Chapter 40

The Demon and JUSTINA.

DEMON. Come, and I will tell thee where.

JUSTINA. Who art thou who has procured Entrance to this lone retreat, Though the entrance is secured? Or, my senses being obscured, Art thou but delusion's cheat?

DEMON. No, not so; but having known How this passion pressed thee so, I have sought thee here alone, Having promised thee to show Whither Cyprian has flown.

JUSTINA. Then thou'lt reach not thy intent; For this passion, this strange pain, Which my thought doth so torment, Though my fancy it may gain, It will never my consent.

DEMON. But in thought to enter in Shows that half the deed is done; Since accomplished is the sin:-- Stop not halfway, ere is won What the wish desired to win.

JUSTINA. Even in this desponding hour, Though to think may taint the flower, Thy suggestion comes to nought,-- In my power is not my thought But my act is in my power. I can follow to the brink, Free to pause or to pursue, Move my foot, or backward shrink, For it is one thing to do, And another thing to think.

DEMON. If a stronger power than thine, Drawn from a profounder source, With thine own desires combine, How resist the double force Which with force thy steps incline?

JUSTINA. I will trust a safer spell:-- My free will suffices me.

DEMON. But my power will it excel.

JUSTINA. Then the will no more were free If a force could it compel.

DEMON. Come where every bliss thou'lt meet. [Attempts to draw her with him, but cannot move her.

JUSTINA. Ah! the bliss were bought too dear.

DEMON. It is peace, serene and sweet.

JUSTINA. 'Tis a slavery most severe.

DEMON. Life, 'tis joy.

JUSTINA. 'Tis death, deceit.

DEMON. Thy defence, what can it be, If my power thus forces thee? [Drags her with more force.

JUSTINA. In my God it doth consist.

DEMON. By persisting to resist, [Releases her. Woman, thou has conquered me. Thy defence to God is due, And my counsel is disdained; Yes, but raging I'll renew My attempt and have thee feigned, If I cannot have thee true. To a spirit I will give Shape like thine though fugitive, It will counterfeit thy form, As with seeming life be warm, And in it disgraced thou'lt live. Thus two triumphs at one time I am sure to win by this, Be thy virtue so sublime, Since through an ideal bliss I will consummate a crime. [Exit.

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