Faust: Donjon (Margaret’s Prayer)

(In a niche of the wall a shrine, with an image of the Mater
Dolorosa. Pots of flowers before it.)

MARGARET

(putting fresh flowers in the pots)

ㅤㅤㅤIncline, O Maiden,
ㅤㅤㅤThou sorrow-laden,
ㅤㅤㅤThy gracious countenance upon my pain!

ㅤㅤㅤThe sword Thy heart in,
ㅤㅤㅤWith anguish smarting,
ㅤㅤㅤThou lookest up to where Thy Son is slain!

ㅤㅤㅤThou seest the Father;
ㅤㅤㅤThy sad sighs gather,
ㅤㅤㅤAnd bear aloft Thy sorrow and His pain!

ㅤㅤㅤAh, past guessing,
ㅤㅤㅤBeyond expressing,
ㅤㅤㅤThe pangs that wring my flesh and bone!
ㅤㅤㅤWhy this anxious heart so burneth,
ㅤㅤㅤWhy it trembleth, why it yearneth,
ㅤㅤㅤKnowest Thou, and Thou alone!

ㅤㅤㅤWhere’er I go, what sorrow,
ㅤㅤㅤWhat woe, what woe and sorrow
ㅤㅤㅤWithin my bosom aches!
ㅤㅤㅤAlone, and ah! unsleeping,
ㅤㅤㅤI’m weeping, weeping, weeping,
ㅤㅤㅤThe heart within me breaks.

ㅤㅤㅤThe pots before my window,
ㅤㅤㅤAlas! my tears did wet,
ㅤㅤㅤAs in the early morning
ㅤㅤㅤFor thee these flowers I set.

ㅤㅤㅤWithin my lonely chamber
ㅤㅤㅤThe morning sun shone red:
ㅤㅤㅤI sat, in utter sorrow,
ㅤㅤㅤAlready on my bed.

ㅤㅤㅤHelp! rescue me from death and stain!
ㅤㅤㅤO Maiden!
ㅤㅤㅤThou sorrow-laden,
ㅤㅤㅤIncline Thy countenance upon my pain!

____
Faust: A Tragedy, translated to English in the original metres by Bayard Taylor was first published by Ward, Lock & Co., London, 1890.