GARDEN. MARGARET on FAUST'S arm. MARTHA with MEPHISTOPHELES. [Promenading up and down.]

Margaret. The gentleman but makes me more confused

With all his condescending goodness.

Men who have travelled wide are used

To bear with much from dread of rudeness;

I know too well, a man of so much mind

In my poor talk can little pleasure find.

Faust. One look from thee, one word, delights me more

Than this world's wisdom o'er and o'er.

       [Kisses her hand.]

Margaret. Don't take that trouble, sir! How could you bear to kiss it?

A hand so ugly, coarse, and rough!

How much I've had to do! must I confess it--

Mother is more than close enough.

       [They pass on.]

Martha. And you, sir, are you always travelling so?

Mephistopheles. Alas, that business forces us to do it!

With what regret from many a place we go,

Though tenderest bonds may bind us to it!

Martha. 'Twill do in youth's tumultuous maze

To wander round the world, a careless rover;

But soon will come the evil days,

And then, a lone dry stick, on the grave's brink to hover,

For that nobody ever prays.

Mephistopheles. The distant prospect shakes my reason.

Martha. Then, worthy sir, bethink yourself in season.

      [They pass on.]

Margaret. Yes, out of sight and out of mind!

Politeness you find no hard matter;

But you have friends in plenty, better

Than I, more sensible, more refined.

Faust. Dear girl, what one calls sensible on earth,

Is often vanity and nonsense.

Margaret. How?

Faust. Ah, that the pure and simple never know

Aught of themselves and all their holy worth!

That meekness, lowliness, the highest measure

Of gifts by nature lavished, full and free--

Margaret. One little moment, only, think of me,

I shall to think of you have ample time and leisure.

Faust. You're, may be, much alone?

Margaret. Our household is but small, I own,

And yet needs care, if truth were known.

We have no maid; so I attend to cooking, sweeping,

Knit, sew, do every thing, in fac