Part 16 (1/2)

DEMON. Stay; for till the word you gave me Is affirmed, and well attested, You can touch her not.

[CYPRIAN rushes towards the rock, which closes.

CYPRIAN. Oh, stay Cloud that hides the most resplendent Sun, that on my bliss e'er dawned!-- But 'tis air my void arm presses.-- I believe your art, acknowledge Now I am your slave for ever.

What do you wish I do for thee?

What do you ask?

DEMON. To be protected By your signature here written In your blood, at the foot of a letter.

CLARIN [peeping]. Oh! I'd give my soul that I To stay here had not been tempted.

CYPRIAN. For my pen I use this dagger, Paper let this white cloth serve for, And the ink wherewith I write it, Be the blood my arm presents me.

[He writes with the point of a dagger upon a piece of linen, having drawn blood from one of his arms.

CYPRIAN [Aside]. Oh! I freeze with fear, with horror!

I, great Cyprian, say expressly I will give my immortal soul, (Oh! what lethargy, what frenzy!) Unto him whose art will teach me (What confusion! what strange terror!) How I may of fair Justina, Haughty mistress mine, possess me.

I have signed it with my name.

DEMON [aside]. Now to my deceits is rendered Valid homage, when such reason, When discourse like his must tremble Even when my help is sought for.-- Have you written?

CYPRIAN. And signed the letter.

DEMON. Then the sun you adore is thine.

CYPRIAN. Thine too, for the years eternal, Is the soul I offer thee.

DEMON. Soul for soul I pay my debtors, Then for thine I give to thee Thy Justina's

CYPRIAN. In what term then, Think you you can teach to me All your magic art?

DEMON. A twelvemonth; But on this condition....

CYPRIAN. Speak.

DEMON. That within a cavern buried, Without any other study, We may live there both together, In our service having no one For us two but this attendant, [Drags out CLARIN.

Who being curious hid him here;-- By securing thus his person That our secret is well kept, We, I think, may be quite certain.

CLARIN [aside]. Oh, that I had never waited!

How does it happen though, so many Neighbours p.r.o.ne to pry, as I am, Are not caught thus by the devil?

CYPRIAN. So far well. My love, my genius Have this happy end effected: First Justina will be mine, Then by my new lights, new learning, I will wake the world's surprise.

DEMON. I have gained what I intended.

CLARIN. I not so.