Life of Lord Byron, Vol. IV | Page 8

tower.

_Manuel._ That was a night indeed! I do remember 'Twas 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 seemed to love,-- As he, indeed, by
blood was bound to do, The lady Astarte, his--
_Her._ Look--look--the tower-- The tower's on fire. Oh, heavens and
earth! what sound, What dreadful sound is that? [_A crash like
thunder._
_Manuel._ Help, help, there!--to the rescue of the Count,-- The Count's
in danger,--what ho! there! approach!
_The Servants, Vassals, and Peasantry approach, stupified with terror._
If there be any of you who have heart And love of human kind, and will
to aid Those in distress--pause not--but follow me-- The portal's open,
follow. [MANUEL _goes in._
_Her._ Come--who follows? What, none of ye?--ye recreants! shiver
then Without. I will not see old Manuel risk His few remaining years
unaided. [HERMAN _goes in._
_Vassal._ Hark!-- No--all is silent--not a breath--the flame Which shot
forth such a blaze is also gone; What may this mean? Let's enter!
_Peasant._ Faith, not I,-- Not that, if one, or two, or more, will join, I
then will stay behind; but, for my part, I do not see precisely to what
end.
_Vassal._ Cease your vain prating--come.
_Manuel._ (_speaking within._) 'Tis all in vain-- He's dead.

_Her._ (_within._) Not so--even now methought he moved; But it is
dark--so bear him gently out-- Softly--how cold he is! take care of his
temples In winding down the staircase.
_Re-enter_ MANUEL and HERMAN, bearing MANFRED _in their
arms._
_Manuel._ Hie to the castle, some of ye, and bring What aid you can.
Saddle the barb, and speed For the leech to the city--quick! some water
there!
_Her._ His cheek is black--but there is a faint beat Still lingering about
the heart. Some water.
[They sprinkle MANFRED _with water; after a pause, he gives some
signs of life._
_Manuel._ He seems to strive to speak--come--cheerly, Count! He
moves his lips--canst hear him? I am old, And cannot catch faint
sounds.
[HERMAN _inclining his head and listening._
_Her._ I hear a word Or two--but indistinctly--what is next? What's to
be done? let's bear him to the castle.
[MANFRED _motions with his hand not to remove him._
_Manuel._ He disapproves--and 'twere of no avail-- He changes
rapidly.
_Her._ 'Twill soon be over.
_Manuel._ Oh! what a death is this! that I should live To shake my
gray hairs over the last chief Of the house of Sigismund.--And such a
death! Alone--we know not how--unshrived--untended-- With strange
accompaniments and fearful signs-- I shudder at the sight--but must not
leave him.

_Manfred._ (_speaking faintly and slowly._) Old man! 'tis not so
difficult to die. [MANFRED _having said this expires._
_Her._ His eyes are fixed and lifeless.--He is gone.--
_Manuel._ Close them.--My old hand quivers.--He departs-- Whither? I
dread to think--but he is gone!
[Footnote 1: It will be perceived that, as far as this, the original matter
of the third Act has been retained.]
[Footnote 2: "Raven-stone (Rabenstein), a translation of the German
word for the gibbet, which in Germany and Switzerland is permanent,
and made of stone."]
[Footnote 3: This fine soliloquy, and a great part of the subsequent
scene, have, it is hardly necessary to remark been retained in the
present form of the Drama.]
[Footnote 4: Altered in the present form, to "some strange things in
them, Herman."]
* * * * *
LETTER 278. TO MR. MURRAY.
"Rome, May 9. 1817.
"Address all answers to Venice; for there I shall return in fifteen days,
God willing.
"I sent you from Florence 'The Lament of Tasso,' and from Rome the
third Act of Manfred, both of which, I trust, will duly arrive. The terms
of these two I mentioned in my last, and will repeat in this, it is three
hundred for each, or six hundred guineas for the two--that is, if you like,
and they are good for any thing.
"At last one of the parcels is arrived. In the notes to Childe Harold there
is a blunder of yours or mine: you talk of arrival at _St. Gingo_, and,

immediately after, add--'on the height is the Château of Clarens.' This is
sad work: Clarens is on the other side of the Lake, and it is quite
impossible that I should have so bungled. Look at the MS.; and at any
rate rectify it.
"The 'Tales of my Landlord' I have read with great pleasure,