Mephistopheles.
I tell thee plainly without jest,
As things stand here, we cannot win
The fort by hotly rushing in;
To gain fair lady’s favor, you
Must boldly scheme, and gently do.
Faust.
Fetch me something that breathed her air!
Her home, her chamber, plant me there!
A kerchief of her chaste attire!
A garter of my heart’s desire!
Mephistopheles.
That you may see how I would fain
Do all I can to ease your pain,
We shall not lose a single minute;
I know her room—thou shalt enjoy thee in it.
Faust.
And I shall see her?—have her?
Mephistopheles.
No!
She’ll be with a neighbor—better so.
Meanwhile, unhindered thou may’st go,
And on the hope of joys that wait thee,
Within her atmosphere may’st sate thee.
Faust.
Can we go now?
Mephistopheles.
No; we must wait till night.
Faust.
Go fetch a present for my heart’s delight. [Exit.
Mephistopheles.
Presents already! good!—a lover should not loiter!
I know some dainty spots of ground,
Where hidden treasures can be found;
I will go straight and reconnoitre. [Exit.
Scene V.
A small neat Chamber.
Margaret. [Plaiting and putting up her hair.]
I wonder who the gentleman could be,
That on the street accosted me to-day!
He looked a gallant cavalier and gay,
And must be of a noble family;
That I could read upon his brow—
Else had he never been so free. [Exit.
Enter Faust and Mephistopheles.
Mephistopheles.
Come in—but softly—we are landed now!
Faust. [after a pause]
Leave me alone a minute, I entreat!
Mephistopheles. [looking round about]
