luc.

May I, father?

Grog.

Why he looks as if he may be trusted, and
you look as if you'd like to open an account with him.

Wag.
(Kisses her.)

“Dulce est desipere in loco”
—“'Tis pleasant to kiss where 'tis proper”—but I
must away to Milan.

Luc.

To Milan! what's the matter now?

Wag.

Why there's been the devil to pay in Venice.

Grog.

Then your old master, Faustus, has been
called to account, I'll warrant.

Wag.

He has, pretty lustily; and is likely to be
made pay in full: the Countess Rosolia has been
spirited away to Milan, and there made the victim of
his devilish spells; she's frantic with shame and rage;
he's thrown into a dungeon, and all her friends are
away thither, to urge the king to the utmost severity
against him.

Luc.

And what's become of the poor Lady Adine?

Wag.

Nobody knows. The moment she heard of
Faustus' crimes and danger, she shrieked and fell
senseless; when she recovered, it was but too plain
her brain was bewildered, and in this state she escaped,
and fled, no one knows whither.

Grog.

Poor soul!

Luc.

But why need you go after Faustus to Milan,
Wagner?

Wag.

I've still a sneaking love for him, for old

kindness' sake, and I'd e'en see if I can help him in his
extremity.

Grog.

Good! (Shaking Wagner by the hand.)

Never forsake an old friend, though he be the devil
himself.

Luc.

But how if they should put you in prison for
a conjuror?

Wag.

Look in my face! the inquisitors themselves,
at one glance, would exclaim “Ingenui vultûs puer,”
and swear I was no conjuror.

Re-enter Brevillo.
Bre.

Here are your letters.

Wag.

Who is this little youth?

Grog.

My servant, by name Brevillo.

Wag.

Brief in stature and intellect—he is well nominated.

Grog.

And, moreover, aspires to become my son-in-law.

Wag.
(To Brevillo.)

Why thou imp of a pottle
pot! how darest thou look up to thy master's daughter?
hast any pretensions—eh?

Bre.

Plenty: my own consent, something snug in
my pocket, and a sharp wit to make it more.

Wag.

Hast studied?

Bre.

Yes.

Wag.

What?

Bre.

How to give short measures, and make long
bills.

Wag.

Incipe, didst ask Lucetta's consent?

Luc.

He did; and I said no.

Wag.

And her father's?

Grog.

He did, and I said no.

Wag.

Conclusive—live in peace and die a bachelor.

Bre.

Why perhaps that's the surest way to live in
peace.

QUARTETTE.
Grognoso, Brevillo, Wagner, and Lucetta.
Bre.
A bachelor he may show his cares
A fair pair of heels; but a wife
Is a kind of a clog, or a teazing bur
That sticks to your skirts thro' life.

Wag.
He remembers the fable, the fox and the grapes,
And wisely his course by necessity shapes.

Omnes.
He remembers, &c.

Luc.
In marriage 'tis love smooths the furrows of care;
'Tis love makes it pleasure its burthens to share;
'Tis love gives us courage life's battles to fight,
And sheds o'er its darkest of sorrows a light.

Wag.
A little love,

Grog.
A little wine,

Bre.
A little ready money,

Grog.
Make marriage life a lot divine,
A land of milk and honey.

Omnes.
A little love, a little wine,
A little ready money,
Make marriage life a lot divine,
A land of milk and honey.

[Exeunt into the Inn.

SCENE I.

Interior of a Prison.
Faustus alone.
Faus.
And is it come to this? and must I die—
Die like a felon midst the rabble's curse?
When the sun sets—the sun has almost set!
Is there no hope? Have heaven and hell renounc'd me?
That I were dead! That I had never been!
Curs'd be the womb that bore me! curs'd be the hour
That gave me being! curs'd be the fiend
Who thus betrays me! doubly curs'd myself
Who could be so betray'd!

Mephistophiles rises through the earth.
Meph.
You curse it bravely!

Faus.
You here! then I am safe! I shall not die!
You come to free me. Quick! Off with these chains!

Meph.
They're off!

[Touching the chains which drop off.
Faus.
Now lead me hence.

Meph.
On one condition—
A trifle merely, but the devil, my friend,
Has his own whims, as well as man.

Faus.
Quick—name it.

Meph.
In good time, Domine; but what is this?
Dry bread and water!—excellent provision!

Faus.
Dost mock my anguish?

Meph.
Who I—mock my friend?
That were too like a man; I'm but the devil.

Faus.
Name your condition—quick.

Meph.
'Tis but to cut
The throat of some dull sleeper.

Faus.
What! Do murder?

Meph.
Well, fool, and what of murder? Tut! a name!
Your hangman murders, for the law commands it;
Your doctor murders, for his art allows it;
Your soldier murders, for his honour bids it;
And why should you, when your own neck's in question,
Pause for a little blood? Come, you shall do it.

Faus.
No! Never! Never!

Meph.
As you please, my friend;
'Tis but a little racking, screwing, bruising,
And after burning at a gentle fire.

Faus.
Have I no power? was that charm illusion?
Is he no more my slave?

Meph.
Why, thou dull fool,
Dost thou not see I play'd with thee? But, hark!
I hear them coming. Fare thee well.

Faus.
Stay! stay!

Meph.
Wilt do the deed?

Faus.
Oh, wretched, wretched Faustus!

Meph.
Hark! they unbar the bolts! another minute,
And e'en the devil can't save you. Quick! Decide!
The last chain falls! the last bolt is removing!
Wilt do the deed?

Faus.
Shame on thee, Faustus! coward!
I will not do it, fiend!

Meph.
They come!

Faus.
I care not.
I will not be thy fool; the worst is death,
And in me is a power to brave that death
In its worst form; I do defy thee, fiend.

Meph.
'Tis bravely said. I like thee all the better;
I will requite thee for't. Pass—pass, I say!
Music—The Scenechanges to the Ante-Room of the Royal Bed-chamber.
Thou'lt do no murder—that is, vulgar murder—
Not for a purse—not for a few poor ducats.
Thou'rt right, my friend. But in the way of honour,
Or for a woman—or, perhaps, a crown—

Faus.
A crown! what mean'st thou? By that fearful smile
Thou think'st thou art my master.

Meph.
No, thy slave.
Look, Faustus, there he sleeps; the King of Naples.
Put him aside—one thrust will do the bus'ness,
And thou shalt wear his form—be Naples' monarch.
Dost hear? Thou hast thy choice: a regal throne,
Or death upon the scaffold. Canst thou doubt?

Faus.
Speak not so loudly!

Meph.
(Aside.)
Is it so! I see.
(To Faustus.)
You need not fear his waking; I have set
A spell upon his slumber.

Faus.
Not that I
Need care about his slumber.

Meph.
No, indeed.
But wilt thou be a king?—a king, my Faustus?
Within that name lies all that earth can give;
Snatch the crown bravely: thou hast swell'd with wealth,
Hast rioted in pleasures; but to rule
The destinies of men is more than wealth—
Is more than pleasure: why the name alone
Inspires the very devil. Thou must do it.

Faus.
Hush! hark! I hear him stirring.

Meph.
Why, then, put
Three inches of cold steel here in his breast,
And that will cure his stirring; but be quick.

Faus.
Pray'r may do much, and penance more, to wash
The stain of blood away.

Meph.
Aye, to be sure;
Repent at any time (and cheat the devil— aside.)

Come, let us seal our compact.

Faus.
No!
I'll make no bond with thee.

Meph.
Who talk'd of bonds!
I hate all bonds—would have all men be free
From ev'ry curb, whatever you may call it,
Law, moral, or religion.

Faus.
But I meant—

Meph.
You mean as I do, and I love you for it.
Arise! arise!
[Music. A banquet rises.
Here's to the future king.
Will you not pledge me?

Faus.
No, dull tempter, no;
That which I do, I'll do it like myself;
Not from vain terror or more vain temptation.
Does he sleep still?

Meph.
It seems so.

Faus.
Aye, it seems so!
All is but seeming; virtue is but seeming;
There's nothing true but self. I'd be a king!

Meph.
Well, be so, then.

Faus.
Is there no other price?

Meph.
He'll wake anon.

Faus.
Is there no other price?

Meph.
Not if you buy of me.

Faus.
Give me the dagger.

Meph.
You will not do it; no, I see you will not.

Faus.
Give me the dagger.

Meph.
Why, I gave it now;
Has your fear blinded you?

Faus.
I'll snatch the crown,
Tho' it were bound upon his head with iron.

Meph.
But will you do it? Are you sure—quite sure
You've heart to look on blood? at midnight, too?
I almost quake myself.

Faus.
Eternal scoffer!
Thine own hell swallow thee!

[Faustus rushes into the inner room.
Meph.
All in good time—
And this is man! and this his boasted reason!
Rejoice, ye spirits of darkness! he is our's!
Chorus below.
Rejoice! rejoice! rejoice!
[Wild Music. The lights go out; the banquet sinks.
You understand me; in those tones I hear
Your many voices. He is long about it—
A bungler in the trade—half saint, half sinner.

[Faustus re-enters with a bloody dagger.
Faus.
Where art thou, Mephistophiles?

Meph.
(Ascending the staircase.)
I'm here.

[As Mephistophiles speaks, his figure becomes tall and dark, as on his first appearance.
Faus.
What dreadful change is this?

[Knocking at the door.
Meph.
Thy subjects call.

Faus.
I charge thee stay!

[Rushing up the stairs.
Meph.
Back, King of Naples, back!

[Music. As Faustus approaches Mephistophiles, a vivid flash of lightning passes between them; Faustus utters a loud cry of terror, and rushes back; at the same moment the door is burst open, and Montolio and Attendants enter with lights; Faustus appears in regal attire; corresponding music during the whole of the action.
Mon.
We heard your voice, most gracious king, and fear'd—

Faus.
Whom call'd you king?

Mon.
Whom but your majesty?

Faus.
I'm King of Naples?

Mon.
Sire!

Faus.
And nothing chang'd?

Mon.
My liege, I understand you not.

Faus.
'Tis like—
'Tis very like—I doubt—Search yonder room,
And tell me what you see.
[Montolio enters the inner room.
His hand of fire
Was on my brow, and shot thro' all my being,
Like summer lightning through the leafy oak.
But am I, then, that king? And can it be
I wear a form that yet does not belong
To mine own consciousness? I am not chang'd;
My mind's not chang'd—and yet—here comes the proof.

Montolio enters.
Mon.
My liege, I found—

Faus.
Thou hast found nothing, knave;
What could'st thou find?

Mon.
If you will hear me, sire.

Faus.
I will not hear thee, man; thou hast found nothing.

Mon.
'Tis that which I would say; I have found nothing.

Faus.
Nor was there any blood upon the floor.

Mon.
My liege?

Faus.
I say there was no blood upon the floor.
Wilt dare deny my word?

Mon.
Such rebel thought
Was never in my heart—no blood has stained
The floor of yonder room.

Faus.
Then I'm a king.
[Music without.
What means that music, sir?

Mon.
The morn is up,
And those glad voices welcome in the day
Which gave your highness birth.

Faus.
It is, indeed,
The birthday of my sovereignty—you're right.

[Music. Nobles and Ladies enter and kneel before Faustus, presenting their offerings. The Scene closes.

SCENE IV.

A Street in Naples.
Enter Count di Casanova and Orsini.
Ors.
'Tis a strange summons this the king has sent us.

Casa.
That devil Faustus
Has o'er his better senses cast some spell,
To clear himself, and to confound us all.
I've had a taste of his mad pranks that way.
But now, when for my daughter I seek redress,
To be warn'd not to bear
Myself unjustly 'gainst the murderer
Of a daughter's honor, 'tis rank insult!

Ors.
And of Adine, too!—The murderer
Of her honor, senses, perhaps her life.
Nor throne nor altar shall protect him.
Against the leaguer'd powers of hell itself:
But with firm temper let us bear our course
Before the king.

Casa.
Away, and teach this Milan king
That Venice nobles brook no trifling. Come!
'Tis time we were in the court.

Ors.
Away!

[Exeunt.
Enter Wagner and Lucetta on the opposite side.
Luc.

Nay, Wagner, pray go not; the king, you
hear, has strangely changed in conduct towards Faustus,
and shews favour to him. Should this anger his
enemies, they may turn their wrath on you.

Wag.

No fear of that; if the king's his friend, he's
mine, and I'm safe by proxy. If Faustus gets clear,
and into favor with the king, why our fortunes are
made here in Milan.

Luc.

But suppose Faustus be condemned.

Wag.

Why then he must look to himself, and we
must be off. I'll be back to thee at our lodgings, the
moment I see how matters turn; and if unluckily, we'll
away to Germany, where I've a snug little cottage to
shelter thee. Art thou content, Lucetta?

Luc.

Yes, truly, am I.

Wag.

'Tis a snug place. There are books and a
gammon of bacon within doors, and a pig in a stye,
and a cow in a paddock without.

Luc.

Well, you are a merry kind-hearted fellow,
and your face like your heart is always smiling. I always
thought you scholars were dull sulky people.

Wag.

There are your dull heavy commentators, the
cart-horses of literature. I've a little more of the
blood in me, and will shew thee a pleasanter course to
canter over. Attend, and be instructed.

DUET.
Wagner and Lucetta.
Wag.
Hearken, damsel, to me, and I'll teach thee
The very first lesson of love.

Luc.
Kind sir, then begin, I beseech thee,
And I'll do my best to improve.

Wag.
Now say after me—Amo!

Luc.
Amo!

Wag.
Again!

Luc.
Amo! oh, oh!

Both.
Oh, oh!

Wag.
Now construe it.

Luc.
I will.

Wag.
Attend,
And then the first lesson shall end.
Amo! I love, I am loving, or do love.

Luc.
Amo! I love, I am loving, or do love,
And the love that I feel shall be ever a true love.

Wag.
Bene, bene, cor meum, I see you'll improve.

Luc.
Oh, yes, I am sure I shall quickly improve.

Both.
Oh, yes, I am sure I shall/You will quickly improve,
And bless the conjunction of learning and love.

[Exeunt.

SCENE THE FIFTH AND LAST.

The Grand Audience Chamber.
Count di Casanova, Montolio, Orsini, Rosolia, and Neapolitan Lords and Ladies.
Ors.
The king stays long.

Mon.
Aye, longer than he's wont,
But he is strangely shaken by a fever
Of mind and frame; I dare not call it madness.

Casa.
Mad! we're all mad I think.

Ros.
And if we are not
'Tis more than wonder—we've seen enough
To craze the strongest senses.

Casa.
Hush! He comes!

Flourish.—Faustus enters as King.
Faus.
I look'd not for Venetians in my court,—
For, are you not of Venice? By your garb
You should be of that land, to which we owe
But little love in Naples.

Ors.
Sire, we come
For justice.

Faus.
Aye! on whom?

Mon.
A base seducer!

Ors.
A practiser of witchcraft!

Casa.
An assassin!

Faus.
A fearful list, my friends. And who is this,
This base seducer, wizzard, murderer?

Ors.
The German, Faustus.

Faus.
Oh, the German, Faustus;
He stands condemn'd already to the stake;
'Tis pity that he has but one poor life
To answer all of you.

Ors.
By yon bright sun,
The king is mocking us.

Faus.
What's that you mutter?

Casa.
Be still, Orsini; I do spy near peril.

Ors.
I care not I; I will not be the jest
Of king or emperor.

Faus.
Off with them all;
They all are leagu'd, and all shall die.

Ors.
For what?
For being enemies to Faustus?

Faus.
Yes;
For being enemies to Faustus, knave.

Mon.
My gracious liege!

Faus.
What! shall we be controul'd?
Is not our will your law?

Mon.
Yes, when that will
Is just.

Faus.
Away with them, I say, to death.

Mon.
Let me entreat you, sire.

Faus.
They all shall die.

Voice.
(without)
Murder!

Faus.
Who calls my justice murder?—speak—
Who is the rebel? let him stand before me.

Voice.
(without)
Murder!

Faus.
Again! Will no voice show the traitor?

[Low plaintive Music sounds; all seem subdued as if by some supernatural influence.
Faus.
So soft! and yet so terrible! And ye—
Ye all look pale.
[Music again.
But I'm a fool to be
The dupe thus of mine ears—What ho, there! guards!

Adine rushes on; in her hand is a lyre.
All.
Adine!

Faus.
What would you have? what brings you here?

Adine.
To save thee, Faustus.

All.
Faustus!

Faus.
She is mad.

Adine.
Yes, I am mad—but yet I know thee, Faustus.
Yes, I am mad—but I would save thee, Faustus.
'Tis thus I saw thee in my vision's hour—
With all the dreadful attributes of kings
Dispensing death and terror.—Then, as now,
I warn'd thee to repent—I bade thee look
Upon the clouds that hasten on the sun;
The instant they eclipse its light, your time
Of penitence is past.

Faus.
Why, Adine—my
Adine, I say—what fiend has sent thee hither?

Adine.
It was to save thee from the fiend, and not
The fiend that sent me.

Faus.
Sirs, let some one look
To the poor maniac; I should be griev'd
That any harm betided her.—Poor Adine!

Adine.
See, Faustus,—how they roll!—roll—roll!—Repent!—
Oh, let my voice woo thee back again to heaven,
As once the minstrel woo'd the maniac king
From the bad terrors of his evil mind.

Faus.
What terrors? what evils? or what to me
Are your mad minstrels? I am king of Naples:
And king I will be.—Had I pow'r to gain
This dazzling height, I have the pow'r to keep it,
Come what will come.

Adine.
Be hush'd! be hush'd!

RECITATIVE AND AIR.
Recitative.
Oh Saul! Oh king!
Wake from this fearful dream!
The chains that bind
Thy horror-haunted mind,
Drop from thee as the stream
Of music gushes from the trembling string.
Air.
Softly, softly breathe, my lyre,
Stilling ev'ry wild desire!
Let thy music fall as sweet
On the open anxious ear,
As the odours on the sense,
When the summer's close is near.

Faus.
Adine! Adine! With those sweet tones comes back
The memory of other—happier times.


Recitative.
More soft—more slow
The measure flow!
Softer—slower yet,
Till the sweet sound beget
A joy that melts like woe!

Faus.
I thought this heart was rock; but there's a might
In that sweet voice, that, like the sacred rod,
Can call forth living waters from the rock!
Adine! Mine own Adine! for oh, again
I'm all thine own. Come to me—share with me
This regal seat!

Adine.
The steps are red with blood.

Faus.
What dost thou say?

Adine.
Descend from that red throne—
Descend, ere 'tis too late.

Faus.
Her madness speaks
With the sad voice of inspiration.

Adine.
Faustus!
In my heart's anguish—by the love I bore
And bear you still—descend—repent—Oh, see
The clouds move rapidly.

Faus.
'Tis madness all,
I will not be the fool thus of my senses.
Why do all mock me with those ghasted faces?
What have you heard or seen, that you all stand
So maz'd and motionless?

Adine.
That you could feel so!
A moment, and you're lost—for ever lost!
Think on that awful word—for ever—ever.
Pause but a little time—oh, Faustus, Faustus!
The fiery gulph is yawning to receive you;
The demon has his hand outstretch'd to gripe you.

Faus.
Then let the demon come.

[The sun is eclipsed, and leaves the scene in utter darkness.
A Voice
(without)
I come!

All.
Ah, horror!

[All rush out except Adine. The building falls, and the demon appearing in clouds and fire, seizes Faustus.
Faus.
Adine—Adine—lost—lost—for ever lost!

Music. She rushes towards him, when the earth opens before them, and vomits forth fire. Adine falls.