[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 Man. NEMESIS. By the power which hath broken Or those who have call'd thee. 100 She is silent, And in that silence I am more than answer'd. Silent still! She is not of our order, but belongs To the other powers. Mortal! thy quest is vain, 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 To bind me in existence-in a life Which makes me shrink from immortality— A future like the past. I cannot rest. The voice which was my music-Speak to me! Startled the slumbering birds from the hush'd boughs, Which answer'd me-many things answer'd me-- Phantom of Astarte. Manfred ! 130 140 Say on, say on 150 I live but in the sound-it is thy voice! Farewell! Man. Yet one word more-am I forgiven? Phan. Farewell. Man. Phan. Say, shall we meet again? Farewell! Man. One word for mercy! Say thou lovest me. Phan. Manfred! [The Spirit of ASTARTE disappears. Nem. She's gone, and will not be recall'd; Her words will be fulfill'd. Return to the earth. A Spirit. He is convulsed.-This is to be a mortal, And seek the things beyond mortality. Another Spirit. Yet, see, he mastereth himself, and makes His torture tributary to his will. Had he been one of us, he would have made 160 Man. We meet then! Where? On the earth? Even as thou wilt: and for the grace accorded I now depart a debtor. Fare ye well! (Scene closes.) [Exit MANFRED. ACT III. SCENE I.-A Hall in the Castle of MANFRED. Man. (alone). There is a calm upon me- ΙΟ The merest word that ever fool'd the ear But it is well to have known it, though but once : Her. My lord, the Abbot of St. Maurice craves Abbot. Enter the ABBOT OF ST. MAURICE. 20 Peace be with Count Manfred! Man. Thanks, holy father! welcome to these walls; Abbot. Would it were so, Count! But I would fain confer with thee alone. Man. Herman, retire.-What would my reverend guest? Abbot. Thus, without prelude:- Age and zeal, my office, And good intent must plead my privilege; Our near, though not acquainted neighborhood, And of unholy nature, are abroad, And busy with thy name; a noble name Man. Proceed-I listen. 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, Thou communest. I know that with mankind, 330 Thy fellows in creation, thou dost rarely Exchange thy thoughts, and that thy solitude Is as an anchorite's, were it but holy. 40 Man. And what are they who do avouch these things? Abbot. My pious brethren-the scared peasantry— Even thy own vassals-who do look on thee 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 50 With the true church, and through the church to Heaven. Man. I hear thee. This is my reply: Whate'er I may have been, or am, doth rest between Against your ordinances? Prove and punish! Have given me power to smooth the path from sin His servant echoes back the awful word. Man. Old man! there is no power in holy men, Would make a hell of heaven-can exorcise 60 70 |