e; but if true,
Don't, pr'ythee don't, in poverty forsake me,

_[Breaks away, and runs back to Jaffier_

But pity the sad heart, that's torn with parting.

_[They retake her_

Yet, hear me; yet, recall me. Jaffier, Jaffier!

_[Exeunt Bedamar, &c, dragging her L. S. E., Jaffier R._

END OF ACT II.

ACT III.

_Scene I.--A Room in the House of Aquilina._
_Enter Belvidera, L. S. E._

_Bel._ I'm sacrificed! I'm sold--betrayed to shame!
inevitable ruin has enclosed me!
He, that should guard my virtue, has betrayed it;--
Left me--undone me! Oh, that I could hate him!--
Where shall I go? Oh, whither, whither wander?

_Enter Jaffier, R._

_Jaf._ (R. C.) Can Belvidera want a resting-place,
When these poor arms are open to receive her?
There was a time--

_Bel._ (C.) Yes, yes, there was a time
When Belvidera's tears, her cries and sorrows,
Were not despised; when, if she chanced to sigh,
Or look but sad----There was, indeed, a time,
When Jaffier would have ta'en her in his arms,
Eased her declining head upon his breast,
And never left her, till he found the cause.
But well I know why you forsake me thus;
I am no longer fit to bear a share
In your concernments: my weak female virtue
Must not be trusted: 'tis too frail and tender. _[Crosses, R._

_Jaf._ Oh, Portia, Portia, what a soul was thine!

_Bel._ _[Returns to L. C.]_ That Portia was a woman; and
when Brutus,
Big with the fate of Rome (Heav'n guard thy safety!)
Concealed from her the labours of his mind,
She let him see her blood was great as his,
Flowed from a spring as noble, and a heart
Fit to partake his troubles, as his love.
Fetch, fetch that dagger back, the dreadful dower
Thou gav'st last night, in parting with me; strike it
Here to my heart; and as the blood flows from it,
Judge if it run not pure as Cato's daughter's.

_Jaf._ (R.) Oh, Belvidera!

_Bel._ (C.) Why was I last night delivered to a villain?

_Jaf._ Ha! a villain?

_Bel._ (R.) Yes, to a villain! Why, at such an hour,
Meets that assembly, all made up of wretches,
That look as hell had drawn them into league?
Why, I in this hand, and in that, a dagger,
Was I delivered with such dreadful ceremonies?
"To you, sirs, and your hon