  Marguerite's Room. Sie. (quietly approaching). Marguerite! Mar. Siebel! Sie. What, weeping still! Mar. Alas! thou alone art kind to me. Sie. A mere youth am I. And yet I have a manly heart, And I will sure avenge thee. The seducer's life shall forfeit pay. Mar. Whose life? Sie. Need I name him? The wretch Who thus hast deserted thee! Mar. In mercy, speak not thus! Sie. Dost love him still, then? Mar. Ay, I love him still! But not to you, good Siebel, should I repeat this tale. Sie. I. When all was young, and pleasant May was blooming, I, thy poor friend, took part with thee in play; Now that the cloud of autumn dark is glooming, Now is for me, too, mournful the day. Hope and delight have passed from life away. II. We were not born with true love to trifle, Nor born to part because the wind blows cold. What though the storm the summer garden rifle, Oh, Marguerite! oh, Marguerite! Still on the bough is left a leaf of gold. Mar. Bless you, my friend, your sympathy is sweet. The cruel ones who wrong me thus Cannot close against me The gates of the holy temple. Thither will I go to pray For him and for our child. (Exit. Siebel follows slowly after.) SCENE II.Interior of a Church. (Women enter the church and cross the stage. Marguerite enters after them, and kneels.) Mar. O heaven! Permit thy lowly handmaiden To prostrate herself before thine altar. Mep. No, thou shalt not pray! Spirits of evil, haste ye at my call, And drive this woman hence! Cho. of Demons. Marguerite! Mar. Who calls me? Cho. Marguerite! Mar. I tremble!—oh, heaven! My last hour is surely nigh! (The tomb opens and discloses Mephistopheles, who bends over to Marguerite's ear.) Mep. Remember the glorious days When an angel's wings Protected thy young heart. To church thou camest then to worship, Nor hadst thou then sinned 'gainst heaven. Thy prayers then issued From an unstained heart And on the wings of faith Did rise to the Creator. Hear'st thou their call? 'Tis hell that summons thee! Hell claims thee for its own! Eternal pain, and woe, and tribulation, Will be thy portion! Mar. Heaven! what voice is this That in the shade doth speak to me? What mysterious tones are these! Religious Cho. When the last day shall have come, The cross in heaven shall shine forth, This world to dust shall crumble. Mar. Ah me! more fearful still becomes their song. Mep. No pardon hath heaven left for thee! For thee e'en heaven hath no more light! Religious Cho. What shall we say unto high heav'n? Who shall protection find When innocence such persecution meets? Mar. A heavy weight my breast o'erpowers,— I can no longer breathe! Mep. Nights of love, farewell! Ye days of joy, adieu! Lost, lost for aye art thou! Mar. and Cho. Heav'n! hear thou the prayer Of a sad, broken heart! A bright ray send thou From the starry sphere Her anguish to allay! Mep. Marguerite, lost, lost art thou! Mar. Ah! (He disappears.) SCENE III.The Street. Cho. Our swords we will suspend Over the paternal hearth; At length we have returned. Sorrowing mothers no longer Will bewail their absent sons. SCENE IV.Valentine and Siebel. Val. (perceiving Siebel, who enters). Ah, Siebel, is it thou? Sie. Dear Valentine! Val. Come, then, to my heart! (embracing him). And Marguerite? Sie. (confused). Perhaps she's yonder at the church. Val. She doubtless prays for my return. Dear girl, how pleased She'll be to hear me tell My warlike deeds! Cho. Glory to those who in battle fall, Their bright deeds we can with pride recall. May we, then, honor and fame acquire, Their glorious deeds our hearts will inspire! For that dear native land where we first drew breath, Her sons, at her command proudly brave e'en death. At their sacred demand who on us depend, Our swords we will draw, their rights to defend. Homeward our steps we now will turn,— Joy and peace await us there! On, on at once, nor loiter here; On, then, our lov'd ones to embrace,— Affection calls, fond love doth summon us, Yes, many a heart will beat When they our tale shall hear. Val. Come, Siebel, we'll to my dwelling And o'er a flask of wine hold converse. (Approaching Marguerite's house.) Sie. Nay, enter not! Val. Why not, I pray?—Thou turn'st away; Thy silent glance doth seek the ground— Speak, Siebel—what hath happened? Sie. (with an effort.) No! I cannot tell thee! Val. What mean'st thou? (Rushing toward house.) Sie. (withholding him.) Hold, good Valentine, take heart! Val. What is't thou mean'st! (Enters the house.) Sie. Forgive her! Shield her, gracious Heaven! (Approaches the church. Faust and Mephistopheles enter at the back; Mephistopheles carries a guitar.) SCENE V.Faust and Mephistopheles. (Faust goes towards Marguerite's house, but hesitates.) Mep. Why tarry ye? Let us enter the house. Faust. Peace! I grieve to think that I Brought shame and sorrow hither. Mep. Why see her again, then, after leaving her? Some other sight might be more pleasing. To the sabbath let us on. Faust (sighing). Oh, Marguerite! Mep. My advice, I know, Availeth but little Against thy stubborn will. Doctor, you need my voice! (Throwing back his mantle, and accompanying himself on the guitar.) I. Maiden, now in peace reposing, From thy sleep awake, Hear my voice with love imploring, Wilt thou pity take? But beware how thou confidest Even in thy friend, Ha! ha! ha! If not for thy wedding finger He a ring doth send. II. Yes, sweet maiden, I implore thee,— Oh, refuse not this,— Smile on him who doth adore thee, Bless him with thy kiss. But beware how thou confidest, Even in thy friend, Ha! ha! ha! If not for thy wedding finger He a ring doth send. (Valentine rushes from the house.) SCENE VI.Valentine and the before-named. Val. Good sir, what want you here? Mep. My worthy fellow, it was not to you That we addressed our serenade! Val. My sister, perhaps, would more gladly hear it! (Valentine draws his sword, and breaks Mephistopheles' guitar.) Faust. His sister! Mep. (to Valentine) Why this anger? Do ye not like my singing? Val. Your insults cease! From which of ye must I demand Satisfaction for this foul outrage? Which of ye must I now slay? (Faust draws his sword.) 'Tis he! Mep. Your mind's made up, then! On, then, doctor, at him, pray! Val. Oh, heaven, thine aid afford, Increase my strength and courage, That in his blood my sword May wipe out this fell outrage! Faust. What fear is this unnerves my arm? Why falters now my courage? Dare I to take his life, Who but resents an outrage? Mep. His wrath and his courage I laugh alike to scorn! To horse, then, for his last journey The youth right soon will take! Val. (taking in his hand the medallion suspended round his neck). Thou gift of Marguerite, Which till now hath ever saved me, I'll no more of thee—I cast thee hence! Accursed gift, I throw thee from me! (Throws it angrily away.) Mep. (aside). Thou'll repent it! Val. (to Faust). Come on, defend thyself! Mep. (to Faust, in a whisper). Stand near to me, and attack him only; I'll take care to parry! (They fight.) Val. (falling). Ah! Mep. Behold our hero, Lifeless on the ground! Come, we must hence—quick, fly! (Exit, dragging Faust after him.) SCENE VII.(Enter Citizens, with lighted torches; afterwards Siebel and Marguerite.) Cho. Hither, hither, come this way— They're fighting here hard by! See, one has fallen; The unhappy man lies prostrate there. Ah! he moves—yes, still he breathes; Quick, then, draw nigh To raise and succor him! Val. 'Tis useless, cease these vain laments. Too often have I gazed On death, to heed it When my own time hath come! (Marguerite appears at the back, supported by Siebel.) Mar. (advancing, and falling on her knees at Valentine's side). Valentine! ah, Valentine! Val. (thrusting her from him). Marguerite! What would'st thou here?—away! Mar. O heav'n! Val. For her I die! Poor fool! I thought to chastise her seducer! Cho. (in a low voice, pointing to Marguerite). He dies, slain by her seducer! Mar. Fresh grief is this! ah, bitter punishment. Sie. Have pity on her, pray! Val. (supported by those around him). Marguerite, give ear awhile; That which was decreed Hath duly come to pass. Death comes at its good pleasure: All mortals must obey its behest. But for you intervenes an evil life! Those white hands will never work more; The labors and sorrows that others employ, Will be forgotten in hours of joy. Darest thou live, ingrate? Darest thou still exist? Go! Shame overwhelm thee! Remorse follow thee! At length thy hour will sound. Die! And if God pardons thee hereafter, So may this life be a continual curse! Cho. Terrible wish! Unchristian thought! In thy last sad hour, unfortunate! Think of thy own soul's welfare. Forgive, if thou wouldst be forgiven. Val. Marguerite; I curse you! Death awaits me. I die by your hand; but I die a soldier. (Dies.) Cho. God receive thy spirit! God pardon thy sins! (Curtain.) |
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