Devil. And only seems. What if I were to prove that your heart is pure as gold in comparison with his?
Faustus. Devil!
Devil. Faustus, thou wert poor, ill-treated, and despised; thou didst see thyself in the dust; but, like an energetic being, thou hast sprung out of contempt at thy own risk. Thou wert incapable of gratifying thy lusts by the murder of
thy fellow-creatures, as this saint would if I led him into temptation.
Faustus. I see all thy infernal craftiness. If I were to command thee to put him to a fair trial, thou wouldst confuse the senses of the just man, so that he would commit acts which his heart abhorred.
Devil. Ridiculous! Why, then, do ye boast of your free-will, and thereby ascribe your deeds to your own hearts? But ye are all saints while there is nothing to tempt ye. No, Faustus; I will remain neuter, and merely offer delights to his senses; for the Devil has no need to creep into ye when you are already disposed for wickedness.
Faustus. And if things do not turn out as you assert, think not that your assurance shall remain unpunished.
Devil. Thou mayst then torment me a whole day by preaching of the virtues of men. Let us see whether this will allure him.
A table, provided with dainty meats and delicious wines, now appeared in the middle of the hermitage. The solitary entered, and silently
placed the pitcher before Faustus, and then retired into a corner, without heeding the luxurious banquet.