Count Manfred was, as now, within his tower, And watchings her, whom of all earthly things 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 Than that of man; and in her starry shade Of dim and solitary loveliness, I learn'd the language of another world. I do remember me, that in my youth, When I was wandering, upon such a night Midst the chief relics of almighty Rome. While Caesar's chambers and the Augustan halls And thou didst shine, thou rolling moon, upon "The gladiators' bloody circus stands, A noble wreck in ruinous perfection!" - Manfred, Act III, Scene IV, p 40. |