University of Virginia Library

SCENE VII.

A Street.
Faust. Margaret passing by.
Faust.
My fair young lady, may I dare
Offer my arm to escort you somewhere?

Margaret.
I'm not a Lady, nor fair I be,
And can go home without company.

(She escapes him, and goes away.
Faust.
By Heaven this child is fair! I ween
Naught like her I have ever seen.
Modest and virtuous, and well-bred,
Yet with a saucy look she fled.
Her sweet red lips, cheeks flushed in pet,
While the world lasts I shall ne'er forget.
The way that she cast down her eyes
Is printed in my heart likewise;
And then how cross with me she grew,
That fills me now with rapture too!

(Enter Mephistopheles.)
Faust.
Hear! thou must get me this girl, I say!

Mephistopheles.
Well, which?

Faust.
She has just gone by me here.

Mephistopheles.
That one? she's just come from her Priest away,
Who has absolved her clean and clear;
Beside her hassock I crept near,
She's a young thing, quite innocent,
That for nothing to confession went,
Over such chits I have no power.

Faust.
She's past fourteen, if she's an hour.

Mephistopheles.
Thou speakest like some Jack-kiss-me-quick,
Who every flower for himself would pick,
Thinks there's no honour, nor no grace
He cannot pluck in any case,
Yet thus one can't always succeed.

Faust.
Worshipful Master, is't so indeed?
Peace with thy points of Law so clever!
If in my arms this fresh young maid
Rest not to-night, and by thine aid,
At midnight we shall part for ever.

Mephistopheles.
Think what may hap in various ways,
I need at least some fourteen days
To find my opportunity.

Faust.
The Devil would be of little use
So young a creature to seduce,
Had I but seven good hours to try.

Mephistopheles.
You speak much like a Frenchman now;
Pray don't go worrying for your toy:
What boots one soon-snatched hour of joy?
The pleasure's not so great, I trow,
As when you first come flitting round,
Till with arts of all kinds the way you've found
The puppet deftly to knead and mould,
As in Italian Tales 'tis told.

Faust.
I have appetite without such zest.

Mephistopheles.
Now without scoff, and without jest,
I tell you, with this pretty maid,
Don't go too fast; once for all 'tis said.
By storm to take her's not your game here,
With cunning we must slyly tame her.

Faust.
Bring aught from my Angel's treasures to me,
Bear me to where my Love doth rest!
Fetch me the kerchief from her breast,
A garter, from my Heart's-darling's knee!

Mephistopheles.
That you may see how in your pain
I'll serve you well, promptly and fain,
We'll not a moment more delay,
I'll bring you to her room this very day.

Faust.
And shall I see her? have her?

Mephistopheles.
No!
To a near neighbour's she will have gone,
Meanwhile you can stay, quite alone,
With every hope of future pleasure,
Drink in the air she breathes at leisure.

Faust.
Can we go now?

Mephistopheles.
Too early yet.

Faust.
Some splendid present for her go get!

[Exit]
Mephistopheles.
Presents already? Bravo! Well for success he's playing!
I know of many a pretty spot
Where buried treasures may be got.
I must look round, his hest obeying.

[Exit]