_Second Spirit_. I do know the man-- 30 A Magian of great power, and fearful skill! _Third Spirit_. Bow down and worship, slave!--What, know'st thou not Thine and our Sovereign?--Tremble, and obey! _All the Spirits_. Prostrate thyself, and thy condemnéd clay, Child of the Earth! or dread the worst. _Man_. I know it; And yet ye see I kneel not. _Fourth Spirit_. 'Twill be taught thee. _Man_. 'Tis taught already;--many a night on the earth, On the bare ground, have I bowed down my face, And strewed my head with ashes; I have known The fulness of humiliation--for 40 I sunk before my vain despair, and knelt To my own desolation. _Fifth Spirit_. Dost thou dare Refuse to Arimanes on his throne What the whole earth accords, beholding not The terror of his Glory?--Crouch! I say. _Man_. Bid _him_ bow down to that which is above him, The overruling Infinite--the Maker Who made him not for worship--let him kneel, And we will kneel together. _The Spirits_. Crush the worm! Tear him in pieces!-- _First Des_. Hence! Avaunt!--he's mine. 50 Prince of the Powers invisible! This man Is of no common order, as his port And presence here denote: his sufferings Have been of an immortal nature--like Our own; his knowledge, and his powers and will, As far as is compatible with clay, Which clogs the ethereal essence, have been such As clay hath seldom borne; his aspirations Have been beyond the dwellers of the earth, And they have only taught him what we know-- 60 That knowledge is not happiness, and science[146] But an exchange of ignorance for that Which is another kind of ignorance. This is not all--the passions, attributes Of Earth and Heaven, from which no power, nor being, Nor breath from the worm upwards is exempt, Have pierced his heart; and in their consequence Made him a thing--which--I who pity not, Yet pardon those who pity. He is mine-- And thine it may be; be it so, or not-- 70 No other Spirit in this region hath A soul like his--or power upon his soul. _Nem_. What doth he here then? _First Des_. Let _him_ answer that. _Man_. Ye know what I have known; and without power I could not be amongst ye: but there are Powers deeper still beyond--I come in quest Of such, to answer unto what I seek. _Nem_. What would'st thou? _Man_. _Thou_ canst not reply to me. Call up the dead--my question is for them. _Nem_. Great Arimanes, doth thy will avouch 80 The wishes of this mortal? _Ari_. Yea.