Ah, could I
influence
thee, dearest!
Faust, a Tragedy by Goethe
_Margaret_. Promise me, Henry.
_Faust_. What I can.
_Margaret_. How is it now with thy religion, say?
I know thou art a dear good man,
But fear thy thoughts do not run much that way.
_Faust_. Leave that, my child! Enough, thou hast my heart;
For those I love with life I'd freely part;
I would not harm a soul, nor of its faith bereave it.
_Margaret_. That's wrong, there's one true faith--one must believe it?
_Faust_. Must one?
_Margaret_.
Ah, could I influence thee, dearest!
The holy sacraments thou scarce reverest.
_Faust_. I honor them.
_Margaret_. But yet without desire.
Of mass and confession both thou'st long begun to tire.
Believest thou in God?
_Faust_. My. darling, who engages
To say, I do believe in God?
The question put to priests or sages:
Their answer seems as if it sought
To mock the asker.
_Margaret_. Then believ'st thou not?
_Faust_. Sweet face, do not misunderstand my thought!
