Imo. Strike, strike it home, and bravely save us both. There is no other safety. Oro. It must be But first a dying kiss This last embrace And now Imo. I'm ready. Oro. Oh! where shall I strike? [Kisses her. [Embracing her. Is there the smallest grain of that lov'd body My bosom❜d heart, and all the life blood there? Imo. 'Tis your wife, Who on her knees conjures you. Oh, in time, And now prepare thee. Imo. Thus, with open arms, I welcome you and death. [He drops his dagger as he looks on her, and throws himself on the ground. Oro. I cannot bear it. Oh, let me dash against the rock of fate, Gently in death, and save me from her blood. thus. I'll ease your love, and do the deed myself [She takes up the dagger, he rises in haste to take it from her. Oro. Oh, hold! I charge thee, hold. Imo. Tho' I must own It would be nobler for us both from you. Oro. Oh, for a whirlwind's wing, to hurry us To yonder cliff, which frowns upon the flood, That, in embraces lock'd, we might plunge in, And perish thus in one another's arms. Imo. Alas! what shout is that? Oro. I see them coming. They sha'not overtake us. This last kiss, Imo. Farewell, farewell, for ever. Oro. I'll turn my face away, and do it so. Now, are you ready? Imo. Now. But do not grudge me The pleasure, in my death, of a last look Pray, look upon me—Now I'm satisfied. [Going to stab her, he stops short; she lays her hand Imo. Nay, then I must assist you. [Stabs herself. That, where I liv'd, I die, in these lov'd arms. [Dies. Òro. She's gone. And now all's at an end with me. Soft, lay her down-Oh, we will part no more! [Then throws himself by her. But let me pay the tribute of my grief, A few sad tears to thy lov'd memory, [Weeps over her. [A noise again. It shall be so, The noise comes nearer. Hold, before I go [Rises. BLANDFORD and his party enter before the Governor and his party, swords drawn on both sides. Gov. You strive in vain to save him; he shall die. Blan. Not while we can defend him with our lives. Gov. Where is he? Oro. Here is the wretch whom you would have. Who cannot live, and now entreats to die. Blan. 'Tis his wife. [They gather about the body. Alas, there was no other remedy! Bloody I know it is; and I expect Your laws should tell me so. Thus, self-condemn'd, I do resign myself into your hands, The hands of justice— -But I hold the sword -and for myself. For you [Stabs the Governor and himself, then throws himself by Imoinda's body. "Stan. He has kill'd the Governor and stabb'd "himself." Oro. 'Tis as it should be now -I have sent his ghost To be a witness of that happiness In the next world, which he deny'd us here. [Dies. Blan. I hope there is a place of happiness In the next world for such exalted virtue. |