Near the city gates, students, soldiers, and villagers sing a drinking song ("Vin ou Bière"). Valentin is leaving for war with his friend Wagner. Valentin asks his young friend Siébel to take care of his sister Marguerite ("O Sainte Medaille"). Méphistophélès appears. He provides the crowd with wine. He sings a rousing song about the Golden Calf ("Le veau d'or"). Méphistophélès says bad things about Marguerite. Valentin tries to strike him with his sword. The sword shatters in the air. Valentin and his friends use the cross-shaped hilts of their swords to drive off what they now know is an infernal power (chorus: "De l'enfer"). Méphistophélès is joined by Faust. The villagers dance a waltz ("Ainsi que la brise légère"). Marguerite appears. Faust declares his admiration. She declines to walk with Faust out of modesty.