Festus · Scene 6

VI

Scene⁠—Anywhere.
Festus* and Lucifer* meeting.
Festus God hath refused me: wilt thou do it for me? Or shall I end with both? remake myself?
Lucifer Now that is the one thing which I cannot do. Am I not open with thee? why choose that?
Festus Because I will it. Thou art bound to obey.
Lucifer The world bears marks of my obedience.
Festus Off! I am torn to pieces. Let me try And gather up myself into a man, As once I was. I have done with thee! Dost hear?
Lucifer Thou canst not mean this.
Festus Once for all⁠—I do.
Lucifer It is men who are deceivers⁠—not the Devil. The first and worst of all frauds is to cheat Oneself. All sin is easy after that.
Festus I feel that we must part: part now or never; And I had rather of the two it were now.
Lucifer This is my last walk through my favourite world: And I had hoped to have enjoyed it with thee. For thee I quitted Hell; for thee I warped And shrivelled up my soul into a man: For thee I shed my shining wings; for thee Put on this mask of flesh, this mockery Of motion, and this seeming shape like thine. And by my woe, I swear that were I now, For thy false heart, to give my spirit spring, I would scatter soul and body both to Hell, And let one burn the other.
Festus If thou darest! Lift but the finger of a thought of ill Against me, and⁠—thou durst not. Mark, we part.
Lucifer Well; as thou wilt. Remember that thy heart Will shed its pleasures as thine eye its tears; And both leave loathsome furrows.
Festus Thinkest thou That I will have no pleasures without thee, Who marrest all thou makest and even more?
Lucifer Thou canst not; save indeed some poor trite thing Called moderation, every one can have; And modesty, God knows, is suffering.
Festus Now will I prove thee liar for that word, And that the very vastest out of Hell. With perfect condemnation I abjure My soul; my nature doth abhor itself; I have a soul to spare! Goes.
Lucifer A hundred, I. I have him yet: for he is mine to tempt. Gold hath the hue of hell flames: but for him I will lay some brilliant and delicious lure Which shall be worth perdition to a seraph. Most men glide quietly and deeply down: Some seek the bottom like a cataract. Now he shall find it, seek it how he will. None ever went without once taking breath. It is passion plunges men into mine arms; But it matters not; Hell burns before them all. It is by Hell-light they do their chiefest deeds; And by Hell-light they shine unto each other; And Hell through life’s thick fog ares red and round; And but for Hell they would grope in utter dark.