To pierce the heart of your poor Belvidera. Pri. Kill thee! Lest t Bei Belv. Yes, kill me. When he passed his faith The The J. And covenant against your State and Senate; I learnt the danger, chose the hour of love With this poor life, and make my blood th' atonement. Belv. Think you saw what passed at our last parting: For yet he loved, and that dear love preserved me I fear not death, but cannot bear a thought That dear hand should do th' unfriendly office. If I was ever then your care, now hear me; Fly to the Senate, save the promised lives Of his dear friends, ere mine be made the sacrifice. Pri. Oh, my heart's comfort! Belv. Will you not, my father? Weep not, but answer me. Pri. By Heaven, I will. Not one of 'em but what shall be immortal. Can'st thou forgive me all my follies past, Belv. Go, and remember "Tis Belvidera's life her father pleads for. The next scene shows the passion threatens the life of the old Senato do not swear to save her lover Pic torture is prepared for Pierre an whom Jaffeir had delivered up. and Jaffeir will not promise, There is a last parting from Belv Jaff. Nay, Belvidera, do not fear 1 let the thoughts of death perple answer me to what I shall dem firm temper and unshaken Nor But With How a Belv. I will, when I've done w Fie, no more on 't— long is 't since that miserab IR. I A distracted, led by two of her ort with patience, pitying Heaven! [JAFFEIR'S ghost rises. ned? See, father, here he's come again. e to love him? oh thou dear one. [Ghost sinks. ely me? Are you angry still then? where art thou? Father, why do you do thus? , don't hide him from me. ter Stuart Drama ohn Crowne in acharles the Second. of an independent is career as dramatist he tragicomedy of the tragedy of "Calied eighteen plays. His rinted in 1675, attacked nemies. When he sought would ensure him mainxertion as a dramatist, the when he had written one the stage. It was to be a his Majesty's command, on ay by Moreto, No Puede Ser on the Mayor Imposible of English play had already been neme, called "Tarugo's Wiles," it Crowne took pains to satisfy at would ensure his worldly comand his twelfth play, the comedy was the result. But the king stroke on the last day of its rethree days afterwards, on the 6th 5. The play, therefore, was proBeginning of the reign of James the RTLY NICE, OR IT CANNOT BE, cond title straight from Moreto. What 1- the shutting up of a woman from a suitor favours and who is determined to have her. Lord Belguard is resolved to keep all y from his sister Leonora, except Sir Courtly hom he intends that she shall marry. He guards over her, an aunt aged fifty, and Hothead Testimony, one "a choleric Zealot against ics," the other "a canting hypocritical Fanatic," being fierce opponents, cannot unite to deceive and will serve, he believes, as checks on each er in the watching of the lady. Leonora has for ally a damsel, Violante, whom her brother, Lord Belguard, desires to marry and who is ready, for her own sake as well as her friend's, to confound his plans for the safe custody of women; because, she says, "whilst he has this disease upon him so mortal to liberty, I dare venture on him no more than if he had the plague, or any other distemper dangerous to life. For what is life without liberty? To be his wife is worse than to be a ghost, for that walks and enjoys a little chat sometimes, but I must be laid by a conjuror called a husband for my whole life." Leonora can have liberty only on terms. Violante. What terms? Leonora. Marriage with such a coxcomb, you know him— Sir Courtly Nice. Vio. A tempting man, he has a vast estate. Leo. But incumbered. Vio. With what? Leo. A fop. 'Tis mortgaged to a thousand expensive follies. If it were not, I would not drink water for the sake of a fine bowl chained to the well. Leonora loves a youth with a fair and free estate, Mr. Farewel, but he is forbidden. There has been family feud since the Conquest between her family and that of the Farewels. Because she showed none of the proper bitterness, Leonora's father had left her fortune tied by condition of her brother's assent to her marriage. The First Act, after opening the story in dialogue between Violante and Leonora, shows next the two guardians Hothead and Testimony, one a fanatical Church and State man, the other a fanatical Puritan, in feud together. Hothead, who is my lord's cousin, is offended at the bringing of Testimony into the household. Another part of Lord Belguard's method is to allow no handsome servants in the house. "I believe," says Leonora to her friend when the two fanatics have left her for a time, "I believe they are now all together in the pantry, and my aunt among 'em, distributing their breakfasts the monsters will be worth seeing-open the door." "The scene is drawn, and a company of crooked, withered, ill-looked fellows are at breakfast, and Aunt with them." The humours of Aunt are then set forth before Lord Belguard enters, and closes the Act in dialogue with his sister and Violante, wherein he maintains his doctrine that "woman like china should be kept with care.” The Second Act opens in Violante's lodging, with encouragement to Farewel to be bold, and with his declaration that Leonora's brother could not keep him out, "though guards were set on guards, till their confounded coxcombs reached the skies," for he has leagued with a witch; "at least a young fellow that has more tricks than a witch." This is Crack, once a poor student of Oxford, but expelled for his wild ways, though no offence could ever be fixed upon him. He enters presently; and comes ready to put out his wits on hire. Farewel. Mr. Crack, your servant. Crack. Your servant, sir, your humble servant, madam. Violante. Your servant, sir; I am told you have been an Oxford scholar. Pri. Utter 't. Belv. Oh, my husband, my dear husband Belv. Yes, kill me. When he passed his faith I learnt the danger, chose the hour of love With this poor life, and make my blood th' atonement. Belv. Think you saw what passed at our last parting: For yet he loved, and that dear love preserved me To this last trial of a father's pity. I fear not death, but cannot bear a thought That dear hand should do th' unfriendly office. If I was ever then your care, now hear me; Fly to the Senate, save the promised lives Of his dear friends, ere mine be made the sacrifice. Pri. Oh, my heart's comfort! Belv. Will you not, my father? Weep not, but answer me. Pri. By Heaven, I will. Not one of 'em but what shall be immortal. Can'st thou forgive me all my follies past, The next scene shows the passion of Aquilina, who threatens the life of the old Senator Antonio, if he do not swear to save her lover Pierre. Death with torture is prepared for Pierre and the conspirators whom Jaffeir had delivered up. The senators break promise, and Jaffeir will not survive his friend. There is a last parting from Belvidera. Jaff. Nay, Belvidera, do not fear my cruelty, Nor let the thoughts of death perplex thy fancy; But answer me to what I shall demand, With a firm temper and unshaken spirit. Belv. I will, when I've done weeping.— How long is 't since that miserable day We wedded first? Belv. Oh! h-h! Jaff. Nay, keep in thy tears, Lest they unman me too. Belv. Heaven knows, I cannot; The words you utter sound so very sadly, These streams will follow Jaff. Come, I'll kiss 'em dry then. Belv. But was 't a miserable day? Jaff. A curst one. Belv. I thought it otherwise; and you've oft sworn In the transporting hours of warmest love, When sure you spoke the truth, you've sworn you blessed it. Jaff. 'Twas a rash oath. Belv. Then why am I not curst too? Jaff. No, Belvidera, by th' eternal truth, I doat with too much fondness. Still then do you love me? Jaff. Nature, in her workings, Inclines not with more ardour to creation, Than I do now towards thee: man ne'er was blessed, Since the first pair first met, as I have been. Belv. Then sure you will not curse me. I came on purpose, Belvidera, to bless thee. Belv. I hope long ages hence. Jaff. Have I not hitherto (I beg thee tell me Belv. No. [Sighing. Jaff. Has my heart, or have my eyes e'er wandered To any other woman? Belv. Never, never I were the worst of false ones, should I accuse thee. I own I've been too happy, blessed above My sex's charter. Jaff. Did I not say I came to bless thee? Jaff. Then hear me, bounteous Heaven; Pour down your blessings on this beauteous head, A sight of sorrow, nor her heart know mourning: Jaff. Yes, for ever parting; I have sworn, Belvidera, by yon Heaven, That best can tell how much I lose, to leave thee. We part this hour for ever. Belv. Oh, call back Your cruel blessing; stay with me and curse me! Jaff. No, 'tis resolved. Belv. Then hear me too, just Heaven: But dash my days with sorrow, nights with horrors, If I must lose him. If I must!-I will not. Curst be the rain that falls upon the earth, And may the general curse reach man and beast! Oh give me daggers, fire or water! How I could bleed, how burn, how drown; the waves Huzzing and booming round my sinking head, 'Till I descended to the peaceful bottom! [Exit. Scene opening, discovers a Scaffold and a wheel prepared for the Executing of PIERRE; then enter Officers, PIERRE and Guards, a Friar, Executioner, and a great rabble. Offi. Room, room there-stand all by, make room for the prisoner. Pier. My friend not come yet? Fath. Why are you so obstinate? Pier. Why you so troublesome, that a poor wretch But you, like ravens, will be croaking round him? Pier. I tell thee, Heaven and I are friends: I ne'er broke peace with 't yet by cruel murthers, But lived in moral justice towards all men; Fath. But an all-seeing Judge Pier. You say my conscience Must be my accuser: I have searched that conscience, Fath. "Tis strange you should want Faith. My reason blindfold, like a hampered lion, And show strange tricks, which you call signs of Faith. Jaff. Hold eyes be dry; This hideous sight, and humble me to take Pier. Yet nearer. Jaff. Crawling on my knees, And prostrate on the earth, let me approach thee: That always used to smile with friendship on me? That I, methinks, look little in thy sight, And stripes are fitter for me, than embraces. Pier. Dear to my arms, though thou'st undone my fame. I can't forget to love thee: pr'ythee Jaffeir, I am now preparing for the land of peace, Jaff. Good! I am the vilest creature, worse than e'er Call, call me villain, as I am; describe And this is well too. Fath. Damnable deed! Pier. Now thou hast indeed been faithful. This was done nobly-we have deceived the Senate. Baff. Bravely. Pier. Ha, ha, ha !—oh, oh! Jaff. Now, ye curs'd rulers, Thus of the blood y 'ave shed I make libation, Sir, I have a wife, bear this in safety to her. Offi. Bear this news to the Senate, [Dies. [JAFFEIR dies. And guard their bodies till there's farther order: Heaven grant I die so well-— [Scene shuts upon them. Soft music. Enter BELVIDERA distracted, led by two of her Women, PRIULI and Servants. Pri. Strengthen her heart with patience, pitying Heaven! Belv. Come, 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 are 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! [JAFFEIR'S ghost rises. Are you returned? See, father, here he's come again. Am I to blame to love him? oh thou dear one. [Ghost sinks. Why do you fly me? Are you angry still then? Jaffeir, where art thou? Father, why do you do thus ? I may revenge myself for this trick one day. |