I scarce can keep my knees from
sinking!
Faust, a Tragedy by Goethe
_]
THE NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE.
MARTHA [_alone]. _
My dear good man--whom God forgive!
He has not treated me well, as I live!
Right off into the world he's gone
And left me on the straw alone.
I never did vex him, I say it sincerely,
I always loved him, God knows how dearly.
[_She weeps_. ]
Perhaps he's dead! --O cruel fate! --
If I only had a certificate!
_Enter_ MARGARET.
Dame Martha!
_Martha_. What now, Margery?
_Margaret_.
I scarce can keep my knees from sinking!
Within my press, again, not thinking,
I find a box of ebony,
With things--can't tell how grand they are,--
More splendid than the first by far.
_Martha_. You must not tell it to your mother,
She'd serve it as she did the other.
_Margaret_. Ah, only look! Behold and see!
_Martha [puts them on her_]. Fortunate thing! I envy thee!
_Margaret. _ Alas, in the street or at church I never
Could be seen on any account whatever.
_Martha. _ Come here as often as you've leisure,
And prink yourself quite privately;
Before the looking-glass walk up and down at pleasure,
Fine times for both us 'twill be;
Then, on occasions, say at some great feast,
Can show them to the world, one at a time, at least.
A chain, and then an ear-pearl comes to view;
Your mother may not see, we'll make some pretext, too.
_Margaret.
THE NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE.
MARTHA [_alone]. _
My dear good man--whom God forgive!
He has not treated me well, as I live!
Right off into the world he's gone
And left me on the straw alone.
I never did vex him, I say it sincerely,
I always loved him, God knows how dearly.
[_She weeps_. ]
Perhaps he's dead! --O cruel fate! --
If I only had a certificate!
_Enter_ MARGARET.
Dame Martha!
_Martha_. What now, Margery?
_Margaret_.
I scarce can keep my knees from sinking!
Within my press, again, not thinking,
I find a box of ebony,
With things--can't tell how grand they are,--
More splendid than the first by far.
_Martha_. You must not tell it to your mother,
She'd serve it as she did the other.
_Margaret_. Ah, only look! Behold and see!
_Martha [puts them on her_]. Fortunate thing! I envy thee!
_Margaret. _ Alas, in the street or at church I never
Could be seen on any account whatever.
_Martha. _ Come here as often as you've leisure,
And prink yourself quite privately;
Before the looking-glass walk up and down at pleasure,
Fine times for both us 'twill be;
Then, on occasions, say at some great feast,
Can show them to the world, one at a time, at least.
A chain, and then an ear-pearl comes to view;
Your mother may not see, we'll make some pretext, too.
_Margaret.
