Faust Part 40
Again it seethes, again it glows!
Thou fool, go in and comfort her!
When such a head as thine no outlet knows, It thinks the end must soon occur.
Hail him, who keeps a steadfast mind!
Thou, else, dost well the devil-nature wear: Naught so insipid in the world I find As is a devil in despair.
XV
MARGARETS ROOM
MARGARET
(at the spinning-wheel, alone)
My peace is gone, My heart is sore: I never shall find it, Ah, nevermore!
Save I have him near.
The grave is here; The world is gall And bitterness all.
My poor weak head Is racked and crazed; My thought is lost, My senses mazed.
My peace is gone, My heart is sore: I never shall find it, Ah, nevermore!
To see him, him only, At the pane I sit; To meet him, him only, The house I quit.
His lofty gait, His n.o.ble size, The smile of his mouth, The power of his eyes,
And the magic flow Of his talk, the bliss In the clasp of his hand, And, ah! his kiss!
My peace is gone, My heart is sore: I never shall find it, Ah, nevermore!
My bosom yearns For him alone; Ah, dared I clasp him, And hold, and own!
And kiss his mouth, To hearts desire, And on his kisses At last expire!
XVI
MARTHAS GARDEN
MARGARET FAUST
MARGARET
Promise me, Henry!-
FAUST
What I can!
MARGARET
How ist with thy religion, pray?
Thou art a dear, good-hearted man, And yet, I think, dost not incline that way.
FAUST
Leave that, my child! Thou knowst my love is tender; For love, my blood and life would I surrender, And as for Faith and Church, I grant to each his own.
MARGARET
Thats not enough: we must believe thereon.
FAUST
Must we?
MARGARET
Would that I had some influence!
Then, too, thou honorest not the Holy Sacraments.
FAUST
I honor them.
MARGARET
Desiring no possession Tis long since thou hast been to ma.s.s or to confession.
Believest thou in G.o.d?
FAUST
My darling, who shall dare "I believe in G.o.d!" to say?
Ask priest or sage the answer to declare, And it will seem a mocking play, A sarcasm on the asker.
MARGARET
Then thou believest not!
FAUST
Hear me not falsely, sweetest countenance!
Who dare express Him?
And who profess Him, Saying: I believe in Him!
Who, feeling, seeing, Deny His being, Saying: I believe Him not!
The All-enfolding, The All-upholding, Folds and upholds he not Thee, me, Himself?