_Jane S._ Dumont! Ha! where? [_raising herself, and looking about._ Then heav'n has heard my pray'r; his very name Renews the springs of life, and cheers my soul. Has he then 'scap'd the snare? _Bel._ He has; but see---- He comes, unlike to that Dumont you knew, For now he wears your better angel's form, And comes to visit you with peace and pardon. _Enter Shore._ _Jane S._ Speak, tell me! Which is he? And oh! what would This dreadful vision! See it comes upon me-- It is my husband----Ah! [_she swoons._ _Shore._ She faints! support her! _Bel._ Her weakness could not bear the strong surprise. But see, she stirs! And the returning blood Faintly begins to blush again, and kindle Upon her ashy cheek-- _Shore._ So--gently raise her-- [_raising her up._ _Jane S._ Ha! what art thou? Belmour! _Bel._ How fare you, lady? _Jane S._ My heart is thrill'd with horror-- _Bel._ Be of courage-- Your husband lives! 'tis he, my worthiest friend-- _Jane S._ Still art thou there!--Still dost thou hover round me! Oh, save me, Belmour, from his angry shade! _Bel._ 'Tis he himself! he lives! look up-- _Jane S._ I dare not! Oh! that my eyes could shut him out for ever-- _Shore._ Am I so hateful then, so deadly to thee, To blast thy eyes with horror? Since I'm grown A burden to the world, myself, and thee, Would I had ne'er surviv'd to see thee more. _Jane S._ Oh! thou most injur'd--dost thou live, indeed? Fall then, ye mountains, on my guilty head; Hide me, ye rocks, within your secret caverns; Cast thy black veil upon my shame, O night! And shield me with thy sable wing for ever. _Shore._ Why dost thou turn away?----Why tremble thus? Why thus indulge thy fears? and, in despair, Abandon thy distracted soul to horror? Cast every black and guilty thought behind thee, And let 'em never vex thy quiet more. My arms, my heart, are open to receive thee, To bring thee back to thy forsaken home, With tender joy, with fond forgiving love. Let us haste, Now while occasion seems to smile upon us, Forsake this place of shame, and find a shelter. _Jane S._ What shall I say to you? But I obey-- _Shore._ Lean on my arm---- _Jane S._ Alas! I'm wondrous faint: But that's not strange, I have not eat these three days. _Shore._ Oh! merciless! _Jane S._ Oh! I am sick at heart!---- _Shore._ Thou murd'rous sorrow! Wo't thou still drink her blood, pursue her still? Must she then die? O my poor penitent! Speak peace to thy sad heart; she hears me not: Grief masters ev'ry sense-- _Enter Catesby, with a Guard._ _Cates._ Seize on 'em both, as traitors to the state-- _Bel._ What means this violence? [_Guards lay hold on Shore and Belmour._ _Cates._ Have we not found you, In scorn of the protector's strict command, Assisting this base woman, and abetting Her infamy? _Shore._ Infamy on thy head! Thou tool of power, thou pander to authority! I tell thee, knave, thou know'st of none so virtuous, And she that bore thee was an Ethiop to her.