"Each lie
Redounded to the praise of man, was victory
Man's nature had both right to get and might to gain." B
B: Fifine at the Fair, cxxviii.
But it leads to the revelation of a higher law than that of selfishness. The very assertion of the self which leads into evil, ultimately leaves the self assertion futile. There is the disappointment of utter failure; the sinner is thrown back upon himself empty-handed. He finds himself subjected, even when sinning,
"To the reign
Of other quite as real a nature, that saw fit
To have its way with man, not man his way with it."A
A: Fifine at the Fair, cxxviii.
"Poor pabulum for pride when the first love is found