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FAUST.

Sound doctrine this, most reverend,
I hope your sermon's at an end:
Now, once for all, conceited fellow,
I am determined on't, and tell you,
She must, this very night, be mine:
You and I part, if you decline.

MEPHISTOPHELES.

Compose yourself be reasonable
If in a fortnight I be able
To make out opportunities!

FAUST.

A fortnight! give me but seven hours!
I want no devil to help me then,
And ask no aid from any powers
But those belonging to all men,
To fool a child like this with ease,
And make her any thing I please.

MEPHISTOPHELES.

How like a Frenchman! I regret
To see you discontented; yet
Why thus impatient? the delight
Is, after all, less exquisite,

Than when with some delay and doubt,

And difficulty fenced about,

You win the treasure guarded long;

Play with the pretty thing awhile,
And toy and trifle and beguile,
And to your will the soft wax mould,
As witness many a story told,

Of true love in Italian song.

FAUST.

But, fortunately, I require

No such incentives to desire.

MEPHISTOPHELES.

Now, not to take or give offence,
Believe me, here all violence

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The damsel may be won by guile;
A stratagem, perhaps, may gain

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MEPHISTOPHELES.

To prove how sensibly I feel

Your pangs, and, if I could, to heal;
I gratify, without delay,

Your wish, and take you there to-day.

Faust.

11

FAUST.

And shall I see her? have her?

MEPHISTOPHELES.

She to a neighbour's has to go,
And when I find that she is gone,
You may indulge yourself alone;
Breathe in the very room where she
Hath slept, and dream of joys to be.

FAUST.

No!

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Presents so soon! this promises

Speedy success they all love dress!
Oh, I know many a place of pleasure,
Where such things are, and many a treasure
Buried of old, and soon will find

Some lure to win the young thing's mind.

EVENING.

A NEAT LITTLE ROOM.

MARGARET.

I would give something now to know
The gentleman who met me, though;
He had a proud and princely air,
Is one of the nobility;

Look on his brow, you read it there,
And if he were not, he would stare
With somewhat more civility.

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Leave me, now leave me, I entreat.

MEPHISTOPHELES (prying about).

The place is tidy and quite clean;

[Exit.

Not

every

damsel's is so neat.

[Exit.

FAUST (looking round).

How calm! how happy dwells the tender light
In this still sanctuary reposing here,

And the sweet spirit of peace pervading all,
And blessing all. Spirit of peace and love,
I give myself to thee! Oh, love, whose breath
Is fed on the delicious dew of hope,

Be thou henceforth

my life!

How round us breathe

In every thing the same prevailing quiet
And neatness, and the feeling of contentment!
In low estate what more than riches are,
And this poor cell how very, very happy!

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[He throws himself on the leathern arm-chair beside the bed. Receive me, thou who hast with open arm, Year after year, the generations gone

Welcomed in joy and grief: how many a swarm
Of children round this patriarchal throne

Gathering have clung - perhaps beside this seat
A happy child I well can fancy it-

Even now she scarce is more on Christmas eve
My love has bent her at her grandsire's feet;

'Mong the good children each year to receive

The gifts that heaven's dear child comes down to give. Kissing the good old man I see her stand,

Her young round cheeks pressed on his withered hand.

The spirit of contentment, maiden dear,

Is breathing in thy very atmosphere;
I feel it sway me while I linger here.

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