Manfred!

[_The Spirit of_ ASTARTE _disappears_.

_Nem_. She's gone, and will not be recalled:
Her words will be fulfilled. 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.[149] 160
Had he been one of us, he would have made
An awful Spirit.

_Nem_. Hast thou further question
Of our great Sovereign, or his worshippers?

_Man_. None.

_Nem_. Then for a time farewell.

_Man_. We meet then! Where? On the earth?--
Even as thou wilt: and for the grace accorded
I now depart a debtor. Fare ye well!
[_Exit_ MANFRED.

(_Scene closes_.)

ACT III.

SCENE I.--_A Hall in the Castle of Manfred_.[150]

MANFRED _and_ HERMAN.

_Man_. What is the hour?

_Her_. It wants but one till sunset,
And promises a lovely twilight.

_Man_. Say,
Are all things so disposed of in the tower
As I directed?

_Her_. All, my Lord, are ready:
Here is the key and casket.[151]

_Man_. It is well:
Thou mayst retire. [_Exit_ HERMAN.

_Man_. (_alone_). There is a calm upon me--
Inexplicable stillness! which till now
Did not belong to what I knew of life.
If that I did not know Philosophy
To be of all our vanities the motliest, 10
The merest word that ever fooled the ear
From out the schoolman's jargon, I should deem
The golden secret, the sought "Kalon," found,[152]
And seated in my soul. It will not last,
But it is well to have known it, though but once:
It hath enlarged my thoughts with a new sense,
And I within my tablets would note down
That there is such a feeling. Who is there?

_Re-enter_ HERMAN.

_Her_. My Lord, the Abbot of St. Maurice craves[153]
To greet your presence.

_Enter the_ ABBOT OF ST. MAURICE.

_Abbot_. Peace be with Count Manfred!