Only to roving he was too much given,
And foreign women and foreign wine,
And that accursed game of dice.
And foreign women and foreign wine,
And that accursed game of dice.
Faust, a Tragedy by Goethe
_Mephistopheles_. Who knows which way by the four winds 'twas carried?
He chanced to take a pretty damsel's eye,
As, a strange sailor, he through Naples jaunted;
All that she did for him so tenderly,
E'en to his blessed end the poor man haunted.
_Martha_. The scamp! his children thus to plunder!
And could not all his troubles sore
Arrest his vile career, I wonder?
_Mephistopheles_. But mark! his death wipes off the score.
Were I in your place now, good lady;
One year I'd mourn him piously
And look about, meanwhiles, for a new flame already.
_Martha_. Ah, God! another such as he
I may not find with ease on this side heaven!
Few such kind fools as this dear spouse of mine.
Only to roving he was too much given,
And foreign women and foreign wine,
And that accursed game of dice.
_Mephistopheles_. Mere trifles these; you need not heed 'em,
If he, on his part, not o'er-nice,
Winked at, in you, an occasional freedom.
I swear, on that condition, too,
I would, myself, 'change rings with you!
_Martha_. The gentleman is pleased to jest now!
_Mephistopheles [aside_]. I see it's now high time I stirred!
She'd take the very devil at his word.
[_To_ MARGERY. ]
How is it with your heart, my best, now?
_Margaret_. What means the gentleman?
_Mephistopheles. [aside_]. Thou innocent young heart!
