University of Virginia Library

Scene The Second.

Enter Belvidera.
Belvid.
I'm Sacrific'd! I am sold! betray'd to shame!
Inevitable Ruin has inclos'd me!
No sooner was I to my bed repair'd,
To weigh, and (weeping) ponder my condition,
But the old hoary Wretch, to whose false Care
My Peace and Honour was intrusted, came
(Like Tarquin) gastely with infernal Lust.
Oh thou Roman Lucrece! thou could'st find friends to vindicate thy Wrong;
I never had but one, and he's prov'd false;
He that should guard my Virtue, has betray'd it;
Left me! undone me! Oh that I could hate him!
Where shall I go! Oh whither whither wander?

Enter Jaffeir.
Jaff.
Can Belvidera want a resting place
When these poor Arms are open to receive her?
Oh 'tis in vain to struggle with Desires
Strong as my Love to thee; for every moment
I am from thy sight, the Heart within my Bosom
Moans like a tender Infant in its Cradle
Whose Nurse had left it: Come, and with the Songs
Of gentle Love perswade it to its peace.

Belvid.
I fear the stubborn Wanderer will not own me,
'Tis grown a Rebel to be rul'd no longer,
Scorns the Indulgent Bosom that first lull'd it,
And like a Disobedient Child disdains
The soft Authority of Belvidera.

Jaff.
There was a time—

Belv.
Yes, yes, there was a time,
When Belvidera's tears, her crys, and sorrows,
Were not despis'd; when if she chanc'd to sigh,
Or look but sad;—there was indeed a time
When Jaffeir would have ta'ne her in his Arms,
Eas'd her declining Head upon his Breast,
And never left her 'till he found the Cause.
But let her now weep Seas,
Cry, 'till she rend the Earth; sigh 'till she burst
Her heart asunder; still he bears it all;
Deaf as the Wind, and as the Rocks unshaken.

Jaff.
Have I been deaf? am I that Rock unmov'd?
Against whose root, Tears beat and sighes are sent!
In vain have I beheld thy Sorrows calmly!
Witness against me Heav'ns, have I done this?
Then bear me in a Whirlwind back agen,
And let that angry dear one ne're forgive me!
Oh thou too rashly censur'st of my Love!
Could'st thou but think how I have spent this night,
Dark and alone, no pillow to my Head,
Rest in my Eyes, nor quiet in my Heart,
Thou would'st nor Belvidera, sure thou would'st not
Talk to me thus, but like a pitying Angel
Spreading thy wings come settle on my breast,
And hatch warm comfort there e're sorrows freeze it.

Belv.
Why, then poor Mourner, in what baleful Corner
Hast thou been talking with that Witch the Night?
On what cold stone hast thou been stretcht along,
Gathering the grumbling Winds about thy Head,
To mix with theirs the Accents of thy Woes!
Oh now I find the Cause my Love forsakes me!
I am no longer fit to bear a share
In his Concernments: My weak female Virtue
Must not be trusted; 'Tis too frail and tender.

Jaff.
Oh Porcia! Porcia! What a Soul was thine?

Belv.
That Porcia was a Woman, and when Brutus
Big with the fate of Rome, (Heav'n guard thy safety!)
Conceal'd from her the Labours of his Mind,
She let him see, her Blood was great as his,
Flow'd from a Spring as noble, and a Heart
Fit to partake his Troubles, as his Love:
Fetch, fetch that Dagger back, the dreadful dower
Thou gav'st last night in parting with me; strike it
Here to my heart; and as the Blood flows from it,
Judge if it run not pure as Cato's Daughter's.

Jaff.
Thou art too good, and I indeed unworthy,
Unworthy so much Virtue: Teach me how
I may deserve such matchless Love as thine,
And see with what attention I'l obey thee.

Belv.
Do not despise me: that's the All I ask.

Jaff.
Despise thee! Hear me—

Belv.
Oh thy charming Tongue
Is but too well acquainted with my weakness,
Knows, let it name but Love, my melting heart
Dissolves within my Breast; 'till with clos'd Eyes
I reel into thy Arms, and all's forgotten.

Jaff.
What shall I do?

Belv.
Tell me! be just, and tell me
Why dwells that busy Cloud upon thy face?
Why am I made a stranger? why that sigh,
And I not know the Cause? Why when the World
Is wrapt in Rest, why chooses then my Love
To wander up and down in horrid darkness,
Loathing his bed, and these desiring Arms?
Why are these Eyes Blood shot, with tedious watching?
Why starts he now? and looks as if he wisht
His Fate were finisht? 'Tell me, ease my fears;
Least when we next time meet, I want the power
To search into the sickness of thy Mind,
But talk as wildly then as thou look'st now.

Jaff.
Oh Belvidera!

Belv.
Why was I last night deliver'd to a Villain?

Jaff.
Hah, a Villain!

Belv.
Yes! to a Villain! Why at such an hour
Meets that assembly all made up of Wretches
That look as Hell had drawn 'em into League?
Why, I in this hand, and in that a Dagger,
Was I deliver'd with such dreadful Ceremonies?
“To you, Sirs, and to your Honour I bequeath her,
“And with her this: When e're I prove unworthy,
“You know the rest, then strike it to her Heart?
Oh! why's that rest conceal'd from me? must I
Be made the hostage of a hellish Trust?
For such I know I am; that's all my value!
But by the Love and Loyalty I owe thee,
I'l free thee from the Bondage of these Slaves;
Strait to the Senate, tell 'em all I know,
All that I think, all that my fears inform me!

Jaff.
Is this the Roman Virtue! this the Blood.
That boasts its purity with Cato's Daughter!
Would she have e're betray'd her Brutus?

Belv.
No:
For Brutus trusted her: Wer't thou so kind,
What would not Belvidera suffer for thee?

Jaff.
I shall undo my self, and tell thee all.

Belv.
Look not upon me, as I am a Woman,
But as a Bone, thy Wife, thy Friend; who long
Has had admission to thy heart, and there
Study'd the Virtues of thy gallant Nature;
Thy Constancy; thy Courage and thy Truth,
Have been my daily lesson: I have learnt them,
Am bold as thou, can suffer or despise
The worst of Fates for thee; and with thee share them.

Jaff.
Oh you divinest Powers! look down and hear
My Prayers! instruct me to reward this Virtue!
Yet think a little, e're thou tempt me further:
Think I have a Tale to tell, will shake thy Nature,
Melt all this boasted Constancy thou talk'st of
Into vile tears and despicable sorrows:
Then if thou shoud'st betray me!

Belv.
Shall I swear?

Jaff.
No: do not swear: I would not violate
Thy tender Nature with so rude a Bond:
But as thou hop'st to see me live my days,
And love thee long, lock this within thy Breast;
I've bound my self by all the strictest Sacraments,
Divine and humane—

Belv.
Speak!—

Jaff.
To kill thy Father—

Belv.
My Father!

Jaff.
Nay the Throats of the whole Senate
Shall bleed my Belvidera: He amongst us
That spares his Father, Brother, or his Friend,
Is Damn'd: How rich and beauteous will the face
Of Ruin look, when these wide streets run blood;
I and the glorious Partner's of my Fortune
Shouting, and striding o're the prostrate Dead;
Still to new waste; whilst thou, far off in safety
Smiling, shalt see the wonders of our daring;
And when night comes, with Praise and Love receive me.

Belv.
Oh!

Jaff.
Have a care, and shrink not even in thought!
For if thou do'st—

Belv.
I know it, thou wilt kill me.
Do, strike thy Sword into this bosom: Lay me
Dead on the Earth, and then thou wilt be safe:
Murder my Father! tho his Cruel Nature
Has persecuted me to my undoing,
Driven me to basest wants; Can I behold him
With smiles of Vengeance, butcher'd in his Age?
The sacred Fountain of my life destroy'd?
And canst thou shed the blood that gave me being?
Nay, be a Traitor too, and sell thy Country;
Can thy great Heart descend so vilely low,
Mix with hired Slaves, Bravoes, and Common stabbers,
Nose-slitters, Ally-lurking Villians! joyn
With such a Crew, and take a Ruffian's Wages,
To cut the Throats of Wretches as they sleep?

Jaff.
Thou wrong'st me, Belvidera! I've engag'd
With Men of Souls: fit to reform the ills
Of all Mankind: There's not a Heart amongst them,
But's as stout as Death, yet honest as the Nature
Of Man first made, e're Fraud and Vice were fashions.

Belv.
What's he, to whose curst hands last night thou gav'st me?
Was that well done? Oh! I could tell a story
Would rowse thy Lyon Heart out of its Den,
And make it rage with terrifying fury.

Jaff.
Speak on I charge thee!

Belv.
Oh my Love! if e're
Thy Belvidera's Peace deserv'd thy Care,
Remove me from this place: Last night, last night!

Jaff.
Distract me not, but give me all the Truth.

Belv.
No sooner wer't thou gone, and I alone,
Left in the pow'r of that old Son of Mischief;
No sooner was I lain on my sad Bed,
But that vile Wretch approacht me; loose, unbutton'd,
Ready for violation: Then my Heart
Throbb'd with its fears: Oh how I wept and sigh'd,
And shrunk and trembled; wish'd in vain for him
That should protect me! Thou alas! wert gone!

Jaff.
Patience! sweet Heav'n, 'till I make vengeance sure.

Belv.
He drew the hideous Dagger forth thou gav'st him,
And with upbraiding smiles he said, behold it;
This is the pledge of a false Husbands love:
And in my Arms then prest, and wou'd have clasp'd me;
But with my Cries I scar'd his Coward heart,
'Till he withdrew, and mutter'd vows to Hell.
These are thy Friends! with these thy Life, thy Honour,
Thy Love, all's stak't, and all will go to ruine.

Jaff.
No more: I charge thee keep this secret close;
Clear up thy sorrows, look as if thy wrongs
Were all forgot, and treat him like a Friend,
As no complaint were made. No more, retire,
Retire my Life, and doubt not of my Honour;
I'l heal its failings, and deserve thy Love.

Belv.
Oh should I part with thee, I fear thou wilt
In Anger leave me, and return no more:

Jaff.
Return no more! I would not live without thee
Another Night to purchase the Creation.

Belv.
When shall we meet again?

Jaff.
Anon at Twelve!
I'l steal my self to thy expecting Arms,
Come like a Travell'd Dove and bring thee Peace.

Belv.
Indeed!

Jaff.
By all our loves!

Belv.
'Tis hard to part:
But sure no falsehood e're lookt so fairly.
Farewell—Remember Twelve.
[Ex. Belvid.

Jaff.
Let Heav'n forget me
When I remember not thy Truth, thy Love.
How curst is my Condition, toss'd and justl'd,
From every Corner; Fortune's Common Fool
The jest of Rogues, an Instrumental Ass
For Villains to lay loads of Shame upon,
And drive about just for their ease and scorn.

Enter Pierre.
Pierr.
Jaffeir!

Jaff.
Who calls!

Pierr.
A Friend, that could have wisht
T' have found thee otherwise imploy'd: what, hunt
A Wife on the dull foil! sure a stanch Husband
Of all Hounds is the dullest? wilt thou never,
Never be wean'd from Caudles and Confections?
What feminine Tale hast thou been listening to,
Of unayr'd shirts; Catharrs and Tooth Ach got
By thin-sol'd shoos? Damnation! that a Fellow
Chosen to be a Sharer in the Destruction
Of a whole People, should sneak thus in Corners
To ease his fulsom Lusts, and Fool his Mind.

Jaff.
May not a Man then trifle out an hour
With a kind Woman and not wrong his calling?

Pierr.
Not in a Cause like ours.

Jaff.
Then Friend our Cause
Is in a damn'd condition: for I'l tell thee,
That Canker-worm call'd Letchery has toucht it,
'Tis tainted vilely: would'st thou think it, Renault,
(That mortify'd old wither'd Winter Rogue)
Loves simple Fornication like a Priest,
I found him out for watering at my Wife:
He visited her last night like a kind Guardian:
Faith she has some Temptations, that's the truth on't.

Pierr.
He durst not wrong his Trust!

Jaff.
'Twas something late tho
To take the freedome of a Ladies Chamber.

Pierr.
Was she in bed?

Jaff.
Yes faith in Virgin sheets
White as her bosom, Pierre, disht neatly up,
Might tempt a weaker appetite to taste.
Oh how the old Fox stunk I warrant thee
When the rank fit was on him.

Pierr.
Patience guide me!
He us'd no violence?

Jaff.
No, no! out on't, violence!
Play'd with her neck; brusht her with his Gray-beard,
Struggl'd and towz'd, tickl'd her 'till she squeak'd a little
May be, or so—but not a jot of violence—

Pierr.
Damn him.

Jaff.
Ay, so say I: but hush, no more on't;
All hitherto is well, and I believe
My self no Monster yet: Tho no Man knows
What Fate he's born to? sure 'tis near the hour
We all should meet for our concluding Orders:
Will the Ambassador be here in person?

Pierr.
No: he has sent Commission to that Villain, Renault,
To give the Executing Charge;
I'd have thee be a Man if possible
And keep thy temper; for a brave Revenge
Ne're comes too late.

Jaff.
Fear not, I am cool as Patience:
Had he compleated my dishonour, rather
Then hazard the Success our hopes are ripe for,
I'd bear it all with mortifying Vertue.

Pierr.
He's yonder coming this way through the Hall;
His thoughs seem full.

Jaff.
Prithee retire, and leave me
With him alone: I'l put him to some tryal,
See how his rotten part will bear the touching.

Pierr.
Be careful then.
[Ex. Pierro.

Jaff.
Nay never doubt, but trust me.
What, be a Devil! take a Damning Oath
For shedding native blood! can there be a sin
In merciful repentance? Oh this Villain.

Enter Renault.
Renault.
Perverse! and peevish! what a slave is Man!
To let his itching flesh thus get the better of him!
Dispatch the Tool her Husband—that we're well.
Who's there?

Jaff.
A Man.

Ren.
My Friend, my near Ally!
The hostage of your faith, my beauteous Charge, is very well.

Jaff.
Sir, are you sure of that?
Stands she in perfect health? beats her pulse even?
Neither too hot nor cold?

Ren.
What means that question?

Jaff.
Oh Women have fantastick Constitutions,
Inconstant as their Wishes, always wavering,
And ne're fixt; was it not boldly done
Even at first sight to trust the Thing I lov'd
(A tempting Treasure too!) with Youth so fierce
And vigorous as thine? but thou art honest.

Ren.
Who dares accuse me?

Jaff.
Curst be him that doubts
Thy virtue, I have try'd it, and declare,
Were I to choose a Guardian of my Honour
I'd put it into thy keeping: for I know thee.

Ren.
Know me!

Jaff.
Ay know thee: There's no falsehood in thee.
Thou look'st just as thou art: Let us embrace.
Now would'st thou cut my Throat or I cut thine:

Ren.
You dare not do't.

Jaff.
You lye Sir.

Ren.
How!

Jaff.
No more.
'Tis a base World, and must reform, that's all.

Enter Spinosa, Theodore, Eliot, Revellido, Durand, Brainveil, and the rest of the Conspirators.
Ren.
Spinosa! Theodore!

Spin.
The same:

Ren.
You are welcome!

Spin.
You are trembling, Sir.

Ren.
'Tis a cold Night indeed, I am Aged,
Full of decay and natural infirmities;
[Pierre re-enters
We shall be warm, my Friend, I hope to morrow.

Pierr.

'Twas not well done, thou shoud'st have stroakt him
and not have gall'd him.

Jaff.
Damn him, let him chew on't.
Heav'n! where am I? beset with cursed Fiends,
That wait to Damn me: What a Devil's man,
When he forgets his nature—hush my heart.

Ren.
My Friends, 'tis late: are we assembled all?
Where's Theodore?

Theo.
At hand.

Ren.
Spinosa.

Spin.
Here.

Ren.
Brainveil.

Brain.
I am ready.

Ren.
Durand and Brabe,

Dur.
Command us,
We are both prepar'd!

Ren.
Mezzana, Revellido,
Ternon Retrosi; Oh you are Men I find
Fit to behold your Fate, and meet her Summons,
To morrow's rising Sun must see you all
Deckt in your honours! are the Souldiers ready?

Omn.
All, all.

Ren.
You, Durand, with your thousand must possess
St. Marks; You, Captain, know your charge already;
'Tis to secure the Ducal Palace: you
Brabe with a hundred more must gain the Secque.
With the like number Brainveil to the Procuralle.
Be all this done with the least tumult possible,
'Till in each place you post sufficient guards:
Then sheath your Swords in every breast you meet.

Jaff.
Oh reverend Cruelty: Damn'd bloody Villain!

Ren.
During this Execution, Durand, you
Must in the mid'st keep your Battalia fast,
And Theodore be sure to plant the Canon
That may Command the streets; whilst Revellido,
Mezzana, Ternon and Retrosi, Guard you.
(This done!) weel give the General Alarm,
Apply Petards, and force the Ars'nal Gates;
Then fire the City round in several places,
Or with our Canon (if it dare resist)
Batter't to Ruin. But above all I charge you
Shed blood enough, spare neither Sex nor Age,
Name nor Condition; if there live a Senator
After to morrow, tho the dullest Rogue
That er'e said nothing, we have lost our ends;
If possible, lets kill the very Name
Of Senator, and bury it in blood.

Jaff.
Merciless, horrid slave!—Ay, blood enough!
Shed blood enough, old Renault: how thou charm'st me!

Ren.
But one thing more, and then farewell till Fate
Join us again, or separate us ever:
First, let's embrace, Heav'n knows who next shall thus
Wing ye together: But let's all remember
We wear no common Cause upon our Swords,
Let each Man think that on his single Virtue
Depends the Good and Fame of all the rest;
Eternal Honour or perpetual Infamy.
Let's remember, through what dreadful hazards
Propitious Fortune hitherto has led us,
How often on the brink of some discovery
have we stood tottering, and yet still kept our ground
So well, the busiest searchers ne'r could follow
Those subtle Tracks which puzzled all suspition:
You droop Sir.

Jaff.
No: with a most profound attention
I've hard it all, and wonder at thy vertue.

Ren.
Though there be yet few hours 'twixt them and Ruin,
Are not the Senate lull'd in full security,
Quiet and satisfy'd, as Fools are always!
Never did so profound repose forerun
Calamity so great: Nay our good Fortune
Has blinded the most piercing of Mankind:
Strengthen'd the fearfull'st, charm'd the most suspectful,
Confounded the most subtle: for we live,
We live my Friends, and quickly shall our Life
Prove fatal to these Tyrants: Let's consider
That we destroy Oppression, Avarice,
A People nurst up equally with Vices
And loathsome Lusts, which Nature most abhors,
And such as without shame she cannot suffer.

Jaff.
Oh Belvidera, take me to thy Arms
And shew me where's my Peace, for I've lost it.
[Ex. Jaff.

Ren.
Without the least remorse then let's resolve
With Fire and Sword t'exterminate these Tyrants,
And when we shall behold those curst Tribunals,
Stain'd by the Tears and sufferings of the Innocent,
Burning with flames rather from Heav'n than ours,
The raging furious and unpitying Souldier
Pulling his reeking Dagger from the bosoms
Of gasping Wretches; Death in every Quarter,
With all that sad disorder can produce,
To make a Spectacle of horror: Then,
Then let's call to mind, my dearest Friends,
That there's nothing pure upon the Earth,
That the most valu'd things have most allays,
And that in change of all those vile Enormities,
Under whose weight this wretched Country labours,
The Means are only in our hands to Crown them.

Pierr.
And may those Powers above that are propitious
To gallant minds record this Cause, and bless it.

Ren.
Thus happy, thus secure of all we wish for,
Should there my Friends be found amongst us one
False to this glorious Enterprize, what Fate,
What Vengeance were enough for such a Villain?

Eliot.
Death here without repentance, Hell hereafter.

Ren.
Let that be my lott, if as here I stand
Listed by Fate amongst her darling Sons,
Tho I had one only Brother, dear by all
The strictest ties of Nature; tho one hour
Had given us birth, one Fortune fed our wants,
One only love, and that but of each other,
Still fill'd our minds: Could I have such a Friend
Joyn'd in this Cause, and had but ground to fear
Meant fowl play; may this right hand drop from me,
If I'd not hazard all my future peace,
And stabb him to the heart before you: who
Would not do less? Would'st not thou Pierre the same?

Pierr.
You have singled me, Sir, out for this hard question,
As if 'twere started only for my sake!
Am I the thing you fear? Here, here's my bosom,
Search it with all your Swords! am I a Traytor?

Ren.
No: but I fear your late commended Friend
Is little less: Come Sirs, 'tis now no time
To trifle with our safety. Where's this Jaffeir?

Spino.
He left the room just now in strange disorder.

Ren.
Nay, there is danger in him: I observ'd him,
During the time I took for Explanation,
He was transported from most deep attention
To a confusion which he could not smother.
His looks grew full of sadness and surprize,
All which betray'd a wavering Spirit in him,
That labour'd with reluctancy and sorrow;
What's requisite for safety must be done
With speedy Execution: he remains
Yet in our power: I for my own part wear
A Dagger.

Pierr.
Well.

Ren.
And I could wish it!

Pierr.
Where?

Ren.
Bury'd in his heart.

Pierr.
Away! w'are yet all friends;
No more of this, 'twill Breed ill blood amongst us.

Spin.
Let us all draw our Swords, and search the house,
Pull him from the dark hole where he sits brooding
O're his cold fears, and each man kill his share of him.

Pierr.
Who talks of killing? who's he'll shed the blood
That's dear to me? is't you? or you? or you Sir?
What not one speak? how you stand gaping all
On your grave Oracle, your wooden God there;
Yet not a word: Then Sir I'l tell you a secret,
Suspition's but at best a Cowards Virtue!

[To Ren.
Ren.
A Coward—

[Handles his Sword.
Pier.
Put, put up thy Sword, old Man,
Thy hand shakes at it; come let's heal this breach,
I am too hot: we yet may live Friends.

Spino.
'Till we are safe, our Friendship cannot be so.

Pierr.
Again: who's that?

Spino.
'Twas I.

Theo.
And I.

Revell.
And I.

Eliot.
And all.

Ren.
Who are on my side?

Spinos.
Every honest Sword,
Let's die like men and not be sold like Slaves.

Pierr.
One such word more, by Heav'n I'l to the Senate
And hang ye all, like Dogs in Clusters,
Why peep your Coward Swords half out their shells?
Why do you not all brandish them like mine?
You fear to die, and yet dare talk of Killing?

Ren.
Go to the Senate and betray us, hasten
Secure thy wretched life, we fear to die
Less than thou dar'st be honest.

Pierr.
That's rank falsehood,
Fear'st not thou death? fy, there's a knavish itch
In that salt blood, an utter foe to smarting.
Had Jaffeir's Wife prov'd kind, he had still been true.
Foh—how that stinks?
Thou dy! thou kill my Friend! or thou, or thou,
Or thou, with that lean wither'd wretched Face!
Away! disperse all to your several Charges,
And meet to morrow where your honour calls you,
I'l bring that man, whose blood you so much thirst for,
And you shall see him venture for you fairly—
Hence, hence, I say.

[Ex. Renault angrily.
Spino.
I fear we have been too blame,
And done too much.

Theo.
'Twas too farr urg'd against the man you lov'd.

Rev.
Here, take our Swords and crush 'em with your feet.

Spino.
Forgive us, gallant Friend.

Pier.
Nay, now y'have found
The way to melt and cast me as you will:
I'll fetch this Friend and give him to your mercy:
Nay he shall dye if you will take him from me,
For your repose I'll quit my hearts Jewel;
But would not have him torn away by Villains
And spitefull villany.

Spino.
No; may you both
For ever live and fill the world with fame!

Pier.
Now you are too kind. Whence rose all this discord?
Oh what a dangerous precipice have we scap'd!
How near a fall was all we had long been building!
What an eternal blot had stain'd our glories,
If one the bravest and the best of men
Had fallen a Sacrifice to rash suspicion!
Butcher'd by those whose Cause he came to cherish:
Oh could you know him all as I have known him,
How good he is, how just, how true, how brave,
You wou'd not leave this place till you had seen him;
Humbled your selves before him, kiss'd his feet,
And gain'd remission for the worst of follies;
Come but to morrow all your doubts shall end,
And to your Loves me better recommend,
That I've preserv'd your Fame, and, sav'd my Friend.

[Exeunt omnes.