More near from out the Cæsars' palace came While Cæsar's chambers, and the Augustan halls, And thou didst shine, thou rolling moon, upon All this, and cast a wide and tender light, The dead, but sceptred sovereigns, who still rule "Twas such a night! 'Tis strange that I recall it at this time; But I have found our thoughts take wildest flight Even at the moment when they should array Themselves in pensive order. Abbot. I crave a second Enter the ABBOT. My good lord! grace for this approach ; May light upon your head-could I say heartCould I touch that, with words or prayers, I should Recall a noble spirit which hath wander'd; But is not yet all lost. Man. Thou know'st me not; deeds recorded: My days are number'd, and my Retire, or 'twill be dangerous-Away! Abbot. Thou dost not mean to menace me? And steadfastly;-now tell me what thou seest? Abbot. That which should shake me,-but I fear I see a dusk and awful figure rise, Like an infernal god, from out the earth; His face wrapt in a mantle, and his form Robed as with angry clouds: he stands between Man. Thou hast no cause he shall not harm thee-but His sight may shock thine old limbs into palsy. Abbot. And I reply Never-till I have battled with this fiend: What doth he here? Man. Why-ay-what doth he here?— I did not send for him, he is unbidden. Abbot. Alas! lost mortal! what with guests like these Hast thou to do? I tremble for thy sake: Avaunt! Man. Pronounce-what is thy mission? Come! Abbot. What art thou, unknown being? answer!— speak! Spirit. The genius of this mortal.-Come! 'tis time. Man. I am prepared for all things, but deny Things of an essence greater far than thine, I say. Away! Man. I knew, and know my hour is come, but not To render up my soul to such as thee: Away! I'll die as I have lived-alone. Spirit. Then I must summon up my brethren. [Other Spirits rise up. Rise! Abbot. Avaunt! ye evil ones!-Avaunt! I say,Ye have no power where piety hath power, And I do charge ye in the name Spirit. Old man! We know ourselves, our mission, and thine order; It were in vain: this man is forfeited. Nor will I hence, while I have earthly breath Spirit. Reluctant mortal! Is this the Magian who would so pervade Which made thee wretched! Man. Thou false fiend, thou liest! My life is in its last hour,—that I know, Nor would redeem a moment of that hour; I do not combat against death, but thee And thy surrounding angels; my past power Was purchased by no compact with thy crew, But by superior science-penance- daring— And length of watching-strength of mind—and skill F 3 In knowledge of our fathers-when the earth Spirit. Have made thee But thy many crimes Man. And its own place and time-its innate sense, Born from the knowledge of its own desert. Thou didst not tempt me, and thou couldst not tempt me; I have not been thy dupe, nor am thy prey— [The Demons disappear. Abbot. Alas! how pale thou art — thy lips are white And thy breast heaves-and in thy gasping throat |