[Enter Daemon.]

DAEMON: Follow, and I will lead thee where he is.

JUSTINA: And who art thou, who hast found entrance hither, Into my chamber through the doors and locks? Art thou a monstrous shadow which my madness Has formed in the idle air?

DAEMON: No. I am one Called by the Thought which tyrannizes thee From his eternal dwelling; who this day Is pledged to bear thee unto Cyprian.

JUSTINA: So shall thy promise fail. This agony Of passion which afflicts my heart and soul May sweep imagination in its storm; The will is firm.

DAEMON: Already half is done In the imagination of an act. The sin incurred, the pleasure then remains; Let not the will stop half-way on the road.

JUSTINA: I will not be discouraged, nor despair, Although I thought it, and although ’tis true That thought is but a prelude to the deed:— Thought is not in my power, but action is: I will not move my foot to follow thee.

DAEMON: But a far mightier wisdom than thine own Exerts itself within thee, with such power Compelling thee to that which it inclines That it shall force thy step; how wilt thou then Resist, Justina?

NOTE: _123 inclines]inclines to cj. Rossetti.

JUSTINA: By my free-will.

DAEMON: I Must force thy will.

JUSTINA: It is invincible; It were not free if thou hadst power upon it.