Lord Byron (1788–1824). Manfred.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.
Act III
Scene IIIHe hath pursued long vigils in this tower, Without a witness. I have been within it,— So have we all been oft—times; but from it, Or its contents, it were impossible To draw conclusions absolute of aught His studies tend to. To be sure, there is One chamber where none enter: I would give The fee of what I have to come these three years, To pore upon its mysteries. Manuel.’Twere dangerous; Content thyself with what thou knowest already. Her. Ah, Manuel! thou art elderly and wise, And couldst say much; thou hast dwelt within the castle— How many years is ’t? Manuel.Ere Count Manfred’s birth, I served his father, whom he nought resembles. Her. There be more sons in like predicament. But wherein do they differ? Manuel.I speak not Of features or of form, but mind and habits; Count Sigismund was proud, but gray and free— A warrior and a reveller; he dwelt not With books and solitude, nor made the night A gloomy vigil, but a festal time, Merrier than day; he did not walk the rocks From men and their delights. Her.Beshrew the hour, But those were jocund times! I would that such Would visit the old walls again; they look As if they had forgotten them. Manuel.These walls Must change their chieftain first. Oh! I have seen Some strange things in them, Herman. Her.Come, be friendly; Relate me some to while away our watch: I’ve heard thee darkly speak of an event Which happen’d hereabouts, by this same tower. Manuel. That was a night indeed! I do remember ’T was twilight, as it may be now, and such Another evening; yon red cloud, which rests On Eigher’s pinnacle, so rested then,— So like that it might be the same; the wind Was faint and gusty, and the mountain snows Began to glitter with the climbing moon. Count Manfred was, as now, within his tower,— How occupied, we knew not, but with him The sole companion of his wanderings And watchings—her, whom of all earthly things That lived, the only thing he seem’d to love,— As he indeed, by blood was bound to do, The Lady Astarte, his— Hush! who comes here? Abbot.Where is your master? Her.Yonder in the tower. Abbot.I must speak with him. Manuel.’Tis impossible; He is most private, and must not be thus Intruded on. Abbot.Upon myself I take But I must see him. Her.Thou hast seen him once This eve already. Abbot.Herman! I command thee, Knock, and apprize the Count of my approach. Her.We dare not. Abbot.Then it seems I must be herald Of my own purpose. Manuel.Reverend father, stop— I pray you pause. Abbot.Why so? Manuel.But step this way, And I will tell you further.[Exeunt.