_Bel._ Nay, cruel'st racks and torments are preparing To force confession from their dying pangs. Oh! do not look so terribly upon me! How your lips shake, and all your face disorder'd! What means my love? _Jaf._ Leave me, I charge thee, leave me.--Strong temptations Wake in my heart. _Bel._ For what? _Jaf._ No more, but leave me. _Bel._ Why? _Jaf._ Oh! by heav'n, I love thee with that fondness, I would not have thee stay a moment longer Near these curs'd hands. Are they not cold upon thee? [_pulls the dagger half out of his bosom, and puts it back again._ _Bel._ No, everlasting comfort's in thy arms. To lean thus on thy breast, is softer ease Than downy pillows, deck'd with leaves of roses. _Jaf._ Alas! thou think'st not of the thorns 'tis fill'd with: Fly, ere they gall thee. There's a lurking serpent, Ready to leap and sting thee to the heart: Art thou not terrified? _Bel._ No. _Jaf._ Call to mind What thou hast done, and whither thou hast brought me. _Bel._ Hah! _Jaf._ Where's my friend? my friend, thou smiling mischief! Nay, shrink not, now 'tis too late; thou shouldst have fled When thy guilt first had cause; for dire revenge Is up, and raging for my friend. He groans! Hark, how he groans! his screams are in my ears Already; see, they've fix'd him on the wheel, And now they tear him.--Murder! Perjur'd senate! Murder.--Oh!--Hark thee, traitress, thou hast done this! Thanks to thy tears, and false persuading love. How her eyes speak! Oh, thou bewitching creature! [_fumbling for his dagger._ Madness can't hurt thee. Come, thou little trembler, Creep even into my heart, and there lie safe: 'Tis thy own citadel.--Hah--yet stand off. Heav'n must have justice, and my broken vows Will sink me else beneath its reaching mercy. I'll wink, and then 'tis done-- _Bel._ What means the lord Of me, my life, and love? What's in thy bosom, Thou grasp'st at so? Nay, why am I thus treated? [_draws the dagger and offers to stab her._ _Jaf._ Know, Belvidera, when we parted last, I gave this dagger with thee, as in trust, To be thy portion if I e'er prov'd false. On such condition, was my truth believ'd: But now 'tis forfeited, and must be paid for. [_offers to stab her again._ _Bel._ Oh! Mercy! [_kneeling._ _Jaf._ Nay, no struggling. _Bel._ Now then, kill me. [_leaps on his neck, kisses him._ _Jaf._ I am, I am a coward; witness, heav'n, Witness it, earth, and every being, witness: 'Tis but one blow! yet, by immortal love, I cannot longer bear a thought to harm thee. [_he throws away the dagger and embraces her._