I cannot speak to her--but bid her speak- Forgive me or condemn me. NEMESIS. By the power which hath broken Speak to him who hath spoken, Or those who have call'd thee! MAN. She is silent, And in that silence I am more than answered. NEм. My power extends no further. Prince of air! It rests with thee alone-command her voice. ARI. Spirit-obey this sceptre ! NEM. She is not of our order, but belongs Silent still! To the other powers. Mortal! thy quest is vain, And we are baffled also. MAN. Hear me, hear me Astarte! my beloved! speak to me: I have so much endured-so much endure Look on me! the grave hath not changed thee more Than I am changed for thee. Thou lovedst me Too much, as I loved thee: we were not made To torture thus each other, though it were Startled the slumbering birds from the hush'd boughs, Acquainted with thy vainly echoed name, E 2 I fear them not, and feel for thee alone Speak to me! though it be in wrath;-but say- I reck not what-but let me hear thee once This once once more! PHANTOM OF ASTARTE. Manfred! ΜΑΝ. I live but in the sound-it is thy voice! Say on, say on PHAN. Manfred! To-morrow ends thine earthly ills. Farewell! MAN. Yet one word more-am I forgiven? PHAN. Farewell! ΜΑΝ. PHAN. Farewell! Say, shall we meet again? MAN. One word for mercy! Say, thou lovest me, [The Spirit of ASTARTE disappears. NEM. She's gone, and will not be recall'd; Her words will be fulfill'd. Return to the earth. A SPIRIT. He is convulsed-This is to be a mortal And seek the things beyond mortality. ANOTHER SPIRIT. Yet, see, he mastereth himself, and makes His torture tributary to his will. Had he been one of us, he would have made An awful spirit. |