ACT III.
Enter Aquilina and her Maid.
Aquil.
TEll him I am gone to bed: Tell him I am not
〈◊〉
home; tell him I've better Company with me, or anything; tell him in short I will not
〈◊◊〉
the
〈◊〉
troubles
•
vexatious Fool: He's worse Company th
•
n
〈◊〉
igno
•
nt Phy
•
an — I'l not be disturb'd at these unseasonable hours.
Maid.
But Madam! He's hore already, just enter'd the doors.
Aq
•
l.
Turn him out
〈◊〉
, you
〈◊〉
,
〈◊〉
, giddy
•
brain'd Asse! if he will not begone,
〈◊〉
the
〈◊◊〉
fire and burn us both: I had rather meet a Toad
〈◊〉
my
〈◊〉
th
•
〈◊〉
old hideous Animal in my Chamber to Night.
〈◊〉
Antonio.
〈◊〉
.
Nacky, Nacky,
〈◊〉
— how
〈◊〉
do
〈◊◊◊〉
. I am come little Nacky
•
past
〈◊〉
Clock, a
〈◊〉
hour; time in all Conscience
〈◊〉
go to
〈◊◊〉
—
〈◊〉
〈◊〉
I
〈◊〉
? Ay Nacky;
〈◊◊◊◊◊◊〉
Aq
•
llna Naquilina, Naquilina,
〈◊〉
,
〈◊〉
,
〈◊〉
,
〈◊〉
,
〈◊〉
,
〈◊〉
Nacky — come let's to bed — you
〈◊〉
you Pugg you — you little Pu
•
—
〈◊◊〉
— I am a
〈◊〉
.
Aquil.
You are Fool, I am sure.
〈◊〉
.
May be so too sweet-heart.
〈◊〉
the
〈◊◊〉
for all that.
〈◊〉
〈◊◊〉
,
〈◊◊◊◊◊〉
〈◊〉
.
You would do well
〈◊〉
to be
〈◊◊〉
no longer, but leave me to my self, be
〈◊◊〉
go home, Sir.
A
•
to.
Home Madona!
Aquil.
Ay home, S
•
Who am I?
Anto.
Mado
•
〈◊◊◊◊〉
you are my — you are — thou art my little N
•
cky
〈◊〉
— that's all.
Aquil.
I find you are
〈◊〉
to be trouble
•
〈◊〉
so
〈◊〉
make short of the matter in
〈◊〉
words. I
〈◊〉
you,
〈◊〉
you, loath you,
〈◊〉
am
〈◊〉
of
〈◊◊〉
of you —
〈◊〉
you
•
, you
•
re
〈◊〉
Old,
〈◊◊◊◊〉
—
〈◊〉
〈1 line〉
medling, with every thing, and if you had not Money
〈◊〉
you are good for nothing.
A
•
to.
Good for nothi
•
Hurry
〈◊〉
I'l
〈◊〉
th
•
〈◊〉
sently. Sixty one years
〈◊〉
, and good
〈◊◊〉
, that's brave.
To the Maid.
〈◊◊◊◊◊〉
turn you out for a season; go turn out I say, it is our will and
pleasure to be private some
〈◊〉
— out, out when you are bid too —
〈◊〉
her
〈◊◊◊◊◊〉
.
Good for nothing you say.
Aquil.
Why what are you good for?
Anto.
In the first place, Madam, I am Old, and consequently very wise, very wise, Madona,
〈◊〉
mark that: in the second place take notice, if you please, that I am a S
•
ator, and when
〈◊〉
think
〈◊◊〉
make Speeches Madona. Hurry durry, I can make a Speech in the Senate-house now and then — wou'd make your hair stand an end, Ma
•
na.
Aquil.
What
〈◊〉
I for your Speeches in the Senate-house, if you wou'd be
〈◊〉
here, I should thank you.
Anto.
Why, I can make Speeches to thee too, my lovely
〈◊〉
; for Example — my cruel
〈◊〉
one,
〈◊◊◊◊〉
of Gold, and at every
〈◊〉
shakes it.
Since it is my
〈◊〉
, that you should with your Servant angry prove; tho late at Night — I hope
〈◊〉
not
〈◊〉
late with this to gain reception for my Love — there's for
〈◊〉
my little Nicky Nacky — take it,
〈◊◊〉
it — I say take it, or
〈◊〉
throw it
〈◊〉
your head — how now,
〈◊〉
Aquil.
Truly, my Illu
•
Senator, I must confess your Honour is at present most profoundly
〈◊〉
indeed.
Anto.
Very well: Come, now let's sit down and think upon't a little — come
〈◊◊◊〉
— sit down by me a little my Nicky
〈◊〉
,
〈◊〉
—
〈◊◊〉
〈◊〉
durry — good for nothing —
Aquil.
No Sir, if you please I can know my distance and stand.
〈◊〉
.
Stand
•
How
•
Nacky, up and I down! Nay then let me exclaim with the Poet.
Shew me a
〈◊◊◊◊〉
, A
〈◊◊〉
,
〈◊◊◊◊〉
.
Hurry durry — not sit down —
〈◊◊◊◊〉
—
You won't sit down?
〈◊〉
.
No
〈◊〉
.
A
•
to.
Then look you now, suppose me
〈◊〉
Bull; a
〈◊〉
Bull, the Bull of Bulls, or any
〈◊◊〉
up I get
〈◊〉
with my brows th
•
s
〈◊〉
—
〈◊◊〉
I say
〈◊〉
,
〈◊◊〉
,
〈◊◊〉
. You won't
〈◊◊〉
will you
•
— I broo —
〈◊〉
like a
〈◊〉
, and drives her about.
Aquil.
Well, Sir, I must
〈◊◊〉
. Now your honour has been a Bull, pray what Beast will your Worship please to
〈◊◊〉
She
〈◊〉
down.
A
•
to.
Now I'l be
〈◊◊◊〉
, and thy Lover little Nicky
〈◊〉
He
〈◊◊◊〉
〈◊◊〉
,
〈◊〉
, toad, toad! spit
in my Face a little, Nacky — spit in my Face prithee, spit in my Face, never so little: spit but a little bit — spit, spit, spit, spit, when you are bid I say; do, prithee spit — now, now, now, spit: what you won't spit, will you? Then I'l be a Dog.
Aquil.
A Dog my Lord?
Anto.
Ay a Dog — and I'l give thee this to'ther purse to let me be a Dog — and to use me like a Dog a little. Hurry durry — I will — here 'tis. —
Gives the Purse.
Aquil.
Well, with all my heart. But let me beseech your Dogship to play your trick's over as fast as you can, that you may come to stinking the sooner, and be turn'd out of dores as you deserve.
A
•
to.
Ay, ay — no matter for that — that shan't move me — Now, bough waugh waugh, bough waugh —
He gets
〈◊〉
the Table.
Barks like a Dog.
Aquil.
Hold, hold, hold Sir, I
〈◊〉
you: what is't you do? If Curs
〈◊〉
, they must
〈◊◊〉
, Sir. Do you see,
〈◊◊〉
.
Anto.
Ay with all my heart: do kick, kick on, now I am under the Table, kick
〈◊〉
— kick harder — harder yet, bough waugh waugh, waugh, bough —
•
odd,
〈◊〉
have a
〈◊〉
at thy shins — bough waugh wough, waugh, bough — 'odd she kicks
〈◊〉
. —
Aquil.
Nay then I'l go another way to work with you: and I think here's an
〈◊◊〉
for the purpose
〈◊◊◊◊◊〉
What bite your Mistress,
〈◊〉
! out, out of
〈◊〉
, you Dog, to kennel and behang'd — bite your Mistress by the Legs, you rogue. —
She
〈◊◊◊〉
.
Anto.
Nay pri
•
〈◊〉
,
•
ow thou art too loving: Hurry durry, 'odd I'l be a Dog no longer.
Aquil.
Nay none of your
•
ing and
〈◊〉
: But be gone, or here's the
〈◊〉
: What
〈◊〉
your Mistress by the Legs you mungril? out of dores —
〈◊◊〉
, to kennel
〈◊◊〉
go.
Anto.
This is very
〈◊◊〉
: Nacky very
〈◊〉
look you, I will not go — I will not stir
〈◊〉
the dore, that I resolve — hurry durry, what
〈◊〉
me out
•
She
〈◊〉
him out.
Aquil.
Ay, and if you come here any more to night I'l have my Foot-men lug you, you
〈◊〉
: What
〈◊〉
your poor Mistre
•
Nacky, sirrah!
〈◊〉
〈◊〉
Maid.
Heav'ns Madam!
〈◊〉
the matter?
He
〈◊〉
at the
〈◊〉
like a
〈◊〉
.
Aquil.
Call my Foot-men hither
•
tly.
Maid.
They are here
〈◊◊◊◊◊◊〉
all
〈◊〉
with a strange
•
olse, that
〈◊◊◊◊◊〉
of.
Aquil.
Go all of you and tu
•
that
〈◊◊〉
in
〈◊〉
next room out of my house — If I
〈◊〉
s
•
him within these w
•
lls again, without my leave for his Admitta
•
ce, you s
•
king Rogues — I'l have you
•
oison'd all, poison'd, like R
•
: every Corner of the house shall stink of one of you:
〈◊〉
, and l
•
hereafter to
•
now my pleasure. So now
〈◊〉
my
•
tre:
Thus when Godlike
〈◊◊〉
,
We Sacrufuc
•
〈◊〉
Fool
〈◊◊〉
.
Exeunt.
SCENE
The Second.
〈◊〉
〈◊〉
.
•
elvid.
I'm
〈◊〉
I am
•
old! betray'd to
〈◊〉
!
〈◊〉
Ruin has inclos'd me!
No soone
•
was I to my bed re
•
d,
To weigh, and (w
•
ing)
〈◊◊◊〉
,
But the old ho
•
〈◊〉
to
〈◊◊◊〉
My Peace and Honou
•
〈◊◊〉
, c
•
(Like Tarq
•
in) gastely with
〈◊〉
Lust.
Oh thou Ro
•
〈◊〉
thou could'st find friends to vindica
•
thy Wrong;
I never had but one, and he's prov'd false;
He that should g
•
d
〈◊◊〉
,
〈◊◊◊〉
,
〈◊〉
me! undone me! Oh t
•
I
〈◊◊〉
him!
Where shall I go! Oh
〈◊〉
whither
〈◊〉
?
〈◊〉
〈◊〉
Jaff.
Can,
•
lvidera want a resting place
When these poor
〈◊〉
are
〈◊◊◊◊〉
?
Oh 'tis in vain to struggle with D
•
Strong as my Love to thee,
〈◊◊〉
moment
I am from thy sight, the H
•
rt
〈◊〉
my
〈◊〉
Moans like a tender In
•
t i
•
i
•
〈◊〉
Whose Nurse had l
•
it:
〈◊〉
, and w
•
the Songs
Of gentle Love perswade i
•
to
〈◊◊〉
Relvid.
I fear the stubborn
〈◊〉
will not own me,
'Tis grown a Rebel to be
〈◊〉
do long
•
,
Scor
•
ns the Indulge
•
Bo
•
that
〈◊〉
•
ll'd it,
And like a Disobedie
•
Child
•
dains
The soft Authority of
〈◊〉
.
〈◊〉
.
There was
〈◊◊◊〉
〈◊〉
.
Yes, yes, th
•
was
•
time,
When
〈◊〉
's tears, her crys, and sorrows
Were not de
•
; when if the chanc'd to
〈◊〉
,
Or look but
•
d; there was indeed a time
When
〈◊〉
would have
〈◊◊〉
in his Arms,
Eas'd her declining Head upon his Breast,
And never left her 'till he found the Cause,
But let her now w
•
〈◊〉
,
Cry, 'till she rend the Earth; sigh 'till she burst
Her heart asunder; still he bears it all;
Deaf as the Wind, and as the Rocks unshaken.
Jaff.
Have I been deaf? am I that Rock unmov'd?
Against whose root, T
•
s beat and sighes a
•
e
〈◊〉
In vain have I
〈◊〉
thy Sorrows
〈◊〉
!
Witness against me Heav'
•
s, have I done this
•
Then bear me in a Whirl wind back agen,
And let that angry dear one ne're forgive me!
Oh thou too rashly
〈◊〉
of my Love!
Could'st thou but
〈◊〉
•
ow I have
〈◊〉
this night,
Dark and alone, no p
•
ow to my He
•
d,
Rest in my Eyes, nor quiet in my Heart,
Thou would'st not Belvidera, sure thou would
•
〈◊〉
Talk to me thus, but like a p
•
tying Angel
Spreading thy
〈◊〉
come settle on my breast,
And hatch warm comfort there e
•
re sorrows freeze it.
Belv.
Why, then poor
〈◊〉
, in what baleful Cor
•
Hast thou been talking with that Witch the Night?
On what cold stone hast
〈◊〉
been stretcht along,
Gathering the grumbling
•
ds about thy Head,
To mix with theirs the Accents, of thy Woes!
Oh now I
•
d the Cause my Love forsakes me!
I am no longer fit to bear a share
In his Concernments: My weak female Vi
•
ue
Must not be trusted; 'Tis too
•
ail and tend
•
r.
Jaff.
Oh
〈◊〉
! Porcia! What a Soul was thine?
Belv.
That
〈◊〉
was a Woman, and when
〈◊〉
Big with the fate of
〈◊〉
, (Heav'n guard thy safety!)
Conceal'd from her the Labours of his Mind,
She let him see, h
•
Blood was great as his,
Flow'd from a Spring as noble, and a Heart
Fit to partake his Troubles, as his L
•
ve:
〈◊〉
, fetch that D
•
gger back, the
〈◊〉
dower
Thou gav'st last night in parting with me, stril
•
it
Here to my heart, and as the Blood flows from i
•
,
Judge if it run not
〈◊〉
as
〈◊〉
Da
•
ghter's.
Jaff.
Thou
•
rt too good, and I indeed unworthy,
Unworthy so much
〈◊〉
! Teach me how
I may deserve such matc
•
less Love as thine,
And see with what attention I'l obey thee.
Belv.
Do not despise me: that's the All I ask.
Jaff.
Despise thee! Hear me —
Belv.
Oh thy charming Tongue
Is but too well acquainted with my weakness,
Knows, let it name but Love, my melting heart
Dissolves within my Bre
•
st, 'till with
〈◊〉
Eyes
I reel into thy Arms, and all's forgotten.
Jaff.
What shall I do?
Belv.
Tell me! be just, and tell me
Why dwells that busy Cloud upon thy face?
Why am I made a
〈◊〉
why that
〈◊〉
,
And I not know the Cau
•
? Why when the World
Is wrapt in Rest, why chooses then my Love
To wander up and down in horrid darkness,
Loathing his bed, and these desiring Arms?
Why are those Ey
•
Blood shot, with tedious watching?
Why starts
〈◊〉
now? and looks as if he
〈◊〉
His Fate were
〈◊〉
? 'Tell me, ease my
〈◊〉
!
Least when we next time meet, I want the power
To search into the sickness of thy Mind,
But talk as wildly then as thou look'st now.
Jaff.
Oh Betvider
•
!
•
elv.
Why was I last night deliver'd to a Villain?
Jaff.
Hah, a Villain!
Belv.
Yes! to a Villain! Why at such an hour
Meets that assembly all made up of Wretches
That look as Hel
•
ad had drawn 'em into League?
Why, I in this hand, and in
〈◊◊〉
Dagger,
Was I deliver'd with such dre
•
Ceremonies?
``To you, Sirs, and to your Honour I be
•
th
•
er,
``And with her this: When e're I prove
•
worthy,
``You know the rest, then strike it to her Heart?
Oh! why's that rest conceal'd from me? must I
Be made the hostage o
•
a
〈◊◊〉
?
For such I know I am; that's all my value!
But by the Love and Loyalty I owe thee,
I'l free thee from the Bondage of these Slaves,
Strait to the Senate, tell'em all I know,
All that I think, all that my fears inform me!
Jaff.
Is this the Roman Virtue! this the Blood,
That boasts its purity with Cato's Daughter!
Would she have e're betray'd her Brutus?
Belv.
No:
For Brutus trusted her: Wer't thou so kind,
What would not Belvidera suffer for thee?
Jaff.
I shall undo my self, and
•
ell thee all.
Belv.
Look not upon me, as I am a Woman,
But as a Bone, thy Wife, thy Friend; who long
Has had admission to thy heart, and there
Study'd the Virtues of thy gallant Nature;
Thy Constancy; thy Courage and thy Truth,
Have been my daily
•
esson! I have learnt them,
Am bold as thou, can suffer or despise
The worst of Fates for thee; and with thee share them.
Jaff.
Oh you divinest Powers! look down and hear
My Prayers! instruct me to reward this Virtue!
Yet think a litt
•
,
〈◊〉
thou tempt me further:
Think I have a Tale to tell, will shake thy Nature,
Melt all this boasted Constancy thou talk'st o
•
Into vile tears and despicable sorrows:
Then if thou should'st betray me!
Be
•
.
Shall
〈◊〉
•
wear?
Jaff.
No: do not swear: I would not violate
Thy tender Nature with so rude a Bond:
But as thou hop'st to see me live my days,
And love thee long, lock this within thy Breast;
I've bound my self by all the strictest Sacraments,
Divine and humane —
Belv.
Speak! —
Jaff.
To kill thy Father —
Be
•
v.
My Father!
Jaff.
Nay the Throats of the whole Senate
Shall bleed my Be
•
videra: He amongst
〈◊〉
That spares his Father, Brother, or his
•
riend,
Is Damn'd: How rich and beauteous will the face
Of Ruin look, when these wide street
•
run blood;
I and the glorious Partner's of my Fortune
Shouting, and striding o're the prostrate Dead:
Still to new waste; whilst thou, far off in safety
Smiling, shalt see the wonders of our daring;
And when night comes, with Praise and Love rec
•
ive me.
Belv.
Oh!
Jaff.
Have a care, and shrink not even in thought!
For if thou do
〈◊〉
—
Belv.
I know it, thou wilt kill me.
Do, strike thy Sword into this bosom: Lay me
Dead on the Earth, and then thou wilt be safe:
Murder my Father! tho his Cruel Nature
Has persecuted me to my undoing,
Driven me to basest wants; Can I behold him
With smiles of Vengeance, butcher'd in his Age?
The sacred
•
ountain of my life destroy'd?
And canst thou shed the blood
•
hat gave me being?
Nay, be a Traitor too, and sell th
•
Count
•
;
Can thy great Heart de
•
cend so
〈◊〉
low,
Mix with hired Slaves,
•
ravoes and Common stabbers,
Nose-slitters, Ally-lurking Villians joyn
With such a Crew, and take a
〈◊〉
Wages,
To cut the Thro
•
of
〈◊〉
as they
〈◊〉
Jaff.
Thou wrong
〈◊〉
me,
〈◊〉
〈◊〉
,
〈◊〉
With Men of Souls:
〈◊〉
to reform the ills
Of all Mankind: There's not a Heart
〈◊〉
them,
But's as stout as Death, yet honest as the Nature
Of Man first made, e're Fraud, and Vice were fashions.
Belv.
What's he, to whose curst hands last night thou
〈◊〉
me?
Was that well done? Oh! I could tell a story
Would rowse thy Lyon Heart out of its Den,
And make it rage with terrifying fury.
Jaff.
Speak on I
〈◊〉
t
•
ee!
Belv.
Oh my
〈◊◊〉
Thy Belvidera's Peace
〈◊〉
thy Care,
Remove me from this place: Last nigh
•
, last night
Jaff.
Distract me not, but give me all the Truth.
Belv.
No sooner wer't thou
〈◊〉
, and I alone,
Left in the pow'r
〈◊〉
that old Son of Mischief;
No sooner was I
〈◊〉
on my sad Bed,
But that vile Wretch approacht me; loose, unbutton'd,
Read for violation,
〈◊◊〉
Heart
Throbb'd with its
•
ears: Oh how I wept and
〈◊〉
,
And shrunk and trembled;
〈◊〉
in
〈◊〉
for him
That should protect me. Thou alas! were gone!
Jaff.
Patience! sweet Heav'n, 'till I make vengeance sure.
Belv.
He drew the hideous Dagger forth thou gav'st him,
And with upbra
•
ding smiles he said, behold it;
This is the pledge of a false Husbands love:
And in my Arms then prest, and wou'd have clasp'd me;
But with my Cries I scar'd his Coward heart,
'Till he withdrew, and mutter'd vows to Hell.
These are thy Friends! with these thy Life, thy Honour,
Thy Love, all's stak't, and all will go to ruine.
Jaff.
No more: I charge thee keep this secret close;
Clear up thy sorrows, look as if thy wrongs
Were all forgot, and treat him like a Friend,
As no complaint were made. No more, retire,
Retire my Life, and doubt not of my Honour;
I'l heal its failings, and deserve thy Love.
Belv.
Oh should I part with thee, I fear thou wilt
In Anger leave me, and return no more:
Jaff.
Return no more! I would not live without thee
Another Night to purchase the Creation.
Belv.
When shall we meet again?
Jaff.
Anon at Twelve!
I'l steal my self to thy expecting Arms,
Come like a Travell'd Dove and bring thee Peace.
Belv.
Indeed!
Jaff.
By all our loves!
Belv.
'Tis hard to part:
But sure no falsehood e're lookt so fairly.
Farewell — Remember Twelve.
Ex
〈◊〉
.
Jaff.
Let Heav'n forget me
When I remember not thy Truth, thy Love.
How curst is my Condition, toss'd and justl'd
From every Corner; Fortune's Common Fool
The jest of Rogues, an Instrumental Ass
For Villains to lay loads of Shame upon,
And drive about just for their ease and scorn.
Enter Pierre.
Pierr.
Jaffeir!
Jaff.
Who calls!
Pierr.
A Friend, that could have wisht
T'have found thee otherwise imploy'd: what, hunt
A Wife on the dull
•
oil! sure a stanch Husband
Of all Hounds is the dullest? wilt thou never,
Never be wean'd from C
••
dles and Confections?
What feminine Tale hast thou been listening to,
Of unayr'd shirts; Catharrs and Tooth Ash got
By thin-sol'd shoos? Damnation! that a Fellow
Chosen to be a Sharer in the Destruction
Of a whole People, should sneak thus in Corners
To ease his fulsom Lusts, and Fool his Mind.
Jaff.
May not a Man then trifle out an hour
With a kind Woman and not wrong his calling?
Pierr.
Not in a Cause like ours.
Jaff.
Then Friend our Cause
Is in a damn'd condition: for I'l tell thee,
That Canker-worm call'd Letchery has toucht it,
'Tis tainted vilely: would'st thou think it Renault,
(That mortify'd old wither'd Winter Rogue)
Loves simple Fornication like a Priest,
I found him out for watering at my Wife:
He visited her last night like a kind Guardian:
Faith she has some Temptations, that's the truth on't.
Pierr.
He durst not wrong his Trust!
Jaff.
'Twas something late tho
To take the freedome of a Ladies Chamber.
Pierr.
Was she in bed?
Jaff.
Yes faith in Virgin sheets
White as her bosom, Pierre, disht neatly up,
Might tempt a weaker appetite to taste.
Oh how the old Fox stunk I warrant thee
When the rank fit was on him.
Pierr.
Patience guide me!
He us'd no Violence?
Jaff.
No, no! out on't, violence!
Play'd with her neck; brusht her with his Gray-beard,
Struggl'd and towz'd, tickl'd her 'till she squeak'd a little
May be, or so — but not a jot of Violence —
Pierr.
Damn him.
Jaff.
Ay, so say I: but hush, no more on't;
All hitherto is well, and I believe
My self no Monster yet: Tho no Man knows
What Fate he's born to? sure 'tis near the hour
We all should meet for our concluding
〈◊〉
Will the Ambassador be here in person?
Pierr.
No: he has sent Commission to that Villain,
〈◊〉
,
To give the
〈◊〉
Charge;
I'd have thee be a Man if
〈◊〉
And keep thy temper;
〈◊〉
a brave
〈◊〉
Ne're comes too late.
Jaff.
Fear not, I am cool as Patience:
Had he compleated my dishonour, rather
Then hazard the
〈◊〉
our hopes are ripe for,
I'd bear it all
〈◊◊◊〉
.
Pierr.
He's
〈◊〉
coming this way through the
〈◊〉
;
〈◊◊〉
seem full,
Jaff.
Prithee retire, and leave me
With him alone: I'l put him to some tryal,
See how his rotten part will bear the
〈◊〉
.
〈◊〉
.
Be careful then.
Ex.
〈◊〉
.
Jaff.
Nay never doubt, but trust me.
What, be a Devil! take a Damning Oath
For shedding
〈◊◊〉
! can there be a
〈◊〉
In merciful repentance?
〈◊〉
this
〈◊〉
.
〈◊〉
Renault.
Renault.
〈◊〉
! and
〈◊〉
! what a slave is Man!
To let his itching flesh thus get the better of him!
Dispatch the Tool her Husband — that we're well.
Who's there?
〈◊〉
.
A Man.
Ren.
My Friend, my near Ally!
The hostage of your faith, my beauteous Charge, is very well.
Jaff.
Sir, are you sure of that?
Stands she in perfect health? beats her pulse even?
Neither too hot nor cold?
Ren.
What means that question?
Jaff.
Oh Women have fanta stick Constitutions,
Inconstant as their Wishes, always wavering,
And ne're fixt; was it not boldly done
Even at first sight to trust the Thing I lov'd
(A
〈◊〉
Treasure too!) with Youth so fierce
And vigorous as thine? but thou art honest.
Ren.
Who dares accuse me?
Jaff.
Curst be him that doubts
Thy virtue, I have try'd it and declare
Were I to choose a Guardian of my Honour
I'd put it into thy kee
•
ing: for I
•
now the
•
.
Ren.
Know me!
Jaff.
Ay know thee: There's no falsehood in thee.
Thou look'st just as thou
〈◊〉
: Let us embrace.
Now would'st thou cut my Throat
〈◊〉
I cut thine?
R
•
n.
You dare not do't.
Jaff.
You
〈◊◊〉
.
Ren.
How!
Jaff.
No more.
'Tis a ba
•
e World, and must reform, that's all.
Enter Spinos
•
,
〈◊〉
, Eliot,
〈◊〉
, Durand Brainveil, and the
〈◊〉
of the
〈◊〉
.
Ren.
〈◊◊〉
〈◊〉
.
The same
〈◊〉
.
You are welcome!
Spin.
You are
〈◊〉
,
〈◊〉
Ren.
'Tis a cold Night indeed, I am Aged,
Full of decay and natural infirmities,
〈◊〉
〈◊〉
We shall be
〈◊◊〉
Friend, I
〈◊◊◊〉
.
〈◊〉
.
'Twas not well done, thou
〈◊◊〉
have
〈◊〉
him and not have gall'd him.
Jaff.
Damn him, let him
〈◊◊〉
.
Heav'n! where am I?
〈◊〉
with
〈◊〉
Fiends.
That wait to Damn me. What Devil's
〈◊〉
When he forgets his
〈◊〉
—
〈◊〉
my heart.
Ren.
My Friends, 'tis late: are we assembled all.
Where's Theodore?
〈◊〉
.
At hand.
Ren.
Spinosa.
Spin.
〈◊〉
.
Ren.
Brainveil.
〈◊〉
.
I am ready.
Ren.
Durand and Brabe.
Dur.
Command us,
We are both prepar'd!
Ren.
Mezzana, Revellido,
〈◊〉
Retrosi; Oh you are Men I find
〈◊〉
to behold your Fate, and meet her Summons,
To morrow's rising Sun must see you all
Deckt in your honours are the Souldiers ready?
Omn.
All, all.
Ren.
You, Durand, with your thousand must possess
St. Marks; You, Captain, know your charge already;
'Tis to secure the Ducal Palace: you
Brabe with a hundred more
〈◊〉
gain the
〈◊〉
.
With the like number Brainveil to the Procuralle.
'Be all this done with the least tumult possible,
'Till in each place you post sufficient guards:
Then sheath your Swords in every breast you meet.
Jaff.
Oh reverend Cruelty: Damn'd bloody Villain!
Ren.
During this Execution, Durand, you
Must in the mid'st keep your Battalia fast,
And
•
heodore be sure to plant the Canon
That may Command the streets; whilst Revellido,
M
•
zzana, Ternon and Retrosi, Guard you.
(This done!) weel give the General Alarm,
App
•
y Petards, and force the
〈◊〉
Gates;
Then fire the City round in several places,
Or with our Canon (if it dare resist)
Batte
•
't to Ruin. But above all I charge you
Shed blood enough, spare neither Sex nor Age,
Name nor Condition; if there live a Senator
After to morrow, tho the dullest Rogue
That er'e sa
•
d nothing, we have lost our ends;
If possible, lets kill the very Name
Of Senator, and bury it in blood.
Jaff.
Merciless,
〈◊〉
slave! — Ay, blood enough!
Shed blood enough, old Renault: how thou charm'st me!
Ren.
But one thing more, and then farewell till Fate
Join us again, or separate us ever:
First, let's embrace, Heav'n knows who next shall thus
Wi
•
g ye together: But let's all remember
We
•
ear no common Cause upon our Swords,
Let ea
•
h Man think that on his single Virtue
Dep
•
ds the Good and Fame of all the rest;
Eter
•
l Honour or perpetual Infamy.
Let's rem
•
mber, through what dreadful hazards
Propitious Fortune hitherto has led us,
How
•
ft
•
n on the brink of some discovery
have we stood tottering, and yet still kept our ground
So w
•
ll, the busiest searchers ne'r could follow
T
•
ose subtle Tracks which puzzled all suspition:
You droop Sir.
Jaff.
No: with a most profound attention
I've hard it all, and wonder at thy vertue.
Ren.
Though there be yet few hours twi
•
t them and Ruin,
Are not the Senate lull'd in full security,
Quiet and satisfy'd, as Fools are always!
Never did so profound repose foretun
Calamity so great: Nay our good Fortune
Has blinded the most piercing of Mankind:
Strengthen'd the fearfull'st, charm'd the most suspectful,
Confounded the most subtle: for we live,
We live my Friends, and quickly shall our Life
Prove fatal to these Tyrants: Let's consider
That we destroy Oppression, Avarice,
A People nurst up equally with
〈◊〉
And loathsome Lusts, which Nature most abhors,
And such as without shame she cannot suffer.
Jaff.
Oh Belvidera, take me to thy Arms
And shew me where's my Peace, for I've lost it.
Ex. Jaff.
Ren.
Without the least remorse then let's resolve
With Fire and Sword
〈◊〉
these Tyrants,
And when we shall behold those
〈◊〉
Tribunals,
Stain'd by the Tears and
〈◊〉
of the Innocent,
Burning with flames rather from Heav'n than ours,
The raging furious and unpitying Souldier
Pulling his reeking Dagger from the
〈◊〉
Of gasping Wretches; Death in every
〈◊〉
,
With all that sad disorder can produce,
To make a Spectacle of horror: Then,
Then let's call to mind, my dearest Friends,
That there's nothing pure upon the Earth,
That the most valu'd things have most allays,
And that in change of all those vile Enormities,
Under whose weight this wretched Country labours,
The Means are only in our hands to Crown them.
Pierr.
And may those Powers above that are propitious
To gallant minds record this Cause, and bless it.
Ren.
Thus happy, thus secure of all we wish for,
Should there my Friends be found amongst us one
False to this glorious Enterpr
•
e, what Fate,
What Vengeance were enough for such a Villian?
Eliot.
Death here without repentance, Hell hereafter.
Ren.
Let that be my lott, if as here I stand
Listed by Fate amongst her darling Sons,
Tho I had one only
•
rother, dear by all
The strictest ties of Nature; tho one hour
Had given us birth, one Fortune fed our wants,
One only love, and that but of each other,
Still fill'd our minds: Could I have such a Friend
Joyn'd in this Cause, and had but ground to fear
Meant fowl play; may this right hand drop from me,
If I'd not hazard all my future peace,
And stabb him to the heart before you: who
Would not do less? Would'st not thou Pierre the same?
Pierr.
You have singled me, Sir, out for this hard question,
As if 'twere started only for my sake!
Am I the thing you fear? Here, here's my bosom,
Search it with all your Swords! am I a Traytor?
Ren.
No: but I fear your late commended Friend
Is little less: Come Sirs, 'tis now no time
To trifle with our safety. Where's this Jaffeir?
Spin
•
.
He
〈◊〉
the room just now in strange disorder.
Ren.
Nay, there is danger in him: I observ'd him,
During the time I took for Explanation,
He was transported from most deep attention
To a confusion which he could not smother.
His looks grew full of s
•
dness and surprize,
All which betray'd a wavering Spirit in him,
That labour'd with reluctancy and sorrow;
What's requisite for safety must be done
With speedy Execution: he remains
Yet in our power: I for my own part wear
A Dagger.
Pierr.
Well.
Ren.
And I could wish it!
Pierr.
Where?
Ren.
Bury'd in his heart.
Pierr.
Away! w'are yet all friends;
No more of this, 'twill Breed ill blood amongst us.
Spin.
Let us all draw our Swords, and search the house,
Pull him from the dark hole where he sits brooding
O're his cold fears, and each man kill his share of him.
Pierr.
Who talks of killing? who's he'll shed the blood
That's dear to me? is't you? or you? or you Sir?
What not one speak
〈◊〉
how you stand
〈◊〉
all
On your grave Oracle, your wooden God there,
Yet not a word: Then Sir I'l tell you a secret,
Suspition's but at best a Cowards Virtue!
To Ren.
R
•
n.
A Coward —
Handles his Sword.
Pier.
Put, put up thy Sword, old Man,
Thy hand shakes at it; come let's heal this breach,
I am too hot: we yet may live Friends.
Spino.
'Till we are safe, our Friendship cannot be so.
Pierr.
Again: who's that?
Spino.
'Twas I.
Theo.
And I.
Revell.
And I.
Eliot.
And all.
Ren.
Who are on my side?
Spinos.
Every honest Sword,
Let's die like men and not be sold like Slaves.
Pierr.
One such word more, by Heav'n I'l to the Senate
And hang ye all, like Dogs in Clusters,
Why peep your Coward Swords half out their shells?
Why do you not all brandish them like min
•
?
You fear to die, and yet dare talk of Killing?
Ren.
Go to the Senate and betray us, haster,
Secure thy wretched life, we fear to die
Less than thou dar'st be honest.
Pierr.
That's rank falsehood,
Fear'st not thou death? fy, there's a knavish itch
In that salt blood, an utter foe to smarting.
Had Jaffeir's Wife prov'd kind, he had still been true.
Foh — how that stinks?
Thou dy! thou kill my Friend! or thou, or thou,
Or thou, with that lean wither'd wretched Face!
Away! disperse all to your several Charges;
And meet to morrow where your honour calls you,
I'l bring that man, whose blood you so much thirst f
•
r,
And you shall see him venture for you fairly —
Hence, hence, I say.
Ex. Renault angrily.
Spino.
I fear we have been too blame,
And done too much.
Spino.
'T was too farr urg'd against the man you lov'd.
Rev.
Here, take our Swords and
〈◊〉
'em with your feet.
Spino.
Forgive us, g
•
liant Friend.
Peir.
Nay, now y'have found
The way to melt and cast me as you will:
I'll fetch this Friend and give him to your mercy:
Nay he shall dye if you will take him from me,
For your repose I'll quit my hearts Jewel;
But would not have him torn away by Villains
And spitefull villany.
Spino.
No; may you both
For
•
ver live and fill the world with fame!
Peir.
Now you are too kind. Whence rose all this discord?
Oh what a dangerou
•
〈◊〉
have we
〈◊〉
!
How near a fall was all we had long been building!
What an eternal blot had stain'd our glories,
If one the bravest and the best of men.
Had fallen a Sacrifice to rash suspicion!
Butcher'd by those whose Cause he came to cherish:
Oh could you know him all
〈◊〉
I have known him,
How good he is, how just, how true, how brave,
You wou'd not leave this place till you had seen him;
Humbled your selves before him, kiss'd his feet,
And gain'd remission for the worst of follies;
Come but to morrow all your doubts shall end,
And to your Loves me better recommend,
That I've preserv'd your Fame, and, sav'd my Friend.
〈◊◊〉
.
The end of the third Act.
ACT V.
Enter Prinli solus.
Prin.
WHY, cruel Heaven, have my unhappy days
Been lengthen'd to this sad one? Oh! dishonour
And deathless infamy is fall'n upon me.
Was it my fault? Am I a traitour? No.
But then, my onely child, my daughter, wedded;
There my best bloud runs foul, and a disease
Incurable has seiz'd upon my memory,
To make it rot and stink to after ages.
Curst be the fatal minute when I got her;
Or woud that I'd been any thing but man,
And rais'd an issue which wou'd ne'r have wrong'd me.
The miserablest Creatures (man excepted)
Are not the less esteem'd, though their posterity
Degenerate from the vertues of their fathers;
The vilest Beasts are happy in their off-springs,
While onely man gets traitours, whores and villains.
Curst be the names, and some swift blow from Fate
Lay his head deep, where mine may be forgotten.
Enter Belvidera in a long mourning Veil.
Bel.
He's there, my father, my inhumane father,
That, for three years, has left an onely child
Expos'd to all the outrages of Fate,
And cruel ruine — oh! —
Prin.
What child of sorrow
Art thou that com'st thus wrapt in weeds of sadness,
And mov'st as if thy steps were towards a grave?
Bel.
A w
•
tch, 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.
Prin.
Indeed thou talk'st as thou hadst tasted sorrows;
Would I could help thee.
Bel.
'Tis greatly in your power,
The world too, speaks you charitable, and I,
Who ne'r ask'd almes before, in that dear hope
Am come a begging to you, Sir.
Prin.
For what?
Bel.
Oh, well regard me, is this voice a strange one?
Consider too, when beggars once pretend
A case like mine, no little will content 'em.
Prin.
What wouldst thou beg for?
Bel.
Pity and forgiveness; Throws up
•
er Veil.
By the kind tender names of child and father,
Hear my complaints and take me to your love.
Prin.
My daughter?
Bel.
Yes, your daughter, by a mother
Vertuous and noble, faithfull to your honour,
Obedient to your will, kind to your wishes,
Dear to your armes; by all the joys she gave you,
When in her blooming years she was your treasure,
Look kindly on me; in my face b
•
hold
The lineaments of hers y'have kiss'd so often,
Pleading the cause of your poor cast off Child.
Prin.
Thou art my daughter.
Bel.
Yes — And y'have oft told me
With smiles of love and chaste paternal kisses,
I'd much resemblance of my mother.
Prin.
Oh!
Hadst thou inherited her matchless vertues
I'd been too bless'd.
Bel.
Nay, do not call to memory
My disobedience, but le
•
pity enter
Into your heart, and quite deface the impression;
For could you think how mine's perplext, what sadness
Fears and despairs distract the peace within me,
Oh, you woud take me in your dear, dear Armes,
Hover with strong compassion o'r your young one,
To shelter me with a protecting wing,
From the black gather'd storm, that's just, just breaking.
Prin.
Don't talk thus.
Bel.
Yes, I must, and you must hear too.
I have a husband.
Prin.
Damn him.
Bel.
Oh, do not curse him!
He would not speak so hard a word towards you
On any terms, oh! e'r he deal with me.
Prin.
Hah! what means my child?
Bel.
Oh there's but this short moment
'Twixt me and Fate, yet send me not with curses
Down to my grave, afford me one kind blessing
Before we part: just take me in your armes
And recommend me with a prayer to Heaven,
That I may dye in peace, and when I'm dead —
Prin.
How my Soul's catcht?
Bel.
Lay me, I beg you, lay me
By the dear ashes of my tender mother.
She would have pitied me, had fate yet spared her.
Prin.
By Heaven, my aking heart forebodes much mischief,
Tell me thy story, for I'm still thy father.
Bel.
No, I'm contented.
Prin.
Speak.
Bel.
No matter.
Prin.
Tell me.
By you, blest Heaven, my heart runs o'r with fondness.
Bel.
Oh!
Prin.
Utter't.
Bel.
Oh my husband, my dear husband
Carries a dagger in his once kind boso
•
e
To peirce the heart of your poor Belvidera.
Prin.
Kill thee?
Bel.
Yes, kill me, when he pass'd his faith
And covenant, against your State and Senate,
He gave me up as hostage for his truth,
With me a dagger and a dire commission.
When e'r he fail'd to plunge it through this bosome,
I learnt 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, confest, betray'd his dearest friends
For promi
•
'd mercy; now they're doom'd to suffer,
Gall'd with remembrance of what then was sworn,
If they are lost, he vows t'appease the Gods
With this poor life, and make my bloud th' attonement.
Prin.
Heavens!
Bel.
Think you saw what pass'd at our last parting;
Think you beheld him like a raging lion,
Pacing the earth and tearing up his step
•
,
Fate in his eyes, and roaring with the pain
Of burning fury; think you saw his one hand
Fix't on my throat, while the extended other
Grasp'd a keen threatning dagger, oh 'twas thus,
We last embrac'd, when, trembling with revenge,
He dragg'd me to the ground, and at my bosome
Presented horrid death, cried out, my friends,
Where are my friends? swore, wept, rag'd, 'threaten'd, lov'd,
For he yet lov'd, and that dear love preserv'd me,
To this last tryal of a father's pity.
I fear, not death, but cannot bear a thought
That that dear hand should do th' unfriendly office;
If I was ever then your care, now hear me;
Fly to the Senate, save the promis'd lives
Of his dear friends, e'r mine be made the sacrifice.
Prin.
Oh, my hearts comfort!
Bel.
Will you not, my father?
Weep not but answer me.
Prin.
By Heaven, I will.
Not one of 'em but what shall be immortal.
C
•
st thou forgive me all my
•
ollies 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'r thee,
Peace to thy heart. Farewel.
Bel.
Go, and remember,
'Tis Belvidera's life her father pleads for.
Ex. severally.
Enter Antonio.
Hum, hum, hah,
Seignior Prinli, my Lord Prinli, my Lord, my Lord, my Lord: Now, we Lords love to call one another by our Titles. My Lord, my Lord, my Lord — Pox on him, I am a Lord as well as he, And so let him fiddle — I'll warrant him he's gone to the Senatehouse, and I'll be there too, soon enough for somebody. Odd — here's a tickling speech about the Plot, I'll prove there's a Plot with a Vengeance — would I had it without book; let me see —
Most Reverend Senatours,
That there is a Plot, surely by this time, no man that hath eyes or understanding in his head will presume to doubt, 'tis as plain as the light in the Cowcumber — no — hold there — Cowcumber does not come in yet — 'tis as plain as the light in the Sun, or as the man in the Moon, even at noon day; It is indeed a Pumpkin-Plot, which, just as it was mellow, we have gathered, and now we have gathered it, prepar'd and dress'd it, shall we throw it like a pickled Cowcumber out at the window? no: that it is not onely a bloudy, horrid, execrable, damnable and audacious Plot, but it is, as I may so say, a sawcy Plot: and we all know, most Reverend Fathers, that what is sawce for a Goose is sawce for a Gander: Therefore, I say, as those bloud-thirsty Ganders of the conspiracy would have destroyed us Geese of the Senate, let us make haste to destroy them, so I humbly move for hanging — hah, hurry durry — I think this will doe, thô I was something out, at first, about the Sun and the Cowcumber.
Enter Aquilina.
Aquil.
Good morrow, Senatour.
Anto.
Nacky, my dear Nacky, morrow, Nacky, odd I am very brisk, very merry, very pert, very jovial — haaaaa — kiss me, Nacky; how dost thou doe, my little Tory, rory Strumpet, kiss me, I say, hussy, kiss me.
Aquil.
Kiss me, Nacky, hang you, Sir, Coxcomb, hang you, Sir.
Anto.
Hayty tayty, is it so indeed, with all my heart, faith — Hey then up go we, faith — hey then up go we. dum dum derum dump.
Sings.
Aquil.
Seignior.
Anto.
Madona.
Aquil.
Do you intend to die in your bed —?
Anto.
About threescore years hence, much may be done, my dear.
Aquil.
You'll be hang'd, Seignior.
Anto.
Hang'd, sweet heart, prithee be quiet, hang'd quo h-a, that's a merry conceit, with all my heart, why thou jok'st, Nacky, thou art given to joking, I'll swear; well, I protest, Nacky, nay, I must protest, and will protest that I love joking dearly, man. And I love thee for joking, and I'll kiss thee for joking, and towse thee for joking, and odd, I have a devilish mind to take thee aside about that business for joking too, odd I have, and Hey then up go we, dum dum derum dump.
Sings.
Aquil.
See you this, Sir?
Draws a dagger.
Anto.
O Laud, a dagger! Oh Laud! it is naturally my a version, I cannot endure the sight on't, hide it, for Heavens sake, I cannot look that way till it be gone — hide it, hide it, oh, oh, hide it!
Aquil.
Yes, in your heart, I'll hide it.
Anto.
My heart; what, hide a dagger in my heart's bloud!
Aquil.
Yes, in thy heart, thy throat, thou pamper'd Devil;
Thou hast help'd to spoil my peace, and I'll have vengeance
On thy cust life, for all the bloody Senate,
The perjur'd faithless Senate: Where's my Lord,
My happiness, my love, my God, my Hero,
Doom'd by thy accursed tongue, amongst the rest,
T' a shamefull wrack? By all the rage that's in me
I'll be whole years in murthering thee.
Anto.
Why, Nacky,
Wherefore so passionate? what have I done? what's the matter, my dear Nacky? am not I thy Love, thy Happin
•
ss, th
•
Lord, thy Hero, thy Senatour, and every thing in the wo
•
ld. Nacky?
Aquil.
Thou! thinkst thou, thou art fit to meet my joys;
To bear the eager clasps of my embraces?
Give me my Peirre, or —
Anto.
Why, he's to be hang'd, little Nacky,
Trust up for Treason, and so forth, Child.
Aquil.
Thou ly'st, stop down thy throat that hellish sentence,
Or 'tis thy last: swear that my Love shall live,
Or thou art dead.
Anto.
Ah h h h.
Aquil.
Swear to recall his doom,
Swear at my feet, and tremble at my fury.
Anto.
I do, now if she would but kick a little bit, one kick now Ah h h h.
Aquil.
Swear, or —
Anto.
I doe, by these dear fragrant foots
And little toes, sweet as, e e e e my Nacky Nacky Nacky.
Aqu
•
.
How!
Anto.
Nothing but untie thy shoe-string a little faith and troth,
That's all,
•
hat's all, as I hope to live, Nacky, that's all.
Aquil.
Nay, then —
Anto.
Hold, hold, thy Love, thy Lord, thy Hero
Shall be pr
•
serv'd and safe.
Aquil.
Or may this Poniard
Rust in thy heart.
Anto.
With all my soul.
Aquil.
Farewell—
Ex. Aquil.
Anto.
Adieu. Why what a bloudy-minded inveterate, termagant, Strumpet have I been plagu'd with! oh h h yet more! nay then I die, I die—I am dead already.
Stretches himself out.
Enter Jaffeir.
Jaff.
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 fl
•
mes, to one curst Cindar,
And all us lit
•
le creepers in't, call'd men,
Burn, burn to nothing: but let Venice burn
Hotter than all the rest: Here kindle Hell
Ne'r to extinguish, and let souls hereafter
Groan here, in all those pains which mine feels now.
Enter Belvidera.
Bel.
My Life —
Meeting him.
Jaff.
My Plague —
Turning from her.
Bel.
Nay then I see my ruine,
If I must die!
Jaff.
No, Death's this day too busie,
Thy Father's ill time'd Mercy came too late,
I thank thee for thy labours thô and him too,
But all my poor betray'd unhappy friends
Have Summons to prepare for Fate's black hour;
And yet I live.
Bel.
Then be the next my doom.
I see thou hast pass'd my sentence in thy heart,
And I'll no longer weep or plead against it,
But with the humblest, most obedient patience
Meet thy dear hands, and kiss 'em when they wound me;
Indeed I am willing, but I beg thee doe it
With some remorse, and where thou giv'st the blow,
View me with eyes of a relenting love,
And shew me pity, for 'twill sweeten Justice.
Jaff.
Shew pity to thee?
Bel.
Yes, and when thy hands,
Charg'd with my fate, come trembling to the deed,
As thou hast done a thousand thousand dear times,
To this poor breast, when kinder rage has brought thee,
When our sting'd hearts have leap'd to meet each other,
And melting kisses seal'd our lips together,
When joyes have left me gasping in thy armes,
So let my death come now, and I'll not shrink from't.
Jaff.
Nay. Belvidera, do not fear my cruelty,
Nor let the thoughts of death perplex thy fancy,
But answer me to what I shall demand
With a firm temper and unshaken spirit.
Bel.
I will when I've done weeping —
Jaff.
Fie, no more on't —
How long is't since the miserable day
We wedded first —
Bel.
Oh h h.
Jaff.
Nay, keep in thy tears,
Lest they un-man me too.
Bel.
Heaven knows I cannot;
The words you utter sound so very sadly
These streams will follow—
Jaff.
Come, I'll kiss 'em dry then.
Bel.
But, was't a miserable day?
Jaff.
A curs'd one.
Bel.
I thought it otherwise, and you've oft sworn
In the transporting hours of warmest love
When sure you spoke the truth, you've sworn you bless'd it.
Jaff.
Twas a rash oath.
Bel.
Then why am I not curss'd too?
Jaff.
No, Belvidera; by th' eternal truth,
I doat with too much fondness.
Bel.
Still so kind?
Still then do you you love me?
Jaff.
Nature, in her workings,
Inclines not with more ardour to Creation,
Than I doe now towards thee; man ne'r was bless'd,
Since the first pair first met, as I have been.
Bel.
Then sure you will not curse me.
Jaff.
No, I'll bless thee.
I came on purpose, Belvidera, to bless thee.
'Tis now, I think, three years w'have liv'd 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.
Jaff.
When will that be?
Sighing.
Bel.
I hope long Ages hence.
Jaff.
Have I not hitherto (I beg thee tell me
Thy very fears) us'd thee with tender'st love?
Did e'r my Soul rise up in wrath against thee?
Did I e'r frown when Belvidera smil'd,
Or, by the least unfriendly word, betray
A bating passion? have I ever wrong'd thee?
Bel.
No.
Jaff.
Has my heart, or have my eyes e'r wandred
To any other woman?
Bel.
Never, never — I were the worst of false ones should I accuse thee.
I own I've been too happy, bless'd above
My Sexes Charter.
Jaff.
Did I not say I came to bless thee?
Bel.
Yes.
Jaff.
Then hear me, bounteous Heaven,
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'r 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 vertue,
To bear the loss of one that too much lov'd,
And comfort her with patience in our parting.
Bel.
How, parting, parting!
Jaff.
Yes, for ever parting,
I have sworn, Belvidera; by yon Heaven,
That best can tell how much I lose to leave thee,
We part this hour for ever.
Bel.
Oh, call back
Your cruel blessings, stay with me and curse me!
Jaff.
No, 'Tis resolv'd.
Bel.
Then hear me too, just Heaven,
Pour down your curses on this wretched head
With never-ceasing Vengeance, let despair,
Danger or infamy, nay all
〈◊〉
me,
Starve me with wantings, let my eyes ne'r see
A sight of comfort, nor my hear
•
know peace,
But dash my days with sorrow, nights with horrours
Wild as my own thoughts now, and let loose fury
To make me mad enough for what I lose,
If I must lose him; if I must, I will not.
Oh turn and hear me!
Jaff.
Now hold, heart, or never.
Bel.
By all the tender days we have liv'd together,
By all our charming nights, and joyes that crown'd 'em,
Pity my sad condition, speak, but speak.
Jaff.
Oh h h.
Bel.
By these armes that now cling round thy neck,
By this dear kiss and by ten thousand more,
By these poor streaming eyes —
Jaff.
Murther! unhold me:
By th'immortal destiny that doom'd me Draws his Dagger.
To this curs'd minute, I'll not live one longer,
Resolve to let me go or see me fall —
Bel.
Hold, Sir, be patient.
Jaff.
Hark, the dismal Bell Passing. bell towles.
Towles out for death, I must attend its call too,
For my poor friend, my dying Peirre exp
•
cts me,
He sent a message to require I'd see him
Before he dy'd, and take his last forgiveness.
Farewell for ever.
Bel.
Leave thy dagger with me.
Bequeath me something — Not one kiss at parting? Going out looks back at her.
Oh my poor heart, when wilt thou break?
Jaff.
Yet stay,
We have a Child, as yet, a tender Infant.
Be a kind mother to him when I am gone,
Breed him in vertue and the paths of Honour,
But let him never know his father's story;
I charge thee guard him from the wrongs my Fate
May doe his future fortune or his name.
Now — nearer yet — Approaching each other.
Oh that my armes were rivetted
Thus round thee ever! But my friends, my oath!
This and no more.
Kisses her.
Bel.
Another, sure another,
For that poor little one you've ta'n care of,
I'll giv't him truly.
Jaff.
So, now farewell.
Bel.
For ever?
Jaff.
Heaven knows for ever; all good Angels guard thee.
Bel.
All ill ones sure had charge of me this moment,
Curst be my days, and doubly curst my night
•
,
Which I must now mourn out in widdow'd tears;
Blasted be every herb and fruit and tree,
Curst be the rain that falls upon the earth,
And may the general Curse reach man and beast;
Oh give me daggers, fire or water,
How I could bleed, how burn, how drown the waves
Huzzing and booming round my sinking he
•
d,
Till I descended to the peacefull bottome!
Oh there's all quiet, here all rage and fury,
The Air's too thin, and pierces my weak brain,
I long for thick substantial sleep: Hell, Hell,
Burst from the Centre, rage and roar aloud,
If thou art half so hot, so mad
〈◊〉
I am.
Enter Prinli and Servants.
Who's there?
They seize
•
er.
Prin.
Run, seize and bring her safely home,
Guard her as you would life: Alas poor creature!
Bel.
What? to my husband then conduct me quickly,
Are all things ready? shall we dye most gloriously?
Say not a word of this to my old father,
Murmuring streams, soft shades, and springing flowers,
Lutes, Laurells, Seas of Milk, and ships of Amber.
Ex.
Scene opening discovers a Scaffold and a Wheel prepar'd for the executing of Peirre, then enter Officers, Peirre and Guards, a Friar, executioner and a great Rabble.
Offic.
Room room there — stand all by, make room for the Prisoner.
Peir.
My friend not come ye
•
?
Father.
Why are you so obstinate?
Peirr.
Why you so troublesome, that a poor wretch cannot dye in peace?
But you, like Ravens will be croaking round him —
Fath.
Yet, Heaven —
Peir.
I tell thee Heaven and I are friends,
I ne'r broke Peace with't yet, by cruel murthers,
Rapine, or perjury, or vile deceiving,
But liv'd in moral Justice towards all men,
Nor am a foe to the most strong believers:
How e'r my own short-sighted Faith confine me.
Fath.
But an all-seeing Judge —
Peir.
You say my conscience
Must be mine accuser: I have search'd that Conscience,
And find no records there of crimes that sc
•
e me.
Fath.
'Tis strange you should want faith.
Peir.
You want to lead
My Reason blindfold, like a hamper'd Lion,
Check'd of its nobler vigour then, when baited,
Down to obedient tameness, make it couch,
And shew strange tricks which you call signs of Faith.
So silly Souls are gull'd and you get money.
Away, no more: Captain, I would hereafter
This fellow write no lyes of my conversion,
Because he has crept upon my troubled hours.
Enter Jaffeir.
Jaff.
Hold: Eyes, be dry;
Heart, strengthen me to bear
This hideous sight, and humble me, take
The last forgiveness of a dying friend,
Betray'd by my vile falsehood, to his ruine.
Oh Peirre!
Peir.
Yet nearer.
Jaff.
Crawling on my knees,
And prostrate on the earth, let me approach thee,
How shall I look up to thy injur'd face,
That always us'd to smile, with friendship, on me?
It darts an air of so much manly virtue,
That I, methinks, look little in thy sight,
And stripes are fitter for me than embraces.
Peir.
Dear to my Armes, though thou hast undone my fame,
I cannot forget to love thee: prithee, Jaffeir,
Forgive that filthy blow my passion dealt thee;
I am now preparing for the land of peace,
And fain would have the charitable wishes
Of all good men, like thee, to bless my journy.
Jaff.
Good! I am the vilest creature, worse than e'r
Suffer'd the shamefull Fate thou art going to taste of,
Why was I sent for to be us'd thus kindly?
Call, call me villain, as I am, describe
The foul complexion of my hatefull deeds,
Lead
〈◊〉
to the Rack, and stretch me in thy stead,
I've crimes enough to give it its full load,
And doe it credit: Thou wilt but spoil the use on't,
And honest men hereafter bear its figure
About 'em, as a charm from treacherous friendship.
Offic.
The time grows short, your
•
riends are dead already.
Jaff.
Dead!
Peir.
Yes, dead, Jaffeir, they've all dy'd like men too,
Worthy their Character.
Jaff.
And what must I doe?
Peir.
Oh, Jaffeir!
Jaff.
Speak, aloud thy burthen'd Soul;
And tell thy troubles to thy tor
•
ur'd friend.
Peir.
Friend! Could'st thou yet be a Friend, a generous friend,
I might hope Comfort from thy noble sorrows,
Heav'n knows I want a Friend.
Jaff.
And I a kind one,
That would not thus scor
•
my repenting Vertue.
Or think when he is to dye, my thoughts are idle.
Peirr.
No! live, I charge thee, Jaffeir.
Jaff.
Yes, I will live,
But it shall be to see thy fall reveng'd
At such a ra
•
e, as Venice long shall groan for.
Peirr.
Wilt thou?
Jaff.
I will, by Heav'n.
Peirr.
Then still thou'rt noble,
And I forgive thee, oh — yet — shall I trust thee?
Jaff.
No: I've been false already.
Peir.
Dost thou love me?
Jaff.
Rip up my heart, and satisfie thy doubtings.
Peir.
Curse on this weakness.
He weeps.
Jaff.
Tears! Amazement! Tea
•
s!
I never saw thee melted thus
•
efore;
And know there's something
•
'ring in thy bosom
That must have vent: Though I'm a Villain, tell me.
Peir.
Seest thou that Engine?
Pointing to the Wheel.
Jaff.
Why?
Peir.
Is't fit a Souldier, who h
•
liv'd with Honour,
Fought Nations Quarre
•
, and bin Crown'd with Conquest,
Be expos'd a common Ca
•
on a Wheel?
Jaff.
Hah!
Peir.
Speak! is't fitting?
Jaff.
Fitting?
Peir.
Yes, Is't
〈◊〉
?
Jaff.
What's to be done?
Peir.
I'd have thee
〈◊〉
Something that's Noble,
•
o preserve my Memory
From the disgrace that's ready to attaint it.
Offic.
The day grows late, Sir.
Peir.
I'll make haste! oh Jaffeir,
Though thou'st betray'd me, doe me some way Justice.
Jaff.
No more of that: Thy wishes shall be
•
tisfi'd,
I have a Wife, and she shall bleed, my Child too
Yield up his little Throat, and all t'appea
•
〈◊〉
—
Going away Peir. holds him.
Peir.
No — this — no more!
He whispers Jaffeir.
Jaff.
Hah! is't then so?
Peir.
Most certainly.
Jaff.
I'll do't.
Pier.
Remember.
Offic.
Sir.
Pier.
Come, now I'm ready.
He and Jaffeir ascend the Sciffold.
Captain, you should be a Gentleman of honour,
Keep off the Rabble, that I may have room
To entertain my Fate, and dye with Decency.
Come!
Takes off his Gown. Executioner prepares to bind him.
Fath.
Son!
Peir.
Hence, Tempter.
Offic.
Stand off, Priest.
Peir.
I thank you, Sir,
You'll think on't.
To Jaffeir.
Jaff.
'Twon't grow stale before to morrow.
Pier.
Now, Jaffeir! now I am going, Now; —
Executioner
•
ving bound him.
Jaff.
Have at thee,
Thou honest heart, then — here — S
•
bs him.
And this is well too.
Then stabs himself.
Fath.
Damnable Deed!
Peir.
Now thou hast indeed been faithful.
This was done Nobly — We have deceiv'd the Senate.
Jaff.
Bravely.
Peir.
Ha ha ha — oh oh —
Dies.
Jaff.
Now, ye curs'd Rulers,
Thus of the blood y'have shed I make Libation,
And sprinkl't mingling: May it rest upon you,
And all your Race: Be hence
•
orth Peace a
〈◊〉
Within your Walls; let Plagues and Famine waste
Your Generations — oh poor Belvidera!
Sir, I have a Wife, bear this in safety to her.
A Token that with my dying breath I blest her,
And the dear little Infant left behind me.
I am sick — I'm quiet —
Jaff. dyes.
Offic.
Bear this news to the Senate,
And guard their Bodies till there's farther order:
Heav'n grant I dye so well —
Scene shuts upon them, Soft Musick. Enter Belvidera distracted, led by two of her Women, Prinli and Servants.
Prin.
Strengthen her heart with Patience, pitying Heav'n.
Belv.
Come come come come come. Nay, come to bed!
Prithee my Love. The Winds! hark how they whistle!
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 shallnot;
Whip your ill nature; get you gone then! oh, Jaffeir'
•
Gho
•
rises.
Are you r
•
n'd? See, Father, here he's come agen,
Am I to blame to love him! oh thou dear one. Ghost sinks.
Why do you fly me? are you angry still then?
Jaf
•
eir! where art thou? Father, why do you doe thus?
Stand off, don't hide him from me. He's here somewhere.
Stand off I say! what gone? remember't, Tyrant!
I may revenge my self for this trick one day. Enter Officer and others.
I'll do't — I'll do't. Renaulis a nasty fellow.
Hang him, hang him, hang him.
Prin.
News, what news?
Offic. whispers Prinli.
Offic.
Most sad, Sir.
Jaffeir upon the Scaffold, to prevent
A shamefull death, stab'd Peirre, and next himself:
Both fell together.
Prin.
Daughter.
The Ghosts of Jaff. and Peir. rise together both bloody.
Bel.
Hah, look there
〈◊〉
My Husband bloody, and his friend too! Murther!
Who has done this? speak to me thou sad Vision, Ghosts sink.
On these poor trembling Knees I beg it, Vanisht —
Here they went down; Oh I'll dig, dig the Den up.
You shan't delude me thus.
〈◊〉
, Jaffeir, Jaffeir.
Peep up and give me but a look. I have him!
I've got him, Father: Oh now how I'll smuggle him!
My Love! my Dear! my Blessing! help me, help me!
They have hold on me, and drag me to the bottom.
Nay — now they pull so hard — farewell —
She dyes.
Maid.
She's dead.
Breathless and dead.
Prin.
Then guard me from the sight on't:
Lead me into some place that's fit for mourning;
Where the free Air, Light and the chearfull Sun
May never enter: Hang it round with Black;
Set up one Taper that may last a day
As long as l've to live: And there all leave me.
Sparing no Tears when you this Tale relate,
But bid all Cruel Fathers dread my Fate.
Curtain falls,
Ex. omnes.
FINIS.