PROMENADE
FAUST IN THOUGHT WALKING UP AND DOWN
MEPHISTOPHELES ENTERS AND GOES TO HIM
MEPHISTOPHELES
By every scorn-seared love! By all the elements of hell!
I wish I knew what’s worse to curse with it as well!
FAUST
What’s wrong? What bites so bitterly?
I've never seen such looks in all my life!
MEPHISTOPHELES
I’d give myself right over to the devil if…
If only the devil wasn't me!
FAUST
Is everything upstairs still humming?
This crazy raging is most becoming.
MEPHISTOPHELES
Just think- her gift, those precious jewels I got,
A two-bit priest just took the lot!
Her mother gets to see the thing
And straight away starts shuddering.
Her sense of smell is most aware,
She’s always sniffing in a book of prayer,
One whiff of property makes it quite plain,
If something is holy or profane;
She took one sniff and found the stuff
Was not at all near blessed enough.
My child, she cries, unrighteous wealth
Ensnares the soul, dilutes the health.
To God’s own Mother let these be given,
She’ll give us joy with manna from Heaven!
Poor Margaret had her lips pressed tightly,
What of a gift horse, she thought quietly.
In truth, a giver that’s so kind
Could not be godless and wrongly inclined.
Her mother got a priest to come;
He hardly heard about our fun,
But gazed well-pleased at everything.
He said: You sensed what’s right again!
Those overcoming self will gain.
The church’s belly’s big and strong,
It’s gobbled up whole lands complete,
Yet never has too much to eat;
Thus only the church, my dears, is free
To swallow down unrighteous property.
FAUST
That practice though is nothing new;
A king or count can do it too.
MEPHISTOPHELES
He plucked up necklace, brooch and rings
As if they were some pointless things
And gave them thanks, no less or more,
Than for some bag of nuts, well-fried,
Said heaven’s great reward was sure
And they were highly edified.
FAUST
And Gretchen?
MEPHISTOPHELES
Sits full of restlessness,
Knows neither what she should or will on this,
Thinks on the gems both day and night,
Still more on him who sent that sight.
FAUST
My loved one’s trouble saddens me.
Get her new jewels immediately!
The first were not much anyway.
MEPHISTOPHELES
Oh yes, to the gentleman it’s all child’s play!
FAUST
Get on with what I say to you!
And make up to her neighbour too!
Just be a devil, don’t go to mush,
And bring some new, real-sparkling stuff!
MEPHISTOPHELES
Yes, gracious lord, with all my heart.
FAUST EXITS
MEPHISTOPHELES
Such a love-struck fool would puff apart
The sun, the moon, and all the stars above,
Just as a idle pastime for his love.
HE EXITS
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