MEPHISTOPHELES.

I'm much grieved 'tis so.

But this, that you are very kind, I know.

FAUST.

[Pass.

Me, little angel, didst thou recognise,
The instant that I came into the garden?

MARGARET.

Sawest thou it not? I cast adown mine eyes.

FAUST.

And thou the freedom that I took dost pardon.
What my impertinence did venture on,
Just as from the cathedral thou wert gone?

MARGARET.

I was confounded! ne'er the like had been
Done to me; none of me could evil say.
"Ah!" thought I, "has the stranger in thy mien
Aught impudent, or aught immodest, seen?

He thinks, I need but at once address

This girl, come to the point at once with her." Yet something, what I know not, I confess, Quickly on your behalf began to stir.

Right angry with myself yet was I certainly,
That I could not be angrier with thee.

[See plucks an aster, and plucks the leaves off one after the other.

FAUST.

What is that for, to make a nosegay?

MARGARET.

Nay,

'Tis nothing but a little foolish play.

Go, you would laugh at me.

[She goes on plucking and murmuring.

What murmurest thou?

FAUST.

MARGARET-half aloud.

He loves me-loves not me.

FAUST.

Thou sweet heaven-lighted countenance.

My darling, yes! Let this flower-answer be

God's revelation to thee. He loves thee!

Knowest thou what that means? his love is thine !

[He clasps her two hands.

Ah, shudder not thus. Let this glance of mine,

Let this hand pressure, tell

That which is inexpressible,

And yield us wholly to an ecstacy

To feel, that must eternal be!
Eternal-aye-its end would be despair.
No, no! No end, no end!

[Margaret presses his hands, frees herself
from him, and runs away. He stands
for a moment, lost in thought, and then
follows her.

MARTHA coming.

The night comes on.

MEPHISTOPHELES.

Yes, and we must away.

MARTHA.

I should have prayed ye longer here to stay,
But 'tis a wicked place in which we are.
It seems that no one had aught else to do,
And nothing in the world else to look to,
But at their neighbours' goings on to stare,
The least thing that one does sets all tongues moving;
And our sweet pair.

MEPHISTOPHEles.

There up the walk are flown,

Fond butterflies.

MARTHA.

He seems with her right loving.

MEPHISTOPHELES.

And she with him. So doth the world wag on.

A GARDEN HOUSE.

MARGARET runs in, hides behind the door, places her finger on her lips, and peeps through the chink.

MARGARET.

He comes!

FAUST enters.

Ah, little rogue, playest thou thus with me?

I've caught thee!

[He kisses her.

MARGARET-embracing him and returning

the kiss.

Best of men! from my heart love I thee!

MEPHISTOPHELES knocks.

Well, who comes there?

FAUST stamping.

MEPHISTOPHELES.

'Tis a good friend.