[Exit guarded. Jaf. Amen. (Holds the dagger up.) Have a care, mem'ry, drive that thought no farther: Coward, dishonourable coward! faugh! Enter BELVIDERA. Bel. Whither shall I fly? Where hide me and my miseries together? stores, Hoarded for thee, of blessings yet untasted: 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, He struck me, Belvidera! by heav'n, he struck me! Baffetted, call'd me traitor, villain, coward! 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 Thou'rt the best judge, and mad'st me, if I am so! Will sink me else beneath its reaching mercy. Damnation! Coward! 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. While thus I cling about thy cruel neck, Bel. The faithless senators, 'tis they've de- Kiss thy revengeful lips, and die in joys 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, (He throws away the dagger, and embraces her.) 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, Bel. Yes, kill me. When he pass'd his faith 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, To bear the loss of one that too much lov'd; 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? Pier. Speak! is't fitting? Jaf. Fitting? Pier. Yes; is't fitting? Pier. I'd have thee undertake Something that's noble, to preserve my memory Pier. I'll make haste. Oh, Jaffier! tice. I have a wife, and she shall bleed: my child too, 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. 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 They have hold on me, and drag me to the bottom. Pri. Strengthen her heart with patience, pitying Nay-now they pull so hard-farewell. (Dies.) heav'n! (The Curtain falls to slow music.) A BURLESQUE OPERA, IN THREE ACTS.-BY H. CAREY: TO WHICH IS ADDED, THE Old Ballad ON WHICH IT IS FOUNDED. CHORUS. Houses and churches, To him are geese and turkeys. Enter MARGERY. Marg. O father! father! as our noble squire But to hear the children mutter, Oh! 'twould melt a heart of stone. All together by the ears, Scrambling for a barley-cake; Oh! 'twould make one's heart to ache. Gub. This Dragon very modish, sure, and nice is; |