"Venice Preserved; or a Plot Discovered" by Thomas Otway: A TEI Edition by Jesús Tronch based on Robert G. Lawrence's edition Venice Preserved or a Plot Discovered EMOTHE0417

Source text for this digital edition:
Otway, Thomas. Venice Preserved. In: Lawrence, Robert G. (ed.) Restoration Plays. London: J. M. Dent, 1994, pp. 237-309. The Everyman Library

Digital text editor for EMOTHE:

Lawrence, Robert G.
Tronch Pérez, Jesus (Universitat de València)

Note on this digital edition

Reproduced with kind permission by Joan Lawrence.

For this digital edition, abbreviated names in speech prefixes and stage directions have been expanded.

With the support of research project GVAICO2016-094, funded by Generalitat Valenciana (2016-2017).

DRAMATIS PERSONÆ

DUKE OF VENICE

PRIULI Father to Belvidera, a Senator

ANTONIO a Fine Speaker in the Senate

JAFFEIR }

PIERRE }

RENAULT }

BEDAMAR }

SPINOSA }

THEODORE }

ELIOT } Conspirators

REVILLIDO }

DURAND }

MEZZANA }

BRAMVEIL }

TERNON }

BRABE }

RETROSI }

BELVIDERA

AQUILINA

Two Women Attendants on Belvidera.

Two Women Servants to Aquilina.

The Council of Ten.

Officer

Guards

Friar [referred to as ‘Father’]

Executioner and Rabble

PROLOGUE

In these distracted times, when each man dreads

The bloody stratagems of busy heads;

When we have feared three years we know not what,

Till witnesses begin to die o' th' rot,

What made our poet meddle with a plot?

Was't that he fancied, for the very sake

And name of plot, his trifling play might take?

For there's not in't one inch-board evidence,

But 'tis, he says, to reason plain and sense,

And that he thinks a plausible defence.

Were Truth by Sense and Reason to be tried,

Sure all our swearers might be laid aside:

No, of such tools our author has no need,

To make his plot, or make his play succeed;

He of black Bills, has no prodigious tales,

Or Spanish pilgrims cast ashore in Wales;

Here's not one murther'd magistrate at least,

Kept rank like ven'son for a city feast,

Grown four days still, the better to prepare

And fit his pliant limbs to ride in chair:

Yet here's an army raised, though under ground,

But no man seen, nor one commission found;

Here is a traitor too, that's very old,

Turbulent, subtle, mischievous, and bold,

Bloody, revengeful, and to crown his part,

Loves fumbling with a wench, with all his heart;

Till after having many changes passed,

In spite of age (thanks heaven) is hanged at last:

Next is a senator that keeps a whore,

In Venice none a higher office bore;

To lewdness every night the letcher ran,

Show me, all London, such another man,

Match him at Mother Creswold's if you can.

O Poland, Poland! had it been thy lot,

T' have heard in time of this Venetian plot,

Thou surely chosen hadst one king from thence,

And honoured them as thou hast England since.

ACT I

SCENE I

Enter PRIULI and JAFFEIR.

Priuli

No more! I'll hear no more; begone and leave.

Jaffeir

Not hear me! by my sufferings but you shall!

My lord, my lord! I'm not that abject wretch

You think me: Patience! where's the distance throws

Me back so far, but I may boldly speak

In right, though proud oppression will not hear me!

Priuli

Have you not wrong'd me?

Jaffeir

Could my nature e'er

Have brook'd injustice or the doing wrongs,

I need not now thus low have bent myself

To gain a hearing from a cruel father!

Wronged you!

Priuli

Yes! wronged me, in the nicest point:

The honour of my house; you have done me wrong;

You may remember (for I now will speak,

And urge its baseness): when you first came home

From travel, with such hopes as made you looked on

By all men's eyes, a youth of expectation;

Pleased with your growing virtue, I received you:

Courted, and sought to raise you to your merits:

My house, my table, nay my fortune too,

My very self, was yours; you might have used me

To your best service; like an open friend,

I treated, trusted you, and thought you mine;

When in requital of my best endeavours,

You treacherously practised to undo me,

Seduced the weakness of my age's darling,

My only child, and stole her from my bosom:

O Belvidera!

Jaffeir

'Tis to me you owe her,

Childless you had been else, and in the grave,

Your name extinct, nor no more Priuli heard of.

You may remember, scarce five years are past,

Since in your brigandine you sailed to see

The Adriatic wedded by our Duke,

And I was with you: your unskilful pilot

Dashed us upon a rock; when to your boat

You made for safety; entered first yourself;

The affrighted Belvidera following next,

And she stood trembling on the vessel side,

Was by a wave washed off into the deep,

When instantly I plunged into the sea,

And buffeting the billows to her rescue,

Redeemed her life with half the loss of mine:

Like a rich conquest in one hand I bore her,

And with the other dashed the saucy waves,

That thronged and pressed to rob me of my prize:

I brought her, gave her to your despairing arms:

Indeed you thanked me; but a nobler gratitude

Rose in her soul: for from that hour she loved me,

Till for her life she paid me with herself.

Priuli

You stole her from me, like a thief you stole her,

At dead of night; that cursed hour you chose

To rifle me of all my heart held dear.

May all your joys in her prove false like mine;

A sterile fortune and a barren bed,

Attend you both; continual discord make

Your days and nights bitter and grievous: still

May the hard hand of a vexatious need

Oppress, and grind you; till at last you find

The curse of disobedience all your portion.

Jaffeir

Half of your curse you have bestowed in vain,

Heaven has already crowned our faithful loves

With a young boy, sweet as his mother's beauty.

May he live to prove more gentle than his grandsire,

100

And happier than his father!

Priuli

Rather live

101

To bait thee for his bread, and din your ears

102

With hungry cries: whilst his unhappy mother

103

Sits down and weeps in bitterness of want.

Jaffeir

104

You talk as if 'twould please you.

Priuli

'Twould, by Heaven.

105

Once she was dear indeed; the drops that fell

106

From my sad heart, when she forgot her duty,

107

The fountain of my life was not so precious:

108

But she is gone, and if I am a man

109

I will forget her.

Jaffeir

110

Would I were in my grave!

Priuli

And she too with thee;

111

For, living here, you're but my cursed remembrancers

112

I once was happy.

Jaffeir

113

You use me thus, because you know my soul

114

Is fond of Belvidera: you perceive

115

My life feeds on her, therefore thus you treat me

116

Oh! could my soul ever have known satiety:

117

Were I that thief, the doer of such wrongs

118

As you upbraid me with, what hinders me,

119

But I might send her back to you with contumely,

120

And court my fortune where she would be kinder!

Priuli

121

You dare not do't –

Jaffeir

Indeed, my lord, I dare not.

122

My heart that awes me is too much my master:

123

Three years are past since first our vows were plighted,

124

During which time, the world must bear me witness,

125

I have treated Belvidera like your daughter,

126

The daughter of a senator of Venice;

127

Distinction, place, attendance, and observance,

128

Due to her birth, she always has commanded;

129

Out of my little fortune I have done this;

130

Because (though hopeless e'er to win your nature)

131

The world might see, I loved her for herself,

132

Not as the heiress of the great Priuli –

Priuli

133

No more!

Jaffeir

Yes! all, and then adieu for ever.

134

There's not a wretch that lives on common charity

135

But's happier than me: for I have known

136

The luscious sweets of plenty; every night

137

Have slept with soft content about my head,

138

And never waked but to a joyful morning;

139

Yet now must fall like a full ear of corn,

140

Whose blossom scaped, yet's withered in the ripening.

Priuli

141

Home and be humble, study to retrench;

142

Discharge the lazy vermin of thy hall,

143

Those pageants of thy folly,

144

Reduce the glittering trappings of thy wife

145

To humble weeds, fit for thy little state;

146

Then to some suburb cottage both retire;

147

Drudge, to feed loathsome life: get brats, and starve –

148

Home, home, I say. –

[Exit PRIULI.

Jaffeir

Yes, if my heart would let me –

149

This proud, this swelling heart: home I would go,

150

But that my doors are hateful to my eyes,

151

Filled and dammed up with gaping creditors,

152

Watchful as fowlers when their game will spring;

153

I have now not fifty ducats in the world,

154

Yet still I am in love, and pleased with ruin.

155

O Belvidera! oh, she is my wife –

156

And we will bear our wayward fate together,

157

But ne'er know comfort more.

Enter PIERRE.

Pierre

My friend, good morrow!

158

How fares the honest partner of my heart?

159

What, melancholy! not a word to spare me?

Jaffeir

160

I'm thinking, Pierre, how that damned starving quality

161

Called Honesty got footing in the world.

Pierre

162

Why, powerful Villainy first set it up,

163

For its own ease and safety: honest men

164

Are the soft easy cushions on which knaves

165

Repose and fatten: were all mankind villains,

166

They'd starve each other; lawyers would want practice,

167

Cut-throats rewards: each man would kill his brother

168

Himself, none would be paid or hanged for murder:

169

Honesty was a cheat invented first

170

To bind the hands of bold deserving rogues,

171

That fools and cowards might sit safe in power,

172

And lord it uncontrolled above their betters.

Jaffeir

173

Then Honesty is but a notion.

Pierre

Nothing else,

174

Like wit, much talked of, not to be defined:

175

He that pretends to most, too, has least share in't;

176

'Tis a ragged virtue: Honesty! no more on't.

Jaffeir

177

Sure thou art honest?

Pierre

So indeed men think me.

178

But they're mistaken, Jaffeir; I am a rogue

179

As well as they;

180

A fine gay bold-faced villain, as thou seest me;

181

'Tis true, I pay my debts when they're contracted;

182

I steal from no man; would not cut a throat

183

To gain admission to a great man's purse,

184

Or a whore's bed; I'd not betray my friend,

185

To get his place or fortune: I scorn to flatter

186

A blown-up fool above me, or crush the wretch beneath me,

187

Yet, Jaffeir, for all this, I am a villain!

Jaffeir

188

A villain –

Pierre

Yes, a most notorious villain:

189

To see the suff'rings of my fellow-creatures,

190

And own myself a man: to see our senators

191

Cheat the deluded people with a show

192

Of Liberty, which yet they ne'er must taste of;

193

They say, by them our hands are free from fetters,

194

Yet whom they please they lay in basest bonds;

195

Bring whom they please to Infamy and Sorrow;

196

Drive us like wracks down the rough tide of power,

197

Whilst no hold's left to save us from destruction;

198

All that bear this are villains; and I one,

199

Not to rouse up at the great call of nature,

200

And check the growth of these domestic spoilers,

201

That make us slaves and tell us 'tis our charter.

Jaffeir

202

O Aquilina! Friend, to lose such beauty,

203

The dearest purchase of thy noble labours;

204

She was thy right by conquest, as by love.

Pierre

205

O Jaffeir! I'd so fixed my heart upon her,

206

That wheresoe'er I framed a scheme of life

207

For time to come, she was my only joy

208

With which I wished to sweeten future cares;

209

I fancied pleasures, none but one that loves

210

And dotes as I did can imagine like 'em:

211

When in the extremity of all these hopes,

212

In the most charming hour of expectation,

213

Then when our eager wishes soar the highest,

214

Ready to stoop and grasp the lovely game,

215

A haggard owl, a worthless kite of prey,

216

With his foul wings sailed in and spoiled my quarry.

Jaffeir

217

I know the wretch, and scorn him as thou hat'st him.

Pierre

218

Curse on the common good that's so protected!

219

Where every slave that heaps up wealth enough

220

To do much wrong becomes a lord of right:

221

I, who believed no ill could e'er come near me,

222

Found in the embraces of my Aquilina

223

A wretched old but itching senator;

224

A wealthy fool, that had bought out my title,

225

A rogue, that uses beauty like a lambskin,

226

Barely to keep him warm: that filthy cuckoo too

227

Was in my absence crept into my nest,

228

And spoiling all my brood of noble pleasure.

Jaffeir

229

Didst thou not chase him thence?

Pierre

I did, and drove

230

The rank old bearded Hirco stinking home:

231

The matter was complained of in the Senate,

232

I summoned to appear, and censured basely,

233

For violating something they call privilege –

234

This was the recompense of my service:

235

Would I'd been rather beaten by a coward!

236

A soldier's mistress, Jaffeir, 's his religion,

237

When that's profaned, all other ties are broken;

238

That even dissolves all former bonds of service,

239

And from that hour I think myself as free

240

To be the foe as e'er the friend of Venice. –

241

Nay, dear Revenge, whene'er thou call'st I'm ready.

Jaffeir

242

I think no safety can be here for virtue,

243

And grieve, my friend, as much as thou to live

244

In such a wretched state as this of Venice;

245

Where all agree to spoil the public good,

246

And villains fatten with the brave man's labours.

Pierre

247

We have neither safety, unity, nor peace,

248

For the foundation's lost of common good.

249

Justice is lame as well as blind amongst us;

250

The laws (corrupted to their ends that make 'em)

251

Serve but for instruments of some new tyranny,

252

That every day starts up to enslave us deeper:

253

Now could this glorious cause but find out friends

254

To do it right! O Jaffeir! then might'st thou

255

Not wear these seals of woe upon thy face.

256

The proud Priuli should be taught humanity,

257

And learn to value such a son as thou art.

258

I dare not speak! But my heart bleeds this moment!

Jaffeir

259

Cursed be the cause, though I thy friend be part on't:

260

Let me partake the troubles of my bosom,

261

For I am used to misery, and perhaps

262

May find a way to sweeten 't to thy spirit.

Pierre

263

Too soon it will reach thy knowledge –

Jaffeir

Then from thee

264

Let it proceed. There's virtue in thy friendship

265

Would make the saddest tale of sorrow pleasing,

266

Strengthen my constancy, and welcome ruin.

Pierre

267

Then thou art ruined!

Jaffeir

That I long since knew;

268

I and ill-fortune have been long acquaintance.

Pierre

269

I passed this very moment by thy doors,

270

And found them guarded by a troop of villains;

271

The sons of public rapine were destroying:

272

They told me, by the sentence of the law

273

They had commission to seize all thy fortune,

274

Nay more, Priuli's cruel hand hath signed it.

275

Here stood a ruffian with a horrid face

276

Lording it o'er a pile of massy plate,

277

Tumbled into a heap for public sale:

278

There was another making villainous jests

279

At thy undoing; he had ta'en possession

280

Of all thy ancient most domestic ornaments,

281

Rich hangings, intermixed and wrought with gold;

282

The very bed, which on thy wedding-night

283

Received thee to the arms of Belvidera,

284

The scene of all thy joys, was violated

285

By the coarse hands of filthy dungeon villains,

286

And thrown amongst the common lumber.

Jaffeir

287

Now, thanks Heaven –

Pierre

288

Thank Heaven! for what?

Jaffeir

That I am not worth a ducat.

Pierre

289

Curse thy dull stars, and the worse fate of Venice,

290

Where brothers, friends, and fathers, all are false;

291

Where there's no trust, no truth; where Innocence

292

Stoops under vile Oppression, and Vice lords it:

293

Hadst thou but seen, as I did, how at last

294

Thy beauteous Belvidera, like a wretch

295

That's doomed to banishment, came weeping forth,

296

Shining through tears, like April suns in showers

297

That labour to o'ercome the cloud that loads 'em,

298

Whilst two young virgins, on whose arms she leaned,

299

Kindly looked up, and at her grief grew sad,

300

As if they catched the sorrows that fell from her:

301

Even the lewd rabble that were gathered round

302

To see the sight, stood mute when they beheld her;

303

Governed their roaring throats and grumbled pity:

304

I could have hugged the greasy rogues: they pleased me.

Jaffeir

305

I thank thee for this story, from my soul,

306

Since now I know the worst that can befall me:

307

Ah, Pierre! I have a heart, that could have borne

308

The roughest wrong my fortune could have done me:

309

But when I think what Belvidera feels,

310

The bitterness her tender spirit tastes of,

311

I own myself a coward: bear my weakness,

312

If throwing thus my arms about thy neck,

313

I play the boy, and blubber in thy bosom.

314

Oh! I shall drown thee with my sorrows!

Pierre

Burn!

315

First burn, and level Venice to thy ruin.

316

What! starve like beggars' brats in frosty weather,

317

Under a hedge, and whine ourselves to death!

318

Thou, or thy cause, shall never want assistance,

319

Whilst I have blood or fortune fit to serve thee;

320

Command my heart: thou art every way its master.

Jaffeir

321

No: there's a secret pride in bravely dying.

Pierre

322

Rats die in holes and corners, dogs run mad;

323

Man knows a braver remedy for sorrow:

324

Revenge! the attribute of gods, they stamped it

325

With their great image on our natures; die!

326

Consider well the cause that calls upon thee:

327

And if thou'rt base enough, die then: remember

328

Thy Belvidera suffers: Belvidera!

329

Die! –damn first! –what! be decently interred

330

In a churchyard, and mingle thy brave dust

331

With stinking rogues that rot in dirty winding-sheets,

332

Surfeit-slain fools, the common dung o' th' soil.

Jaffeir

333

Oh!

Pierre

Well said, out with't, swear a little –

Jaffeir

Swear!

334

By sea and air! by earth, by heaven and hell.

335

I will revenge my Belvidera's tears!

336

Hark thee, my friend –Priuli –is –a Senator!

Pierre

337

A dog!

Jaffeir

Agreed.

Pierre

Shoot him.

Jaffeir

With all my heart.

338

No more: where shall we meet at night?

Pierre

I'll tell thee;

339

On the Rialto every night at twelve

340

I take my evening's walk of meditation,

341

There we two will meet, and talk of precious

342

Mischief –

Jaffeir

Farewell.

Pierre

At twelve.

Jaffeir

At any hour, my plagues

343

Will keep me waking.

[Exit PIERRE.

344

Tell me why, good Heaven,

345

Thou mad'st me what I am, with all the spirit,

346

Aspiring thoughts and elegant desires

347

That fill the happiest man? Ah! rather why

348

Didst thou not form me sordid as my fate,

349

Base-minded, dull, and fit to carry burdens?

350

Why have I sense to know the curse that's on me?

351

Is this just dealing Nature? Belvidera!

Enter BELVIDERA.

352

Poor Belvidera!

Belvidera

353

Lead me, lead me, my virgins,

354

To that kind voice. My lord, my love, my refuge!

355

Happy my eyes, when they behold thy face:

356

My heavy heart will leave its doleful beating

357

At sight of thee, and bound with sprightful joys.

358

O smile, as when our loves were in their spring,

359

And cheer my fainting soul.

Jaffeir

As when our loves

360

Were in their spring? has then my fortune changed?

361

Art thou not Belvidera, still the same,

362

Kind, good, and tender, as my arms first found thee?

363

If thou art altered, where shall I have harbour?

364

Where ease my loaded heart? Oh! where complain?

Belvidera

365

Does this appear like change, or love decaying?

366

When thus I throw myself into my bosom,

367

With all the resolution of a strong truth:

368

Beats not my heart, as 'twould alarum thine

369

To a new charge of bliss; I joy more in thee,

370

Than did thy mother when she hugged thee first,

371

And blessed the gods for all her travail past.

Jaffeir

372

Can there in woman be such glorious faith?

373

Sure all ill stories of thy sex are false.

374

O woman! lovely woman! Nature made thee

375

To temper man: we had been brutes without you:

376

Angels are painted fair, to look like you;

377

There's in you all that we believe of heaven,

378

Amazing brightness, purity and truth,

379

Eternal joy, and everlasting love.

Belvidera

380

If love be treasure, we'll be wondrous rich;

381

I have so much, my heart will surely break with 't;

382

Vows cannot express it; when I would declare

383

How great's my joy, I am dumb with the big thought;

384

I swell, and sigh, and labour with my longing.

385

O lead me to some desert wide and wild,

386

Barren as our misfortunes, where my soul

387

May have its vent: where I may tell aloud

388

To the high heavens, and ever-list'ning planet,

389

With what a boundless stock my bosom's fraught!

390

Where I am throw my eager arms about thee,

391

Give loose to love with kisses, kindling joy,

392

And let off all the fire that's in my heart.

Jaffeir

393

O Belvidera! double I'm a beggar,

394

Undone by fortune, and in debt to thee;

395

Want! worldly Want! that hungry meagre fiend

396

Is at my heels, and chases me in view;

397

Canst thou bear cold and hunger? can these limbs,

398

Framed for the tender offices of love,

399

Endure the bitter gripes of smarting poverty?

400

When banished by our miseries abroad

401

(As suddenly we shall be), to seek out

402

(In some far climate where our names are strangers)

403

For charitable succour; wilt thou then,

404

When in a bed of straw we shrink together,

405

And the bleak winds shall whistle round our heads,

406

Wilt thou then talk thus to me? Wilt thou then

407

Hush my cares thus, and shelter me with love?

Belvidera

408

Oh, I will love thee, even in madness love thee.

409

Though my distracted senses should forsake me,

410

I'd find some intervals, when my poor heart

411

Should 'suage itself and be let loose to thine.

412

Though the bare earth be all our resting-place,

413

Its roots our food, some clift our habitation,

414

I'll make this arm a pillow for thy head;

415

As thou sighing liest, and swelled with sorrow,

416

Creep to thy bosom, pour the balm of love

417

Into thy soul, and kiss thee to thy rest;

418

Then praise our God, and watch thee till the morning.

Jaffeir

419

Hear this, you heavens, and wonder how you made her!

420

Reign, reign, ye monarchs that divide the world,

421

Busy rebellion ne'er will let you know

422

Tranquillity and happiness like mine;

423

Like gaudy ships, th' obsequious billows fall

424

And rise again, to lift you in your pride;

425

They wait but for a storm and then devour you:

426

I, in my private bark, already wrecked,

427

Like a poor merchant driven on unknown land,

428

That had by chance packed up his choicest treasure

429

In one dear casket, and saved only that:

430

Since I must wander further on the shore,

431

Thus hug my little, but my precious store;

432

Resolved to scorn, and trust my fate no more.

[Exeunt.

ACT II

[SCENE I]

Enter PIERRE and AQUILINA.

Aquilina

433

By all thy wrongs, thou'rt dearer to my arms

434

Than all the wealth of Venice: prithee stay,

435

And let us love to-night.

Pierre

No: there's fool,

436

There's fool about thee: when a woman sells

437

Her flesh to fools, her beauty's lost to me;

438

They leave a taint, a sully where they've past,

439

There's such a baneful quality about 'em,

440

E'en spoils complexions with their own nauseousness.

441

They infect all they touch; I cannot think

442

Of tasting anything a fool has palled.

Aquilina

443

I loathe and scorn that fool thou mean'st, as much

444

Or more than thou canst; but the beast has gold

445

That makes him necessary: power too,

446

To qualify my character, and poise me

447

Equal with peevish virtue, that beholds

448

My liberty with envy: in their hearts

449

Are loose as I am; but an ugly power

450

Sits in their faces, and frights pleasures from 'em.

Pierre

451

Much good may't do you, madam, with your Senator.

Aquilina

452

My Senator! why, canst thou think that wretch

453

E'er filled thy Aquilina's arms with pleasure?

454

Think'st thou, because I sometimes give him leave

455

To foil himself at what he is unfit for,

456

Because I force myself to endure and suffer him,

457

Think'st thou I love him? No, by all the joys

458

Thou ever gav'st me, his presence is my penance;

459

The worst thing an old man can be's a lover,

460

A mere memento mori to poor woman.

461

I never lay by his decrepit side,

462

But all that night I pondered on my grave.

Pierre

463

Would he were well sent thither!

Aquilina

That's my wish too:

464

For then, my Pierre, I might have cause with pleasure

465

To play the hypocrite; oh! how I could weep

466

Over the dying dotard, and kiss him too,

467

In hopes to smother him quite; then, when the time

468

Was come to pay my sorrows at his funeral,

469

For he's already made me heir to treasures,

470

Would make me out-act a real widow's whining:

471

How could I frame my face to fit my mourning,

472

With wringing hands attend him to his grave,

473

Fall swooning on his hearse, take mad possession

474

Even of the dismal vault where he lay buried,

475

There like the Ephesian matron dwell, till thou,

476

My lovely soldier, com'st to my deliverance;

477

Then throwing up my veil, with open arms

478

And laughing eyes, run to new-dawning joy.

Pierre

479

No more! I have friends to meet me here to-night,

480

And must be private. As you prize my friendship

481

Keep up your coxcomb: let him not pry nor listen

482

Nor fisk about the house as I have seen him,

483

Like a tame mumping squirrel with a bell on;

484

Curs will be abroad to bite him if you do.

Aquilina

485

What friends to meet? may I not be of your council?

Pierre

486

How! a woman ask questions out of bed?

487

Go to your Senator, ask him what passes

488

Amongst his brethren, he'll hide nothing from you;

489

But pump not me for politics. No more!

490

Give order that whoever in my name

491

Comes here, receive admittance: so good-night.

Aquilina

492

Must we ne'er meet again? Embrace no more?

493

Is love so soon and utterly forgotten?

Pierre

494

As you henceforward treat your fool, I'll think on't.

Aquilina

495

Curst be all fools, and doubly curst myself,

496

The worst of fools – I die if he forsakes me;

497

And how to keep him, heaven or hell instruct me.

[Exeunt.

[SCENE II.]

The Rialto

Enter JAFFEIR.

Jaffeir

498

I am here, and thus, the shades of night around me,

499

I look as if all hell were in my heart,

500

And I in hell. Nay, surely 'tis so with me; –

501

For every step I tread, methinks some fiend

502

Knocks at my breast, and bids it not be quiet:

503

I've heard how desperate wretches like myself,

504

Have wandered out at this dead time of night

505

To meet the foe of mankind in his walk:

506

Sure I'm so curst, that, tho' of Heaven forsaken,

507

No minister of darkness cares to tempt me.

508

Hell! hell! why sleepest thou?

Enter PIERRE.

Pierre

Sure I have stayed too long:

509

The clock has struck, and I may lose my proselyte.

510

Speak, who goes there?

Jaffeir

A dog, that comes to howl

511

At yonder moon: what's he that asks the question?

Pierre

512

A friend to dogs, for they are honest creatures

513

And ne'er betray their masters; never fawn

514

On any that they love not: well met, friend:

515

Jaffeir!

Jaffeir

516

The same. O Pierre! thou art come in season,

517

I was just going to pray.

Pierre

Ah, that's mechanic,

518

Priests make a trade on't, and yet starve by it too:

519

No praying, it spoils business, and time's precious;

520

Where's Belvidera?

Jaffeir

For a day or two

521

I've lodged her privately, till I see further

522

What fortune will do with me. Prithee, friend,

523

If thou wouldst have me fit to hear good counsel,

524

Speak not of Belvidera –

Pierre

Speak not of her.

Jaffeir

525

Oh no!

Pierre

526

Nor name her. May be I wish her well.

Jaffeir

527

Who well?

Pierre

Thy wife, thy lovely Belvidera;

528

I hope a man may wish his friend's wife well,

529

And no harm done!

Jaffeir

Y' are merry, Pierre!

Pierre

I am so:

530

Thou shalt smile too, and Belvidera smile;

531

We'll all rejoice; here's something to buy pins,

532

Marriage is chargeable.

Jaffeir

I but half wished

533

To see the Devil, and he's here already.

534

Well!

535

What must this buy, rebellion, murder, treason?

536

Tell me which way I must be damned for this.

Pierre

537

When last we parted, we had no qualms like these,

538

But entertained each other's thoughts like men,

539

Whose souls were well acquainted. Is the world

540

Reformed since our last meeting? what new miracles

541

Have happened? has Priuli's heart relented?

542

Can he be honest?

Jaffeir

Kind Heaven! let heavy curses

543

Gall his old age; cramps, aches, rack his bones,

544

And bitterness disquiet wring his heart;

545

Oh, let him live till life become his burden!

546

Let him groan under't long, linger an age

547

In the worst agonies and pangs of death,

548

And find its ease, but late.

Pierre

Nay, couldst thou not

549

As well, my friend, have stretched the curse to all

550

The Senate round, as to one single villain?

Jaffeir

551

But curses stick not: could I kill with cursing,

552

By Heaven, I know not thirty heads in Venice

553

Should not be blasted; Senators should rot

554

Like dogs on dunghills; but their wives and daughters

555

Die of their own diseases. Oh, for a curse

556

To kill with!

Pierre

Daggers, daggers are much better!

Jaffeir

557

Ha!

Pierre

Daggers.

Jaffeir

But where are they ?

Pierre

558

Oh, a thousand

559

May be disposed in honest hands in Venice.

Jaffeir

560

Thou talk'st in clouds.

Pierre

But yet a heart half wronged

561

And thine has been, would find the meaning, Jaffeir.

Jaffeir

562

A thousand daggers, all in honest hands;

563

And have not I a friend will stick one here?

Pierre

564

Yes, if I thought thou wert not to be cherished

565

To a nobler purpose, I'd be that friend.

566

But thou hast better friends, friends whom thy wrongs

567

Have made thy friends; friends worthy to be called so;

568

I'll trust thee with a secret: there are spirits

569

This hour at work. But as thou art a man,

570

Whom I have picked and chosen from the world,

571

Swear, that thou wilt be true to what I utter,

572

And when I have told thee, that which only gods

573

And men like gods are privy to, then swear,

574

No chance or change shall wrest it from my bosom.

Jaffeir

575

When thou wouldst bind me, is there need of oaths?

576

(Greensickness girls lose maidenheads with such counters)

577

For tho u'rt so near my heart, that thou mayst see

578

Its bottom, sound its strength and firmness to thee:

579

Is coward, fool, or villain, in my face?

580

If I seem none of these, I dare believe

581

Thou wouldst not use me in a little cause,

582

For I am fit for honour's toughest task;

583

Nor ever yet found fooling was my province;

584

And for a villainous inglorious enterprise,

585

I know thy heart so well, I dare lay mine

586

Before thee, set it to what point thou wilt.

Pierre

587

Nay, it's a cause thou wilt be fond of, Jaffeir.

588

For it is founded on the noblest basis,

589

Our liberties, our natural inheritance;

590

There's no religion, no hypocrisy in't;

591

We'll do the business, and ne'er fast and pray for't:

592

Openly act a deed, the world shall gaze

593

With wonder at, and envy when it's done.

Jaffeir

594

For liberty!

Pierre

For liberty, my friend!

595

Thou shalt be freed from base Priuli's tyranny,

596

And thy sequestered fortunes healed again.

597

I shall be freed from opprobrious wrongs,

598

That press me now, and bend my spirit downward:

599

All Venice free, and every growing merit

600

Succeed to its just right: fools shall be pulled

601

From Wisdom's seat; those baleful unclean birds,

602

Those lazy owls, who (perched near Fortune's top)

603

Sit only watchful with their heavy wings

604

To cuff down new-fledged virtues, that would rise

605

To nobler heights, and make the grove harmonious.

Jaffeir

606

What can I do?

Pierre

Canst thou not kill a Senator?

Jaffeir

607

Were there one wise or honest, I could kill him

608

For herding with that nest of fools and knaves;

609

By all my wrongs, thou talk'st as if revenge

610

Were to be bad, and the brave story warms me.

Pierre

611

Swear, then!

Jaffeir

I do, by all those glittering stars

612

And yond great ruling planet of the night!

613

By all good powers above, and ill below!

614

By love and friendship, dearer than my life!

615

No power or death shall make me false to thee.

Pierre

616

Here we embrace, and I'll unlock my heart.

617

A council's held hard by, where the destruction

618

Of this great Empire's hatching: there I'll lead thee!

619

But be a man, for thou'rt to mix with men

620

Fit to disturb the peace of all the world,

621

Ad rule it when it's wildest –

Jaffeir

I give thee thanks

622

For this kind warning: yes, I will be a man,

623

And charge thee, Pierre, whene'er thou seest my fears

624

Betray me less, to rip this heart of mine

625

Out of my breast, and show it for a coward's.

626

Come, let's begone, for from this hour I chase

627

All little thoughts, all tender human follies

628

Out of my bosom: vengeance shall have room:

629

Revenge!

Pierre

And liberty!

Jaffeir

Revenge! revenge!

[Exeunt.

[SCENE III.]

The Scene changes to AQUILINA'S house, the Greek Courtesan

Enter Renault

Renault

630

Why was my choice ambition the first ground

631

A wretch can build on? it's indeed at distance

632

A good prospect, tempting to the view,

633

The height delights us, and the mountain top

634

Looks beautiful, because it's nigh to heaven,

635

But we ne'er think how sandy's the foundation,

636

What storm will batter, and what tempest shake us!

637

Who's there?

Enter SPINOSA.

Spinosa

Renault, good morrow! for by this time

638

I think the scale of night has turned the balance,

639

And weighs up morning: has the clock struck twelve?

Renault

640

Yes, clocks will go as they are set. But Man,

641

Irregular Man's ne'er constant, never certain:

642

I've spent at least three precious hours of darkness

643

In waiting dull attendance; 'tis the curse

644

Of diligent virtue to be mixed like mine,

645

With giddy tempers, souls but half resolved.

Spinosa

646

Hell size that soul amongst us it can frighten!

Renault

647

What's then the cause that I am here alone?

648

Why are we not together?

Enter Eliot

O sir, welcome!

649

You are an Englishman: when treason's hatching

650

One might have thought you'd not have been behindhand.

651

In what whore's lap have you been lolling?

652

Give but an Englishman his whore and ease,

653

Beef and sea-coal fire, he's yours for ever.

Eliot

654

Frenchman, you are saucy.

Renault

How!

Enter BEDAMAR the Ambassador, THEODORE, BRAMVEIL, DURAND, BRABE, REVILLIDO, MEZZANA, TERNON, RETROSI, Conspirators.

Bedamar

At difference, fie!

655

Is this a time for quarrels? Thieves and rogues

656

Fall out and brawl: should men of your high calling,

657

Men separated by the choice of Providence,

658

From the gross heap of mankind, and set here

659

In this great assembly as in one great jewel,

660

To adorn the bravest purpose it e'er smiled on,

661

Should you like boys wrangle for trifles?

Renault

Boys!

Bedamar

662

Renault, thy hand!

Renault

I thought I'd given my heart

663

Long since to every man that mingles here;

664

But grieve to find it trusted with such tempers,

665

Than can't forgive my froward age its weakness.

Bedamar

666

Eliot, thou once hadst virtue; I have seen

667

Thy stubborn temper bend with godlike goodness,

668

Not half thus courted: 'tis thy nation's glory,

669

To hug the foe that offers brave alliance

670

Once more embrace, my friends –we'll all embrace –

671

United thus, we are the mighty engine

672

Must twist this rooted Empire from its basis!

673

Totters it not already?

Eliot

Would it were tumbling!

Bedamar

674

Nay, it shall down: this night we seal its ruin.

Enter PIERRE.

675

O Pierre! thou art welcome!

676

Come to my breast, for by its hopes thou look'st

677

Lovelily dreadful, and the fate of Venice

678

Seems on thy sword already. O my Mars!

679

The poets that first feigned a god of war

680

Sure prophesied of thee.

Pierre

Friends! was not Brutus

681

(I mean that Brutus who in open senate

682

Stabbed the first Cæsar that usurped the world

683

A gallant man?

Renault

Yes, and Catiline too;

684

Though story wrong his fame: for he conspired

685

To prop the reeling glory of his country:

686

His cause was good.

Bedamar

And ours as much above it,

687

As Renault thou art superior to Cethegus,

688

Or Pierre to Cassius.

Pierre

Then to what we aim at

689

When do we start? or must we talk for ever?

Bedamar

690

No, Pierre, the deed's near birth: Fate seems to have set

691

The business up, and given it to our care;

692

I hope there's not a heart nor hand amongst us

693

But is firm and ready.

All

All!

694

We'll die with Bedamar.

Bedamar

O men,

695

Matchless, as will your glory be hereafter.

696

The game is for a matchless prize, if won;

697

If lost, disgraceful ruin.

Renault

What can lose it?

698

The public stock's a beggar; one Venetian

699

Trusts not another: look into their stores

700

Of general safety; empty magazines,

701

A tattered fleet, a murmuring unpaid army,

702

Bankrupt nobility, a harassed commonalty.

703

A factious, giddy, and divided Senate,

704

Is all the strength of Venice: let's destroy it;

705

Let's fill their magazines with arms to awe them,

706

Man out their fleet, and make their trade maintain it;

707

Let loose the murmuring army on their masters,

708

To pay themselves with plunder; lop their nobles

709

To the base roots, whence most of 'em first sprung;

710

Enslave the rout, whom smarting will make humble;

711

Turn out their droning Senate, and possess

712

That seat of empire which our souls were framed for.

Pierre

713

Ten thousand men are armed at your nod,

714

Commanded all by leaders fit to guide

715

A battle for the freedom of the world;

716

This wretched state has starved them in its service,

717

And by your bounty quickened, they're resolved

718

To serve your glory, and revenge their own!

719

They've all their different quarters in this city,

720

Watch for th' alarm, and grumble 'tis so tardy.

Bedamar

721

I doubt not, friend, but thy unwearied diligence

722

Has still kept waking, and it shall have ease;

723

After this night it is resolved we meet

724

No more, till Venice own us for her lords.

Pierre

725

How lovely the Adriatic whore,

726

Dressed in her flames, will shine! devouring flames!

727

Such as shall burn her to the watery bottom

728

And hiss in her foundation.

Bedamar

Now if any

729

Amongst us that owns this glorious cause,

730

Have friends or interest he'd wish to save,

731

Let it be told, the general doom is sealed;

732

But I'd forego the hopes of a world's empire,

733

Rather than wound the bowels of my friend.

Pierre

734

I must confess you there have touched my weakness,

735

I have a friend; hear it, such a friend!

736

My heart was ne'er shut to him: nay, I'll tell you,

737

He knows the very business of this hour;

738

But he rejoices in the cause, and loves it,

739

We've changed a vow to live and die together,

740

And he's at hand to ratify it here.

Renault

How! all betrayed?

Pierre

741

No – I've dealt nobly with you;

742

I've brought my all into the public stock;

743

I had but one friend, and him I'll share amongst you!

744

Receive and cherish him: or if, when seen

745

And searched, you find him worthless, as my tongue

746

Has lodged this secret in his faithful breast,

747

To ease your fears I wear a dagger here

748

Shall rip it out again, and give you rest.

749

Come forth, thou only good I e'er could boast of.

Enter JAFFEIR with a Dagger.

Bedamar

750

His presence bears the show of manly virtue.

Jaffeir

751

I know you'll wonder all, that thus uncalled,

752

I dare approach this place of fatal counsels;

753

But I'm amongst you, and by Heaven it glads me,

754

To see so many virtues thus united,

755

To restore justice and dethrone oppression.

756

Command this sword, if you would have it quiet,

757

Into this breast; but if you think it worthy

758

To cut the throats of reverend rogues in robes,

759

Send me into the cursed assembled Senate;

760

It shrinks not, though I meet a father there;

761

Would you behold this city flaming? Here's

762

A hand shall bear a lighted torch at noon

763

To the Arsenal, and set its gates on fire.

Renault

764

You talk this well, sir.

Jaffeir

Nay – by Heaven I'll do this.

765

Come, come, I read distrust in all your faces;

766

You fear me a villain, and indeed it's odd

767

To hear a stranger talk thus at first meeting,

768

Of matters that have been so well debated;

769

But I come ripe with wrongs as you with counsels,

770

I hate this Senate, am a foe to Venice;

771

A friend to none but men resolved like me,

772

To push on mischief; oh, did you but know me,

773

I need not talk thus!

Bedamar

Pierre! I must embrace him,

774

My heart beats to this man as if it knew him.

Renault

775

I never lov'd these huggers.

Jaffeir

Still I see

776

The cause delights me not. Your friends survey me,

777

As I were dangerous –but I come armed

778

Against all doubts, and to your trust will give

779

A pledge, worth more than all the world can pay for.

780

My Belvidera! Ho! My Belvidera!

Bedamar

781

What wonder next?

Jaffeir

Let me entreat you,

782

As I have henceforth hopes to call ye friends,

783

That all but the ambassador, [and] this

784

Grave guide of councils, with my friend that owns me,

785

Withdraw a while to spare a woman's blushes.

[Exeunt all but BEDAMAR, RENAULT, JAFFEIR, PIERRE.

Bedamar

786

Pierre, whither will this ceremony lead us?

Jaffeir

787

My Belvidera! Belvidera!

Enter BELVIDERA.

Belvidera

788

Who calls so loud at this late peaceful hour?

789

That voice was wont to come in gentler whispers,

790

And fill my ears with the soft breath of love:

791

Thou hourly image of my thoughts, where art thou?

Jaffeir

792

Indeed 'tis late.

Belvidera

Oh! I have slept and dreamt,

793

And dreamt again: where hast thou been, thou loiterer?

794

Tho' my eyes closed, my arms have still been opened;

795

Stretched every way betwixt my broken slumbers,

796

To search if thou wert come to crown my rest;

797

There's no repose without thee: Oh, the day

798

Too soon will break, and wake us to our sorrow;

799

Come, come to bed, and bid thy cares good-night.

Jaffeir

800

O Belvidera! we must change the scene

801

In which the past delights of life were tasted:

802

The poor sleep little, we must learn to watch

803

Ours labours late, and early every morning,

804

Midst winter frosts; then clad and fed with sparing,

805

Rise to our toils, and drudge away the day.

Belvidera

806

Alas! where am I? whither is't you lead me?

807

Methinks I read distraction in your face!

808

Something less gentle than the fate you tell me:

809

You shake and tremble too! your blood runs cold!

810

Heavens guard my love, and bless his heart with patience.

Jaffeir

811

That I have patience, let our fate bear witness,

812

Who has ordained it so, that thou and I,

813

(Thou the divinest Good man e'er possessed,

814

And I the wretched'st of the race of man)

815

This very hour, without one tear, must part.

Belvidera

816

Part! must we part? Oh! am I then forsaken?

817

Will my love cast me off? have my misfortunes

818

Offended him so highly, that he'll leave me?

819

Why drag you from me; whither are you going?

820

My dear! my life! my love!

Jaffeir

O friends!

Belvidera

821

Speak to me.

Jaffeir

Take her from my heart;

822

She'll gain such hold else, I shall ne'er get loose.

823

I charge thee take her, but with tender'st care

824

Relieve her troubles and assuage her sorrows.

Renault

825

Rise, madam! and command amongst your servants!

Jaffeir

826

To you, sirs, and your honours, I bequeath her,

827

And with her this, when I prove unworthy –

[Gives a dagger.

828

You know the rest: –then strike it to her heart;

829

And tell her, he, who three whole happy years

830

Lay in her arms, and each kind night repeated

831

The passionate vows of still-increasing love,

832

Sent that reward for all her truth and sufferings.

Belvidera

833

Nay, take my life, since he has sold it cheaply;

834

Or send me to some distant clime your slave,

835

But let it be far off, lest my complainings

836

Should reach his guilty ears, and shake his peace.

Jaffeir

837

No, Belvidera, I've contrived thy honour.

838

Trust to my faith, and be but fortune kind

839

To me, as I'll preserve that faith unbroken,

840

When next we meet, I'll lift thee to a height,

841

Shall gather all the gazing world about thee,

842

To wonder what strange virtue placed thee there.

843

But if we ne'er meet more –

Belvidera

O thou unkind one,

844

Never meet more? have I deserved this from you?

845

Look on me, tell me, speak, thou dear deceiver,

846

Why am I separated from thy love?

847

If I am false, accuse me; but if true,

848

Don't, prithee, don't in poverty forsake me,

849

But pity the sad heart, that's torn with parting.

850

Yet hear me! yet recall me –

[Exeunt RENAULT, BEDAMAR, and BELVIDERA.

Jaffeir

O my eyes!

851

Look not that way, but turn yourselves awhile

852

Into my heart, and be wean'd all together.

853

My friend, where art thou?

Pierre

Here, my honour's brother.

Jaffeir

854

Is Belvidera gone?

Pierre

Renault has led her

855

Back to her own apartment: but, by Heaven,

856

Thou must not see her more till our work's over.

Jaffeir

857

No.

Pierre

Not for your life.

Jaffeir

O Pierre, wert thou but she,

858

How I could pull thee down into my heart,

859

Gaze on thee till my eye-strings cracked with love,

860

Till all my sinews with its fire extended,

861

Fixed me upon the rack of ardent longing;

862

Then swelling, sighing, raging to be blest,

863

Come like a panting turtle to thy breast,

864

On thy soft bosom, hovering, bill and play,

865

Confess the cause why last I fled away;

866

Own 'twas a fault, but swear to give it o'er

867

And never follow false ambition more.

[Exeunt ambo.

ACT III

[SCENE I]

Enter AQUILINA and her Maid.

Aquilina

868Tell him I am gone to bed: tell him I am not at home; 869tell him I've better company with me, or anything; tell him, in 870short, I will not see him, the eternal, troublesome, vexatious 871fool: he's worse company than an ignorant physician –I'll not 872be disturbed at these unseasonable hours.

Maid

873But madam! He's here already, just entered the doors.

Aquilina

874Turn him out again, you unnecessary, useless, giddy-brained 875ass! If he will not begone, set the house a-fire and burn 876us both: I had rather meet a toad in my dish than that old 877hideous animal in my chamber to-night.

Enter ANTONIO.

Antonio

878Nacky, Nacky, Nacky –how dost do, Nacky? Hurry 879durry. I am come, little Nacky; past eleven o'clock, a late 880hour; time in all conscience to go bed, Nacky –Nacky, did I 881say? Ay Nacky; Aquilina, lina, lina, quilina, quilina, quilina, 882Aquilina, Naquilina, Naquilina, Acky, Acky, Nacky, Nacky, 883Queen Nacky –come let's to bed –you Fubbs, you Pugg you – 884you little Puss –Purree Tuzzey –I am a Senator.

Aquilina

885You are a fool, I am sure.

Antonio

886May be so too, sweetheart. Never the worse Senator 887for all that. Come Nacky, Nacky, let's have a game at rump, 888Nacky.

Aquilina

889You would do well, signor, to be troublesome here no 890longer, but leave me to myself: be sober and go home, sir.

Antonio

891Home, Madonna!

Aquilina

892Ay, home, sir. Who am I?

Antonio

893Madonna, as I take it you are my –you are –thou art 894my little Nicky Nacky … that's all!

Aquilina

895I find you are resolved to be troublesome, and so to 896make short of the matter in few words, I hate you, detest you, 897loathe you, I am weary of you, sick of you –hang you, you are 898an old, silly, impertinent, impotent, solicitous coxcomb, crazy 899in your head, and lazy in your body, love to be meddling with 900everything, and if you had not money, you are good for nothing.

Antonio

901Good for nothing! Hurry durry, I'll try that presently. 902Sixty-one years old, and good for nothing: that's brave. – 903 [To the maid.] Come, come, come, Mistress Fiddle-faddle, turn you 904out for a season; go turn out, I say, it is our will and pleasure 905to be private some moments –out, out when you are bid to. – [Puts her out and locks the door.] 906Good for nothing, you say.

Aquilina

907Why, what are you good for?

Antonio

908In the first place, madam, I am old, and consequently 909very wise, very wise, Madonna, d'ye mark that? in the second 910place, take notice, if you please, that I am a Senator, and when 911I think fit can make speeches, Madonna. Hurry durry, I can 912make a speech in the Senate-house now and then –would make 913your hair stand on end, Madonna.

Aquilina

914What care I for your speeches in the Senate-house: if 915you would be silent here, I should thank you.

Antonio

916Why, I can make speeches to thee too, my lovely 917Madonna; for example –my cruel fair one. [Takes out a purse of gold and at every pause shakes it. 918Since it is my fate, that you should with your servant angry 919prove; tho' late at night –I hope 'tis not too late with this to 920gain reception for my love –there's for thee, my little Nicky 921Nacky –take it, here take it –I say take it, or I'll throw it at your 922head –how now, rebel!

Aquilina

923Truly, my illustrious Senator, I must confess your 924honour is at present most profoundly eloquent indeed.

Antonio

925Very well; come, now let's sit down and think upon't 926a little –come sit I say – sit down by me a little, my Nicky 927Nacky, ha! – 928 [Sits down.] Hurry durry –good for nothing –

Aquilina

929No, sir, if you please I can know my distance and 930stand.

Antonio

931Stand: how? Nacky up and I down! Nay, then, let 932me exclaim with the poet,

ErrorMetrica

933

Show me a case more pitiful who can,

934

A standing woman, and a falling man.

935Hurry durry –not sit down –see this, ye gods –You won't sit 936down?

Aquilina

937No, sir.

Antonio

938Then look you now, suppose me a bull, a basan-bull, 939the bull of bulls, or any bull. Thus up I get and with my brows 940thus bent –I broo, I say I broo, I broo, I broo. You won't sit 941down, will you? –I broo –

[Bellows like a bull, and drive her about.

Aquilina

942Well, sir, I must endure this. [She sits down.] Now your 943honour has been a bull, pray what beast will your worship please 944to be next?

Antonio

945Now I'll be a Senator again, and thy lover, little Nicky 946Nacky! 947 [He sits by her.] Ah toad, toad, toad, toad! spit in 948my face a little, Nacky –spit in my face prithee, spit in my face, 949never so little: spit but a little bit –spit, spit, spit, spit, when 950you are bid, I say; do prithee spit –now, now, now, spit: what, 951you won't spit, will you? Then I'll be a dog.

Aquilina

952A dog, my lord?

Antonio

953Ay, a dog –and I'll give thee this t'other purse to let 954me be a dog –and to use me like a dog a little. Hurry durry – 955I will –here 'tis.

[Gives the purse.

Aquilina

956Well, with all my heart. But let me beseech your 957dogship to play your tricks over as fast as you can, that you may 958come to stinking the sooner, and be turned out of doors as you 959deserve.

Antonio

960Ay, ay –no matter for that –that – 961 [He gets under the table] –shan't move me –Now, bow wow wow, bow 962wow …

[Barks like a dog.

Aquilina

963Hold, hold, hold, sir, I beseech you: what is't you do? 964If curs bite, they must be kicked, sir. Do you see, kicked thus.

Antonio

965Ay, with all my heart: do kick, kick on, now I am 966under the table, kick again –kick harder –harder yet, bow wow 967wow, wow, bow –'od I'll have a snap at thy shins –bow wow 968wow, wow, bow –'od she kicks bravely. –

Aquilina

969Nay, then I'll go another way to work with you: and 970I think here's an instrument fit for the purpose. [Fetches a whip and bell. 971What, bite your mistress, sirrah! out, out of doors, you dog, to 972kennel and be hanged –bite your mistress by the legs, you 973rogue –

[She whips him.

Antonio

974Nay, prithee Nacky, now thou art too loving: Hurry 975durry, 'od I'll be a dog no longer.

Aquilina

976Nay, none of your fawning and grinning: but be gone, 977or here's the discipline: what, bite your mistress by the legs, 978you mongrel? out of doors –hout, hout, to kennel, sirrah! go.

Antonio

979This is very barbarous usage, Nacky, very barbarous: 980look you, I will not go –I will not stir from the door, that I 981resolve –hurry durry, what, shut me out?

[She whips him out.

Aquilina

982Ay, and if you come here any more to-night I'll have 983my footmen lug you, you cur: what, bite your poor mistress 984Nacky, sirrah!

Enter Maid.

Maid

985Heavens, madam! What's the matter?

[He howls at the door like a dog.

Aquilina

986Call my footmen hither presently.

Enter two Footmen.

Maid

987They are here already, madam, the house is all alarmed 988with a strange noise, that nobody knows what to make of.

Aquilina

989Go all of you and turn that troublesome beast in the 990next room out of my house –If I ever see him within these walls 991again, without my leave for his admittance, you sneaking rogues, 992I'll have you poisoned all, poisoned, like rats; every corner of 993the house shall stink of one of you; go, and learn hereafter to 994know my pleasure. So now for my Pierre:

ErrorMetrica

995

Thus when godlike lover was displeased,

996

We sacrifice our fool and he's appeased.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II

Enter BELVIDERA.

Belvidera

997

I'm sacrificed! I am sold! betray'd to shame!

998

Inevitable ruin has enclosed me!

999

No sooner was I to my bed repaired

1000

To weigh, and (weeping) ponder my condition,

1001

But the old hoary wretch, to whose false care

1002

My peace and honour was entrusted, came

1003

(Like Tarquin) ghastly with infernal lust.

1004

O thou, Roman Lucrece! thou couldst find friends

1005

To vindicate thy wrong,

1006

I never had but one, and he's proved false;

1007

He that should guard my virtue has betrayed it;

1008

Left me! undone me! O that I could hate him!

1009

Where shall I go! O whither whither wander?

Enter Jaffeir.

Jaffeir

1010

Can Belvidera want a resting place

1011

When these poor arms are open to receive her?

1012

Oh, 'tis in vain to struggle with desires

1013

Strong as my love to thee; for every moment

1014

I'm from thy sight, the heart within my bosom

1015

Moans like a tender infant in its cradle

1016

Whose nurse has left it; come, and with the songs

1017

Of gentle love persuade it to its peace.

Belvidera

1018

I fear the stubborn wanderer will not own me,

1019

'Tis grown a rebel to be ruled no longer,

1020

Scorns the indulgent bosom that first lulled it,

1021

And like a disobedient child disdains

1022

The soft authority of Belvidera.

Jaffeir

1023

There was a time –

Belvidera

Yes, yes, there was a time

1024

When Belvidera's tears, her cries, and sorrows,

1025

Were not despised; when if she chanced to sigh,

1026

Or look but sad –there was indeed a time

1027

When Jaffeir would have ta'en her in his arms,

1028

Eased her declining head upon his breast,

1029

And never left her till he found the cause.

1030

But let her now weep seas,

1031

Cry, till she rend the earth; sigh till she burst

1032

Her heart asunder; still he bears it all;

1033

Deaf as the wind, and as the rocks unshaken.

Jaffeir

1034

Have I been deaf? am I that rock unmoved,

1035

Against whose root tears beat and sighs are sent?

1036

In vain have I beheld thy sorrows calmly!

1037

Witness against me, heavens, have I done this?

1038

Then bear me in a whirlwind back again,

1039

And let that angry dear one ne'er forgive me!

1040

O thou too rashly censur'st of my love!

1041

Couldst thou but think how I have spent this night,

1042

Dark and alone, no pillow to my head,

1043

Rest in my eyes, nor quiet in my heart,

1044

Thou wouldst not, Belvidera, sure thou wouldst not

1045

Talk to me thus, but like a pitying angel

1046

Spreading thy wings come settle on my breast,

1047

And hatch warm comfort there ere sorrows freeze it.

Belvidera

1048

Why, then, poor mourner, in what baleful corner

1049

Hast thou been talking with that witch the night?

1050

On what cold stone hast thou been stretched along,

1051

Gathering the grumbling winds about thy head,

1052

To mix with theirs the accents of thy woes!

1053

Oh, now I find the cause my love forsakes me!

1054

I am no longer fit to bear a share

1055

In his concernments: my weak female virtue

1056

Must not be trusted; 'tis too frail and tender.

Jaffeir

1057

O Portia! Portia! what a soul was thine!

Belvidera

1058

That Portia was a woman, and when Brutus,

1059

Big with the fate of Rome (Heaven guard thy safety!)

1060

Concealed from her the labours of his mind,

1061

She let him see her blood was great as his,

1062

Flowed from a spring as noble, and a heart

1063

Fit to partake his troubles, as his love:

1064

Fetch, fetch that dagger back, the dreadful dower

1065

Thou gav'st last night in parting with me; strike it

1066

Here to my heart; and as the blood flows from it

1067

Judge if it run not pure as Cato's daughter's.

Jaffeir

1068

Thou art too good, and I indeed unworthy,

1069

Unworthy so much virtue: teach me how

1070

I may deserve such matchless love as thine,

1071

And see with what attention I'll obey thee.

Belvidera

1072

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

Jaffeir

1073

Despise thee! Hear me –

Belvidera

Oh, thy charming tongue

1074

Is but too well acquainted with my weakness,

1075

Knows, let it name but love, my melting heart

1076

Dissolves within my breast; till with closed eyes

1077

I reel into thy arms, and all's forgotten.

Jaffeir

1078

What shall I do?

Belvidera

Tell me! be just, and tell me

1079

Why dwells that busy cloud upon thy face?

1080

Why am I made a stranger? why that sigh,

1081

And I not know the cause? Why, when the world

1082

Is wrapt in rest, why chooses then my love

1083

To wander up and down in horrid darkness

1084

Loathing his bed, and these desiring arms?

1085

Why are these eyes bloodshot with tedious watching?

1086

Why starts he now? and looks as if he wished

1087

His fate were finished? Tell me, ease my fears;

1088

Lest when we next time meet, I want the power

1089

To search into the sickness of thy mind,

1090

But talk as wildly then as thou look'st now.

Jaffeir

1091

O Belvidera!

Belvidera

1092

Why was I last night delivered to a villain?

Jaffeir

1093

Ha, a villain!

Belvidera

1094

Yes! to a villain! Why at such an hour

1095

Meets that assembly all made up of wretches

1096

That look as hell had drawn 'em into league?

1097

Why, I in this hand, and in that a dagger,

1098

Was I delivered with such dreadful ceremonies?

1099

"To you, sirs, and to your honour I bequeath her,

1100

And with her this: whene'er I prove unworthy,

1101

You now the rest, then strike it to her heart"?

1102

Oh! why's that rest concealed from me? must I

1103

Be made the hostage of a hellish trust?

1104

For such I know I am; that's all my value?

1105

But by the love and loyalty I owe thee,

1106

I'll free thee from the bondage of these slaves,

1107

Straight to the Senate, tell 'em all I know,

1108

All that I think, all that my fears inform me!

Jaffeir

1109

Is this the Roman virtue! this the blood

1110

That boasts its purity with Cato's daughter's!

1111

Would she have e'er betrayed her Brutus?

Belvidera

No:

1112

For Brutus trusted her: wert thou so kind,

1113

What would not Belvidera suffer for thee?

Jaffeir

1114

I shall undo myself, and tell thee all.

Belvidera

1115

Look not upon me, as I am a woman,

1116

But as a bone, thy wife, thy friend, who long

1117

Has had admission to thy heart, and there

1118

Studied the virtues of thy gallant nature;

1119

Thy constancy, thy courage and thy truth,

1120

Have been my daily lesson: I have learnt them,

1121

Am bold as thou, can suffer or despise

1122

The worst of fates for thee, and with thee share them.

Jaffeir

1123

O you divinest Powers! look down and hear

1124

My prayers! instruct me to reward this virtue!

1125

Yet think a little ere thou tempt me further:

1126

Think I have a tale to tell, will shake thy nature,

1127

Melt all this boasted constancy thou talk'st of

1128

Into vile tears and despicable sorrows:

1129

Then if thou shouldst betray me!

Belvidera

Shall I swear?

Jaffeir

1130

No: do not swear: I would not violate

1131

Thy tender nature with so rude a bond:

1132

But as thou hopest to see me live my days,

1133

And love thee long, lock this within thy breast;

1134

I've bound myself by all the strictest sacraments

1135

Divine and human –

Belvidera

Speak!

Jaffeir

To kill thy father –

Belvidera

1136

My father!

Jaffeir

Nay, the throats of the whole Senate

1137

Shall bleed, my Belvidera: he amongst us

1138

That spares his father, brother, or his friend,

1139

Is damned: how rich and beauteous will the face

1140

Of Ruin look, when these wide streets run blood;

1141

I and the glorious partners of my fortune

1142

Shouting, and striding o'er the prostrate dead,

1143

Still to new waste; whilst thou, far off in safety,

1144

Smiling, shalt see the wonders of our daring,

1145

And when night comes, with praise and love receive me.

Belvidera

1146

Oh!

Jaffeir

Have a care, and shrink not even in thought!

1147

For if thou dost –

Belvidera

I know it, thou wilt kill me.

1148

Do, strike thy sword into this bosom: lay me

1149

Dead on the earth, and then thou wilt be safe:

1150

Murder my father! tho' his cruel nature

1151

Has persecuted me to my undoing,

1152

Driven me to basest wants, can I behold him,

1153

With smiles of vengeance, butchered in his age?

1154

The sacred fountain of my life destroyed?

1155

And canst thou shed the blood that gave me being,

1156

Nay, be a traitor too, and sell thy country?

1157

Can thy great heart descend so vilely low,

1158

Mix with hired slaves, bravos, and common stabbers,

1159

Nose-slitters, alley-lurking villains! join

1160

With such a crew and take a ruffian's wages

1161

To cut the throats of wretches as they sleep?

Jaffeir

1162

Thou wrong'st me, Belvidera! I've engaged

1163

With men of souls: fit to reform the ills

1164

Of all mankind: there's not a heart amongst them,

1165

But's as stout as death, yet honest as the nature

1166

Of man first made, ere fraud and vice were fashions.

Belvidera

1167

What's he, to whose curst hands last night thou gav'st me?

1168

Was that well done? Oh! I could tell a story

1169

Would rouse thy lion-heart out of its den

1170

And make it rage with terrifying fury.

Jaffeir

1171

Speak on, I charge thee!

Belvidera

O my love! if e'er

1172

Thy Belvidera's peace deserved thy care,

1173

Remove me from this place: last night, last night –

Jaffeir

1174

Distract me not, but give me all the truth.

Belvidera

1175

No sooner wert thou gone, and I alone,

1176

Left in the power of that old son of mischief;

1177

No sooner was I lain on my sad bed,

1178

But that vile wretch approached me; loose, unbuttoned,

1179

Ready for violation: then my heart

1180

Throbb'd with its fears: oh, how I wept and sighed

1181

And shrunk and trembled; whished in vain for him

1182

That should protect me. Thou, alas, wert gone!

Jaffeir

1183

Patience, sweet Heaven, till I make vengeance sure!

Belvidera

1184

He drew the hideous dagger forth thou gav'st him,

1185

And with upbraiding smiles, he said, "Behold it;

1186

This is the pledge of a false husband's love:"

1187

And in my arms then pressed, and would have clasped me;

1188

But with my cries I scared his coward heart,

1189

Till he withdrew, and muttered vows to hell.

1190

These are thy friends! with these thy life, thy honour,

1191

Thy love, all's staked, and all will go to ruin.

Jaffeir

1192

No more: I charge thee keep this secret close;

1193

Clear up thy sorrows, look as if thy wrongs

1194

Were all forgot, and treat him like a friend,

1195

As no complaint were made. No more, retire;

1196

Retire, my life, and doubt not of my honour;

1197

I'll heal its failings and deserve thy love.

Belvidera

1198

Oh, should I part with thee, I fear thou wilt

1199

In anger leave me, and return no more.

Jaffeir

1200

Return no more! I would not live without thee

1201

Another night to purchase the creation.

Belvidera

1202

When shall we meet again?

Jaffeir

Anon at twelve!

1203

I'll steal myself to thy expecting arms,

1204

Come like a travelled dove and bring thee peace.

Belvidera

1205

Indeed!

Jaffeir

By all our loves!

Belvidera

'Tis hard to part:

1206

But sure no falsehood ever looked so fairly.

1207

Farewell –remember twelve.

[Exit BELVIDERA.

Jaffeir

Let Heaven forget me

1208

When I remember not thy truth, thy love.

1209

How curst is my condition, tossed and justled,

1210

From every corner; Fortune's common fool,

1211

The jest of rogues, an instrumental ass

1212

For villains to lay loads of shame upon,

1213

And drive about just for their ease and scorn.

Enter PIERRE.

Pierre

1214

Jaffeir!

Jaffeir

Who calls !

Pierre

A friend, that could have wished

1215

T' have found thee otherwise employed: what, hunt

1216

A wife on the dull foil! sure a staunch husband

1217

Of all hounds is the dullest? wilt thou never,

1218

Never be weaned from caudles and confections?

1219

What feminine tale hast thou been listening to,

1220

Of unaired shirts; catarrhs and toothache got

1221

By thin-soled shoes? Damnation! that a fellow

1222

Chosen to be a sharer in the destruction

1223

Of a whole people, should sneak thus in corners

1224

To ease his fulsome lusts, and fool his mind.

Jaffeir

1225

May not a man then trifle out an hour

1226

With a kind woman and not wrong his calling?

Pierre

1227

Not in a cause like ours.

Jaffeir

Then, friend, our cause

1228

Is in a damned condition: for I'll tell thee,

1229

That canker-worm called Lechery has touched it,

1230

'Tis tainted vilely: wouldst thou think it, Renault

1231

(That mortified old withered winter rogue)

1232

Loves simple fornication like a priest;

1233

I found him out for watering at my wife:

1234

He visited her last night like a kind guardian:

1235

Faith, she has some temptations, that's the truth on't.

Pierre

1236

He durst not wrong his trust!

Jaffeir

'Twas something late, though,

1237

To take the freedom of a lady's chamber.

Pierre

1238

Was she in bed?

Jaffeir

Yes, faith, in virgin sheets

1239

White as her bosom, Pierre, dished neatly up,

1240

Might tempt a weaker appetite to taste.

1241

Oh, how the old fox stunk, I warrant thee,

1242

When the rank fit was on him!

Pierre

Patience guide me!

1243

He used no violence?

Jaffeir

No, no! out on't, violence!

1244

Played with her neck; brushed her with his grey-beard,

1245

Struggled and towzed, tickled her still she squeaked a little

1246

May be, or so –but not a jot of violence –

Pierre

1247

Damn him!

Jaffeir

Ay, so say I: but hush, no more on't –

1248

All hitherto is well, and I believe

1249

Myself no monster yet: though no man knows

1250

What fate he's born to: sure 'tis near the hour

1251

We all should meet for our concluding orders:

1252

Will the ambassador be here in person?

Pierre

1253

No: he has sent commission to that villain, Renault,

1254

To give the executing charge.

1255

I'd have thee be a man, if possible,

1256

And keep thy temper; for a brave revenge

1257

Ne'er comes too late.

Jaffeir

Fear not, I'm cool as patience:

1258

Had he completed my dishonour, rather

1259

Than hazard the success our hopes are ripe for,

1260

I'd bear it all with mortifying virtue.

Pierre

1261

He's yonder coming this way through the hall;

1262

His thoughts seem full.

Jaffeir

Prithee retire, and leave me

1263

With him alone: I'll put him to some trial,

1264

See how his rotten part will bear the touching.

Pierre

1265

Be careful, then.

[Exit PIERRE.

Jaffeir

Nay, never doubt, but trust me.

1266

What, be a devil! take a damning oath

1267

For shedding native blood! can there be a sin

1268

In merciful repentance? O this villain!

Enter Renault

Renault

1269

Perverse! and peevish! what a slave is Man!

1270

To let his itching flesh thus get the better of him!

1271

Despatch the tool her husband –that were well.

1272

Who's there?

Jaffeir

A man.

Renault

My friend, my near ally!

1273

The hostage of your faith, my beauteous charge, is very well.

Jaffeir

1274

Sir, are you sure of that?

1275

Stands she in perfect health? beats her pulse even?

1276

Neither too hot nor cold?

Renault

What means that question?

Jaffeir

1277

Oh, women have fantastic constitutions,

1278

Inconstant as their wishes, always wavering,

1279

And ne'er fixed; was it not boldly done

1280

Even at first sight to trust the thing I loved

1281

(A tempting treasure too!) with youth so fierce

1282

And vigorous as thine? but thou art honest.

Renault

1283

Who dares accuse me?

Jaffeir

Cursed be him that doubts

1284

Thy virtue: I have tried it, and declare,

1285

Were I to choose a guardian of my honour

1286

I'd put it into thy keeping; for I know thee.

Renault

1287

Know me!

Jaffeir

Ay, know thee: there's no falsehood in thee.

1288

Thou lookst just as thou art: let us embrace.

1289

Now wouldst thou cut my throat or I cut thine?

Renault

1290

You dare not do't.

Jaffeir

You lie, sir.

Renault

How!

Jaffeir

No more.

1291

'Tis a base world, and must reform, that's all.

Enter SPINOSA, THEODORE, ELIOT, REVILLIDO, DURAND, BRAMVEIL, and the rest of the Conspirators.

Renault

1292

Spinosa, Theodore!

Spinosa

The same.

Renault

1293

You are welcome!

Spinosa

You are trembling, sir.

Renault

1294

'Tis a cold night indeed, I am aged,

1295

Full of decay and natural infirmities;

[PIERRE re-enters.

1296

We shall be warm, my friend, I hope, to-morrow.

Pierre

1297

'Twas not well done, thou shouldst have stroked him

1298

And not have galled him.

Jaffeir

Damn him, let him chew on't.

1299

Heaven! where am I? beset with cursed fiends,

1300

That wait to damn me: what a devil's man,

1301

When he forgets his nature –hush, my heart.

Renault

1302

My friends, 'tis late: are we assembled all?

1303

Where's Theodore?

Theodore

At hand.

Renault

Spinosa.

Spinosa

Here.

Renault

1304

Bramveil.

Bramveil

I'm ready.

Renault

Durand and Brabe.

Durand

Command us,

1305

We are both prepared!

Renault

Mezzana, Revillido,

1306

Ternon, Retrosi; oh, you are men, I find,

1307

Fit to behold your fate, and meet her summons.

1308

To-morrow's rising sun must see you all

1309

Decked in your honours! are the soldiers ready?

Omnes.

1310

All, all.

Renault

1311

You, Durand, with your thousand must possess

1312

St. Mark's: you, captain, know your charge already:

1313

'Tis to secure the ducal palace: you,

1314

Brabe, with a hundred more must gain the Secque.

1315

With the like number Bramveil to the Procuralle.

1316

Be all this done with the least tumult possible,

1317

Till in each place you post sufficient guards:

1318

Then sheathe your swords in every breast you meet.

Jaffeir

1319

O reverend cruelty! damn'd bloody villain!

Renault

1320

During this execution, Durand, you

1321

Must in the midst keep your battalia fast,

1322

And, Theodore, be sure to plant the cannon

1323

That may command the streets; whilst Revillido,

1324

Mezzana, Ternon, and Retrosi, guard you.

1325

This done, we'll give the general alarm,

1326

Apply petards, and force the ars'nal gates;

1327

Then fire the city round in several places,

1328

Or with our cannon, if it dare resist,

1329

Batter't to ruin. But 'bove all I charge you,

1330

Shed blood enough, spare neither sex nor age,

1331

Name nor condition; if there live a Senator

1332

After to-morrow, tho' the dullest rogue

1333

That e'er said nothing, we have lost our ends;

1334

If possible, let's kill the very name

1335

Of Senator, and bury it in blood.

Jaffeir

1336

Merciless, horrid slave! –Ay, blood enough!

1337

Shed blood enough, old Renault: how thou charm'st me!

Renault

1338

But one thing more, and then farewell till Fate

1339

Join us again, or separate us ever:

1340

First, let's embrace, Heav'n knows who next shall thus

1341

Wing ye together: but let's all remember

1342

We wear no common cause upon our swords;

1343

Let each man think that on his single virtue

1344

Depends the good and fame of all the rest,

1345

Eternal honour or perpetual infamy.

1346

Let's remember through what dreadful hazards

1347

Propitious Fortune hitherto has led us,

1348

How often on the brink of some discovery

1349

Have we stood tottering, and yet kept our ground

1350

So well, the busiest searchers ne'er could follow

1351

Those subtle tracks which puzzled all suspicion:

1352

You droop, sir.

Jaffeir

No: with a most profound attention

1353

I've heard it all, and wonder at thy virtue.

Renault

1354

Tho' there be yet few hours 'twixt them and Ruin,

1355

Are not the Senate lulled in full security,

1356

Quiet and satisfied, as fools are always?

1357

Never did so profound repose forerun

1358

Calamity so great: nay, our good fortune

1359

Has blinded the most piercing of mankind;

1360

Strengthened the fearful'st, charm'd the most suspectful,

1361

Confounded the most subtle; for we live,

1362

We live, my friends, and quickly shall our life

1363

Prove fatal to these tyrants: let's consider

1364

That we destroy oppression, avarice,

1365

A people nursed up equally with vices

1366

And loathsome lusts, which Nature most abhors,

1367

And such as without shame she cannot suffer.

Jaffeir

1368

O Belvidera, take me to thy arms

1369

And show me where's my peace, for I have lost it.

[Exit JAFFEIR.

Renault

1370

Without the least remorse then let's resolve

1371

With fire and sword t' exterminate these tyrants,

1372

And when we shall behold those curst tribunals,

1373

Stained by the tears and sufferings of the innocent,

1374

Burning with flames rather from Heav'n than ours,

1375

The ragging furious and unpitying soldier

1376

Pulling his reeking dagger from the bosoms

1377

Of gasping wretches; death in every quarter,

1378

With all that sad disorder can produce,

1379

To make a spectacle of horror: then,

1380

Then let us call to mind, my dearest friends,

1381

That there is nothing pure upon the earth,

1382

That the most valued things have most alloys,

1383

And that in change of all those vile enormities,

1384

Under whose weight this wretched country labours,

1385

The means are only in our hands to crown them.

Pierre

1386

And may those Powers above that are propitious

1387

To gallant minds record this cause, and bless it.

Renault

1388

Thus happy, thus secure of all we wish for,

1389

Should there, my friends, be found amongst us one

1390

False to this glorious enterprise, what fate,

1391

What vengeance were enough for such a villain?

Eliot

1392

Death here without repentance, hell hereafter.

Renault

1393

Let that be my lot, if as here I stand

1394

Lifted by Fate amongst her darling sons,

1395

Tho' I'd one only brother, dear by all

1396

The strictest ties of nature; tho' one hour

1397

Had given us birth, one fortune fed our wants,

1398

One only love, and that but of each other,

1399

Still filled our minds: could I have such a friend

1400

Joined in this cause, and had but ground to fear

1401

Meant foul play; may this right hand drop from me,

1402

If I'd not hazard all my future peace,

1403

And stab him to the heart before you: who

1404

Would not do less? Wouldst not thou, Pierre, the same?

Pierre

1405

You've singled me, sir, out for this hard question,

1406

As if 'twere started only for my sake!

1407

Am I the thing you fear? Here, here's my bosom,

1408

Search it with all your swords! am I a traitor?

Renault

1409

No: but I fear your late commended friend

1410

Is little less: come, sirs, 'tis now no time

1411

To trifle with our safety. Where's this Jaffeir?

Spinosa

1412

He left the room just now in strange disorder.

Renault

1413

Nay, there's danger in him: I observ'd him,

1414

During the time I took for explanation,

1415

He was transported from most deep attention

1416

To a confusion which he could not smother.

1417

His looks grew full of sadness and surprise,

1418

All which betrayed a wavering spirit in him,

1419

That laboured with reluctancy and sorrow;

1420

What's requisite for safety must be done

1421

With speedy execution: he remains

1422

Yet in our power: I for my own part wear

1423

A dagger.

Pierre

Well?

Renault

And I could wish it!

Pierre

Where?

Renault

1424

Buried in his heart.

Pierre

Away! we're yet all friends;

1425

No more of this, 'twill breed ill blood amongst us.

Spinosa

1426

Let us draw our swords, and search the house,

1427

Pull him from the dark hole where he sits brooding

1428

O'er his cold fears, and each man kill his share of him.

Pierre

1429

Who talks of killing? who's he'll shed the blood

1430

That's dear to me? is't you? or you? or you, sir?

1431

What, not one speak? how you stand gaping all

1432

On your grave oracle, your wooden god there;

1433

Yet not a word: then, sir, I'll tell you a secret,

1434

Suspicion's but at best a coward's virtue!

[To Renault

Renault

1435

A coward –

[Handless his sword.

Pierre

Put, put up the sword, old man,

1436

Thy hand shakes at it; come, let's heal this breach,

1437

I am too hot; we yet may live friends.

Spinosa

1438

Till we are safe, our friendship cannot be so.

Pierre

1439

Again: who's that?

Spinosa

'Twas I.

Theodore

And I.

Revillido

And I.

Eliot

And all.

Renault

1440

Who are on my side?

Spinosa

Every honest sword;

1441

Let's die like men and not be sold like slaves.

Pierre

1442

One such word more, by Heav'n I'll to the Senate

1443

And hang ye all, like dogs in clusters.

1444

Why peep your coward swords half out their shells?

1445

Why do you not all brandish them like mine?

1446

You fear to die, and yet dare talk of killing?

Renault

1447

Go to thy Senate, and betray us, hasten,

1448

Secure thy wretched life, we fear to die

1449

Less than thou dar'st be honest.

Pierre

That's rank falsehood.

1450

Fear'st not thou death? fie, there's a knavish itch

1451

In that salt blood, an utter foe to smarting.

1452

Had Jaffeir's wife proved kind, he'd still been true.

1453

Foh –how that stinks!

1454

Thou die! thou kill my friend, or thou, or thou,

1455

Or thou, with that lean wither'd wretched face!

1456

Away! disperse all to your several charges,

1457

And meet to-morrow where your honour calls you;

1458

I'll bring that man, whose blood you so much thirst for,

1459

And you shall see him venture for you fairly –

1460

Hence, hence, I say.

[Exit RENAULT angrily.

Spinosa

I fear we've been to blame;

1461

And done too much.

Theodore

1462

'Twas too far urged against the man you loved.

Revillido

1463

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

Spinosa

1464

Forgive us, gallant friend.

Pierre

Nay, now ye've found

1465

The way to melt and cast me as you will:

1466

I'll fetch this friend and give him to your mercy:

1467

Nay, he shall die if you will take him from me;

1468

For your repose I'll quit my heart's jewel,

1469

But would not have him torn away by villains

1470

And spiteful villainy.

Spinosa

No; may you both

1471

For ever live and fill the world with fame!

Pierre

1472

Now you are too kind. Whence rose all this discord?

1473

Oh, what a dangerous precipice have we scaped!

1474

How near a fall was all we had long been building!

1475

What an eternal blot had stained our glories,

1476

If one, the bravest and the best of men,

1477

Had fallen a sacrifice to rash suspicion,

1478

Butchered by those whose cause he came to cherish:

1479

Oh, could you know him all as I have known him,

1480

How good he is, how just, how true, how brave,

1481

You would not leave this place till you had seen him;

1482

Humbled yourselves before him, kissed his feet,

1483

And gained remission for the worst of follies;

1484

Come but to-morrow all your doubts shall end,

1485

And to your loves me better recommend,

1486

That I've preserved your fame, and saved my friend.

[Exeunt omnes.

ACT IV

[SCENE I]

Enter JAFFEIR and BELVIDERA.

Jaffeir

1487

Where dost thou lead me? Every step I move,

1488

Methinks I tread upon some mangled limb

1489

Of a rack'd friend: O my dear charming ruin!

1490

Where are we wandering?

Belvidera

To eternal honour;

1491

To do a deed shall chronicle thy name,

1492

Among the glorious legends of those few

1493

That have sav'd sinking nations: thy renown

1494

Shall be the future song of all the virgins,

1495

Who by thy piety have been preserved

1496

From horrid violation: every street

1497

Shall be adorn'd with statues to thy honour,

1498

And at thy feet this great inscription written,

1499

Remember him that propp'd the fall of Venice.

Jaffeir

1500

Rather, remember him, who after all

1501

The sacred bonds of oaths and holier friendship,

1502

In fond compassion to a woman's tears

1503

Forgot his manhood, virtue, truth and honour,

1504

To sacrifice the bosom that relieved him.

1505

Why wilt thou damn me?

Belvidera

O inconstant man!

1506

How will you promise? how will you deceive?

1507

Do return back, replace me in my bondage,

1508

Tell all thy friends how dangerously thou lov'st me,

1509

And let thy dagger do its bloody office;

1510

O that kind dagger, Jaffeir, how 'twill look

1511

Stuck through my heart, drench'd in my blood to th' hilts!

1512

Whilst these poor dying eyes shall with their tears

1513

No more torment thee, then thou wilt be free:

1514

Or if thou think'st it nobler, let me live

1515

Till I'm a victim to the hateful lust

1516

Of that infernal devil, that old fiend

1517

That's damned himself and would undo mankind:

1518

Last night, my love –

Jaffeir

Name, name it not again,

1519

It shows a beastly image to my fancy,

1520

Will make me into madness. Oh, the villain!

1521

That durst approach such purity as thine

1522

On terms so vile: destruction, swift destruction

1523

Fall on my coward-head, and make my name

1524

The common scorn of fools if I forgive him;

1525

If I forgive him, if I not revenge

1526

With utmost rage and most unstaying fury

1527

Thy sufferings, thou dear darling of my life, love.

Belvidera

1528

Delay no longer, then, but to the Senate;

1529

And tell the dismal'st story e'er was utter'd,

1530

Tell 'em what bloodshed, rapines, desolations,

1531

Have been prepared, how near's the fatal hour!

1532

Save thy poor country, save the reverend blood

1533

Of all its nobles, which to-morrow's dawn

1534

Must else see shed: save the poor tender lives

1535

Of all those little infants which the swords

1536

Of murtherers are whetting for this moment:

1537

Think thou already hearst their dying screams,

1538

Think that thou seest their sad distracted mothers

1539

Kneeling before thy feet, and begging pity

1540

With torn dishevell'd hair and streaming eyes,

1541

Their naked mangled breasts besmear'd with blood,

1542

And even the milk with which their fondled babes

1543

Softly they hush'd, dropping in anguish from 'em.

1544

Think thou seest this, and then consult thy heart.

Jaffeir

1545

Oh!

Belvidera

1546

Think too, if [that] thou lose this present minute,

1547

What miseries the next day bring upon thee.

1548

Imagine all the horrors of that night,

1549

Murder and rapine, waste and desolation,

1550

Confusedly ranging. Think what then may prove

1551

My lot! the ravisher may then come safe,

1552

And midst the terror of the public ruin

1553

Do a damn'd deed; perhaps to lay a train

1554

May catch thy life; then where will be revenge,

1555

The dear revenge that's due to such a wrong?

Jaffeir

1556

By all Heaven's powers, prophetic truth dwells in thee,

1557

For every word thou speak'st strikes through my heart

1558

Like a new light, and shows it how't has wandered;

1559

Just what thou'st made me, take me, Belvidera,

1560

And lead me to the place where I'm to say

1561

This bitter lesson, where I must betray

1562

My truth, my virtue, constancy and friends:

1563

Must I betray my friends! Ah, take me quickly,

1564

Secure me well before that thought's renewed;

1565

If I relapse once more, all's lost for ever.

Belvidera

1566

Hast thou a friend more dear than Belvidera?

Jaffeir

1567

No, thou'rt my soul itself; wealth, friendship, honour,

1568

All present joys, and earnest of all future,

1569

Are summ'd in thee: methinks when in thy arms

1570

Thus leaning on thy breast, one minute's more

1571

Than a long thousand years of vulgar hours.

1572

Why was such happiness not given me pure?

1573

Why dash'd with cruel wrongs, and bitter wantings?

1574

Come, lead me forward now like a tame lamb

1575

To sacrifice; thus in his fatal garlands,

1576

Deck'd fine and pleas'd, the wanton skips and plays,

1577

Trots by the enticing flattering priestess' side,

1578

And much transported with his little pride,

1579

Forgets his dear companions of the plain

1580

Till, by her bound, he's on the altar lain,

1581

Yet then too hardly bleats, such pleasure's in the pain.

Enter Officer and six Guards.

Officer

1582

Stand, who goes there?

Belvidera

1583

Friends.

Jaffeir

1584

Friends, Belvidera! hide me from my friends:

1585

By heaven, I'd rather see the face of hell,

1586

Than meet the man I love.

Officer

But what friends are you?

Belvidera

1587

Friends to the Senate and the State of Venice.

Officer

1588

My orders are to seize on all I find

1589

At this late hour, and bring 'em to the Council,

1590

Who now are sitting.

Jaffeir

Sir, you shall be obeyed.

1591

Hold, brutes, stand off, none of your paws upon me.

1592

Now the lot's cast, and Fate do what thou wilt!

[Exeunt guarded.

SCENE [II.]

The Senate-house

Where appear sitting, the DUKE of VENICE, PRIULI, ANTONIO, and eight other Senators.

Duke

1593

Antony, Priuli, Senators of Venice,

1594

Speak; why are we assembled here this night?

1595

What have you to inform us of, concerns

1596

The State of Venice, honour, or its safety?

Priuli

1597

Could words express the story I have to tell you,

1598

Fathers, these tears were useless, these sad tears

1599

That fall from my old eyes; but there is cause

1600

We all should weep; tear off these purple robes,

1601

And wrap ourselves in sackcloth, sitting down

1602

On the sad earth, and cry aloud to Heaven.

1603

Heaven knows if yet there be an hour to come

1604

Ere Venice be no more.

All Senators

How!

Priuli

Nay, we stand

1605

Upon the very brink of gaping ruin.

1606

Within this city's formed a dark conspiracy,

1607

To massacre us all, our wives and children,

1608

Kindred and friends, our palaces and temples

1609

To lay in ashes; nay, the hour too, fix'd;

1610

The swords, for aught I know, drawn e'en this moment,

1611

And the wild waste begun: from unknown hands

1612

I had this warning: but if we are men

1613

Let's not be tamely butchered, but do something

1614

That may inform the world in after ages,

1615

Our virtue was not ruin'd though we were.

[A noise without.

1616

Room, room, make room for some prisoners –

Second Senator

1617

Let's raise the city.

Enter Officer and Guard.

Priuli

Speak there, what disturbance?

Officer

1618

Two prisoners have the guard seiz'd in the streets,

1619

Who say they come to inform this reverend Senate

1620

About the present danger.

Enter JAFFEIR and BELVIDERA guarded.

All

Give 'em entrance –

1621

Well, who are you?

Jaffeir

A villain.

Antonio

Short and pithy.

1622

The man speaks well.

Jaffeir

Would every man that hears me

1623

Would deal so honestly and own his title.

Duke

1624

'Tis rumour'd that a plot has been contriv'd

1625

Against this State; that you have a share in't too.

1626

If you're a villain, to redeem your honour,

1627

Unfold the truth and be restored with mercy.

Jaffeir

1628

Think not that I to save my life come hither,

1629

I know its value better; but in pity

1630

To all those wretches whose unhappy dooms

1631

Are fix'd and seal'd. You see me here before you,

1632

The sworn and covenanted foe of Venice;

1633

But use me as my dealings may deserve

1634

And I may prove a friend.

Duke

The slave capitulates;

1635

Give him the tortures.

Jaffeir

That you dare not do,

1636

Your fears won't let you, nor the longing itch

1637

To hear a story which you dread the truth of,

1638

Truth which the fear of smart shall ne'er get from me.

1639

Cowards are scared with threat'nings; boys are whipp'd

1640

Into confessions: but a steady mind

1641

Acts of itself, ne'er asks the body counsel.

1642

Give him the tortures! Name but such a thing

1643

Again, by Heaven I'll shut these lips for ever,

1644

Not all your racks, your engines, or your wheels

1645

Shall force a groan away –that you may guess at.

Antonio

1646

A bloody-minded fellow, I'll warrant;

1647

A damn'd bloody-minded fellow.

Duke

1648

Name your conditions.

Jaffeir

For myself full pardon,

1649

Besides the lives of two and twenty friends,

[Delivers a list.

1650

Whose names are here enrolled: nay, let their crimes

1651

Be ne'er so monstrous, I must have the oaths

1652

And sacred promise of this reverend Council,

1653

That in a full assembly of the Senate

1654

The thing I ask be ratified. Swear this,

1655

And I'll unfold the secrets of your danger.

All

1656

We'll swear.

Duke

Propose the oath.

Jaffeir

By all the hopes

1657

Ye have of peace and happiness hereafter,

1658

Swear.

All

We all swear.

Jaffeir

To grant me what I've asked,

1659

Ye swear.

All

We swear.

Jaffeir

And as ye keep the oath,

1660

May you and your posterity be blest

1661

Or curst for ever.

All

Else be curst for ever.

Jaffeir

1662

Then here's the list, and with't the full disclose

1663

Of all that threatens you.

[Delivers another paper.

Now Fate, thou hast caught me.

Antonio

1664

Why, what a dreadful catalogue of cut-throats is here!

1665

I'll warrant you not one of these fellows but has a face like a lion.

1666

I dare not so much as read their names over.

Duke

1667

Give orders that all diligent search be made

1668

To seize these men, their characters are public;

1669

The paper intimates their rendezvous

1670

To be at the house of a famed Grecian courtesan

1671

Called Aquilina; see that place secured.

Antonio

1672

What, my Nicky Nacky, hurry durry, Nicky Nacky in the plot –

1673

I'll make a speech. Most noble Senators,

1674

What headlong apprehension drives you on,

1675

Right noble, wise and truly solid senators,

1676

To violate the laws and rights of nations?

1677

The lady is a lady of renown.

1678

'Tis true, she holds a house of fair reception,

1679

And though I say't myself, as many more

1680

Can say as well as I.

Second Senator

My lord, long speeches

1681

Are frivolous here when dangers are so near us;

1682

We all well know your interest in that lady,

1683

The world talks loud on't.

Antonio

Verily, I have done,

1684

I say no more.

Duke

But since he has declared

1685

Himself concerned, pray, captain, take great caution

1686

To treat the fair one as becomes her character,

1687

And let her bed-chamber be searched with decency.

1688

You, Jaffeir, must with patience bear till morning

1689

To be our prisoner.

Jaffeir

Would the chains of death

1690

Had bound me fast ere I had known this minute.

1691

I've done a deed will make my story hereafter

1692

Quotes in competition with all ill ones:

1693

The history of my wickedness shall run

1694

Down through the low traditions of the vulgar,

1695

And boys be taught to tell the tale of Jaffeir.

Duke

1696

Captain, withdraw your prisoner.

Jaffeir

Sir, if possible,

1697

Lead me where my own thoughts themselves may lose me,

1698

Where I may doze out what I've left of life,

1699

Forget myself and this day's guilt and falsehood.

1700

Cruel remembrance, how shall I appease thee!

[Exit guarded.

Noise without.

Voices

1701

More traitors; room, room, make room there.

Duke

1702

How's this? guards!

1703

Where are our guards? shut up the gates, the treason's

1704

Already at our doors.

Enter Officer.

Officer

My lords, more traitors:

1705

Seized in the very act of consultation;

1706

Furnished with arms and instruments of mischief.

1707

Bring in the prisoners.

Enter PIERRE, RENAULT, THEODORE, ELIOT, REVILLIDO, and other Conspirators, in fetters, guarded.

Pierre

You, my lords and fathers

1708

(As you are pleased to call yourselves) of Venice;

1709

If you sit here to guide the course of Justice,

1710

Why these disgraceful chains upon the limbs

1711

That have so often laboured in your service?

1712

Are these the wreaths of triumph ye bestow

1713

On those that bring you conquests home and honours?

Duke

1714

Go on: you shall be heard, sir.

Antonio

1715

And be hanged too, I hope.

Pierre

1716

Are these the trophies I've deserv'd for fighting

1717

Your battles with confederated powers?

1718

When winds and seas conspir'd to overthrow you,

1719

And brought the fleets of Spain to your own harbours:

1720

When you, great Duke, shrunk trembling in your palace,

1721

And saw your wife, th' Adriatic, plough'd

1722

Like a lewd whore by bolder prows than yours,

1723

Stepp'd not I forth, and taught your loose Venetians

1724

The task of honour and the way to greatness,

1725

Rais'd you from your capitulating fears

1726

To stipulate the terms of sued-for peace?

1727

And this my recompense? If I'm a traitor

1728

Produce my charge; or show the wretch that's base enough

1729

And brave enough to tell me I'm a traitor.

Duke

1730

Know you one Jaffeir?

[All the Conspirators murmur.

Pierre

Yes, and know his virtue,

1731

His justice, truth; his general worth and sufferings

1732

From a hard father taught me first to love him.

Enter JAFFEIR guarded.

Duke

1733

See him brought forth.

Pierre

My friend too bound! nay then

1734

Our fate has conquered us, and we must fall.

1735

Why drops the man whose welfare's so much mine

1736

They're but one thing? these reverend tyrants, Jaffeir,

1737

Call us all traitors: art thou one, my brother?

Jaffeir

1738

To thee I am the falsest, veriest slave

1739

That e'er betrayed a generous trusting friend,

1740

And gave up honour to be sure of ruin.

1741

All our fair hopes which morning was to have crown'd

1742

Has this curs'd tongue o'erthrown.

Pierre

So, then, all's over;

1743

Venice has lost her freedom; I my life;

1744

No more, farewell.

Duke

Say, will you make confession

1745

Of your vile deeds and trust the Senate's mercy?

Pierre

1746

Cursed be your Senate: cursed your constitution:

1747

The curse of growing factions and division

1748

Still vex your councils, shake your public safety,

1749

And make the robes of government you wear

1750

Hateful to you, as these base chains to me.

Duke

1751

Pardon or death?

Pierre

Death, honourable death!

Renault

1752

Death's the best thing we ask or you can give.

All Conspirators

1753

No shameful bonds, but honourable death.

Duke

1754

Break up the council: captain, guard your prisoners.

1755

Jaffeir, you are free, but these must wait for judgment.

[Exeunt all the Senators.

Pierre

1756

Come, where's my dungeon? lead me to my straw:

1757

It will not be the first time I've lodged hard

1758

To do your Senate service.

Jaffeir

Hold one moment.

Pierre

1759

Who's he disputes the judgment of the Senate?

1760

Presumptuous rebel –on–

[Strikes JAFFEIR.

Jaffeir

By Heaven, you stir not.

1761

I must be heard, I must have leave to speak;

1762

Thou hast disgrac'd me, Pierre, by a vile blow:

1763

Had not a dagger done thee nobler justice?

1764

But use me as thou wilt, thou canst not wrong me,

1765

For I am fallen beneath the basest injuries;

1766

Yet look upon me with an eye of mercy,

1767

With pity and with charity behold me;

1768

Shut not thy heart against a friend's repentance,

1769

But as there dwells a god-like nature in thee

1770

Listen with mildness to my supplications.

Pierre

1771

What whining monk art thou? what holy cheat,

1772

That wouldst encroach upon my credulous ears

1773

And cant'st thus vilely? hence. I know thee not.

1774

Dissemble and be nasty: leave me, hypocrite.

Jaffeir

1775

Not know me, Pierre?

Pierre

No, I know thee not: what art thou?

Jaffeir

1776

Jaffeir, thy friend, thy once loved, valued friend!

1777

Though now deservedly scorned, and used most hardly.

Pierre

1778

Thou Jaffeir! Thou my once loved, valued friend?

1779

By heavens, thou liest; the man, so call'd, my friend,

1780

Was generous, honest, faithful, just and valiant,

1781

Noble in mind, and in his person lovely,

1782

Dear to my eyes and tender to my heart:

1783

But thou a wretched, base, false, worthless coward,

1784

Poor even in soul, and loathsome in thy aspect,

1785

All eyes must shun thee, and all hearts detest thee.

1786

Prithee avoid, nor longer cling thus round me,

1787

Like something baneful, that my nature's chill'd at.

Jaffeir

1788

I have not wrong'd thee, by these tears I have not.

1789

But still am honest, true, and hope too, valiant:

1790

My mind still full of thee, therefore still noble;

1791

Let not thy eyes then shun me, nor thy heart

1792

Detest me utterly; oh, look upon me,

1793

Look back and see my sad sincere submission!

1794

How my heart swells, as even 'twould burst my bosom;

1795

Fond of its gaol, and labouring to be at thee!

1796

What shall I do? what say to make thee hear me?

Pierre

1797

Hast thou not wronged me? dar'st thou call thyself

1798

Jaffeir, that once loved, valued friend of mine,

1799

And swear thou hast not wronged me? whence these chains?

1800

Whence the vile death which I may meet this moment?

1801

Whence this dishonour, but from thee, thou false one?

Jaffeir

1802

All's true, yet grant one thing, and I've done asking.

Pierre

1803

What's that?

Jaffeir

To take thy life on such conditions

1804

The Council have propos'd: thou and thy friends

1805

May yet live log, and to be better treated.

Pierre

1806

Life! ask my life! confess! record myself

1807

A villain for the privilege to breathe,

1808

And carry up and down this cursed city

1809

A discontented and repining spirit,

1810

Burthensome to itself a few years longer,

1811

To lose it, may be, at last in a lewd quarrel

1812

For some new friend, treacherous and false as thou art

1813

No, this vile world and I have long been jangling,

1814

And cannot part on better terms than now,

1815

When only men like thee are fit to live in't.

Jaffeir

1816

By all that's just –

Pierre

Swear by some other powers,

1817

For thou hast broke that sacred oath too lately.

Jaffeir

1818

Then by that hell I merit, I'll not leave thee,

1819

Till to thyself at least thou'rt reconciled,

1820

However thy resentments deal with me.

Pierre

1821

Not leave me!

Jaffeir

No, thou shalt not force me from thee.

1822

Use me reproachfully, and like a slave,

1823

Tread on me, buffet me, heap wrongs on wrongs

1824

On my poor head: I'll bear it all with patience,

1825

Shall weary out thy most unfriendly cruelty,

1826

Lie at thy feet and kiss 'em though they spurn me,

1827

Till, wounded by my sufferings, thou relent,

1828

And raise me to thy arms with dear forgiveness.

Pierre

1829

Art thou not –

Jaffeir

What?

Pierre

A traitor?

Jaffeir

Yes.

Pierre

A villain?

Jaffeir

1830

Granted.

Pierre

A coward, a most scandalous coward,

1831

Spiritless, void of honour, one who has sold

1832

Thy everlasting fame for shameless life?

Jaffeir

1833

All, all, and more, much more: my faults are numberless.

Pierre

1834

And wouldst thou have me live on terms like thine?

1835

Base as thou art false –

Jaffeir

No, 'tis to me that's granted.

1836

The safety of thy life was all I aim'd at,

1837

In recompense for faith and trust so broken.

Pierre

1838

I scorn it more because preserv'd by thee.

1839

And as when first my foolish heart took pity

1840

On thy misfortunes, sought thee in thy miseries,

1841

Relieved thy wants, and raised thee from thy state

1842

Of wretchedness in which thy fate had plung'd thee,

1843

To rank thee in my list of noble friends;

1844

All I received in surety for thy truth,

1845

Were unregarded oaths; and this, this dagger,

1846

Given with a worthless pledge, thou since hast stol'n,

1847

So I restore it back to thee again,

1848

Swearing by all those powers which thou hast violated,

1849

Never from this curs'd hour to hold communion,

1850

Friendship or interest with thee, though our years

1851

Were to exceed those limited the world.

1852

Take it –farewell–for now I owe thee nothing.

Jaffeir

1853

Say thou wilt live, then.

Pierre

For my life, dispose it

1854

Just as thou wilt, because 'tis what I'm tired with.

Jaffeir

1855

O Pierre!

Pierre

No more.

Jaffeir

My eyes won't lose the sight of thee,

1856

But languish after thine, and ache with gazing.

Pierre

1857

Leave me –nay, then, thus, thus, I throw thee from me

1858

And curses, great as is thy falsehood, catch thee.

Jaffeir

1859

Amen.

1860

He's gone, my father, friend, preserver,

1861

And here's the portion he has left me.

[Holds the dagger up.

1862

This dagger, well remembered, with this dagger

1863

I gave a solemn vow of dire importance,

1864

Parted with this and Belvidera together;

1865

Have a care, mem'ry, drive that thought no farther;

1866

No, I'll esteem it as a friend's last legacy,

1867

Treasure it up within this wretched bosom,

1868

Where it may grow acquainted with my heart,

1869

That when they meet, they start not from each other.

1870

So; now for thinking: a blow, call'd traitor, villain,

1871

Coward, dishonourable coward, fough!

1872

O for a long sound sleep, and so forget it!

1873

Down, busy devil. –

Enter BELVIDERA.

Belvidera

Whither shall I fly?

1874

Where hide me and my miseries together?

1875

Where's now the Roman constancy I boasted?

1876

Sunk into trembling fears and desperation!

1877

Not daring now to look up to that dear face

1878

Which used to smile even on my faults, but down

1879

Bending these miserable eyes to earth,

1880

Must move in penance, and implore much mercy.

Jaffeir

1881

Mercy, kind Heaven, has surely endless stores

1882

Hoarded for thee of blessings yet untasted;

1883

Let wretches loaded hard with guilt as I am,

1884

Bow [with] the weight and groan beneath the burthen,

1885

Creep with a remnant of that strength they've left,

1886

Before the footstool of that Heaven they've injured.

1887

O Belvidera! I'm the wretched'st creature

1888

E'er crawled on earth: now if thou hast virtue, help me,

1889

Take me into thy arms, and speak the words of peace

1890

To my divided soul, that wars within me,

1891

And raises every sense to my confusion;

1892

By Heav'n, I'm tottering on the very brink

1893

Of peace; and thou art all the hold I've left.

Belvidera

1894

Alas! I know thy sorrows are most mighty;

1895

I know thou'st cause to mourn; to mourn, my Jaffeir,

1896

With endless cries, and never-ceasing wailings,

1897

Thou'st lost –

Jaffeir

Oh, I have lost what can't be counted;

1898

My friend too, Belvidera, that dear friend,

1899

Who, next to thee, was all my health rejoiced in,

1900

Has used me like a slave; shamefully used me;

1901

'Twould break thy pitying heart to hear the story.

1902

What shall I do? resentment, indignation,

1903

Love, pity, fear and mem'ry, how I've wronged him,

1904

Distract my quiet with the very thought on't,

1905

And tear my heart to pieces in my bosom.

Belvidera

1906

What has he done?

Jaffeir

Thou'dst hate me, should I tell thee.

Belvidera

1907

Why?

Jaffeir

1908

Oh, he has us'd me! yet, by Heaven, I bear it:

1909

He has us'd me, Belvidera, but first swear

1910

That when I've told thee, thou'lt not loathe me utterly.

1911

Though vilest blots and stains appear upon me;

1912

But still at least with charitable goodness,

1913

Be near me in the pangs of my affliction,

1914

Not scorn me, Belvidera, as he has done.

Belvidera

1915

Have I then e'er been false that now I'm doubted?

1916

Speak, what's the cause I'm grown into distrust,

1917

Why thought unfit to hear my love's complainings?

Jaffeir

1918

Oh!

Belvidera

1919

Tell me.

Jaffeir

Bear my failings, for they are many.

1920

Oh my dear angel! in that friend I've lost

1921

All my soul's peace; for every thought of him

1922

Strikes my sense hard, and deads it in my brains;

1923

Wouldst thou believe it?

Belvidera

Speak!

Jaffeir

Before we parted,

1924

Ere yet his guards had led him to his prison,

1925

Full of severest sorrows for his suff'rings,

1926

With eyes o'erflowing and a bleeding heart,

1927

Humbling myself almost beneath my nature,

1928

As at his feet I kneel'd, and sued for mercy,

1929

Forgetting all our friendship, all the dearness,

1930

In which we've lived so many years together,

1931

With a reproachful hand he dashed a blow.

1932

He struck me, Belvidera, by Heaven, he struck me,

1933

Buffeted, called me traitor, villain, coward.

1934

Am I a coward? am I a villain? tell me:

1935

Thou'rt the best judge, and mad'st me, if I am so.

1936

Damnation: coward!

Belvidera

Oh! forgive him, Jaffeir.

1937

And if his sufferings wound thy heart already,

1938

What will they do to-morrow?

Jaffeir

Hah!

Belvidera

To-morrow,

1939

When thou shalt see him stretch'd in all the agonies

1940

Of a tormenting and a shameful death,

1941

His bleeding bowels, and his broken limbs,

1942

Insulted o'er by a vile butchering villain;

1943

What will thy heart do then? oh, sure 'twill stream

1944

Like my eyes now.

Jaffeir

What means thy dreadful story?

1945

Death, and to-morrow? broken limbs and bowels!

1946

Insulted o'er by a vile butchering villain!

1947

By all my fears I shall start out to madness,

1948

With barely guessing if the truth's hid longer.

Belvidera

1949

The faithless Senators, 'tis they've decreed it:

1950

They say according to our friend's request,

1951

They shall have death, and not ignoble bondage:

1952

Declare their promised mercy all as forfeited,

1953

False to their oaths, and deaf to intercession;

1954

Warrants are passed for public death to-morrow.

Jaffeir

1955

Death! doomed to die! condemned unheard! unpleaded!

Belvidera

1956

Nay, cruell'st racks and torments are preparing,

1957

To force confessions from their dying pangs.

1958

Oh, do not look so terribly upon me,

1959

How your lips shake, and all your face disordered!

1960

What means my love?

Jaffeir

1961

Leave me, I charge thee, leave me –strong temptations

1962

Wake in my heart.

Belvidera

For what?

Jaffeir

No more, but leave me.

Belvidera

1963

Why?

Jaffeir

1964

Oh! by Heaven I love you with that fondness

1965

I would not have thee stay a moment longer,

1966

Near these curs'd hands; are they not cold upon thee?

[Pulls the dagger half out of his bosom and puts it back again.

Belvidera

1967

No, everlasting comfort's in thy arms.

1968

To lean thus on thy breast is softer ease

1969

Than downy pillows deck'd with leaves of roses.

Jaffeir

1970

Alas! thou think'st not of the thorns 'tis filled with:

1971

Fly ere they [gall] thee: there's a lurking serpent,

1972

Ready to leap and sting thee to thy heart;

1973

Art thou not terrified?

Belvidera

No.

Jaffeir

Call to mind

1974

What thou hast done, and whither thou hast brought me.

Belvidera

1975

Hah!

Jaffeir

1976

Where's my friend? my friend, thou smiling mischief?

1977

Nay, shrink not, now 'tis too late, thou shouldst have fled

1978

When thy guilt first had cause, for dire revenge

1979

Is up and raging for my friend. He groans,

1980

Hark how he groans, his screams are in my ears

1981

Already; see, they've fix'd him on the wheel,

1982

And now they tear him –Murther! perjur'd Senate!

1983

Murther –Oh! –hark thee, traitress, thou hast done this:

[Fumbling for his dagger.

1984

Thanks to thy tears and false persuading love.

1985

How her eyes speak! O thou bewitching creature!

1986

Madness cannot hurt thee: come, thou little trembler,

1987

Creep, even into my heart, and there lie safe:

1988

'Tis thy own citadel –ha!–yet stand off,

1989

Heaven must have justice, and my broken vows

1990

Will sink me else beneath its reaching mercy;

1991

I'll wink and then 'tis done –

Belvidera

What means the lord

1992

Of me, my life and love? what's in thy bosom,

[Draws the dagger, offers to stab her.

1993

Thou grasp'st at so? Nay, why am I thus treated?

1994

What wilt thou do? Ah! do not kill me, Jaffeir,

1995

Pity these panting breasts, and trembling limbs,

1996

That used to clasp thee when thy looks were milder,

1997

That yet hang heavy on my unpurg'd soul,

1998

And plunge it not into eternal darkness.

Jaffeir

1999

No, Belvidera, when we parted last

2000

I gave this dagger with thee as in trust

2001

To be thy portion, if I e'er proved false.

2002

On such condition was my truth believ'd:

2003

But now 'tis forfeited and must be paid for.

[Offers to stab her again.

Belvidera

2004

Oh, mercy!

[Kneeling.

Jaffeir

Nay, no struggling.

Belvidera

Now, then, kill me.

[Leaps upon his neck and kisses him.

2005

While thus I cling about thy cruel neck,

2006

Kiss thy revengeful lips and die in joys

2007

Greater than any I can guess hereafter.

Jaffeir

2008

I am, I am a coward; witness't, heaven,

2009

Witness it, earth, and every being witness;

2010

'Tis but one blow; yet, by immortal love,

2011

I cannot longer bear a thought to harm thee;

[He throws away the dagger and embraces her.

2012

The seal of Providence is sure upon thee,

2013

And thou wert born for yet unheard-of wonders:

2014

Oh, thou wert either born to save or damn me!

2015

By all the power that's given thee o'er my soul,

2016

By thy resistless tears and conquering smiles,

2017

By the victorious love that still waits on thee,

2018

Fly to thy cruel father: save my friend,

2019

Or all our future quiet's lost for ever:

2020

Fall at his feet, cling round his reverend knees;

2021

Speak to him with thy eyes, and with thy tears

2022

Melt his hard heart, and wake dead nature in him;

2023

Crush him in thy arms, and torture him with thy softness:

2024

Nor, till thy prayers are granted, set him free,

2025

But conquer him, as thou hast vanquish'd me.

[Exeunt ambo.

ACT V

[SCENE I]

Enter PRIULI, solus.

Priuli

2026

Why, cruel Heaven, have my unhappy days

2027

Been lengthen'd to this sad one? Oh, dishonour

2028

And deathless infamy is fall'n upon me!

2029

Was it my fault? Am I a traitor? No.

2030

But then, my only child, my daughter, wedded;

2031

There my blest blood runs foul, and a disease

2032

Incurable has seized upon my memory,

2033

To make it rot and stink to after ages.

2034

Cursed be the fatal minute when I got her;

2035

Or would that I'd been anything but man,

2036

And raised an issue which would ne'er have wrong'd me.

2037

The miserablest creatures, man excepted,

2038

Are not the less esteemed, though their posterity

2039

Degenerate from the virtues of their fathers;

2040

The vilest beasts are happy in their offsprings,

2041

While only man gets traitors, whores and villains.

2042

Cursed be the names, and some swift blow from Fate

2043

Lay his head deep, where mine may be forgotten.

Enter BELVIDERA in a long mourning veil.

Belvidera

2044

He's there, my father, my inhuman father,

2045

That, for three years, has left an only child

2046

Exposed to all the outrages of Fate,

2047

And cruel ruin –oh! –

Priuli

What child of sorrow

2048

Art thou that com'st thus wrapt in weeds of sadness,

2049

And mov'st as if thy steps were towards a grave?

Belvidera

2050

A wretch, who from the very top of happiness

2051

Am fallen into the lowest depths of misery,

2052

And want your pitying hand to raise me up again.

Priuli

2053

Indeed thou talk'st as thou hadst tasted sorrows;

2054

Would I could help thee!

Belvidera

'Tis greatly in your power.

2055

The world, too, speaks you charitable, and I,

2056

Who ne'er asked alms before, in that dear hope

2057

Am come a-begging to you, sir.

Priuli

For what?

Belvidera

2058

O well regard me, is this voice a strange one?

2059

Consider, too, when beggars once pretend

2060

A case like mine, no little will content 'em.

Priuli

2061

What wouldst thou beg for?

Belvidera

Pity and forgiveness;

[Throws up her veil.

2062

By the kind tender names of child and father,

2063

Hear my complaints and take me to your love.

Priuli

2064

My daughter?

Belvidera

Yes, your daughter, by a mother

2065

Virtuous and noble, faithful to your honour,

2066

Obedient to your will, kind to your wishes,

2067

Dear to your arms: by all the joys she gave you,

2068

When in her blooming years she was your treasure,

2069

Look kindly on me; in my face behold

2070

The lineaments of hers you've kiss'd so often,

2071

Pleading the cause of your poor cast-off child.

Priuli

2072

Thou art my daughter?

Belvidera

Yes –and you've oft told me,

2073

With smiles of love and chaste paternal kisses,

2074

I'd much resemblance of my mother.

Priuli

Oh!

2075

Hadst thou inherited her matchless virtues

2076

I'd been too bless'd.

Belvidera

Nay, do not call to memory

2077

My disobedience, but let pity enter

2078

Into your heart, and quite deface the impression;

2079

For could you think how mine's perplexed, what sadness,

2080

Fears and despairs distract the peace within me,

2081

Oh, you would take me in your dear, dear arms,

2082

Hover with strong compassion o'er your young one,

2083

To shelter me with a protecting wing,

2084

From the black gather'd storm, that's just, just breaking.

Priuli

2085

Don't talk thus.

Belvidera

Yes, I must, and you must hear too.

2086

I have a husband.

Priuli

Damn him.

Belvidera

Oh, do not curse him!

2087

He would not speak so hard a word towards you,

2088

On any terms, [howe'er] he deal with me.

Priuli

2089

Ha! what means my child?

Belvidera

2090

Oh, there's but this short moment

2091

'Twixt me and Fate, yet send me not with curses

2092

Down to my grave, afford me one kind blessing

2093

Before we part: just take me in your arms,

2094

And recommend me with a prayer to Heaven,

2095

That I may die in peace, and when I'm dead –

Priuli

2096

How my soul's catched!

Belvidera

Lay me, I beg you, lay me

2097

By the dear ashes of my tender mother:

2098

She would have pitied me, had Fate yet spared her.

Priuli

2099

By heaven, my aching heart forebodes much mischief;

2100

Tell me thy story, for I'm still thy father.

Belvidera

2101

No, I'm contented.

Priuli

Speak.

Belvidera

No matter.

Priuli

Tell me.

2102

By you, blest Heaven, my heart runs o'er with fondness.

Belvidera

2103

Oh!

Priuli

Utter't.

Belvidera

O my husband, my dear husband

2104

Carries a dagger in his once kind bosom,

2105

To pierce the heart of your poor Belvidera.

Priuli

2106

Kill thee?

Belvidera

Yes, kill me. When he pass'd his faith

2107

And covenant, against your State and Senate,

2108

He gave me up as hostage for his truth,

2109

With me a dagger and a dire commission

2110

Whene'er he failed, to plunge it through this bosom.

2111

I learnt the danger, chose the hour of love

2112

To attempt his heart, and bring it back to honour.

2113

Great love prevail'd and bless'd me with success:

2114

He came, confessed, betrayed his dearest friends

2115

For promis'd mercy; now they're doomed to suffer,

2116

Gall'd with remembrance of what then was sworn,

2117

If they are lost, he vows to appease the gods

2118

With this poor life, and make my blood the atonement.

Priuli

2119

Heavens!

Belvidera

Think you saw what pass'd at our last parting;

2120

Think you beheld him like a raging lion,

2121

Pacing the earth and tearing up his steps,

2122

Fate in his eyes, and roaring with the pain

2123

Of burning fury; think you saw his one hand

2124

Fix'd on my throat, while the extended other

2125

Grasp'd a keen threat'ning dagger: oh, 'twas thus

2126

We last embrac'd, when, trembling with revenge,

2127

He dragg'd me to the ground, and at my bosom

2128

Presented horrid death, cried out: "My friends,

2129

Where are my friends?" swore, wept, rag'd, threaten'd, lov'd,

2130

For he yet loved, and that dear love preserved me,

2131

To this last trial of a father's pity.

2132

I fear not death, but cannot bear a thought

2133

That that dear hand should do the unfriendly office;

2134

If I was ever then your care, now hear me;

2135

Fly to the Senate, save the promised lives

2136

Of his dear friends, ere mine be made the sacrifice.

Priuli

2137

O my heart's comfort!

Belvidera

Will you not, my father?

2138

Weep not, but answer me.

Priuli

By Heaven, I will.

2139

Not one of 'em but what shall be immortal.

2140

Canst thou forgive me all my follies past,

2141

I'll henceforth be indeed a father; never,

2142

Never more thus expose, but cherish thee.

2143

Dear as the vital warmth that feeds my life,

2144

Dear as these eyes that weep in fondness o'er thee.

2145

Peace to thy heart. Farewell.

Belvidera

Go, and remember

2146

'Tis Belvidera's life her father pleads for.

[Exeunt severally.

Enter ANTONIO.

Antonio

2147Hum, hum, ha, 2148Signor Priuli, my lord Priuli, my lord, my lord, my lord: 2149[how] we lords love to call one another by our titles! My lord, 2150my lord, my lord –pox on him, I am a lord as well as he; and 2151so let him fiddle –I'll warrant him he's gone to the Senate-house, 2152and I'll be there too, soon enough for somebody. 'Od, here's a 2153tickling speech about the plot, I'll prove there's a plot with a 2154vengeance –would I had it without book; let me see – 2155Most reverend Senators, 2156That there is a plot, surely by this time, no man that hath 2157eyes or understanding in his head will presume to doubt, 'tis as 2158plain as the light in the cucumber –no –hold there –cucumber 2159does not come in yet –'tis as plain as the light in the sun, or as 2160the man in the moon, even at noonday; it is indeed a pumpkin-plot, 2161which, just as it was mellow, we have gathered, and now we 2162have gathered it, prepared and dressed it, shall we throw it like 2163a pickled cucumber out at the window? no: that it is not only 2164a bloody, horrid, execrable, damnable and audacious plot, but it 2165is, as I may so say, a saucy plot: and we all know, most reverend 2166fathers, that what is sauce for a goose is sauce for a gander: 2167therefore, I say, as those bloodthirsty ganders of the conspiracy 2168would have destroyed us geese of the Senate, let us make haste 2169to destroy them, so I humbly move for hanging –ha! hurry 2170durry –I think this will do, tho' I was something out, at first, 2171about the sun and the cucumber.

Enter AQUILINA.

Aquilina

2172Good-morrow, Senator.

Antonio

2173Nacky, my dear Nacky, morrow, Nacky, 'od I am very 2174brisk, very merry, very pert, very jovial –ha-a-a-a-a –kiss me, 2175Nacky; how dost thou do, my little tory rory strumpet, kiss me, 2176I say, hussy, kiss me.

Aquilina

2177Kiss me, Nacky, hang you, sir, coxcomb, hang you, sir.

Antonio

2178Hayty, tayty, is it so indeed, with all my heart, faith – 2179 hey then up go we, faith – hey then up go we, dum dum derum 2180dump.

[Sings.

Aquilina

2181Signior.

Antonio

2182Madonna.

Aquilina

2183Do you intend to die in your bed –?

Antonio

2184About threescore years hence, much may be done, my dear.

Aquilina

2185You'll be hanged, signior.

Antonio

2186Hanged, sweetheart? prithee be quiet! hanged quotha? 2187that's a merry conceit, with all my heart! why thou jok'st, 2188Nacky, thou art given to joking, I'll swear; well, I protest, 2189Nacky, nay, I must protest, and will protest that I love joking 2190dearly, man. And I love thee for joking, and I'll kiss thee for 2191joking, and towse thee for joking, and 'od, I have a devilish mind 2192to take thee aside about that business for joking too, 'od I have, 2193and Hey then up go we, dum dum derum dump.

[Sings.

Aquilina

2194See you this, sir?

[Draws a dagger.

Antonio

2195O Laud, a dagger! O Laud! it is naturally my aversion, 2196I cannot endure the sight on't, hide it for Heaven's sake, I cannot 2197look that way till it be gone –hide it, hide it, oh, oh, hide it!

Aquilina

2198Yes, in your heart I'll hide it.

Antonio

2199My heart; what, hide a dagger in my heart's blood?

Aquilina

2200

Yes, in thy heart, thy throat, thou pampered devil;

2201

Thou hast help'd to spoil my peace, and I'll have vengeance

2202

On thy cursed life, for all the bloody Senate,

2203

The perjur'd faithless Senate: where's my lord,

2204

My happiness, my love, my god, my hero,

2205

Doom'd by thy accursed tongue, amongst the rest,

2206

T' a shameful wrack? By all the rage that's in me

2207

I'll be whole years in murthering thee.

Antonio

Why, Nacky,

2208Wherefore so passionate? what have I done? what's the 2209matter, my dear Nacky? am not I thy love, thy happiness, thy 2210lord, thy hero, thy Senator, and everything in the world, Nacky?

Aquilina

2211

Thou! think'st thou, thou art fit to meet my joys;

2212

To bear the eager clasps of my embraces?

2213

Give me my Pierre, or –

Antonio

2214

Why, he's to be hang'd, little Nacky,

2215

Trussed up for treason, and so forth, child.

Aquilina

2216

Thou liest: stop down thy throat that hellish sentence,

2217

Or 'tis thy last: swear that my love shall live,

2218

Or thou art dead.

Antonio

Ah-h-h-h.

Aquilina

Swear to recall his doom,

2219

Swear at my feet, and tremble at my fury.

Antonio

2220

I do. Now if she would but kick a little bit, one kick now,

2221

Ah-h-h-h.

Aquilina

Swear, or –

Antonio

I do, by these dear fragrant foots

2222

And little toes, sweet as, e-e-e-e my Nacky Nacky Nacky.

Aquilina

2223

How!

Antonio

2224

Nothing but untie thy shoe-string a little, faith and troth,

2225

That's all, that's all, as I hope to live, Nacky, that's all.

Aquilina

2226

Nay, then –

Antonio

Hold, hold, thy love, thy lord, thy hero

2227

Shall be preserv'd and safe.

Aquilina

Or may this poniard

2228

Rust in thy heart.

Antonio

With all my soul.

Aquilina

Farewell –

[Exit AQUILINA.

Antonio

2229Adieu. Why, what a bloody-minded, inveterate, 2230termagant strumpet have I been plagued with! Oh-h-h yet 2231more! nay then I die, I die –I am dead already.

[Stretches himself out.

Enter JAFFEIR.

Jaffeir

2232

Final destruction seize on all the world:

2233

Bend down, ye heavens, and shutting round this earth,

2234

Crush the vile globe into its first confusion;

2235

Scorch it, with elemental flames, to one curst cinder,

2236

And all us little creepers in't, called men,

2237

Burn, burn to nothing: but let Venice burn

2238

Hotter than all the rest: here kindle hell

2239

Ne'er to extinguish, and let souls hereafter

2240

Groan here, in all those pains which mine feels now.

Enter BELVIDERA.

Belvidera

2241

My life –

[Meeting him.

Jaffeir

My plague –

[Turning from her.

Belvidera

Nay then I see my ruin

2242

If I must die!

Jaffeir

No, Death's this day too busy,

2243

Thy father's ill-timed mercy came too late.

2244

I thank thee for thy labours though and him too,

2245

But all my poor betray'd unhappy friends

2246

Have summons to prepare for Fate's black hour;

2247

And yet I live.

Belvidera

Then be the next my doom.

2248

I see thou'st pass'd my sentence in thy heart,

2249

And I'll no longer weep or plead against it,

2250

But with the humblest, most obedient patience

2251

Meet thy dear hands, and kiss 'em when they wound me;

2252

Indeed I'm willing, but I beg thee do it

2253

With some remorse, and where thou giv'st the blow,

2254

View me with eyes of a relenting love,

2255

And show me pity, for 'twill sweeten justice.

Jaffeir

2256

Show pity to thee?

Belvidera

Yes, and when thy hands,

2257

Charg'd with my fate, come trembling to the deed,

2258

As thou hast done a thousand thousand dear times,

2259

To this poor breast, when kinder rage has brought thee,

2260

When our stinged hearts have leaped to meet each other,

2261

And melting kisses sealed our lips together,

2262

When joys have left me gasping in thy arms,

2263

So let my death come now, and I'll shrink from't.

Jaffeir

2264

Nay, Belvidera, do not fear my cruelty,

2265

Nor let the thoughts of death perplex thy fancy,

2266

But answer me to what I shall demand

2267

With a firm temper and unshaken spirit.

Belvidera

2268

I will when I've done weeping –

Jaffeir

Fie, no more on't –

2269

How long is't since the miserable day

2270

We wedded first –

Belvidera

Oh-h-h!

Jaffeir

Nay, keep in thy tears,

2271

Lest they unman me too.

Belvidera

Heaven knows I cannot;

2272

The words you utter sound so very sadly

2273

These streams will follow –

Jaffeir

Come, I'll kiss 'em dry, then.

Belvidera

2274

But was't a miserable day?

Jaffeir

A curs'd one.

Belvidera

2275

I thought it otherwise, and you've oft sworn

2276

In the transporting hours of warmest love

2277

When sure you spoke the truth, you've sworn you blessed it.

Jaffeir

2278

'Twas a rash oath.

Belvidera

Then why am I not curs'd too?

Jaffeir

2279

No, Belvidera; by the eternal truth,

2280

I dote with too much fondness.

Belvidera

Still so kind?

2281

Still then do you love me?

Jaffeir

Nature, in her workings,

2282

Inclines not with more ardour to creation,

2283

Than I do now towards thee: man ne'er was bless'd,

2284

Since the first pair first met, as I have been.

Belvidera

2285

Then sure you will not curse me.

Jaffeir

No, I'll bless thee.

2286

I came on purpose, Belvidera, to bless thee.

2287

'Tis now, I think, three years we've liv'd together.

Belvidera

2288

And may no fatal minute ever part us,

2289

Till, reverend grown, for age and love, we go

2290

Down to one grave, as our last bed, together,

2291

There sleep in peace till an eternal morning.

Jaffeir

2292

When will that be?

[Sighing.

Belvidera

I hope long ages hence.

Jaffeir

2293

Have I not hitherto (I beg thee tell me

2294

Thy very fears) used thee with tender'st love?

2295

Did e'er my soul rise up in wrath against thee?

2296

Did e'er I frown when Belvidera smiled,

2297

Or, by the least unfriendly word, betray

2298

A bating passion? have I ever wronged thee?

Belvidera

2299

No.

Jaffeir

Has my heart, or have my eyes e'er wandered

2300

To any other woman?

Belvidera

Never, never –

2301

I were the worst of false ones should I accuse thee;

2302

I own I've been too happy, bless'd above

2303

My sex's charter.

Jaffeir

2304

Did I not say I came to bless thee?

Belvidera

2305

Yes.

Jaffeir

Then hear me, bounteous Heaven!

2306

Pour down your blessings on this beauteous head,

2307

Where everlasting sweets are always springing,

2308

With a continual giving hand: let peace,

2309

Honour, and safety, always hover round her:

2310

Feed her with plenty, let her eyes ne'er see

2311

A sight of sorrow, nor her heart know mourning:

2312

Crown all her days with joy, her nights with rest,

2313

Harmless as her own thoughts; and prop her virtue,

2314

To bear the loss of one that too much lov'd,

2315

And comfort her with patience in our parting.

Belvidera

2316

How, parting! parting!

Jaffeir

Yes, for ever parting.

2317

I have sworn, Belvidera, by yon heaven,

2318

That best can tell how much I lose to leave thee,

2319

We part this hour for ever.

Belvidera

Oh, call back

2320

Your cruel blessings, stay with me and cursed me!

Jaffeir

2321

No, 'tis resolv'd.

Belvidera

Then hear me too, just Heaven!

2322

Pour down your curses on this wretched head

2323

With never-ceasing vengeance: let despair,

2324

Danger or infamy, nay, all surround me:

2325

Starve me with wantings: let my eyes ne'er see

2326

A sight of comfort, nor my heart know peace,

2327

But dash my days with sorrow, nights with horrors

2328

Wild as my own thoughts now, and let loose fury

2329

To make me mad enough for what I lose,

2330

If I must lose him; if I must, I will not.

2331

O turn and hear me!

Jaffeir

Now hold, heart, or never.

Belvidera

2332

By all the tender days we've liv'd together;

2333

By all our charming nights, and joys that crown'd 'em:

2334

Pity my sad condition, speak, but speak.

Jaffeir

2335

Oh-h-h!

Belvidera

By these arms that now cling round thy neck:

2336

By this dear kiss and by ten thousand more,

2337

By these poor streaming eyes –

Jaffeir

Murther! unhold me:

[Draws his dagger.

2338

By the immortal destiny that doom'd me

2339

To this curs'd minute, I'll not live one longer.

2340

Resolve to let me go or see me fall –

Belvidera

2341

Hold, sir, be patient.

Jaffeir

Hark, the dismal bell

[Passing bell tolls.

2342

Tolls out for death; I must attend its call too,

2343

For my poor friend, my dying Pierre expects me:

2344

He sent a message to require I'd see him

2345

Before he died, and take his last forgiveness.

2346

Farewell for ever.

[Going out looks back at her.

Belvidera

Leave thy dagger with me.

2347

Bequeath me something. –Not one kiss at parting?

2348

O my poor heart, when wilt thou break?

Jaffeir

2349

Yet stay,

2350

We have a child, as yet a tender infant.

2351

Be a kind mother to him when I am gone:

2352

Breed him in virtue and the paths of honour,

2353

But let him never know his father's story:

2354

I charge thee guard him from the wrongs my fate

2355

May do his future fortune or his name.

2356

Now –nearer yet –

[Approaching each other.

2357

O that my arms were riveted

2358

Thus round thee ever! But my friends, my oath!

2359

This and no more.

[Kisses her.

Belvidera

Another, sure another,

2360

For that poor little one you've ta'en care of,

2361

I'll give't him truly.

Jaffeir

So, now farewell.

Belvidera

For ever?

Jaffeir

2362

Heaven knows for ever; all good angles guard thee.

[Exit.

Belvidera

2363

All ill ones sure had charge of me this moment.

2364

Curs'd be my days, and doubly curs'd my nights,

2365

Which I must now mourn out in widow'd tears;

2366

Blasted be every herb and fruit and tree;

2367

Curs'd be the rain that falls upon the earth,

2368

And may the general curse reach man and beast;

2369

Oh, give me daggers, fire or water!

2370

How I could bleed, how burn, how drown, the waves

2371

Huzzing and booming round my sinking head,

2372

Till I descended to the peaceful bottom!

2373

Oh, there's all quiet, here all rage and fury:

2374

The air's too thin, and pierces my weak brain:

2375

I long for thick substantial sleep: hell, hell,

2376

Burst from the centre, rage and roar aloud,

2377

If thou art half so hot, so mad as I am.

Enter PRIULI and Servants.

2378

Who's there?

[They seize her.

Priuli

2379

Run, seize and bring her safely home.

2380

Guard her as you would life: alas, poor creature!

Belvidera

2381

What? to my husband then conduct me quickly.

2382

Are all things ready? shall we die most gloriously?

2383

Say not a word of this to my old father.

2384

Murmuring streams, soft shades, and springing flowers,

2385

Lutes, laurels, seas of milk, and ships of amber.

[Exit.

[SCENE II]

Scene opening discovers a Scaffold and a Wheel prepared for the executing of PIERRE, then enter Officers, PIERRE and Guards, a Friar, Executioner, and a great rabble.

Officer

2386

Room, room there –stand all by, make room for the prisoner.

Pierre

2387

My friend not come yet?

Father

2388

Why are you so obstinate?

Pierre

2389

Why you so troublesome, that a poor wretch

2390

Can't die in peace,

2391

But you, like ravens, will be croaking round him?

Father

2392

Yet, Heaven –

Pierre

I tell thee Heaven and I are friends.

2393

I ne'er broke peace with't yet, by cruel murthers,

2394

Rapine or perjury, or vile deceiving,

2395

But lived in moral justice towards all men,

2396

Nor am a foe to the most strong believers,

2397

Howe'er my own short-sighted faith confine me.

Father

2398

But an all-seeing Judge –

Pierre

You say my conscience

2399

Must be mine accuser: I've search'd that conscience,

2400

And find no records there of crimes that scare me.

Father

2401

'Tis strange you should want faith.

Pierre

You want to lead

2402

My reason blindfold, like a hamper'd lion,

2403

Check'd of its nobler vigour; then, when baited

2404

Down to obedient tameness, make it couch,

2405

And show strange tricks, which you call signs of faith.

2406

So silly souls are gull'd and you get money.

2407

Away, no more: Captain, I would hereafter

2408

This fellow write no lies of my conversion,

2409

Because he has crept upon my troubled hours.

Enter JAFFEIR.

Jaffeir

2410

Hold: eyes, be dry!

2411

Heart, strengthen me to bear

2412

This hideous sight, and humble me, to take

2413

The last forgiveness of a dying friend,

2414

Betray'd by my vile falsehood, to his ruin.

2415

O Pierre!

Pierre

Yet nearer.

Jaffeir

Crawling on my knees,

2416

And prostrate on the earth, let me approach thee:

2417

How shall I look up to thy injured face,

2418

That always used to smile, with friendship on me?

2419

It darts an air of so much manly virtue,

2420

That I, methinks, look little in thy sight,

2421

And stripes are fitter for me than embraces.

Pierre

2422

Dear to my arms, though thou'st undone my fame,

2423

I cannot forget to love thee; prithee, Jaffeir,

2424

Forgive that filthy blow my passion dealt thee;

2425

I'm now preparing for the land of peace,

2426

And fain would have the charitable wishes

2427

Of all good men, like thee, to bless my journey.

Jaffeir

2428

Good! I am the vilest creature; worse than e'er

2429

Suffer'd the shameful fate thou'rt going to taste of.

2430

Why was I sent for to be used thus kindly?

2431

Call, call me villain, as I am, describe

2432

The foul complexion of my hateful deeds,

2433

Lead me to the rack, and stretch me in thy stead,

2434

I've crimes enough to give it its full load,

2435

And do it credit. Thou wilt but spoil the use on't,

2436

And honest men hereafter bear its figure

2437

About 'em, as a charm from treacherous friendship.

Officer

2438

The time grows short, your friends are dead already.

Jaffeir

2439

Dead!

Pierre

Yes, dead, Jaffeir, they've all died like men too,

2440

Worthy their character.

Jaffeir

And what must I do?

Pierre

2441

O Jaffeir!

Jaffeir

Speak aloud thy burthen'd soul,

2442

And tell thy troubles to thy tortured friend.

Pierre

2443

Friend! Couldst thou yet be a friend, a generous friend,

2444

I might hope comfort from thy noble sorrows.

2445

Heav'n knows I want a friend.

Jaffeir

And I a kind one,

2446

That would not thus scorn my repenting virtue,

2447

Or think when he's to die, my thoughts are idle.

Pierre

2448

No! live, I charge thee, Jaffeir.

Jaffeir

2449

Yes, I'll live.

2450

But it shall be to see thy fall revenged

2451

At such a rate, as Venice long shall groan for.

Pierre

2452

Wilt thou?

Jaffeir

I will, by Heav'n.

Pierre

Then still thou'rt noble,

2453

And I forgive thee, oh –yet– shall I trust thee?

Jaffeir

2454

No: I've been false already.

Pierre

Dost thou love me?

Jaffeir

2455

Rip up my heart, and satisfy thy doubtings.

Pierre

2456

Curse on this weakness.

[He weeps.

Jaffeir

Tears! Amazement! Tears!

2457

I never saw thee melted thus before,

2458

And know there's something labouring in thy bosom.

2459

That must have vent: though I'm a villain, tell me.

Pierre

2460

Seest thou that engine?

[Pointing to the Wheel.

Jaffeir

2461

Why?

Pierre

2462

Is't fit a soldier, who has liv'd with honour,

2463

Fought nations' quarrels, and been crown'd with conquest,

2464

Be exposed a common carcase on a wheel?

Jaffeir

2465

Ha!

Pierre

Speak! is't fitting?

Jaffeir

Fitting?

Pierre

Yes, is't fitting?

Jaffeir

2466

What's to be done?

Pierre

I'd have thee undertake

2467

Something that's noble, to preserve my memory

2468

From the disgrace that's ready to attaint it.

Officer

2469

The day grows late, sir.

Pierre

I'll make haste! O Jaffeir,

2470

Though thou'st betray'd me, do me some way justice.

Jaffeir

2471

No more of that: thy wishes shall be satisfied.

2472

I have a wife, and she shall bleed, my child too

2473

Yield up his little throat, and all t' appease thee –

[Going away, PIERRE holds him.

Pierre

2474

No –this– no more!

[He whispers JAFFEIR.

Jaffeir

Ha! is't then so?

Pierre

Most certainly.

Jaffeir

2475

I'll do't.

Pierre

Remember.

Officer

Sir.

Pierre

Come, now I'm ready.

[He and JAFFEIR ascend the scaffold.

2476

Captain, you should be a gentleman of honour.

2477

Keep off the rabble, that I may have room

2478

To entertain my fate and die with decency.

2479

Come!

[Takes off his gown, Executioner prepares to bind him.

Father

2480

Son!

Pierre

Hence, tempter.

Officer

Stand off, priest.

Pierre

2481

I thank you, sir.

[To JAFFEIR.

You'll think on't.

Jaffeir

2482

'Twon't grow stale before to-morrow.

Pierre

2483

Now, Jaffeir! now I am going. Now; –

[Executioner having bound him.

Jaffeir

2484

Have at thee,

2485

Thou honest heart, then –here–

[Stabs him.

2486

And this is well too.

[Then stabs himself.

Father

Damnable deed!

Pierre

2487

Now thou hast indeed been faithful.

2488

This was done nobly –we've deceived the Senate.

Jaffeir

2489

Bravely.

Pierre

Ha! ha! ha! –oh! oh! –

[Dies.

Jaffeir

Now, ye curs'd rulers,

2490

Thus of the blood ye've shed I make libation,

2491

And sprinkle it mingling: may it rest upon you,

2492

And all your race: be henceforth peace a stranger

2493

Within your walls; let plagues and famine waste

2494

Your generations –O poor Belvidera!

2495

Sir, I have a wife, bear this

2496

[Giving dagger.]

in safety to her.

2497

A token that with my dying breath I blessed her,

2498

And the dear little infant left behind me.

2499

I'm sick –I'm quiet –

[JAFFEIR dies.

Officer

Bear this news to the Senate,

2500

And guard their bodies till there's a farther order:

2501

Heaven grant I die so well!

[Scene shuts upon them.

Soft music. Enter BELVIDERA distracted, led by two of her women, PRIULI and Servants.

Priuli

2502

Strengthen her heart with patience, pitying Heaven.

Belvidera

2503

Come come come come come, nay, come to bed!

2504

Prithee my love. The winds! hark how they whistle!

2505

And the rain beats: oh, how the weather shrinks me!

2506

You are angry now, who cares? pish, no indeed.

2507

Choose then, I say you shall not go, you shall not;

2508

Whip your ill nature; get you gone then! oh,

[JAFFEIR'S ghost rises.

2509

Are you return'd? See, father, here he's come again!

2510

Am I to blame to love him? O thou dear one!

[Ghost sinks.

2511

Why do you fly me? are you angry still, then?

2512

Jaffeir! where art thou? Father, why do you do thus?

2513

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

Enter Officer and others.

2514

Stand off, I say! what, gone? remember't, Tyrant!

2515

I may revenge myself for this trick one day.

2516

I'll do't –I'll do't! Renault's a nasty fellow.

2517

Hang him, hang him, hang him.

Priuli

2518

News, what news?

[Officer whispers PRIULI.

Officer

Most sad, sir.

2519

Jaffeir, upon the scaffold, to prevent

2520

A shameful death, stabb'd Pierre, and next himself:

2521

Both fell together.

[The ghosts of JAFFEIR and PIERRE rise together, both bloody.

Priuli

Daughter.

Belvidera

Ha, look there!

2522

My husband bloody, and his friend too! Murther!

2523

Who has done this? speak to me, thou sad vision,

[Ghosts sink.

2524

On these poor trembling knees I beg it. Vanish'd!

2525

Here they went down; oh, I'll dig, dig the den up.

2526

You shan't delude me thus. Ho, Jaffeir, Jaffeir,

2527

Peep up and give me but a look. I have him!

2528

I've got him, father: oh, how I'll smuggle him!

2529

My love! my dear! my blessing! help me, help me!

2530

They've hold on me, and drag me to the bottom.

2531

Nay –now they pull so hard –farewell –

[She dies.

Maid

She's dead.

2532

Breathless and dead.

Priuli

Then guard me from the sight on't;

2533

Lead me into some place that's fit for mourning;

2534

Where the free air, light, and the cheerful sun

2535

May never enter: hang it round with black:

2536

Set up one taper that may last a day

2537

As long as I've to live: and there all leave me.

2538

Sparing no tears when you this tale relate,

2539

But bid all cruel fathers dread my fate.

[Curtain falls. Exeunt omnes.

APPENDIX - PROLOGUE

To His Royal Highness

Upon his first appearance at the Duke's Theatre since his Return from Scotland

Written by Mr. Dryden.

Spoken by Mr. Smith.

2540

In those cold Regions which no Summers chear,

2541

When brooding darkness covers half the year,

2542

To hollow Caves the shivering Natives go;

2543

Bears range abroad, and hunt in tracks of Snow:

2544

But when the tedious Twilight wears away,

2545

And stars grow paler at th' approach of Day,

2546

The longing Crowds to frozen Mountains run,

2547

Happy who first can see the glimmering Sun!

2548

The surly Salvage Offspring disappear;

2549

And curse the bright Successour of the year.

2550

Yet, though rough Bears on Covert seek defence, }

2551

White Foxes stay, with seeming Innocence: }

2552

That crafty kind with daylight can dispense. }

2553

Still we are throng'd so full with Reynard's race,

2554

That Loyal Subjects scarce can find a place:

2555

Thus modest Truth is cast behind the Crowd:

2556

Truth speaks too Low; Hypocrisie too Loud.

2557

Let 'em be first, to flatter in success;

2558

Duty can stay; but Guilt has need to press.

2559

Once, when true Zeal the Sons of God did call,

2560

To make their solemn show at Heaven's White-hall,

2561

The fawning Devil appear'd among the rest,

2562

And made as good a Courtier as the best.

2563

The friends of Job, who rail'd at him before,

2564

Came Cap in hand when he had three time more.

2565

Yet late Repentance may, perhaps, be true;

2566

Kings can forgive if Rebels can but sue:

2567

A Tyrant's Pow'r in rigour is exprest:

2568

The Father yearns in the true Prince's Breast.

2569

We grant an Ore' grown Whig no grace can mend;

2570

But most are Babes, that know not they offend.

2571

The Crowd, to restless motion still enclin'd,

2572

Are Clouds, that rack according to the Wind.

2573

Driv'n by their Chiefs, they storms of Hailstones pour:

2574

Then mourn, and soften to a silent showre.

2575

O welcome to this much offending Land

2576

The Prince that brings forgiveness in his hand!

2577

Thus Angels on Glad Messages appear:

2578

Their first salute commands us not to fear:

2579

Thus Heav'n, that cou'd constrain us to obey, }

2580

(With rev'rence if we might presume to say,) }

2581

Seems to relax the rights of Sov'reign sway; }

2582

Permits to Man the choice of Good and Ill;

2583

And makes us Happy by our own Free-will.

THE EPILOGUE

Written by Mr. Otway to his Play call'd Venice Preserv'd, or A Plot Discover'd; spoken upon his Royal Highness the Duke of York's coming to the Theatre, Friday, April 21, 1682

2584

WHEN too much Plenty, Luxury, and Ease,

2585

Had surfeited this Isle to a Disease;

2586

When noisome Blaines did its best parts orespread,

2587

And on the rest their dire Infection shed;

2588

Our Great Physician, who the Nature knew }

2589

Of the Distemper, and from whence it grew, }

2590

Fix't for Three Kingdoms quiet (Sir) on You: }

2591

He cast his searching Eyes o'er all the Frame,

2592

And finding whence before one sickness came,

2593

How once before our Mischiefs foster'd were,

2594

Knew well Your Vertue, and apply'd You there:

2595

Where so Your Goodness, so Your Justice sway'd,

2596

You but appear'd, and the wild Plague was stay'd.

2597

When from the filthy Dunghil-faction bred, }

2598

New form'd Rebellion durst rear up its head, }

2599

Answer me all: who struck the Monster dead? }

2600

See, see, the injur'd PRINCE, and bless his Name,

2601

Think on the Martyr from whose Loynes he came:

2602

Think on the Blood was shed for you before,

2603

And curse the Paricides that thirst for more.

2604

His foes are yours, then of their wiles beware:

2605

Lay, lay him in your Hearts, and guard him there;

2606

Where let his Wrongs your Zeal for him Improve;

2607

He wears a Sword will justifie your Love.

2608

With Blood still ready for your good t' expend,

2609

And has a Heart that ne're forgot his friend.

2610

His Duteous Loyalty before you lay,

2611

And learn of him, unmurm'ring to obey.

2612

Think what he'as born, your Quiet to restore;

2613

Repent your madness and rebell no more.

2614

No more let Bout'feu's hope to lead Petitions,

2615

Scriv'ners to be Treas'rures; Pedlars Politicians;

2616

Nor ev'ry fool, whose wife has tript at Court,

2617

Pluck up a Spirit, and turn Rebell for't.

2618

In Lands where Cuckolds multiply like ours,

2619

What Prince can be too Jealous of their powers,

2620

Or can too often think himself alarm'd?

2621

They're male contents that ev'rywhere go arm'd:

2622

And when the horned Herd's together got,

2623

Nothing portends a Commonwealth like that.

2624

Cast, cast your Idols off, your Gods of wood,

2625

Er'e yet Philistins fatten with your blood:

2626

Renounce your Priests of Baal with Amen-faces,

2627

Your Wapping Feasts and your Mile-End High-places.

2628

Nail all your Medals on the Gallows Post,

2629

In recompense th' Original was lost:

2630

At these, illustrious Repentance pay,

2631

In his kind hands your humble Offrings lay:

2632

Let Royal Pardon be by him implor'd,

2633

Th' Attoning Brother of your Anger'd Lord:

2634

He only brings a medicine fit to aswage

2635

A people's folly, and rowz'd Monarch's rage;

2636

An Infant Prince yet lab'ring in the womb, }

2637

Fated with wond'rous happiness to come, }

2638

He goes to fetch the mighty blessing home: }

2639

Send all your wished with him, let the Ayre }

2640

With gentle breezes waft it safely here, }

2641

The Seas, like what they'l carry, calm and fair: }

2642

Let the Illustrious Mother touch our Land

2643

Mildly, as hereafter may her Son Command;

2644

While our glad Monarch welcomes her to shore,

2645

With kind assurance; she shall part no more.

2646

Be the Majestick Babe then smiling born,

2647

And all good signs of Fate his Birth adorn,

2648

So live and grow, a constant pledg to stand

2649

Of CÆSAR'S Love to an obedient Land.