Or its contents, it were impossible To draw conclusions absolute, of aught His studies tend to. To be sure, there is One chamber where none enter: I would give ΤΟ Manuel. "Twere dangerous; 'Content thyself with what thou know'st already. Her. Ah! Manuel! thou art elderly and wise, And couldst say much; thou hast dwelt within the castle How many years is 't? Manuel. Manuel. Merrier than day; he did not walk the rocks From men and their delights. Her. Beshrew the hour, But those were jocund times! I would that such As if they had forgotten them. Manuel. These walls Must change their chieftain first. Oh! I have seen Some strange things in them, Herman. Her. 20 Come, be friendly; 30 Relate me some to while away our watch: I've heard thee darkly speak of an event Which happen'd hereabouts, by this same tower. Manuel. That was a night indeed! I do remember 'Twas twilight, as it may be now, and such Another evening;-yon red cloud, which rests On Eigher's pinnacle, so rested then, So like that it might be the same; the wind The Lady Astarte, his— 40 Hush! who comes here ? Enter the ABBOT. Abbot. Where is your master? Yonder in the tower. Abbot. I must speak with him. He is most private, and must not be thus Abbot. Upon myself I take The forfeit of my fault, if fault there be But I must see him. 'Tis impossible; 50 Her. This eve already. Abbot. Thou hast seen him once Herman! I command thee, Knock, and apprize the Count of my approach. Her. We dare not. SCENE IV Interior of the Tower. MANFRED alone. The stars are forth, the moon above the tops I learn'd the language of another world. While Cæsar's chambers, and the Augustan halls, And thou didst shine, thou rolling moon, upon ΙΟ 20 30 Leaving that beautiful which still was so, 'Twas such a night! 'Tis strange that I recall it at this time; But I have found our thoughts take wildest flight 40 Abbot. Enter the ABBOT My good lord! I crave a second grace for this approach; May light upon your head-could I say heart- But is not yet all lost. Man. Thou know'st me not; My days are number'd, and my deeds recorded: Retire, or 'twill be dangerous-Away! Abbot. Thou dost not mean to menace me? I simply tell thee peril is at hand, And would preserve thee. What dost thou see? Abbot. Man. Abbot. Man. 50 Not I; What dost thou mean? And stedfastly ;-now tell me what thou seest? 60 Abbot. That which should shake me, but I fear it not: I see a dusk and awful figure rise, Like an infernal god, from out the earth; Robed as with angry clouds: he stands between Man. Thou hast no cause he shall not harm theebut His sight may shock thine old limbs into palsy. I say to thee-Retire ! Abbot. And I reply Never-till I have battled with this fiend :- Man. 70 Why-aye-what doth he here ? I did not send for him, he is unbidden. Abbot. Alas! lost mortal! what with guests like these Hast thou to do? I tremble for thy sake: Why doth he gaze on thee, and thou on him? Avaunt! Man. Pronounce what is thy mission ? Come! Abbot. What art thou, unknown being? answer!speak! 80 Spirit. The genius of this mortal.-Come! 'tis time. Man. I am prepared for all things, but deny The power which summons me. Who sent thee here ? Spirit. Thou'lt know anon-Come! come ! Man. I have commanded Things of an essence greater far than thine, And striven with thy masters. Get thee hence ! Spirit. Mortal! thine hour is come- -Away! I say. Man. I knew, and know my hour is come, but not To render up my soul to such as thee: Away! I'll die as I have lived-alone. 90 Spirit. Then I must summon up my brethren.~ Rise! [Other Spirits rise up. Abbot. Avaunt! ye evil ones!-Avaunt! I say; Ye have no power where piety hath power, And I do charge ye in the name |