Act 5 Summary

Scene 1 Open Country

This scene begins with a traveler coming upon the land that Faust has taken from the sea. He seeks an older couple, Baucis and Philemon who own a cottage and chapel on the outskirts of Faust's new land. The old woman, Baucis, greets the traveler, reaching the door of the cottage. The husband and wife once saved the traveler's life and he has returned to thank them. The woman tells the traveler to come in but to be silent because her husband is sleeping.

The husband Philemon, however, wastes no time in rising to greet the traveler. While eating a meal together, the traveler asks to know about the new land and empire that has arisen out of the sea nearby. Philemon tells the tale of how Faust's men completed the project in superhuman time, digging ditches and building dikes...