oh, thou
bewitching
creature!
Thomas Otway
_
I must be heard! I must have leave to speak.
Thou hast disgraced me. Pierre, by a vile blow:
Had not a dagger done thee nobler justice I
But use me as thou wilt, thou can'st not wrong me,
For I am fallen beneath the basest injuries;
Yet look upon me with an eye of mercy,
And, as there dwells a godlike nature in thee,
Listen with mildness to my supplications.
_Pierre. _ (R. C. ) What whining monk art thou? what
holy cheat,
That would'st encroach upon my credulous ears,
And cant'st thus vilely! Hence! I know thee not!
_Jaf. _ Not know me, Pierre!
_Pierre. _ No, know thee not. What art thou?
_Jaf. _ Jaffier, thy friend, thy once loved, valued friend!
Tho' now deservedly scorned, and used most hardly.
_Pierre. _ Thou, Jaffier! thou, my once-loved, valued
friend!
By heavens, thou ly'st; the man so called my friend,
Was generous, honest, faithful, just, and valiant;
Noble in mind, and in his person lovely;
Dear to my eyes, and tender to my heart:
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.
Pr'ythee, 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!
_Pierre. _ Hast thou not wronged me I Dar'st thou call
thyself
That once-loved, honest, valued friend of mine,
And swear thou hast not wronged me? Whence these
chains?
Whence the vile death which I may meet this moment?
Whence this dishonour, but from thee, thou false one?
_Jaf. _ All's true; yet grant one thing, and I've done asking.
_Pierre. _ 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 be better treated.
_Pierre. _ Life! ask my life! confess! record myself
A villain, for the privilege to breathe,
And carry up and down this cursed city,
A discontented and repining spirit,
Burdensome to itself, a few years longer!
To lose it, may be, at last, in a lewd quarrel
For some new friend, treacherous and false as thou Art?
No, this vile world and I have long been jangling,
And cannot part on better terms than now,
When only men like thee art fit to live in't.
_Jaf. _ By all that's just--
_Pierre. _ Swear by some other power,
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'rt reconciled,
However thy resentments deal with me.
_Pierre. _ 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, _[Falls on his knees,]_ and kiss them tho
they spurn me;
Till, wounded by my sufferings, thou relent,
And raise me to thy arms with dear forgiveness.
_Pierre. _ Art thou not--
_Jaf. _ What?
_Pierre. _ A traitor?
_Jaf. _ Yes.
_Pierre. _ A villain?
_Jaf. _ Granted.
_Pierre. _ A coward, a most scandalous coward;
Spiritless, void of honour; one who has sold
Thy everlasting fame, for shameless life?
_Jaf. _ _[Rising and turning, R. ]_ All, all, and more, much
more; my faults are numberless.
_Pierre. _ And would'st thou have me live on terms like
thine?
Base, as thou'rt false--
_Jaf. _ _[Returning. ]_ No; 'tis to me that's granted;
The safety of thy life was all I aimed at,
In recompence for faith and trust so broken.
_Pierre. _ I scorn it more, because preserved by thee;
And, as when first my foolish heart took pity
On thy misfortunes, sought thee in thy miseries,
Relieved thy wants, and raised thee from the state
Of wretchedness, in which thy fate had plunged thee,
To rank thee in my list of noble friends;
All I received in surety for thy truth,
Were unregarded oaths, and this, this dagger,
Given with a worthless pledge, thou since hast stol'n:
So I restore it back to thee again;
Swearing by all those powers which thou hast violated,
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.
_Pierre. _ For my life, dispose it
Just as thou wilt, because 'tis what I'm tired with.
_Jaf. _ Oh, Pierre!
_Pierre. _ No more. _[Going, R. _
_Jaf. _ My eyes won't lose the sight of thee, _[Following. _
But languish after thine, and ache with gazing.
_Pierre. _ Leave me--Nay, then, thus, thus I throw thee
from me;
And curses, great as is thy falsehood, catch thee!
_[Drives him to C. --Exit, R_.
_Jaf. _ _[Pausing. ]_ He's gone, my father, friend, preserver
And here's the portion he has left me:
This dagger. Well remembered! with this dagger
I gave a solemn vow of dire importance;
Parted with this, and Belvidera together.
Have a care, mem'ry, 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; faugh!
Oh, for a long, sound sleep, and so forget it!
Down, busy devil!
_Enter Belvidera, L. _
_Bel. _ (L. ) 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 to earth,
Must move in penance, and implore much mercy.
_Jaf. _ (R. C. ) Mercy! kind Heaven has surely endless stores
Hoarded for thee, of blessings yet untasted:
"Let wretches loaded hard with guilt as I am,
"Bow with the weight, and groan beneath the burden,
"Before the footstool of that Heav'n they've injured. "
Oh, Belvidera! I'm the wretched'st creature
E'er crawled on earth.
_Bel. _ (L. C. ) Alas! I know thy sorrows are most mighty
_Jaf. _ My friend, too, Belvidera, that dear friend,
Who, next to thee, was all my heart rejoiced in,
Has used me like a slave, shamefully used me:
'Twould break thy pitying heart to hear the story.
_Bel. _ What has he done?
_Jaf. _ "Oh, my dear angel! in that friend, I've lost
"All my soul's peace; for every thought of him
"Strikes my sense hard, and deads it in my brain!
"Would'st thou believe it?
"Before we parted,"
Ere yet his guards had led him to, his prison,
Full of severest sorrows for his sufferings,
As at his feet I kneeled, and sued for mercy,
With a reproachful hand he dashed a blow:
He struck me, Belvidera! by Heaven, he struck me
Buffeted, called me traitor, villain, coward!
Am I a coward? am I a villain? tell me:
Thou'rt the best judge, and mad'st me, if I am so!
Damnation! coward!
_Bel. _ Oh! forgive him, Jaffier!
And, if his sufferings wound thy heart already,
What will they do to-morrow?
_Jaf. _ Ah!
_Bel. _ To-morrow,
When thou shalt see him stretched in all the agonies
Of a tormenting and a shameful death;
What will thy heart do then? Oh! sure 'twill stream,
Like my eyes now.
_Jaf. _ What means thy dreadful story?
Death, and to-morrow?
_Bel. _ (C. ) The faithless senators, 'tis they've decreed it?
They say, according to our friends' request,
They shall have death, and not ignoble bondage;
Declare their promised mercy all as forfeited:
False to their oaths, and deaf to intercession,
Warrants are passed for public death to-morrow.
_Jaf. _ Death! doomed to die! condemned unheard! unpleaded!
_Bel. _ Nay, cruel'st racks and torments are preparing
To force confession from their dying pangs.
Oh! do not look so terribly upon me!
How your lips shake, and all your face disordered!
What means my love?
_Jaf. _ Leave me, I charge thee, leave me! Strong temptations
Wake in my heart.
_Bel. _ (L. ) For what]
_Jaf. _ No more, but leave me.
_Bel. _ Why?
_Jaf. _ (L. C. ) Oh! by Heav'n, I love thee with that fondness,
I would not have thee stay a moment longer
Near these cursed hands.
_[Pulls the Dagger half out of his bosom, and puts it
back again. _
Art thou not terrified?
_Bel. _ No.
_Jaf. _ Call to mind
What thou hast done, and whither thou hast brought me.
_Bel. _ Ha!
_Jaf. _ Where's my friend? my friend, thou smiling mischief!
Nay, shrink not, now 'tis too late; for dire revenge
Is up, and raging for my friend. He groans!
Hark, how be groans! his screams are in my ears!
Already, see, they've fixed him on the wheel,
And now they tear him--Murder! perjured senate!
Murder--Oh! Hark thee, traitress, thou hast done this!
Thanks to thy tears, and false persuading love.
How her eyes speak!
oh, thou bewitching creature!
Madness can't hurt thee. Come, thou little trembler,
Creep even into my heart, and there lie safe;
'Tis thy own citadel--Hah--yet stand off, _[Going, R. _
Heav'n must have justice, and my broken vows
Will sink me else beneath its reaching mercy.
I'll wink, and then 'tis done--
_Bel. _ (C. ) What means the lord
Of me, my life, and love? What's in thy bosom
Thou grasp'st at so?
_[Jaffier draws the Dagger, and offers to stab her. _
Ah! do not kill me, Jaffier.
_Jaf. _ (R. C. ) Know, Belvidera, when we parted last,
I gave this dagger with thee, as in trust,
To be thy portion if I e'er proved false.
On such condition was my truth believed:
but now 'tis forfeited, and must be paid for.
_[Offers to stab her again. _
_Bel. _ Oh! mercy!
_Jaf. _ Nay, no struggling.
_Bel. _ Now, then, kill me,
_[Falls on his neck, and kisses him. _
While thus I cling about thy cruel neck,
Kiss thy revengeful lips, and die in joys
Greater than any I can guess hereafter.
_Jaf. _ I am, I am a coward, witness, Heav'n,
Witness it, earth, and ev'ry being witness:
'Tis but one blow! yet, by immortal love,
I cannot longer bear the thought to harm thee.
_[Throws away the dagger, and embraces her. _
The seal of Providence is sure upon thee;
And thou wast born for yet unheard-of wonders.
Oh! thou wert born either to save or damn me!
By all the power that's given thee o'er my soul,
By thy resistless tears and conquering smiles,
"By the victorious love that still waits on thee,"
Fly to thy cruel father, save my friend,
Or all our future quiet's lost forever.
Fall at his feet, cling round his rev'rend knees,
Speak to him with thy eyes, and with thy tears,
Melt his hard heart, and wake dead nature in him,
Nor, till thy prayers are granted, set him free,
But conquer him, as thou hast vanquished me.
_[Exeunt Jaffier, R. , Belvidera, L. _
END OF ACT IV.
ACT V.
_Scene I. --An Apartment in Priuli's House. _
_Enter Priuli, L. _
_Priuli. _ (L. ) Why, cruel Heav'n, have my unhappy days
Been lengthened to this sad one? Oh! dishonour,
And deathless infamy have fall'n upon me.
Was it my fault? Am I a traitor? No. (C. )
But then, my only child, my daughter wedded;
There my best blood runs foul, and a disease
Incurable has seized upon my memory.
_Enter Belvidera in a Mourning Veil, L. _
_Bel. _ _[Speaking as she enters. ]_ 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! --
_Priuli. _ What child of sorrow
Art thou, that com'st, wrapt up in weeds of sadness,
And mov'st as if thy steps were towards a grave?
_Bel. _ (L. C. ) A wretch, who, from the very top of happiness,
Am fallen into the lowest depths of misery,
And want your pitying hand to raise me up again.
_Priuli. _ (R. C. ) 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. _[Kneels. _
_Priuli. _ My daughter!
_Bel. _ Yes, your daughter; and you've oft told me,
With smiles of love, and chaste paternal kisses,
I'd much resemblance of my mother.
_Priuli. _ Don't talk thus.
_Bel. _ Yes, I must: and you must hear, too.
I have a husband.
_Priuli. _ Damn him!
_Bel. _ Oh, do not curse him!
He would not speak so hard a word towards you,
On any terms, howe'er he deal with me.
_Priuli. _ Ah! what means my child?
_Bel. _ Oh! my husband, my dear husband,
Carries a dagger in his once kind bosom,
To pierce the heart of your poor Belvidera!
_Priuli. _ Kill thee!
_Bel. _ Yes, kill me. When he passed his faith
And covenant against your state and senate,
He gave me up a hostage for his truth:
With me a dagger, and a dire commission,
Whene'er he failed, to plunge it through this bosom
I learnt the danger, chose the hour of love
T' attempt his heart, and bring it back to honour.
Great love prevailed, and blessed me with success!
He came, confessed, betrayed his dearest friends,
For promised mercy. Now, they're doomed to suffer!
Galled with remembrance of what then was sworn,
If they are lost, he vows t' appease the gods
With this poor life, and make my blood th' atonement.
_Priuli. _ Heavens!
_Bel. _ If I was ever then your care, now hear me!
Fly to the senate, save the promised lives
Of his dear friends, ere mine be made the sacrifice.
_Priuli. _ Oh, my heart's comfort!
_Bel. _ Will you not, my father?
Weep not, but answer me.
_Priuli. _ By Heav'n, I will!
Not one of them but what shall be immortal!
Canst thou forgive me all my follies past?
I'll henceforth be indeed a father! never,
Never more, thus expose, but cherish thee,
Dear as the vital warmth that feeds my life:
Dear as these eyes, that weep in fondness o'er thee:
Peace to thy heart. Farewell!
_Bel. _ Go, and remember,
'Tis Belvidera's life her father pleads for!
_[Exeunt Priuli, R. , Belvidera, L. _
_Scene II. --The Rialto. _
_Enter Captain--Muffled Drums--Guards--Executioner
with Axe--Renault--Spinosa---Elliot--Theodore--
Durand--Mezzana--Pierre--Officer--Guards--
They all pass over the Stage, R. to L. , and exeunt. _
_Scene III. --A Street. _
_Enter Jaffier, R. _
_Jaf. _ Final destruction seize on all the world!
Bend down, ye Heav'ns, and, shutting round this earth
Crush the vile globe into its first confusion!
_Enter Belvidera, L. _
_Bel. _ (C. ) My life! --
_Jaf. _ (R. C. ) My plague! --
_Bel. _ Ney, then, I see my ruin.
If I must die!
_Jaf. _ (C. ) No, death's this day too busy;
Thy father's ill-timed mercy came too late.
( thank thee for thy labours, though; and him too,
But all my poor, betrayed, unhappy friends,
Have summons to prepare for fate's black hour.
Yet, Belvidera, do not fear my cruelty,
Nor let the the thoughts of death perplex thy fancy:
But answer me to what I shall demand,
With a firm temper and unshaken spirit.
_Bel. _ (L. C. ) I will, when I've done weeping--
_Jaf. _ Fie, no more on't!
How long is't since the miserable day
We wedded first?
_Bel. _ Oh! oh!
_Jaf. _ Nay, keep in thy tears,
Lest they unman me quite.
_Bel. _ Heaven knows I cannot!
The words you utter sound so very sadly,
The streams will follow--
_Jaf. _ Come, I'll kiss them dry, then.
_Bel. _ _[Hanging on him. ]_ But was't a miserable day?
_Jaf. _ A cursed one!
_Bel. _ I thought it otherwise, and you've often sworn,
When sure you spoke the truth, you've sworn you blessed
it.
_Jaf. _ 'Twas a rash oath.
_Bel. _ Then why am I not cursed, too?
_Jaf. _ No, Belvidera; by th' eternal truth,
I dote with too much fondness.
_Bel. _ Still so kind!
Still then do you love me!
_Jaf. _ Man ne'er was blessed,
Since the first pair first met, as I have been.
_Bel. _ Then sure you will not curse me?
_Jaf. _ No, I'll bless thee.
I came on purpose, Belvidera, to bless thee.
'Tis now, I think, three years we've lived together.
_Bel. _ And may no fatal minute ever part us,
Till, reverend grown, for age and love, we go
Down to one grave, as our last bed together;
There sleep in peace till an eternal morning.
_Jaf. _ Did I not say I came to bless thee?
_Bel. _ You did. _[Part. _
_Jaf. _ Then hear me, bounteous Heaven! _[Kneeling. _
Pour down your blessings on this beauteous head,
Where everlasting sweets are always springing,
With a continual giving hand: let peace,
Honour, and safety, always hover round her:
Feed her with plenty; let her eyes ne'er see
A sight of sorrow, nor her heart know mourning;
Crown all her days with joy, her nights with rest,
Harmless as her own thoughts; and prop her virtue
To bear the loss of one that too much loved;
And comfort her with patience in our parting!
_Bel. _ How? parting, parting!
I must be heard! I must have leave to speak.
Thou hast disgraced me. Pierre, by a vile blow:
Had not a dagger done thee nobler justice I
But use me as thou wilt, thou can'st not wrong me,
For I am fallen beneath the basest injuries;
Yet look upon me with an eye of mercy,
And, as there dwells a godlike nature in thee,
Listen with mildness to my supplications.
_Pierre. _ (R. C. ) What whining monk art thou? what
holy cheat,
That would'st encroach upon my credulous ears,
And cant'st thus vilely! Hence! I know thee not!
_Jaf. _ Not know me, Pierre!
_Pierre. _ No, know thee not. What art thou?
_Jaf. _ Jaffier, thy friend, thy once loved, valued friend!
Tho' now deservedly scorned, and used most hardly.
_Pierre. _ Thou, Jaffier! thou, my once-loved, valued
friend!
By heavens, thou ly'st; the man so called my friend,
Was generous, honest, faithful, just, and valiant;
Noble in mind, and in his person lovely;
Dear to my eyes, and tender to my heart:
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.
Pr'ythee, 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!
_Pierre. _ Hast thou not wronged me I Dar'st thou call
thyself
That once-loved, honest, valued friend of mine,
And swear thou hast not wronged me? Whence these
chains?
Whence the vile death which I may meet this moment?
Whence this dishonour, but from thee, thou false one?
_Jaf. _ All's true; yet grant one thing, and I've done asking.
_Pierre. _ 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 be better treated.
_Pierre. _ Life! ask my life! confess! record myself
A villain, for the privilege to breathe,
And carry up and down this cursed city,
A discontented and repining spirit,
Burdensome to itself, a few years longer!
To lose it, may be, at last, in a lewd quarrel
For some new friend, treacherous and false as thou Art?
No, this vile world and I have long been jangling,
And cannot part on better terms than now,
When only men like thee art fit to live in't.
_Jaf. _ By all that's just--
_Pierre. _ Swear by some other power,
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'rt reconciled,
However thy resentments deal with me.
_Pierre. _ 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, _[Falls on his knees,]_ and kiss them tho
they spurn me;
Till, wounded by my sufferings, thou relent,
And raise me to thy arms with dear forgiveness.
_Pierre. _ Art thou not--
_Jaf. _ What?
_Pierre. _ A traitor?
_Jaf. _ Yes.
_Pierre. _ A villain?
_Jaf. _ Granted.
_Pierre. _ A coward, a most scandalous coward;
Spiritless, void of honour; one who has sold
Thy everlasting fame, for shameless life?
_Jaf. _ _[Rising and turning, R. ]_ All, all, and more, much
more; my faults are numberless.
_Pierre. _ And would'st thou have me live on terms like
thine?
Base, as thou'rt false--
_Jaf. _ _[Returning. ]_ No; 'tis to me that's granted;
The safety of thy life was all I aimed at,
In recompence for faith and trust so broken.
_Pierre. _ I scorn it more, because preserved by thee;
And, as when first my foolish heart took pity
On thy misfortunes, sought thee in thy miseries,
Relieved thy wants, and raised thee from the state
Of wretchedness, in which thy fate had plunged thee,
To rank thee in my list of noble friends;
All I received in surety for thy truth,
Were unregarded oaths, and this, this dagger,
Given with a worthless pledge, thou since hast stol'n:
So I restore it back to thee again;
Swearing by all those powers which thou hast violated,
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.
_Pierre. _ For my life, dispose it
Just as thou wilt, because 'tis what I'm tired with.
_Jaf. _ Oh, Pierre!
_Pierre. _ No more. _[Going, R. _
_Jaf. _ My eyes won't lose the sight of thee, _[Following. _
But languish after thine, and ache with gazing.
_Pierre. _ Leave me--Nay, then, thus, thus I throw thee
from me;
And curses, great as is thy falsehood, catch thee!
_[Drives him to C. --Exit, R_.
_Jaf. _ _[Pausing. ]_ He's gone, my father, friend, preserver
And here's the portion he has left me:
This dagger. Well remembered! with this dagger
I gave a solemn vow of dire importance;
Parted with this, and Belvidera together.
Have a care, mem'ry, 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; faugh!
Oh, for a long, sound sleep, and so forget it!
Down, busy devil!
_Enter Belvidera, L. _
_Bel. _ (L. ) 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 to earth,
Must move in penance, and implore much mercy.
_Jaf. _ (R. C. ) Mercy! kind Heaven has surely endless stores
Hoarded for thee, of blessings yet untasted:
"Let wretches loaded hard with guilt as I am,
"Bow with the weight, and groan beneath the burden,
"Before the footstool of that Heav'n they've injured. "
Oh, Belvidera! I'm the wretched'st creature
E'er crawled on earth.
_Bel. _ (L. C. ) Alas! I know thy sorrows are most mighty
_Jaf. _ My friend, too, Belvidera, that dear friend,
Who, next to thee, was all my heart rejoiced in,
Has used me like a slave, shamefully used me:
'Twould break thy pitying heart to hear the story.
_Bel. _ What has he done?
_Jaf. _ "Oh, my dear angel! in that friend, I've lost
"All my soul's peace; for every thought of him
"Strikes my sense hard, and deads it in my brain!
"Would'st thou believe it?
"Before we parted,"
Ere yet his guards had led him to, his prison,
Full of severest sorrows for his sufferings,
As at his feet I kneeled, and sued for mercy,
With a reproachful hand he dashed a blow:
He struck me, Belvidera! by Heaven, he struck me
Buffeted, called me traitor, villain, coward!
Am I a coward? am I a villain? tell me:
Thou'rt the best judge, and mad'st me, if I am so!
Damnation! coward!
_Bel. _ Oh! forgive him, Jaffier!
And, if his sufferings wound thy heart already,
What will they do to-morrow?
_Jaf. _ Ah!
_Bel. _ To-morrow,
When thou shalt see him stretched in all the agonies
Of a tormenting and a shameful death;
What will thy heart do then? Oh! sure 'twill stream,
Like my eyes now.
_Jaf. _ What means thy dreadful story?
Death, and to-morrow?
_Bel. _ (C. ) The faithless senators, 'tis they've decreed it?
They say, according to our friends' request,
They shall have death, and not ignoble bondage;
Declare their promised mercy all as forfeited:
False to their oaths, and deaf to intercession,
Warrants are passed for public death to-morrow.
_Jaf. _ Death! doomed to die! condemned unheard! unpleaded!
_Bel. _ Nay, cruel'st racks and torments are preparing
To force confession from their dying pangs.
Oh! do not look so terribly upon me!
How your lips shake, and all your face disordered!
What means my love?
_Jaf. _ Leave me, I charge thee, leave me! Strong temptations
Wake in my heart.
_Bel. _ (L. ) For what]
_Jaf. _ No more, but leave me.
_Bel. _ Why?
_Jaf. _ (L. C. ) Oh! by Heav'n, I love thee with that fondness,
I would not have thee stay a moment longer
Near these cursed hands.
_[Pulls the Dagger half out of his bosom, and puts it
back again. _
Art thou not terrified?
_Bel. _ No.
_Jaf. _ Call to mind
What thou hast done, and whither thou hast brought me.
_Bel. _ Ha!
_Jaf. _ Where's my friend? my friend, thou smiling mischief!
Nay, shrink not, now 'tis too late; for dire revenge
Is up, and raging for my friend. He groans!
Hark, how be groans! his screams are in my ears!
Already, see, they've fixed him on the wheel,
And now they tear him--Murder! perjured senate!
Murder--Oh! Hark thee, traitress, thou hast done this!
Thanks to thy tears, and false persuading love.
How her eyes speak!
oh, thou bewitching creature!
Madness can't hurt thee. Come, thou little trembler,
Creep even into my heart, and there lie safe;
'Tis thy own citadel--Hah--yet stand off, _[Going, R. _
Heav'n must have justice, and my broken vows
Will sink me else beneath its reaching mercy.
I'll wink, and then 'tis done--
_Bel. _ (C. ) What means the lord
Of me, my life, and love? What's in thy bosom
Thou grasp'st at so?
_[Jaffier draws the Dagger, and offers to stab her. _
Ah! do not kill me, Jaffier.
_Jaf. _ (R. C. ) Know, Belvidera, when we parted last,
I gave this dagger with thee, as in trust,
To be thy portion if I e'er proved false.
On such condition was my truth believed:
but now 'tis forfeited, and must be paid for.
_[Offers to stab her again. _
_Bel. _ Oh! mercy!
_Jaf. _ Nay, no struggling.
_Bel. _ Now, then, kill me,
_[Falls on his neck, and kisses him. _
While thus I cling about thy cruel neck,
Kiss thy revengeful lips, and die in joys
Greater than any I can guess hereafter.
_Jaf. _ I am, I am a coward, witness, Heav'n,
Witness it, earth, and ev'ry being witness:
'Tis but one blow! yet, by immortal love,
I cannot longer bear the thought to harm thee.
_[Throws away the dagger, and embraces her. _
The seal of Providence is sure upon thee;
And thou wast born for yet unheard-of wonders.
Oh! thou wert born either to save or damn me!
By all the power that's given thee o'er my soul,
By thy resistless tears and conquering smiles,
"By the victorious love that still waits on thee,"
Fly to thy cruel father, save my friend,
Or all our future quiet's lost forever.
Fall at his feet, cling round his rev'rend knees,
Speak to him with thy eyes, and with thy tears,
Melt his hard heart, and wake dead nature in him,
Nor, till thy prayers are granted, set him free,
But conquer him, as thou hast vanquished me.
_[Exeunt Jaffier, R. , Belvidera, L. _
END OF ACT IV.
ACT V.
_Scene I. --An Apartment in Priuli's House. _
_Enter Priuli, L. _
_Priuli. _ (L. ) Why, cruel Heav'n, have my unhappy days
Been lengthened to this sad one? Oh! dishonour,
And deathless infamy have fall'n upon me.
Was it my fault? Am I a traitor? No. (C. )
But then, my only child, my daughter wedded;
There my best blood runs foul, and a disease
Incurable has seized upon my memory.
_Enter Belvidera in a Mourning Veil, L. _
_Bel. _ _[Speaking as she enters. ]_ 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! --
_Priuli. _ What child of sorrow
Art thou, that com'st, wrapt up in weeds of sadness,
And mov'st as if thy steps were towards a grave?
_Bel. _ (L. C. ) A wretch, who, from the very top of happiness,
Am fallen into the lowest depths of misery,
And want your pitying hand to raise me up again.
_Priuli. _ (R. C. ) 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. _[Kneels. _
_Priuli. _ My daughter!
_Bel. _ Yes, your daughter; and you've oft told me,
With smiles of love, and chaste paternal kisses,
I'd much resemblance of my mother.
_Priuli. _ Don't talk thus.
_Bel. _ Yes, I must: and you must hear, too.
I have a husband.
_Priuli. _ Damn him!
_Bel. _ Oh, do not curse him!
He would not speak so hard a word towards you,
On any terms, howe'er he deal with me.
_Priuli. _ Ah! what means my child?
_Bel. _ Oh! my husband, my dear husband,
Carries a dagger in his once kind bosom,
To pierce the heart of your poor Belvidera!
_Priuli. _ Kill thee!
_Bel. _ Yes, kill me. When he passed his faith
And covenant against your state and senate,
He gave me up a hostage for his truth:
With me a dagger, and a dire commission,
Whene'er he failed, to plunge it through this bosom
I learnt the danger, chose the hour of love
T' attempt his heart, and bring it back to honour.
Great love prevailed, and blessed me with success!
He came, confessed, betrayed his dearest friends,
For promised mercy. Now, they're doomed to suffer!
Galled with remembrance of what then was sworn,
If they are lost, he vows t' appease the gods
With this poor life, and make my blood th' atonement.
_Priuli. _ Heavens!
_Bel. _ If I was ever then your care, now hear me!
Fly to the senate, save the promised lives
Of his dear friends, ere mine be made the sacrifice.
_Priuli. _ Oh, my heart's comfort!
_Bel. _ Will you not, my father?
Weep not, but answer me.
_Priuli. _ By Heav'n, I will!
Not one of them but what shall be immortal!
Canst thou forgive me all my follies past?
I'll henceforth be indeed a father! never,
Never more, thus expose, but cherish thee,
Dear as the vital warmth that feeds my life:
Dear as these eyes, that weep in fondness o'er thee:
Peace to thy heart. Farewell!
_Bel. _ Go, and remember,
'Tis Belvidera's life her father pleads for!
_[Exeunt Priuli, R. , Belvidera, L. _
_Scene II. --The Rialto. _
_Enter Captain--Muffled Drums--Guards--Executioner
with Axe--Renault--Spinosa---Elliot--Theodore--
Durand--Mezzana--Pierre--Officer--Guards--
They all pass over the Stage, R. to L. , and exeunt. _
_Scene III. --A Street. _
_Enter Jaffier, R. _
_Jaf. _ Final destruction seize on all the world!
Bend down, ye Heav'ns, and, shutting round this earth
Crush the vile globe into its first confusion!
_Enter Belvidera, L. _
_Bel. _ (C. ) My life! --
_Jaf. _ (R. C. ) My plague! --
_Bel. _ Ney, then, I see my ruin.
If I must die!
_Jaf. _ (C. ) No, death's this day too busy;
Thy father's ill-timed mercy came too late.
( thank thee for thy labours, though; and him too,
But all my poor, betrayed, unhappy friends,
Have summons to prepare for fate's black hour.
Yet, Belvidera, do not fear my cruelty,
Nor let the the thoughts of death perplex thy fancy:
But answer me to what I shall demand,
With a firm temper and unshaken spirit.
_Bel. _ (L. C. ) I will, when I've done weeping--
_Jaf. _ Fie, no more on't!
How long is't since the miserable day
We wedded first?
_Bel. _ Oh! oh!
_Jaf. _ Nay, keep in thy tears,
Lest they unman me quite.
_Bel. _ Heaven knows I cannot!
The words you utter sound so very sadly,
The streams will follow--
_Jaf. _ Come, I'll kiss them dry, then.
_Bel. _ _[Hanging on him. ]_ But was't a miserable day?
_Jaf. _ A cursed one!
_Bel. _ I thought it otherwise, and you've often sworn,
When sure you spoke the truth, you've sworn you blessed
it.
_Jaf. _ 'Twas a rash oath.
_Bel. _ Then why am I not cursed, too?
_Jaf. _ No, Belvidera; by th' eternal truth,
I dote with too much fondness.
_Bel. _ Still so kind!
Still then do you love me!
_Jaf. _ Man ne'er was blessed,
Since the first pair first met, as I have been.
_Bel. _ Then sure you will not curse me?
_Jaf. _ No, I'll bless thee.
I came on purpose, Belvidera, to bless thee.
'Tis now, I think, three years we've lived together.
_Bel. _ And may no fatal minute ever part us,
Till, reverend grown, for age and love, we go
Down to one grave, as our last bed together;
There sleep in peace till an eternal morning.
_Jaf. _ Did I not say I came to bless thee?
_Bel. _ You did. _[Part. _
_Jaf. _ Then hear me, bounteous Heaven! _[Kneeling. _
Pour down your blessings on this beauteous head,
Where everlasting sweets are always springing,
With a continual giving hand: let peace,
Honour, and safety, always hover round her:
Feed her with plenty; let her eyes ne'er see
A sight of sorrow, nor her heart know mourning;
Crown all her days with joy, her nights with rest,
Harmless as her own thoughts; and prop her virtue
To bear the loss of one that too much loved;
And comfort her with patience in our parting!
_Bel. _ How? parting, parting!
