But many weary hours, in sooth, were also mine. 
At night its little cradle stood
Close to my bed; so was I wide awake
If it but stirred;
One while I was obliged to give it food,
Or to my arms the darling take;
From bed full oft must rise, whene’er its cry I heard,
And, dancing it, must pace the chamber to and fro;
Stand at the wash-tub early; forthwith go
To market, and then mind the cooking too—­
Tomorrow like today, the whole year through. 
Ah, sir, thus living, it must be confess’d
One’s spirits are not always of the best;
Yet it a relish gives to food and rest.

[They pass on.]

MARTHA

Poor women! we are badly off, I own;
A bachelor’s conversion’s hard, indeed!

MEPHISTOPHELES

Madam, with one like you it rests alone,
To tutor me a better course to lead.

MARTHA

Speak frankly, sir, none is there you have met? 
Has your heart ne’er attach’d itself as yet?

MEPHISTOPHELES

One’s own fire-side and a good wife are gold
And pearls of price, so says the proverb old.

MARTHA

I mean, has passion never stirred your breast?

MEPHISTOPHELES

I’ve everywhere been well received, I own.

MARTHA

Yet hath your heart no earnest preference known?

MEPHISTOPHELES

With ladies one should ne’er presume to jest.

MARTHA

Ah! you mistake!

MEPHISTOPHELES

I’m sorry I’m so blind! 
But this I know—­that you are very kind.

[They pass on.]

FAUST

Me, little angel, didst thou recognize,
When in the garden first I came?

MARGARET

Did you not see it?  I cast down my eyes.

FAUST

Thou dost forgive my boldness, dost not blame
The liberty I took that day,
When thou from church didst lately wend thy way?

MARGARET

I was confused.  So had it never been;
No one of me could any evil say. 
Alas, thought I, he doubtless in thy mien,
Something unmaidenly or bold hath seen?

[Illustration:  FAUST AND MARGARET IN THE GARDEN Liezen-Mayer]

It seemed as if it struck him suddenly,
Here’s just a girl with whom one may make free! 
Yet I must own that then I scarcely knew
What in your favor here began at once to plead;
Yet I was angry with myself indeed
That I more angry could not feel with you.