The virgin constancy I cannot break.

(Clouds roll before the mountain, hiding Cipriano.)

Thou nether realm of darkness and despair,

Whose fire-enthronèd emperor am I;

Where many-knotted till the word they lie,

Your subtlest spirits at the word untie,

And breathe them softly to this upper air;

With subtle soft insinuation fair

Of foul result encompass and attaint

The chastity of the rebellious saint