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Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
Goethe, Johann Wolfgang von, Clarke, Harry, and Taylor, Bayard
MEPHISTOPHELES
Ah, not alone the jewelry! The look, the manner, both betray— Rejoiced am I that I may stay!
MARTHA
What is your business? I would fain—
MEPHISTOPHELES
I would I had a more cheerful strain! Take not unkindly its repeating: Your husband’s dead, and sends a greeting.
MARTHA
Is dead? Alas, that heart so true! My husband dead! Let me die, too!
MARGARET
Ah, dearest dame, let not your courage fail!
MEPHISTOPHELES
Hear me relate the mournful tale!
MARGARET
Therefore I’d never love, believe me! A loss like this to death would grieve me.
MEPHISTOPHELES
Joy follows woe, woe after joy comes flying.
MARTHA
Relate his life’s sad close to me!
MEPHISTOPHELES
In Padua buried, he is lying Beside the good Saint Antony, Within a grave well consecrated, For cool, eternal rest created.
MARTHA
He gave you, further, no commission?
MEPHISTOPHELES
Yes, one of weight, with many sighs: Three hundred masses buy, to save him from perdition! My hands are empty, otherwise.
MARTHA
What! Not a pocket-piece? no jewelry? What every journeyman within his wallet spares, And as a token with him bears, And rather starves or begs, than loses?
MEPHISTOPHELES
Madam, it is a grief to me; Yet, on my word, his cash was put to proper uses. Besides, his penitence was very sore, And he lamented his ill fortune all the more.
MARGARET
Alack, that men are so unfortunate! Surely for his soul’s sake full many a prayer I’ll proffer.
MEPHISTOPHELES
You well deserve a speedy marriage-offer: You are so kind, compassionate.
MARGARET
O, no! As yet, it would not do.
MEPHISTOPHELES
If not a husband, then a beau for you! It is the greatest heavenly blessing, To have a dear thing for one’s caressing.
MARGARET
The country’s custom is not so.
MEPHISTOPHELES
Custom, or not! It happens, though.