Venice Preserved Part 14

_Pier._ Then still thou'rt n.o.ble, And I forgive thee. Oh!--yet--shall I trust thee?

_Jaf._ No; I've been false already.

_Pier._ Dost thou love me?

_Jaf._ Rip up my heart, and satisfy my doubtings.

_Pier._ Curse on this weakness! [_weeps._

_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? [_points to wheel._

_Jaf._ Why?

_Pier._ Is't fit a soldier, who has liv'd with honour, Fought nation's quarrels, and been crown'd with conquest, Be expos'd a common carca.s.s on a wheel?

_Jaf._ Ha!

_Pier._ Speak! is't fitting?

_Jaf._ Fitting!

_Pier._ Yes; is't fitting?

_Jaf._ What's to be done?

_Pier._ I'd have thee undertake Something that's n.o.ble, to preserve my memory From the disgrace that's ready to attaint it.

_Offi._ The day grows late, sir.

_Pier._ I'll make haste. Oh, Jaffier!

Though thou'st betrayed me, do me some way justice.

_Jaf._ No more of that: thy wishes shall be satisfied; I have a wife, and she shall bleed: my child, too, Yield up his little throat, and all T' appease thee---- [_going away, Pierre holds him._

_Pier._ No--this--no more. [_whispers Jaffier._

_Jaf._ Ha! is't then so?

_Pier._ Most certainly.

_Jaf._ I'll do it.

_Pier._ Remember!

_Offi._ Sir.

_Pier._ Come, now I'm ready. [_he & Jaf. ascend scaff._ Captain, you should be a gentleman of honour; Keep off the rabble, that I may have room To entertain my fate, and die with decency.

Come. [_takes off his gown, Executioner prepares._ You'll think on't. [_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-- [_stabs him._ And this is well. [_stabs himself._

_Pier._ Now thou hast indeed been faithful.

This was done n.o.bly--We've deceiv'd the senate.

_Jaf._ Bravely.

_Pier._ Ha, ha, ha----oh! oh! [_dies._

_Jaf._ Now, ye curs'd rulers, Thus of the blood y' have shed, I make libation And sprinkle it, mingling. May it rest upon you, And all your race. Be henceforth peace a stranger Within your walls; let plagues and famine waste Your generation--Oh, poor Belvidera!

Sir, I have a wife, bear this in safety to her; A token that with my dying breath I bless'd her, And the dear little infant left behind me.

I'm sick--I'm quiet. [_dies; scene shuts upon them._

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 heav'n.

_Bel._ Come, come, come, come, come, nay come to bed.

Pr'ythee, my love. The winds! hark how they whistle; And the rain beats: Oh! how the weather shrinks me!

You are angry now, who cares? pish, no indeed, Choose then; I say you shall not go, you shall not; Whip your ill nature; get you gone then. Oh!

Are you return'd? see, father, here he's come again: Am I to blame to love him? O, thou dear one, Why do you fly me? are you angry still then?

Jaffier, where art thou? father, why do you do thus?

Stand off, don't hide him from me. He's here somewhere.

Stand off, I say: what, gone? remember't, tyrant: I may revenge myself for this trick, one day.

I'll do't--I'll do't.

_Enter Officer._

_Pri._ News, what news? [_Officer whispers Priuli._

_Offi._ Most sad, sir; Jaffier, upon the scaffold, to prevent A shameful death, stabb'd Pierre, and next himself; Both fell together.

_Pri._ Daughter!

_Bel._ Ha! look there!

My husband b.l.o.o.d.y, and his friend too! murder!

Who has done this? speak to me, thou sad vision: On these poor trembling knees I beg it. Vanish'd-- Here they went down--Oh, I'll dig, dig, the den up!

You shan't delude me thus. Hoa, Jaffier, Jaffier, Peep up, and give me but a look. I have him!

I've got him, father: Oh!