JUSTINA. It cannot be! Whom have I ever loved? And Cyprian? She becomes troubled at the name of CYPRIAN Did I not requite him With such severity, that he has fled Where none has ever heard of him again ?— May be the occasion whence desire grows bold, I know not what I feel! [More calmly. It must be pity To think that such a man, whom all the world And I the cause. [She again becomes troubled. And yet if it were pity, Floro and Lelio might have equal share, For they are both imprisoned for my sake. Alas! what reasonings are these? It is Without this ceremonious subtlety. [Calmly. And woe is me! I know not where to find him now, Even should I seek him through this wide world. Enter DEMON. DEMON. Follow, and I will lead thee where he is. Into my JUSTINA. And who art thou, who hast found entrance hither, chamber through the doors and locks? Art thou a monstrous shadow which my madness Has formed in the idle air? DÆMON. No. I am one Called by the thought which tyrannizes thee JUSTINA. So shall thy promise fail. This agony DÆMON Already half is done In the imagination of an act. The sin incurred, the pleasure then remains ; JUSTINA. I will not be discouraged, nor despair, Although I thought it, and although 'tis true DÆMON. But a far mightier wisdom than thine own That it shall force thy step; how wilt thou then It were not free if thou hadst power upon it. [He draws, but cannot move her DEMON. Come, where a pleasure waits thee. Too dear. JUSTINA. It were bought 'Tis shame, 'tis torment, 'tis despair. DÆMON. But how Canst thou defend thyself from that or me, JUSTINA. My defence Consists in God. [He vainly endeavours to force her, and at last releases her. DÆMON. Woman, thou hast subdued me, Only by not owning thyself subdued. But since thou thus findest defence in God, First by dishonouring thee, and then by turning JUSTINA. I Appeal to Heaven against thee! so that Heaven May scatter thy delusions, and the blot Even as flame dies in the envious air, Livia! Enter LISANDER and Livia. LISANDER. O my daughter; what? LIVIA. What? JUSTINA. Saw you A man go forth from my apartment now ?— I scarce sustain myself! LISANDER. A man here! JUSTINA. Have you not seen him? |