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;
He gave me up as hostage for his truth:
With me a dagger, and a dire commission,
Whene'er he failed, to plunge it through this bosom.

I learnt the danger, chose the hour of love
T'attempt his heart, and bring it back to honour.
Great love prevailed, and blessed me with success ;
He came, confessed, betrayed his dearest friends,
For promised mercy. Now they're doomed to suffer.
Galled with remembrance of what then was sworn,
If they are lost, he vows t' appease the gods

With this poor life, and make my blood th' atonement.
Pri. Heavens!

Belv. Think you saw what passed at our last parting:
Think you beheld him like a raging lion,
Pacing the earth, and tearing up his steps,
Fate in his eyes, and roaring with the pain
Of burning fury; think you saw his one hand
Fixed on my throat, whilst the extended other
Grasped a keen, threatening dagger; oh! 'twas thus
We last embraced; when trembling with revenge,
He dragged me to the ground, and at my bosom
Presented horrid death; cried out, my friends,
Where are my friends? swore, wept, raged, threat
loved;

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,
I'll henceforth be indeed a father; never,
Never more thus expose, but cherish thee,
Dear as the vital warmth that feeds my life,
Dear as these eyes that weep in fondness o'er
Peace to thy heart. Farewell.

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

I

A distracted, led by two of her
Land Servants.

ort with patience, pitying Heaven!
ae, come, come, nay come to bed.
winds; hark how they whistle :
oh, how the weather shrinks me!
, who cares? pish, no indeed.
y you shall not go, you shall not.
ture; get you gone then; oh!

[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
Carries a dagger in his once kind bosom,
To pierce the heart of your poor Belvidera.
Pri. Kill thee!

Belv. Yes, kill me. When he passed his faith
And covenant against your State and Senate;
He gave me up as hostage for his truth:
With me a dagger, and a dire commission,
Whene'er he failed, to plunge it through this bosom.

I learnt the danger, chose the hour of love
T'attempt his heart, and bring it back to honour.
Great love prevailed, and blessed me with success;
He came, confessed, betrayed his dearest friends,
For promised mercy. Now they're doomed to suffer.
Galled with remembrance of what then was sworn,
If they are lost, he vows t' appease the gods

With this poor life, and make my blood th' atonement.
Pri. Heavens!

Belv. Think you saw what passed at our last parting:
Think you beheld him like a raging lion,
Pacing the earth, and tearing up his steps,
Fate in his eyes, and roaring with the pain
Of burning fury; think you saw his one hand
Fixed on my throat, whilst the extended other
Grasped a keen, threatening dagger; oh! 'twas thus
We last embraced; when trembling with revenge,
He dragged me to the ground, and at my bosom
Presented horrid death; cried out, my friends,
Where are my friends? swore, wept, raged, threatened,
loved;

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,
I'll henceforth be indeed a father; never,
Never more thus expose, but cherish thee,
Dear as the vital warmth that feeds my life,
Dear as these eyes that weep in fondness o'er thee.
Peace to thy heart. Farewell.

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.—
Jaff. Fie, no more on 't--

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.
Belv. Still so kind!

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.
Jaff. No, I'll bless thee.

I came on purpose, Belvidera, to bless thee.
'Tis now, I think, three years we 've lived together.
Belv. And may no fatal minute ever part us,
'Till reverend grown, for age and love, we go
Down to one grave, as our last bed, together;
There sleep in peace 'till an eternal morning.
Jaff. When will that be?

Belv. I hope long ages hence.

Jaff. Have I not hitherto (I beg thee tell me
Thy very fears) used thee with tender'st love?
Did e'er my soul rise up in wrath against thee?
Did I e'er frown when Belvidera smiled,
Or, by the least unfriendly word, betray
Abating passion? have I ever wronged thee?

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?
Belv. Yes.

Jaff. Then hear me, bounteous Heaven;

Pour down your blessings on this beauteous head,
Where everlasting sweets are always springing,
With a continual giving hand: let peace,
Honour, and safety always hover round her;
Feed her with plenty, let her eyes ne'er see

A sight of sorrow, nor her heart know mourning:
Crown all her days with joy, her nights with rest,
Harmless as her own thoughts; and prop her virtue
To bear the loss of one that too much loved,
And comfort her with patience in our parting.
Belv. How, parting, parting?

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:
Pour down your curses on this wretched head
With never-ceasing vengeance; let despair,
Danger, or infamy, nay all surround me;
Starve me with wantings; let my eyes ne'er see
A sight of comfort, nor my heart know peace;

But dash my days with sorrow, nights with horrors,
Wild as my own thoughts now, and let loose fury
To make me mad enough for what I lose,

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!
Oh there's all quiet, here all rage and fury;
The air's too thin, and pierces my weak brain:
I long for thick substantial sleep: hell! hell!
Burst from the centre, rage and roar aloud,
If thou art half so hot, so mad as I am!-

[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
Can't die in peace,

But you, like ravens, will be croaking round him?
Fath. Yet Heaven-

Pier. I tell thee, Heaven and I are friends:

I ne'er broke peace with 't yet by cruel murthers,
Rapine or perjury, or vile deceiving :

But lived in moral justice towards all men;
Nor am a foe to the most strong believers,
Howe'er my own short-sighted faith confine me.

Fath. But an all-seeing Judge

Pier. You say my conscience

Must be my accuser: I have searched that conscience,
And find no records there of crimes that scare me.

Fath. "Tis strange you should want Faith.
Pier. You want to lead

My reason blindfold, like a hampered lion,
Checked of its nobler vigour; then when baited
Down to obedient tameness, make it couch,

And show strange tricks, which you call signs of Faith.
So silly souls are gulled, and you get money.
Away, no more: captain, I'd have hereafter
This fellow write no lies of my conversion,
Because he has crept upon my troubled hours.
Enter JAFFEIR.

Jaff. Hold eyes be dry;
Heart, strengthen me to bear

This hideous sight, and humble me to take
The last forgiveness of a dying friend,
Betrayed by my vile falsehood to his ruin.
Oh, Pierre!

Pier. Yet nearer.

Jaff. Crawling on my knees,

And prostrate on the earth, let me approach thee:
How shall I look up to thy injured face,

That always used to smile with friendship on me?
It darts an air of so much manly virtue,

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,
Forgive that filthy blow my passion dealt thee;

I am now preparing for the land of peace,
And fain would have the charitable wishes
Of all good men, like thee, to bless my journey

Jaff. Good! I am the vilest creature, worse than e'er
Suffered the shameful fate thou 'rt going to taste of.
Why was I sent for to be used thus kindly?

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,
And sprinkle 't mingling: may it rest upon you,
And all your race! Be henceforth peace a stranger
Within your walls; let plagues and famine waste
Your generation!-Oh, poor Belvidera!

Sir, I have a wife, bear this in safety to her.
A token, that with my dying breath I blessed her,
And the dear little infant left behind me.
I am sick-I am quiet-

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 ?
Stand off, don't hide him from me. He's here somewhere.
Stand off I say: what, gone? remember 't 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!