Scene IX. Promenade

PROMENADE

(FAUST, walking thoughtfully up and down. To him MEPHISTOPHELES.)

MEPHISTOPHELESBy all love ever rejected! By hell-fire hot and unsparing! I wish I knew something worse, that I might use it for swearing!

FAUSTWhat ails thee? What is't gripes thee, elf? A face like thine beheld I never.

MEPHISTOPHELESI would myself unto the Devil deliver, If I were not a Devil myself!

FAUSTThy head is out of order, sadly: It much becomes thee to be raving madly.

MEPHISTOPHELESJust think, the pocket of a priest should get The trinkets left for Margaret! The mother saw them, and, instanter, A secret dread began to haunt her. Keen scent has she for tainted air; She snuffs within her book of prayer, And smells each article, to see If sacred or profane it be; So here she guessed, from every gem, That not much blessing came with them. "My child," she said, "ill-gotten good Ensnares the soul, consumes the blood. Before the Mother of God we'll lay it; With heavenly manna she'll repay it!" But Margaret thought, with sour grimace, "A gift-horse is not out of place, And, truly! godless cannot be The one who brought such things to me." A parson came, by the mother bidden: He saw, at once, where the game was hidden, And viewed it with a favor stealthy. He spake: "That is the proper view,— Who overcometh, winneth too. The Holy Church has a stomach healthy: Hath eaten many a land as forfeit, And never yet complained of surfeit: The Church alone, beyond all question, Has for ill-gotten goods the right digestion."

FAUSTA general practice is the same, Which Jew and King may also claim.

MEPHISTOPHELESThen bagged the spangles, chains, and rings, As if but toadstools were the things, And thanked no less, and thanked no more Than if a sack of nuts he bore,— Promised them fullest heavenly pay, And deeply edified were they.

FAUSTAnd Margaret?

MEPHISTOPHELESSits unrestful still, And knows not what she should, or will; Thinks on the jewels, day and night, But more on him who gave her such delight.

FAUSTThe darling's sorrow gives me pain. Get thou a set for her again! The first was not a great display.

MEPHISTOPHELESO yes, the gentleman finds it all child's-play!

FAUSTFix and arrange it to my will; And on her neighbor try thy skill! Don't be a Devil stiff as paste, But get fresh jewels to her taste!

MEPHISTOPHELESYes, gracious Sir, in all obedience! Such an enamored fool in air would blow Sun, moon, and all the starry legions, To give his sweetheart a diverting show.