_Gott._ Here is the well-loved home! Ah, Gretchen, Gretchen! When shall we meet again? Or shall we meet? God knows! I go where death is freely dealt, And I may fall---- Well, she will weep for me. (_Sees FAUSTUS._) Whom have we here? Either my senses cheat me, Or this is Faustus! Faustus, as I live! Faustus unfrocked! Faustus unsanctified! Faustus re-butterflied in bravery! _Faus._ Ay, Gottfried, I am Faustus--in the flesh. _Gott._ Now here’s a riddle, and I wait the answer. But yesterday thou wast a hooded monk, A pale, cold, stern, and sour Dominican; A human tombstone, sculptured by thyself, In honour of thy dead and buried follies. To-day I find the tombstone taken down, And all the follies risen from the dead! _Meph._ He was misled--his follies cheated him. Believing they were dead, to all intent, In decency he raised a monument; But finding them alive beneath his gown, In decency he took the tombstone down. _Gott._ It is enough for me that thou art free. Welcome once more to life and liberty! (_To MEPHISTO._) Sir, in the name of all good fellowship, I thank you for your charitable office. _Faus._ Now tell me, Gottfried, wherefore art thou here? _Gott._ I come, as yesterday I said I should, To bid a long farewell to cousin Gretchen. _Faus._ To Gretchen? _Gott._ Ay, the maid of whom I spake. _Faus._ Is _her_ name Gretchen? _Gott._ Yes--she lives hard by, With Mistress Martha. Faustus, thou shalt see her, And join with me in worship at her shrine. _Faus._ (_confused_). I understand--my words have weighed with thee, And thou hast come to tell her of thy love. _Gott._ Not I, indeed; despite thine eloquence, I’m going from her for a weary while, Maybe for ever. That will give her sorrow, Sorrow enough. I would not add to it By telling her of such poor love as mine For all the world holds dear. Some day, please Heaven, I shall return with honours to my name (If honours lie within my grasp, I’ll grasp them), And then, if I’ve a name worth offering, Maybe I’ll pluck up heart. Not now, not now. But hush, she comes. _Enter GRETCHEN._ Gretchen, my sister Gretchen! _Gret._ Gottfried! I am right glad to welcome thee, My dear, dear brother! Art thou come for long? _Gott._ Nay, Gretchen, I am with my troop of horse. We march to Dettingen, and being here I stole a brief half hour to say farewell. _Gret._ (_alarmed_). Thou art not going to the war? _Gott._ No, no! Mere frontier duty, Gretchen; nothing more. (_Aside._) May Heaven forgive me--that’s a downright lie! _Gret._ I breathe again. (_Sees FAUSTUS._) Who is this gentleman? (_With intense surprise._)