_Gret._ Gottfried has been my brother all my life. I would not own another man as brother: Nor would I have him aught but honest “brother.” I love him dearly--dearly. Twice a day I say a prayer for him, and he for me. He is my brother. Every hope of his Is hope of mine. When trouble falls on him It falls alike on me--he is my brother. And when he comes--as one day he will come-- To tell me of some good and gentle girl Who worthily has won his honest heart, I’ll throw my loving arms around her neck, And call her “sister,” as I call him “brother.” _Faus._ Now Heaven forgive me, but those words of thine Have freed my bosom from a load of care! _Gret._ Didst thou then think I loved him not? _Faus._ Nay, nay. I feared thy love was more than sister-love. _Gret._ Dost thou then fear the love that tends to wedlock? _Meph._ (_aside_). Not he! _Faus._ I hold that truest happiness Is born of wedlock. _Meph._ (_aside_). Bravo, celibate! _Gret._ And yet it much rejoiceth thee to know That cousin Gottfried hath no thought of wedlock? _Faus._ Nay, maiden, it rejoiceth me to know That cousin Gretchen hath no thought of wedlock. _Gret._ Thou dost not wish me happy, then? _Faus._ My heart! I would it were my care to make thee happy! _Gret._ Now I am sorely puzzled! _Meph._ (_aside_). And no wonder! _Gret._ Thou wishest Gottfried happy, and me happy; In wedlock, only, is true happiness; And yet, forsooth, it much rejoiceth thee To know that he and I are not to wed! _Meph._ (_aside_). Pretty logician! A dilemma, truly! _Faus._ Nay, Gretchen, better let the riddle rest Till time shall solve it! _Gret._ Pray forgive me, sir. I do not doubt thy words are learned words. Small wonder that I cannot fathom them. _Mar._ (_without_). Come, Gretchen! Gretchen! _Meph._ (_aside_). Bah! she’ll ruin all! How these old ladies always interfere! _Enter MARTHA._ _Mar._ Why, who is this? _Gret._ A friend of cousin Gottfried, A very old and very trusty friend; And so, a very trusty friend of ours. _Mar._ We give you welcome, sir. Our home is poor, But wholly at your service. (_Aside._) By the mass, A very straight, and well-favoured gentleman! _Meph._ (_aside_). She’ll never leave him. I must interfere. (_Coming forward._) Pray pardon this intrusion---- _Mar._ Who is this? _Meph._ (_to Gretchen_). Do I address Dame Martha? _Gret._ No, indeed, My name is Gretchen--this is Mistress Martha.