etween Lord Byron's drama and the Swiss tradition."]

[151] [The "revised version" makes no further mention of the "key and
casket;" but in the first draft (_vide infra_, p. 122) they were used by
Manfred in calling up Astaroth (_Selections from Byron_, New York, 1900,
p. 370).]

[152] {120}[Byron may have had in his mind a sentence in a letter of C.
Cassius to Cicero (_Epist.,_ xv. 19), in which he says, "It is difficult
to persuade men that goodness is desirable for its own sake ([Greek: to\
kalo\n di) au)to\ ai(reto\n]); and yet it is true, and may be proved,
that pleasure and calm are won by virtue, justice, in a word by goodness
([Greek: to~| kalo~|])."]

[153] St. Maurice is in the Rhone valley, some sixteen miles from
Villeneuve. The abbey (now occupied by Augustinian monks) was founded in
the fourth century, and endowed by Sigismund, King of Burgundy.

[154] {121}[Thus far the text stands as originally written. The rest of
the scene as given in the first MS. is as follows:--

_Abbot_. Then, hear and tremble! For the headstrong wretch
Who in the mail of innate hardihood
Would shield himself, and battle for his sins,
There is the stake on earth--and beyond earth
Eternal--

_Man_. Charity, most reverend father,
Becomes thy lips so much more than this menace,
That I would call thee back to it: but say,
What would'st thou with me?

_Abbot_. It may be there are
Things that would shake thee--but I keep them back,
And give thee till to-morrow to repent. 10
Then if thou dost not all devote thyself
To penance, and with gift of all thy lands
To the Monastery----

_Man_. I understand thee,--well!

_Abbot_. Expect no mercy; I have warned thee.

_Man_. (_opening the casket_). Stop--
There is a gift for thee within this casket.
[MANFRED _opens the casket, strikes a light, and
burns some incense._
Ho! Ashtaroth!

_The_ DEMON ASHTAROTH _appears, singing as follows:--_

The raven sits
On the Raven-stone,[*]
And his black wing flits
O'er the milk--white bone; 20
To and fro, as the night--winds blow,
The carcass of the assassin swings;
And there alone, on the Raven-stone,
The raven flaps his