In the throes of this passion, Faust is tortured by jealousy when he sees the lovely woman clinging to and kissing a young man. He desires her at all costs.
Am I nothing here? To stead me, Is not this key still shining in my hand? Through realms of terror, wastes and waves it led me, Through solitudes, to where I firmly stand, Here foothold is! Realities here centre! The strife with spirits here the mind may venture, And on its grand, its double lordship enter! How far she was, and nearer, how divine! I’ll rescue her and make her doubly mine. Ye Mothers! Mothers! Crown this wild endeavour! Who knows her once must hold her, and for ever.[213]
The disappearance of the beautiful woman so moved Faust that he fainted and fell into a prolonged sleep. As soon as he recovered consciousness he asked: “Where is she?” and set out to seek for her. When he learned that Chiron had already carried off Helena on his back Faust cried out:—
_Faust_: Was I not wild enough, before; And now such seat, to make me blest! O, I scarcely dare To trust my senses!—tell me more! She is my only Aspiration! Whence didst thou bear her—to what shore?[214]
Thou saw’st her once; _to-day_ I saw her beam, The dream of Beauty, beautiful as Dream! My soul, my being, now is bound and chained; I cannot live, unless she be attained.[215]
Chiron found this attitude of passionate emotion so strange that he advised Faust to take care of his health.
After many wanderings and difficulties Faust again met the woman he coveted and spoke to her as follows:—
What else remains, but that I give to thee Myself, and all I vainly fancied mine? Let me, before thy feet, in fealty true, Thee now acknowledge, Lady, whose approach Won thee at once possession and the throne![216]
This language, so very different from what the same man had formerly addressed to Marguerite, is much more like that of an old lover to a young beauty whom he admires. When Helena invited Faust to sit on the throne beside her, he replied:—
First, kneeling, let the dedication be Accepted, lofty Lady! Let me kiss The gracious hand that lifts me to thy side. Confirm me as co-regent of thy realm, Whose borders are unknown, and win for thee Guard, slave and worshipper, and all in one![217]