I reck not what-but let me hear thee once This once-once more! PHANTOM OF ASTARTE. Manfred! ΜΑΝ. Say on, say on I live but in the sound-it is thy voice! PHAN. Manfred! To-morrow ends thine earthly Farewell! ills. MAN. Yet one word more-am I forgiven? PHAN. Farewell! ΜΑΝ. Say, shall we meet again? PHAN. Farewell! MAN. One word for mercy! Say, thou lovest me. 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 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. END OF ACT SECOND. 136 ACT III. SCENE I. A Hall in the Castle of Manfred... MANFRED and HERMAN. MAN. What is the hour? HER. It wants but one till sunset, And promises a lovely twilight. ΜΑΝ. It is well : Thou mayst retire, MAN. (alone.) [Exit HERMAN. There is a calm upon me― Inexplicable stillness! which till now To be of all our vanities the motliest, From out the schoolman's jargon, I should deem But it is well to have known it, though but once : It hath enlarged my thoughts with a new sense, And I within my tablets would note down That there is such a feeling. Who is there? Re-enter HERMAN. My lord, the abbot of St. Maurice craves To greet your presence. Enter the ABBOT OF ST. MAURICE. ABBOT. Peace be with Count Manfred! MAN. Thanks, holy father! welcome to these walls; Thy presence honours them, and blesseth those Who dwell within them. Аввот. 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 neighbourhood, May also be my herald. Rumours strange, And of unholy nature, are abroad, And busy with thy name; a noble name Transmit it unimpair'd! ΜΑΝ. Proceed,-I listen. |