Venice Preserved Part 12

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 rain!--oh!----

_Pri._ What child of sorrow Art thou, that comes wrapt in weeds of sadness, And mov'st as if thy steps were tow'rds a grave?

_Bel._ A wretch who from the very top of happiness Am fall'n 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.

I have a husband.

_Pri._ d.a.m.n him.

_Bel._ Oh! do not curse him; He would not speak so hard a word towards you On any terms, howe'er he deals with me.

_Pri._ Ha! what means my child?

_Bel._ Oh! my husband, my dear husband, Carries a dagger in his once kind bosom, To pierce the heart of your poor Belvidera.

_Pri._ Kill thee!

_Bel._ Yes, kill me. When he pa.s.s'd his faith And covenant against your state and senate, He gave me up a hostage for his truth: With me a dagger and a dire commission, Whene'er he fail'd, to plunge it through this bosom.

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, confess'd, betray'd his dearest friends For promis'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 G.o.ds With this poor life, and make my blood th' atonement.

_Pri._ Heav'ns!

_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 heav'n I will.

Not one of them but what shall be immortal.

Canst thou forgive me all my follies 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'er thee.

Peace to thy heart. Farewell.

_Bel._ Go, and remember 'Tis Belvidera's life her father pleads for. [_exeunt._

SCENE II. A GARDEN.

_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.