_Jaff._ Oh, he has used me--yet, by Heaven, I bear it! He has used me, Belvidera--but first swear That when I've told thee thou'lt not loathe me utterly, Though vilest blots and stains appear upon me; But still at least, with charitable goodness, Be near me in the pangs of my affliction-- Not scorn me, Belvidera, as he has done. _Belv._ Have I then e'er been false, that now I'm doubted? Speak, what's the cause I'm grown into distrust? Why thought unfit to hear my love's complainings? _Jaff._ Oh! _Belv._ Tell me. _Jaff._ Bear my failings, for they're many. O my dear angel! in that friend I've lost All my soul's peace; for every thought of him Strikes my sense hard, and deads it in my brains. Wouldst thou believe it?-- _Belv._ Speak. _Jaff._ Before we parted, Ere yet his guards had led him to his prison, Full of severest sorrows for his sufferings, With eyes o'erflowing, and a bleeding heart, Humbling myself almost beneath my nature, As at his feet I kneeled, and sued for mercy, Forgetting all our friendship, all the dearness In which we've lived so many years together, With a reproachful hand he dashed a blow: He struck me, Belvidera--by Heaven, he struck me, Buffeted, called me traitor, villain, coward. Am I a coward? am I a villain? tell me: Thou'rt the best judge, and madest me, if I am so. Damnation! coward! _Belv._ Oh! forgive him, Jaffier; And, if his sufferings wound thy heart already, What will they do to-morrow? _Jaff._ Ha! _Belv._ To-morrow; When thou shalt see him stretched in all the agonies Of a tormenting and a shameful death; His bleeding bowels, and his broken limbs, Insulted o'er by a vile butchering villain;-- What will thy heart do then? Oh, sure, 'twill stream Like my eyes now. _Jaff._ What means thy dreadful story? Death, and to-morrow! broken limbs and bowels! Insulted o'er by a vile butchering villain! By all my fears, I shall start out to madness, With barely guessing, if the truth's hid longer. _Belv._ The faithless senators, 'tis they've decreed it: They say, according to our friends' request, They shall have death, and not ignoble bondage; Declare their promised mercy all as forfeited; False to their oaths, and deaf to intercession, Warrants are passed for public death to-morrow. _Jaff._ Death! doomed to die! condemned unheard! unpleaded! _Belv._ Nay, cruellest racks and torments are preparing, To force confessions from their dying pangs. Oh, do not look so terribly upon me: How your lips shake, and all your face disordered! What means my love? _Jaff._ Leave me, I charge thee, leave me! strong temptations Wake in my heart. _Belv._ For what? _Jaff._ No more; but leave me. _Belv._ Why?