Part 15 (1/2)

The blithe bird that flies afar, Drest in s.h.i.+fting shades and blooms-- Soaring cithern of plumes Harping high o'er heaven's blue bar.

The white rock that cheats the sun When it tries to melt it down, What it melts is but the crown Which from winter's snow it won.

The green bay that will not shun, Though the heavens are all aglow, For its feet a bath of snow,-- Green Narcissus of the brook, Fearless leaning o'er to look, Though the stream runs chill below In a word, the crimson dawn, Sun, mead, streamlet, rosebud, May Bird that sings his amorous lay, April's laugh that gems the lawn, Pink that sips the dews up-drawn, Rock that stands in storm and s.h.i.+ne, Bay-tree that delights to twine Round its fadeless leaves the sun, All are parts which met in one Form this woman most divine.

For myself, in blind unrest, (Guess my madness if you can) I, to seem another man, In these courtly robes am drest, Studious calm I now detest, Fame no longer fires my mind, Pa.s.sion reigns where thought refined, I my firmness fling to tears, Courage I resign to fears, And my hopes I give the wind.

I have said, and so will do, That to some infernal sprite I would offer with delight (And the pledge I now renew) Even my soul for her I woo.

But my offer is in vain, h.e.l.l rejects it with disdain, For my soul, it may allege, Is a disproportionate pledge For the interest I would gain.

DEMON. Is this, then your boasted courage, In the footsteps of dejected*

Swains to follow, who grow timid When their first a.s.sault's rejected?

Are examples then so distant Of fair ladies who surrender All their vanities to entreaties, All their pride to fond addresses?

Would you make your breast the prison Of your love, your arms her fetters?

[footnote] *Asonante in e-e to the end of the Act.

CYPRIAN. Can you doubt it?

DEMON. Then command them To retire, those two, your servants, So that we remain here only.

CYPRIAN. Go: both leave me for the present.

MOSCON. I obey.

[Exit.

CLARIN. And I as well.-- [Aside, concealing himself.

Such a guest must be the devil.

CYPRIAN. They are gone.

DEMON [aside]. That Clarin's hiding, Is to me of small concernment.

CYPRIAN. What more wish you now?

DEMON. First fasten Well this door.

CYPRIAN. Yes; none can enter.

DEMON. For the possession of this woman, With your lips you have a.s.serted You would give your soul.

CYPRIAN. 'Tis so.

DEMON. Then the contract is accepted.

CYPRIAN. What do you say?

DEMON. That I accept it.

CYPRIAN. How?

DEMON. So much have I effected By my science, that I will teach you How by it to get possession Of the woman that you wors.h.i.+p; For I (though so wise and learned) Have no other means to win her.