fancy;
But answer me to what I shall demand,
With a firm temper and unshaken spirit.

_Bel._ I will, when I've done weeping--

_Jaf._ Fie, no more on't--
How long is't since that miserable day
We wedded first.

_Bel._ Oh!--oh!--

_Jaf._ Nay, keep in thy tears,
Lest they unman me too.

_Bel._ Heav'n knows I cannot;
The words you utter sound so very sadly,
The streams will follow--

_Jaf._ Come, I'll kiss 'em dry then.

_Bel._ But was't a miserable day?

_Jaf._ A curs'd one.

_Bel._ I thought it otherwise; and you've often sworn,
In the transporting hours of warmest love,
When sure you spoke the truth, you've sworn you bless'd it.

_Jaf._ 'Twas a rash oath.

_Bel._ Then why am I not curs'd too?

_Jaf._ No, Belvidera; by th' eternal truth,
I dote with too much fondness.

_Bel._ Still so kind?
Still then do you love me?

_Jaf._ Man ne'er was blest
Since the first pair met, as I have been.

_Bel._ Then sure you will not curse me?

_Jaf._ No, I'll bless thee.
I came on purpose, Belvidera, to bless thee.
Tis now, I think, three years, we've liv'd together.

_Bel._ 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.

_Jaf._ Did I not say, I came to bless thee?

_Bel._ You did.

_Jaf._ Then hear me, bounteous heav'n:
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 lov'd;
And comfort her with patience in our parting.

_Bel._ How! Parting, parting!

_Jaf._ Yes, for ever parting;
I have sworn, Belvidera, by yon heav'n,
That best can tell how much I lose to leave thee,
We part this hour for ever.

_Bel._ O! call back
Your cruel blessing; stay with me and curse me.

_Jaf._ Now hold, heart, or never.

_Bel._ By all the tender days we've liv'd together,
Pity my sad condition; speak, but speak.

_Jaf._ Oh!--oh!--

_Bel._ By these arms, that now cling round thy neck,
By these poor streaming eyes--

_Jaf._ Murder! unhold me:
By th' immortal destiny that doom'd me [_draws dagger._
To this curs'd minu