The Wonder-Working Magician Part 15

The blithe bird that flies afar, Drest in shifting 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 shine, 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 worship; For I (though so wise and learned) Have no other means to win her.

Let us now in writing settle What we have resolved between us.

CYPRIAN. Do you wish by new pretences To prolong the pains I suffer?

In my hand is what I tender, But in yours is not the offer That you make me; no, for never Conjurations or enchantments Can free will control or fetter.

DEMON. Give me, on the terms you spoke of, Your signed bond.

CLARIN. [peeping]. The deuce! This fellow Is no fool, I see. No greenhorn In his business is this devil.

I give him my bond! No, truly, Though my lodgings wanted a tenant For the s.p.a.ce of twenty ages, I wouldn't do it.

CYPRIAN. Sir, much jesting May with merry friends be pastime, Not with those who are dejected.

DEMON. I, in proof of what I am able To effect, will now present you With an example, though it faintly Shows the power my art possesses.

From this gallery what is seen?

CYPRIAN. Much of sky, and much of meadow, Wood, a rivulet, and a mountain.

DEMON. Which to you doth seem most pleasant?

CYPRIAN. The proud mountain, for in it Is my adored one represented.

DEMON. Proud compet.i.tor of time, Rival of the years for ever, Who as king of fields and plains Crown'st thee with the cloud and tempest, Move thyself, change earth and air; Look, see who I am that tell thee.-- And, look thou, too, since a mountain I can move, thou mayest a maiden.

[The mountain moves from one side to the other in the perspective of the theatre.

CYPRIAN. Never saw I such a wonder!

Ne'er a sight of so much terror!

CLARIN [peeping]. With the fright and with the fear, I enjoy a twofold tremble.

CYPRIAN. Mighty mountain bird that fliest, Trees for wings replacing feathers, Boat, whose rocks supply the tackle, As thou furrowest through the zephyr, To thy centre back return thee, And so end this fear, this terror.

[The mountain returns to its original position.

DEMON. If one proof is not sufficient, I will give you then a second.

Do you wish to see the woman You adore?

CYPRIAN. Yes.

DEMON. Then, thy entrails Ope, thou monster, to whose being The four elements are servants.

Show to us the perfect beauty That thou hidest in thy centre.

[A rock opens and JUSTINA is seen sleeping.

Is this she whom you adore?

CYPRIAN. Whom I idolize beyond measure.

DEMON. But since I have power to give her, I can take her too, remember.

CYPRIAN. Now impossible dream of mine, Now thy arms will be the centre Of my love, thy lips the sun, Burning, br.i.m.m.i.n.g as with nectar.