Thomas Otway

Venice Preserved; or a Plot Discovered

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

Joan Oleza Simó (Investigador principal) Tronch Pérez, Jesus (Editor)

English · Verso · 2465 versos

https://playcode.fly.dev/plays/EMOTHE0417_VenicePreservedOrAPlotDiscovered

Tiempo histórico: Siglo XVII
Datación: 1682
anterior o hasta 1682

Bibliografía

Ediciones modernas

Dobrée, Bonamy, ed. Five Restoration Tragedies. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1928. Oxford World’s Classics.
Ghosh, J. C., ed. The Works of Thomas Otway: Plays, Poems, and Love-Letters. Reprint ed. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1932. (2 vols.).
Kelsall, Malcolm, ed. Venice Preserved. Otway, Thomas. London: Edward Arnold, 1969. Regents Restoration Drama.
Lawrence, Robert G., ed. Restoration Plays. London: J. M. Dent & Sons, 1994. The Everyman Library.
Matthews, Brander; Leider, Paul Robert, ed. The Chief British Dramatists Excluding Shakespeare. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1924.
Moore, Cecil A., ed. Twelve Famous Plays of the Restoration and Eighteenth Century. New York: Modern Library, 1933. The Modern Library of the World’s Best Books.
Restoration Plays. Gosse, Sir Edmund. London: Dent, 1932. Everyman’s Library.
Summers, Montague, ed. The Complete Works of Thomas Otway. London: The Nonsuche Press, 1926.
Sutherland, James, ed. Restoration Tragedies. London: Oxford University Press, 1977.
Womersley, David, ed. Restoration Drama: An Anthology. Oxford: Blackwell, 2000. Blackwell Anthologies.

Bibliografía crítica

Benham, Allen R. "Notes on Plays. On 'Venice Preserved'". modern language notes. 1923, 38, p. 252.
De Stasio, Clotilde. "'Venice Preserved': Dickens and Italian Stereotypes, Past and Present". Ed. Waters, Catherine, Hollington, Michael, Jordan, John, Chard, Chloe. Imagining Italy: Victorian Writers and Travellers. Newcastle upon Tyne: Cambridge Scholars, 2010.
Durant, Jack. "'Honor's toughest task': family and state in 'Venice Preserved'". Studies in Philology. 1974, 71, p. 484-503.
Festa-mcCormick, Diana. "Balzac and Otway's 'Venice Preserved'". Comparative Literature Studies. 1983, 20, p. 183-93.
Gabler, Hans Walter. "Merchant of 'Venice Preserved'". Notes and Queries. 1978, 25, p. 128-29.
Gill, Pat. "Revolutionary Identity in Otway's 'Venice Preserved'". Ed. DiPiero, Thomas, Gill, Pat,. Identity Politics in Early Modern Culture. Athens: U of Georgia P, 1997.
Gruber, Elizabeth. "'Betray'd to Shame': 'Venice Preserved' and the Paradox of She-Tragedy". Connotations: A Journal for Critical Debate. 2006, 16, 1-3, p. 158-171.
Hauser, David R. "Otway Preserved: Theme and Form in 'Venice Preserved'". Studies in Philology Chapel. 1958, 55, p. 481-493.
Jump, John D. "A Comparison of Marino Faliero with Otway's 'Venice Preserved'". Byron Journal. 1977, 5, p. 20-37.
Klieneberger, H. R. ""Otway's 'Venice Preserved' and Hofmannsthal's Das Gerettete Venedig". Modern Language Review. 1967, 62, p. 292.
Koziol, Herbert. "Zu Thomas Otways 'Venice Preserved' und Hugo von Hofmannsthals Das gerettete Venedig". Ed. Hietsch, Otto. Österreich und die angelsächsische Welt. Kulturbegegnungen und Vergleiche, 1961.
Mansau, Andrée. "'Venice Preserved': History, Myth and Literary Creation". New Comparison: A Journal of Comparative and General Literary Studies. 1988, 6, p. 34-45.
Moore, John Robert. "Contemporary Satire in Otway's 'Venice Preserved'". Publications of the Modern Language Association of America. 1928, 43, 1, p. 166-81.
Pasquarelli, Robert. "On the Nicky-Nacky Scenes in 'Venice Preserved'". Restoration and 18th Century Theatre Research. 1969, 8, 2, p. 38-41.
Poyet, A. "Un écho d'Absalom and Achitopel dans le prologue d'Otway à 'Venice Preserved'". Caliban. 1969, 6, p. 27-8.
Rives, S. "Undramaturge à la croisée des chemins: Otway dans 'Venice Preserved'". Caliban. 1969, 6, p. 17-26.
Rogers, Katharine M. "Feminine Agency and Feminine Values in 'Venice Preserved': A Response to Elizabeth Gruber". Connotations: A Journal for Critical Debate. 2007, 17, 2-3, p. 197-199.
Rogers, Katharine M. "Masculine and Feminine Values in Restoration Drama: The Distinctive Power of 'Venice Preserved'". Texas Studies in Literature and Language. 1985, 24, 7, p. 390-404.
Schille, Candy B. K. "Reappraising 'Pathetic' Tragedies: 'Venice Preserved' and The Massacre of Paris". Restoration: Studies in English Literary Culture, 1660-1700. 1988, 12, 1, p. 33-45.
Suganuma, Keiichi. 'Venice preserved'. Tokyo: Seibido, 1979.
Woodford, Benjamin. "The Intellectual Context of Thomas Otway's 'Venice Preserved'". SEL: Studies in English Literature, 1500-1900. 2017, 57, 3, p. 479-500, 699-700.

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

All Senators

All

Omnes

All Conspirators

PROLOGUE

In these distracted times, when each man dreads 1

The bloody stratagems of busy heads; 2

When we have feared three years we know not what, 3

Till witnesses begin to die o' th' rot, 4

What made our poet meddle with a plot? 5

Was't that he fancied, for the very sake 6

And name of plot, his trifling play might take? 7

For there's not in't one inch-board evidence, 8

But 'tis, he says, to reason plain and sense, 9

And that he thinks a plausible defence. 10

Were Truth by Sense and Reason to be tried, 11

Sure all our swearers might be laid aside: 12

No, of such tools our author has no need, 13

To make his plot, or make his play succeed; 14

He of black Bills, has no prodigious tales, 15

Or Spanish pilgrims cast ashore in Wales; 16

Here's not one murther'd magistrate at least, 17

Kept rank like ven'son for a city feast, 18

Grown four days still, the better to prepare 19

And fit his pliant limbs to ride in chair: 20

Yet here's an army raised, though under ground, 21

But no man seen, nor one commission found; 22

Here is a traitor too, that's very old, 23

Turbulent, subtle, mischievous, and bold, 24

Bloody, revengeful, and to crown his part, 25

Loves fumbling with a wench, with all his heart; 26

Till after having many changes passed, 27

In spite of age (thanks heaven) is hanged at last: 28

Next is a senator that keeps a whore, 29

In Venice none a higher office bore; 30

To lewdness every night the letcher ran, 31

Show me, all London, such another man, 32

Match him at Mother Creswold's if you can. 33

O Poland, Poland! had it been thy lot, 34

T' have heard in time of this Venetian plot, 35

Thou surely chosen hadst one king from thence, 36

And honoured them as thou hast England since. 37

ACT I

SCENE I

(Enter PRIULI and JAFFEIR.)

Priuli

No more! I'll hear no more; begone and leave. 38

Jaffeir

Not hear me! by my sufferings but you shall! 39

My lord, my lord! I'm not that abject wretch 40

You think me: Patience! where's the distance throws 41

Me back so far, but I may boldly speak 42

In right, though proud oppression will not hear me! 43

Priuli

Have you not wrong'd me? 44

Jaffeir

Could my nature e'er

Have brook'd injustice or the doing wrongs, 45

I need not now thus low have bent myself 46

To gain a hearing from a cruel father! 47

Wronged you! 48

Priuli

Yes! wronged me, in the nicest point:

The honour of my house; you have done me wrong; 49

You may remember (for I now will speak, 50

And urge its baseness): when you first came home 51

From travel, with such hopes as made you looked on 52

By all men's eyes, a youth of expectation; 53

Pleased with your growing virtue, I received you: 54

Courted, and sought to raise you to your merits: 55

My house, my table, nay my fortune too, 56

My very self, was yours; you might have used me 57

To your best service; like an open friend, 58

I treated, trusted you, and thought you mine; 59

When in requital of my best endeavours, 60

You treacherously practised to undo me, 61

Seduced the weakness of my age's darling, 62

My only child, and stole her from my bosom: 63

O Belvidera! 64

Jaffeir

'Tis to me you owe her,

Childless you had been else, and in the grave, 65

Your name extinct, nor no more Priuli heard of. 66

You may remember, scarce five years are past, 67

Since in your brigandine you sailed to see 68

The Adriatic wedded by our Duke, 69

And I was with you: your unskilful pilot 70

Dashed us upon a rock; when to your boat 71

You made for safety; entered first yourself; 72

The affrighted Belvidera following next, 73

And she stood trembling on the vessel side, 74

Was by a wave washed off into the deep, 75

When instantly I plunged into the sea, 76

And buffeting the billows to her rescue, 77

Redeemed her life with half the loss of mine: 78

Like a rich conquest in one hand I bore her, 79

And with the other dashed the saucy waves, 80

That thronged and pressed to rob me of my prize: 81

I brought her, gave her to your despairing arms: 82

Indeed you thanked me; but a nobler gratitude 83

Rose in her soul: for from that hour she loved me, 84

Till for her life she paid me with herself. 85

Priuli

You stole her from me, like a thief you stole her, 86

At dead of night; that cursed hour you chose 87

To rifle me of all my heart held dear. 88

May all your joys in her prove false like mine; 89

A sterile fortune and a barren bed, 90

Attend you both; continual discord make 91

Your days and nights bitter and grievous: still 92

May the hard hand of a vexatious need 93

Oppress, and grind you; till at last you find 94

The curse of disobedience all your portion. 95

Jaffeir

Half of your curse you have bestowed in vain, 96

Heaven has already crowned our faithful loves 97

With a young boy, sweet as his mother's beauty. 98

May he live to prove more gentle than his grandsire, 99

And happier than his father! 100

Priuli

Rather live

To bait thee for his bread, and din your ears 101

With hungry cries: whilst his unhappy mother 102

Sits down and weeps in bitterness of want. 103

Jaffeir

You talk as if 'twould please you. 104

Priuli

'Twould, by Heaven.

Once she was dear indeed; the drops that fell 105

From my sad heart, when she forgot her duty, 106

The fountain of my life was not so precious: 107

But she is gone, and if I am a man 108

I will forget her. 109

Jaffeir

Would I were in my grave! 110

Priuli

And she too with thee;

For, living here, you're but my cursed remembrancers 111

I once was happy. 112

Jaffeir

You use me thus, because you know my soul 113

Is fond of Belvidera: you perceive 114

My life feeds on her, therefore thus you treat me 115

Oh! could my soul ever have known satiety: 116

Were I that thief, the doer of such wrongs 117

As you upbraid me with, what hinders me, 118

But I might send her back to you with contumely, 119

And court my fortune where she would be kinder! 120

Priuli

You dare not do't – 121

Jaffeir

Indeed, my lord, I dare not.

My heart that awes me is too much my master: 122

Three years are past since first our vows were plighted, 123

During which time, the world must bear me witness, 124

I have treated Belvidera like your daughter, 125

The daughter of a senator of Venice; 126

Distinction, place, attendance, and observance, 127

Due to her birth, she always has commanded; 128

Out of my little fortune I have done this; 129

Because (though hopeless e'er to win your nature) 130

The world might see, I loved her for herself, 131

Not as the heiress of the great Priuli – 132

Priuli

No more! 133

Jaffeir

Yes! all, and then adieu for ever.

There's not a wretch that lives on common charity 134

But's happier than me: for I have known 135

The luscious sweets of plenty; every night 136

Have slept with soft content about my head, 137

And never waked but to a joyful morning; 138

Yet now must fall like a full ear of corn, 139

Whose blossom scaped, yet's withered in the ripening. 140

Priuli

Home and be humble, study to retrench; 141

Discharge the lazy vermin of thy hall, 142

Those pageants of thy folly, 143

Reduce the glittering trappings of thy wife 144

To humble weeds, fit for thy little state; 145

Then to some suburb cottage both retire; 146

Drudge, to feed loathsome life: get brats, and starve – 147

Home, home, I say. – 148

([Exit PRIULI.)

Jaffeir

Yes, if my heart would let me –

This proud, this swelling heart: home I would go, 149

But that my doors are hateful to my eyes, 150

Filled and dammed up with gaping creditors, 151

Watchful as fowlers when their game will spring; 152

I have now not fifty ducats in the world, 153

Yet still I am in love, and pleased with ruin. 154

O Belvidera! oh, she is my wife – 155

And we will bear our wayward fate together, 156

But ne'er know comfort more. 157

(Enter PIERRE.)

Pierre

My friend, good morrow!

How fares the honest partner of my heart? 158

What, melancholy! not a word to spare me? 159

Jaffeir

I'm thinking, Pierre, how that damned starving quality 160

Called Honesty got footing in the world. 161

Pierre

Why, powerful Villainy first set it up, 162

For its own ease and safety: honest men 163

Are the soft easy cushions on which knaves 164

Repose and fatten: were all mankind villains, 165

They'd starve each other; lawyers would want practice, 166

Cut-throats rewards: each man would kill his brother 167

Himself, none would be paid or hanged for murder: 168

Honesty was a cheat invented first 169

To bind the hands of bold deserving rogues, 170

That fools and cowards might sit safe in power, 171

And lord it uncontrolled above their betters. 172

Jaffeir

Then Honesty is but a notion. 173

Pierre

Nothing else,

Like wit, much talked of, not to be defined: 174

He that pretends to most, too, has least share in't; 175

'Tis a ragged virtue: Honesty! no more on't. 176

Jaffeir

Sure thou art honest? 177

Pierre

So indeed men think me.

But they're mistaken, Jaffeir; I am a rogue 178

As well as they; 179

A fine gay bold-faced villain, as thou seest me; 180

'Tis true, I pay my debts when they're contracted; 181

I steal from no man; would not cut a throat 182

To gain admission to a great man's purse, 183

Or a whore's bed; I'd not betray my friend, 184

To get his place or fortune: I scorn to flatter 185

A blown-up fool above me, or crush the wretch beneath me, 186

Yet, Jaffeir, for all this, I am a villain! 187

Jaffeir

A villain – 188

Pierre

Yes, a most notorious villain:

To see the suff'rings of my fellow-creatures, 189

And own myself a man: to see our senators 190

Cheat the deluded people with a show 191

Of Liberty, which yet they ne'er must taste of; 192

They say, by them our hands are free from fetters, 193

Yet whom they please they lay in basest bonds; 194

Bring whom they please to Infamy and Sorrow; 195

Drive us like wracks down the rough tide of power, 196

Whilst no hold's left to save us from destruction; 197

All that bear this are villains; and I one, 198

Not to rouse up at the great call of nature, 199

And check the growth of these domestic spoilers, 200

That make us slaves and tell us 'tis our charter. 201

Jaffeir

O Aquilina! Friend, to lose such beauty, 202

The dearest purchase of thy noble labours; 203

She was thy right by conquest, as by love. 204

Pierre

O Jaffeir! I'd so fixed my heart upon her, 205

That wheresoe'er I framed a scheme of life 206

For time to come, she was my only joy 207

With which I wished to sweeten future cares; 208

I fancied pleasures, none but one that loves 209

And dotes as I did can imagine like 'em: 210

When in the extremity of all these hopes, 211

In the most charming hour of expectation, 212

Then when our eager wishes soar the highest, 213

Ready to stoop and grasp the lovely game, 214

A haggard owl, a worthless kite of prey, 215

With his foul wings sailed in and spoiled my quarry. 216

Jaffeir

I know the wretch, and scorn him as thou hat'st him. 217

Pierre

Curse on the common good that's so protected! 218

Where every slave that heaps up wealth enough 219

To do much wrong becomes a lord of right: 220

I, who believed no ill could e'er come near me, 221

Found in the embraces of my Aquilina 222

A wretched old but itching senator; 223

A wealthy fool, that had bought out my title, 224

A rogue, that uses beauty like a lambskin, 225

Barely to keep him warm: that filthy cuckoo too 226

Was in my absence crept into my nest, 227

And spoiling all my brood of noble pleasure. 228

Jaffeir

Didst thou not chase him thence? 229

Pierre

I did, and drove

The rank old bearded Hirco stinking home: 230

The matter was complained of in the Senate, 231

I summoned to appear, and censured basely, 232

For violating something they call privilege – 233

This was the recompense of my service: 234

Would I'd been rather beaten by a coward! 235

A soldier's mistress, Jaffeir, 's his religion, 236

When that's profaned, all other ties are broken; 237

That even dissolves all former bonds of service, 238

And from that hour I think myself as free 239

To be the foe as e'er the friend of Venice. – 240

Nay, dear Revenge, whene'er thou call'st I'm ready. 241

Jaffeir

I think no safety can be here for virtue, 242

And grieve, my friend, as much as thou to live 243

In such a wretched state as this of Venice; 244

Where all agree to spoil the public good, 245

And villains fatten with the brave man's labours. 246

Pierre

We have neither safety, unity, nor peace, 247

For the foundation's lost of common good. 248

Justice is lame as well as blind amongst us; 249

The laws (corrupted to their ends that make 'em) 250

Serve but for instruments of some new tyranny, 251

That every day starts up to enslave us deeper: 252

Now could this glorious cause but find out friends 253

To do it right! O Jaffeir! then might'st thou 254

Not wear these seals of woe upon thy face. 255

The proud Priuli should be taught humanity, 256

And learn to value such a son as thou art. 257

I dare not speak! But my heart bleeds this moment! 258

Jaffeir

Cursed be the cause, though I thy friend be part on't: 259

Let me partake the troubles of my bosom, 260

For I am used to misery, and perhaps 261

May find a way to sweeten 't to thy spirit. 262

Pierre

Too soon it will reach thy knowledge – 263

Jaffeir

Then from thee

Let it proceed. There's virtue in thy friendship 264

Would make the saddest tale of sorrow pleasing, 265

Strengthen my constancy, and welcome ruin. 266

Pierre

Then thou art ruined! 267

Jaffeir

That I long since knew;

I and ill-fortune have been long acquaintance. 268

Pierre

I passed this very moment by thy doors, 269

And found them guarded by a troop of villains; 270

The sons of public rapine were destroying: 271

They told me, by the sentence of the law 272

They had commission to seize all thy fortune, 273

Nay more, Priuli's cruel hand hath signed it. 274

Here stood a ruffian with a horrid face 275

Lording it o'er a pile of massy plate, 276

Tumbled into a heap for public sale: 277

There was another making villainous jests 278

At thy undoing; he had ta'en possession 279

Of all thy ancient most domestic ornaments, 280

Rich hangings, intermixed and wrought with gold; 281

The very bed, which on thy wedding-night 282

Received thee to the arms of Belvidera, 283

The scene of all thy joys, was violated 284

By the coarse hands of filthy dungeon villains, 285

And thrown amongst the common lumber. 286

Jaffeir

Now, thanks Heaven – 287

Pierre

Thank Heaven! for what? 288

Jaffeir

That I am not worth a ducat.

Pierre

Curse thy dull stars, and the worse fate of Venice, 289

Where brothers, friends, and fathers, all are false; 290

Where there's no trust, no truth; where Innocence 291

Stoops under vile Oppression, and Vice lords it: 292

Hadst thou but seen, as I did, how at last 293

Thy beauteous Belvidera, like a wretch 294

That's doomed to banishment, came weeping forth, 295

Shining through tears, like April suns in showers 296

That labour to o'ercome the cloud that loads 'em, 297

Whilst two young virgins, on whose arms she leaned, 298

Kindly looked up, and at her grief grew sad, 299

As if they catched the sorrows that fell from her: 300

Even the lewd rabble that were gathered round 301

To see the sight, stood mute when they beheld her; 302

Governed their roaring throats and grumbled pity: 303

I could have hugged the greasy rogues: they pleased me. 304

Jaffeir

I thank thee for this story, from my soul, 305

Since now I know the worst that can befall me: 306

Ah, Pierre! I have a heart, that could have borne 307

The roughest wrong my fortune could have done me: 308

But when I think what Belvidera feels, 309

The bitterness her tender spirit tastes of, 310

I own myself a coward: bear my weakness, 311

If throwing thus my arms about thy neck, 312

I play the boy, and blubber in thy bosom. 313

Oh! I shall drown thee with my sorrows! 314

Pierre

Burn!

First burn, and level Venice to thy ruin. 315

What! starve like beggars' brats in frosty weather, 316

Under a hedge, and whine ourselves to death! 317

Thou, or thy cause, shall never want assistance, 318

Whilst I have blood or fortune fit to serve thee; 319

Command my heart: thou art every way its master. 320

Jaffeir

No: there's a secret pride in bravely dying. 321

Pierre

Rats die in holes and corners, dogs run mad; 322

Man knows a braver remedy for sorrow: 323

Revenge! the attribute of gods, they stamped it 324

With their great image on our natures; die! 325

Consider well the cause that calls upon thee: 326

And if thou'rt base enough, die then: remember 327

Thy Belvidera suffers: Belvidera! 328

Die! –damn first! –what! be decently interred 329

In a churchyard, and mingle thy brave dust 330

With stinking rogues that rot in dirty winding-sheets, 331

Surfeit-slain fools, the common dung o' th' soil. 332

Jaffeir

Oh! 333

Pierre

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

Jaffeir

Swear!

By sea and air! by earth, by heaven and hell. 334

I will revenge my Belvidera's tears! 335

Hark thee, my friend –Priuli –is –a Senator! 336

Pierre

A dog! 337

Jaffeir

Agreed.

Pierre

Shoot him.

Jaffeir

With all my heart.

No more: where shall we meet at night? 338

Pierre

I'll tell thee;

On the Rialto every night at twelve 339

I take my evening's walk of meditation, 340

There we two will meet, and talk of precious 341

Mischief – 342

Jaffeir

Farewell.

Pierre

At twelve.

Jaffeir

At any hour, my plagues

Will keep me waking. 343

([Exit PIERRE.)

Tell me why, good Heaven, 344

Thou mad'st me what I am, with all the spirit, 345

Aspiring thoughts and elegant desires 346

That fill the happiest man? Ah! rather why 347

Didst thou not form me sordid as my fate, 348

Base-minded, dull, and fit to carry burdens? 349

Why have I sense to know the curse that's on me? 350

Is this just dealing Nature? Belvidera! 351

(Enter BELVIDERA.)

Poor Belvidera! 352

Belvidera

Lead me, lead me, my virgins, 353

To that kind voice. My lord, my love, my refuge! 354

Happy my eyes, when they behold thy face: 355

My heavy heart will leave its doleful beating 356

At sight of thee, and bound with sprightful joys. 357

O smile, as when our loves were in their spring, 358

And cheer my fainting soul. 359

Jaffeir

As when our loves

Were in their spring? has then my fortune changed? 360

Art thou not Belvidera, still the same, 361

Kind, good, and tender, as my arms first found thee? 362

If thou art altered, where shall I have harbour? 363

Where ease my loaded heart? Oh! where complain? 364

Belvidera

Does this appear like change, or love decaying? 365

When thus I throw myself into my bosom, 366

With all the resolution of a strong truth: 367

Beats not my heart, as 'twould alarum thine 368

To a new charge of bliss; I joy more in thee, 369

Than did thy mother when she hugged thee first, 370

And blessed the gods for all her travail past. 371

Jaffeir

Can there in woman be such glorious faith? 372

Sure all ill stories of thy sex are false. 373

O woman! lovely woman! Nature made thee 374

To temper man: we had been brutes without you: 375

Angels are painted fair, to look like you; 376

There's in you all that we believe of heaven, 377

Amazing brightness, purity and truth, 378

Eternal joy, and everlasting love. 379

Belvidera

If love be treasure, we'll be wondrous rich; 380

I have so much, my heart will surely break with 't; 381

Vows cannot express it; when I would declare 382

How great's my joy, I am dumb with the big thought; 383

I swell, and sigh, and labour with my longing. 384

O lead me to some desert wide and wild, 385

Barren as our misfortunes, where my soul 386

May have its vent: where I may tell aloud 387

To the high heavens, and ever-list'ning planet, 388

With what a boundless stock my bosom's fraught! 389

Where I am throw my eager arms about thee, 390

Give loose to love with kisses, kindling joy, 391

And let off all the fire that's in my heart. 392

Jaffeir

O Belvidera! double I'm a beggar, 393

Undone by fortune, and in debt to thee; 394

Want! worldly Want! that hungry meagre fiend 395

Is at my heels, and chases me in view; 396

Canst thou bear cold and hunger? can these limbs, 397

Framed for the tender offices of love, 398

Endure the bitter gripes of smarting poverty? 399

When banished by our miseries abroad 400

(As suddenly we shall be), to seek out 401

(In some far climate where our names are strangers) 402

For charitable succour; wilt thou then, 403

When in a bed of straw we shrink together, 404

And the bleak winds shall whistle round our heads, 405

Wilt thou then talk thus to me? Wilt thou then 406

Hush my cares thus, and shelter me with love? 407

Belvidera

Oh, I will love thee, even in madness love thee. 408

Though my distracted senses should forsake me, 409

I'd find some intervals, when my poor heart 410

Should 'suage itself and be let loose to thine. 411

Though the bare earth be all our resting-place, 412

Its roots our food, some clift our habitation, 413

I'll make this arm a pillow for thy head; 414

As thou sighing liest, and swelled with sorrow, 415

Creep to thy bosom, pour the balm of love 416

Into thy soul, and kiss thee to thy rest; 417

Then praise our God, and watch thee till the morning. 418

Jaffeir

Hear this, you heavens, and wonder how you made her! 419

Reign, reign, ye monarchs that divide the world, 420

Busy rebellion ne'er will let you know 421

Tranquillity and happiness like mine; 422

Like gaudy ships, th' obsequious billows fall 423

And rise again, to lift you in your pride; 424

They wait but for a storm and then devour you: 425

I, in my private bark, already wrecked, 426

Like a poor merchant driven on unknown land, 427

That had by chance packed up his choicest treasure 428

In one dear casket, and saved only that: 429

Since I must wander further on the shore, 430

Thus hug my little, but my precious store; 431

Resolved to scorn, and trust my fate no more. 432

([Exeunt.)

ACT II

[SCENE I]

(Enter PIERRE and AQUILINA.)

Aquilina

By all thy wrongs, thou'rt dearer to my arms 433

Than all the wealth of Venice: prithee stay, 434

And let us love to-night. 435

Pierre

No: there's fool,

There's fool about thee: when a woman sells 436

Her flesh to fools, her beauty's lost to me; 437

They leave a taint, a sully where they've past, 438

There's such a baneful quality about 'em, 439

E'en spoils complexions with their own nauseousness. 440

They infect all they touch; I cannot think 441

Of tasting anything a fool has palled. 442

Aquilina

I loathe and scorn that fool thou mean'st, as much 443

Or more than thou canst; but the beast has gold 444

That makes him necessary: power too, 445

To qualify my character, and poise me 446

Equal with peevish virtue, that beholds 447

My liberty with envy: in their hearts 448

Are loose as I am; but an ugly power 449

Sits in their faces, and frights pleasures from 'em. 450

Pierre

Much good may't do you, madam, with your Senator. 451

Aquilina

My Senator! why, canst thou think that wretch 452

E'er filled thy Aquilina's arms with pleasure? 453

Think'st thou, because I sometimes give him leave 454

To foil himself at what he is unfit for, 455

Because I force myself to endure and suffer him, 456

Think'st thou I love him? No, by all the joys 457

Thou ever gav'st me, his presence is my penance; 458

The worst thing an old man can be's a lover, 459

A mere memento mori to poor woman. 460

I never lay by his decrepit side, 461

But all that night I pondered on my grave. 462

Pierre

Would he were well sent thither! 463

Aquilina

That's my wish too:

For then, my Pierre, I might have cause with pleasure 464

To play the hypocrite; oh! how I could weep 465

Over the dying dotard, and kiss him too, 466

In hopes to smother him quite; then, when the time 467

Was come to pay my sorrows at his funeral, 468

For he's already made me heir to treasures, 469

Would make me out-act a real widow's whining: 470

How could I frame my face to fit my mourning, 471

With wringing hands attend him to his grave, 472

Fall swooning on his hearse, take mad possession 473

Even of the dismal vault where he lay buried, 474

There like the Ephesian matron dwell, till thou, 475

My lovely soldier, com'st to my deliverance; 476

Then throwing up my veil, with open arms 477

And laughing eyes, run to new-dawning joy. 478

Pierre

No more! I have friends to meet me here to-night, 479

And must be private. As you prize my friendship 480

Keep up your coxcomb: let him not pry nor listen 481

Nor fisk about the house as I have seen him, 482

Like a tame mumping squirrel with a bell on; 483

Curs will be abroad to bite him if you do. 484

Aquilina

What friends to meet? may I not be of your council? 485

Pierre

How! a woman ask questions out of bed? 486

Go to your Senator, ask him what passes 487

Amongst his brethren, he'll hide nothing from you; 488

But pump not me for politics. No more! 489

Give order that whoever in my name 490

Comes here, receive admittance: so good-night. 491

Aquilina

Must we ne'er meet again? Embrace no more? 492

Is love so soon and utterly forgotten? 493

Pierre

As you henceforward treat your fool, I'll think on't. 494

Aquilina

Curst be all fools, and doubly curst myself, 495

The worst of fools – I die if he forsakes me; 496

And how to keep him, heaven or hell instruct me. 497

([Exeunt.)

([SCENE II.])

(The Rialto)

(Enter JAFFEIR.)

Jaffeir

I am here, and thus, the shades of night around me, 498

I look as if all hell were in my heart, 499

And I in hell. Nay, surely 'tis so with me; – 500

For every step I tread, methinks some fiend 501

Knocks at my breast, and bids it not be quiet: 502

I've heard how desperate wretches like myself, 503

Have wandered out at this dead time of night 504

To meet the foe of mankind in his walk: 505

Sure I'm so curst, that, tho' of Heaven forsaken, 506

No minister of darkness cares to tempt me. 507

Hell! hell! why sleepest thou? 508

(Enter PIERRE.)

Pierre

Sure I have stayed too long:

The clock has struck, and I may lose my proselyte. 509

Speak, who goes there? 510

Jaffeir

A dog, that comes to howl

At yonder moon: what's he that asks the question? 511

Pierre

A friend to dogs, for they are honest creatures 512

And ne'er betray their masters; never fawn 513

On any that they love not: well met, friend: 514

Jaffeir! 515

Jaffeir

The same. O Pierre! thou art come in season, 516

I was just going to pray. 517

Pierre

Ah, that's mechanic,

Priests make a trade on't, and yet starve by it too: 518

No praying, it spoils business, and time's precious; 519

Where's Belvidera? 520

Jaffeir

For a day or two

I've lodged her privately, till I see further 521

What fortune will do with me. Prithee, friend, 522

If thou wouldst have me fit to hear good counsel, 523

Speak not of Belvidera – 524

Pierre

Speak not of her.

Jaffeir

Oh no! 525

Pierre

Nor name her. May be I wish her well. 526

Jaffeir

Who well? 527

Pierre

Thy wife, thy lovely Belvidera;

I hope a man may wish his friend's wife well, 528

And no harm done! 529

Jaffeir

Y' are merry, Pierre!

Pierre

I am so:

Thou shalt smile too, and Belvidera smile; 530

We'll all rejoice; here's something to buy pins, 531

Marriage is chargeable. 532

Jaffeir

I but half wished

To see the Devil, and he's here already. 533

Well! 534

What must this buy, rebellion, murder, treason? 535

Tell me which way I must be damned for this. 536

Pierre

When last we parted, we had no qualms like these, 537

But entertained each other's thoughts like men, 538

Whose souls were well acquainted. Is the world 539

Reformed since our last meeting? what new miracles 540

Have happened? has Priuli's heart relented? 541

Can he be honest? 542

Jaffeir

Kind Heaven! let heavy curses

Gall his old age; cramps, aches, rack his bones, 543

And bitterness disquiet wring his heart; 544

Oh, let him live till life become his burden! 545

Let him groan under't long, linger an age 546

In the worst agonies and pangs of death, 547

And find its ease, but late. 548

Pierre

Nay, couldst thou not

As well, my friend, have stretched the curse to all 549

The Senate round, as to one single villain? 550

Jaffeir

But curses stick not: could I kill with cursing, 551

By Heaven, I know not thirty heads in Venice 552

Should not be blasted; Senators should rot 553

Like dogs on dunghills; but their wives and daughters 554

Die of their own diseases. Oh, for a curse 555

To kill with! 556

Pierre

Daggers, daggers are much better!

Jaffeir

Ha! 557

Pierre

Daggers.

Jaffeir

But where are they ?

Pierre

Oh, a thousand 558

May be disposed in honest hands in Venice. 559

Jaffeir

Thou talk'st in clouds. 560

Pierre

But yet a heart half wronged

And thine has been, would find the meaning, Jaffeir. 561

Jaffeir

A thousand daggers, all in honest hands; 562

And have not I a friend will stick one here? 563

Pierre

Yes, if I thought thou wert not to be cherished 564

To a nobler purpose, I'd be that friend. 565

But thou hast better friends, friends whom thy wrongs 566

Have made thy friends; friends worthy to be called so; 567

I'll trust thee with a secret: there are spirits 568

This hour at work. But as thou art a man, 569

Whom I have picked and chosen from the world, 570

Swear, that thou wilt be true to what I utter, 571

And when I have told thee, that which only gods 572

And men like gods are privy to, then swear, 573

No chance or change shall wrest it from my bosom. 574

Jaffeir

When thou wouldst bind me, is there need of oaths? 575

(Greensickness girls lose maidenheads with such counters) 576

For tho u'rt so near my heart, that thou mayst see 577

Its bottom, sound its strength and firmness to thee: 578

Is coward, fool, or villain, in my face? 579

If I seem none of these, I dare believe 580

Thou wouldst not use me in a little cause, 581

For I am fit for honour's toughest task; 582

Nor ever yet found fooling was my province; 583

And for a villainous inglorious enterprise, 584

I know thy heart so well, I dare lay mine 585

Before thee, set it to what point thou wilt. 586

Pierre

Nay, it's a cause thou wilt be fond of, Jaffeir. 587

For it is founded on the noblest basis, 588

Our liberties, our natural inheritance; 589

There's no religion, no hypocrisy in't; 590

We'll do the business, and ne'er fast and pray for't: 591

Openly act a deed, the world shall gaze 592

With wonder at, and envy when it's done. 593

Jaffeir

For liberty! 594

Pierre

For liberty, my friend!

Thou shalt be freed from base Priuli's tyranny, 595

And thy sequestered fortunes healed again. 596

I shall be freed from opprobrious wrongs, 597

That press me now, and bend my spirit downward: 598

All Venice free, and every growing merit 599

Succeed to its just right: fools shall be pulled 600

From Wisdom's seat; those baleful unclean birds, 601

Those lazy owls, who (perched near Fortune's top) 602

Sit only watchful with their heavy wings 603

To cuff down new-fledged virtues, that would rise 604

To nobler heights, and make the grove harmonious. 605

Jaffeir

What can I do? 606

Pierre

Canst thou not kill a Senator?

Jaffeir

Were there one wise or honest, I could kill him 607

For herding with that nest of fools and knaves; 608

By all my wrongs, thou talk'st as if revenge 609

Were to be bad, and the brave story warms me. 610

Pierre

Swear, then! 611

Jaffeir

I do, by all those glittering stars

And yond great ruling planet of the night! 612

By all good powers above, and ill below! 613

By love and friendship, dearer than my life! 614

No power or death shall make me false to thee. 615

Pierre

Here we embrace, and I'll unlock my heart. 616

A council's held hard by, where the destruction 617

Of this great Empire's hatching: there I'll lead thee! 618

But be a man, for thou'rt to mix with men 619

Fit to disturb the peace of all the world, 620

Ad rule it when it's wildest – 621

Jaffeir

I give thee thanks

For this kind warning: yes, I will be a man, 622

And charge thee, Pierre, whene'er thou seest my fears 623

Betray me less, to rip this heart of mine 624

Out of my breast, and show it for a coward's. 625

Come, let's begone, for from this hour I chase 626

All little thoughts, all tender human follies 627

Out of my bosom: vengeance shall have room: 628

Revenge! 629

Pierre

And liberty!

Jaffeir

Revenge! revenge!

([Exeunt.)

([SCENE III.])

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

(Enter Renault)

Renault

Why was my choice ambition the first ground 630

A wretch can build on? it's indeed at distance 631

A good prospect, tempting to the view, 632

The height delights us, and the mountain top 633

Looks beautiful, because it's nigh to heaven, 634

But we ne'er think how sandy's the foundation, 635

What storm will batter, and what tempest shake us! 636

Who's there? 637

(Enter SPINOSA.)

Spinosa

Renault, good morrow! for by this time

I think the scale of night has turned the balance, 638

And weighs up morning: has the clock struck twelve? 639

Renault

Yes, clocks will go as they are set. But Man, 640

Irregular Man's ne'er constant, never certain: 641

I've spent at least three precious hours of darkness 642

In waiting dull attendance; 'tis the curse 643

Of diligent virtue to be mixed like mine, 644

With giddy tempers, souls but half resolved. 645

Spinosa

Hell size that soul amongst us it can frighten! 646

Renault

What's then the cause that I am here alone? 647

Why are we not together? 648

(Enter Eliot)

O sir, welcome!

You are an Englishman: when treason's hatching 649

One might have thought you'd not have been behindhand. 650

In what whore's lap have you been lolling? 651

Give but an Englishman his whore and ease, 652

Beef and sea-coal fire, he's yours for ever. 653

Eliot

Frenchman, you are saucy. 654

Renault

How!

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

Bedamar

At difference, fie!

Is this a time for quarrels? Thieves and rogues 655

Fall out and brawl: should men of your high calling, 656

Men separated by the choice of Providence, 657

From the gross heap of mankind, and set here 658

In this great assembly as in one great jewel, 659

To adorn the bravest purpose it e'er smiled on, 660

Should you like boys wrangle for trifles? 661

Renault

Boys!

Bedamar

Renault, thy hand! 662

Renault

I thought I'd given my heart

Long since to every man that mingles here; 663

But grieve to find it trusted with such tempers, 664

Than can't forgive my froward age its weakness. 665

Bedamar

Eliot, thou once hadst virtue; I have seen 666

Thy stubborn temper bend with godlike goodness, 667

Not half thus courted: 'tis thy nation's glory, 668

To hug the foe that offers brave alliance 669

Once more embrace, my friends –we'll all embrace – 670

United thus, we are the mighty engine 671

Must twist this rooted Empire from its basis! 672

Totters it not already? 673

Eliot

Would it were tumbling!

Bedamar

Nay, it shall down: this night we seal its ruin. 674

(Enter PIERRE.)

O Pierre! thou art welcome! 675

Come to my breast, for by its hopes thou look'st 676

Lovelily dreadful, and the fate of Venice 677

Seems on thy sword already. O my Mars! 678

The poets that first feigned a god of war 679

Sure prophesied of thee. 680

Pierre

Friends! was not Brutus

(I mean that Brutus who in open senate 681

Stabbed the first Cæsar that usurped the world 682

A gallant man? 683

Renault

Yes, and Catiline too;

Though story wrong his fame: for he conspired 684

To prop the reeling glory of his country: 685

His cause was good. 686

Bedamar

And ours as much above it,

As Renault thou art superior to Cethegus, 687

Or Pierre to Cassius. 688

Pierre

Then to what we aim at

When do we start? or must we talk for ever? 689

Bedamar

No, Pierre, the deed's near birth: Fate seems to have set 690

The business up, and given it to our care; 691

I hope there's not a heart nor hand amongst us 692

But is firm and ready. 693

All

All!

We'll die with Bedamar. 694

Bedamar

O men,

Matchless, as will your glory be hereafter. 695

The game is for a matchless prize, if won; 696

If lost, disgraceful ruin. 697

Renault

What can lose it?

The public stock's a beggar; one Venetian 698

Trusts not another: look into their stores 699

Of general safety; empty magazines, 700

A tattered fleet, a murmuring unpaid army, 701

Bankrupt nobility, a harassed commonalty. 702

A factious, giddy, and divided Senate, 703

Is all the strength of Venice: let's destroy it; 704

Let's fill their magazines with arms to awe them, 705

Man out their fleet, and make their trade maintain it; 706

Let loose the murmuring army on their masters, 707

To pay themselves with plunder; lop their nobles 708

To the base roots, whence most of 'em first sprung; 709

Enslave the rout, whom smarting will make humble; 710

Turn out their droning Senate, and possess 711

That seat of empire which our souls were framed for. 712

Pierre

Ten thousand men are armed at your nod, 713

Commanded all by leaders fit to guide 714

A battle for the freedom of the world; 715

This wretched state has starved them in its service, 716

And by your bounty quickened, they're resolved 717

To serve your glory, and revenge their own! 718

They've all their different quarters in this city, 719

Watch for th' alarm, and grumble 'tis so tardy. 720

Bedamar

I doubt not, friend, but thy unwearied diligence 721

Has still kept waking, and it shall have ease; 722

After this night it is resolved we meet 723

No more, till Venice own us for her lords. 724

Pierre

How lovely the Adriatic whore, 725

Dressed in her flames, will shine! devouring flames! 726

Such as shall burn her to the watery bottom 727

And hiss in her foundation. 728

Bedamar

Now if any

Amongst us that owns this glorious cause, 729

Have friends or interest he'd wish to save, 730

Let it be told, the general doom is sealed; 731

But I'd forego the hopes of a world's empire, 732

Rather than wound the bowels of my friend. 733

Pierre

I must confess you there have touched my weakness, 734

I have a friend; hear it, such a friend! 735

My heart was ne'er shut to him: nay, I'll tell you, 736

He knows the very business of this hour; 737

But he rejoices in the cause, and loves it, 738

We've changed a vow to live and die together, 739

And he's at hand to ratify it here. 740

Renault

How! all betrayed?

Pierre

No – I've dealt nobly with you; 741

I've brought my all into the public stock; 742

I had but one friend, and him I'll share amongst you! 743

Receive and cherish him: or if, when seen 744

And searched, you find him worthless, as my tongue 745

Has lodged this secret in his faithful breast, 746

To ease your fears I wear a dagger here 747

Shall rip it out again, and give you rest. 748

Come forth, thou only good I e'er could boast of. 749

(Enter JAFFEIR with a Dagger.)

Bedamar

His presence bears the show of manly virtue. 750

Jaffeir

I know you'll wonder all, that thus uncalled, 751

I dare approach this place of fatal counsels; 752

But I'm amongst you, and by Heaven it glads me, 753

To see so many virtues thus united, 754

To restore justice and dethrone oppression. 755

Command this sword, if you would have it quiet, 756

Into this breast; but if you think it worthy 757

To cut the throats of reverend rogues in robes, 758

Send me into the cursed assembled Senate; 759

It shrinks not, though I meet a father there; 760

Would you behold this city flaming? Here's 761

A hand shall bear a lighted torch at noon 762

To the Arsenal, and set its gates on fire. 763

Renault

You talk this well, sir. 764

Jaffeir

Nay – by Heaven I'll do this.

Come, come, I read distrust in all your faces; 765

You fear me a villain, and indeed it's odd 766

To hear a stranger talk thus at first meeting, 767

Of matters that have been so well debated; 768

But I come ripe with wrongs as you with counsels, 769

I hate this Senate, am a foe to Venice; 770

A friend to none but men resolved like me, 771

To push on mischief; oh, did you but know me, 772

I need not talk thus! 773

Bedamar

Pierre! I must embrace him,

My heart beats to this man as if it knew him. 774

Renault

I never lov'd these huggers. 775

Jaffeir

Still I see

The cause delights me not. Your friends survey me, 776

As I were dangerous –but I come armed 777

Against all doubts, and to your trust will give 778

A pledge, worth more than all the world can pay for. 779

My Belvidera! Ho! My Belvidera! 780

Bedamar

What wonder next? 781

Jaffeir

Let me entreat you,

As I have henceforth hopes to call ye friends, 782

That all but the ambassador, [and] this 783

Grave guide of councils, with my friend that owns me, 784

Withdraw a while to spare a woman's blushes. 785

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

Bedamar

Pierre, whither will this ceremony lead us? 786

Jaffeir

My Belvidera! Belvidera! 787

(Enter BELVIDERA.)

Belvidera

Who calls so loud at this late peaceful hour? 788

That voice was wont to come in gentler whispers, 789

And fill my ears with the soft breath of love: 790

Thou hourly image of my thoughts, where art thou? 791

Jaffeir

Indeed 'tis late. 792

Belvidera

Oh! I have slept and dreamt,

And dreamt again: where hast thou been, thou loiterer? 793

Tho' my eyes closed, my arms have still been opened; 794

Stretched every way betwixt my broken slumbers, 795

To search if thou wert come to crown my rest; 796

There's no repose without thee: Oh, the day 797

Too soon will break, and wake us to our sorrow; 798

Come, come to bed, and bid thy cares good-night. 799

Jaffeir

O Belvidera! we must change the scene 800

In which the past delights of life were tasted: 801

The poor sleep little, we must learn to watch 802

Ours labours late, and early every morning, 803

Midst winter frosts; then clad and fed with sparing, 804

Rise to our toils, and drudge away the day. 805

Belvidera

Alas! where am I? whither is't you lead me? 806

Methinks I read distraction in your face! 807

Something less gentle than the fate you tell me: 808

You shake and tremble too! your blood runs cold! 809

Heavens guard my love, and bless his heart with patience. 810

Jaffeir

That I have patience, let our fate bear witness, 811

Who has ordained it so, that thou and I, 812

(Thou the divinest Good man e'er possessed, 813

And I the wretched'st of the race of man) 814

This very hour, without one tear, must part. 815

Belvidera

Part! must we part? Oh! am I then forsaken? 816

Will my love cast me off? have my misfortunes 817

Offended him so highly, that he'll leave me? 818

Why drag you from me; whither are you going? 819

My dear! my life! my love! 820

Jaffeir

O friends!

Belvidera

Speak to me. 821

Jaffeir

Take her from my heart;

She'll gain such hold else, I shall ne'er get loose. 822

I charge thee take her, but with tender'st care 823

Relieve her troubles and assuage her sorrows. 824

Renault

Rise, madam! and command amongst your servants! 825

Jaffeir

To you, sirs, and your honours, I bequeath her, 826

And with her this, when I prove unworthy – 827

([Gives a dagger.)

You know the rest: –then strike it to her heart; 828

And tell her, he, who three whole happy years 829

Lay in her arms, and each kind night repeated 830

The passionate vows of still-increasing love, 831

Sent that reward for all her truth and sufferings. 832

Belvidera

Nay, take my life, since he has sold it cheaply; 833

Or send me to some distant clime your slave, 834

But let it be far off, lest my complainings 835

Should reach his guilty ears, and shake his peace. 836

Jaffeir

No, Belvidera, I've contrived thy honour. 837

Trust to my faith, and be but fortune kind 838

To me, as I'll preserve that faith unbroken, 839

When next we meet, I'll lift thee to a height, 840

Shall gather all the gazing world about thee, 841

To wonder what strange virtue placed thee there. 842

But if we ne'er meet more – 843

Belvidera

O thou unkind one,

Never meet more? have I deserved this from you? 844

Look on me, tell me, speak, thou dear deceiver, 845

Why am I separated from thy love? 846

If I am false, accuse me; but if true, 847

Don't, prithee, don't in poverty forsake me, 848

But pity the sad heart, that's torn with parting. 849

Yet hear me! yet recall me – 850

([Exeunt RENAULT, BEDAMAR, and BELVIDERA.)

Jaffeir

O my eyes!

Look not that way, but turn yourselves awhile 851

Into my heart, and be wean'd all together. 852

My friend, where art thou? 853

Pierre

Here, my honour's brother.

Jaffeir

Is Belvidera gone? 854

Pierre

Renault has led her

Back to her own apartment: but, by Heaven, 855

Thou must not see her more till our work's over. 856

Jaffeir

No. 857

Pierre

Not for your life.

Jaffeir

O Pierre, wert thou but she,

How I could pull thee down into my heart, 858

Gaze on thee till my eye-strings cracked with love, 859

Till all my sinews with its fire extended, 860

Fixed me upon the rack of ardent longing; 861

Then swelling, sighing, raging to be blest, 862

Come like a panting turtle to thy breast, 863

On thy soft bosom, hovering, bill and play, 864

Confess the cause why last I fled away; 865

Own 'twas a fault, but swear to give it o'er 866

And never follow false ambition more. 867

([Exeunt ambo.)

ACT III

[SCENE I]

(Enter AQUILINA and her Maid.)

Aquilina

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

Maid

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

Aquilina

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

(Enter ANTONIO.)

Antonio

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

Aquilina

You are a fool, I am sure.

Antonio

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

Aquilina

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

Antonio

Home, Madonna!

Aquilina

Ay, home, sir. Who am I?

Antonio

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

Aquilina

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

Antonio

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

Aquilina

Why, what are you good for?

Antonio

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

Aquilina

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

Antonio

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

Aquilina

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

Antonio

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

Aquilina

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

Antonio

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

Show me a case more pitiful who can, 933

A standing woman, and a falling man. 934

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

Aquilina

No, sir.

Antonio

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

([Bellows like a bull, and drive her about.)

Aquilina

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

Antonio

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

Aquilina

A dog, my lord?

Antonio

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

([Gives the purse.)

Aquilina

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

Antonio

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

([Barks like a dog.)

Aquilina

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

Antonio

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

Aquilina

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

([She whips him.)

Antonio

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

Aquilina

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

Antonio

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

([She whips him out.)

Aquilina

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

(Enter Maid.)

Maid

Heavens, madam! What's the matter?

([He howls at the door like a dog.)

Aquilina

Call my footmen hither presently.

(Enter two Footmen.)

Maid

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

Aquilina

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

Thus when godlike lover was displeased, 995

We sacrifice our fool and he's appeased. 996

([Exeunt.)

SCENE II

(Enter BELVIDERA.)

Belvidera

I'm sacrificed! I am sold! betray'd to shame! 997

Inevitable ruin has enclosed me! 998

No sooner was I to my bed repaired 999

To weigh, and (weeping) ponder my condition, 1000

But the old hoary wretch, to whose false care 1001

My peace and honour was entrusted, came 1002

(Like Tarquin) ghastly with infernal lust. 1003

O thou, Roman Lucrece! thou couldst find friends 1004

To vindicate thy wrong, 1005

I never had but one, and he's proved false; 1006

He that should guard my virtue has betrayed it; 1007

Left me! undone me! O that I could hate him! 1008

Where shall I go! O whither whither wander? 1009

(Enter Jaffeir.)

Jaffeir

Can Belvidera want a resting place 1010

When these poor arms are open to receive her? 1011

Oh, 'tis in vain to struggle with desires 1012

Strong as my love to thee; for every moment 1013

I'm from thy sight, the heart within my bosom 1014

Moans like a tender infant in its cradle 1015

Whose nurse has left it; come, and with the songs 1016

Of gentle love persuade it to its peace. 1017

Belvidera

I fear the stubborn wanderer will not own me, 1018

'Tis grown a rebel to be ruled no longer, 1019

Scorns the indulgent bosom that first lulled it, 1020

And like a disobedient child disdains 1021

The soft authority of Belvidera. 1022

Jaffeir

There was a time – 1023

Belvidera

Yes, yes, there was a time

When Belvidera's tears, her cries, and sorrows, 1024

Were not despised; when if she chanced to sigh, 1025

Or look but sad –there was indeed a time 1026

When Jaffeir would have ta'en her in his arms, 1027

Eased her declining head upon his breast, 1028

And never left her till he found the cause. 1029

But let her now weep seas, 1030

Cry, till she rend the earth; sigh till she burst 1031

Her heart asunder; still he bears it all; 1032

Deaf as the wind, and as the rocks unshaken. 1033

Jaffeir

Have I been deaf? am I that rock unmoved, 1034

Against whose root tears beat and sighs are sent? 1035

In vain have I beheld thy sorrows calmly! 1036

Witness against me, heavens, have I done this? 1037

Then bear me in a whirlwind back again, 1038

And let that angry dear one ne'er forgive me! 1039

O thou too rashly censur'st of my love! 1040

Couldst thou but think how I have spent this night, 1041

Dark and alone, no pillow to my head, 1042

Rest in my eyes, nor quiet in my heart, 1043

Thou wouldst not, Belvidera, sure thou wouldst not 1044

Talk to me thus, but like a pitying angel 1045

Spreading thy wings come settle on my breast, 1046

And hatch warm comfort there ere sorrows freeze it. 1047

Belvidera

Why, then, poor mourner, in what baleful corner 1048

Hast thou been talking with that witch the night? 1049

On what cold stone hast thou been stretched along, 1050

Gathering the grumbling winds about thy head, 1051

To mix with theirs the accents of thy woes! 1052

Oh, now I find the cause my love forsakes me! 1053

I am no longer fit to bear a share 1054

In his concernments: my weak female virtue 1055

Must not be trusted; 'tis too frail and tender. 1056

Jaffeir

O Portia! Portia! what a soul was thine! 1057

Belvidera

That Portia was a woman, and when Brutus, 1058

Big with the fate of Rome (Heaven guard thy safety!) 1059

Concealed from her the labours of his mind, 1060

She let him see her blood was great as his, 1061

Flowed from a spring as noble, and a heart 1062

Fit to partake his troubles, as his love: 1063

Fetch, fetch that dagger back, the dreadful dower 1064

Thou gav'st last night in parting with me; strike it 1065

Here to my heart; and as the blood flows from it 1066

Judge if it run not pure as Cato's daughter's. 1067

Jaffeir

Thou art too good, and I indeed unworthy, 1068

Unworthy so much virtue: teach me how 1069

I may deserve such matchless love as thine, 1070

And see with what attention I'll obey thee. 1071

Belvidera

Do not despise me: that's the all I ask. 1072

Jaffeir

Despise thee! Hear me – 1073

Belvidera

Oh, thy charming tongue

Is but too well acquainted with my weakness, 1074

Knows, let it name but love, my melting heart 1075

Dissolves within my breast; till with closed eyes 1076

I reel into thy arms, and all's forgotten. 1077

Jaffeir

What shall I do? 1078

Belvidera

Tell me! be just, and tell me

Why dwells that busy cloud upon thy face? 1079

Why am I made a stranger? why that sigh, 1080

And I not know the cause? Why, when the world 1081

Is wrapt in rest, why chooses then my love 1082

To wander up and down in horrid darkness 1083

Loathing his bed, and these desiring arms? 1084

Why are these eyes bloodshot with tedious watching? 1085

Why starts he now? and looks as if he wished 1086

His fate were finished? Tell me, ease my fears; 1087

Lest when we next time meet, I want the power 1088

To search into the sickness of thy mind, 1089

But talk as wildly then as thou look'st now. 1090

Jaffeir

O Belvidera! 1091

Belvidera

Why was I last night delivered to a villain? 1092

Jaffeir

Ha, a villain! 1093

Belvidera

Yes! to a villain! Why at such an hour 1094

Meets that assembly all made up of wretches 1095

That look as hell had drawn 'em into league? 1096

Why, I in this hand, and in that a dagger, 1097

Was I delivered with such dreadful ceremonies? 1098

"To you, sirs, and to your honour I bequeath her, 1099

And with her this: whene'er I prove unworthy, 1100

You now the rest, then strike it to her heart"? 1101

Oh! why's that rest concealed from me? must I 1102

Be made the hostage of a hellish trust? 1103

For such I know I am; that's all my value? 1104

But by the love and loyalty I owe thee, 1105

I'll free thee from the bondage of these slaves, 1106

Straight to the Senate, tell 'em all I know, 1107

All that I think, all that my fears inform me! 1108

Jaffeir

Is this the Roman virtue! this the blood 1109

That boasts its purity with Cato's daughter's! 1110

Would she have e'er betrayed her Brutus? 1111

Belvidera

No:

For Brutus trusted her: wert thou so kind, 1112

What would not Belvidera suffer for thee? 1113

Jaffeir

I shall undo myself, and tell thee all. 1114

Belvidera

Look not upon me, as I am a woman, 1115

But as a bone, thy wife, thy friend, who long 1116

Has had admission to thy heart, and there 1117

Studied the virtues of thy gallant nature; 1118

Thy constancy, thy courage and thy truth, 1119

Have been my daily lesson: I have learnt them, 1120

Am bold as thou, can suffer or despise 1121

The worst of fates for thee, and with thee share them. 1122

Jaffeir

O you divinest Powers! look down and hear 1123

My prayers! instruct me to reward this virtue! 1124

Yet think a little ere thou tempt me further: 1125

Think I have a tale to tell, will shake thy nature, 1126

Melt all this boasted constancy thou talk'st of 1127

Into vile tears and despicable sorrows: 1128

Then if thou shouldst betray me! 1129

Belvidera

Shall I swear?

Jaffeir

No: do not swear: I would not violate 1130

Thy tender nature with so rude a bond: 1131

But as thou hopest to see me live my days, 1132

And love thee long, lock this within thy breast; 1133

I've bound myself by all the strictest sacraments 1134

Divine and human – 1135

Belvidera

Speak!

Jaffeir

To kill thy father –

Belvidera

My father! 1136

Jaffeir

Nay, the throats of the whole Senate

Shall bleed, my Belvidera: he amongst us 1137

That spares his father, brother, or his friend, 1138

Is damned: how rich and beauteous will the face 1139

Of Ruin look, when these wide streets run blood; 1140

I and the glorious partners of my fortune 1141

Shouting, and striding o'er the prostrate dead, 1142

Still to new waste; whilst thou, far off in safety, 1143

Smiling, shalt see the wonders of our daring, 1144

And when night comes, with praise and love receive me. 1145

Belvidera

Oh! 1146

Jaffeir

Have a care, and shrink not even in thought!

For if thou dost – 1147

Belvidera

I know it, thou wilt kill me.

Do, strike thy sword into this bosom: lay me 1148

Dead on the earth, and then thou wilt be safe: 1149

Murder my father! tho' his cruel nature 1150

Has persecuted me to my undoing, 1151

Driven me to basest wants, can I behold him, 1152

With smiles of vengeance, butchered in his age? 1153

The sacred fountain of my life destroyed? 1154

And canst thou shed the blood that gave me being, 1155

Nay, be a traitor too, and sell thy country? 1156

Can thy great heart descend so vilely low, 1157

Mix with hired slaves, bravos, and common stabbers, 1158

Nose-slitters, alley-lurking villains! join 1159

With such a crew and take a ruffian's wages 1160

To cut the throats of wretches as they sleep? 1161

Jaffeir

Thou wrong'st me, Belvidera! I've engaged 1162

With men of souls: fit to reform the ills 1163

Of all mankind: there's not a heart amongst them, 1164

But's as stout as death, yet honest as the nature 1165

Of man first made, ere fraud and vice were fashions. 1166

Belvidera

What's he, to whose curst hands last night thou gav'st me? 1167

Was that well done? Oh! I could tell a story 1168

Would rouse thy lion-heart out of its den 1169

And make it rage with terrifying fury. 1170

Jaffeir

Speak on, I charge thee! 1171

Belvidera

O my love! if e'er

Thy Belvidera's peace deserved thy care, 1172

Remove me from this place: last night, last night – 1173

Jaffeir

Distract me not, but give me all the truth. 1174

Belvidera

No sooner wert thou gone, and I alone, 1175

Left in the power of that old son of mischief; 1176

No sooner was I lain on my sad bed, 1177

But that vile wretch approached me; loose, unbuttoned, 1178

Ready for violation: then my heart 1179

Throbb'd with its fears: oh, how I wept and sighed 1180

And shrunk and trembled; whished in vain for him 1181

That should protect me. Thou, alas, wert gone! 1182

Jaffeir

Patience, sweet Heaven, till I make vengeance sure! 1183

Belvidera

He drew the hideous dagger forth thou gav'st him, 1184

And with upbraiding smiles, he said, "Behold it; 1185

This is the pledge of a false husband's love:" 1186

And in my arms then pressed, and would have clasped me; 1187

But with my cries I scared his coward heart, 1188

Till he withdrew, and muttered vows to hell. 1189

These are thy friends! with these thy life, thy honour, 1190

Thy love, all's staked, and all will go to ruin. 1191

Jaffeir

No more: I charge thee keep this secret close; 1192

Clear up thy sorrows, look as if thy wrongs 1193

Were all forgot, and treat him like a friend, 1194

As no complaint were made. No more, retire; 1195

Retire, my life, and doubt not of my honour; 1196

I'll heal its failings and deserve thy love. 1197

Belvidera

Oh, should I part with thee, I fear thou wilt 1198

In anger leave me, and return no more. 1199

Jaffeir

Return no more! I would not live without thee 1200

Another night to purchase the creation. 1201

Belvidera

When shall we meet again? 1202

Jaffeir

Anon at twelve!

I'll steal myself to thy expecting arms, 1203

Come like a travelled dove and bring thee peace. 1204

Belvidera

Indeed! 1205

Jaffeir

By all our loves!

Belvidera

'Tis hard to part:

But sure no falsehood ever looked so fairly. 1206

Farewell –remember twelve. 1207

([Exit BELVIDERA.)

Jaffeir

Let Heaven forget me

When I remember not thy truth, thy love. 1208

How curst is my condition, tossed and justled, 1209

From every corner; Fortune's common fool, 1210

The jest of rogues, an instrumental ass 1211

For villains to lay loads of shame upon, 1212

And drive about just for their ease and scorn. 1213

(Enter PIERRE.)

Pierre

Jaffeir! 1214

Jaffeir

Who calls !

Pierre

A friend, that could have wished

T' have found thee otherwise employed: what, hunt 1215

A wife on the dull foil! sure a staunch husband 1216

Of all hounds is the dullest? wilt thou never, 1217

Never be weaned from caudles and confections? 1218

What feminine tale hast thou been listening to, 1219

Of unaired shirts; catarrhs and toothache got 1220

By thin-soled shoes? Damnation! that a fellow 1221

Chosen to be a sharer in the destruction 1222

Of a whole people, should sneak thus in corners 1223

To ease his fulsome lusts, and fool his mind. 1224

Jaffeir

May not a man then trifle out an hour 1225

With a kind woman and not wrong his calling? 1226

Pierre

Not in a cause like ours. 1227

Jaffeir

Then, friend, our cause

Is in a damned condition: for I'll tell thee, 1228

That canker-worm called Lechery has touched it, 1229

'Tis tainted vilely: wouldst thou think it, Renault 1230

(That mortified old withered winter rogue) 1231

Loves simple fornication like a priest; 1232

I found him out for watering at my wife: 1233

He visited her last night like a kind guardian: 1234

Faith, she has some temptations, that's the truth on't. 1235

Pierre

He durst not wrong his trust! 1236

Jaffeir

'Twas something late, though,

To take the freedom of a lady's chamber. 1237

Pierre

Was she in bed? 1238

Jaffeir

Yes, faith, in virgin sheets

White as her bosom, Pierre, dished neatly up, 1239

Might tempt a weaker appetite to taste. 1240

Oh, how the old fox stunk, I warrant thee, 1241

When the rank fit was on him! 1242

Pierre

Patience guide me!

He used no violence? 1243

Jaffeir

No, no! out on't, violence!

Played with her neck; brushed her with his grey-beard, 1244

Struggled and towzed, tickled her still she squeaked a little 1245

May be, or so –but not a jot of violence – 1246

Pierre

Damn him! 1247

Jaffeir

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

All hitherto is well, and I believe 1248

Myself no monster yet: though no man knows 1249

What fate he's born to: sure 'tis near the hour 1250

We all should meet for our concluding orders: 1251

Will the ambassador be here in person? 1252

Pierre

No: he has sent commission to that villain, Renault, 1253

To give the executing charge. 1254

I'd have thee be a man, if possible, 1255

And keep thy temper; for a brave revenge 1256

Ne'er comes too late. 1257

Jaffeir

Fear not, I'm cool as patience:

Had he completed my dishonour, rather 1258

Than hazard the success our hopes are ripe for, 1259

I'd bear it all with mortifying virtue. 1260

Pierre

He's yonder coming this way through the hall; 1261

His thoughts seem full. 1262

Jaffeir

Prithee retire, and leave me

With him alone: I'll put him to some trial, 1263

See how his rotten part will bear the touching. 1264

Pierre

Be careful, then. 1265

([Exit PIERRE.)

Jaffeir

Nay, never doubt, but trust me.

What, be a devil! take a damning oath 1266

For shedding native blood! can there be a sin 1267

In merciful repentance? O this villain! 1268

(Enter Renault)

Renault

Perverse! and peevish! what a slave is Man! 1269

To let his itching flesh thus get the better of him! 1270

Despatch the tool her husband –that were well. 1271

Who's there? 1272

Jaffeir

A man.

Renault

My friend, my near ally!

The hostage of your faith, my beauteous charge, is very well. 1273

Jaffeir

Sir, are you sure of that? 1274

Stands she in perfect health? beats her pulse even? 1275

Neither too hot nor cold? 1276

Renault

What means that question?

Jaffeir

Oh, women have fantastic constitutions, 1277

Inconstant as their wishes, always wavering, 1278

And ne'er fixed; was it not boldly done 1279

Even at first sight to trust the thing I loved 1280

(A tempting treasure too!) with youth so fierce 1281

And vigorous as thine? but thou art honest. 1282

Renault

Who dares accuse me? 1283

Jaffeir

Cursed be him that doubts

Thy virtue: I have tried it, and declare, 1284

Were I to choose a guardian of my honour 1285

I'd put it into thy keeping; for I know thee. 1286

Renault

Know me! 1287

Jaffeir

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

Thou lookst just as thou art: let us embrace. 1288

Now wouldst thou cut my throat or I cut thine? 1289

Renault

You dare not do't. 1290

Jaffeir

You lie, sir.

Renault

How!

Jaffeir

No more.

'Tis a base world, and must reform, that's all. 1291

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

Renault

Spinosa, Theodore! 1292

Spinosa

The same.

Renault

You are welcome! 1293

Spinosa

You are trembling, sir.

Renault

'Tis a cold night indeed, I am aged, 1294

Full of decay and natural infirmities; 1295

([PIERRE re-enters.)

We shall be warm, my friend, I hope, to-morrow. 1296

Pierre

'Twas not well done, thou shouldst have stroked him 1297

And not have galled him. 1298

Jaffeir

Damn him, let him chew on't.

Heaven! where am I? beset with cursed fiends, 1299

That wait to damn me: what a devil's man, 1300

When he forgets his nature –hush, my heart. 1301

Renault

My friends, 'tis late: are we assembled all? 1302

Where's Theodore? 1303

Theodore

At hand.

Renault

Spinosa.

Spinosa

Here.

Renault

Bramveil. 1304

Bramveil

I'm ready.

Renault

Durand and Brabe.

Durand

Command us,

We are both prepared! 1305

Renault

Mezzana, Revillido,

Ternon, Retrosi; oh, you are men, I find, 1306

Fit to behold your fate, and meet her summons. 1307

To-morrow's rising sun must see you all 1308

Decked in your honours! are the soldiers ready? 1309

Omnes.

All, all. 1310

Renault

You, Durand, with your thousand must possess 1311

St. Mark's: you, captain, know your charge already: 1312

'Tis to secure the ducal palace: you, 1313

Brabe, with a hundred more must gain the Secque. 1314

With the like number Bramveil to the Procuralle. 1315

Be all this done with the least tumult possible, 1316

Till in each place you post sufficient guards: 1317

Then sheathe your swords in every breast you meet. 1318

Jaffeir

O reverend cruelty! damn'd bloody villain! 1319

Renault

During this execution, Durand, you 1320

Must in the midst keep your battalia fast, 1321

And, Theodore, be sure to plant the cannon 1322

That may command the streets; whilst Revillido, 1323

Mezzana, Ternon, and Retrosi, guard you. 1324

This done, we'll give the general alarm, 1325

Apply petards, and force the ars'nal gates; 1326

Then fire the city round in several places, 1327

Or with our cannon, if it dare resist, 1328

Batter't to ruin. But 'bove all I charge you, 1329

Shed blood enough, spare neither sex nor age, 1330

Name nor condition; if there live a Senator 1331

After to-morrow, tho' the dullest rogue 1332

That e'er said nothing, we have lost our ends; 1333

If possible, let's kill the very name 1334

Of Senator, and bury it in blood. 1335

Jaffeir

Merciless, horrid slave! –Ay, blood enough! 1336

Shed blood enough, old Renault: how thou charm'st me! 1337

Renault

But one thing more, and then farewell till Fate 1338

Join us again, or separate us ever: 1339

First, let's embrace, Heav'n knows who next shall thus 1340

Wing ye together: but let's all remember 1341

We wear no common cause upon our swords; 1342

Let each man think that on his single virtue 1343

Depends the good and fame of all the rest, 1344

Eternal honour or perpetual infamy. 1345

Let's remember through what dreadful hazards 1346

Propitious Fortune hitherto has led us, 1347

How often on the brink of some discovery 1348

Have we stood tottering, and yet kept our ground 1349

So well, the busiest searchers ne'er could follow 1350

Those subtle tracks which puzzled all suspicion: 1351

You droop, sir. 1352

Jaffeir

No: with a most profound attention

I've heard it all, and wonder at thy virtue. 1353

Renault

Tho' there be yet few hours 'twixt them and Ruin, 1354

Are not the Senate lulled in full security, 1355

Quiet and satisfied, as fools are always? 1356

Never did so profound repose forerun 1357

Calamity so great: nay, our good fortune 1358

Has blinded the most piercing of mankind; 1359

Strengthened the fearful'st, charm'd the most suspectful, 1360

Confounded the most subtle; for we live, 1361

We live, my friends, and quickly shall our life 1362

Prove fatal to these tyrants: let's consider 1363

That we destroy oppression, avarice, 1364

A people nursed up equally with vices 1365

And loathsome lusts, which Nature most abhors, 1366

And such as without shame she cannot suffer. 1367

Jaffeir

O Belvidera, take me to thy arms 1368

And show me where's my peace, for I have lost it. 1369

([Exit JAFFEIR.)

Renault

Without the least remorse then let's resolve 1370

With fire and sword t' exterminate these tyrants, 1371

And when we shall behold those curst tribunals, 1372

Stained by the tears and sufferings of the innocent, 1373

Burning with flames rather from Heav'n than ours, 1374

The ragging furious and unpitying soldier 1375

Pulling his reeking dagger from the bosoms 1376

Of gasping wretches; death in every quarter, 1377

With all that sad disorder can produce, 1378

To make a spectacle of horror: then, 1379

Then let us call to mind, my dearest friends, 1380

That there is nothing pure upon the earth, 1381

That the most valued things have most alloys, 1382

And that in change of all those vile enormities, 1383

Under whose weight this wretched country labours, 1384

The means are only in our hands to crown them. 1385

Pierre

And may those Powers above that are propitious 1386

To gallant minds record this cause, and bless it. 1387

Renault

Thus happy, thus secure of all we wish for, 1388

Should there, my friends, be found amongst us one 1389

False to this glorious enterprise, what fate, 1390

What vengeance were enough for such a villain? 1391

Eliot

Death here without repentance, hell hereafter. 1392

Renault

Let that be my lot, if as here I stand 1393

Lifted by Fate amongst her darling sons, 1394

Tho' I'd one only brother, dear by all 1395

The strictest ties of nature; tho' one hour 1396

Had given us birth, one fortune fed our wants, 1397

One only love, and that but of each other, 1398

Still filled our minds: could I have such a friend 1399

Joined in this cause, and had but ground to fear 1400

Meant foul play; may this right hand drop from me, 1401

If I'd not hazard all my future peace, 1402

And stab him to the heart before you: who 1403

Would not do less? Wouldst not thou, Pierre, the same? 1404

Pierre

You've singled me, sir, out for this hard question, 1405

As if 'twere started only for my sake! 1406

Am I the thing you fear? Here, here's my bosom, 1407

Search it with all your swords! am I a traitor? 1408

Renault

No: but I fear your late commended friend 1409

Is little less: come, sirs, 'tis now no time 1410

To trifle with our safety. Where's this Jaffeir? 1411

Spinosa

He left the room just now in strange disorder. 1412

Renault

Nay, there's danger in him: I observ'd him, 1413

During the time I took for explanation, 1414

He was transported from most deep attention 1415

To a confusion which he could not smother. 1416

His looks grew full of sadness and surprise, 1417

All which betrayed a wavering spirit in him, 1418

That laboured with reluctancy and sorrow; 1419

What's requisite for safety must be done 1420

With speedy execution: he remains 1421

Yet in our power: I for my own part wear 1422

A dagger. 1423

Pierre

Well?

Renault

And I could wish it!

Pierre

Where?

Renault

Buried in his heart. 1424

Pierre

Away! we're yet all friends;

No more of this, 'twill breed ill blood amongst us. 1425

Spinosa

Let us draw our swords, and search the house, 1426

Pull him from the dark hole where he sits brooding 1427

O'er his cold fears, and each man kill his share of him. 1428

Pierre

Who talks of killing? who's he'll shed the blood 1429

That's dear to me? is't you? or you? or you, sir? 1430

What, not one speak? how you stand gaping all 1431

On your grave oracle, your wooden god there; 1432

Yet not a word: then, sir, I'll tell you a secret, 1433

Suspicion's but at best a coward's virtue! 1434

([To Renault)

Renault

A coward – 1435

([Handless his sword.)

Pierre

Put, put up the sword, old man,

Thy hand shakes at it; come, let's heal this breach, 1436

I am too hot; we yet may live friends. 1437

Spinosa

Till we are safe, our friendship cannot be so. 1438

Pierre

Again: who's that? 1439

Spinosa

'Twas I.

Theodore

And I.

Revillido

And I.

Eliot

And all.

Renault

Who are on my side? 1440

Spinosa

Every honest sword;

Let's die like men and not be sold like slaves. 1441

Pierre

One such word more, by Heav'n I'll to the Senate 1442

And hang ye all, like dogs in clusters. 1443

Why peep your coward swords half out their shells? 1444

Why do you not all brandish them like mine? 1445

You fear to die, and yet dare talk of killing? 1446

Renault

Go to thy Senate, and betray us, hasten, 1447

Secure thy wretched life, we fear to die 1448

Less than thou dar'st be honest. 1449

Pierre

That's rank falsehood.

Fear'st not thou death? fie, there's a knavish itch 1450

In that salt blood, an utter foe to smarting. 1451

Had Jaffeir's wife proved kind, he'd still been true. 1452

Foh –how that stinks! 1453

Thou die! thou kill my friend, or thou, or thou, 1454

Or thou, with that lean wither'd wretched face! 1455

Away! disperse all to your several charges, 1456

And meet to-morrow where your honour calls you; 1457

I'll bring that man, whose blood you so much thirst for, 1458

And you shall see him venture for you fairly – 1459

Hence, hence, I say. 1460

([Exit RENAULT angrily.)

Spinosa

I fear we've been to blame;

And done too much. 1461

Theodore

'Twas too far urged against the man you loved. 1462

Revillido

Here, take our swords and crush 'em with your feet. 1463

Spinosa

Forgive us, gallant friend. 1464

Pierre

Nay, now ye've found

The way to melt and cast me as you will: 1465

I'll fetch this friend and give him to your mercy: 1466

Nay, he shall die if you will take him from me; 1467

For your repose I'll quit my heart's jewel, 1468

But would not have him torn away by villains 1469

And spiteful villainy. 1470

Spinosa

No; may you both

For ever live and fill the world with fame! 1471

Pierre

Now you are too kind. Whence rose all this discord? 1472

Oh, what a dangerous precipice have we scaped! 1473

How near a fall was all we had long been building! 1474

What an eternal blot had stained our glories, 1475

If one, the bravest and the best of men, 1476

Had fallen a sacrifice to rash suspicion, 1477

Butchered by those whose cause he came to cherish: 1478

Oh, could you know him all as I have known him, 1479

How good he is, how just, how true, how brave, 1480

You would not leave this place till you had seen him; 1481

Humbled yourselves before him, kissed his feet, 1482

And gained remission for the worst of follies; 1483

Come but to-morrow all your doubts shall end, 1484

And to your loves me better recommend, 1485

That I've preserved your fame, and saved my friend. 1486

([Exeunt omnes.)

ACT IV

[SCENE I]

(Enter JAFFEIR and BELVIDERA.)

Jaffeir

Where dost thou lead me? Every step I move, 1487

Methinks I tread upon some mangled limb 1488

Of a rack'd friend: O my dear charming ruin! 1489

Where are we wandering? 1490

Belvidera

To eternal honour;

To do a deed shall chronicle thy name, 1491

Among the glorious legends of those few 1492

That have sav'd sinking nations: thy renown 1493

Shall be the future song of all the virgins, 1494

Who by thy piety have been preserved 1495

From horrid violation: every street 1496

Shall be adorn'd with statues to thy honour, 1497

And at thy feet this great inscription written, 1498

Remember him that propp'd the fall of Venice. 1499

Jaffeir

Rather, remember him, who after all 1500

The sacred bonds of oaths and holier friendship, 1501

In fond compassion to a woman's tears 1502

Forgot his manhood, virtue, truth and honour, 1503

To sacrifice the bosom that relieved him. 1504

Why wilt thou damn me? 1505

Belvidera

O inconstant man!

How will you promise? how will you deceive? 1506

Do return back, replace me in my bondage, 1507

Tell all thy friends how dangerously thou lov'st me, 1508

And let thy dagger do its bloody office; 1509

O that kind dagger, Jaffeir, how 'twill look 1510

Stuck through my heart, drench'd in my blood to th' hilts! 1511

Whilst these poor dying eyes shall with their tears 1512

No more torment thee, then thou wilt be free: 1513

Or if thou think'st it nobler, let me live 1514

Till I'm a victim to the hateful lust 1515

Of that infernal devil, that old fiend 1516

That's damned himself and would undo mankind: 1517

Last night, my love – 1518

Jaffeir

Name, name it not again,

It shows a beastly image to my fancy, 1519

Will make me into madness. Oh, the villain! 1520

That durst approach such purity as thine 1521

On terms so vile: destruction, swift destruction 1522

Fall on my coward-head, and make my name 1523

The common scorn of fools if I forgive him; 1524

If I forgive him, if I not revenge 1525

With utmost rage and most unstaying fury 1526

Thy sufferings, thou dear darling of my life, love. 1527

Belvidera

Delay no longer, then, but to the Senate; 1528

And tell the dismal'st story e'er was utter'd, 1529

Tell 'em what bloodshed, rapines, desolations, 1530

Have been prepared, how near's the fatal hour! 1531

Save thy poor country, save the reverend blood 1532

Of all its nobles, which to-morrow's dawn 1533

Must else see shed: save the poor tender lives 1534

Of all those little infants which the swords 1535

Of murtherers are whetting for this moment: 1536

Think thou already hearst their dying screams, 1537

Think that thou seest their sad distracted mothers 1538

Kneeling before thy feet, and begging pity 1539

With torn dishevell'd hair and streaming eyes, 1540

Their naked mangled breasts besmear'd with blood, 1541

And even the milk with which their fondled babes 1542

Softly they hush'd, dropping in anguish from 'em. 1543

Think thou seest this, and then consult thy heart. 1544

Jaffeir

Oh! 1545

Belvidera

Think too, if [that] thou lose this present minute, 1546

What miseries the next day bring upon thee. 1547

Imagine all the horrors of that night, 1548

Murder and rapine, waste and desolation, 1549

Confusedly ranging. Think what then may prove 1550

My lot! the ravisher may then come safe, 1551

And midst the terror of the public ruin 1552

Do a damn'd deed; perhaps to lay a train 1553

May catch thy life; then where will be revenge, 1554

The dear revenge that's due to such a wrong? 1555

Jaffeir

By all Heaven's powers, prophetic truth dwells in thee, 1556

For every word thou speak'st strikes through my heart 1557

Like a new light, and shows it how't has wandered; 1558

Just what thou'st made me, take me, Belvidera, 1559

And lead me to the place where I'm to say 1560

This bitter lesson, where I must betray 1561

My truth, my virtue, constancy and friends: 1562

Must I betray my friends! Ah, take me quickly, 1563

Secure me well before that thought's renewed; 1564

If I relapse once more, all's lost for ever. 1565

Belvidera

Hast thou a friend more dear than Belvidera? 1566

Jaffeir

No, thou'rt my soul itself; wealth, friendship, honour, 1567

All present joys, and earnest of all future, 1568

Are summ'd in thee: methinks when in thy arms 1569

Thus leaning on thy breast, one minute's more 1570

Than a long thousand years of vulgar hours. 1571

Why was such happiness not given me pure? 1572

Why dash'd with cruel wrongs, and bitter wantings? 1573

Come, lead me forward now like a tame lamb 1574

To sacrifice; thus in his fatal garlands, 1575

Deck'd fine and pleas'd, the wanton skips and plays, 1576

Trots by the enticing flattering priestess' side, 1577

And much transported with his little pride, 1578

Forgets his dear companions of the plain 1579

Till, by her bound, he's on the altar lain, 1580

Yet then too hardly bleats, such pleasure's in the pain. 1581

(Enter Officer and six Guards.)

Officer

Stand, who goes there? 1582

Belvidera

Friends. 1583

Jaffeir

Friends, Belvidera! hide me from my friends: 1584

By heaven, I'd rather see the face of hell, 1585

Than meet the man I love. 1586

Officer

But what friends are you?

Belvidera

Friends to the Senate and the State of Venice. 1587

Officer

My orders are to seize on all I find 1588

At this late hour, and bring 'em to the Council, 1589

Who now are sitting. 1590

Jaffeir

Sir, you shall be obeyed.

Hold, brutes, stand off, none of your paws upon me. 1591

Now the lot's cast, and Fate do what thou wilt! 1592

([Exeunt guarded.)

(SCENE [II.])

(The Senate-house)

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

Duke

Antony, Priuli, Senators of Venice, 1593

Speak; why are we assembled here this night? 1594

What have you to inform us of, concerns 1595

The State of Venice, honour, or its safety? 1596

Priuli

Could words express the story I have to tell you, 1597

Fathers, these tears were useless, these sad tears 1598

That fall from my old eyes; but there is cause 1599

We all should weep; tear off these purple robes, 1600

And wrap ourselves in sackcloth, sitting down 1601

On the sad earth, and cry aloud to Heaven. 1602

Heaven knows if yet there be an hour to come 1603

Ere Venice be no more. 1604

All Senators

How!

Priuli

Nay, we stand

Upon the very brink of gaping ruin. 1605

Within this city's formed a dark conspiracy, 1606

To massacre us all, our wives and children, 1607

Kindred and friends, our palaces and temples 1608

To lay in ashes; nay, the hour too, fix'd; 1609

The swords, for aught I know, drawn e'en this moment, 1610

And the wild waste begun: from unknown hands 1611

I had this warning: but if we are men 1612

Let's not be tamely butchered, but do something 1613

That may inform the world in after ages, 1614

Our virtue was not ruin'd though we were. 1615

([A noise without.)

Room, room, make room for some prisoners – 1616

Second Senator

Let's raise the city. 1617

(Enter Officer and Guard.)

Priuli

Speak there, what disturbance?

Officer

Two prisoners have the guard seiz'd in the streets, 1618

Who say they come to inform this reverend Senate 1619

About the present danger. 1620

(Enter JAFFEIR and BELVIDERA guarded.)

All

Give 'em entrance –

Well, who are you? 1621

Jaffeir

A villain.

Antonio

Short and pithy.

The man speaks well. 1622

Jaffeir

Would every man that hears me

Would deal so honestly and own his title. 1623

Duke

'Tis rumour'd that a plot has been contriv'd 1624

Against this State; that you have a share in't too. 1625

If you're a villain, to redeem your honour, 1626

Unfold the truth and be restored with mercy. 1627

Jaffeir

Think not that I to save my life come hither, 1628

I know its value better; but in pity 1629

To all those wretches whose unhappy dooms 1630

Are fix'd and seal'd. You see me here before you, 1631

The sworn and covenanted foe of Venice; 1632

But use me as my dealings may deserve 1633

And I may prove a friend. 1634

Duke

The slave capitulates;

Give him the tortures. 1635

Jaffeir

That you dare not do,

Your fears won't let you, nor the longing itch 1636

To hear a story which you dread the truth of, 1637

Truth which the fear of smart shall ne'er get from me. 1638

Cowards are scared with threat'nings; boys are whipp'd 1639

Into confessions: but a steady mind 1640

Acts of itself, ne'er asks the body counsel. 1641

Give him the tortures! Name but such a thing 1642

Again, by Heaven I'll shut these lips for ever, 1643

Not all your racks, your engines, or your wheels 1644

Shall force a groan away –that you may guess at. 1645

Antonio

A bloody-minded fellow, I'll warrant; 1646

A damn'd bloody-minded fellow. 1647

Duke

Name your conditions. 1648

Jaffeir

For myself full pardon,

Besides the lives of two and twenty friends, 1649

([Delivers a list.)

Whose names are here enrolled: nay, let their crimes 1650

Be ne'er so monstrous, I must have the oaths 1651

And sacred promise of this reverend Council, 1652

That in a full assembly of the Senate 1653

The thing I ask be ratified. Swear this, 1654

And I'll unfold the secrets of your danger. 1655

All

We'll swear. 1656

Duke

Propose the oath.

Jaffeir

By all the hopes

Ye have of peace and happiness hereafter, 1657

Swear. 1658

All

We all swear.

Jaffeir

To grant me what I've asked,

Ye swear. 1659

All

We swear.

Jaffeir

And as ye keep the oath,

May you and your posterity be blest 1660

Or curst for ever. 1661

All

Else be curst for ever.

Jaffeir

Then here's the list, and with't the full disclose 1662

Of all that threatens you. 1663

([Delivers another paper.)

Now Fate, thou hast caught me.

Antonio

Why, what a dreadful catalogue of cut-throats is here! 1664

I'll warrant you not one of these fellows but has a face like a lion. 1665

I dare not so much as read their names over. 1666

Duke

Give orders that all diligent search be made 1667

To seize these men, their characters are public; 1668

The paper intimates their rendezvous 1669

To be at the house of a famed Grecian courtesan 1670

Called Aquilina; see that place secured. 1671

Antonio

What, my Nicky Nacky, hurry durry, Nicky Nacky in the plot – 1672

I'll make a speech. Most noble Senators, 1673

What headlong apprehension drives you on, 1674

Right noble, wise and truly solid senators, 1675

To violate the laws and rights of nations? 1676

The lady is a lady of renown. 1677

'Tis true, she holds a house of fair reception, 1678

And though I say't myself, as many more 1679

Can say as well as I. 1680

Second Senator

My lord, long speeches

Are frivolous here when dangers are so near us; 1681

We all well know your interest in that lady, 1682

The world talks loud on't. 1683

Antonio

Verily, I have done,

I say no more. 1684

Duke

But since he has declared

Himself concerned, pray, captain, take great caution 1685

To treat the fair one as becomes her character, 1686

And let her bed-chamber be searched with decency. 1687

You, Jaffeir, must with patience bear till morning 1688

To be our prisoner. 1689

Jaffeir

Would the chains of death

Had bound me fast ere I had known this minute. 1690

I've done a deed will make my story hereafter 1691

Quotes in competition with all ill ones: 1692

The history of my wickedness shall run 1693

Down through the low traditions of the vulgar, 1694

And boys be taught to tell the tale of Jaffeir. 1695

Duke

Captain, withdraw your prisoner. 1696

Jaffeir

Sir, if possible,

Lead me where my own thoughts themselves may lose me, 1697

Where I may doze out what I've left of life, 1698

Forget myself and this day's guilt and falsehood. 1699

Cruel remembrance, how shall I appease thee! 1700

([Exit guarded.)

(Noise without.)

Voices

More traitors; room, room, make room there. 1701

Duke

How's this? guards! 1702

Where are our guards? shut up the gates, the treason's 1703

Already at our doors. 1704

(Enter Officer.)

Officer

My lords, more traitors:

Seized in the very act of consultation; 1705

Furnished with arms and instruments of mischief. 1706

Bring in the prisoners. 1707

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

Pierre

You, my lords and fathers

(As you are pleased to call yourselves) of Venice; 1708

If you sit here to guide the course of Justice, 1709

Why these disgraceful chains upon the limbs 1710

That have so often laboured in your service? 1711

Are these the wreaths of triumph ye bestow 1712

On those that bring you conquests home and honours? 1713

Duke

Go on: you shall be heard, sir. 1714

Antonio

And be hanged too, I hope. 1715

Pierre

Are these the trophies I've deserv'd for fighting 1716

Your battles with confederated powers? 1717

When winds and seas conspir'd to overthrow you, 1718

And brought the fleets of Spain to your own harbours: 1719

When you, great Duke, shrunk trembling in your palace, 1720

And saw your wife, th' Adriatic, plough'd 1721

Like a lewd whore by bolder prows than yours, 1722

Stepp'd not I forth, and taught your loose Venetians 1723

The task of honour and the way to greatness, 1724

Rais'd you from your capitulating fears 1725

To stipulate the terms of sued-for peace? 1726

And this my recompense? If I'm a traitor 1727

Produce my charge; or show the wretch that's base enough 1728

And brave enough to tell me I'm a traitor. 1729

Duke

Know you one Jaffeir? 1730

([All the Conspirators murmur.)

Pierre

Yes, and know his virtue,

His justice, truth; his general worth and sufferings 1731

From a hard father taught me first to love him. 1732

(Enter JAFFEIR guarded.)

Duke

See him brought forth. 1733

Pierre

My friend too bound! nay then

Our fate has conquered us, and we must fall. 1734

Why drops the man whose welfare's so much mine 1735

They're but one thing? these reverend tyrants, Jaffeir, 1736

Call us all traitors: art thou one, my brother? 1737

Jaffeir

To thee I am the falsest, veriest slave 1738

That e'er betrayed a generous trusting friend, 1739

And gave up honour to be sure of ruin. 1740

All our fair hopes which morning was to have crown'd 1741

Has this curs'd tongue o'erthrown. 1742

Pierre

So, then, all's over;

Venice has lost her freedom; I my life; 1743

No more, farewell. 1744

Duke

Say, will you make confession

Of your vile deeds and trust the Senate's mercy? 1745

Pierre

Cursed be your Senate: cursed your constitution: 1746

The curse of growing factions and division 1747

Still vex your councils, shake your public safety, 1748

And make the robes of government you wear 1749

Hateful to you, as these base chains to me. 1750

Duke

Pardon or death? 1751

Pierre

Death, honourable death!

Renault

Death's the best thing we ask or you can give. 1752

All Conspirators

No shameful bonds, but honourable death. 1753

Duke

Break up the council: captain, guard your prisoners. 1754

Jaffeir, you are free, but these must wait for judgment. 1755

([Exeunt all the Senators.)

Pierre

Come, where's my dungeon? lead me to my straw: 1756

It will not be the first time I've lodged hard 1757

To do your Senate service. 1758

Jaffeir

Hold one moment.

Pierre

Who's he disputes the judgment of the Senate? 1759

Presumptuous rebel –on– 1760

([Strikes JAFFEIR.)

Jaffeir

By Heaven, you stir not.

I must be heard, I must have leave to speak; 1761

Thou hast disgrac'd me, Pierre, by a vile blow: 1762

Had not a dagger done thee nobler justice? 1763

But use me as thou wilt, thou canst not wrong me, 1764

For I am fallen beneath the basest injuries; 1765

Yet look upon me with an eye of mercy, 1766

With pity and with charity behold me; 1767

Shut not thy heart against a friend's repentance, 1768

But as there dwells a god-like nature in thee 1769

Listen with mildness to my supplications. 1770

Pierre

What whining monk art thou? what holy cheat, 1771

That wouldst encroach upon my credulous ears 1772

And cant'st thus vilely? hence. I know thee not. 1773

Dissemble and be nasty: leave me, hypocrite. 1774

Jaffeir

Not know me, Pierre? 1775

Pierre

No, I know thee not: what art thou?

Jaffeir

Jaffeir, thy friend, thy once loved, valued friend! 1776

Though now deservedly scorned, and used most hardly. 1777

Pierre

Thou Jaffeir! Thou my once loved, valued friend? 1778

By heavens, thou liest; the man, so call'd, my friend, 1779

Was generous, honest, faithful, just and valiant, 1780

Noble in mind, and in his person lovely, 1781

Dear to my eyes and tender to my heart: 1782

But thou a wretched, base, false, worthless coward, 1783

Poor even in soul, and loathsome in thy aspect, 1784

All eyes must shun thee, and all hearts detest thee. 1785

Prithee avoid, nor longer cling thus round me, 1786

Like something baneful, that my nature's chill'd at. 1787

Jaffeir

I have not wrong'd thee, by these tears I have not. 1788

But still am honest, true, and hope too, valiant: 1789

My mind still full of thee, therefore still noble; 1790

Let not thy eyes then shun me, nor thy heart 1791

Detest me utterly; oh, look upon me, 1792

Look back and see my sad sincere submission! 1793

How my heart swells, as even 'twould burst my bosom; 1794

Fond of its gaol, and labouring to be at thee! 1795

What shall I do? what say to make thee hear me? 1796

Pierre

Hast thou not wronged me? dar'st thou call thyself 1797

Jaffeir, that once loved, valued friend of mine, 1798

And swear thou hast not wronged me? whence these chains? 1799

Whence the vile death which I may meet this moment? 1800

Whence this dishonour, but from thee, thou false one? 1801

Jaffeir

All's true, yet grant one thing, and I've done asking. 1802

Pierre

What's that? 1803

Jaffeir

To take thy life on such conditions

The Council have propos'd: thou and thy friends 1804

May yet live log, and to be better treated. 1805

Pierre

Life! ask my life! confess! record myself 1806

A villain for the privilege to breathe, 1807

And carry up and down this cursed city 1808

A discontented and repining spirit, 1809

Burthensome to itself a few years longer, 1810

To lose it, may be, at last in a lewd quarrel 1811

For some new friend, treacherous and false as thou art 1812

No, this vile world and I have long been jangling, 1813

And cannot part on better terms than now, 1814

When only men like thee are fit to live in't. 1815

Jaffeir

By all that's just – 1816

Pierre

Swear by some other powers,

For thou hast broke that sacred oath too lately. 1817

Jaffeir

Then by that hell I merit, I'll not leave thee, 1818

Till to thyself at least thou'rt reconciled, 1819

However thy resentments deal with me. 1820

Pierre

Not leave me! 1821

Jaffeir

No, thou shalt not force me from thee.

Use me reproachfully, and like a slave, 1822

Tread on me, buffet me, heap wrongs on wrongs 1823

On my poor head: I'll bear it all with patience, 1824

Shall weary out thy most unfriendly cruelty, 1825

Lie at thy feet and kiss 'em though they spurn me, 1826

Till, wounded by my sufferings, thou relent, 1827

And raise me to thy arms with dear forgiveness. 1828

Pierre

Art thou not – 1829

Jaffeir

What?

Pierre

A traitor?

Jaffeir

Yes.

Pierre

A villain?

Jaffeir

Granted. 1830

Pierre

A coward, a most scandalous coward,

Spiritless, void of honour, one who has sold 1831

Thy everlasting fame for shameless life? 1832

Jaffeir

All, all, and more, much more: my faults are numberless. 1833

Pierre

And wouldst thou have me live on terms like thine? 1834

Base as thou art false – 1835

Jaffeir

No, 'tis to me that's granted.

The safety of thy life was all I aim'd at, 1836

In recompense for faith and trust so broken. 1837

Pierre

I scorn it more because preserv'd by thee. 1838

And as when first my foolish heart took pity 1839

On thy misfortunes, sought thee in thy miseries, 1840

Relieved thy wants, and raised thee from thy state 1841

Of wretchedness in which thy fate had plung'd thee, 1842

To rank thee in my list of noble friends; 1843

All I received in surety for thy truth, 1844

Were unregarded oaths; and this, this dagger, 1845

Given with a worthless pledge, thou since hast stol'n, 1846

So I restore it back to thee again, 1847

Swearing by all those powers which thou hast violated, 1848

Never from this curs'd hour to hold communion, 1849

Friendship or interest with thee, though our years 1850

Were to exceed those limited the world. 1851

Take it –farewell–for now I owe thee nothing. 1852

Jaffeir

Say thou wilt live, then. 1853

Pierre

For my life, dispose it

Just as thou wilt, because 'tis what I'm tired with. 1854

Jaffeir

O Pierre! 1855

Pierre

No more.

Jaffeir

My eyes won't lose the sight of thee,

But languish after thine, and ache with gazing. 1856

Pierre

Leave me –nay, then, thus, thus, I throw thee from me 1857

And curses, great as is thy falsehood, catch thee. 1858

Jaffeir

Amen. 1859

He's gone, my father, friend, preserver, 1860

And here's the portion he has left me. 1861

([Holds the dagger up.)

This dagger, well remembered, with this dagger 1862

I gave a solemn vow of dire importance, 1863

Parted with this and Belvidera together; 1864

Have a care, mem'ry, drive that thought no farther; 1865

No, I'll esteem it as a friend's last legacy, 1866

Treasure it up within this wretched bosom, 1867

Where it may grow acquainted with my heart, 1868

That when they meet, they start not from each other. 1869

So; now for thinking: a blow, call'd traitor, villain, 1870

Coward, dishonourable coward, fough! 1871

O for a long sound sleep, and so forget it! 1872

Down, busy devil. – 1873

(Enter BELVIDERA.)

Belvidera

Whither shall I fly?

Where hide me and my miseries together? 1874

Where's now the Roman constancy I boasted? 1875

Sunk into trembling fears and desperation! 1876

Not daring now to look up to that dear face 1877

Which used to smile even on my faults, but down 1878

Bending these miserable eyes to earth, 1879

Must move in penance, and implore much mercy. 1880

Jaffeir

Mercy, kind Heaven, has surely endless stores 1881

Hoarded for thee of blessings yet untasted; 1882

Let wretches loaded hard with guilt as I am, 1883

Bow [with] the weight and groan beneath the burthen, 1884

Creep with a remnant of that strength they've left, 1885

Before the footstool of that Heaven they've injured. 1886

O Belvidera! I'm the wretched'st creature 1887

E'er crawled on earth: now if thou hast virtue, help me, 1888

Take me into thy arms, and speak the words of peace 1889

To my divided soul, that wars within me, 1890

And raises every sense to my confusion; 1891

By Heav'n, I'm tottering on the very brink 1892

Of peace; and thou art all the hold I've left. 1893

Belvidera

Alas! I know thy sorrows are most mighty; 1894

I know thou'st cause to mourn; to mourn, my Jaffeir, 1895

With endless cries, and never-ceasing wailings, 1896

Thou'st lost – 1897

Jaffeir

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

My friend too, Belvidera, that dear friend, 1898

Who, next to thee, was all my health rejoiced in, 1899

Has used me like a slave; shamefully used me; 1900

'Twould break thy pitying heart to hear the story. 1901

What shall I do? resentment, indignation, 1902

Love, pity, fear and mem'ry, how I've wronged him, 1903

Distract my quiet with the very thought on't, 1904

And tear my heart to pieces in my bosom. 1905

Belvidera

What has he done? 1906

Jaffeir

Thou'dst hate me, should I tell thee.

Belvidera

Why? 1907

Jaffeir

Oh, he has us'd me! yet, by Heaven, I bear it: 1908

He has us'd me, Belvidera, but first swear 1909

That when I've told thee, thou'lt not loathe me utterly. 1910

Though vilest blots and stains appear upon me; 1911

But still at least with charitable goodness, 1912

Be near me in the pangs of my affliction, 1913

Not scorn me, Belvidera, as he has done. 1914

Belvidera

Have I then e'er been false that now I'm doubted? 1915

Speak, what's the cause I'm grown into distrust, 1916

Why thought unfit to hear my love's complainings? 1917

Jaffeir

Oh! 1918

Belvidera

Tell me. 1919

Jaffeir

Bear my failings, for they are many.

Oh my dear angel! in that friend I've lost 1920

All my soul's peace; for every thought of him 1921

Strikes my sense hard, and deads it in my brains; 1922

Wouldst thou believe it? 1923

Belvidera

Speak!

Jaffeir

Before we parted,

Ere yet his guards had led him to his prison, 1924

Full of severest sorrows for his suff'rings, 1925

With eyes o'erflowing and a bleeding heart, 1926

Humbling myself almost beneath my nature, 1927

As at his feet I kneel'd, and sued for mercy, 1928

Forgetting all our friendship, all the dearness, 1929

In which we've lived so many years together, 1930

With a reproachful hand he dashed a blow. 1931

He struck me, Belvidera, by Heaven, he struck me, 1932

Buffeted, called me traitor, villain, coward. 1933

Am I a coward? am I a villain? tell me: 1934

Thou'rt the best judge, and mad'st me, if I am so. 1935

Damnation: coward! 1936

Belvidera

Oh! forgive him, Jaffeir.

And if his sufferings wound thy heart already, 1937

What will they do to-morrow? 1938

Jaffeir

Hah!

Belvidera

To-morrow,

When thou shalt see him stretch'd in all the agonies 1939

Of a tormenting and a shameful death, 1940

His bleeding bowels, and his broken limbs, 1941

Insulted o'er by a vile butchering villain; 1942

What will thy heart do then? oh, sure 'twill stream 1943

Like my eyes now. 1944

Jaffeir

What means thy dreadful story?

Death, and to-morrow? broken limbs and bowels! 1945

Insulted o'er by a vile butchering villain! 1946

By all my fears I shall start out to madness, 1947

With barely guessing if the truth's hid longer. 1948

Belvidera

The faithless Senators, 'tis they've decreed it: 1949

They say according to our friend's request, 1950

They shall have death, and not ignoble bondage: 1951

Declare their promised mercy all as forfeited, 1952

False to their oaths, and deaf to intercession; 1953

Warrants are passed for public death to-morrow. 1954

Jaffeir

Death! doomed to die! condemned unheard! unpleaded! 1955

Belvidera

Nay, cruell'st racks and torments are preparing, 1956

To force confessions from their dying pangs. 1957

Oh, do not look so terribly upon me, 1958

How your lips shake, and all your face disordered! 1959

What means my love? 1960

Jaffeir

Leave me, I charge thee, leave me –strong temptations 1961

Wake in my heart. 1962

Belvidera

For what?

Jaffeir

No more, but leave me.

Belvidera

Why? 1963

Jaffeir

Oh! by Heaven I love you with that fondness 1964

I would not have thee stay a moment longer, 1965

Near these curs'd hands; are they not cold upon thee? 1966

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

Belvidera

No, everlasting comfort's in thy arms. 1967

To lean thus on thy breast is softer ease 1968

Than downy pillows deck'd with leaves of roses. 1969

Jaffeir

Alas! thou think'st not of the thorns 'tis filled with: 1970

Fly ere they [gall] thee: there's a lurking serpent, 1971

Ready to leap and sting thee to thy heart; 1972

Art thou not terrified? 1973

Belvidera

No.

Jaffeir

Call to mind

What thou hast done, and whither thou hast brought me. 1974

Belvidera

Hah! 1975

Jaffeir

Where's my friend? my friend, thou smiling mischief? 1976

Nay, shrink not, now 'tis too late, thou shouldst have fled 1977

When thy guilt first had cause, for dire revenge 1978

Is up and raging for my friend. He groans, 1979

Hark how he groans, his screams are in my ears 1980

Already; see, they've fix'd him on the wheel, 1981

And now they tear him –Murther! perjur'd Senate! 1982

Murther –Oh! –hark thee, traitress, thou hast done this: 1983

([Fumbling for his dagger.)

Thanks to thy tears and false persuading love. 1984

How her eyes speak! O thou bewitching creature! 1985

Madness cannot hurt thee: come, thou little trembler, 1986

Creep, even into my heart, and there lie safe: 1987

'Tis thy own citadel –ha!–yet stand off, 1988

Heaven must have justice, and my broken vows 1989

Will sink me else beneath its reaching mercy; 1990

I'll wink and then 'tis done – 1991

Belvidera

What means the lord

Of me, my life and love? what's in thy bosom, 1992

([Draws the dagger, offers to stab her.)

Thou grasp'st at so? Nay, why am I thus treated? 1993

What wilt thou do? Ah! do not kill me, Jaffeir, 1994

Pity these panting breasts, and trembling limbs, 1995

That used to clasp thee when thy looks were milder, 1996

That yet hang heavy on my unpurg'd soul, 1997

And plunge it not into eternal darkness. 1998

Jaffeir

No, Belvidera, when we parted last 1999

I gave this dagger with thee as in trust 2000

To be thy portion, if I e'er proved false. 2001

On such condition was my truth believ'd: 2002

But now 'tis forfeited and must be paid for. 2003

([Offers to stab her again.)

Belvidera

Oh, mercy! 2004

([Kneeling.)

Jaffeir

Nay, no struggling.

Belvidera

Now, then, kill me.

([Leaps upon his neck and kisses him.)

While thus I cling about thy cruel neck, 2005

Kiss thy revengeful lips and die in joys 2006

Greater than any I can guess hereafter. 2007

Jaffeir

I am, I am a coward; witness't, heaven, 2008

Witness it, earth, and every being witness; 2009

'Tis but one blow; yet, by immortal love, 2010

I cannot longer bear a thought to harm thee; 2011

([He throws away the dagger and embraces her.)

The seal of Providence is sure upon thee, 2012

And thou wert born for yet unheard-of wonders: 2013

Oh, thou wert either born to save or damn me! 2014

By all the power that's given thee o'er my soul, 2015

By thy resistless tears and conquering smiles, 2016

By the victorious love that still waits on thee, 2017

Fly to thy cruel father: save my friend, 2018

Or all our future quiet's lost for ever: 2019

Fall at his feet, cling round his reverend knees; 2020

Speak to him with thy eyes, and with thy tears 2021

Melt his hard heart, and wake dead nature in him; 2022

Crush him in thy arms, and torture him with thy softness: 2023

Nor, till thy prayers are granted, set him free, 2024

But conquer him, as thou hast vanquish'd me. 2025

([Exeunt ambo.)

ACT V

[SCENE I]

(Enter PRIULI, solus .)

Priuli

Why, cruel Heaven, have my unhappy days 2026

Been lengthen'd to this sad one? Oh, dishonour 2027

And deathless infamy is fall'n upon me! 2028

Was it my fault? Am I a traitor? No. 2029

But then, my only child, my daughter, wedded; 2030

There my blest blood runs foul, and a disease 2031

Incurable has seized upon my memory, 2032

To make it rot and stink to after ages. 2033

Cursed be the fatal minute when I got her; 2034

Or would that I'd been anything but man, 2035

And raised an issue which would ne'er have wrong'd me. 2036

The miserablest creatures, man excepted, 2037

Are not the less esteemed, though their posterity 2038

Degenerate from the virtues of their fathers; 2039

The vilest beasts are happy in their offsprings, 2040

While only man gets traitors, whores and villains. 2041

Cursed be the names, and some swift blow from Fate 2042

Lay his head deep, where mine may be forgotten. 2043

(Enter BELVIDERA in a long mourning veil.)

Belvidera

He's there, my father, my inhuman father, 2044

That, for three years, has left an only child 2045

Exposed to all the outrages of Fate, 2046

And cruel ruin –oh! – 2047

Priuli

What child of sorrow

Art thou that com'st thus wrapt in weeds of sadness, 2048

And mov'st as if thy steps were towards a grave? 2049

Belvidera

A wretch, who from the very top of happiness 2050

Am fallen into the lowest depths of misery, 2051

And want your pitying hand to raise me up again. 2052

Priuli

Indeed thou talk'st as thou hadst tasted sorrows; 2053

Would I could help thee! 2054

Belvidera

'Tis greatly in your power.

The world, too, speaks you charitable, and I, 2055

Who ne'er asked alms before, in that dear hope 2056

Am come a-begging to you, sir. 2057

Priuli

For what?

Belvidera

O well regard me, is this voice a strange one? 2058

Consider, too, when beggars once pretend 2059

A case like mine, no little will content 'em. 2060

Priuli

What wouldst thou beg for? 2061

Belvidera

Pity and forgiveness;

([Throws up her veil.)

By the kind tender names of child and father, 2062

Hear my complaints and take me to your love. 2063

Priuli

My daughter? 2064

Belvidera

Yes, your daughter, by a mother

Virtuous and noble, faithful to your honour, 2065

Obedient to your will, kind to your wishes, 2066

Dear to your arms: by all the joys she gave you, 2067

When in her blooming years she was your treasure, 2068

Look kindly on me; in my face behold 2069

The lineaments of hers you've kiss'd so often, 2070

Pleading the cause of your poor cast-off child. 2071

Priuli

Thou art my daughter? 2072

Belvidera

Yes –and you've oft told me,

With smiles of love and chaste paternal kisses, 2073

I'd much resemblance of my mother. 2074

Priuli

Oh!

Hadst thou inherited her matchless virtues 2075

I'd been too bless'd. 2076

Belvidera

Nay, do not call to memory

My disobedience, but let pity enter 2077

Into your heart, and quite deface the impression; 2078

For could you think how mine's perplexed, what sadness, 2079

Fears and despairs distract the peace within me, 2080

Oh, you would take me in your dear, dear arms, 2081

Hover with strong compassion o'er your young one, 2082

To shelter me with a protecting wing, 2083

From the black gather'd storm, that's just, just breaking. 2084

Priuli

Don't talk thus. 2085

Belvidera

Yes, I must, and you must hear too.

I have a husband. 2086

Priuli

Damn him.

Belvidera

Oh, do not curse him!

He would not speak so hard a word towards you, 2087

On any terms, [howe'er] he deal with me. 2088

Priuli

Ha! what means my child? 2089

Belvidera

Oh, there's but this short moment 2090

'Twixt me and Fate, yet send me not with curses 2091

Down to my grave, afford me one kind blessing 2092

Before we part: just take me in your arms, 2093

And recommend me with a prayer to Heaven, 2094

That I may die in peace, and when I'm dead – 2095

Priuli

How my soul's catched! 2096

Belvidera

Lay me, I beg you, lay me

By the dear ashes of my tender mother: 2097

She would have pitied me, had Fate yet spared her. 2098

Priuli

By heaven, my aching heart forebodes much mischief; 2099

Tell me thy story, for I'm still thy father. 2100

Belvidera

No, I'm contented. 2101

Priuli

Speak.

Belvidera

No matter.

Priuli

Tell me.

By you, blest Heaven, my heart runs o'er with fondness. 2102

Belvidera

Oh! 2103

Priuli

Utter't.

Belvidera

O my husband, my dear husband

Carries a dagger in his once kind bosom, 2104

To pierce the heart of your poor Belvidera. 2105

Priuli

Kill thee? 2106

Belvidera

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

And covenant, against your State and Senate, 2107

He gave me up as hostage for his truth, 2108

With me a dagger and a dire commission 2109

Whene'er he failed, to plunge it through this bosom. 2110

I learnt the danger, chose the hour of love 2111

To attempt his heart, and bring it back to honour. 2112

Great love prevail'd and bless'd me with success: 2113

He came, confessed, betrayed his dearest friends 2114

For promis'd mercy; now they're doomed to suffer, 2115

Gall'd with remembrance of what then was sworn, 2116

If they are lost, he vows to appease the gods 2117

With this poor life, and make my blood the atonement. 2118

Priuli

Heavens! 2119

Belvidera

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

Think you beheld him like a raging lion, 2120

Pacing the earth and tearing up his steps, 2121

Fate in his eyes, and roaring with the pain 2122

Of burning fury; think you saw his one hand 2123

Fix'd on my throat, while the extended other 2124

Grasp'd a keen threat'ning dagger: oh, 'twas thus 2125

We last embrac'd, when, trembling with revenge, 2126

He dragg'd me to the ground, and at my bosom 2127

Presented horrid death, cried out: "My friends, 2128

Where are my friends?" swore, wept, rag'd, threaten'd, lov'd, 2129

For he yet loved, and that dear love preserved me, 2130

To this last trial of a father's pity. 2131

I fear not death, but cannot bear a thought 2132

That that dear hand should do the unfriendly office; 2133

If I was ever then your care, now hear me; 2134

Fly to the Senate, save the promised lives 2135

Of his dear friends, ere mine be made the sacrifice. 2136

Priuli

O my heart's comfort! 2137

Belvidera

Will you not, my father?

Weep not, but answer me. 2138

Priuli

By Heaven, I will.

Not one of 'em but what shall be immortal. 2139

Canst thou forgive me all my follies past, 2140

I'll henceforth be indeed a father; never, 2141

Never more thus expose, but cherish thee. 2142

Dear as the vital warmth that feeds my life, 2143

Dear as these eyes that weep in fondness o'er thee. 2144

Peace to thy heart. Farewell. 2145

Belvidera

Go, and remember

'Tis Belvidera's life her father pleads for. 2146

([Exeunt severally.)

(Enter ANTONIO.)

Antonio

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

(Enter AQUILINA.)

Aquilina

Good-morrow, Senator.

Antonio

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

Aquilina

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

Antonio

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

([Sings.)

Aquilina

Signior.

Antonio

Madonna.

Aquilina

Do you intend to die in your bed –?

Antonio

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

Aquilina

You'll be hanged, signior.

Antonio

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

([Sings.)

Aquilina

See you this, sir?

([Draws a dagger.)

Antonio

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

Aquilina

Yes, in your heart I'll hide it.

Antonio

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

Aquilina

Yes, in thy heart, thy throat, thou pampered devil; 2200

Thou hast help'd to spoil my peace, and I'll have vengeance 2201

On thy cursed life, for all the bloody Senate, 2202

The perjur'd faithless Senate: where's my lord, 2203

My happiness, my love, my god, my hero, 2204

Doom'd by thy accursed tongue, amongst the rest, 2205

T' a shameful wrack? By all the rage that's in me 2206

I'll be whole years in murthering thee. 2207

Antonio

Why, Nacky,

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

Aquilina

Thou! think'st thou, thou art fit to meet my joys; 2211

To bear the eager clasps of my embraces? 2212

Give me my Pierre, or – 2213

Antonio

Why, he's to be hang'd, little Nacky, 2214

Trussed up for treason, and so forth, child. 2215

Aquilina

Thou liest: stop down thy throat that hellish sentence, 2216

Or 'tis thy last: swear that my love shall live, 2217

Or thou art dead. 2218

Antonio

Ah-h-h-h.

Aquilina

Swear to recall his doom,

Swear at my feet, and tremble at my fury. 2219

Antonio

I do. Now if she would but kick a little bit, one kick now, 2220

Ah-h-h-h. 2221

Aquilina

Swear, or –

Antonio

I do, by these dear fragrant foots

And little toes, sweet as, e-e-e-e my Nacky Nacky Nacky. 2222

Aquilina

How! 2223

Antonio

Nothing but untie thy shoe-string a little, faith and troth, 2224

That's all, that's all, as I hope to live, Nacky, that's all. 2225

Aquilina

Nay, then – 2226

Antonio

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

Shall be preserv'd and safe. 2227

Aquilina

Or may this poniard

Rust in thy heart. 2228

Antonio

With all my soul.

Aquilina

Farewell –

([Exit AQUILINA.)

Antonio

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

([Stretches himself out.)

(Enter JAFFEIR.)

Jaffeir

Final destruction seize on all the world: 2232

Bend down, ye heavens, and shutting round this earth, 2233

Crush the vile globe into its first confusion; 2234

Scorch it, with elemental flames, to one curst cinder, 2235

And all us little creepers in't, called men, 2236

Burn, burn to nothing: but let Venice burn 2237

Hotter than all the rest: here kindle hell 2238

Ne'er to extinguish, and let souls hereafter 2239

Groan here, in all those pains which mine feels now. 2240

(Enter BELVIDERA.)

Belvidera

My life – 2241

([Meeting him.)

Jaffeir

My plague –

([Turning from her.)

Belvidera

Nay then I see my ruin

If I must die! 2242

Jaffeir

No, Death's this day too busy,

Thy father's ill-timed mercy came too late. 2243

I thank thee for thy labours though and him too, 2244

But all my poor betray'd unhappy friends 2245

Have summons to prepare for Fate's black hour; 2246

And yet I live. 2247

Belvidera

Then be the next my doom.

I see thou'st pass'd my sentence in thy heart, 2248

And I'll no longer weep or plead against it, 2249

But with the humblest, most obedient patience 2250

Meet thy dear hands, and kiss 'em when they wound me; 2251

Indeed I'm willing, but I beg thee do it 2252

With some remorse, and where thou giv'st the blow, 2253

View me with eyes of a relenting love, 2254

And show me pity, for 'twill sweeten justice. 2255

Jaffeir

Show pity to thee? 2256

Belvidera

Yes, and when thy hands,

Charg'd with my fate, come trembling to the deed, 2257

As thou hast done a thousand thousand dear times, 2258

To this poor breast, when kinder rage has brought thee, 2259

When our stinged hearts have leaped to meet each other, 2260

And melting kisses sealed our lips together, 2261

When joys have left me gasping in thy arms, 2262

So let my death come now, and I'll shrink from't. 2263

Jaffeir

Nay, Belvidera, do not fear my cruelty, 2264

Nor let the thoughts of death perplex thy fancy, 2265

But answer me to what I shall demand 2266

With a firm temper and unshaken spirit. 2267

Belvidera

I will when I've done weeping – 2268

Jaffeir

Fie, no more on't –

How long is't since the miserable day 2269

We wedded first – 2270

Belvidera

Oh-h-h!

Jaffeir

Nay, keep in thy tears,

Lest they unman me too. 2271

Belvidera

Heaven knows I cannot;

The words you utter sound so very sadly 2272

These streams will follow – 2273

Jaffeir

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

Belvidera

But was't a miserable day? 2274

Jaffeir

A curs'd one.

Belvidera

I thought it otherwise, and you've oft sworn 2275

In the transporting hours of warmest love 2276

When sure you spoke the truth, you've sworn you blessed it. 2277

Jaffeir

'Twas a rash oath. 2278

Belvidera

Then why am I not curs'd too?

Jaffeir

No, Belvidera; by the eternal truth, 2279

I dote with too much fondness. 2280

Belvidera

Still so kind?

Still then do you love me? 2281

Jaffeir

Nature, in her workings,

Inclines not with more ardour to creation, 2282

Than I do now towards thee: man ne'er was bless'd, 2283

Since the first pair first met, as I have been. 2284

Belvidera

Then sure you will not curse me. 2285

Jaffeir

No, I'll bless thee.

I came on purpose, Belvidera, to bless thee. 2286

'Tis now, I think, three years we've liv'd together. 2287

Belvidera

And may no fatal minute ever part us, 2288

Till, reverend grown, for age and love, we go 2289

Down to one grave, as our last bed, together, 2290

There sleep in peace till an eternal morning. 2291

Jaffeir

When will that be? 2292

([Sighing.)

Belvidera

I hope long ages hence.

Jaffeir

Have I not hitherto (I beg thee tell me 2293

Thy very fears) used thee with tender'st love? 2294

Did e'er my soul rise up in wrath against thee? 2295

Did e'er I frown when Belvidera smiled, 2296

Or, by the least unfriendly word, betray 2297

A bating passion? have I ever wronged thee? 2298

Belvidera

No. 2299

Jaffeir

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

To any other woman? 2300

Belvidera

Never, never –

I were the worst of false ones should I accuse thee; 2301

I own I've been too happy, bless'd above 2302

My sex's charter. 2303

Jaffeir

Did I not say I came to bless thee? 2304

Belvidera

Yes. 2305

Jaffeir

Then hear me, bounteous Heaven!

Pour down your blessings on this beauteous head, 2306

Where everlasting sweets are always springing, 2307

With a continual giving hand: let peace, 2308

Honour, and safety, always hover round her: 2309

Feed her with plenty, let her eyes ne'er see 2310

A sight of sorrow, nor her heart know mourning: 2311

Crown all her days with joy, her nights with rest, 2312

Harmless as her own thoughts; and prop her virtue, 2313

To bear the loss of one that too much lov'd, 2314

And comfort her with patience in our parting. 2315

Belvidera

How, parting! parting! 2316

Jaffeir

Yes, for ever parting.

I have sworn, Belvidera, by yon heaven, 2317

That best can tell how much I lose to leave thee, 2318

We part this hour for ever. 2319

Belvidera

Oh, call back

Your cruel blessings, stay with me and cursed me! 2320

Jaffeir

No, 'tis resolv'd. 2321

Belvidera

Then hear me too, just Heaven!

Pour down your curses on this wretched head 2322

With never-ceasing vengeance: let despair, 2323

Danger or infamy, nay, all surround me: 2324

Starve me with wantings: let my eyes ne'er see 2325

A sight of comfort, nor my heart know peace, 2326

But dash my days with sorrow, nights with horrors 2327

Wild as my own thoughts now, and let loose fury 2328

To make me mad enough for what I lose, 2329

If I must lose him; if I must, I will not. 2330

O turn and hear me! 2331

Jaffeir

Now hold, heart, or never.

Belvidera

By all the tender days we've liv'd together; 2332

By all our charming nights, and joys that crown'd 'em: 2333

Pity my sad condition, speak, but speak. 2334

Jaffeir

Oh-h-h! 2335

Belvidera

By these arms that now cling round thy neck:

By this dear kiss and by ten thousand more, 2336

By these poor streaming eyes – 2337

Jaffeir

Murther! unhold me:

([Draws his dagger.)

By the immortal destiny that doom'd me 2338

To this curs'd minute, I'll not live one longer. 2339

Resolve to let me go or see me fall – 2340

Belvidera

Hold, sir, be patient. 2341

Jaffeir

Hark, the dismal bell

([Passing bell tolls.)

Tolls out for death; I must attend its call too, 2342

For my poor friend, my dying Pierre expects me: 2343

He sent a message to require I'd see him 2344

Before he died, and take his last forgiveness. 2345

Farewell for ever. 2346

([Going out looks back at her.)

Belvidera

Leave thy dagger with me.

Bequeath me something. –Not one kiss at parting? 2347

O my poor heart, when wilt thou break? 2348

Jaffeir

Yet stay, 2349

We have a child, as yet a tender infant. 2350

Be a kind mother to him when I am gone: 2351

Breed him in virtue and the paths of honour, 2352

But let him never know his father's story: 2353

I charge thee guard him from the wrongs my fate 2354

May do his future fortune or his name. 2355

Now –nearer yet – 2356

([Approaching each other.)

O that my arms were riveted 2357

Thus round thee ever! But my friends, my oath! 2358

This and no more. 2359

([Kisses her.)

Belvidera

Another, sure another,

For that poor little one you've ta'en care of, 2360

I'll give't him truly. 2361

Jaffeir

So, now farewell.

Belvidera

For ever?

Jaffeir

Heaven knows for ever; all good angles guard thee. 2362

([Exit.)

Belvidera

All ill ones sure had charge of me this moment. 2363

Curs'd be my days, and doubly curs'd my nights, 2364

Which I must now mourn out in widow'd tears; 2365

Blasted be every herb and fruit and tree; 2366

Curs'd be the rain that falls upon the earth, 2367

And may the general curse reach man and beast; 2368

Oh, give me daggers, fire or water! 2369

How I could bleed, how burn, how drown, the waves 2370

Huzzing and booming round my sinking head, 2371

Till I descended to the peaceful bottom! 2372

Oh, there's all quiet, here all rage and fury: 2373

The air's too thin, and pierces my weak brain: 2374

I long for thick substantial sleep: hell, hell, 2375

Burst from the centre, rage and roar aloud, 2376

If thou art half so hot, so mad as I am. 2377

(Enter PRIULI and Servants.)

Who's there? 2378

([They seize her.)

Priuli

Run, seize and bring her safely home. 2379

Guard her as you would life: alas, poor creature! 2380

Belvidera

What? to my husband then conduct me quickly. 2381

Are all things ready? shall we die most gloriously? 2382

Say not a word of this to my old father. 2383

Murmuring streams, soft shades, and springing flowers, 2384

Lutes, laurels, seas of milk, and ships of amber. 2385

([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

Room, room there –stand all by, make room for the prisoner. 2386

Pierre

My friend not come yet? 2387

Father

Why are you so obstinate? 2388

Pierre

Why you so troublesome, that a poor wretch 2389

Can't die in peace, 2390

But you, like ravens, will be croaking round him? 2391

Father

Yet, Heaven – 2392

Pierre

I tell thee Heaven and I are friends.

I ne'er broke peace with't yet, by cruel murthers, 2393

Rapine or perjury, or vile deceiving, 2394

But lived in moral justice towards all men, 2395

Nor am a foe to the most strong believers, 2396

Howe'er my own short-sighted faith confine me. 2397

Father

But an all-seeing Judge – 2398

Pierre

You say my conscience

Must be mine accuser: I've search'd that conscience, 2399

And find no records there of crimes that scare me. 2400

Father

'Tis strange you should want faith. 2401

Pierre

You want to lead

My reason blindfold, like a hamper'd lion, 2402

Check'd of its nobler vigour; then, when baited 2403

Down to obedient tameness, make it couch, 2404

And show strange tricks, which you call signs of faith. 2405

So silly souls are gull'd and you get money. 2406

Away, no more: Captain, I would hereafter 2407

This fellow write no lies of my conversion, 2408

Because he has crept upon my troubled hours. 2409

(Enter JAFFEIR.)

Jaffeir

Hold: eyes, be dry! 2410

Heart, strengthen me to bear 2411

This hideous sight, and humble me, to take 2412

The last forgiveness of a dying friend, 2413

Betray'd by my vile falsehood, to his ruin. 2414

O Pierre! 2415

Pierre

Yet nearer.

Jaffeir

Crawling on my knees,

And prostrate on the earth, let me approach thee: 2416

How shall I look up to thy injured face, 2417

That always used to smile, with friendship on me? 2418

It darts an air of so much manly virtue, 2419

That I, methinks, look little in thy sight, 2420

And stripes are fitter for me than embraces. 2421

Pierre

Dear to my arms, though thou'st undone my fame, 2422

I cannot forget to love thee; prithee, Jaffeir, 2423

Forgive that filthy blow my passion dealt thee; 2424

I'm now preparing for the land of peace, 2425

And fain would have the charitable wishes 2426

Of all good men, like thee, to bless my journey. 2427

Jaffeir

Good! I am the vilest creature; worse than e'er 2428

Suffer'd the shameful fate thou'rt going to taste of. 2429

Why was I sent for to be used thus kindly? 2430

Call, call me villain, as I am, describe 2431

The foul complexion of my hateful deeds, 2432

Lead me to the rack, and stretch me in thy stead, 2433

I've crimes enough to give it its full load, 2434

And do it credit. Thou wilt but spoil the use on't, 2435

And honest men hereafter bear its figure 2436

About 'em, as a charm from treacherous friendship. 2437

Officer

The time grows short, your friends are dead already. 2438

Jaffeir

Dead! 2439

Pierre

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

Worthy their character. 2440

Jaffeir

And what must I do?

Pierre

O Jaffeir! 2441

Jaffeir

Speak aloud thy burthen'd soul,

And tell thy troubles to thy tortured friend. 2442

Pierre

Friend! Couldst thou yet be a friend, a generous friend, 2443

I might hope comfort from thy noble sorrows. 2444

Heav'n knows I want a friend. 2445

Jaffeir

And I a kind one,

That would not thus scorn my repenting virtue, 2446

Or think when he's to die, my thoughts are idle. 2447

Pierre

No! live, I charge thee, Jaffeir. 2448

Jaffeir

Yes, I'll live. 2449

But it shall be to see thy fall revenged 2450

At such a rate, as Venice long shall groan for. 2451

Pierre

Wilt thou? 2452

Jaffeir

I will, by Heav'n.

Pierre

Then still thou'rt noble,

And I forgive thee, oh –yet– shall I trust thee? 2453

Jaffeir

No: I've been false already. 2454

Pierre

Dost thou love me?

Jaffeir

Rip up my heart, and satisfy thy doubtings. 2455

Pierre

Curse on this weakness. 2456

([He weeps.)

Jaffeir

Tears! Amazement! Tears!

I never saw thee melted thus before, 2457

And know there's something labouring in thy bosom. 2458

That must have vent: though I'm a villain, tell me. 2459

Pierre

Seest thou that engine? 2460

([Pointing to the Wheel.)

Jaffeir

Why? 2461

Pierre

Is't fit a soldier, who has liv'd with honour, 2462

Fought nations' quarrels, and been crown'd with conquest, 2463

Be exposed a common carcase on a wheel? 2464

Jaffeir

Ha! 2465

Pierre

Speak! is't fitting?

Jaffeir

Fitting?

Pierre

Yes, is't fitting?

Jaffeir

What's to be done? 2466

Pierre

I'd have thee undertake

Something that's noble, to preserve my memory 2467

From the disgrace that's ready to attaint it. 2468

Officer

The day grows late, sir. 2469

Pierre

I'll make haste! O Jaffeir,

Though thou'st betray'd me, do me some way justice. 2470

Jaffeir

No more of that: thy wishes shall be satisfied. 2471

I have a wife, and she shall bleed, my child too 2472

Yield up his little throat, and all t' appease thee – 2473

([Going away, PIERRE holds him.)

Pierre

No –this– no more! 2474

([He whispers JAFFEIR.)

Jaffeir

Ha! is't then so?

Pierre

Most certainly.

Jaffeir

I'll do't. 2475

Pierre

Remember.

Officer

Sir.

Pierre

Come, now I'm ready.

([He and JAFFEIR ascend the scaffold.)

Captain, you should be a gentleman of honour. 2476

Keep off the rabble, that I may have room 2477

To entertain my fate and die with decency. 2478

Come! 2479

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

Father

Son! 2480

Pierre

Hence, tempter.

Officer

Stand off, priest.

Pierre

I thank you, sir. 2481

[To JAFFEIR. You'll think on't.

Jaffeir

'Twon't grow stale before to-morrow. 2482

Pierre

Now, Jaffeir! now I am going. Now; – 2483

([Executioner having bound him.)

Jaffeir

Have at thee, 2484

Thou honest heart, then –here– 2485

([Stabs him.)

And this is well too. 2486

([Then stabs himself.)

Father

Damnable deed!

Pierre

Now thou hast indeed been faithful. 2487

This was done nobly –we've deceived the Senate. 2488

Jaffeir

Bravely. 2489

Pierre

Ha! ha! ha! –oh! oh! –

([Dies.)

Jaffeir

Now, ye curs'd rulers,

Thus of the blood ye've shed I make libation, 2490

And sprinkle it mingling: may it rest upon you, 2491

And all your race: be henceforth peace a stranger 2492

Within your walls; let plagues and famine waste 2493

Your generations –O poor Belvidera! 2494

Sir, I have a wife, bear this 2495

[Giving dagger.] in safety to her. 2496

A token that with my dying breath I blessed her, 2497

And the dear little infant left behind me. 2498

I'm sick –I'm quiet – 2499

([JAFFEIR dies.)

Officer

Bear this news to the Senate,

And guard their bodies till there's a farther order: 2500

Heaven grant I die so well! 2501

([Scene shuts upon them.)

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

Priuli

Strengthen her heart with patience, pitying Heaven. 2502

Belvidera

Come come come come come, nay, come to bed! 2503

Prithee my love. The winds! hark how they whistle! 2504

And the rain beats: oh, how the weather shrinks me! 2505

You are angry now, who cares? pish, no indeed. 2506

Choose then, I say you shall not go, you shall not; 2507

Whip your ill nature; get you gone then! oh, 2508

([JAFFEIR'S ghost rises.)

Are you return'd? See, father, here he's come again! 2509

Am I to blame to love him? O thou dear one! 2510

([Ghost sinks.)

Why do you fly me? are you angry still, then? 2511

Jaffeir! where art thou? Father, why do you do thus? 2512

Stand off, don't hide him from me. He's here somewhere. 2513

(Enter Officer and others.)

Stand off, I say! what, gone? remember't, Tyrant! 2514

I may revenge myself for this trick one day. 2515

I'll do't –I'll do't! Renault's a nasty fellow. 2516

Hang him, hang him, hang him. 2517

Priuli

News, what news? 2518

([Officer whispers PRIULI.)

Officer

Most sad, sir.

Jaffeir, upon the scaffold, to prevent 2519

A shameful death, stabb'd Pierre, and next himself: 2520

Both fell together. 2521

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

Priuli

Daughter.

Belvidera

Ha, look there!

My husband bloody, and his friend too! Murther! 2522

Who has done this? speak to me, thou sad vision, 2523

([Ghosts sink.)

On these poor trembling knees I beg it. Vanish'd! 2524

Here they went down; oh, I'll dig, dig the den up. 2525

You shan't delude me thus. Ho, Jaffeir, Jaffeir, 2526

Peep up and give me but a look. I have him! 2527

I've got him, father: oh, how I'll smuggle him! 2528

My love! my dear! my blessing! help me, help me! 2529

They've hold on me, and drag me to the bottom. 2530

Nay –now they pull so hard –farewell – 2531

([She dies.)

Maid

She's dead.

Breathless and dead. 2532

Priuli

Then guard me from the sight on't;

Lead me into some place that's fit for mourning; 2533

Where the free air, light, and the cheerful sun 2534

May never enter: hang it round with black: 2535

Set up one taper that may last a day 2536

As long as I've to live: and there all leave me. 2537

Sparing no tears when you this tale relate, 2538

But bid all cruel fathers dread my fate. 2539

([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.)

In those cold Regions which no Summers chear, 2540

When brooding darkness covers half the year, 2541

To hollow Caves the shivering Natives go; 2542

Bears range abroad, and hunt in tracks of Snow: 2543

But when the tedious Twilight wears away, 2544

And stars grow paler at th' approach of Day, 2545

The longing Crowds to frozen Mountains run, 2546

Happy who first can see the glimmering Sun! 2547

The surly Salvage Offspring disappear; 2548

And curse the bright Successour of the year. 2549

Yet, though rough Bears on Covert seek defence, } 2550

White Foxes stay, with seeming Innocence: } 2551

That crafty kind with daylight can dispense. } 2552

Still we are throng'd so full with Reynard's race, 2553

That Loyal Subjects scarce can find a place: 2554

Thus modest Truth is cast behind the Crowd: 2555

Truth speaks too Low; Hypocrisie too Loud. 2556

Let 'em be first, to flatter in success; 2557

Duty can stay; but Guilt has need to press. 2558

Once, when true Zeal the Sons of God did call, 2559

To make their solemn show at Heaven's White-hall, 2560

The fawning Devil appear'd among the rest, 2561

And made as good a Courtier as the best. 2562

The friends of Job, who rail'd at him before, 2563

Came Cap in hand when he had three time more. 2564

Yet late Repentance may, perhaps, be true; 2565

Kings can forgive if Rebels can but sue: 2566

A Tyrant's Pow'r in rigour is exprest: 2567

The Father yearns in the true Prince's Breast. 2568

We grant an Ore' grown Whig no grace can mend; 2569

But most are Babes, that know not they offend. 2570

The Crowd, to restless motion still enclin'd, 2571

Are Clouds, that rack according to the Wind. 2572

Driv'n by their Chiefs, they storms of Hailstones pour: 2573

Then mourn, and soften to a silent showre. 2574

O welcome to this much offending Land 2575

The Prince that brings forgiveness in his hand! 2576

Thus Angels on Glad Messages appear: 2577

Their first salute commands us not to fear: 2578

Thus Heav'n, that cou'd constrain us to obey, } 2579

(With rev'rence if we might presume to say,) } 2580

Seems to relax the rights of Sov'reign sway; } 2581

Permits to Man the choice of Good and Ill; 2582

And makes us Happy by our own Free-will. 2583

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)

WHEN too much Plenty, Luxury, and Ease, 2584

Had surfeited this Isle to a Disease; 2585

When noisome Blaines did its best parts orespread, 2586

And on the rest their dire Infection shed; 2587

Our Great Physician, who the Nature knew } 2588

Of the Distemper, and from whence it grew, } 2589

Fix't for Three Kingdoms quiet (Sir) on You: } 2590

He cast his searching Eyes o'er all the Frame, 2591

And finding whence before one sickness came, 2592

How once before our Mischiefs foster'd were, 2593

Knew well Your Vertue, and apply'd You there: 2594

Where so Your Goodness, so Your Justice sway'd, 2595

You but appear'd, and the wild Plague was stay'd. 2596

When from the filthy Dunghil-faction bred, } 2597

New form'd Rebellion durst rear up its head, } 2598

Answer me all: who struck the Monster dead? } 2599

See, see, the injur'd PRINCE, and bless his Name, 2600

Think on the Martyr from whose Loynes he came: 2601

Think on the Blood was shed for you before, 2602

And curse the Paricides that thirst for more. 2603

His foes are yours, then of their wiles beware: 2604

Lay, lay him in your Hearts, and guard him there; 2605

Where let his Wrongs your Zeal for him Improve; 2606

He wears a Sword will justifie your Love. 2607

With Blood still ready for your good t' expend, 2608

And has a Heart that ne're forgot his friend. 2609

His Duteous Loyalty before you lay, 2610

And learn of him, unmurm'ring to obey. 2611

Think what he'as born, your Quiet to restore; 2612

Repent your madness and rebell no more. 2613

No more let Bout'feu's hope to lead Petitions, 2614

Scriv'ners to be Treas'rures; Pedlars Politicians; 2615

Nor ev'ry fool, whose wife has tript at Court, 2616

Pluck up a Spirit, and turn Rebell for't. 2617

In Lands where Cuckolds multiply like ours, 2618

What Prince can be too Jealous of their powers, 2619

Or can too often think himself alarm'd? 2620

They're male contents that ev'rywhere go arm'd: 2621

And when the horned Herd's together got, 2622

Nothing portends a Commonwealth like that. 2623

Cast, cast your Idols off, your Gods of wood, 2624

Er'e yet Philistins fatten with your blood: 2625

Renounce your Priests of Baal with Amen-faces, 2626

Your Wapping Feasts and your Mile-End High-places. 2627

Nail all your Medals on the Gallows Post, 2628

In recompense th' Original was lost: 2629

At these, illustrious Repentance pay, 2630

In his kind hands your humble Offrings lay: 2631

Let Royal Pardon be by him implor'd, 2632

Th' Attoning Brother of your Anger'd Lord: 2633

He only brings a medicine fit to aswage 2634

A people's folly, and rowz'd Monarch's rage; 2635

An Infant Prince yet lab'ring in the womb, } 2636

Fated with wond'rous happiness to come, } 2637

He goes to fetch the mighty blessing home: } 2638

Send all your wished with him, let the Ayre } 2639

With gentle breezes waft it safely here, } 2640

The Seas, like what they'l carry, calm and fair: } 2641

Let the Illustrious Mother touch our Land 2642

Mildly, as hereafter may her Son Command; 2643

While our glad Monarch welcomes her to shore, 2644

With kind assurance; she shall part no more. 2645

Be the Majestick Babe then smiling born, 2646

And all good signs of Fate his Birth adorn, 2647

So live and grow, a constant pledg to stand 2648

Of CÆSAR'S Love to an obedient Land. 2649