Form this woman most divine.
For myself, in blind unrest,
(Guess my madness if you can)
I, to seem another man,
In these courtly robes am drest,
Studious calm I now detest,
Fame no longer fires my mind,
Passion reigns where thought refined,
I my firmness fling to tears,
Courage I resign to fears,
And my hopes I give the wind.
I have said, and so will do,
That to some infernal sprite
I would offer with delight
(And the pledge I now renew)
Even my soul for her I woo.
But my offer is in vain,
Hell rejects it with disdain,
For my soul, it may allege,
Is a disproportionate pledge
For the interest I would gain.

DEMON. Is this, then your boasted courage,
In the footsteps of dejected*
Swains to follow, who grow timid
When their first assault's rejected?
Are examples then so distant
Of fair ladies who surrender
All their vanities to entreaties,
All their pride to fond addresses?
Would you make your breast the prison
Of your love, your arms her fetters?

[footnote] *Asonante in e-e to the end of the Act.

CYPRIAN. Can you doubt it?

DEMON. Then command them
To retire, those two, your servants,
So that we remain here only.

CYPRIAN. Go: both leave me for the present.

MOSCON. I obey.
[Exit.

CLARIN. And I as well.--
[Aside, concealing himself.
Such a guest must be the devil.

CYPRIAN. They are gone.

DEMON [aside]. That Clarin's hiding,
Is to me of small concernment.

CYPRIAN. What more wish you now?

DEMON. First fasten
Well this door.

CYPRIAN. Yes; none can enter.

DEMON. For the possession of this woman,
With your lips you have asserted
You would give your soul.

CYPRIAN. 'Tis so.

DEMON. Then the contract is accepted.

CYPRIAN. What do you say?

DEMON. That I accept it.

CYPRIAN. How?

DEMON. So much have I effected
By my science, that I will teach you
How by it to get possession
Of the woman that you worship;
For I (though so wise and learned)
Have no other means to win her.
Let us now in writing settle
What we have resolved between us.

CYPRIAN. Do you wish by new pretences
To prolong the pains I