“Faust” – Act 4

ACT FOUR

Scene One

Marguerite’s room Introduction Marguerite (alone) They have gone now! I used to laugh with them once, now… Young Girls (outside) The amorous stranger runs away and keeps running! Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah! Marguerite They were hiding! Heartless girls! I never found harsh enough words, once, for other people’s sins. The day comes when others have no mercy on ours!

It is now my turn to be covered in shame! And yet, God knows it, I did not act basely; you were driven to it, my soul, by nought but tenderness and love! He returns no more! I am afraid, I shudder, I pine away, alas! In vain does the hour strike, he returns no more! Wherever can he be? Alone at my window I look far away, alas, as far as the eye can reach! Wherever can he be? He returns no more. I dare not complain, I must steel myself, I weep under my breath, alas, if only he could be told of my grief! Wherever can he be? He returns no more. Ah, to see him! To hear the fall of his step! My heart is so weary, so weary with waiting! He returns no more. My lord! My master! If he were to appear! What bliss! Alas! Wherever can he be? He returns no more. (Siebel walks in softly.) Siebel Marguerite! Marguerite Siebel! Siebel What? More tears? Marguerite Alas, yours are the only lips that do not curse me! Siebel I am only a child, but my heart is that of a man! And I shall take revenge for this base desertion! I shall kill him! Marguerite Whom?

Siebel Must I name him? The faithless man who wrongs you! Marguerite No, be silent! Siebel Forgive me! Do you still love him? Marguerite Yes, always, always! But it is not for you to comfort my grief! I am wrong, Siebel, to tell you of him. Siebel If happiness invites you to smile, I feel merry and filled with a sweet emotion; if grief crushes you, Marguerite, O Marguerite, O Marguerite, I weep then, I weep just as you do. As twin flowers on a single stalk, our fates followed a similar course; as a brother I grieve to see you unhappy, O Marguerite, O Marguerite, I shall always cherish you like a sister! Marguerite (taking Siebel’s hand) May you be blessed, Siebel, your love is sweet to me. Those whose cruel hand repulses me have not closed against me the doors of God’s abode. I shall go and pray God for my child and for him. (Exeunt.)

Scene Two

The church Marguerite (kneeling down) Lord, allow your humble servant to come and kneel before you! Mephistopheles No! You shall not pray! Strike her with terror! Spirits of evil, hasten here! Chorus Of Demons Marguerite!

Marguerite Who is calling me? Chorus Of Demons Marguerite! Marguerite I falter! I die! Dear God! Merciful God! Is it already the hour of retribution? Mephistopheles Remember the past, when sheltering your bliss beneath angels’ wings, you came to worship the Lord in his own temple, singing his praise! When you stammered out a chaste prayer in a faltering voice and carried within your heart your mother’s kisses and God, at the same time! Hear these clamours! Hell is claiming you! Hell is pursuing you! Here comes eternal remorse and eternal anguish in everlasting night! Marguerite God! What voice thus addresses me in the dark? Almighty God! What black veil has suddenly fallen over me? Religious Chorus When the day of the Lord dawns his cross will shine in Heaven and the whole world will be shattered! Marguerite Alas, this pious chant is even more terrifying! Mephistopheles No! God no longer forgives you! The sky no longer dawns for you! No! No! Religious Chorus What shall I tell the Lord then? Where shall I find a protector when the innocent himself stands in fear! Marguerite Ah, this chant stifles and chokes me! I am clamped in an iron band!

Mephistopheles Farewell, nights of love and days of rapture! A curse on you! Hell awaits you! Marguerite Lord! Marguerite and Chorus Lord, welcome the prayer of unhappy hearts. May one spark of your light shine down on them! Mephistopheles Marguerite! Be accursed! Hell awaits you! (Marguerite gives a shriek and falls senseless on the flagstones.)

Scene Three

A public square Chorus Of Soldiers Let’s lay down our weapons! We are back home at last! Our tearful mothers, our mothers and sisters shall no longer wait for us. Valentin (seeing Siebel) Upon my word, here is Siebel! Siebel Indeed it is, I... Valentin Here, at once! Let me embrace you! (They embrace.) Where is Marguerite? Siebel I believe she is in church. Valentin Yes, praying God on my behalf! Dear sister, how attentively she will listen to the tale of our battles! Chorus Of Soldiers Yes, it is a pleasure in every home to tell the children, noiselessly shuddering,

the old men and the young girls about war and its battles! Immortal glory of our ancestors, be loyal to us, let’s die as they did! And under your protection, as victorious soldiers, direct our steps, kindle our hearts! For you, fatherland, defying Fate, your warlike sons have faced death! Your holy voice shouts to us: forward, soldiers! Sword in hand, rush into the fray! Immortal glory, etc. Let us hasten back to our homes! We are awaited, peace is now made. No more sighing! Let us hurry! Our country holds out its arms to us! Love smiles on us, we are love’s darlings! And more than one heart flutters silently at the memory of our battles! Immortal glory, etc. (They leave.)

Scene Four

Valentin Come, Siebel, let us go inside! A glass in hand, you shall answer my toast! Siebel (quickly) No, don’t go in! Valentin Why not? You turn away your head? Your eyes will not meet mine! Siebel, explain your meaning! Siebel Well... No, I cannot! Valentin (starting towards the house) What do you mean? Siebel (detaining him) Stop! Valentin, be merciful! Valentin (struggling free) Let me go! Let me go! (He goes inside.) Siebel Forgive her! My God, I entreat you! My God, defend her! (He runs off; Mephistopheles and Faust appear. The former carries a guitar.)

Scene Five

(Faust walks up to Marguerite’s cottage and stops.) Mephistopheles What are you waiting for now? Let’s go inside. Faust Silence, accursed one! I am afraid to bring shame and grief back to this house. Mephistopheles What’s the use of seeking her again, now you have left her? Our presence would be welcomed much more heartily elsewhere. The witches’ Sabbath awaits us! Faust Marguerite! Mephistopheles I see that my advice is not heeded and that love triumphs. But if you want the door to open in front of you you will certainly need the help of my voice! “You who pretend to sleep, do you not hear, O Catherine, my love, my voice and my footsteps?” Thus your suitor calls to you, and your heart believes him. Ah, ah, ah! Don’t open the door, my pretty one, till the ring is on your finger! “My beloved Catherine, why do you deny to your entreating lover a sweet kiss?” Thus your suitor pleads and your heart believes him! Ah, ah, ah! Don’t grant any kisses, my pretty one, till the ring is on your finger! Ah, ah, ah! (Valentin comes out of the house.)

Scene Six

Valentin What do you want, gentlemen? Mephistopheles I beg your pardon, friend, but the serenade was not intended for you. Valentin My sister no doubt would lend a readier ear! (He draws his sword and shatters Mephistopheles’ guitar.) Faust His sister! Mephistopheles (to Valentin) What is the matter with you? Don’t you like music? Valentin You have insulted me long enough! Which of you must I call to account for my misfortune and shame? Which of you must perish by my sword? (Faust draws his sword.) Mephistopheles (to Valentin) Are you determined? (to Faust) Go on, doctor, play your part! Valentin O mighty God, increase my strength and my courage! Allow me to cleanse this outrage with his own blood. Faust (aside) Awesome and seething with rage, he daunts my ardour! Should I draw the blood of the brother I have outraged? Mephistopheles His threatening gestures, his blind fury make me laugh! My powerful arm shall ward off the storm!

Valentin (taking from round his neck the medal Marguerite had given him) As for you, who saved my life, you that I received from Marguerite, I no longer want your help, accursed medal! (He throws it away.) Mephistopheles You shall rue it! Faust Awesome and seething with rage, etc. Valentin O mighty God, increase, etc. Mephistopheles His threatening gestures, etc. Valentin On guard and defend yourself! Mephistopheles (to Faust) Stand close to me and just thrust, dear doctor, I shall parry! (They fight. Almost at once, Mephistopheles thrusts aside Valentin’s sword and Faust wounds him. Valentin falls down.) There lies our hero, sprawled in the dust! Away with us, now, away! (He drags Faust away. Marthe and some burghers run in, carrying torches.)

Scene Seven

Marthe and Burghers This way, this way, friends! There’s fighting in the street! One of them has fallen here. Look: there he is! He is not dead yet. He seems to be moving! Come here quickly! We must come to his aid! Valentin Thank you, thank you! Please spare me your moans! Upon my word, I have faced death too often to be scared of him! Marguerite (running in) Valentin, Valentin!

Valentin Marguerite, my sister! What do you want with me? Go away! Marguerite O Lord! Valentin I die through her fault: I foolishly picked a quarrel with her lover! Chorus Her lover! Siebel Mercy, mercy! Marguerite Excruciating pain! What a dire punishment! Siebel (to Valentin) Have pity on her! Be merciful! Chorus He dies through her fault! He dies at the hand of her lover! Valentin Marguerite, listen to me carefully! Whatever must come, comes at the appointed time! Death strikes us when he should and everyone obeys the call from above! You are now set on an evil course! Your white hands will work no more! In order to lead a life of pleasure, you will relinquish every duty and every virtue. Go! Shame now crushes you! Remorse dogs your footsteps. But the hour will strike at last! Die! and if God forgives you may you be cursed in this world! Chorus O terror! O blasphemy! Wretched man, when your last hour has come, think of your own salvation, alas. Forgive, if you want to be one day forgiven.

Valentin Marguerite! A curse on you! Death waits for you on your pallet! And I die at your hands and fall as a soldier should! (He dies.) All May the Lord welcome his soul and forgive the sinner.