Demon monologue — The Wonder-Working Magician

Hear, O mortals, hear what I, By the orders of high Heaven, For Justina's exculpation, Must declare to all here present. I it was, who to dishonour Her pure fame, in form dissembled For the purpose, scaled her house, And her very chamber entered. And in order that her fame Should not by that fraud be lessened, I come here her injured honour To exhibit pure and perfect. Cyprian, who with her lieth On a happy bier at rest there, Was my slave. But he effacing, With the blood his neck outsheddeth, The red signature, the linen Is now spotless and unblemished. And the two, in spite of me, Having to the spheres ascended Of the sacred throne of God, Live there in a world far better.-- This, then, is the truth, which I Tell, because God makes me tell it, Much against my will, my practice Not being great as a truth-teller. [He falls swiftly, and sinks into the earth.