Thou may'st retire. Inexplicable stillness! which till now From out the schoolman's jargon, I should deem But it is well to have known it, though but once: Re-enter HERMAN. Her. My lord, the Abbot of St Maurice craves To greet your presence. Abbot. Enter the ABBOT OF ST MAUrice. Peace be with Count Manfred! Man. Thanks, holy father! welcome to these walls; Thy presence honours them, and blesseth those Who dwell within them. Abbot. Would it were so, Count! But I would fain confer with thee alone. Man. Herman, retire. What would my reverend guest? And good intent, must plead my privilege; Our near, though not acquainted neighbourhood, May also be my herald. Rumours strange, And of unholy nature, are abroad, Man. Proceed, I listen. Abbot. 'Tis said thou holdest converse with the things That with the dwellers of the dark abodes, Man. And what are they who do avouch these things? With most unquiet eyes. Thy life 's in peril. Abbot. I come to save, and not destroy— I would not pry into thy secret soul; But if these things be sooth, there still is time For penitence and pity: reconcile thee With the true church, and through the church to heaven. I Man. I hear thee. This is my reply; whate'er may have been, or am, doth rest between Heaven and myself.—I shall not chuse a mortal To be my mediator. Have I sinn'd Against your ordinances? prove and punish!1 Abbot. Then, hear and tremble! For the headstrong wretch Who in the mail of innate hardihood Would shield himself, and battle for his sins, There is the stake on earth, and beyond earth eternal Man. Charity, most reverend father, Becomes thy lips so much more than this menace, It will be perceived that, as far as this, the original matter of the Third Act has been retained. That I would call thee back to it; but say, What wouldst thou with me? Abbot. It may be there are Things that would shake thee—but I keep them back, Man. I understand thee,-well! Abbot. Expect no mercy; I have warned thee. There is a gift for thee within this casket. [MANFRED opens the casket, strikes a light, and burns some incense. Ho! Ashtaroth! The DEMON ASHTAROTH appears, singing as follows: The raven sits On the raven-stone, And his black wing flits O'er the milk-white bone; To and fro, as the night-winds blow, Croaks to the close of the hollow sound; Merrily, merrily, cheerily, cheerily, Merrily, merrily, speeds the ball: The dead in their shrouds, and the demons in clouds, Abbot. I fear thee not-hence-hence Avaunt thee, evil one!-help, ho! without there! 1 « Raven-stone (Rabenstein), a translation of the German word for the gibbet, which in Germany and Switzerland is permanent, and made of stone » Man. Convey this man to the Shreckhorn―to its peakTo its extremest peak-watch with him there From now till sunrise; let him gaze, and know But harm him not; and, when the morrow breaks, Ash. Had I not better bring his brethren too, Man. No, this will serve for the present. Take him up. And we shall fly the lighter. ASHTAROTH disappears with the ABBOT, singing as follows: year; And a widow re-wedded within the MANFRED alone. Man. Why would this fool break in on me, and force -What now? Re-enter HERMAN. Her. My lord, you bade me wait on you at sunset: He sinks behind the mountain. Man. I will look on him. Doth he so? [MANFRED advances to the window of the hall. Glorious orb!' the idol This fine soliloquy, and a great part of the subsequent scene, have, Of early nature, and the vigorous race More beautiful than they, which did draw down Which gladden'd, on their mountain tops, the hearts Thou chief star! And hearts of all who walk within thy rays! I ne'er shall see thee more. Of love and wonder was for Fare thee well! As my first glance thee, then take My latest look: thou wilt not beam on one To whom the gifts of life and warmth have been I follow. SCENE II. [Exit MANFRED. The Mountains-The Castle of Manfred at some distance—A Terrace before a Tower-Time, Twilight. HERMAN, MANUEL, and other Dependants of MANFRED. Her. 'Tis strange enough; night after night, for years, He hath pursued long vigils in this tower, it is hardly necessary to remark, been retained in the present form of the Drama. |