II.

In these flowers alone I've faith, For they will plead for me; To her they will reveal My hapless state. The sole cause of my woe is she, And yet she knows it not. But in these flowers I've faith, For they will plead for me.

(Plucks flowers in order to make a bouquet, and disappears amongst the shrubs.)

* * * * *

SCENE II.

MEPHISTOPHELES, FAUST, and SIEBEL.

_Faust._ (cautiously entering through the garden door). We are here!

_Mep_. Follow me.

_Faust._ Whom dost thou see?

_Mep._ Siebel, your rival.

_Faust._ Siebel?

_Mep._ Hush! He comes. (They enter the bower.)

_Sie._ (entering with a bouquet in his hand). My bouquet is charming indeed?

_Mep._ (aside). It is indeed!

_Sie._ Victory! Tomorrow I'll reveal all to her. I will disclose to her the secret That lies concealed in my heart: A kiss will tell the rest.

_Mep._ (aside, mockingly). Seducer!

(Exit SIEBEL, after fastening bouquet to the door of the pavilion.)

* * * * *

SCENE III.

FAUST and MEPHISTOPHELES.

_Mep._ Now attend, my dear doctor! To keep company with the flowers of our friend, I go to bring you a treasure, Which outshines them beyond measure, And of beauty past believing.

_Faust._ Leave me!

_Mep._ I obey. Deign to await me here. (Disappears.)

* * * * *

SCENE IV.

FAUST.

_Faust._ (alone). What new emotion penetrates my soul! Love, a pure and holy love, pervades my being. O Marguerite, behold me at thy feet! All hail, thou dwelling pure and lowly, Home of an angel fair and holy, All mortal beauty excelling! What wealth is here, a wealth outbidding gold, Of peace, and love, and innocence untold! Bounteous Nature! 'twas here by day thy love was taught her, Thou here with kindly care didst o'er-shadow thy daughter Through hours of night! Here waving tree and flower Made her an Eden bower Of beauty and delight, For one whose very birth Brought down heaven to our earth. All hail, thou dwelling pure and lowly, Home of an angel fair and holy.

* * * * *

SCENE V.

FAUST, MEPHISTOPHELES.

_Mep._ (carrying a casket under his arm). What ho! see here! If flowers are more potent than bright jewels, Then I consent to lose my power.

(Opens the casket and displays the jewels.)

_Faust._ Let us fly; I ne'er will see her more.

_Mep._ What scruple now assails thee? (Lays the casket on the threshold of the pavilion.) See on yonder step, The jewels snugly lie; We've reason now to hope.

(Draws FAUST after him, and disappears in the garden. MARGUERITE enters through the doorway at the back, and advances silently to the front.)

* * * * *

SCENE VI.

MARGUERITE.

_Mar._ (alone). Fain would I know the name Of the fair youth I met? Fain would I his birth And station also know?

(Seats herself at her wheel in the arbor, and arranges the flax upon the spindle.)