human
It was a Stradivarius,
gpt
Had it been a Stradivarius, an Amati or a Guarnerius, or a host of others rolled into one, you would not have found in it the melody to win the heart of the woman you love. Get a better and more suitable instrument.
human
Where is one?
gpt
In my possession,
human
She would hate me if she knew I had recourse to the powers of darkness to gain her love,
gpt
My dear sir, were it not for the fact that I feel in particularly good spirits this morning, I should resent your ill-timed remarks and leave you to end your miserable existence with rope or pistol,
human
Do you want the violin or not?
gpt
I might look at it,
human
Very well,
gpt
That will do, interrupted Satan, taking the violin from the little man, who bowed low and ceremoniously took his departure. Then the devil, pointing to the instrument, asked:
human
Isn't it a beauty?
gpt
Yes, it is, but not the kind of violin I play on.
human
Oh, I see, carelessly observed the other,
gpt
Yes,
human
You will observe, went on the visitor, noting the intense interest displayed by the violinist,
gpt
But that extra string?
human
That, said Mephistopheles, solemnly, and with no pretense of sophistry,
gpt
The--string--of--death!
human
Yes, the string of death, Satan repeated,
gpt
he added cheerfully,
human
Why avoid it? Can it not be cut off?
gpt
Ah, that's the rub. If you examine the violin closely you will find that the string of death is made up of the extra lengths of the other four strings. To cut it off would destroy the others, and then pity, hope, love and joy would cease to exist in the soul of the violin.
human
How like life itself, Diotti reflected,
gpt
That's the idea, precisely,
human
What is it wrapped with?
gpt
The fifth string was added after an unfortunate episode in the Garden of Eden, in which I was somewhat concerned, said Satan, soberly.
human
It is wrapped with strands of hair from the first mother of man.
gpt
I dare not take it, said the perplexed musician;
human
Yes, it is directly from there, but I brought it from heaven when I--I left, said the fallen angel, with remorse in his voice.
gpt
It was my constant companion there. But no one in my domain--not I, myself--can play upon it now, for it will respond neither to our longing for pity, hope, love, joy, nor even death, and sadly and retrospectively Satan gazed into vacancy; then, after a long pause:
human
Try the instrument!