ake a ruffian's wages,
To cut the throats of wretches as they sleep? _[Part._

_Jaf._ (R. C.) Thou wrong'st me, Belvidera! I've engaged
With men of souls, fit to reform the ills
Of all mankind: there's not a heart among them,
But's stout as death, yet honest as the nature
Of man first made, ere fraud and vice were fashion.

_Bel._ (L.) What's he, to whose cursed hands last night
thou gav'st me?
Was that well done? Oh! I could tell a story,
Would rouse thy lion heart out of its den,
And make it rage with terrifying fury!

_Jaf._ (C.) Speak on, I charge thee!

_Bel._ Oh, my love! _[Leaning on him,]_ if e'er
Thy Belvidera's peace deserved thy care,
Remove me from this place. Last night! last night!

_Jaf._ Distract me not, but give me all the truth!

_Bel._ No sooner wert thou gone, and I alone,
Left in the power of that old son of mischief;
No sooner was I laid on my sad bed,
But that vile wretch approached me. Then my heart
Throbbed with its fears;--
Oh, how I wept and sighed,
And shrunk, and trembled! wished, in vain, for him
That should protect me! Thou, alas, wast gone!

_Jaf._ [Turning, R.] Patience, sweet Heaven, till I make
vengeance sure!

_Bel._ He drew the hideous dagger forth, thou gav'st him,
And, with upbraiding smiles, he said, "Behold it:
This is the pledge of a false husband's love:"
And in his arms then pressed, and would have clasped me;
But, with my cries, I scared his coward heart,
Till he withdrew, and muttered vows to hell.

_[Rush into each other's arms._

These are thy friends! _[Part]_with
these thy life: thy honour,
Thy love, all staked--and all will go to ruin!

_Jaf._ (C.) No more; I charge thee, keep this secret close.
Clear up thy sorrows; look as if thy wrongs
Were all forgot, and treat him like a friend,
As no complaint were made. No more; retire,
Retire, my life, and doubt not of my honour;
I'll heal its failings, and deserve thy love.

_Bel._ (L.) Oh! should I part with thee, I fear thou wilt
In anger leave me, and return no more.

_Jaf._ Return no more! I would not live without thee
Another night, to purchase the creation.

_Bel._ When shall we meet again?

_Jaf._ Anon, at twelve,
I'll steal myself to thy expecting arms: