Margaret. [_on her knees_] Who gave thee, hangman, such a power To drag me from my cell at midnight hour? Have pity on me! Be not so harsh!--so rough! Surely to-morrow morn is soon enough. [_She stands up._] So young, so very young, am I, And must already die! Once I was lovely too--'twas this that caused my fall. Near was the friend, but far from me to-day; Torn lies the wreath, the flowers are scattered all. Oh tear me not so forcibly away! Spare me! what have I done to injure thee? Oh hear my prayer! for once compassion show!-- 'Tis the first time I ever looked on thee. Faust. That I should live to see such depth of woe! Margaret. Thou hast me now completely in thy might. Only first give me time to suckle my sweet child. I hugged it the whole weary night; They took't from me in very spite; And now they say I murdered the sweet child, And never more shall I be glad again. They sing songs on me, too! A wicked thing to do! 'Tis the refrain Of a grim old melody: Who taught them that its words were meant for me? Faust. [_throwing himself down_] Here, at thy feet, behold who loves thee fall, To strike thy shackles, and to break thy thrall! Margaret. [_falling beside him on her knees_] Yes! let us kneel and call upon the Saints! Beneath these steps, I hear it well! Beneath the threshold, Boileth Hell! The evil One His fury vents, With fearful yell! Faust. [_loud_] Gretchen! Gretchen! Margaret. [_attentive_] That was the loved one's voice! [_She springs up; the chains fall away._] Where is he? where? I heard him call on me, Now I am free! and none shall hinder me! To his neck will I fly! On his bosom lie! He called me his Gretchen! he stood at the door. Through the wild howling and hissing of Hell, Through the loud-laughing scorn and the fiendish uproar, Came the sweet voice of love that I know so well. Faust. 'Tis I! Margaret. 'Tis thou! O say it yet again! [_Clasping him._] 'Tis he! 'tis he! Where now is all my pain? Where all my prison's woe? my fetters where? 'Tis he! he comes to lift me from this lair Of wretchedness! I'm free, I'm free! Already the well-known street I see, Where the first time I spake to thee, And the pleasant garden, where Martha and I did wait for thee. Faust. [_striving forward_] Come, come! Margaret. O stay, stay! Thou know'st how pleased I stay where thou dost stay. [_Caressing him._ Faust. Away, away! Unless we haste, Dearly we'll pay for these few moments' waste.