To look upon the same-Astarte !—No, I cannot speak to her-but bid her speak- MAN. NEMESIS. By the power The which hath broken grave which enthrall'd thee, Speak to him who hath spoken, Or those who have call'd thee! She is silent, And in that silence I am more than answered. NEM. My power extends no further. Prince of air! It rests with thee alone-command her voice. ARI. Spirit-ôbey this sceptre ! NEM. She is not of our order, but belongs Silent still! To the other powers. Mortal! thy quest is vain, And we are baffled also. ΜΑΝ. 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 To bind me in existence-in a life Which makes me shrink from immortality A future like the past. I cannot rest. I know not what I ask, nor what I seek: Startled the slumbering birds from the hush'd boughs, Speak to me! though it be in wrath ;-but say I reck not what-but let me hear thee once This once-once more! PHANTOM OF ASTARTE. Manfred! MAN. 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. PHAN. Manfred! NEM. [The Spirit of ASTARTE disappears. She's gone, and will not be recall'd; Her words will be fulfil'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 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. |