Venice Preserved Part 11

_Jaf._ Mercy! kind heav'n has surely endless stores, h.o.a.rded 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 su'd for mercy, With a reproachful hand he dash'd a blow: He struck me, Belvidera! by heav'n, he struck me!

Buffetted, call'd me traitor, villain, coward.

Am I a coward? Am I a villain? Tell me: Thou'rt the best judge, and mad'st me, if I am so!

d.a.m.nation! Coward!

_Bel._ Oh! forgive him, Jaffier; And, if his sufferings wound thy heart already, What will they do to-morrow?

_Jaf._ Ah!

_Bel._ To-morrow, When thou shalt see him stretch'd in all the agonies 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 stream, Like my eyes now.

_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 ign.o.ble bondage: Declare their promis'd mercy all has forfeited: False to their oaths, and deaf to intercession, Warrants are pa.s.s'd for public death to-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 disorder'd!

What means my love?

_Jaf._ Leave me, I charge thee, leave me.--Strong temptations Wake in my heart.

_Bel._ For what?

_Jaf._ No more, but leave me.

_Bel._ Why?

_Jaf._ Oh! by heav'n, 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 roses.

_Jaf._ Alas! thou think'st not of the thorns 'tis fill'd with: Fly, ere they gall thee. There's a lurking serpent, Ready to leap and sting thee to the heart: Art thou not terrified?

_Bel._ No.

_Jaf._ Call to mind What thou hast done, and whither thou hast brought me.

_Bel._ Hah!

_Jaf._ Where's my friend? my friend, thou smiling mischief!

Nay, shrink not, now 'tis too late; thou shouldst have fled When thy guilt first had cause; for dire revenge Is up, and raging for my friend. He groans!

Hark, how he groans! his screams are in my ears Already; see, they've fix'd him on the wheel, And now they tear him.--Murder! Perjur'd senate!

Murder.--Oh!--Hark thee, traitress, thou hast done this!

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.

Heav'n must have justice, and my broken vows 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._

_Bel._ Oh! Mercy! [_kneeling._

_Jaf._ Nay, no struggling.

_Bel._ Now then, kill me. [_leaps on his neck, 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, 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 wonders.

Oh! thou wert either born to save or d.a.m.n me.

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.

Fly to thy cruel father, save my friend, Or all our future quiet's lost for ever.

Fall at his feet, cling round his reverend knees, Speak to him with thy eyes, and with thy tears, Melt his hard heart, and wake dead nature in him, Crush him in th' arms, torture him with thy softness; Nor, till thy prayers are granted, set him free, But conquer him, as thou hast conquer'd me. [_exeunt._

ACT THE FIFTH.

SCENE I. AN APARTMENT IN PRIULI'S HOUSE.

_Enter Priuli._

_Pri._ Why, cruel heav'n, have my unhappy days Been lengthen'd to this sad one? Oh! dishonour And deathless infamy is fallen upon me.