bewitching creature! Madness can't hurt thee. Come, thou little trembler, Creep even into my heart, and there lie safe;      'Tis thy own citadel—Hah—yet stand off, [Going, R. Heav'n must have justice, and my broken vows Will sink me else beneath its reaching mercy. I'll wink, and then 'tis done—       Bel. (C.) What means the lord Of me, my life, and love? What's in thy bosom Thou grasp'st at so?       [Jaffier draws the Dagger, and offers to stab her. Ah! do not kill me, Jaffier. Jaf. (R. C.) Know, Belvidera, when we parted last, I gave this dagger with thee, as in trust, To be thy portion if I e'er proved false. On such condition was my truth believed:      but now 'tis forfeited, and must be paid for.       [Offers to stab her again. Bel. Oh! mercy!  [49]     Jaf. Nay, no struggling. Bel. Now, then, kill me,       [Falls on his neck, and kisses him. While thus I cling about thy cruel neck, Kiss thy revengeful lips, and die in joys Greater than any I can guess hereafter. Jaf. I am, I am a coward, witness, Heav'n, Witness it, earth, and ev'ry being witness:      'Tis but one blow! yet, by immortal love, I cannot longer bear the thought to harm thee.       [Throws away the dagger, and embraces her. The seal of Providence is sure upon thee; And thou wast born for yet unheard-of wonders. Oh! thou wert born either to save or damn me! By all the power that's given thee o'er my soul, By thy resistless tears and conquering smiles,      "By the victorious love that still waits on thee,"      Fly to thy cruel father, save my friend, Or all our future quiet's lost forever. Fall at his feet, cling round his rev'rend knees, Speak to him with thy eyes, and with thy tears, Melt his hard heart, and wake dead nature in him, Nor, till thy prayers are granted, set him free, But conquer him, as thou hast vanquished me.       [Exeunt Jaffier, R., Belvidera, L. END OF ACT IV. 

[39]

[40]

[41]

[42]

[43]

 Prev. P 36/42 next