_Bar._ You told me once that I’d a bitter tongue, D’ye recollect it? Lisa, you were right. Forgive me, please; there! (_Kissing her._) Never mind the frock, Though bear in mind (_to AGATHA_) I still maintain my point, That blue and peach go very well together! [_Exeunt BARBARA and AGATHA._ _Gret._ Come, dry your eyes, and take good heart again. _Lisa._ Oh, Gretchen, Gretchen! let me weep awhile: In truth I looked for pity and for help From them, for they and I had much in common; But thou, so good in all, so pure, so true---- _Gret._ If it be good and true to close one’s heart To sorrow such as thine, why, Heaven help me, For then I have no title to the words! See, Martha comes. She has an angry tongue, Although her heart is kindly. Get thee hence Till I have spoken to her. Here is money; Go, get thee food, and then come back to me. Take courage--Martha can refuse me nothing. It shall go hard but when thou comest back She’ll welcome thee as I do. Fare thee well. _Lisa._ Those who would pray for thee have but one prayer, That earth be kind to thee, for heaven is thine, Ay, surely, surely thine. [_Exit._ _Enter MARTHA, with basket._ _Mar._ Drudge, drudge, drudge, drudge! To market seven miles, And seven home again! It’s a hard life, And tells upon me sorely! All this comes Of marrying a bad man--a bad, poor man. But there, he’s at the wars--God keep him there! Ah, Gretchen, Gretchen, be advised by me; And promise me that when thy heart’s in danger, Thou’lt come to me, that I may counsel thee Out of the wealth of my experience-- The only wealth I have. Come, promise me. _Gret._ I do. (_Pauses; then timidly_) In proof of my sincerity I will begin to-day. I _have_ seen one Whom I could love. _Mar._ (_amazed_). Why, Gretchen, what’s all this? Doth he love thee? _Gret._ Ay, for he told me so. _Mar._ He told thee so! And when? _Gret._ Last night. _Mar._ Last night! _Gret._ Or stay--it might have been betimes this morning. _Mar._ Last night! This morning! Gretchen! Where wast thou Last night--this morning! _Gret._ Why, within thy house. _Mar._ And there thy lover saw thee--spake to thee, Within my house--alone--at dead of night! Gretchen, for shame! Art thou as other girls? Who is the reprobate? _Gret._ I cannot say. I do not think he is a reprobate. _Mar._ His name? _Gret._ I do not know. _Mar._ His rank--his calling? _Gret._ I cannot tell. _Mar._ Why, Gretchen, I’m aghast!