University of Virginia Library

SCENE VI.

To them Ariana.
Aria.
My dearest Friend.

Eliza.
Ah, Ariana, come,
Pronounce my Pardon while I've Life to take it.
How have I wrong'd thy Truth in guilty Thought!
But Heav'n will pay thee in a better Love.

Aria.
My Soul dissolves for thy unhappy Fate.
Matilda has inform'd me of the Tale
Thy wicked Brother's Ravings have reveal'd!

Eliza.
Hah!—

Aria.
Where Murders, Parricides so foul appear!
Thy Slaughter seems almost the least, as last:
But must by me with bitter Tears be mourn'd,
In that, his most unhappy Instrument.

[Weeps.
Eliza.
Behold, Eliza, how thy Fall is wept!
Was ever Woman curst before like me,
To wrong so kind a Husband! just a Friend!—
Oh, Ariana, warn our weaker Sex
Against the Venom of a jealous Heart:
Let Wives beware of foul Suspicion's Taint;
It is a coward Serpent, which, immur'd,
Preys on its Breeder in a deathless Pain:
Then, teach the Fair, in Friendship's sacred Bands
To follow thee, and be securely blest.