_Enter Jaffier._
_Jaf._ Final destruction seize on all the world.
Bend down, ye heav'ns, and shutting round this earth,
Crush the vile globe into its first confusion!
_Enter Belvidera._
_Bel._ My life---- [_meeting him._
_Jaf._ My plague---- [_turning from her._
_Bel._ Nay, then I see my ruin.
If I must die!
_Jaf._ 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--
_Jaf._ Fie, no more on't--
How long is't since that miserable day
We wedded first.
_Bel._ Oh!--oh!--
_Jaf._ Nay, keep in thy tears,
Lest they unman me too.
_Bel._ Heav'n 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 blest
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.
_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 virtue,
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 parting;
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._ O! call back
Your cruel blessing; stay with me and curse me.
_Jaf._ Now hold, heart, or never.
_Bel._ By all the tender days we've liv'd together,
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 [_draws dagger._
To this curs'd minute, I'll not live one longer;
Resolve to let me go, or see me fall----
Hark, the dismal bell [_passing-bell tolls._
Tolls out for death! I must attend its call too;
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. [_kisses her._
_Bel._ Another, sure another,
For that poor little one you've ta'en such care of.
I'll giv't him truly.
_Jaf._ So now, farewell.
_Bel._ For ever?
_Jaf._ Heav'n 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._