But an exchange of ignorance for that Of earth and heaven, from which no power, nor being, Let him answer that. Man. Ye know what I have known; and without power I could not be amongst ye: but there are Nem. What would'st thou ? Man. Thou canst not reply to me. Call up the dead-my question is for them. The wishes of this mortal ? Which still doth inherit The whole or a part The heart and the form, And the aspect thou worest Who sent thee there requires thee here! [The Phantom of ASTARTE rises and stands in the midst. Man. Can this be death? there 's bloom upon her cheek; But now I see it is no living hue, But a strange hectic-like the unnatural red Man. NEMESIS. By the power which hath broken She is silent, And in that silence I am more than answer'd. VOL. III. E Nem. My power extends no further. Prince of air! It rests with thee alone-command her voice. Ari. Spirit-obey this sceptre ! 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 Startled the slumbering birds from the hush'd boughs, Which answer'd me-many things answer'd me- Yet speak to me! I have outwatch'd the stars, Phantom of Astarte. Manfred! Man. Say on, say on I live but in the sound-it is thy voice! Phan. Manfred! To-morrow ends thine earthly ills. Farewell! Man. Yet one word more-am I forgiven? Man. Phan. Farewell! Say, shall we meet again? Man. One word for mercy! Say, thou lovest me. Nem. [The Spirit of ASTARTE disappears. 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. 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 ?- [Exit HERMAN. Man. Thou may'st retire. There is a calm upon me |