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 parting breath, "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, G.o.d 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 favor crowned; We took a Turkish vessel which conveyed Rich store of treasure for the Sultan"s court; Its 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 abroad 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!