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.
But if she remained here hidden
Say what loss would have resulted?

DEMON. Loss of honour, if the secret
Leaked out to the gossiping vulgar.

CYPRIAN. Then that God must be all sight,
Since he could foresee these trouble.
But, why could not thy enchantment
Be as potent and consummate?

DEMON. Ah! His power is ampler, fuller.

CYPRIAN. Then that God must be all hands,
Since whate'er He wills He worketh.
Tell me then who is that God,
Whom to-day I have discovered
The supreme of good to be,
The Creator, the Annuller,
The Omniscient, the All-seeing,
Whom I've sought for years unnumbered?

DEMON. Him I know not.

CYPRIAN. Speak, who is He?

DEMON. As I speak it, how I shudder!
He--He is the God of the Christians.

CYPRIAN. Say what moved Him to obstruct me
In my wish?

DEMON. Her Christian faith.

CYPRIAN. Does He guard so those who love Him?

DEMON. Yes; but now too late, too late,
Dost thou hope to gain His succour,
Since, in being my slave, thou canst not
Claim the privilege of His subject.

CYPRIAN. I thy slave?

DEMON. In my possession
Is thy signature.