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??n de la Barca, Pedro, 1600-1681

"The Wonder-Working Magician"


[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.


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