Meph. Down with it-never hesitate ! "Twill cheer the heart within thy frame; You with the devil be a mate,

And shrink before a little flame !

[The Witch breaks the circle; FAUST comes out of it.

Meph. You must not rest-now forth with speed !
Witch. And may the potion work aright.

Meph. (to the Witch). If aught you wish from me, you need

But name it on Walpurgis' night.

Witch. Here is a song-which now and then you'll sing, And a peculiar influence 'twill bring.

Meph. (to FAUST). Come! quick! and let yourself by me be sway'd,

For throughly to perspire you must be made,

In order that this spirit's flood

May penetrate through bone and blood;

Then will I teach you to possess

A noble, courtly idleness;

And with delight you soon will feel

How Cupid in your body lurks,

How quick he through your frame will steal,

How merrily he stirs and works.

Faust. Let me one moment in the mirror find That female form-too lovely was its grace! Meph. Nay, nay! the model of all womankind You soon in flesh and blood shall see before your face. [Aside.] That draught within-you soon will greet, An Helen in each wench you meet !

SCENE. THE STREET.

FAUST (MARGARET passing by).

Faust. My pretty lady, may I dare
Offer my arm and company?

Mar. I am no lady, sir, nor am I fair,

And by myself, my way can homeward see !

[She breaks from him and exit.

Faust. By Heaven! this child indeed is fair,
Her equal have I ne'er espied,

Of modesty and virtue rare,

Though somewhat snappish, too, beside.
Her ruddy lips-her radiant face,

Will dwell with me while life shall last.
She droop'd her eye with bashful grace,
And deep into my heart it pass'd!
How tart she spoke-the saucy thing!
'Twas absolutely ravishing!

MEPHISTOPHELES enters.

Mephisto! you must get this girl for me!

Meph. Which?

Faust.

Meph.

Why she pass'd but now—

She comes from her confessor here,

Who has from sin pronounced her clear.
I stole up close beside the chair ;-

She is a pure and stainless flower,
Who e'en for nothing knelt her there,-
Nay, over her I have no power.

This must it be?

Faust. Yet she is past her fourteenth year!

Meph. You speak complete Jack Rake, I swear, Who to himself is coveting

Each tender blossom to attain,

Who deems no worth nor love can spring

But is for him to pluck and gain.

But this, friend, will not always do.
Faust. Good sermoniser! Pray from you
Let's hear no more morality!

If this sweet maiden is not prest
This night within my arms to rest,

Midnight our bond shall ended see.

Meph. What can and cannot-bear in mind;
At least a fortnight I shall need

But opportunity to find,

With any chance I shall succeed.

Faust. Did seven clear hours before me lay,

The devil's aid I would not pray

So young a creature to betray.

Meph. You're almost Frenchman in that speech ;

But do not fret you, I beseech!

Why to enjoyment should you sweep?

The pleasure is not near so deep,
As when your toy you 've moulded well
With all the nonsense possible;
As many a French romance can tell!

Faust. I've appetite without all that.

Meph. Nay, without jest,-I tell you flat, This maiden is not to be won

So quickly as you wish it done;

We nothing here can take by force,

So we to guile must have recourse.

Faust. Go! fetch me something she has blest,

Some treasure from my angel's hand!

Lead! Lead me to her place of rest,
Bring me a kerchief from her breast,
A garter of my love-a band!

Meph. That for your passion you may see,
My anxious service used shall be,

No moment lost, I'll lead the way

Into her chamber

She at a neighbour's house will be,
While you amid her atmosphere,
Alone, the moments may employ
In feasting fully, on the dear
Voluptuous hopes of coming joy.
Faust. Can we go now?

It is too early yet.

Meph.

Faust. See then that you a present for her get!

[Exit,

Meph. Presents forthwith! that's brave indeed!

The very way, though, to succeed!

I know full many a place, with store

Of treasures buried there of yore,—

I must a little look them o’er.

EVENING.-A SMALL NEAT CHAMBER.

MARGARET (binding and plaiting her hair).

I would give something could I know,
Who that same gentleman might be:
Himself right gallant did he show,
Of noble birth too-on his brow

[Exit.

That could I very plainly see; For were he not of high descent He had not been so impudent

MEPHISTOPHELES and FAUST enter.

Meph. Come in! but tread you light and low;

Only come in!

Faust. Pray leave me now!

Meph. It is not every maid you meet

At once so diligent and neat.

[Exit.

[Exit.

Faust. Welcome, sweet twilight, that around, above,

Dost all this dim and hallow'd place possess !

Seize on my heart, ye sweetest pangs of love,
Fed on the dew of hope's deliciousness.
How deep a sense of stillness breathes around,
What order and contentment here are found,
What riches 'mid this poverty abound;

In this small cell-of bliss what plenteousness!

[He throws himself into the leathern chair by the side of the bed. Receive me! thou who hast, in joy and mirth,

Oft welcomed those who now are pass'd from earth! Beside this father's-throne, how oft have hung A throng of children, close around it clung!

Here may my love—amid the little band,

All thankful for the gift that Christmas brought, Have gently kiss'd her grandsire's wither'd hand,

Her warm, round cheek, with childhood's freshness fraught.

Maiden! it is thy spirit which I feel,

Of order and abundance, round me steal,

Which, motherlike, doth teach thee, day by day,
This table with its neat white cloth to lay,

To strew beneath thy foot the crisping sand;