The Castle Of Otranto Quotes
"I am sensible of having more follies and weaknesses and fewer real good qualities than most men. I sometimes reflect on this, though, I own, too seldom. I always want to begin acting like a man, and a sensible one, which I think I might be if I would."
"My poverty will disculpate them: though the ministers of a tyrant’s wrath, to thee they are faithful, and but too willing to execute the orders which you unjustly imposed upon them."
"Providence, that delivered me from the helmet, was able to direct me to the spring of a lock."
"My veracity is dearer to me than my life, nor would I purchase the one by forfeiting the other."
"I will never quit you until I have placed you in safety—nor think me, Princess, more generous than I am; though you are my principal care—"
"My gracious Lord, if it please your Highness to hear me; Diego and I, according to your Highness’s orders, went to search for the young Lady; but being comprehensive that we might meet the ghost of my young Lord, your Highness’s son, God rest his soul, as he has not received Christian burial—"
"I value not my life, and it will be some comfort to lose it in trying to deliver you from his tyranny."
"My good Lord, do not doubt my tenderness: my heart would have accompanied my hand. Conrad would have engrossed all my care; and wherever fate shall dispose of me, I shall always cherish his memory, and regard your Highness and the virtuous Hippolita as my parents."
"I fear no man's displeasure," said Theodore, "when a woman in distress puts herself under my protection."
"No," said Matilda, "if a parent lets fall a word, and wishes it recalled, it is not for a child to utter it."
"With my own little secrets when I have any, I may," said Matilda; "but never with my mother’s: a child ought to have no ears or eyes but as a parent directs."
"I charge you not to stir," said Matilda. "If they are spirits in pain, we may ease their sufferings by questioning them. They can mean no hurt to us, for we have not injured them."
"I am indeed unhappy," said the stranger; "and I know not what wealth is. But I do not complain of the lot which Heaven has cast for me; I am young and healthy, and am not ashamed of owing my support to myself."
"I forgive thee from my soul," said the youth, "as I hope heaven will pardon me."
"Heaven mocks the short-sighted views of man. But yester-morn, whose house was so great, so flourishing as Manfred’s?"
"By me thou art reprimanded for thy adulterous intention of repudiating her: by me thou art warned not to pursue the incestuous design on thy contracted daughter."
"It is piety alone that can distinguish us from the dust whence we sprung, and whither we must return."
"I am thy murderer! it is I have brought this dismal hour upon thee!"
"I do," said Manfred; "but inquire who is without!"
"I rejoice to find, by this testimony of your goodwill, that this matter may be adjusted without blood."
"Afford me your patience," said Manfred. "I rejoice to find, by this testimony of your goodwill, that this matter may be adjusted without blood."
"Power and greatness have no longer any charms in my eyes."
"Manfred is no object of envy, but no doubt you are acquainted with my story."
"But man was not born for perfect happiness! She shares my scruples, and with her consent I have brought this matter before the church."
"The loss of my son has weaned me from earthly cares."
"Heaven in your arrival seems to point out a remedy for these difficulties and my misfortunes."
"For, Sirs, I love my people, and thank heaven am beloved by them."
"The injuries thou hast received from Manfred’s race are beyond what thou canst conceive."
"Heaven, our fathers, and our husbands must decide for us."
"The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away: bless His holy name, and submit to his decrees."
"I have no will but that of my Lord and the Church."
"It is not ours to make election for ourselves."
"A tyrant's race must be swept from the earth to the third and fourth generation."
"The Church despises thy menaces. Her thunders will be heard above thy wrath."
"Truth is truth, I do not think my Lady Isabella ever much affectioned my young Lord your son; yet he was a sweet youth as one should see; I am sure, if I had been a Princess—but bless me! I must attend my Lady Matilda; she will marvel what is become of me."
"Yes, yes,—No—thou torturest me," said Manfred. "Where did they meet? when?"
"Virgin Mary!" said Bianca, "how should I know?"
"Oh! my Lord, my Lord!" cried she; "we are all undone! it is come again! it is come again!"
"What has terrified thee thus, young woman?" said the Marquis. "Thou art safe here; be not alarmed."
"Oh! the hand! the Giant! the hand!—support me! I am terrified out of my senses," cried Bianca.
"By your favour," said Frederic, "these are no trifles. The enormous sabre I was directed to in the wood, yon casque, its fellow—are these visions of this poor maiden’s brain?"
"Reverend Father, I sought the Lady Hippolita."
"Hippolita!" replied a hollow voice; "camest thou to this castle to seek Hippolita?"
"Dost thou not remember me?" said the apparition. "Remember the wood of Joppa!"
"To forget Matilda!" said the apparition; and vanished.
"Ah, me, I am slain!" cried Matilda, sinking. "Good heaven, receive my soul!"
"Cruel man!" cried Matilda, "to aggravate the woes of a parent; may heaven bless my father, and forgive him as I do!"
"Forgive thee! Murderous monster!" cried Manfred, "can assassins forgive? I took thee for Isabella; but heaven directed my bloody hand to the heart of my child."
"I can, I do; and may heaven confirm it!" said Matilda; "but while I have life to ask it—oh! my mother! what will she feel? Will you comfort her, my Lord?"
"Behold in Theodore the true heir of Alfonso!" said the vision.
"My Lord," said she to the desponding Manfred, "behold the vanity of human greatness! Conrad is gone! Matilda is no more! In Theodore we view the true Prince of Otranto."
"Oh! could—but it cannot be—ye are lost in wonder—let me at last do justice on myself!"
"Alas! alas! nor male nor female, except myself, remains of all his wretched race! I have done—the woes of these three days speak the rest."