II.

Calf of Gold, strongest god below! To his temple overflowing Crowds before his vile shape bowing, The monster dares insult the skies. With contempt he views around him All the vaunted human race, As they strive in abject toil, As with souls debased they circle Round about the pedestal. Satan, he conducts the ball.

_All._ Satan, he conducts the ball.

_Cho._ A strange story this of thine.

_Val._ (aside). And stranger still is he who sings it.

_Wag._ (offering a cup to MEPHISTOPHELES). Will you honor us by partaking of wine?

_Mep._ With pleasure. Ah! (Taking WAGNER by the hand, and scrutinizing his palm.) Behold what saddens me to view. See you this line?

_Wag._ Well!

_Mep._ A sudden death it presages,-- You will be killed in mounting to th' assault!

_Sie._ You are then a sorcerer!

_Mep._ Even so. And your own hand shows plainly To what fate condemns. What flower you would gather Shall wither in the grasp.

_Sie._ I?

_Mep._ No more bouquets for Marguerite.

_Val._ My sister! How knew you her name?

_Mep._ Take care, my brave fellow! Some one I know is destined to kill you.

(Taking the cup.) Your health, gentlemen! Pah! What miserable wine! Allow me to offer you some from my cellar?

(Jumps on the table, and strikes on a little cask, surmounted by the effigy of the god Bacchus, which serves as a sign to the Inn.)

What ho! thou god of wine, now give us drink! (Wine gushes forth from cask, and MEPHISTOPHELES fills his goblet.) Approach, my friends! Each one shall be served to his liking. To your health, now and hereafter! To Marguerite!

_Val._ Enough! If I do not silence him, And that instantly, I will die. (The wine bursts into flame.)

_Wag._ Hola!

_Cho._ Hola! (They draw their swords.) _Mep._ Ah, ha! Why do you tremble so, you who menace me?

(He draws a circle around him with his sword. VALENTINE attacks; his sword is broken.)

_Val._ My sword, O amazement! Is broken asunder.

_All_ (forcing MEPHISTOPHELES to retire by holding toward him the cross-shaped handles of their swords).

Gainst the powers of evil our arms assailing, Strongest earthly might is unavailing. But thou canst not charm us, Look hither! While this blest sign we wear Thou canst not harm us.

(Exeunt.)

* * * * *

SCENE IV.

MEPHISTOPHELES, then FAUST.

_Mep._ (replacing his sword). We'll meet anon, good sirs,--adieu!

_Faust_ (enters). Why, what has happened?

_Mep._ Oh, nothing! let us change the subject! Say, Doctor, what would you of me? With what shall we begin?

_Faust._ Where bides the beauteous maid Thine art did show to me? Or was't mere witchcraft?

_Mep._ No, but her virtue doth protect her from thee, And heaven itself would keep her pure.

_Faust._ It matters not! Come, lead me to her, Or I straightway abandon thee.

_Mep._ Then I'll comply! 'twere pity you should think So meanly of the magic power which I possess. Have patience! and to this joyous tune. Right sure am I, the maiden will appear.

* * * * *

SCENE V.

(Students, with Maidens on their arms, preceded by Musicians, take possession of the stage. Burghers in the rear, as at the commencement of the act.)

Students, Maidens, Burghers, etc., afterwards SIEBEL and MARGUERITE.

_Cho._ (marking waltz time with their feet). As the wind that sportively plays, At first will light dust only raise, Yet, at last, becomes a gale, So our dancing and our singing, Soft at first, then loudly ringing, Will resound o'er hill and dale.

(The Musicians mount upon the table, and dancing begins.)

_Mep._ (to FAUST). See those lovely young maidens. Will you not ask of them To accept you?

_Faust._ No! desist from thy idle sport, And leave my heart free to reflection.

_Sie._ (entering). Marguerite this way alone can arrive.

_Some of the Maidens_ (approaching SIEBEL). Pray seek you a partner to join in the dance?

_Sie._ No: it has no charm for me.

_Cho._ As the wind that sportively plays, At first will light dust only raise, Yet, at last, becomes a gale, So our dancing and our singing, Soft at first, then loudly ringing, Will resound o'er hill and dale.

(MARGUERITE enters.) _Faust._ It is she! behold her!

_Mep._ 'Tis well! now, then, approach!

_Sie._ (perceiving MARGUERITE and approaching her). Marguerite!

_Mep._ (turning round and finding himself face to face with SIEBEL). What say you?

_Sie._ (aside). Malediction! here again!

_Mep._ (coaxingly). What, here again, dear boy? (laughing). Ha, ha! a right good jest!

(SIEBEL retreats before MEPHISTOPHELES, who then compels him to make a circuit of the stage, passing behind the dancers.)

_Faust_ (approaching MARGUERITE, who crosses the stage). Will you not permit me, my fairest demoiselle, To offer you my arm, and clear for you the way?

_Mar._ No, sir. I am no demoiselle, neither am I fair; And I have no need to accept your offered arm. (Passes FAUST and retires.)

_Faust_ (gazing after her). What beauty! What grace! What modesty! O lovely child, I love thee! I love thee!

_Sie._ (coming forward, without having seen what has occurred). She has gone!

(He is about to hurry after MARGUERITE, when he suddenly finds himself face to face with MEPHISTOPHELES--he hastily turns away and leaves the stage.)

_Mep._ Well, Doctor!

_Faust._ Well. She has repulsed me.

_Mep._ (laughing). Ay, truly, I see, in love, You know not how to make the first move.

(He retires with FAUST, in the direction taken by MARGUERITE.)

_Some of the Maidens_ (who have noticed the meeting between FAUST and MARGUERITE). What is it?

_Others._ Marguerite. She has refused the escort Of yonder elegant gentleman.

_Studs._ (approaching). Waltz again!

_Maidens._ Waltz always!

ACT III.

SCENE I.

MARGUERITE's Garden.

(At the back a wall, with a little door. To the left a bower. On the right a pavilion, with a window facing the audience. Trees, shrubs, etc.)

SIEBEL, alone. (He enters through the little door at the back, and stops on the threshold of the pavilion, near a group of roses and lilies.)

_Sie._