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.
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