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Faust [part 1]. Translated Into English in the Original Metres cover

Faust [part 1]. Translated Into English in the Original Metres

Chapter 23: XIII
By Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
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About This Book

An aging scholar, dissatisfied with purely intellectual pursuits, makes a pact with a cynical supernatural agent who offers renewed youth and worldly experience. The agreement propels him from secluded study into city life, mystical encounters, revelry, and a romantic involvement with a young woman whose innocence and reputation are destroyed amid social scandal and personal tragedy. Episodes range from a celestial prologue and occult gambits to folk festivities and courtroom-like reckonings, together exploring longing, guilt, moral responsibility, the clash of spiritual striving with earthly desire, and the ambiguous possibilities of forgiveness and redemption.

XIII

A GARDEN-ARBOR

(MARGARET comes in, conceals herself behind the door, puts her
finger to her lips, and peeps through the crack.)

MARGARET

He comes!

FAUST (entering)

Ah, rogue! a tease thou art:
I have thee! (He kisses her.)

MARGARET

(clasping him, and returning the kiss)

Dearest man! I love thee from my heart.

(MEPHISTOPHELES knocks)

FAUST (stamping his foot)

Who’s there?

MEPHISTOPHELES

A friend!

FAUST

A beast!

MEPHISTOPHELES

Tis time to separate.

MARTHA (coming)

Yes, Sir, ’tis late.

FAUST

May I not, then, upon you wait?

MARGARET

My mother would—farewell!

FAUST

Ah, can I not remain?

Farewell!

MARTHA

Adieu!

MARGARET

And soon to meet again!

[Exeunt FAUST and MEPHISTOPHELES.

MARGARET

Dear God! However is it, such
A man can think and know so much?
I stand ashamed and in amaze,
And answer “Yes” to all he says,
A poor, unknowing child! and he—
I can’t think what he finds in me! [Exit.