"Scorns the indulgent bosom that first lull'd it, 180

"And, like a disobedient child, disdains

"The soft authority of Belvidera.

Jaf. There was a time

Bel. Yes, yes, there was a time,

When Belvidera's tears, her cries, and sorrows,
Were not despis'd; when, if she chanc'd to sigh,
Or look'd but sad-there was indeed a time,
When Jaffier wou'd have ta'en 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 winds, and as the rocks unshaken.

"Jaf. Have I been deaf? Am I that rock unmov'd? "Against whose root, tears beat, and sighs are sent "In vain have I beheld thy sorrows calmly? "Witness against me, Heavens, have I done this? "Then bear me in a whirlwind back again, "And let that angry dear one ne'er forgive me. "Oh! thou too rashly censurest of my love; "Could'st thou but think, how I have spent thisnight "Dark, and alone, no pillow to my head,

"Rest in my eyes, nor quiet in my heart,

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"Thou would'st not, Belvidera, sure thou would'st,

not

"Talk to me thus; but like a pitying angel,

"And hatch warm comforts there, e're sorrows freeze

it.

"Bel. Why then, poor mourner, in what baleful

corner

"Hast thou been talking, with that witch, the night?
"On what cold stone hast thou been stretch'd 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.»

Jaf. Oh, Portia, Portia ! What a soul was thine? Bel. That Portia 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.

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"Jaf. 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'll obey thee. "Bel. Do not despise me: that's the all I ask. "Jaf. Despise thee! Hear me

"Bel. Oh! Thy charming tongue,

1

"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.

"Jaf. What shall I do?

"Bel. 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 wrapp'd in rest, why chuses 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 wish'd

"His fate were finish'd? Tell me, ease my fear; 250 "Lest, 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.
Jaf. Oh, Belvidera!

Bel. Why was I last night deliver'd to a villain?
Jaf. Ha! a villain?

Bel. Yes, to a villain! Why at such an hour
Meets that assembly, all made up of wretches,
"That looks as hell had drawn them 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 honours I bequeath her,
And with her this: Whene'er 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'll free thee from the bondage of these slaves;
Straight to the senate, tell 'em all I know,
All that I think, all that my fears inform me.
Jaf. Is this the Roman virtue; this the blood
That boasts its purity with Cato's daughter?
Would she have e'er betray'd her Brutus?

Bel. No:

For Brutus trusted her. Wert thou so kind,
What would not Belvidera suffer for thee?

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Jaf. I shall undo myself, and tell thee all. « Bell Look not upon me as I am, a woman: "But as a bone, thy wife, thy friend; who long "Has had admisson 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 learn'd 'em "And, bold as thou, can suffer or despise

"The worst of fates for thee, and with thee share 'em."

Jaf Oh, you divinest Powers look down and hear "My prayers! instruct me to reward this virtue!" Yet think a little, ere thou tempt me further; Think I've a tale to tell will shake thy nature, Melt all this boasted constancy thou talk'st of, Into vile tears and despicable sorrows;

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Then if thou should'st betray me !

Bel. Shall I swear?

Jaf. 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 myself, by all the strictest sacraments, Divine and human

Bel. Speak!

Jaf. To kill thy father

Bel. My father!

Jaf. Nay, the throats of the whole senate Shall bleed, my Belvidera. He, amongst us, That spares his father, brother, or his friend,

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Is damn'd. "How rich and beauteous will the face "Of ruin look, when these wide streets run blood! "I, and the glorious partners of my fortune, "Shouting, and striding o'er 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.

Bel. Oh!

Jaf. Have a care, and shrink not even in thought: For if thou dost

Bel. 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

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