And died unpardon'd - though he call'd in aid The indignant shadow to depose her wrath, In words of dubious import, but fulfill'd. What is she? for my sins A thing I dare not think upon - or nothing. Yet in this hour I dread the thing I dare: On spirit, good or evil - now I tremble, The Hall of Arimanes. Arimanes on his Throne, a Globe of Fire, surrounded by the Spirits. Enter the DESTINIES and NEMESIS; then MANFRED. A Spirit. What is here? A mortal! Thou most rash and fatal wretch ! Bow down and worship! Second Spirit. A Magian of great power, and fearful skill! Third Spirit. Bow down and worship, slave! What, know'st thou not Thine and our Sovereign? - Tremble, and obey! All the Spirits. Prostrate thyself, and thy condemned clay, Child of the Earth! or dread the worst. On the bare ground, have I bow'd down my face, I sunk before my vain despair, and knelt To my own desolation. Fifth Spirit. Dost thou dare Refuse to Arimanes on his throne What the whole earth accords, beholding not The terror of his Glory? - Crouch! I say. Man. Bid him bow down to that which is above him, The overruling Infinite the Maker Who made him not for worship- let him kneel, And we will kneel together. Is of no common order, as his port Our own; his knowledge, and his powers and will, Which clogs the ethereal essence, have been such This is not all the passions, attributes Of earth and heaven, from which no power, nor being, First Des. Let him answer that. Man. Ye know what I have known; and without power I could not be amongst ye: but there are Powers deeper still beyond - I come in quest Of such, to answer unto what I seek. Nem. Man. What would'st thou? Thou canst not reply to me. Call up the dead - my question is for them. Nem. Great Arimanes, doth thy will avouch The wishes of this mortal? Shadow! or Spirit! Whatever thou art, Which still doth inherit The heart and the form, And the aspect thou worest Redeem from the worm. Appear! Appear! - Appear! Who sent thee there requires thee here! [The Phantom of ASTARTE rises and stands in the midst. Man. Can this be death? there 's bloom upon her cheek; But now I see it is no living hue, But a strange hectic-like the unnatural red To look upon the same - Astarte ! -No, I cannot speak to her - but bid her speak- Man. NEMESIS. By the power which hath broken She is silent, And in that silence I am more than answer'd. Nem. My power extends no further. Prince of air! It rests with thee alone command her voice. She is not of our order, but belongs Silent still! To the other powers. Mortal! thy quest is vain, And we are baffled also. Man. Hear me, hear me — Astarte! my beloved! speak to me: I have so much endured so much endure Look on me! the grave hath not changed thee more Than I am changed for thee. Thou lovedst me Too much, as I loved thee: we were not made For hitherto all hateful things conspire |