_Goblin_. Here is another amusing circumstance. An infinite number of species of animals were never seen, nor heard of by men their masters, either because they lived where man never set foot, or because they were too small to be observed. Many others were only discovered during the last days of the human race. The same may be said of plants, minerals, &c. Similarly, from time to time, by means of their telescopes, they perceived some star or planet, of the existence of which hitherto, during thousands and thousands of years, they had been ignorant. They then immediately entered it on the catalogue of their possessions; for they regarded the stars and planets as so many candles placed up above to give light to their dominions, because they were wont to transact much business in the night. _Gnome_. And in summer, when they saw those little meteor flames that rush through the air at night, they imagined them to be sprites employed in snuffing the candles for the good of mankind. _Goblin_. Yet now that they are all gone, the earth is none the worse off. The rivers still flow, and the sea, although no longer used for navigation and traffic, is not dried up. _Gnome_. The stars and planets still rise and set; nor have they gone into mourning. _Goblin_. Neither has the sun put on sackcloth and ashes, as it did, according to Virgil, when CÊsar died; about whom I imagine it concerned itself as little as Pompey's Pillar. _DIALOGUE BETWEEN MALAMBRUNO AND FARFARELLO._ _Malambruno_. Spirits of the deep, Farfarello, Ciriatto, Raconero, Astarotte, Alichino, or whatever else you are called, I adjure you in the name of Beelzebub, and command you by virtue of my art, which can unhinge the moon, and nail the sun in the midst of the heavens, come one of you with your prince's permission, to put all the powers of hell at my disposal. _Farfarello_. Here I am. _Mal_. Who are you? _Far_. Farfarello, at thy service. _Mal_. Have you the mandate of Beelzebub? _Far_. I have; and can thus do for thee all that the king himself could do, and more than lies in the power of all other creatures together. _Mal_. It is well. I wish to be satisfied in but one desire. _Far_. Thou shalt be obeyed. What is it? Dost thou wish for majesty surpassing that of the Atrides? _Mal_. No. _Far_. More wealth than shall be found in El Dorado, when it is discovered? _Mal_. No. _Far_. An empire as large as that of which Charles V. dreamt one night? _Mal_. No. _Far_. A mistress chaster than Penelope? _Mal_. No: methinks the devil's aid were superfluous for that. _Far_. Honours and success, however wicked thou mayst be? _Mal_. I should rather more need the devil, if I wished the contrary, under such circumstances. _Far_. Then what dost thou want? _Mal_. Make me happy for a moment. _Far_. I cannot. _Mal_. Why? _Far_. I give you my word of honour--I cannot do it. _Mal_. The word of honour of a good demon?