A journey? Where?

SATAN

To paradise.

FAUST

He offers paradise
That will suffice my wish, and gives himself
As pledge of his success.

SATAN

Come, we must haste,
For it is very far.

FAUST

To paradise!...

OLDHAM

To paradise.... Take me with you!

FAUST

My friend,
It is not possible. I do foresee
Some perils to whose touch I would subject
None save myself.

OLDHAM

And what care I for them!
Faust--on my word, when I climbed up your stair
This second time, it was to say good-bye
To you forever, being quite resolved
To end my choking loneliness and loathing
With a quick shot to-night. Take me, or I
Shall carry out my purpose. What care I
Whither you go, or what the perils be?
I would go with you into Hell!

SATAN

We go
To paradise. What is this Hell you name?

CURTAIN

THE SECOND ACT

_The scene is the stone-paved courtyard of a ruined temple. In the
centre lies a square pool, with wide rows of steps leading down to the
water, now overgrown with lotus plants. Around the court rise long
colonnades of pillars with grotesquely carven bases and capitals of
luxuriant design. Beyond these appear green masses of dense tropical
foliage, in which an occasional brilliant flower shines._

_Faust, Satan and Oldham, all wearing white tropical dress and
sun-helmets, are seated on fragments of fallen columns in front of the
pool. Luncheon is spread before them. Oldham is lighting a cigarette;
Faust is just finishing his meal; Satan is leaning back, contemplating
the surrounding jungle. Two dark-skinned servants, wearing white robes
and turbans, are beginning to bear away the repast._

OLDHAM

One's blood beats fuller in these tropic lands.
Last night, as we were dining, where the beach
With its plumed palm-trees sloped to meet the sea,
And the white foam along the glassy waves
Played in the evening light--I half believe
I could have written love-songs. But to whom--
That were a problem!

FAUST

Yes, one's brain is lit
With fire beneath this sun. At night, the glow
Is magical; but at this height of day,
When all the branches and the flowers and rocks
And the far glimmering rivers shake and writhe
In the fierce blaze, I feel a hideous touch
Of madn