Mep. Fool!
Faust. You overheard us?
Mep. Happily. You have great need, learned Doctor,
To be sent again to school.
Faust. Leave me!
Mep. Deign first to listen for a moment,
To the speech she rehearses to the stars.
Dear master, delay. She opens her window.
(Marguerite opens the window of the pavilion, and remains with her head resting on her hand.)
SCENE XII.
The preceding. Marguerite.
Mar. He loves me! Wildly beats my heart!
The night-bird's song,
The evening breeze,
All nature's sounds together say,
"He loves thee!"
Ah! sweet, sweet indeed
Now is this life to me!
Another world it seems;
The very ecstasy of love is this!
With to-morrow's dawn,
Haste thee, oh dear one,
Haste thee to return! Yes, come!
Faust. (rushing to the window, and grasping her hand).
Marguerite!
Mar. Ah!
Mep. (mockingly).
Ho! ho!
(Marguerite, overcome, allows her head to fall on Faust's shoulder. Mephistopheles opens the door of the garden, and departs, laughing derisively. The curtain falls.)
ACT IV.
SCENE I.
Marguerite's Room.
Siebel and Marguerite.
Sie. (quietly approaching).
Marguerite!
Mar. Siebel!
Sie. What, weeping still!
Mar. Alas! thou alone art kind to me.
Sie. A mere youth am I.
And yet I have a manly heart,
And I will sure avenge thee.
The seducer's life shall forfeit pay.
Mar. Whose life?
Sie. Need I name him? The wretch
Who thus hast deserted thee!
Mar. In mercy, speak not thus!
Sie. Dost love him still, then?
Mar. Ay, I love him still!
But not to you, good Siebel, should I repeat this tale.
Sie.
I.
When all was young, and pleasant May was blooming,
I, thy poor friend, took part with thee in play;
Now that the cloud of autumn dark is glooming,
Now is for me, too, mournful the day.
Hope and delight have passed from life away.
II.
We were not born with true love to trifle,
Nor born to part because the wind blows cold.
What though the storm the summer garden rifle,
Oh, Marguerite! oh, Marguerite!
Still on the bough is left a leaf of gold.
Mar. Bless you, my friend, your sympathy is sweet.
The cruel ones who wrong me thus
Cannot close against me
The gates of the holy temple.
Thither will I go to pray
For him and for our child.
(Exit. Siebel follows slowly after.)
SCENE II.
Interior of a Church.
Marguerite, then Mephistopheles.
(Women enter the church and cross the stage. Marguerite enters after them, and kneels.)
Mar. O heaven!
Permit thy lowly handmaiden
To prostrate herself before thine altar.
Mep. No, thou shalt not pray!
Spirits of evil, haste ye at my call,
And drive this woman hence!
Cho. of Demons. Marguerite!
Mar. Who calls me?
Cho. Marguerite!
Mar. I tremble!—oh, heaven!
My last hour is surely nigh!
(The tomb opens and discloses Mephistopheles,
who bends over to Marguerite's ear.)
Mep. Remember the glorious days
When an angel's wings
Protected thy young heart.
To church thou camest then to worship,
Nor hadst thou then sinned 'gainst heaven.
Thy prayers then issued
From an unstained heart
And on the wings of faith
Did rise to the Creator.
Hear'st thou their call?
'Tis hell that summons thee!
Hell claims thee for its own!
Eternal pain, and woe, and tribulation,
Will be thy portion!
Mar. Heaven! what voice is this
That in the shade doth speak to me?
What mysterious tones are these!
Religious Cho. When the last day shall have come,
The cross in heaven shall shine forth,
This world to dust shall crumble.
Mar. Ah me! more fearful still becomes their song.
Mep. No pardon hath heaven left for thee!
For thee e'en heaven hath no more light!
Religious Cho. What shall we say unto high heav'n?
Who shall protection find
When innocence such persecution meets?
Mar. A heavy weight my breast o'erpowers,—
I can no longer breathe!
Mep. Nights of love, farewell!
Ye days of joy, adieu!
Lost, lost for aye art thou!
Mar. and Cho.
Heav'n! hear thou the prayer
Of a sad, broken heart!
A bright ray send thou
From the starry sphere
Her anguish to allay!
Mep. Marguerite, lost, lost art thou!
Mar. Ah!
(He disappears.)
SCENE III.
The Street.
Valentine, Soldiers, then Siebel.
Cho. Our swords we will suspend
Over the paternal hearth;
At length we have returned.
Sorrowing mothers no longer
Will bewail their absent sons.
SCENE IV.
Valentine and Siebel.
Val. (perceiving Siebel, who enters).
Ah, Siebel, is it thou?
Sie. Dear Valentine!
Val. Come, then, to my heart!
(embracing him).
And Marguerite?
Sie. (confused).
Perhaps she's yonder at the church.
Val. She doubtless prays for my return.
Dear girl, how pleased
She'll be to hear me tell
My warlike deeds!
Cho. Glory to those who in battle fall,
Their bright deeds we can with pride recall.
May we, then, honor and fame acquire,
Their glorious deeds our hearts will inspire!
For that dear native land where we first drew breath,
Her sons, at her command proudly brave e'en death.
At their sacred demand who on us depend,
Our swords we will draw, their rights to defend.
Homeward our steps we now will turn,—
Joy and peace await us there!
On, on at once, nor loiter here;
On, then, our lov'd ones to embrace,—
Affection calls, fond love doth summon us,
Yes, many a heart will beat
When they our tale shall hear.
Val. Come, Siebel, we'll to my dwelling
And o'er a flask of wine hold converse.
(Approaching Marguerite's house.)
Sie. Nay, enter not!
Val. Why not, I pray?—Thou turn'st away;
Thy silent glance doth seek the ground—
Speak, Siebel—what hath happened?
Sie. (with an effort.)
No! I cannot tell thee!
Val. What mean'st thou?
(Rushing toward house.)
Sie. (withholding him.)
Hold, good Valentine, take heart!
Val. What is't thou mean'st!
(Enters the house.)
Sie. Forgive her!
Shield her, gracious Heaven!
(Approaches the church. Faust and Mephistopheles enter at the back; Mephistopheles carries a guitar.)
SCENE V.
Faust and Mephistopheles.
(Faust goes towards Marguerite's house, but hesitates.)
Mep. Why tarry ye?
Let us enter the house.
Faust. Peace! I grieve to think that I
Brought shame and sorrow hither.
Mep. Why see her again, then, after leaving her?
Some other sight might be more pleasing.
To the sabbath let us on.
Faust (sighing).
Oh, Marguerite!
Mep. My advice, I know,
Availeth but little
Against thy stubborn will.
Doctor, you need my voice!
(Throwing back his mantle, and accompanying himself on the guitar.)
I.
Maiden, now in peace reposing,
From thy sleep awake,
Hear my voice with love imploring,
Wilt thou pity take?
But beware how thou confidest
Even in thy friend,
Ha! ha! ha!
If not for thy wedding finger
He a ring doth send.
II.
Yes, sweet maiden, I implore thee,—
Oh, refuse not this,—
Smile on him who doth adore thee,
Bless him with thy kiss.
But beware how thou confidest,
Even in thy friend,
Ha! ha! ha!
If not for thy wedding finger
He a ring doth send.
(Valentine rushes from the house.)
SCENE VI.
Valentine and the before-named.
Val. Good sir, what want you here?
Mep. My worthy fellow, it was not to you
That we addressed our serenade!
Val. My sister, perhaps, would more gladly hear it!
(Valentine draws his sword, and breaks
Mephistopheles' guitar.)
Faust. His sister!
Mep. (to Valentine)
Why this anger?
Do ye not like my singing?
Val. Your insults cease!
From which of ye must I demand
Satisfaction for this foul outrage?
Which of ye must I now slay?
(Faust draws his sword.)
'Tis he!
Mep. Your mind's made up, then!
On, then, doctor, at him, pray!
Val. Oh, heaven, thine aid afford,
Increase my strength and courage,
That in his blood my sword
May wipe out this fell outrage!
Faust. What fear is this unnerves my arm?
Why falters now my courage?
Dare I to take his life,
Who but resents an outrage?
Mep. His wrath and his courage
I laugh alike to scorn!
To horse, then, for his last journey
The youth right soon will take!
Val. (taking in his hand the medallion suspended round his neck).
Thou gift of Marguerite,
Which till now hath ever saved me,
I'll no more of thee—I cast thee hence!
Accursed gift, I throw thee from me!
(Throws it angrily away.)
Mep. (aside).
Thou'll repent it!
Val. (to Faust).
Come on, defend thyself!
Mep. (to Faust, in a whisper).
Stand near to me, and attack him only;
I'll take care to parry!
(They fight.)
Val. (falling).
Ah!
Mep. Behold our hero,
Lifeless on the ground!
Come, we must hence—quick, fly!
(Exit, dragging Faust after him.)
SCENE VII.
(Enter Citizens, with lighted torches; afterwards Siebel and Marguerite.)
Cho. Hither, hither, come this way—
They're fighting here hard by!
See, one has fallen;
The unhappy man lies prostrate there.
Ah! he moves—yes, still he breathes;
Quick, then, draw nigh
To raise and succor him!
Val. 'Tis useless, cease these vain laments.
Too often have I gazed
On death, to heed it
When my own time hath come!
(Marguerite appears at the back, supported by Siebel.)
Mar. (advancing, and falling on her knees at Valentine's side).
Valentine! ah, Valentine!
Val. (thrusting her from him).
Marguerite!
What would'st thou here?—away!
Mar. O heav'n!
Val. For her I die! Poor fool!
I thought to chastise her seducer!
Cho. (in a low voice, pointing to Marguerite).
He dies, slain by her seducer!
Mar. Fresh grief is this! ah, bitter punishment.
Sie. Have pity on her, pray!
Val. (supported by those around him).
Marguerite, give ear awhile;
That which was decreed
Hath duly come to pass.
Death comes at its good pleasure:
All mortals must obey its behest.
But for you intervenes an evil life!
Those white hands will never work more;
The labors and sorrows that others employ,
Will be forgotten in hours of joy.
Darest thou live, ingrate?
Darest thou still exist?
Go! Shame overwhelm thee! Remorse follow thee!
At length thy hour will sound.
Die! And if God pardons thee hereafter,
So may this life be a continual curse!
Cho. Terrible wish! Unchristian thought!
In thy last sad hour, unfortunate!
Think of thy own soul's welfare.
Forgive, if thou wouldst be forgiven.
Val. Marguerite; I curse you! Death awaits me.
I die by your hand; but I die a soldier.
(Dies.)
Cho. God receive thy spirit!
God pardon thy sins!
(Curtain.)
ACT V.
SCENE I.
A Prison.
Marguerite asleep;
Faust
and Mephistopheles.
Faust. Go! get thee hence!
Mep. The morn appears, black night is on the wing.
Quickly prevail upon Marguerite to follow thee.
The jailer soundly sleeps—here is the key,
Thine own hand now can ope the door.
Faust. Good! Get thee gone!
Mep. Be sure thou tarry not!
I will keep watch without.
(Exit.)
Faust. With grief my heart is wrung!
Oh, torture! oh, source of agony
And remorse eternal! Behold her there
The good, the beauteous girl,
Cast like a criminal
Into this vile dungeon;
Grief must her reason have disturbed,
For, with her own hand, alas!
Her child she slew!
Oh, Marguerite!
Mar. (waking).
His voice did sure
Unto my heart resound.
(Rises.)
Faust. Marguerite!
Mar. At that glad sound it wildly throbs again
Amid the mocking laugh of demons.
Faust. Marguerite!
Mar. Now am I free. He is here. It is his voice.
Yes, thou art he whom I love.
Fetters, death, have no terrors for me;
Thou hast found me. Thou hast returned.
Now am I saved! Now rest I on thy heart!
Faust. Yes, I am here, and I love thee,
In spite of the efforts of yon mocking demon.
(Faust attempts to draw her with him.)
(She gently disengages herself from his arms.)
Mar. Stay! this is the spot
Where one day thou didst meet me.
Thine hand sought mine to clasp.
"Will you not permit me, my fairest demoiselle,
To offer you my arm, and clear for you the way?"
"No, sir. I am no demoiselle, neither am I fair;
And I have no need to accept your offered arm."
Faust. What is't she says? Ah me! Ah me!
Mar. And the garden I love is here,
Odorous of myrtle and roses,
Where every eve thou camest in
With careful step, as night was falling.
Faust. Come, Marguerite, let us fly!
Mar. No! stay a moment!
Faust. O heav'n, she does not understand!
SCENE II.
Mephistopheles and the preceding.
Mep. Away at once, while yet there's time!
If longer ye delay,
Not e'en my power can save ye.
Mar. See'st thou yon demon crouching in the shade?
His deadly glance is fixed on us;
Quick! drive him from these sacred walls.
Mep. Away! leave we this spot,
The dawn hath appeared;
Hear'st thou not the fiery chargers,
As with sonorous hoof they paw the ground?
(Endeavoring to drag Faust with him.)
Haste ye, then,—perchance there yet
Is time to save her!
Mar. O Heaven, I crave thy help!
Thine aid alone I do implore!
(Kneeling.)
Holy angels, in heaven bless'd,
My spirit longs with ye to rest!
Great Heaven, pardon grant, I implore thee,
For soon shall I appear before thee!
Faust. Marguerite! Follow me, I implore!
Mar. Holy angels, in heaven bless'd,
My spirit longs with ye to rest!
Great Heaven, pardon grant, I implore thee,
For soon shall I appear before thee!
Faust. O Marguerite!
Mar. Why that glance with anger fraught?
Faust. Marguerite!
Mar. What blood is that which stains thy hand!
Away! thy sight doth cause me horror!
(Falls.)
Mep. Condemned!
Cho. Saved!
Christ hath arisen!
Christ hath arisen!
Christ is born again!
Peace and felicity
To all disciples of the Master!
Christ hath arisen!
(The prison walls open. The soul of Marguerite rises towards heaven. Faust gazes despairingly after her, then falls on his knees and prays. Mephistopheles turns away, barred by the shining sword of an archangel.)
End of the Opera.
ACTE PREMIER.
SCÈNE PREMIERE.
Le Cabinet de Faust.
(Faust, seul. Sa lampe est près de s'eteindre. Il est assis devant une table chargée de parchemins. Un livre est ouvert devant lui.)
Faust. Rien!...—En vain j'interroge, en mon ardente veille,
La nature et le Créateur;
Pas une voix ne glisse à mon oreille
Un mot consolateur!
J'ai langui triste et solitaire,
Sans pouvoir briser le lien
Qui m'attache encore à la terre!...
Je ne vois rien!—Je ne sais rien!...
(Il ferme le livre et se lève. Le jour commence à naitre.)
Le ciel pâlit!—Devant l'aube nouvelle
La sombre nuit
S'évanouit!...
(Avec désespoir.)
Encore un jour!—encore un jour qui luit!...
O mort, quand viendras-tu m'abriter sous ton aile?
(Saisissant une fiole sur la table.)
Eh bien! puisque la mort me fuit,
Pourquoi n'irais-je pas vers elle?...
Salut! ô mon dernier matin!
J'arrive sans terreur au terme du voyage;
Et je suis, avec ce breuvage,
Le seul maître de mon destin!
(Il verse le contenu de la fiole dans une coupe de cristal. Au moment où il va porter la coupe à ses lèvres, des voix de jeunes filles se font entendre au dehors.)
Chœur de Jeunes Filles.
Paresseuse fille
Qui sommeille encor!
Déjà le jour brille
Sous son manteau d'or.
Déjà l'oiseau chante
Ses folles chansons;
L'aube caressante
Sourit aux moissons;
Le ruisseau murmure,
La fleur s'ouvre au jour,
Toute la nature
S'éveille à l'amour!
Faust. Vains échos de la joie humaine,
Passez, passez votre chemin!...
O coupe des aïeux, qui tant fois fus pleine,
Pourquoi trembles-tu dans ma main?...
(Il porte de nouveau la coupe à ses lèvres.)
Chœur des Laboureurs (dehors).
Aux champs l'aurore nous rappelle;
Le temps est beau, la terre est belle;
Béni soit Dieu!
A peine voit-on l'hirondelle,
Qui vole et plonge d'un coup d'aile
Dans le profondeur du ciel bleu!
Jeunes Filles et Labs. Béni soit Dieu!
Faust. (reposant la coupe) Dieu!
(Il se laisse retomber dans son fauteuil.)
Mais ce Dieu, que peut-il pour moi!
(Se levant.)
Me rendra-t'il l'amour, l'espérance et la foi?
(Avec rage.)
Maudites soyez-vous, ô voluptés humaines!
Maudites soient les chaînes
Qui me font ramper ici-bas!
Maudit soit tout ce qui nous leurre,
Vain espoir qui passe avec l'heure,
Rêves d'amour ou de combats!
Maudit soit le bonheur, maudites la science,
La prière et la foi!
Maudite sois-tu, patience!
A moi, Satan! à moi!
SCÈNE II.
Faust, Mephistopheles.
Mep. (apparaissant).
Me voici!... D'où vient ta surprise!
Ne suis-je pas mis à ta guise?
L'épée au côté, la plume au chapeau,
L'escarcelle pleine, un riche manteau
Sur l'épaule;—en somme
Un vrai gentilhomme!
Eh bien! que me veux-tu, docteur!
Parle, voyons!...—Te fais-je peur?
Faust. Non.
Mep. Doutes-tu ma puissance?...
Faust. Peut-être!
Mep. Mets-la donc à l'épreuve!...
Faust. Va-t'en!
Mep. Fi!—c'est là ta reconnaissance!
Apprends de moi qu'avec Satan
L'on en doit user d'autre sorte,
Et qu'il n'était pas besoin
De l'appeler de si loin
Pour le mettre ensuite à la porte!
Faust. Et que peux-tu pour moi?
Mep. Tout.—Mais dis-moi d'abord
Ce que tu veux;—est-ce de l'or?
Faust. Que ferais-je de la richesse?
Mep. Bien! je vois où le bât te blesse!
Tu veux la gloire?
Faust. Plus encor!
Mep. La puissance!
Faust. Non! je veux un trésor
Qui les contient tous!... je veux la jeunesse!
A moi les plaisirs,
Les jeunes maîtresses!
A moi leurs caresses!
A moi leurs désirs?
A moi l'énergie
Des instincts puissants,
Et la folle orgie
Du cœur et des sens!
Ardente jeunesse,
A moi tes désirs!
A moi ton ivresse!
A moi tes plaisirs!...
Mep. Fort bien! je puis contenter ton caprice
Faust. Et que te donnerai-je en retour?
Mep. Presque rien:
Ici, je suis à ton service,
Mais là-bas tu seras au mien.
Faust. Là-bas?...
Mep. Là-bas.
(Lui présentant un parchemin.)
Allons, signe.—Eh quoi! ta main tremble!
Que faut-il pour te décider?
La jeunesse t'appelle; ôse la regarder!...
(Il fait un geste. Au fond du théâtre s'ouvre et laisse voir Marguerite assise devant son rouet et filant.)
Faust. O merveille!...
Mep. Eh bien! que t'ensemble?
(Prenant le parchemin.)
Faust. Donne!...
(Il signe.)
Mep. Allons donc!
(Prenant la coupe restée sur la table.)
Et maintenant,
Maître, c'est moi qui te convie
A vider cette coupe où fume en bouillonnant
Non plus la mort, non plus le poison;—mais la vie!
Faust. (Prenant la coupe et se tournant vers Marguerite.)
A toi, fantôme adorable et charmant!...
(Il vide la coupe et se trouve métamorphosé en jeune et élégant
seigneur. La vision disparaît.)
Mep. Viens!
Faust. Je la reverrai?
Mep. Sans doute.
Faust. Quand?
Mep. Aujourd'hui.
Faust. C'est bien!
Mep. En route!
Faust. A moi les plaisirs,
Les jeunes maîtresses!
A moi leurs caresses!
A moi leurs désirs!
Mep. A toi la jeunesse,
A toi ses désirs,
A toi son ivresse,
A toi ses plaisirs!
(Ils sortent.—La toile tombe.)
ACTE DEUXIÈME.
SCÈNE PREMIÈRE.
La Kermesse.
(Une des portes de la ville. A gauche un caborte à l'enseigne du Bacchus)
Wagner, Etudiants, Bourgeois, Soldats, Jeunes Filles, Matrones.
Etuds.
Vin ou bière,
Bière ou vin,
Que mon verre
Soit plein!
Sans vergogne,
Coup sur coup,
Un ivrogne
Boit tout!
Wag. Jeune adepte Que ta gloire,
De tonneau Tes amours,
N'en excepte Soient de boire
Que l'eau! Toujours!
(Ils trinquent et boivent.)
Soldats.
Filles ou forteresses,
C'est tout un, morbleu!
Vieux burgs, jeunes maîtresses
Sont pour nous un jeu!
Celui qui sait s'y prendre
Sans trop de façon,
Les oblige à se rendre
En payant rançon!
Bourgeois.
Aux jours de dimanche et de fête,
J'aime à parler guerre et combats;
Tandis que les peuples là-bas
Se cassent la tête.
Je vais m'asseoir sur les coteaux
Qui sont voisins de la rivière,
Et je vois passer les bateaux
En vidant mon verre!
(Bourgeois et Soldats remontent vers le fond du théâtre.)
(Un groupe de jeunes filles entre en scène.)
Les Jeunes Filles (regardant de côté).
Voyez ces hardis compères
Qui viennent là-bas;
Ne soyons pas trop sévères,
Retardons le pas.
(Elles gagnent la droite du théâtre. Un second chœur
d'étudiants entre à leur suite.)
Deuxième Cho. d'Etuds. Voyez ces mines gaillardes
Et ces airs vainqueurs!
Amis, soyons sur nos gardes,
Tenons bien nos cœurs!
Cho. De Mats. (observant les étudiants et les jeunes filles).
Voyez après ces donzelles
Courir ces messieurs!
Nous sommes aussi bien qu'elles,
Sinon beaucoup mieux!
(Ensemble.)
Mats. (aux jeunes filles).
Vous voulez leur plaire
Nous le voyons bien
Etuds. Vin ou bière,
Bière ou vin,
Que mon verre
Soit plein!
Sols. Pas be beauté fière!
Nous savons leur plaire
En un tour de main!
Bourg. Vidons un verre
De ce bon vin!
Jeunes Filles. De votre colère
Nous ne craignons rien!
Jeunes Etuds. Voyez leur colère,
Voyez leur maintien!
(Les étudiants et les soldats séparent les femmes en riant. Tous les groupes s'éloignent et disparaissent.)
SCÈNE II.
Wagner, Siebel, Etudiants, Valentin.
Val. (paraissant an fond; il tient une petite médaille à la main).
O sainte médaille,
Qui me viens de ma sœur,
Au jour de la bataille,
Pour écarter la mort, reste là sur mon cœur!
Wag. Ah! voici Valentin qui nous cherché sans doute!
Val. Un dernier coup, messieurs, et mettons-nous en route!
Wag. Qu'as-tu donc?... quels regrets attristent nos adieux?
Val. Comme vous, pour longtemps, je vais quitter ces lieux;
J'y laisse Marguerite, et, pour veiller sur elle,
Ma mère n'est plus là!
Sie. Plus d'un ami fidèle
Saura te remplacer a ses côtés!
Val. (lui serrant la main).
Merci!
Sie. Sur moi tu peux compter!
Etuds. Compte sur nous aussi!
Val. Avant de quitter ces lieux, Sol natal de mes aïeux, A toi, Seigneur et Roi des Cieux, Ma sœur je confie. Daigne de tout danger Toujours la protéger, Cette sœur si chérie. Délivré d'une triste pensée, J'irais chercher la gloire au sein des ennemis, Le premier, le plus brave au fort de la mêlée, J'irai combattre pour mon pays. Et si vers lui Dieu me rappelle, Je viellerai sur toi fidèle, O Marguerite!
Wag. Allons, amis! point de vaines alarmes!
A ce bon vin ne mêlons pas de larmes!
Buvons, trinquons, et qu'un joyeux refrain
Nous mette en train!
Etuds. Buvons, trinquons, et qu'un joyeux refrain
Nous mette en train!
Wag.
(montant sur an escabeau).
Un rat plus poltron que brave,
Et plus laid que beau,
Logeait au fond d'une cave,
Sous un vieux tonneau;
Un chat....
SCÈNE III.
Les mêmes. Mephistopheles.