Faust.  And Margery?

Mephistopheles.  Sits there in distress,
And what to do she cannot guess,
The jewels her daily and nightly thought,
And he still more by whom they were brought.

Faust. My heart is troubled for my pet. 
Get her at once another set! 
The first were no great things in their way.

Mephistopheles. O yes, my gentleman finds all child’s play!

Faust. And what I wish, that mind and do! 
Stick closely to her neighbor, too. 
Don’t be a devil soft as pap,
And fetch me some new jewels, old chap!

Mephistopheles. Yes, gracious Sir, I will with pleasure.
    [Exit FAUST.]
Such love-sick fools will puff away
Sun, moon, and stars, and all in the azure,
To please a maiden’s whimsies, any day.
    [Exit.]

      THE NEIGHBOR’S HOUSE.

      MARTHA [alone].
My dear good man—­whom God forgive! 
He has not treated me well, as I live! 
Right off into the world he’s gone
And left me on the straw alone. 
I never did vex him, I say it sincerely,
I always loved him, God knows how dearly.
      [She weeps.]
Perhaps he’s dead!—­O cruel fate!—­
If I only had a certificate!

Enter MARGARET.  Dame Martha!

Martha.  What now, Margery?

Margaret.  I scarce can keep my knees from sinking! 
Within my press, again, not thinking,
I find a box of ebony,
With things—­can’t tell how grand they are,—­
More splendid than the first by far.

Martha.  You must not tell it to your mother, She’d serve it as she did the other.

Margaret.  Ah, only look!  Behold and see!

Martha [puts them on her].  Fortunate thing!  I envy thee!

Margaret. Alas, in the street or at church I never Could be seen on any account whatever.

Martha. Come here as often as you’ve leisure,
And prink yourself quite privately;
Before the looking-glass walk up and down at pleasure,
Fine times for both us ’twill be;
Then, on occasions, say at some great feast,
Can show them to the world, one at a time, at least. 
A chain, and then an ear-pearl comes to view;
Your mother may not see, we’ll make some pretext, too.

Margaret. Who could have brought both caskets in succession? 
There’s something here for just suspicion!
    [A knock. ]
Ah, God!  If that’s my mother—­then!

Martha [peeping through the blind].  ’Tis a strange gentleman—­come in!

    [Enter MEPHISTOPHELES.]
Must, ladies, on your kindness reckon
To excuse the freedom I have taken;
    [Steps back with profound respect at seeing MARGARET.]
I would for Dame Martha Schwerdtlein inquire!

Martha. I’m she, what, sir, is your desire?