Our hands contain the hearts of men, Our footsteps are their graves; We only give to take again The Spirits of our slaves! _First Des_. Welcome!--Where's Nemesis? _Second Des_. At some great work; But what I know not, for my hands were full. _Third Des_. Behold she cometh. _Enter_ NEMESIS. _First Des_. Say, where hast thou been? 60 My Sisters and thyself are slow to-night. _Nem_. I was detained repairing shattered thrones-- Marrying fools, restoring dynasties-- Avenging men upon their enemies, And making them repent their own revenge; Goading the wise to madness; from the dull Shaping out oracles to rule the world Afresh--for they were waxing out of date, And mortals dared to ponder for themselves, To weigh kings in the balance--and to speak 70 Of Freedom, the forbidden fruit.--Away! We have outstayed the hour--mount we our clouds! [_Exeunt._ SCENE IV.--_The Hall of Arimanes._[144]--_Arimanes on his Throne, a Globe of Fire,[145] surrounded by the Spirits._ _Hymn of the_ SPIRITS. Hail to our Master!--Prince of Earth and Air! Who walks the clouds and waters--in his hand The sceptre of the Elements, which tear Themselves to chaos at his high command! He breatheth--and a tempest shakes the sea; He speaketh--and the clouds reply in thunder; He gazeth--from his glance the sunbeams flee; He moveth--Earthquakes rend the world asunder. Beneath his footsteps the Volcanoes rise; His shadow is the Pestilence: his path 10 The comets herald through the crackling skies;[bb] And Planets turn to ashes at his wrath. To him War offers daily sacrifice; To him Death pays his tribute; Life is his, With all its Infinite of agonies-- And his the Spirit of whatever is! _Enter the_ DESTINIES _and_ NEMESIS. _First Des_. Glory to Arimanes! on the earth His power increaseth--both my sisters did His bidding, nor did I neglect my duty! _Second Des_. Glory to Arimanes! we who bow 20 The necks of men, bow down before his throne! _Third Des_. Glory to Arimanes! we await His nod! _Nem_. Sovereign of Sovereigns! we are thine, And all that liveth, more or less, is ours, And most things wholly so; still to increase Our power, increasing thine, demands our care, And we are vigilant. Thy late commands Have been fulfilled to the utmost. _Enter_ MANFRED. _A Spirit_. What is here? A mortal!--Thou most rash and fatal wretch, Bow down and worship!