Adam. The devil, mistress! fly you for your safeguard; [Exit S. Wife.] let me alone; the devil and I will deal well enough, if he have any honesty at all in him: I'll either win him with a smooth tale, or else with a toast and a cup of ale.
Devil [singing].
O, O, O, O, fain would I be,
If that my kingdom fulfill'd I might see!
O, O, O, O!
Adam. Surely this is a merry devil, and I believe he is one of Lucifer's minstrels; hath a sweet voice; now surely, surely, he may sing to a pair of tongs and a bagpipe.
Devil. O, thou art he that I seek for.
Adam. Spritus santus!—Away from me, Satan! I have nothing to do with thee.
Devil. O villain, thou art mine!
Adam. Nominus patrus!—I bless me from thee, and I conjure thee to tell me who thou art!
Devil. I am the spirit of the dead man that was slain in thy company when we were drunk together at the ale.[113]
Adam. By my troth, sir, I cry you mercy; your face is so changed that I had quite forgotten you: well, master devil, we have tossed over many a pot of ale together.
Devil. And therefore must thou go with me to hell.