MARGARET

I tremble so!

FAUST

Nay! do not tremble, love!
Let this hand-pressure, let this glance reveal
Feelings, all power of speech above;
To give oneself up wholly and to feel
A joy that must eternal prove!
Eternal!--Yes, its end would be despair,
No end!--It cannot end!

[MARGARET _presses his hand, extricates herself, and
runs away. He stands a moment in thought, and
then follows her_.]

MARTHA (_approaching_)

Night's closing.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Yes, we'll presently away.

MARTHA

I would entreat you longer yet to stay;
But 'tis a wicked place, just here about;
It is as if the folk had nothing else to do,
Nothing to think of too,
But gaping watch their neighbors, who goes in and out;
And scandal's busy still, do whatsoe'er one may.
And our young couple?

MEPHISTOPHELES

They have flown up there,
The wanton butterflies!

MARTHA

He seems to take to her.
And she to him. 'Tis of the world the way!

A SUMMER-HOUSE

[MARGARET _runs in, hides behind the door, holds the tip
of her finger to her lip, and peeps through the
crevice_.]

MARGARET

He comes!

FAUST

Ah, little rogue, so thou
Think'st to provoke me! I have caught thee now!

[_He kisses her._]

MARGARET (_embracing him, and returning the kiss_)

Dearest of men! I love thee from my heart!

[MEPHISTOPHELES _knocks_.]

FAUST (_stamping_)

Who's there?

MEPHISTOPHELES

A friend!

FAUST

A brute!

MEPHISTOPHELES

'Tis time to part.

MARTHA (_comes_)

Ay, it is late, good sir.

FAUST

Mayn't I attend you, then?

MARGARET

Oh no--my mother would--adieu, adieu!

FAUST

And must I really then take leave of you?
Farewell!

MARTHA

Good-bye!

MARGARET

Ere long to meet again!

[_Exeunt_ FAUST _and_ MEPHISTOPHELES.]

MARGARET

Good heavens! how all things far and near
Must fill his mind--a man like this!
Abash'd before him I appear,
And say to all things only, yes.
Poor simple child, I cannot see
What 'tis that he can find in me.

[_Exit._]

FOREST AND CAVERN

FAUST (_alone_)

Spirit sublime! Thou gav'st me, gav'st me all
For which I prayed! Not vainly hast thou turn'd
To me thy countenance in flaming fire:
Gavest me glorious nature for my realm,
And also power to feel her and enjoy;
Not merely with a cold and wondering glance,
Thou dost permit me in her depths profound,
As in the bosom of a friend to gaze.
Before me thou dost lead her living tribes,
And dost