Without a witness. I have been within it, years, Manuel. "T were dangerous; Content thyself with what thou know'st 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 gay and free — With books and solitude, nor made the night 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. 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 So like that it might be the same; the wind Count Manfred was, as now, within his tower,- And watchings her, whom of all earthly things That lived, the only thing he seem'd to love, The Lady Astarte, his The forfeit of my fault, if fault there be― But I must see him. Her. Thou hast seen him once This eve already. Abbot. Herman! I command thee, Knock, and apprise the Count of my approach. We dare not. Her. 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. SCENE IV- INTERIOR OF THE TOWER. MANFRED alone. The stars are forth, the moon above the tops Of the snow-shining mountains. Beautiful! I linger yet with Nature, for the night Hath been to me a more familiar face Than that of man; and in her starry shade I learn'd the language of another world. I do remember me, that in my youth, When I was wandering, upon such a night I stood within the Coliseum's wall, Midst the chief relics of almighty Rome. While Cæsar's chambers and the Augustan halls And thou didst shine, thou rolling moon, upon |