O death of
bitterness!
Faust, a Tragedy by Goethe
Thou lingerest, in hope to grow bolder!
Thou fearest again to behold her!
On! Thy shrinking slowly hastens the blow!
[_He grasps the key. Singing from within_. ]
My mother, the harlot,
That strung me up!
My father, the varlet,
That ate me up!
My sister small,
She gathered up all
The bones that day,
And in a cool place did lay;
Then I woke, a sweet bird, at a magic call;
Fly away, fly away!
_Faust [unlocking_]. She little dreams, her lover is so near,
The clanking chains, the rustling straw can hear;
[_He enters_. ]
_Margaret [burying herself in the bed_]. Woe! woe!
They come.
O death of bitterness!
_Faust_ [_softly_]. Hush! hush! I come to free thee; thou art dreaming.
_Margaret_ [_prostrating herself before him_].
Art thou a man, then feel for my distress.
_Faust_. Thou'lt wake the guards with thy loud screaming!
[_He seizes the chains to tin lock them. _]
_Margaret_ [_on her knees_]. Headsman, who's given thee this right
O'er me, this power!
Thou com'st for me at dead of night;
In pity spare me, one short hour!
Wilt't not be time when Matin bell has rung?
[_She stands up. _]
Ah, I am yet so young, so young!
