SCENE II.
MANFRED.
25
In this one plunge.—Farewell, ye opening heavens!
Look not upon me thus reproachfully—
Ye were not meant for me—Earth! take these atoms!
(As Manfred is in act to spring from the cliff,
the Chamois Hunter seizes and retains him
with a sudden grasp.)
Look not upon me thus reproachfully—
Ye were not meant for me—Earth! take these atoms!
(As Manfred is in act to spring from the cliff,
the Chamois Hunter seizes and retains him
with a sudden grasp.)
C. Hun. Hold, madman!—though aweary of thy life,
Stain not our pure vales with thy guilty blood.—
Away with me—I will not quit my hold.
Stain not our pure vales with thy guilty blood.—
Away with me—I will not quit my hold.
Man. I am most sick at heart—nay, grasp me not—
I am all feebleness—the mountains whirl
Spinning around me—I grow blind—What art thou?
I am all feebleness—the mountains whirl
Spinning around me—I grow blind—What art thou?
C. Hun. I'll answer that anon.—Away with me—
The clouds grow thicker—there—now lean on me—
Place your foot here—here, take this staff, and cling
A moment to that shrub—now give me your hand,
And hold fast by my girdle—softly—well—
The Chalet will be gain'd within an hour-
Come on, we'll quickly find a surer footing,
And something like a pathway, which the torrent
Hath wash'd since winter.—Come, 'tis bravely done—
You should have been a hunter.— Follow me.
(As they descend the rocks with difficulty, the scene closes.)
The clouds grow thicker—there—now lean on me—
Place your foot here—here, take this staff, and cling
A moment to that shrub—now give me your hand,
And hold fast by my girdle—softly—well—
The Chalet will be gain'd within an hour-
Come on, we'll quickly find a surer footing,
And something like a pathway, which the torrent
Hath wash'd since winter.—Come, 'tis bravely done—
You should have been a hunter.— Follow me.
(As they descend the rocks with difficulty, the scene closes.)
END OF ACT THE FIRST.
