Her. Beshrew the hour,
But those were jocund times!  I would that such
Would visit the old walls again; they look
As if they had forgotten them.

Manuel. These walls Must change their chieftain first.  Oh!  I have seen Some strange things in these few years.[4]

Her. Come, be friendly;
Relate me some, to while away our watch: 
I’ve heard thee darkly speak of an event
Which happened hereabouts, by this same tower.

Manuel. That was a night indeed!  I do remember
’Twas twilight, as it may be now, and such
Another evening;—­yon red cloud, which rests
On Eigher’s pinnacle, so rested then,—­
So like that it might be the same; the wind
Was faint and gusty, and the mountain snows
Began to glitter with the climbing moon;
Count Manfred was, as now, within his tower,—­
How occupied, we knew not, but with him
The sole companion of his wanderings
And watchings—­her, whom of all earthly things
That lived, the only thing he seemed to love,—­
As he, indeed, by blood was bound to do,
The lady Astarte, his—­

Her. 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,—­ 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.

Her. 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;
What may this mean?  Let’s enter!

Peasant. Faith, not I,—­
Not that, 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.

Her. (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 What aid you can.  Saddle the barb, and speed For the leech to the city—­quick! some water there!