f some Minutes, having wounded
_Gonzago_ in the Breast; when _Rinaldo_ hearing the Noise, came out; but
too late for _Dangerfield's_ Relief, and too soon for his own Fate; for
_Gonzago_, exasperated by his Wound, ran treacherously behind
_Dangerfield_, and thrust him quite thro' the Body. He finding the
mortal Wound, and wild with Rage, thrust desperately forward at _Erizo_,
when at the instant _Rinaldo_ striking in between to part them, received
_Dangerfield's_ Sword in his Body, which pierced him quite thro'. He no
sooner fell, than _Dangerfield_ perceived his fatal Error, and the other
Two fled. _Dangerfield_ curs'd his Fate, and begg'd with all the Prayers
and Earnestness of a dying Man, that _Rinaldo_ wou'd forgive him. 'Oh!'
said _Rinaldo_, 'you have ill rewarded me for my Care in your Concerns
in the Senate to Day.' The Servants coming out, took up _Rinaldo_, and
_Dangerfield_ leaning upon his Sword, they led him in. _Belvideera_
first heard the Noise, and running down first met the horrid Spectacle,
her dear Father breathing out his last, and her Lover, whom she had all
that Day flattered her self with Hopes of seeing, she now beheld in
Streams of his Blood; but what must poor _Maria's_ Case be? besides the
Grief for her Father's Fate, she must view that dear Man, lately Happy
in her Embraces, now folded in the Arms of Death, she finds herself
bereft of a Parent, her Love, her Honour, and the Defender of it, all at
once; and the greatest Torment is, that she must bear all this Anguish,
and cannot Ease her Soul by expressing it. _Belvideera_ sat wiping the
Blood from her Father's Wound, whilst mournful _Maria_ sat by
_Dangerfield_, administring all the Help she cou'd to his fainting
Spirits; whilst he viewed her with greater Excess of Grief, than he had
heretofore with Pleasure; being sensible what was the Force of her
silent Grief, and the Wrong he had done her, which now he cou'd never
Redress: He had accidentally dropt his Wig in the Engagement, and
inclining his Head over the Couch where he lay, _Rinaldo_ casting his
Eye upon him, perceiv'd the Mark of a bloody Dagger on his Neck, under
his left Ear: 'Sir, (said _Rinaldo_, raising himself up) I conjure you
answer me directly, were you born with the Mark of that Dagger, or have
you received it since by Accident.' 'I was certainly born with it,'
answer'd he. 'Just such a Mark had my Son _Cosmo_, who was lost in the
_Adriatick_.' 'How! (reply'd _Dangerfield_, star