_Bel._ (L. C.) I know it: thou wilt kill me. Do! strike thy sword into this bosom: lay me Dead on the earth, and then thou wilt be safe. Murder my father! Though his cruel nature, Has persecuted me to my undoing, Driven me to basest wants; can I behold him, With smiles of vengeance, butchered in his age? The sacred fountain of my life destroyed? And canst thou shed the blood that gave me being? _[Leans on him_ Nay, be a traitor, too, and sell thy country! Can thy great heart descend so vilely low, Mix with hired slaves, bravos, and common stabbers, Join such a crew, and take a ruffian's wages, To cut the throats of wretches as they sleep? _[Part._ _Jaf._ (R. C.) Thou wrong'st me, Belvidera! I've engaged With men of souls, fit to reform the ills Of all mankind: there's not a heart among them, But's stout as death, yet honest as the nature Of man first made, ere fraud and vice were fashion. _Bel._ (L.) What's he, to whose cursed hands last night thou gav'st me? Was that well done? Oh! I could tell a story, Would rouse thy lion heart out of its den, And make it rage with terrifying fury! _Jaf._ (C.) Speak on, I charge thee! _Bel._ Oh, my love! _[Leaning on him,]_ if e'er Thy Belvidera's peace deserved thy care, Remove me from this place. Last night! last night! _Jaf._ Distract me not, but give me all the truth! _Bel._ No sooner wert thou gone, and I alone, Left in the power of that old son of mischief; No sooner was I laid on my sad bed, But that vile wretch approached me. Then my heart Throbbed with its fears;-- Oh, how I wept and sighed, And shrunk, and trembled! wished, in vain, for him That should protect me! Thou, alas, wast gone! _Jaf._ [Turning, R.] Patience, sweet Heaven, till I make vengeance sure! _Bel._ He drew the hideous dagger forth, thou gav'st him, And, with upbraiding smiles, he said, "Behold it: This is the pledge of a false husband's love:" And in his arms then pressed, and would have clasped me; But, with my cries, I scared his coward heart, Till he withdrew, and muttered vows to hell. _[Rush into each other's arms._ These are thy friends! _[Part]_with these thy life: thy honour, Thy love, all staked--and all will go to ruin! _Jaf._ (C.) No more; I charge thee, keep this secret close. Clear up thy sorrows; look as if thy wrongs Were all forgot, and treat him like a friend, As no complaint were made. No more; retire, Retire, my life, and doubt not of my honour; I'll heal its failings, and deserve thy love. _Bel._ (L.) Oh! should I part with thee, I fear thou wilt In anger leave me, and return no more. _Jaf._ Return no more! I would not live without thee Another night, to purchase the creation.