Man. Herman, retire. What would my reverend guest? [Exit HERMAN. Abbot. Thus, without prelude: - Age and zeal, my office, 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, And busy with thy name—a noble name Abbot. 'Tis said thou holdest converse with the things Which are forbidden to the search of man ; That with the dwellers of the dark abodes, The many evil and unheavenly spirits Which walk the valley of the shade of death, Man. And what are they who do avouch these things? 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 may have been, or am, doth rest between Heaven and myself. — I shall not choose a mortal Against your ordinances? prove and punish! * It will be perceived that, as far as this, the original matter of the third Act has been retained. 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, 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, To penance, and with gift of all thy lands To the monastery Man. I understand thee, · well! Abbot. Expect no mercy; I have warned thee. Man. (opening the casket.) Stop 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, The fetters creak-and his ebon beak Croaks to the close of the hollow sound; * "Raven-stone (Rabenstein), a translation of the German word for the gibbet, which in Germany and Switzerland is permanent, and made of stone." - And this is the tune by the light of the moon 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! Man. Convey this man to the Shreckhorn To its extremest peak watch with him there From now till sunrise; let him gaze, and know He ne'er again will be so near to heaven. to its peak — But harm him not; and, when the morrow breaks, away with him! Ash. Had I not better bring his brethren too, Convent and all, to bear him company? Man. No, this will serve for the present. Ash. Come, friar! now an exorcism or two, And we shall fly the lighter. Take him up. ASHTAROTH disappears with the ABBOT, singing as follows: A prodigal son and a maid undone, And a widow re-wedded within the year; And a worldly monk and a pregnant nun, MANFRED alone. Man. Why would this fool break in on me, and force My art to pranks fantastical? no matter, It was not of my seeking. My heart sickens, 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. Of early nature, and the vigorous race More beautiful than they, which did draw down The mystery of thy making was reveal'd! Which gladden'd, on their mountain tops, the hearts Who chose thee for his shadow! Thou chief star! Endurable, and temperest the hues And hearts of all who walk within thy rays! Sire of the seasons! Monarch of the climes, Even as our outward aspects; -thou dost rise, I ne'er shall see thee more. Fare thee well! Of love and wonder was for thee, then take My latest look: thou wilt not beam on one To whom the gifts of life and warmth have been He is gone: I follow. [Exit MANFRED. * This fine soliloquy, and a great part of the subsequent scene, have, it is hardly necessary to remark, been retained in the present form of the Drama. SCENE II. The Mountains The Castle of Manfred at some distance HERMAN, MANUEL, and other Dependants of Manfred. Without a witness. I have been within it, - Manuel. 'Twere dangerous; Content thyself with what thou know'st already. And couldst say much; thou hast dwelt within the castle - Manuel. Ere Count Manfred's birth, I served his father, whom he nought resembles. Her. There be more sons in like predicament. But wherein do they differ? Of features or of form, but mind and habits: Count Sigismund was proud, — but gay and free,— A warrior and a reveller; he dwelt not With books and solitude, nor made the night A gloomy vigil, but a festal time, Merrier than day; he did not walk the rocks And forests life a wolf, nor turn aside From men and their delights. Her. Beshrew the hour, But those were jocund times! I would that such Would visit the old walls again; they look As if they had forgotten them. A |