te, I'll not live one longer;
Resolve to let me go, or see me fall----
Hark, the dismal bell [_passing-bell tolls._
Tolls out for death! I must attend its call too;
For my poor friend, my dying Pierre, expects me:
He sent a message to require I'd see him
Before he died, and take his last forgiveness.
Farewell, for ever.

_Bel._ Leave thy dagger with me,
Bequeath me something--Not one kiss at parting?
Oh! my poor heart, when wilt thou break?
[_going out, looks back at him._

_Jaf._ Yet stay:
We have a child, as yet a tender infant.
Be a kind mother to him when I'm gone;
Breed him in virtue, and the paths of honour,
But never let him know his father's story;
I charge thee, guard him from the wrongs my fate
May do his future fortune, or his name.
Now--nearer yet-- [_approaching each other._
Oh! that my arms were rivetted
Thus round thee ever! But my friend! my oath!
This and no more. [_kisses her._

_Bel._ Another, sure another,
For that poor little one you've ta'en such care of.
I'll giv't him truly.

_Jaf._ So now, farewell.

_Bel._ For ever?

_Jaf._ Heav'n knows, for ever; all good angels guard thee. [_exit._

_Bel._ All ill ones sure had charge of me this moment.
Curs'd be my days, and doubly curs'd my nights.
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 III. A SCAFFOLD, AND A WHEEL PREPARED
FOR THE EXECUTION OF PIERRE.

_Enter Officer, Pierre, Guards, Executioner, &c._

_Pier._ My friend not come yet?

_Enter Jaffier._

_Jaf._ Oh, Pierre!

_Pier._ Yet nearer.
Dear to my arms, though thou'st undone my fame,
I can't forget to love thee. Pr'ythee, Jaffier,
Forgive that filthy blow my passion dealt thee;
I'm now preparing for the land of peace,
And fain would have the charitable wishes
Of all good men, like thee, to bless my journey.

_Jaf._ Good! I am the vilest creature, worse than e'er
Suffer'd the shameful fate thou'rt going to taste of.

_Offi._ The time grows short, your friends are dead already.

_Jaf._ Dead!

_Pier._ Yes, dead, Jaffier; they've all died like men to