_Gott._ This is my very dear and tried friend, Faustus, The truest fellow that the wide world holds. Faustus, this is my gentle cousin Gretchen. _Gret._ (_agitated_). Surely I dream again! Oh, marvellous! The very face and form! _Gott._ Come, Gretchen, speak. _Gret._ (_much agitated_). I give you honest welcome, noble sir; As you are Gottfried’s friend, so are you ours. _Faus._ I thank you, lady. _Gott._ Well, and is that all? “I thank you, lady!” Come, thou shamefaced knight, Where are thy words? Gretchen, be not deceived-- He _hath_ a tongue--a very fluent tongue, And one that serves him well, when he so pleases. _Faus._ I am not dumb from lack of gratitude. Much as I owe to Gottfried’s well-tried love, My heavy debt is multiplied tenfold. _Gott._ (_aside to FAUSTUS_). Then, debtor, pay the tenfold debt tenfold. Watch over her when I am far away-- Shield her from harm as though she were thy sister, And we’ll cry quits. Thou wilt? I thank thee, Faustus; I go with lighter heart! (_Aloud to GRETCHEN._) Now, fare thee well. God keep thee safe and sound till I return. _Gret._ Farewell, dear Gottfried--think of me at times. My heart is full--then read it in my eyes. May Heaven shield thee from all harm! _Gott._ Amen. And now to horse--nay, not another word, Or I shall lack the heart to go at all. Farewell--once more and only once--farewell! [_Exit GOTTFRIED._ _Gret._ (_timidly_). Sir, will you enter? Our poor home is near, And Mistress Martha will be glad to greet you. You are an old friend of my cousin Gottfried? _Faus._ Ay, lady. _Gret._ Nay, you must not call me “lady;” I am a peasant girl--my name is Gretchen. _Faus._ And may I call thee Gretchen? _Gret._ Willingly. All call me Gretchen. _Faus._ Gottfried calls thee Gretchen. I thought he claimed a cousin’s privilege. _Gret._ Does Gottfried speak of me? _Faus._ He does indeed, And in such terms of glowing eulogy I almost feared that he had gained thy heart. _Gret._ Feared! _Faus._ Pardon me. I spake unwittingly. His welfare should be very dear to me, And, therefore, I should rather hope than fear.