_Bel._ Will you not, my father? Weep not, but answer me. _Pri._ By heav'n I will. Not one of them but what shall be immortal. Canst thou forgive me all my follies past? I'll henceforth be indeed a father; never, Never more thus expose, but cherish thee, Dear as the vital warmth that feeds my life, Dear as these eyes that weep in fondness o'er thee. Peace to thy heart. Farewell. _Bel._ Go, and remember 'Tis Belvidera's life her father pleads for. [_exeunt._ SCENE II. A GARDEN. _Enter Jaffier._ _Jaf._ Final destruction seize on all the world. Bend down, ye heav'ns, and shutting round this earth, Crush the vile globe into its first confusion! _Enter Belvidera._ _Bel._ My life---- [_meeting him._ _Jaf._ My plague---- [_turning from her._ _Bel._ Nay, then I see my ruin. If I must die! _Jaf._ Nor let the thoughts of death perplex thy fancy; But answer me to what I shall demand, With a firm temper and unshaken spirit. _Bel._ I will, when I've done weeping-- _Jaf._ Fie, no more on't-- How long is't since that miserable day We wedded first. _Bel._ Oh!--oh!-- _Jaf._ Nay, keep in thy tears, Lest they unman me too. _Bel._ Heav'n knows I cannot; The words you utter sound so very sadly, The streams will follow-- _Jaf._ Come, I'll kiss 'em dry then. _Bel._ But was't a miserable day? _Jaf._ A curs'd one. _Bel._ I thought it otherwise; and you've often sworn, In the transporting hours of warmest love, When sure you spoke the truth, you've sworn you bless'd it. _Jaf._ 'Twas a rash oath. _Bel._ Then why am I not curs'd too? _Jaf._ No, Belvidera; by th' eternal truth, I dote with too much fondness. _Bel._ Still so kind? Still then do you love me? _Jaf._ Man ne'er was blest Since the first pair met, as I have been. _Bel._ Then sure you will not curse me? _Jaf._ No, I'll bless thee. I came on purpose, Belvidera, to bless thee. Tis now, I think, three years, we've liv'd together. _Bel._ And may no fatal minute ever part us, Till, reverend grown for age and love, we go Down to one grave, as our last bed, together; There sleep in peace, till an eternal morning. _Jaf._ Did I not say, I came to bless thee? _Bel._ You did. _Jaf._ Then hear me, bounteous heav'n: Pour down your blessings on this beauteous head, Where everlasting sweets are always springing With a continual giving hand: let peace, Honour, and safety, always hover round her; Feed her with plenty; let her eyes ne'er see A sight of sorrow, nor her heart know mourning: Crown all her days with joy, her nights with rest, Harmless as her own thoughts; and prop her virtue, To bear the loss of one that too much lov'd; And comfort her with patience in our parting. _Bel._ How! Parting, parting! _Jaf._ Yes, for ever parting; I have sworn, Belvidera, by yon heav'n, That best can tell how much I lose to leave thee, We part this hour for ever. _Bel._ O! call back Your cruel blessing; stay with me and curse me. _Jaf._ Now hold, heart, or never.