No shameful bonds, but honourable death. It will not be the first time I've lodged hard, Jaf. Hold, one moment. Pier. Who's he disputes the judgment of the senate? Presumptuous rebel—on— Jaf. By Heaven, you stir not! [Strikes Jaffier. I must be heard;. I must have leave to speak. me, For I am fallen beneath the basest injuries : Pier. What whining monk art thou? what holy cheat, That would encroach upon my credulous ears, Pier. No, I know thee not! What art thou? Juf. Jaffier, thy friend, thy once-loved valued friend! Tho' now deservedly scorned, and used most hardly. Pier. Thou, Jaffier! thou my once-loved valued friend! By Heavens thou lyest; the man so called, my friend, Was generous, honest, faithful, just, and valiant; But thou! a wretched, base, false, worthless coward, Poor, even in soul, and loathsome in thy aspect; All eyes must shun thee, and all hearts detest thee. Prithee avoid; nor longer cling thus round me, Like something baneful, that my nature's chilled at. Jaf. I have not wronged thee, by these tears I have not, But still am honest, true, and, hope too, valiant; Fond of its goal, and labouring to be at thee. What shall I do? what say, to make thee hear me? Pier. What's that? Jaf. To take thy life, on such conditions The council have proposed: thou, and thy friends, May yet live long, and to better treated. Pier. Life! ask my life! Confess! record myself A villain, for the privilege to breathe! No, this vile world and I have long been jangling, And cannot part on better terms than now, Pier. Swear by some other powers, For thou hast broke that sacred oath too lately. Jaf. Then, by that hell I merit, I'll not leave thee, Till to thyself, at least, thou art reconciled, Pier. Not leave me ! Jaf. No; thou shalt not force me from thee. Use me reproachfully, and like a slave; Tread on me, buffet me, heap wrongs on wrongs On my poor head: I'll bear it all with patience, Shall weary out thy most unfriendly cruelty; Lie at thy feet, and kiss them, though they spurn Never from this cursed hour to hold communion, Friendship, or interest, with thee, though our years Were to exceed those limited the world. Take it-farewell-for now I owe thee nothing. Jaf. Say thou wilt live, then, Pier. For my life, dispose it To my divided soul, that wars within me, are most I know thou'st cause to mourn; to mourn, my Just as thou wilt, because 'tis what I'm tired with. With endless cries, and never-ceasing wailing: Jaf. Oh, Pierre ! Pier. No more. Jaf. My eyes won't lose the sight of thee, But languish after thee, and ache with gazing. Pier. Leave me-Nay, then, thus, thus I throw thee from me; And curses, great as is thy falshood, catch thee! [Erit. Jaf. Amen. He's gone, my father, friend, preserver, [Holds the dagger up. This dagger. Well remembered! with this dagger, I gave a solemn vow of dire importance; Parted with this, and Belvidera together. Have a care, memory! drive that thought no farther: No, I'll esteem it, as a friend's last legacy; Treasure it up within this wretched bosom, Where it may grow acquainted with my heart, That, when they meet, they start not from each other. So now for thinking-A blow! called traitor, villain, Coward, dishonourable coward! Oh! for a long sound sleep, and so forget it Enter BELVIDERA. Bel. Whither shall I fly? Where hide me and my miseries together? Where's now the Roman constancy I boasted? Sunk into trembling fears and desperation, Not daring to look up to that dear face, Which used to smile, even on my faults; but, down, Bending these miserable eyes on earth, Jaf. Oh! I have lost what can't be counted. Distract my quiet with the very thought of it, Jaf. Thou'dst hate me, should I tell thee. Juf. Oh! he has used me--yet, by heaven, I bear it; He has used me, Belvidera-but first swear, That when I've told thee, thou wilt not loath me Jaf. Before we parted, E're yet his guards had led him to his prison, Must move in penance, and implore much mercy. Full of severest sorrow for his sufferings, With eyes o'erflowing, and a bleeding heart, Buffetted, called me traitor, villain, coward. Damnation! Coward! Bel. Oh! forgive him, Jaffier; And, if his sufferings wound thy heart already, Jaf. Ah! Bel. To-morrow, Jaf. Where's my friend? my friend, thou smiling mischief! Nay, shrink not, now 'tis too late; thou shouldst have fled Is When thy guilt first had cause; for dire revenge up, and raging for my friend. He groans! Hark, how he groans! his screams are in my ears When thou shalt see him stretched in all the Already; see, they've fixed him on the wheel! agonies Of a tormenting and a shameful death; Like my eyes now. Jaf. What means thy dreadful story? They say, according to your friends' request, Bel. Nay, cruellest racks and torments are pre- To force confession from their dying pangs- dered! What means my love? And now they tear him!-murder! Perjured senate! Murder!-Oh!-Hark thee, traitress, thou hast Thanks to thy tears, and false persuading love. Creep even into my heart, and there lie safe; Bel. What means the lord Of me, my life, and love? What's in thy bosom, [Draws the dagger, and offers to stab her. What wilt thou do? Ah! do not kill me, Jaffier: Pity these panting breasts, and trembling limbs, That used to clasp thee, when thy looks were milder, That yet hang heavy on my unpurged soul, Juf. Know, Belvidera, when we parted last, Jaf. Leave me, I charge thee, leave me—Strong temptations Wake in my heart. Bel. For what? Jaf. No more, but leave me. Bel. Why? Juf. Oh! by Heaven, I love thee with that fondness, I would not have thee stay a moment longer [Pulls the dagger half out of his bosom, Bel. No; everlasting comfort's in thy arms." Bel. Oh! Mercy! [Leaps on his neck, and kisses him. Jaf. I am, I am a coward, witness heaven, braces her. The seal of Providence is sure upon thee; Pri. WHY, cruel Heaven, have my unhappy days Been lengthened to this sad one? Oh! dishonour The miserablest creatures (man excepted) Pri. What wouldst thou beg for? Bel. Pity and forgiveness. [Throws up her veil. By the kind tender names of child and father, Hear my complaints, and take me to your love! Pri. My daughter! Bel. Yes, your daughter, by a mother Virtuous and noble, faithful to your honour, Obedient to your will, kind to your wishes, Dear to your arms: By all the joys she gave you, When, in her blooming years, she was your trea sure, Look kindly on me. In my face behold Bel. Yes-and you have often told me, Hadst thou inherited her matchless virtues, Bel. Nay, do not call to memory Lay this head deep, where mine may be forgot- Into your heart, and quite deface the impression. ten! Enter BELVIDERA, in a long mourning veil. Bel. He's there, my father, my inhuman father, That for three years has left an only child Exposed to all the outrages of fate, And cruel ruin!-Oh Pri. What child of sorrow Art thou, that comest wrapt in weeds of sadness, And movest, as if thy steps were towards a grave? Bel. A wretch, who, from the very top of happiness, Am fallen into the depths of misery, And want your pitying hand to raise me up again. Pri. Indeed thou talkst as thou hadst tasted For could you think how mine's perplexed, what sadness, Fears and despair distract the peace within me, Oh! you would take me in your dear, dear arms, Hover with strong compassion o'er your young Pri. Damn him. Bel. Oh! do not curse him; He would not speak so hard a word towards you Bel. Oh! there's but this short moment She would have pitied me, had fate yet spared | Not one of them but what shall be immortal. her. Pri. By Heaven, my aching heart forebodes much mischief! Tell me thy story, for I'm still thy father. Bel. No; I'm contented. Pri. Speak! Bel. No matter. Pri. Tell me : Canst thou forgive me all my follies past? Peace to thy heart! Farewell. Bel. Go, and remember, By yon blessed Heaven, my heart runs o'er with 'Tis Belvidera's life her father pleads for. fondness! Bel. Oh! Pri. Utter it! Bel. Oh! my husband, my dear husband, Bel. Yes, kill me. When he passed his faith [Exeunt severally. SCENE II-A Garden. Enter JAFFIER. Jaf. Final destruction seize on all the world! Bend down ye heavens, and, shutting round this earth, Crush the vile globe into its first confusion; Scorch it with elemental flames to one cursed cinder, Whene'er he failed, to plunge it through this bo- And all us little creepers on it, called men, som! I learnt the danger, chose the hour of love Galled with remembrance of what then was sworn, Pri. Heavens ! Burn, burn to nothing; but let Venice burn, Juf. No, death's this day too busy; Bel. Think you saw what passed at our last Thy father's ill-timed mercy came too late. Think thus I thank thee for thy labours though; and him too; But all my poor, betrayed, unhappy friends, Bel. Then be the next my doom: I see, thou hast passed my sentence in thy heart, Indeed I am willing, but I beg thee do it View me with eyes of a relenting love, Bel. Yes; and when thy hands, As thou hast done a thousand times To this poor breast, when kinder rage hath brought thee, When our stung hearts have leaped to meet each And melting kisses sealed our lips together; |