Gives rise to heated phantasy’s legerdemain.
True, his own blasphemy and lack of firm belief
Have raised in him denial’s phantom, reason’s thief.55
Philosophers deny the devil does exist;
While they themselves his sport are, in his cursed fist.
Hast never seen the devil? Look at thy own self!
Who’d paint his forehead blue, unless deceived by elf?[356]
Whoever hath a doubt or trouble in his mind,
In secret’s a philosopher, as you may find.
He wears the outward semblance of belief; but then,