[Exit guarded.

Jaf. Amen.
He's gone, my father, friend, preserver!
And here's the portion he has left me:

(Holds the dagger up.)
This dagger. Well remember'd! 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!-call'd a traitor,
villain,

Coward, dishonourable coward! faugh!
Oh! for a long, sound sleep, and so forget it!
Down, busy devil!

Enter BELVIDERA.

Bel. Whither shall I fly?

Where hide me and my miseries together?
Where's now the Roman constancy I boasted?
Sank into trembling fears and desperation,
Not daring to look up to that dear face
Which used to smile, ev'n on my faults; but down,
Bending these miserable eyes on earth,
Most move in penance, and implore much mercy.
Jaf. Mercy! kind heav'n has surely endless

stores,

Hoarded for thee, of blessings yet untasted:
Oh, Belvidera! I'm the wretched'st creature
Ker crawl'd on earth.

My friend too, Belvidera, that dear friend,

Who, next to thee, was all my health rejoic'd in, Has us'd me like a slave, shamefully us'd me: Twould break thy pitying heart to hear the story. Bel. What has he done?

Jaf. Before we parted,

Ere yet his guards had led him to his prison,
Fall of severest sorrows for his sufferings,
With eyes o'erflowing, and a bleeding heart,
As at his feet I kneel'd and sued for mercy;
With a reproachful hand he dash'd a blow:

He struck me, Belvidera! by heav'n, he struck me!

Baffetted, call'd me traitor, villain, coward!
Am I a coward? Am I a villain? Tell me :

Creep even into my heart, and there lie safe: "Tis thy own citadel.-Ha!-yet stand off. Heav'n must have justice, and my broken vows

I'll wink, and then 'tis done

Bel. What means the lord

Of me, my life, and love? What's in thy bosom, Thou grasp'st at so? Nay, why am I thus treated! (Jaffier draws the dagger, and offers to stab her.)

Jaf. Know, Belvidera, when we parted last, I gave this dagger with thee, as in trust, To be thy portion if I e'er prov'd false. On such condition, was my truth believ'd: But now 'tis forfeited, and must be paid for. (Offers to stab her again.) (Kneeling.)

Bel. Oh! mercy!

Jaf. Nay, no struggling.
Bel. Now then, kill me.

While thus I cling about thy cruel neck,

Greater than any can guess hereafter.

(Leaps on his neck, and kisses him.) Jaf. I am, I am a coward; witness, heav'n, Witness it, earth, and every being, witness:

'Tis but one blow! yet, by immortal love,
I cannot longer bear a thought to harm thee.

(He throws away the dagger, and embraces her.)
The seal of providence is sure upon thee:
And thou wert born for yet unheard of wonders.
Oh! thou wert either born to save or damn me!
By all the power that's giv'n 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 for ever.
Fall at his feet, cling round his reverend knees,
Speak to him with thy eyes, and with thy tears,
Melt his hard heart, and wake dead nature in him,
Crush him in th' arms, torture him with thy soft-

Bel. Yes, I must, and you must hear me too.

I have a husband.

Pri. Damn him.

Bel. Oh! do not curse him;

He would not speak so hard a word towards you, On any terms, howe'er he deals with me.

Pri. Ha! 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.
Pri. Kill thee!

Bel. Yes, kill me. When he pass'd 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 fail'd, to plunge it through this bo-

som.

I learn't the danger, chose the hour of love T'attempt his heart, and bring it back to honour. Great love prevail'd, and bless'd me with success! He came, confess'd, betray'd his dearest friends

Jaf. Then hear me, bounteous heav'n: 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 vir-
tue,

To bear the loss of one that too much lov'd;
And comfort her with patience in our parting.
Bel. How! parting? parting?

Jaf. Yes, for ever part;

I have sworn, Belvidera, by yon heav'n,

That best can tell how much I lose to leave thee, We part this hour for ever.

Bel, Oh! call back

Your cruel blessing; stay with me, and curse

me.

Jaf. Why?

(Pointing to the wheel.)

Pier. Is't fit a soldier, who has liv'd with honour, Fought nations' quarrels, and been crown'd with conquest,

Be expos'd a common carcass on a wheel?
Jaf. Ha!

Pier. Speak! is't fitting?

Jaf. Fitting?

Pier. Yes; is't fitting?
Jaf. What's to be done?

Pier. I'd have thee undertake

Something that's noble, to preserve my memory
From the disgrace that's ready to attaint it.
Off. The day grows late, sir.

Pier. I'll make haste. Oh, Jaffier!
Though thou'st betray'd me, do me some way juз-

tice.

I have a wife, and she shall bleed: my child too,
Yield up
his little throat, and all
T' appease thee. (Going away, Pierre holds him.)

Off. Sir.

Pier. Come, now I'm ready.

(Pierre and Jaffier ascend the scaffold.) Captain, you should be a gentleman of honour; Keep off the rabble, that I may have room To entertain my fate, and die with decency. Come. (Takes off his gown, executioner prepares to bind him.)

You'll think on't. (To Jaffier.) Jaf. 'Twon't grow stale before to-morrow. Pier. Now, Jaffier! now I'm going. Now(Executioner having bound him.) Jaf. Have at thee. Thou honest heart, then-here- (Stabs him.) And this is well too. (Stabs himself.) Pier. Now thou hast indeed been faithful. This was done nobly-We have deceiv'd the senate.

Jaf. Bravely.

(Dies.)

Pier. Ha, ha, ha,-Oh! oh! Jaf. Now, ye curs'd rulers, Thus of the blood y'have shed, I make libation, And sprinkle it mingling. May it rest upon you, And all your race. Be henceforth peace a stranger Within your walls; let plagues and famine waste Your generation.-Oh, poor Belvidera! Sir, I have a wife, bear this in safety to her, A token that with my dying breath I bless'd her And the dear little infant left behind me. I'm sick-I'm quiet.

(Dies. Scene shuts upon them.)

SCENE IV.-An Apartment at Priuli's.
Enter BELVIDERA, distracted; PRIULL, and

Servants.

And the rain beats: Oh! how the weather shrinks me!

You are angry now; who cares? Pish! no indeed, Choose then; I say you shall not go, you shall not; Whip your ill nature; get you gone then, Oh! Are you return'd? See, father, here he's come again:

Am I to blame to love him? Oh, thou dear one! Why do you fly me? are you angry still then? Jaffier, where art thou? Father, why do you thus? Stand off, don't hide him from me. He's bere somewhere,

Stand off, I say; What, gone? Remember't, ty