e 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 10
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 but, 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; 20
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!

_Her_. His cheek is black--but there is a faint beat
Still lingering about the heart. Some water.
[_They sprinkle_ MANFRED _with water: after a pause,
he gives some signs of life_.

_Manuel_. He seems to strive to speak--come--cheerly, Count!
He moves his lips--canst hear him! I am old, 30
And cannot catch faint sounds.
[HERMAN _inclining his head and listening_.

_Her_. I hear a word
Or two--but indistinctly--what is next?
What's to be done? let's bear him to the castle.
[MANFRED _motions with his hand not to remove him_.

_Manuel_. He disapproves--and 'twere of no avail--
He changes rapidly.

_Her_. 'Twill soon be over.

_Manuel_. Oh! what a death is this! that I should live
To shake my gray hairs over the last chief
Of the house of Sigismund.--And such a death!
Alone--we know not how--unshrived--unten