Faust monologue (Act 8) — Faust: A Tragedy

[_Who, while_ /Mephistopheles/ _was engaged with the animals,_ /Faust/ _had been standing before a mirror, alternately approaching it and retiring from it._] What see I here? what heavenly image bright, Within this magic mirror, chains my sight? O Love, the swiftest of thy pinions lend me, That where she is in rapture I may bend me! Alas! when I would move one step more near, To breathe her balmy atmosphere, She seems to melt and disappear, And cheats my longing eye. Oh she is fair beyond all type of human! Is't possible; can this be simple woman? There lies she, on that downy couch reposing, Within herself the heaven of heavens enclosing! Can it then be that earth a thing so fair contains?