Part 39

FAUST

Plan all things to achieve my end! Engage the attention of her friend! No milk-and-water devil be, And bring fresh jewels instantly!

MEPHISTOPHELES

Ay, sir! Most gladly I'll obey. (FAUST exit.)

MEPHISTOPHELES

Your doting love-sick fool, with ease, Merely his lady-love to please, Sun, moon, and stars in sport would puff away. (Exit.)

THE NEIGHBOUR'S HOUSE MARTHA (alone)

God pardon my dear husband, he Doth not in truth act well by me! Forth in the world abroad to roam, And leave me on the straw at home. And yet his will I ne'er did thwart, God knows, I lov'd him from my heart. (She weeps.)

Perchance he's dead!--oh wretched state!-- Had I but a certificate!

(MARGARET comes)

MARGARET

Dame Martha!

MARTHA

Gretchen?

MARGARET

Only think! My knees beneath me well-nigh sink! Within my press I've found to-day, Another case, of ebony. And things--magnificent they are, More costly than the first, by far.

MARTHA

You must not name it to your mother! It would to shrift, just like the other.

MARGARET

Nay look at them! now only see!

MARTHA (dresses her up)

Thou happy creature!

MARGARET

Woe is me! Them in the street I cannot wear, Or in the church, or any where.

MARTHA

Come often over here to me, The gems put on quite privately; And then before the mirror walk an hour or so, Thus we shall have our pleasure too. Then suitable occasions we must seize, As at a feast, to show them by degrees: A chain at first, pearl ear-drops then,--your mother Won't see them, or we'll coin some tale or other.

MARGARET

But, who, I wonder, could the caskets bring? I fear there's something wrong about the thing! (a knock,)