The British drama; a collection of the most esteemed tragedies, comedies, operas, and farces, in the English language

Pier. Come, where's my dungeon? Lead me For thou hast broke that sacred oath too lately.

to my straw:

It will not be the first time I've lodg'd hard To do the senate service.

Jaf. Hold, one moment,

Pier. Who's he disputes the judgment of the

senate?

Presumptuous rebel-on- [Strikes JAFFIER. Jaf. By Heaven, you stir not!

I must be heard; I must have leave to speak.
Thou hast disgrac'd me, Pierre, by a vile blow:
Had not a dagger done thee nobler justice?
But use me as thou wilt, thou canst not wrong
me,

For I am fallen beneath the basest injuries:
Yet look upon me with an eye of mercy,
With pity and with charity behold me:
But, as there dwells a godlike nature in thee,
Listen with mildness to my supplications.
Pier. What whining monk art thou? what
holy cheat,
[ears,
That wouldst encroach upon my credulous
And cant'st thus vilely? Hence! I know thee
Leave, hypocrite!
[not;

Jaf. Not know me, Pierre ?
Pier. No, I know thee not! What art thou?
Jaf. Jaffier, thy friend, thy once lov'd,
valu'd friend!

Though now deservedly scorn'd, and used most hardly.

Pier. Thou, Jaffier! thou, my once lov'd, valued friend!

[friend By heavens, thou liest; the man so call'd, my 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, [pect; Poor, even in soul, and loathsome in thy as All eyes must shun thee, and all hearts detest thee. [me, Pr'ythee avoid; nor longer cling thus round Like something baneful, that my nature's

chill'd at.

Jaf. Then, by that hell I merit, I'll not leave thee,

Till, to thyself, at least, thou'rt reconcil'd,
However thy resentment deal with me.
Pier. 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, and kiss 'em, though they

Pier. Art thou not-
Jaf. What?
Pier. A traitor?
Jaf. Yes.

Pier. A villain?
Jaf. Granted.

Pier. A coward, a most scandalous coward; Spiritless, void of honour; one who has soid Thy everlasting fame, for shameless life? Jaf. All, all, and more, much more; my faults are numberless.

Pier. And wouldst thou have me live on terms like thine?

Base, as thou art false

Jaf. No; 'tis to me that's granted; The safety of thy life was all I aim'd at, In recompense for faith and trust so broken. Pier. I scorn it more, because preserv'd by

thee;

And as, when first my foolish heart took pity On thy misfortunes, sought thee in thy miseries, [state Reliev'd thy wants, and rais'd thee from the Of wretchedness, in which thy fate had plung'd thee, To rank thee in my list of noble friends, All I receiv'd, in surety for thy truth, Were unregarded oaths, and this, this dagger, Given with a worthless pledge, thou since hast stolen,

So I restore it back to thee again; Swearing, by all those powers which thou hast violated, [munion, Never, from this curs'd hour, to hold comFriendship, or interest with thee, though our

Where it may grow acquainted with my heart,

That, when they meet, they start not from each

other. [villain, So now for thinking-A blow, call'd a traitor, Coward, dishonourable coward; fough! 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?
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 on earth,
Must move in penance, and implore much

mercy.

Jaf. Mercy! kind Heaven has surely endless
stores,

Hoarded for thee, of blessings yet untasted:
Oh, Belvidera! I'm the wretched'st creature
E'er 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,
Full 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 Heaven, he
struck me!

Buffeted, call'd me traitor, villain, coward.
Am I 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;

Jaf. Leave me, I charge thee, leave me.--
Strong temptations

Wake in my heart.

Bel. For what?

Jef. No more, but leave me.
Bel. Why?

Jaf. Oh! by Heaven, I love thee with that
fondness,

I would not have thee stay a moment longer Near these curs'd hands. Are they not cold upon thee?

[Pulls the dagger half out of his bosom,
and puts it back again.

Bel. No, everlasting comfort's in thy arms.
To lean thus on thy breast, is softer ease
Than downy pillows, deck'd with leaves of

Thanks to thy tears, and false persuading love. How her eyes speak! Oh, thou bewitching creature! [Fumbling for his dagger. 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.

And, if his sufferings wound thy heart already, Heaven must have justice, and my broken vows What will they do to-morrow?

Jaf. Ah!

Bel. To-morrow,

[agonies,

When thou shalt see him stretch'd in all the
Of a tormenting and a shameful death;
His bleeding bowels, and his broken limbs,
Insulted o'er, by a vile butchering villain;
What will thy heart do then? Oh! sure 'twill
Like my eyes now.
[stream

Jaf. What means thy dreadful story? Death, and to-morrow! Broken limbs and bowels!

Bel. The faithless senators, 'tis they've decreed it:

They say, according to our friends' request, They shall have death, and not ignoble bondage:

Will sink me else beneath its reaching mercy.
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?

[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.

[Leaps on his neck, kisses him. Jaf. I am, I am a coward; witness, Heaven, Witness it, earth, and every being, witness:

Declare their promis'd mercy all has forfeited:
False to their oaths, and deaf to intercession,
Warrants are pass'd for public death to-Tis but one blow! yet, by immortal love,

morrow.

Jaf. Death! doom'd to die! condemn'd 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 dis-
What means my love?
[order'd!

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 won-
ders.

[me.

Oh! thou wert either born to save or damn
By all the power that's given me o'er thy soul,
By thy resistless tears and conquering smiles,
By the victorious love that still waits on thee.

Pri. Heavens! Bel. If I was ever then your care, now hear me;

Fly to the senate, save the promis'd lives Of his dear friends, ere mine be made the sacrifice.

Pri. Oh, my heart's comfort! Bel. Will you not, my father? Weep not, but answer me.

Pri. By Heaven I will.

Not one of them but what shall be immortal. Canst thou forgive me all my follies past?

SCENE I.-An Apartment in PRIULI'S House. I'll henceforth be indeed a father; never,

days

Enter PRIULI.

Pri. Why, cruel Heaven, have my unhappy Four Been lengthen'd to this sad one? Oh! dishonAnd deathless infamy is fallen upon me. Was it my fault? Am I a traitor? No. But then, my only child, my daughter wedded; There my best blood runs foul, and a disease Incurable has seiz'd upon my memory.

Enter BELVIDERA, in a long mourning veil. Bel. He's there, my father, my inhuman father,

That for three years has left an only child
Expos'd to all the outrages of fate,

And cruel ruin!-oh!

Pri. What child of sorrow

[ness,

Art thou, that comes wrapt in weeds of sadAnd mov'st as if thy steps were tow'rds a

grave?

Bel. 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.

Pri. 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. Pri. My daughter!

Bel. Yes, your daughter.
Pri. Don't talk thus.

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

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
Peace to thy heart. Farewell. [thee.
Bel. Go, and remember
"Tis Belvidera's life her father pleads for.

SCENE II-A Garden.

Enter JAFFIER.

[Exeunt.

Bel. Oh!-oh!

Jaf. Nay, keep in thy tears, Lest they unman me too.

Bel. Heaven knows I cannot;

The words you utter sound so very sadly, The streams will follow

Jaf. Come, I'll kiss 'em dry then.

Bel. But was't a miserable day?

Jaf. A curs'd one.

Bel. I thought it otherwise; and you've often

sworn,

In the transporting hours of warmest love, When sure you spoke the truth, you've sworn you bless'd it.

Jaf. "Twas a rash oath,

Bel. Then why am I not curs'd 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 bless'd
Since the first pair 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 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. Jaf. Did I not say, I came to bless thee? Bel. You did.

Juf. Then hear me, bounteous Heaven:

Pour down your blessings on this beauteous | SCENE III. A Scaffold, and a Wheel prehead,

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 [virtue, To bear the loss of one that too much lov'd; her And comfort her with patience in our parting. Bel. How! Parting, parting! Jaf. Yes, for ever parting;

I have sworn, Belvidera, by yon Heaven, That best can tell how much I lose to leave We part this hour for ever. Bel. O call back [thee, [me.

Your cruel blessing; stay with me and curse Jaf. Now hold, heart, or never.

Bel. By all the tender days we've liv'd to-
gether,

Pity my sad condition; speak, but speak.
Jaf. Oh!-oh!-

Bel. By these arms, that now cling round
thy neck,

By these poor streaming eyes

Jaf. Murder! unhold me:

By th' immortal destiny that doom'd me
To this curs'd minute, I'll not live one longer;
[Draws the dagger.
Resolve to let me go, or see me fall-
Hark, the dismal bell
Tolls out for death! I must attend its call too;
[Passing-bell tolls.
For my poor friend, my dying Pierre, expects

me:

He sent a message to require I'd see him Before he died, and take his last forgiveness. Farewell, for ever.

Bel. Leave thy dagger with me, Bequeath me something-Not one kiss at parting? Oh! my poor heart, when wilt thou break? [Going out, looks back at him.

Jaf. Yet stay:
We have a child, as yet a tender infant.
Be a kind mother to him when I'm gone:
Breed him in virtue, and the paths of honour,
But never let him know his father's story;
I charge thee, guard him from the wrongs
my fate

May do his future fortune, or his name.
Now nearer yet- [Approaching each other.
Oh! that my arms were rivetted

Thus round thee ever! But my friend! my oath!

This and no more.

Bel. Another, sure another,

[Kisses her.

For that poor little one you've ta'en such care I'll give't him truly.

Juf. So now, farewell.

Bel. For ever?

[of.

Jaf. Heaven knows, for ever; all good angels guard thee.

[Exit.

Bel. All ill ones sure had charge of me this

moment.

Curs'd be my days, and doubly curs'd my
[nights.
Oh! give me daggers, fire, or water:
How I could bleed, how burn, how drown,

the waves

Huzzing and booming round my sinking head,
Till I descended to the peaceful bottom!
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, as I am. [Exit.

pared for the execution of PIERRE. Enter OFFICER. PIERRE, Guards, Executioner, &c.

Pier. My friend not come yet?
Enter J AFFIER.

Jaf. Oh, Pierre !

Dear to my arms, though thou'st undone my
Pier. Yet nearer.
fame,

I can't forget to love thee. Pr'ythee, Jaffier,
I'm now preparing for the land of peace,
Forgive that filthy blow my passion dealt thee;
And fain would have the charitable wishes
Of all good men, like thee, to bless my jour-

ney.

Jaf. Good! I am the vilest creature, worse then e'er

Suffer'd the shameful fate thou'rt going to taste of.

Offi. The time grows short, your friends are dead already.

Jaf. Dead!

Pier. Yes, dead, Jaffier; they've all died like men too,

Worthy their character.

Juf. And what must I do?
Pier. Oh, Jaffier!

Jaf. Speak aloud thy burden'd soul,

And tell thy troubles to thy tortur'd friend.
Pier. Friend! Couldst thou yet be a friend,

a generous friend,

I might hope comfort from thy noble sorrows.
Heaven knows I want a friend.

Jaf. And I a kind one,

[tue,

That would not thus scorn my repenting vir-
Or think, when he's to die, my thoughts are

idle.

Pier. No! live, I charge thee, Jaffier.
Jaf. Yes, I will live :

But it shall be to see thy fall reveng'd

At such a rate, as Venice long shall groan for.
Pier, Wilt thou?

Juf. I will, by Heaven.

Pier. Then still thou'rt noble,

And I forgive thee. Oh!-yet-shall I trust

thee?

Juf. No; I've been false already.
Pier. Dost thou love me?

Jaf. Rip up my heart, and satisfy my doubt

ings.

[Weeps.

Pier. Curse on this weakness!
Jaf. Tears! Amazement! Tears!
I never saw thee melted thus before;
And know there's something labouring in thy
bosom,

That must have vent: though I'm a villain,
tell me.

Pier. See'st thou that engine?

Juf. Why?

[Points to the Wheel.

Pier. Is't fit a soldier, who has liv'd with
Fought nations' quarrels, and been crown'd
honour,
Be expos'd a common carcass on a wheel?
with conquest,
Jaf. Ha!

Pier. Speak! is't fitting?
Jaf. Fitting!

[ory.

Pier. Yes; is't fitting?
Jaf. What's to be done?
Pier. I'd have thee undertake
From the disgrace that's ready to attaint it.
Something that's noble to preserve my mem-

our;

You'll think on't.

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 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- [Stubs him. And this is well. [Stabs himself. Pier. Now thou hast indeed been faithful. This was done nobly-We've deceiv'd the se.

SCENE IV.-An Apartment at PRIULI'S. Soft music; enter BELVIDERA, distracted, led by two of her women; PRIULI and Servants. Pri. Strengthen her heart with patience, pitying Heaven.

Bel. Come, come, come, come, come, nay come to bed. [whistle; Pr'ythee, my love. The winds! hark how they And the rain beats: Oh! how the weather [deed, You are angry now, who cares? pish, no inChoose then; I say you shall not go, you shall not;

shrinks me!

Whip your ill nature; get you gone then. Oh Are you return'd; see, father, here he's come again:

do thus?

Am I to blame to love him? (), thou dear one, Why do you fly me? are you angry still then? Jaffer, where art thou? father, why do you [somewhere. Stand off, don't hide him from me. He's here Stand off, I say: what, gone! remember't, tyI may revenge myself of this trick, one day. I'll do't-I'll do't.

rant:

My husband bloody, and his friend too! murder!

[vision: Who has done this? speak to me, thou sad On these poor trembling knees I beg it. Vanish'd

Here they went down-Oh, I'll dig, dig the den up! [Jaffier! You sha'n't delude me thus. Hoa, Jaffier, Peep up, and give me but a look. I have him! I've got him, father: Oh!

My love! my dear! my blessing! help me! help me! [bottom. They have hold on me, and drag me to the Nay-now they pull so hard-farewell[Dies; the curtain falls slowty to music.

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