A Street Next scene from Faust. Faust meets Margaret.

In the next scene Faust meets Margaret briefly.

A STREET

FAUST, MARGARET PASSING BY

FAUST

My fair young lady, may I dare

To offer my arm's escorting care?

MARGARET

I'm neither fair nor highly born

And can go home from here alone.

SHE FREES HERSELF AND EXITS

FAUST

By heaven, how that girl just shines!

I've never seen like: so fair,

So proper, virtue-rich, combined

With just a touch of pertness there.

Her lip's soft red, her cheek's light sheen,

Will stay with me till days have been.

The very dropping of her gaze

Has shone into my heart's deep ways.

And how she spoke, so brusque and short,

Was just enchanting too, I thought.

MEPHISTOPHELES ENTERS

FAUST

Listen. You must get me that pretty miss!

MEPHISTOPHELES

Now, which?

FAUST

She went on by just then.

MEPHISTOPHELES

That one? She's just come from a priest,

Who had absolved her from all sin;

I crept up near and listened in.

She’s such an innocent young lass

She’d really nothing to confess!

So over her I have no power.

FAUST

She’s over right age anyhow.

MEPHISTOPHELES

You speak just like a Jack-the-Rake,

Each lovely flower he craves to take,

All favours fancies, thinks no strict,

Close honour can’t be lightly picked;

There’s always some that must be missed.

FAUST

My honoured master Moralist,

Just leave me free from legal yoke.

I’m telling you, just short and straight,

If that desire of my sight

Does not rest in my arms tonight,

Then we shall part on midnight’s stroke.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Just think what’s needed in this case!

I’d need at least some two weeks’ space,

To map with care each general feature.

FAUST

If I’d just seven hours out-laid,

I wouldn't need the devil’s aid,

Just to seduce that little creature.

MEPHISTOPHELES

You speak quite like a Frenchman would-

But please don’t anger at delay;

Why seek enjoyment straight away?

The joy you feel isn't half as good

As when you first go to and fro

In every sort of roundabout, odd way-

Like kneading and perfecting figured clay,

As many foreign stories show.

FAUST

I've appetite without all that.

MEPHISTOPHELES

Without a joke or jest, just flat

And final- with this beauty now,

You can’t just rush in anyhow.

With storm we shall take nothing; we

Must now resort to strategy.

FAUST

Get me some little angel treasure!

Oh, lead me to her place of rest!

Bring me a kerchief from her breast,

A ribbon of my love’s desire!

MEPHISTOPHELES

I’ll show I’m willing now to so

Promote and serve your pain and woe;

So we won’t brook one stroke’s delay,

But lead you to her room today.

FAUST

And shall I see her? Feel her glow?

MEPHISTOPHELES

No, she'll be at her neighbour’s, so

You’ll be alone so you can know

Hope’s future joys and fill your dear,

Warm feelings with her atmosphere.

FAUST

We’re going now?

MEPHISTOPHELES

No, it’s too early yet.

FAUST

Seek out a gift that I can give!

(HE EXITS)

MEPHISTOPHELES

Gifts first? That’s good! That's how success is hit!

I know of many brilliant spots

Where ancient buried treasure rots-

So I must scout around a bit.

(HE EXITS)