_Lisa._ Nay, nay--not yet! not yet! Oh, Gretchen, Gretchen! While life remains to thee, pray thou for life! Oh! pray, pray, pray! For Heaven hears the prayers of such as thou. Oh, mercy, mercy on my misery! How shall I live without thy saving love? How shall I die when thou are gone from me? Oh! Gretchen, stay with us, oh! stay with us! As thou, in the rich love of thy great heart, Didst look in pity on my bygone sin, Have mercy on the love I live upon, And pray for life! Oh, Gretchen, pray for life! _Gret._ Lisa, I looked in pity on thy bygone sin In the poor pride of an untempted heart, As one to whom such sorrow could not come. I looked upon such unknown sin as thine As a rich queen might look upon starvation-- In pitying wonder that such things could be. And now-- God pardon me, as thou wast, so am I! _Lisa._ But, Gretchen, think of him, he loveth thee! His heart is all thine own, oh, live for him! Oh, Gretchen, for his sake, if not for ours! Remember him--his life’s in thy hands! _Gret._ Remember him! Ay, I remember him! Had I the power To blot him from my aching memory, Even as I have torn him from my heart, Then I could die in hope! _Mar._ Ah! Gretchen, Gretchen, Pray Heaven thy love _be_ dead! _Gret._ I have no love. There is no biding place for earthly love Within a heart rent with the agony Of sacrilege, unpardoned, unatoned. Her minister! her chosen instrument! And I---- Oh, Heaven, have mercy on my soul! I knew it not--thou knowest I knew it not! (_Falls weeping on the couch._) _Mar._ Who knocks? _Lisa_ (_opening door_). ’Tis Father Anselm. _Enter ANSELM, followed by FAUSTUS, who is in a monk’s dress, his face hidden by his cowl._ _Ans._ _Benedicite!_ Is this the poor sick maid who seeks our aid? (_To GRETCHEN, who is still sobbing._) Nay, dry thy tears, my child; however grave Thy burden, Heaven’s grace will lighten it. (_To MARTHA._) Old Karl is even at the point of death, And I must go to him; but take good heart; This holy father will abide with her Until I come again. The old man’s house Is near at hand? _Mar._ Good father, follow me And I will lead thee thither. _Ans._ Be it so. [_Exeunt ANSELM and MARTHA. Exit LISA by another door. GRETCHEN weeping at couch._ _Faus._ (_removing his cowl_). Gretchen! _Gret._ (_starting up amazed_). _Thou_ here! Oh, Faustus, get thee hence. Have I not sinned enough, that thou hast come To fill my dying heart with thoughts of thee? I am not thine! Go, leave me to myself.