The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries - LightNovelsOnl.com
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FAUST
A nosegay may that be?
MARGARET
No! It is but a game.
FAUST
How?
MARGARET
Go, you'll laugh at me!
[_She plucks off the leaves and murmurs to herself._]
FAUST
What murmurest thou?
MARGARET (_half aloud_)
He loves me--loves me not.
FAUST
Sweet angel, with thy face of heavenly bliss!
MARGARET (_continues_)
He loves me--not--he loves me--not-- [_plucking off the last leaf with fond joy_.]
He loves me!
FAUST
Yes!
And this flower-language, darling, let it be A heavenly oracle! He loveth thee!
Know'st thou the meaning of, He loveth thee?
[_He seizes both her hands._]
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 b.u.t.terflies!
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_)
