MANFRED; A DRAMATIC POE M. There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy. DRAMATIS PERSONE. MANFRED. CHAMOIS HUNTER. ABBOT OF ST. MAURICE. MANUEL. HERMAN. WITCH OF THE ALPS. ARIMANES. NEMESIS. THE DESTINIES. SPIRITS, &c. The Scene of the Drama is amongst the Higher Alps-partly in the Castle of Manfred, and partly in the Mountains. MANFRED. ACT I. SCENE I.-A GOTHIC GALLERY.-TIME, MIDNIGHT. : MANFRED (alone). THE lamp must be replenish'd, but even then A power to make these subject to itself- Since that all-nameless hour. I have no dread, And feel the curse to have no natural fear, Nor fluttering throb, that beats with hopes or wishes, Now to my task.— Mysterious agency! Ye spirits of the unbounded universe! Whom I have sought in darkness and in light— And earth's and ocean's caves familiar things— I call upon ye by the written charm Which gives me power upon you-Rise! appear ! [A pause. They come not yet.-Now by the voice of him Who is the first among you-by this sign, Which makes you tremble-by the claims of him Who is undying, rise! appear!-Appear! [4 pause. If it be so. Spirits of earth and air, The thought which is within me and around me, I do compel ye to my will.-Appear! [A star is seen at the darker end of the gallery; il is stationary; and a voice is heard singing. 1st Spirit. Mortal! to thy bidding bow'd, From my mansion in the cloud, Which the breath of twilight builds, Which is mix'd for my pavilion ; Though thy quest may be forbidden, 2d Spir. Mont-Blanc is the monarch of mountains, On a throne of rocks, in a robe of clouds, With a diadem of snow. Around his waist are forests braced, The avalanche in his hand; |