The fetters creak--and his ebon beak Croaks to the close of the hollow sound; And this is the tune by the light of the moon To which the witches dance their round-- Merrily, merrily, cheerily, cheerily, Merrily, speeds the ball: The dead in their shrouds, and the demons in clouds, Flock to the witches' carnival. _Abbot._ I fear thee not--hence--hence-- Avaunt thee, evil one!--help, ho! without there! _Man._ Convey this man to the Shreckhorn--to its peak-- To its extremest peak--watch with him there From now till sunrise; let him gaze, and know He ne'er again will be so near to heaven. But harm him not; and, when the morrow breaks, Set him down safe in his cell--away with him! _Ash._ Had I not better bring his brethren too, Convent and all, to bear him company? _Man._ No, this will serve for the present. Take him up. _Ash._ Come, friar! now an exorcism or two, And we shall fly the lighter. ASHTAROTH _disappears with the_ ABBOT, _singing as follows:--_ A prodigal son and a maid undone, And a widow re-wedded within the year; And a worldly monk and a pregnant nun, Are things which every day appear. MANFRED _alone._ _Man._ Why would this fool break in on me, and force My art to pranks fantastical?--no matter, It was not of my seeking. My heart sickens, And weighs a fix'd foreboding on my soul; But it is calm--calm as a sullen sea After the hurricane; the winds are still, But the cold waves swell high and heavily, And there is danger in them. Such a rest Is no repose. My life hath been a combat. And every thought a wound, till I am scarr'd In the immortal part of me--What now? _Re-enter_ HERMAN. _Her._ My lord, you bade me wait on you at sunset: He sinks behind the mountain. _Man._ Doth he so? I will look on him. [MANFRED _advances to the window of the hall._