SECOND VOICE. Yes. I'm here.
STRANGER. God have mercy! And you, my boy, forgive me!
SECOND VOICE. Never! You showed us the way to the sulphur springs! Is it far to the lake?
(The STRANGER falls to the ground.)
TEMPTER. Ha! Jubilate, temptatores!
VENUS WORSHIPPERS. Sulphur! Sulphur! Sulphur! Mercury!
TEMPTER (coming forward and touching the STRANGER with his foot). The worm! You can make him believe whatever you like. That comes from his unbelievable pride. Does he think he's the mainspring of the universe, the originator of all evil? This foolish man believes he taught youth to go in search of Venus; as if youth hadn't done that long before he was born! His pride's insupportable, and he's been rash enough to try to botch my work for me. Give him another greeting, lying Erik! (The SECOND VOICE—that is the youth—bends over the STRANGER and whispers in his ear.) There were seven deadly sins; but now there are eight. The eighth I discovered! It's called despair. For to despair of what is good, and not to hope for forgiveness, is to call... (He hesitates before pronouncing the word God, as if it burnt his lips.) God wicked. That is calumny, denial, blasphemy.... Look how he winces!
STRANGER (rising quickly, and looking the TEMPTER to the eyes). Who are you?
TEMPTER. Your brother. Don't we resemble one another? Some of your features seem to remind me of my portrait.
STRANGER. Where have I seen it?