_Enter Captain--Muffled Drums--Guards--Executioner with Axe--Renault--Spinosa---Elliot--Theodore-- Durand--Mezzana--Pierre--Officer--Guards-- They all pass over the Stage, R. to L., and exeunt._ _Scene III.--A Street._ _Enter Jaffier, R._ _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, L._ _Bel._ (C.) My life!-- _Jaf._ (R. C.) My plague!-- _Bel._ Ney, then, I see my ruin. If I must die! _Jaf._ (C.) No, death's this day too busy; Thy father's ill-timed mercy came too late. ( thank thee for thy labours, though; and him too, But all my poor, betrayed, unhappy friends, Have summons to prepare for fate's black hour. Yet, Belvidera, do not fear my cruelty, Nor let the the thoughts of death perplex thy fancy: But answer me to what I shall demand, With a firm temper and unshaken spirit. _Bel._ (L. C.) I will, when I've done weeping-- _Jaf._ Fie, no more on't! How long is't since the miserable day We wedded first? _Bel._ Oh! oh! _Jaf._ Nay, keep in thy tears, Lest they unman me quite. _Bel._ Heaven knows I cannot! The words you utter sound so very sadly, The streams will follow-- _Jaf._ Come, I'll kiss them dry, then. _Bel._ _[Hanging on him.]_ But was't a miserable day? _Jaf._ A cursed one! _Bel._ I thought it otherwise, and you've often sworn, When sure you spoke the truth, you've sworn you blessed it. _Jaf._ 'Twas a rash oath. _Bel._ Then why am I not cursed, 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 blessed, Since the first pair first 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 lived 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. _[Part._ _Jaf._ Then hear me, bounteous Heaven! _[Kneeling._