_Faus._ Ay, in some sort, Thou knowest his smooth face, his specious tongue; But there is that within his evil heart Of which thou knowest little! Oh, my child, Beware of him! My child, beware of him! _Gret._ Why comes this wicked man to such as I? I would not aid him in his wickedness. _Faus._ In sad and sorrowing heart he comes to thee, That he may learn the lesson of thy life. He comes to thee in the fond, foolish hope That the pure influence of such love as thine May quell the evil angel at his side; For wicked as he is, he loveth thee, With all his poor frail heart he loveth thee! _Gret._ ’Tis a strange fortune! I, an untaught girl, Can teach but little. But if such a one Come to me sorrowing for his bygone sins, E’en though I loved him not, In pity I would strive, with all my heart, To help him, even as I pray for help. I do not know why I should fear this man. _Faus._ (_earnestly_). Because, with all his sorrow, he is false-- False to himself, and, maybe, false to thee. Oh, Gretchen, deal not lightly with my words; Weigh them, and weigh them, o’er and o’er again. And when thou kneelest by thy bed to-night, Pray thou for strength as thou hast never prayed; Pray for a brave and staunch and steadfast heart-- Steadfast to aid this poor weak wanderer Upon the holy path that thou hast chosen. But above all, beyond all, and before all, Steadfast to pluck the traitor from thine If, in the depth of his mortality, He strive to gain thee by unholy means! _Gret._ (_quietly_). I will take heed, sir. (_Rising and going._) _Faus._ Gretchen--leave me not. _Gret._ I go to seek a poor lost, friendless girl, Who waits for me hard by. I thank you, sir-- I take your kindly counsel in good part. Thou dost not know the sad and solemn lesson That her poor blighted heart hath taught us all. For she was wont to laugh as the birds sing, From very wealth of idle happiness! It seems so strange that she should not have died. _Faus._ God save thee from such harm! (_Releasing her._) _Gret._ Amen! amen! [_Exit._ _Faus._ (_stands as if entranced for a moment; then suddenly_) Why, whither am I going? Grace of Heaven! Have I been blind? Fool! poor, self-cheating fool! Stop, while thou mayst--thine eyes are open now! What seest thou? Hell against heaven--and thou allied with hell! [_MEPHISTO appears and listens._