CYPRIAN. What was offered to my love
Was that I should surely pluck here
The sweet fruit whose seeds my hope
Had to these wild wastes entrusted.
DEMON. Cyprian, I was only bound
Her to bring here.
CYPRIAN. A mere shuffle:
To my arms you swore to give her.
DEMON. In thy arms I saw her struggle.
CYPRIAN. 'Twas a phantom.
DEMON. 'Twas a portent.
CYPRIAN. Worked by whom?
DEMON. By one who worked it
To protect her.
CYPRIAN. Who was he?
DEMON [trembling]. I don't wish the name to utter.
CYPRIAN. I will turn my magic science
'Gainst thyself. By its compulsion
Speak, inform me who he is.
DEMON. Well, a god who takes this trouble
For Justina.
CYPRIAN. What's one God,
When of gods there's such a number?
DEMON. All their power in Him is centred.
CYPRIAN. Then One only, sole and sovereign,
Must He be, whose single will
Their united wills outworketh.
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 God'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.
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