Cease thus to gnash thy ravenous fangs at me!  I loathe thee!—­Great and glorious spirit, thou who didst vouchsafe to reveal thyself unto me, thou who dost know my very heart and soul, why hast thou linked me with this base associate, who feeds on mischief and revels in destruction?

MEPHISTOPHELES

Hast done?

FAUST

Save her!—­or woe to thee!  The direst of curses on thee for thousands of years!

MEPHISTOPHELES

I cannot loose the bands of the avenger, nor withdraw his bolts.—­Save her!—­Who was it plunged her into perdition?  I or thou?

FAUST (looks wildly around)

MEPHISTOPHELES

Would’st grasp the thunder?  Well for you, poor mortals, that ’tis not yours to wield!  To smite to atoms the being, however innocent, who obstructs his path, such is the tyrant’s fashion of relieving himself in difficulties!

FAUST

Convey me thither!  She shall be free!

MEPHISTOPHELES

And the danger to which thou dost expose thyself?  Know, the guilt of blood, shed by thy hand, lies yet upon the town.  Over the place where fell the murdered one, avenging spirits hover and watch for the returning murderer.

FAUST

This too from thee?  The death and downfall of a world be on thee, monster!  Conduct me thither, I say and set her free!

MEPHISTOPHELES

I will conduct thee.  And what I can do,—­hear!  Have I all power in heaven and upon earth?  I’ll cloud the senses of the warder,—­do thou possess thyself of the keys and lead her forth with human hand!  I will keep watch!  The magic steeds are waiting, I bear thee off.  Thus much is in my power.

FAUST

Up and away!

NIGHT.  OPEN COUNTRY

FAUST. MEPHISTOPHELES

(Rushing along on black horses)

FAUST

What weave they yonder round the Ravenstone?

MEPHISTOPHELES

I know not what they shape and brew.

FAUST

They’re soaring, swooping, bending, stooping.

MEPHISTOPHELES

A witches’ pack.

FAUST

 They charm, they strew.

MEPHISTOPHELES