then, but to the senate, And tell the dismal'st story ever uttered; Tell them what bloodshed, rapines, desolations, Have been prepared;—how near's the fatal hour. [38] Save thy poor country, save the rev'rend blood Of all its nobles, which to-morrow's dawn Must else see shed! Jaf. Oh! Bel. Think what then may prove My lot: the ravisher may then come safe, And, 'midst the terror of the public ruin, Do a damned deed. Jaf. By all Heav'n's powers, prophetic truth dwells in thee! For every word thou speak'st, strikes through my heart, Like a new light, and shows it how't has wandered— Just what thou'st made me, take me, Belvidera, And lead me to the place, where I'm to say This bitter lesson; where I must betray My truth, my virtue, constancy, and friends. Must I betray my friends? Ah! take me quickly, Secure me well before that thought's renewed; If I relapse once more, all's lost forever. Bel. Hast thou a friend more dear than Belvidera? Jaf. No: Thou'rt my soul itself; wealth, friendship, honour! All present joys, and earnest of all future, Are summed in thee. [Going, R. Enter Captain and Guards, R. S. E. Capt. Stand! who goes there? Bel. Friends. Capt. But what friends are you? Bel. Friends to the senate, and the state of Venice. Capt. My orders are, to seize on all I find At this late hour, and bring them to the council, Who are now sitting. Jaf. Sir, you shall be obeyed. Now the lot's cast, and, fate, do what thou wilt. [Exeunt Jaffier and Belvidera, guarded.
[38]
Scene II.—The Senate House. The Duke of Venice, Priuli, and other Senators discovered, sitting. Duke. Antony, Priuli, senators of Venice, [39] Speak—Why are we assembled here this night? What have you to inform us of, concerns The state of Venice' honour, or its safety? Priuli. (R.) Could words express the story I've to tell you, Fathers, these tears were useless, these sad tears That fall from my old eyes; but there is cause We all should weep, tear off these purple robes, And wrap ourselves, in sackcloth, sitting down On the sad earth, and cry aloud to heaven: Heav'n knows, if yet there be an hour to come, Ere Venice be no more. Duke. How! Priuli. Nay, we stand Upon the very brink of gaping ruin. Within this city's formed a dark conspiracy To massacre us all, our wives and children, Kindred and friends; our palaces and temples To lay in ashes: nay, the hour, too, fixed; The
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