_Or._ For the present spare me. Think not too hardly of me, noble Rivers! I am a man, and full of human frailties; But hate like hell the crime which tempts me on. When I am ready to depart, I'll see thee, Clear all my long accounts of love and honour, Remove thy doubts, embrace thee, and expire. [_Exit_ ORLANDO. _Riv._ It must be so--to what excess he loves her! Yet wherefore not demand her? for his birth May claim alliance with the proudest fortune. Sure there's some hidden cause--perhaps--ah, no! Turn from that thought, my soul! 'twas vile suspicion; And I could hate the heart which but conceiv'd it. 'Tis true their faith is different--then his father, Austere and rigid, dooms him to another. That must not be--these bars shall be remov'd; I'll serve him with my life, nor taste of bliss, 'Till I have sought to bless the friend I love. [_Exit._ _Re-enter_ ORLANDO. _Or._ Wed her to-day? wed her perhaps this hour? Hasten the rites for _me_? _I_ give her to him? _I_ stand a tame spectator of their bliss? _I_ live a patient witness of their joy? First let this dagger drink my heart's warm blood. [_Takes a dagger from his bosom, then sees_ JULIA. The sorceress comes! oh, there's a charm about her Which holds my hand, and makes me wish to live. I shudder at her sight! open, thou earth, And save me from the peril of her charms! [_Puts up the dagger._ _Enter_ JULIA. _Jul._ Methought I heard the cry of one in pain; From hence it came; ah, me! my lord Orlando! What means that sigh? that agonising voice? Those groans which rend your heart? those frantic looks? Indeed I'm terrified. What would you do? _Or._ (_furiously._) Die! _Jul._ Talk you of death? renounce the fatal thought; Live for my sake, Orlando. _Or._ For thy sake? That were indeed a cause to live for ages, Would nature but extend the narrow limits Of human life so far. _Jul._ And for the sake Of Rivers; live for both; he sends me here To beg you would delay your purpos'd parting; His happiness, he swears, if you are absent Will be but half complete. _Or._ Is it to-night? This marriage, Julia, did you say to-night? _Jul._ It is, and yet you leave us. _Or._ No----I'll stay, Since you command, stay and expire before you. _Jul._ What mean you? _Or._ That I'll perish at the feet Of----Rivers. _Jul._ Tell your sorrows to my lord; Upon his faithful breast repose the weight That presses you to earth. _Or._ Tell _him_? Tell Rivers? Is he not yours? Does not the priest now wait To make you one? Then do not mock me thus: What leisure can a happy bridegroom find To think upon so lost a wretch as I am? You hate me, Julia. _Jul._ Hate you? how you wrong me! Live to partake our joy.