Original MS. of Act III,
Scene III,
line 47 [after "The Lady Astarte, his--"] to end of act.
HERMAN
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, -- [50]
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.
HERMAN
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: [60]
What may this mean? Let's enter!
PEASANT
Faith, not I, --
Not but, 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.
HERMAN [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 [70]
What aid you can. Saddle the barb, and speed
For the leech to the city -- quick! some water there!
HERMAN
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]
I hear a word
Or two -- but indistinctly -- what is next?
What's to be done? let's bear him to the castle. [80]
[MANFRED motions with his hand not to remove him.]
MANUEL
He disapproves -- and 'twere of no avail --
He changes rapidly.
HERMAN
'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 end slowly.]
Old man! 'tis not so difficult to die.
[MANFRED, having said this, expires.]
HERMAN
His eyes are fixed and lifeless. -- He is gone. -- [90]
MANUEL
Close them. -- My old hand quivers. -- He departs --
Whither? I dread to think -- but he is gone!
