Bel. Delay no longer then, but to the senate, and tell the dismal'st story ever uttered: Tell 'em what bloodshed, rapines, desolations, have been prepared: how near's the fatal hour. Save thy poor country, save the reverend blood of all its nobles, which to-morrow's dawn must else see shed. 

Jaf. Oh! think what then may prove my lot; by all heaven's powers, prophetic truth dwells in thee; for every word thou speak'st, strikes through my heart. 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 friend? 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, honor, all present joys, and earnest of all future, are summed in thee. 

Come, lead me forward, now, like a tame lamb to sacrifice. Thus, in his fatal garlands decked fine and pleased, the wanton skips and plays, trots by th' enticing, flattering, priestess' side, and, much transported with its little pride, forgets his dear companions of the plain; till, by her bound, he's on the altar lain, yet then too hardly bleats, such pleasure's in the pain. Enter Officer and six Guards. 

Offi. Stand! who goes there?

Bel. Friends.

Offi. But what friends are you?

Bel. Friends to the senate, and the state of Venice.

Offi. My orders are to seize on all I find at this late hour, and bring 'em to the council, who are now sitting. 

Jaf. Sir, you shall be obeyed. Now the lot's cast, and, fate, do what thou wilt. [exit, guarded. 

SCENE II. THE SENATE-HOUSE. Duke of Venice, Priuli, and other Senators. 

Duke. Antony, Priuli, senators of Venice, speak, why are we assembled here tonight? What have you to inform us of, concerns the state of Venice's honor, or its safety? 

Pri. Could words express the story I've to tell you, 

 Prev. P 22/31 next