Part 30 (1/2)

I am the lord of understanding And freedom: I am Nature's foe, The world's despair, and Heaven's woe.

Yet at thy feet I wors.h.i.+p thee!...

I love thee: I'm thy slave to-day....

What is eternity without thee?

My boundless realm, when I am lonely?'”

Tamara then asks him why he loves her, to which he replies:

”'Why do I, fair? I do not know.

Since first the earthly world began, In my mind's eye imprinted ever Thine image seemed to fill the ether, And through eternity it ran.

In Paradise the glorious years Were lacking only thy creation.

Oh, if thou couldst but comprehend The bitterness of my existence Through dreary ages' dread consistence....

Oft through the rack and tempest raging, I rushed at midnight levin-clad, In fruitless hope of e'er a.s.suaging My aching heart's revolt and dread, To kill the pain of mind's regret, The ne'er forgotten to forget.'”

Tamara is gradually won to listen to his pa.s.sionate pleading.

”'Whoe'er thou art, my friend so mystic, I list to thee against my will.

I know my peace is lost for ever; But thou art suffering, and never I could forget thee suffering still.

But if thy words are false and cunning, But if thou plannest a deceit ...

Have mercy. What's to thee this conquest?

What counts my soul in thy conceit?

Oh, give thy oath, thy sacred vow: Thou seest--I fail and suffer now-- Thou seest a woman's tender dreams!...

But fear grows less ... To me it seems Thou understand'st and knowest all....

Swear on thy oath, give me a token That sin and wrong thou wilt renounce.'”

The Demon vows fidelity:

”'I swear by dawn of the creation, By the decay of earthly sooth, By the disgrace of crime and evil, And by the triumph of the truth.

I swear by flas.h.i.+ng hopes of conquest, I swear by bitter pains of fall, I swear by having met with thee, And by the threat of losing all; ...

I swear by h.e.l.l, I swear by Heaven, I swear by sacredness, by thee, Thy latest look my soul enslaving, Thy first and guileless tear for me; By breath from lips so pure and ireless, Thy silky tresses' wave and s.h.i.+ne, I swear by suffering, elation, And by my love for thee, divine....

But here's my offer; all my power I bring to thee, my sanctuary!

I seek thy love, I need its blessing; Thou wilt obtain eternity For one short moment. Trust my greatness In love, and wrath, and equity.

I, free and wilful Son of Ether, Shall take thee high above the stars, And thou shalt be the Queen of Nature, My foremost love, eternal treasure, Whom nothing equals or debars!...

Crowds of ethereal fairy-maidens Will wait, thy every wish to meet.

The crown which Evening Star is wearing I'll tear from her, and crown thy head; I'll take the dew from evening flowers To s.h.i.+ne on it in diamonds' stead; I'll take a sunset ray of scarlet, And gird thee with its ribbon light; I'll saturate the air around thee With purest fragrance of the night.

A never-dying magic music Will charm thine ears by fall and swell.

I'll build a palace out of turquoise And pearls and gold for thee to dwell; I'll search for thee the depth of ocean; I'll get all riches from the stars; I'll give thee every earthly treasure-- But love me ...'

Closely o'er her bending, He gently touched Tamara's trembling Lips with his lips burning like fire, Words overwhelming with temptation Were to her pleading his reply....