And yet itself hath overeaten ne'er, It is the church alone, my lady dear, Unlawful property that can digest.

FAUST.

Such power is yet in universal use,
It's exercised, besides, by Kings and Jews.

MEPHISTOPHEles.

Pounced upon bracelet, chain, and ring, As if they nought but mushrooms were, Gave thanks no more for any thing

Than had a bag of nuts been there; Promised rewards in Heaven above.

Right edifying did it prove.

And Margaret?

FAUST.

MEPHISTOPHEles.

Ill at ease she sits,

Knows not what mean her restless fits;
Broods day and night the trinkets o'er,
Of him that brought them thinks yet more.

FAUST.

I grieve to hear my love doth fret ;

Get her at once another set,

For the first, no great things were they.

MEPHISTOPHELES.

Ay, to the gentleman 'tis all child's play.

FAUST.

See that according to my wish all goes,

And to her neighbour mind that you stick close; Do not a milksop devil be,

Fetch a fresh set of jewels immediately.

MEPHISTOPHELES.

Yes, honoured master, willingly enough.

[Faust exit.

Why, such a love-sick fool as this would puff
Sun, moon, and stars, and all, into the air,
For the amusement of his lady fair.

[Exit.

THE NEIGHBOUR'S HOUSE.

MARTHA -alone.

Now God forgive my husband dear ;
By me he has not fairly done,

Right out through all the world is gone;
And leaves me a grass-widow here;

I never vexed him, nor a bad wife proved him, In truth, God knows how heartily I loved him. [She weeps.

Perhaps he may be dead. Oh, luckless fate, Had I of it but a certificate.

MARGARET enters.

MARGARET.

Martha !

MARTHA.

Well love, what may it be?

MARGARET.

My knees are almost failing me;
I found again within my press
A jewel case of ebony,

Gems of such perfect loveliness;
Far richer than the first are they.

MARTHA.

Nought of it to your mother say,

Else gives she them the priest straightway.

MARGARET.

Only just see, now but look here.

MARTHA puts them on her.

Oh, thou most lucky creature dear.

MARGARET.

But with these jewels on, unhappily,

I dare not in the streets or church appear.

MARTHA.

Only come over to me often here.

And then in private in the jewels arrayed, Before the mirror for an hour parade;

We shall have our delight in it,
And by and by will find occasion fit,
Some festival or holiday will seize,

To let the people see them by degrees.

A chain first, then the earrings; should your mother Observe them, we'll make some pretence or other.

MARGARET.

Who can it be that the two caskets brought?

It cannot be exactly as it ought.

[A knock at the door.

Oh God, can that my mother be?

MARTHA, peeping through the blind.

'Tis a strange gentleman.-Come in.

MEPHISTOPHELES enters.

Straightway to enter here, I have made free,
Trust of the ladies I shall pardon win.

[Steps back respectfully before Margaret. Speech of Dame Martha Schwerdtlein I would pray.

MARTHA.

'Tis me, what hath the gentleman to say?