her out of wickedness, in order to torture men and master them. As
a wedding gift she received a box, containing all the unhappiness
of the world. Perhaps the riddle of this sphinx can more easily be
guessed, if it's seen from. Olympus, rather than from the pleasure
garden of Paradise. Its full meaning will never be known to us.
Though I'm as able as you. (Pause.) And, by the way, I can still
enjoy the greatest pleasure creation ever offered! Go you and do
likewise!

STRANGER. You mean Satan's greatest illusion! For the woman who
seems most beautiful to me, can seem horrible to others! Even for
me, when she's angry, she can be uglier than any other woman. Then
what is beauty?

TEMPTER. A semblance, a reflection of your own goodness! (He puts
his hand over his mouth.) Curses on it! I let it out that time. And
now the devil's loose. ...

STRANGER. Devil? Yes. But if she's a devil, how can a devil make me
desire virtue and goodness? For that's what happened to me when I
first saw her beauty; I was seized with a longing to be like her,
and so to be worthy of her. To begin with I tried to be by taking
exercise, having baths, using cosmetics and wearing good clothes;
but I only made myself ridiculous. Then I began from within; I
accustomed myself to thinking good thoughts, speaking well of
people and acting nobly! And one day, when my outward form had
moulded itself on the soul within, I became her likeness, as she
said. And it was she who first uttered those wonderful words: I
love you! How can a devil ennoble us; how can a spirit of hell fill
us with goodness; how ...? No, she was an angel! A fallen angel, of