Page:Manfred, a dramatic poem (IA manfreddramaticp04byro).pdf/20

 Man. Forgetfulness———

 First Spirit. Of what—of whom—and why?

 Man. Of that which is within me; read it there—
Ye know it, and I cannot utter it.

 Spirit. We can but give thee that which we possess:
Ask of us subjects, sovereignty, the power
O'er earth, the whole, or portion, or a sign
Which shall control the elements, whereof
We are the dominators, each and all,
These shall be thine.

 Man. Oblivion, self-oblivion—
Can ye not wring from out the hidden realms
Ye offer so profusely what I ask?

 Spirit. It is not in our essence, in our skill;
But—thou mayst die.

 Man. Will death bestow it on me?

 Spirit. We are immortal, and do not forget;
We are eternal; and to us the past
Is, as the future, present. Art thou answered?

 Man. Ye mock me—but the power which brought ye here
Hath made you mine. Slaves, scoff not at my will!
The mind, the spirit, the Promethean spark,
The lightning of my being, is as bright,