The Wonder-Working Magician Part 22

DEMON. I know nothing, I know nothing.

CYPRIAN. I renounce then with my utmost Power the pact that I made with thee; What compelled Him (this I urge thee In that G.o.d's great name) to guard her?

DEMON [after having struggled ineffectually not to say it]. To preserve her pure, unsullied.

CYPRIAN. Then He is the sovereign goodness Since a wrong He will not suffer.

But if she remained here hidden Say what loss would have resulted?

DEMON. Loss of honour, if the secret Leaked out to the gossiping vulgar.

CYPRIAN. Then that G.o.d must be all sight, Since he could foresee these trouble.

But, why could not thy enchantment Be as potent and consummate?

DEMON. Ah! His power is ampler, fuller.

CYPRIAN. Then that G.o.d must be all hands, Since whate'er He wills He worketh.

Tell me then who is that G.o.d, Whom to-day I have discovered The supreme of good to be, The Creator, the Annuller, The Omniscient, the All-seeing, Whom I've sought for years unnumbered?

DEMON. Him I know not.

CYPRIAN. Speak, who is He?

DEMON. As I speak it, how I shudder!

He--He is the G.o.d of the Christians.

CYPRIAN. Say what moved Him to obstruct me In my wish?

DEMON. Her Christian faith.

CYPRIAN. Does He guard so those who love Him?

DEMON. Yes; but now too late, too late, Dost thou hope to gain His succour, Since, in being my slave, thou canst not Claim the privilege of His subject.

CYPRIAN. I thy slave?

DEMON. In my possession Is thy signature.

CYPRIAN. I'll struggle To regain it from thee, since 'Twas conditional at the utmost.

I don't doubt I will get it.

DEMON. How?

CYPRIAN. In this way.

[He draws his sword, strikes at The Demon, but cannot touch him.

DEMON. Although the lunges Of thy naked sword against me Are well aimed, thou hast not struck me, Fierce as were thy blows. And now, Even in more despair to plunge thee, I would have thee learn at least That the Devil is thy instructor.

CYPRIAN. What do you say?

DEMON. That I am he.

CYPRIAN. Oh! to hear thee how I shudder!--

DEMON. Not alone a slave art thou, But MY slave; be that thy comfort.

CYPRIAN. I the slave of the Devil! I Own a master so unworthy?

DEMON. Yes; for since thy soul thou gav'st me, Thenceforth it to me was subject.

CYPRIAN. Is there then no gleam of hope, No appeal, no aid, no succour, By which I so great a crime Can blot out?

DEMON. No.

CYPRIAN. Why doubt further?

Let not this sharp sword rest idly In my hand, but swiftly cutting Through my breast, become the willing Instrument of mine own murder.

But what say I? He who could s.n.a.t.c.h Justina from thy clutches, Can He not, too, rescue me?

DEMON. No. By choice thou wert a culprit, And He does not favour crimes, Virtues only.

CYPRIAN. If the summit Of all power He be, to pardon Is as easy as to punish.

DEMON. He rewardeth by His power, He chastiseth from His justice.

CYPRIAN. One who yields He'll not chastise.

I am one, since I am humbled.

DEMON. Thou art mine, my slave: no master Canst thou have but me.

CYPRIAN. I trust not.

DEMON. How, when still in my possession Is that bond of thine, that b.l.o.o.d.y Scroll inscribed by thine own hand?

CYPRIAN. He who is supreme and sovereign, And depends not on another, Will yet bear me through triumphant.

DEMON. In what way?

CYPRIAN. He is all sight, And will see the fitting juncture.

DEMON. It I hold.

CYPRIAN. He is all hands, And will burst my bonds asunder.

DEMON. Ere that comes I'll see thee dead: Thus my clasping arms shall crush thee.

[They struggle together.

CYPRIAN. Thou great G.o.d, the Christians' G.o.d, Oh, a.s.sist me in this struggle!