SCENE IV.—A Room in Priuli's House.
Reading edition
Soft Music. Enter Belvidera distracted, led by two of her Women, Priuli, and Servants.
Priu. Strengthen her heart with patience, pitying Heaven! Belv. Come, come, come, come—nay, come to bed, Pr'ythee, my love. The winds! hark how they whistle! And the rain beats: oh, how the weather shrinks me! You're angry now; who cares? pish, no, indeed! Choose then; I say you shall not go, you shall not. Whip your ill-nature; get you gone then—oh!
[Jaffier's Ghost rises.
Are you returned? See, father, here he's come again: Am I to blame to love him? O, thou dear one!
[Ghost sinks.
Why do you fly me? are you angry still then? Jaffier! where art thou? Father, why do you do thus? Stand off, don't hide him from me. He's here somewhere. Stand off, I say! what, gone? remember it, tyrant! I may revenge myself for this trick one day. I'll do't—I'll do't. Renault's a nasty fellow: Hang him, hang him, hang him!
Enter Officer and others.
Priu. News—what news? [Officer whispers Priuli. Offi. Most sad, sir. Jaffier, upon the scaffold, to prevent A shameful death, stabbed Pierre, and next himself: Both fell together. Priu. Daughter!
[The Ghosts of Jaffier and Pierre rise together, both bloody.
Belv. Ha, look there! My husband bloody, and his friend too! Murder! Who has done this? speak to me, thou sad vision; [Ghosts sink. On these poor trembling knees I beg it. Vanished!— Here they went down. Oh, I'll dig, dig the den up. You shan't delude me thus. Ho, Jaffier, Jaffier, Peep up and give me but a look. I have him! I've got him, father: oh, now how I'll smuggle him! My love! my dear! my blessing! help me! help me! They've hold on me, and drag me to the bottom. Nay—now they pull so hard—farewell! [Dies. Maid. She's dead— Breathless and dead. Priu. Then guard me from the sight on't. Lead me into some place that's fit for mourning, Where the free air, light, and the cheerful sun May never enter; hang it round with black; Set up one taper that may last a day, As long as I've to live; and there all leave me,— Sparing no tears when you this tale relate; But bid all cruel fathers dread my fate. [Exeunt.
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