University of Virginia Library

SCENE IX.

Beaufort Senior, Beaufort Junior, Glanville.
Beaufort Senior.
Where is my daughter? where my injur'd child?
O bring me to her! she hath yet a father,
(Thanks to the gracious Powers who spar'd my life
For her protection) ready to receive
With tender arms his child, tho' rudely cast
From her rash husband's door. What mean these tears
That trickle down thy cheek? she is not dead!

Beaufort Junior.
Good Heaven! what shall I say?—no, sir—not dead—
She is not dead—but Oh!—

Beaufort Senior.
But what?—Wound not
My heart! where is she? lead me to my child—
'Tis from her self alone that I will hear
The story of her wrongs.

Beaufort Junior.
Alas! dear sir,
She is not here.

Beaufort Senior.
Not here!

Beaufort Junior.
O fortify
Your heart, my dearest father, to support,
If possible, this unexpected stroke!
My sister, sir—why must I speak her shame!
My wretched sister, yielding to the lure
Of Paulet's arts, hath left her husband's house.

Beaufort Senior.
Great Power! then have I liv'd, alas! too long.
O patience! this, this is indeed too much!—
But 'tis impossible!—does not thy heart,
My son, bear testimony for thy sister
Against this calumny?—What circumstance,
[To Glanville.
What proof have we of my Cleone's guilt?

Glanville.
Is not their disappearing both at once,
A strong presumption of their mutual guilt?

Beaufort Senior.
Presumption, say'st thou! shall one doubtful fact
Arraign a life of innocence unblam'd?
Shall I give up the virtue of my child,
My heart's sweet peace, the comfort of my age,
On weak surmises?—Sir, I must have proof,
Clear proof, not dark presumption of her guilt.

Glanville.
Thus rudely urg'd, my honour bids me speak,
What else I meant in tenderness to spare.
Know then, I found the wanton youth conceal'd
In her apartment.

Beaufort Senior.
Thou dost then confess
Thy self my child's accuser?—but thy word
Will not suffice. Far other evidence
Must force me to believe, that truth long known,
And native modesty, could thus at once
Desert their station in Cleone's breast.

Glanville.
Wait then for other evidence—
With such as doubt my honour, I disdain
All farther conference.

[Exit Glanville.