him.
| My heart beats to this man, as if it knew him. |
| |
| Ren. I never lov'd these huggers. |
| |
| Jaf. Still I see |
| The cause delights ye not. Your friends survey me |
| As I were dangerous—But I come arm'd |
| Against all doubts, and to your trust will give |
| A pledge, worth more than all the world can pay for. |
| My Belvidera. Hoa; my Belvidera! |
| |
| Bed. What wonder's next? |
| |
| Jaf. Let me entreat you, |
| As I have henceforth hopes to call you friends, |
| That all but the ambassador, and this |
| Grave guide of councils, with my friend that owns me, |
| Withdraw awhile, to spare a woman's blushes. |
| [exeunt all but Bedamar, Renault, Jaffier, and Pierre. |
| |
| Enter Belvidera. |
| |
| Bed. Pierre, whither will this ceremony lead us? |
| |
| Jaf. My Belvidera! Belvidera! |
| |
| Bel. Who, |
| Who calls so loud at this late peaceful hour? |
| That voice was wont to come in gentle whispers, |
| And fill my ears with the soft breath of love. |
| Thou hourly image of my thoughts, where art thou? |
| |
| Jaf. Indeed 'tis late. |
| |
| Bel. Alas! where am I? whither is't you lead me? |
| Methinks I read distraction in your face, |
| Something less gentle than the fate you tell me. |
| You shake and tremble too! your blood runs cold! |
| Heav'ns guard my love, and bless his heart with patience. |
| |
| Jaf. That I have patience, let our fate bear witness, |
| Who has ordain'd it so, that thou and I |
| (Thou, the divinest good man e'er possess'd, |
| And I, the wretched'st of the race of man) |
| This very hour, without one tear, must part. |
| |
| Bel. Part! must we part? Oh, am I then forsaken? |
| Why drag you from me? Whither are you going? |
| My dear! my life! my love! |
| |
| Jaf. Oh, friends! |
| |
| Bel. Speak to me. |
| |
| Jaf. Take her from my heart, |
| She'll gain such hold else, I shall ne'er get loose. |
| I charge thee take her, but with tender'st care |
| Relieve her troubles, and assuage her sorrows. |
| |
| Ren. Rise, madam, and command amongst your servants. |
| |
| Jaf. To you, sirs, and your honours, I bequeath her; |
| [gives a dagger. |
| And with her this; when I prove unworthy— |
| You know the rest——then strike it to her heart; |
| And tell her, he who three whole happy years |
| Lay in her arms, and each kind night repeated |
| The passionate vows of still increasing love, |
| Sent that reward for all her truth and sufferings. |
| |
| Bel. Nay, take my life, since he has sold it cheaply. |
| O! thou unkind one; |
| Never meet more! have I deserv'd this from you; |
| Look on me, tell me, speak, thou fair deceiver. |
| Why am I separated from thy love? |
| If I am false, accuse me; but if true, |
| Don't, pr'ythee don't, in poverty forsake me, |
| But pity the sad heart that's torn with parting. |
| Yet hear me, yet recall me—[ex. Ren. Bed. and Bel. |
| |
| Jaf. Oh! my eyes, |
| Look not that way, but turn yourselves awhile |
| Into my heart, and be wean'd altogether. |
| My friend, where art thou? |
| |
| Pier. Here, my honour's brother. |
| |
| Jaf. Is Belvidera gone? |
| |
| Pier. Renault has led her |
| Back to her own apartment; but, by heav'n, |
| Thou must not see her more, till our work's over. |
| |
| Jaf. No! |
| |
| Pier. Not for your life. |
| |
| Jaf. Oh, Pierre, wert thou but she, |
| How I would pull thee down into my heart, |
| Gaze on thee, till my eye-strings crack'd with love; |
| Then, swelling, sighing, raging to be blest, |
| Come like a panting turtle to thy breast; |
| On thy soft bosom hovering, bill and play, |
| Confess the cause why last I fled away; |
| Own 'twas a fault, but swear to give it o'er, |
| And never follow false ambition more.[exeunt. |
ACT THE THIRD.
SCENE I.A CHAMBER.
