Which I outlive!-Ye toppling crags of ice! Crash with a frequent conflict; but ye pass, And only fall on things which still would live; And hamlet of the harmless villager. C. HUN. The mists begin to rise from up the valley; I'll warn him to descend, or he may chance To lose at once his way and life together. MAN. The mists boil up around the glaciers ; clouds Rise curling fast beneath me, white and sulphury, Like foam from the roused ocean of deep Hell, Whose every wave breaks on a living shore, Heaped with the damn'd like pebbles.-I am giddy. C. HUN. I must approach him cautiously; if near, A sudden step will startle him, and he Seems tottering already. ΜΑΝ. Mountains have fallen, Leaving a gap in the clouds, and with the shock The ripe green valleys with destruction's splinters; Which crush'd the waters into mist, and made Their fountains find another channel-thus, Thus, in its old age, did Mount Rosenberg- C. HUN. Friend! have a care, Your next step may be fatal !-for the love Of him who made you, stand not on that brink! MAN. (not hearing him.) Such would have been for me a fitting tomb; My bones had then been quiet in their depth; For the wind's pastime-as thus-thus they shall be In this one plunge.-Farewell, ye opening heavens ! Look not upon me thus reproachfully— Ye were not meant for me-Earth! take these atoms! (AS MANFRED is in act to spring from the cliff, the CHAMOIS HUNTER seizes and retains him with a sudden grasp.) C. HUN. Hold, madman!-though aweary of thy life, Stain not our pure vales with thy guilty blood.- MAN. I am most sick at heart-nay, grasp me not I am all feebleness-the mountains whirl Spinning around me-I grow blind-What art thou? C. HUN. I'll answer that anon.-Away with me- The Chalet will be gained within an hour— (As they descend the rocks with difficulty, the scene closes.) VOL. VI. END OF ACT THE FIRST. H 98 ACT II. SCENE I. A Cottage amongst the Bernese Alps. MANFRED and the CHAMOIS HUNTER. C. HUN. No, no-yet pause-thou must not yet go forth: Thy mind and body are alike unfit To trust each other, for some hours, at least; When thou art better, I will be thy guide- ΜΑΝ. It imports not: I do know My route full well, and need no further guidance. |