章节正文
cleverly. Straight for a priest the mother sent, Who, when he understood the
jest, With what he saw was well content. "This shows a pious mind!" Quoth
he: "Self - conquest is true victory. The Church hath a good stomach, she,
with zest, Whole countries hath swallow'd down, And never yet a surfeit
known. The Church alone, be it confessed, Daughters, can ill - got wealth
digest."
Faust
It is a general custom, too. Practised alike by king and jew.
Mephistopheles
With that, clasp, chain, and ring, he swept As they were mushrooms; and the
casket, Without one word of thanks, he kept, As if of nuts it were a basket.
Promised reward in heaven, then forth he hied And greatly they were edified.
Faust
And Gretchen!
Mephistopheles
In unquiet mood Knows neither what she would or should; The trinkets night
and day thinks o'er, On him who brought them, dwells still more.
Faust
The darling's sorrow grieves me, bring Another set without delay! The first,
methinks, was no great thing.
Mephistopheles
All's to my gentleman child's play!
Faust
Plan all things to achieve my end! Engage the attention of her friend! No milk
- and - water devil be, And bring fresh jewels instantly!
Mephistopheles
Ay, sir! Most gladly I'll obey.
(Faust exit.)
Mephistopheles
Your doting love - sick fool, with ease, Merely his lady - love to please, Sun,
moon, and stars in sport would puff away.
(Exit.)
The Neighbour's House - Martha, Margaret And Mephistopheles
Martha (alone)
God pardon my dear husband, he Doth not in truth act well by me! Forth in
the world abroad to roam, And leave me on the straw at home. And yet his
will I ne'er did thwart, God knows, I lov'd him from my heart.
(She weeps.)
Perchance he's dead! - oh wretched state! Had I but a certificate!
(Margaret comes)
Margaret
Dame Martha!
Martha
Gretchen?
Margaret
Only think! My knees beneath me well - nigh sink! Within my press I've found
to - day, Another case, of ebony. And things - magnificent they are, More
costly than the first, by far.
Martha
You must not name it to your mother! It would to shrift, just like the other.
Margaret
Nay look at them! now only see!
Martha (dresses her up)
Thou happy creature!
Margaret
Woe is me! Them in the street I cannot wear, Or in the church, or any where.
Martha
Come often over here to me, The gems put on quite privately; And then
before the mirror walk an hour or so, Thus we shall have our pleasure too.
Then suitable occasions we must seize, As at a feast, to show them by
degrees: A chain at first, pearl ear - drops then, - your mother Won't see
them, or we'll coin some tale or other.
Margaret
But, who, I wonder, could the caskets bring? I fear there's something wrong
about the thing!
(A knock.)
Good heavens! can that my mother be?
Martha (peering through the blind)
'Tis a strange gentleman, I see. Come in!
(Mephistopheles enters)
Mephistopheles
I've ventur'd to intrude to - day. Ladies, excuse the liberty, I pray.
(He steps back respectfully before Margaret.)
After dame Martha Schwerdtlein I inquire!
Martha
'Tis I. Pray what have you to say to me?
Mephistopheles (aside to her)
I know you now, - and therefore will retire; At present you've distinguished
company. Pardon the freedom, Madam, with your leave, I will make free to
call again at eve.
Martha (aloud)
Why, child, of all strange notions, he For some grand lady taketh thee!
Margaret
I am, in truth, of humble blood The gentleman is far too good Nor gems nor
trinkets are my own.
Mephistopheles
Oh 'tis not the mere ornaments alone; Her glance and mien far more betray.
Rejoiced I am that I may stay.
Martha
Your business, Sir? I long to know
Mephistopheles
Would I could happier tidings show! I trust mine errand you'll not let me rue;
Your husband's dead, and greeteth you.
Martha
Is dead? True heart! Oh misery! My husband dead! Oh, I shall die!
Margaret
Alas! good Martha! don't despair!
Mephistopheles
Now listen to the sad affair!
Margaret
I for this cause should fear to love. The loss my certain death would prove.
Mephistopheles
Joy still must sorrow, sorrow joy attend.
Martha
Proceed, and tell the story of his end!
Mephistopheles
At Padua, in St. Anthony's, In holy ground his body lies; Quiet and cool his
place of rest, With pious ceremonials blest.
Martha
And had you naught besides to bring?
Mephistopheles
Oh yes! one grave and solemn prayer; Let them for him three hundred masses
sing! But in my pockets, I have nothing there.
Martha
No trinket! no love - token did he send! What every journeyman safe in his
pouch will hoard There for remembrancefondly stored, And rather hungers,
rather begs than spend!
Mephistopheles
Madam, in truth, it grieves me sore, But he his gold not lavishly hath spent.
His failings too he deeply did repent, Ay! and his evil plight bewail'd still more.
Margaret
Alas! That men should thus be doomed to woe! I for his soul will many a
requiem pray.
Mephistopheles
A husband you deserve this very day; A child so worthy to be loved.
Margaret
Ah no, That time hath not yet come for me.
Mephistopheles
If not a spouse, a gallant let it be. Among heaven's choicest gifts, I place, So
sweet a darling to embrace.
Margaret
Our land doth no such usage know.
Mephistopheles
Usage or not, it happens so.
Martha
Go on, I pray!
Mephistopheles
I stood by his bedside. Something less foul it was than dung; 'Twas straw half
rotten; yet, he as a Christian died. And sorely hath remorse his conscience
wrung. "Wretch that I was," quoth he, with partingbreath, "So to forsake my
business and my wife! Ah! the remembrance is my death, Could I but have
her pardon in this life!"
Martha (weeping)
Dear soul! I've long forgiven him, indeed!
Mephistopheles
"Though she, God knows, was more to blame than I."
Martha
He lied! What, on the brink of death to lie!
Mephistopheles
If I am skill'd the countenance to read, He doubtless fabled as he parted
hence. "No time had I to gape, or take my ease," he said, "First to get
children, and then get them bread; And bread, too, in the very widest sense;
Nor could I eat in peace even my proper share."
Martha
What, all my truth, my love forgotten quite? My weary drudgery by day and
night!
Mephistopheles
Not so! He thought of you with tender care. Quoth he: "Heaven knows how
fervently I prayed, For wife and children when from Malta bound; The prayer
hath heaven with favour crowned; We took a Turkish vessel which conveyed
Rich store of treasure for the Sultan's court; It's own reward our gallant action
brought; The captur'd prize was shared among the crew And of the treasure I
received my due."
Martha
How? Where? The treasure hath he buried, pray?
Mephistopheles
Where the four winds have blown it, who can say? In Naples as he stroll'd, a
stranger there, A comely maid took pity on my friend; And gave such tokens
of her love and care, That he retained them to his blessed end.
Martha
Scoundrel! to rob his children of their bread! And all this misery, this bitter
need, Could not his course of recklessness impede!
Mephistopheles
Well, he hath paid the forfeit, and is dead. Now were I in your place, my
counsel hear; My weeds I'd wear for one chaste year, And for another lover
meanwhile would look out.
Martha
Alas, I might search far and near, Not quickly should I find another like my
first! There could not be a fonder fool than mine, Only he loved too well
aboard to roam; Loved foreign women too, and foreign wine, And loved
besides the dice accurs'd.
Mephistopheles
All had gone swimmingly, no doubt, Had he but given you at home, On his
side, just as wide a range. Upon such terms, to you I swear, Myself with you
would gladly rings exchange!
Martha
The gentleman is surely pleas'd to jest!
Mephistopheles (aside)
Now to be off in time, were best! She'd make the very devil marry her.
(To Margaret.)
How fares it with your heart?
Margaret
How mean you, Sir?
Mephistopheles (aside)
The sweet young innocent!
(aloud)
Ladies, farewell!
Margaret
Farewell!
Martha
But ere you leave us, quickly tell! I from a witness fain had heard, Where,
jest, With what he saw was well content. "This shows a pious mind!" Quoth
he: "Self - conquest is true victory. The Church hath a good stomach, she,
with zest, Whole countries hath swallow'd down, And never yet a surfeit
known. The Church alone, be it confessed, Daughters, can ill - got wealth
digest."
Faust
It is a general custom, too. Practised alike by king and jew.
Mephistopheles
With that, clasp, chain, and ring, he swept As they were mushrooms; and the
casket, Without one word of thanks, he kept, As if of nuts it were a basket.
Promised reward in heaven, then forth he hied And greatly they were edified.
Faust
And Gretchen!
Mephistopheles
In unquiet mood Knows neither what she would or should; The trinkets night
and day thinks o'er, On him who brought them, dwells still more.
Faust
The darling's sorrow grieves me, bring Another set without delay! The first,
methinks, was no great thing.
Mephistopheles
All's to my gentleman child's play!
Faust
Plan all things to achieve my end! Engage the attention of her friend! No milk
- and - water devil be, And bring fresh jewels instantly!
Mephistopheles
Ay, sir! Most gladly I'll obey.
(Faust exit.)
Mephistopheles
Your doting love - sick fool, with ease, Merely his lady - love to please, Sun,
moon, and stars in sport would puff away.
(Exit.)
The Neighbour's House - Martha, Margaret And Mephistopheles
Martha (alone)
God pardon my dear husband, he Doth not in truth act well by me! Forth in
the world abroad to roam, And leave me on the straw at home. And yet his
will I ne'er did thwart, God knows, I lov'd him from my heart.
(She weeps.)
Perchance he's dead! - oh wretched state! Had I but a certificate!
(Margaret comes)
Margaret
Dame Martha!
Martha
Gretchen?
Margaret
Only think! My knees beneath me well - nigh sink! Within my press I've found
to - day, Another case, of ebony. And things - magnificent they are, More
costly than the first, by far.
Martha
You must not name it to your mother! It would to shrift, just like the other.
Margaret
Nay look at them! now only see!
Martha (dresses her up)
Thou happy creature!
Margaret
Woe is me! Them in the street I cannot wear, Or in the church, or any where.
Martha
Come often over here to me, The gems put on quite privately; And then
before the mirror walk an hour or so, Thus we shall have our pleasure too.
Then suitable occasions we must seize, As at a feast, to show them by
degrees: A chain at first, pearl ear - drops then, - your mother Won't see
them, or we'll coin some tale or other.
Margaret
But, who, I wonder, could the caskets bring? I fear there's something wrong
about the thing!
(A knock.)
Good heavens! can that my mother be?
Martha (peering through the blind)
'Tis a strange gentleman, I see. Come in!
(Mephistopheles enters)
Mephistopheles
I've ventur'd to intrude to - day. Ladies, excuse the liberty, I pray.
(He steps back respectfully before Margaret.)
After dame Martha Schwerdtlein I inquire!
Martha
'Tis I. Pray what have you to say to me?
Mephistopheles (aside to her)
I know you now, - and therefore will retire; At present you've distinguished
company. Pardon the freedom, Madam, with your leave, I will make free to
call again at eve.
Martha (aloud)
Why, child, of all strange notions, he For some grand lady taketh thee!
Margaret
I am, in truth, of humble blood The gentleman is far too good Nor gems nor
trinkets are my own.
Mephistopheles
Oh 'tis not the mere ornaments alone; Her glance and mien far more betray.
Rejoiced I am that I may stay.
Martha
Your business, Sir? I long to know
Mephistopheles
Would I could happier tidings show! I trust mine errand you'll not let me rue;
Your husband's dead, and greeteth you.
Martha
Is dead? True heart! Oh misery! My husband dead! Oh, I shall die!
Margaret
Alas! good Martha! don't despair!
Mephistopheles
Now listen to the sad affair!
Margaret
I for this cause should fear to love. The loss my certain death would prove.
Mephistopheles
Joy still must sorrow, sorrow joy attend.
Martha
Proceed, and tell the story of his end!
Mephistopheles
At Padua, in St. Anthony's, In holy ground his body lies; Quiet and cool his
place of rest, With pious ceremonials blest.
Martha
And had you naught besides to bring?
Mephistopheles
Oh yes! one grave and solemn prayer; Let them for him three hundred masses
sing! But in my pockets, I have nothing there.
Martha
No trinket! no love - token did he send! What every journeyman safe in his
pouch will hoard There for remembrancefondly stored, And rather hungers,
rather begs than spend!
Mephistopheles
Madam, in truth, it grieves me sore, But he his gold not lavishly hath spent.
His failings too he deeply did repent, Ay! and his evil plight bewail'd still more.
Margaret
Alas! That men should thus be doomed to woe! I for his soul will many a
requiem pray.
Mephistopheles
A husband you deserve this very day; A child so worthy to be loved.
Margaret
Ah no, That time hath not yet come for me.
Mephistopheles
If not a spouse, a gallant let it be. Among heaven's choicest gifts, I place, So
sweet a darling to embrace.
Margaret
Our land doth no such usage know.
Mephistopheles
Usage or not, it happens so.
Martha
Go on, I pray!
Mephistopheles
I stood by his bedside. Something less foul it was than dung; 'Twas straw half
rotten; yet, he as a Christian died. And sorely hath remorse his conscience
wrung. "Wretch that I was," quoth he, with partingbreath, "So to forsake my
business and my wife! Ah! the remembrance is my death, Could I but have
her pardon in this life!"
Martha (weeping)
Dear soul! I've long forgiven him, indeed!
Mephistopheles
"Though she, God knows, was more to blame than I."
Martha
He lied! What, on the brink of death to lie!
Mephistopheles
If I am skill'd the countenance to read, He doubtless fabled as he parted
hence. "No time had I to gape, or take my ease," he said, "First to get
children, and then get them bread; And bread, too, in the very widest sense;
Nor could I eat in peace even my proper share."
Martha
What, all my truth, my love forgotten quite? My weary drudgery by day and
night!
Mephistopheles
Not so! He thought of you with tender care. Quoth he: "Heaven knows how
fervently I prayed, For wife and children when from Malta bound; The prayer
hath heaven with favour crowned; We took a Turkish vessel which conveyed
Rich store of treasure for the Sultan's court; It's own reward our gallant action
brought; The captur'd prize was shared among the crew And of the treasure I
received my due."
Martha
How? Where? The treasure hath he buried, pray?
Mephistopheles
Where the four winds have blown it, who can say? In Naples as he stroll'd, a
stranger there, A comely maid took pity on my friend; And gave such tokens
of her love and care, That he retained them to his blessed end.
Martha
Scoundrel! to rob his children of their bread! And all this misery, this bitter
need, Could not his course of recklessness impede!
Mephistopheles
Well, he hath paid the forfeit, and is dead. Now were I in your place, my
counsel hear; My weeds I'd wear for one chaste year, And for another lover
meanwhile would look out.
Martha
Alas, I might search far and near, Not quickly should I find another like my
first! There could not be a fonder fool than mine, Only he loved too well
aboard to roam; Loved foreign women too, and foreign wine, And loved
besides the dice accurs'd.
Mephistopheles
All had gone swimmingly, no doubt, Had he but given you at home, On his
side, just as wide a range. Upon such terms, to you I swear, Myself with you
would gladly rings exchange!
Martha
The gentleman is surely pleas'd to jest!
Mephistopheles (aside)
Now to be off in time, were best! She'd make the very devil marry her.
(To Margaret.)
How fares it with your heart?
Margaret
How mean you, Sir?
Mephistopheles (aside)
The sweet young innocent!
(aloud)
Ladies, farewell!
Margaret
Farewell!
Martha
But ere you leave us, quickly tell! I from a witness fain had heard, Where,
- priest [pri:st]
n.教士；牧师；神父 (初中英语单词) - conquest [´kɔŋkwest] n.赢得；获得；占领地 (初中英语单词)
- victory [´viktəri] n.胜利，战胜 (初中英语单词)
- stomach [´stʌmək] n.胃；胃口，食欲 (初中英语单词)
- reward [ri´wɔ:d] n.&v.报答；报酬；奖赏 (初中英语单词)
- achieve [ə´tʃi:v] vt.完成；达到；获得 (初中英语单词)
- pardon [´pɑ:dən] n.&vt.原谅；饶恕；赦免 (初中英语单词)
- abroad [ə´brɔ:d] ad.海外；到处；广泛 (初中英语单词)
- wretched [´retʃid] a.可怜的；倒霉的 (初中英语单词)
- magnificent [mæg´nifisənt] a.壮丽的；豪华的 (初中英语单词)
- suitable [´su:təbəl, ´sju:-] a.合适的，适当的 (初中英语单词)
- therefore [´ðeəfɔ:] ad.&conj.因此；所以 (初中英语单词)
- retire [ri´taiə] v.撤退；退职；退休 (初中英语单词)
- humble [´hʌmbəl] a.谦卑的 vt.贬抑 (初中英语单词)
- errand [´erənd] n.差使，使命 (初中英语单词)
- solemn [´sɔləm] a.严肃的；隆重的 (初中英语单词)
- deserve [di´zə:v] v.应受；值得 (初中英语单词)
- worthy [´wə:ði] a.有价值的；值得的 (初中英语单词)
- gallant [´gælənt, gə´lænt] a.英勇的；华丽的 (初中英语单词)
- darling [´dɑ:liŋ] n.爱人 a.亲爱的 (初中英语单词)
- breath [breθ] n.呼吸；气息 (初中英语单词)
- countenance [´kauntinəns] n.面部表情；脸色；面容 (初中英语单词)
- doubtless [´dautlis] ad.无疑地；大概，多半 (初中英语单词)
- vessel [´vesəl] n.容器；船；脉管 (初中英语单词)
- misery [´mizəri] n.痛苦；悲惨；穷困 (初中英语单词)
- witness [´witnis] n.见证人 vt.目击 (初中英语单词)
- gladly [´glædli] ad.愉快地，高兴地 (高中英语单词)
- tidings [´taidiŋz] n.消息，音信 (高中英语单词)
- naught [nɔ:t] n.无；零 (高中英语单词)
- remembrance [ri´membrəns] n.记忆(力)；回忆 (高中英语单词)
- repent [ri´pent] v.后悔；悔改；悔悟 (高中英语单词)
- plight [plait] n.境况；困境；苦境 (高中英语单词)
- thwart [θwɔ:t] vt.阻挠 a.横(断的) (英语四级单词)
- intrude [in´tru:d] v.闯进；打扰；强加 (英语四级单词)
- respectfully [ris´pektfuli] ad.恭敬地 (英语四级单词)
- fondly [´fɔndli] ad.喜爱地；愚蠢地 (英语四级单词)
- bedside [´bedsaid] n.床边 a.护理的 (英语四级单词)
- remorse [ri´mɔ:s] n.懊悔；自责；同情 (英语四级单词)
- parting [´pɑ:tiŋ] a.&n.分离(的) (英语四级单词)
- forsake [fə´seik] vt.遗弃，抛弃，摒绝 (英语四级单词)
- forgiven [fə´givn] forgive的过去分词 (英语四级单词)
- naples [´neiplz] n.那不勒斯 (英语四级单词)
- comely [´kʌmli] a.秀丽的；文雅的 (英语四级单词)
- blessed [´blesid] a.享福的；神圣的 (英语四级单词)
- forfeit [´fɔ:fit] n.罚金 a.丧失了的 (英语四级单词)
- chaste [tʃeist] a.贞洁的；高雅的 (英语四级单词)
- privately [´praivitli] ad.秘密，一个人 (英语六级单词)
- lavishly [´læviʃli] ad.大方地；慷慨地 (英语六级单词)
- spouse [spauz] n.配偶 (英语六级单词)
- sorely [´sɔ:li] ad.痛苦地；剧烈地 (英语六级单词)
- drudgery [´drʌdʒəri] n.苦工；苦役 (英语六级单词)
- turkish [´tə:kiʃ] a.&n.土耳其人(语)的 (英语六级单词)
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章节正文
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