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.)