or, till thy prayers are granted, set him free,
But conquer him, as thou hast vanquished me.

_[Exeunt Jaffier, R., Belvidera, L._

END OF ACT IV.

ACT V.

_Scene I.--An Apartment in Priuli's House._

_Enter Priuli, L._

_Priuli._ (L.) Why, cruel Heav'n, have my unhappy days
Been lengthened to this sad one? Oh! dishonour,
And deathless infamy have fall'n upon me.
Was it my fault? Am I a traitor? No. (C.)
But then, my only child, my daughter wedded;
There my best blood runs foul, and a disease
Incurable has seized upon my memory.

_Enter Belvidera in a Mourning Veil, L._

_Bel._ _[Speaking as she enters.]_ He's there, my father, my
inhuman father,
That, for three years, has left an only child,
Exposed to all the outrages of fate,
And cruel ruin!--Oh!--

_Priuli._ What child of sorrow
Art thou, that com'st, wrapt up in weeds of sadness,
And mov'st as if thy steps were towards a grave?

_Bel._ (L. C.) A wretch, who, from the very top of happiness,
Am fallen into the lowest depths of misery,
And want your pitying hand to raise me up again.

_Priuli._ (R. C.) What wouldst thou beg for?

_Bel._ Pity and forgiveness. _[Throws up her Veil._
By the kind, tender names of child and father,
Hear my complaints, and take me to your love. _[Kneels._

_Priuli._ My daughter!

_Bel._ Yes, your daughter; and you've oft told me,
With smiles of love, and chaste paternal kisses,
I'd much resemblance of my mother.

_Priuli._ Don't talk thus.

_Bel._ Yes, I must: and you must hear, too.
I have a husband.

_Priuli._ Damn him!

_Bel._ Oh, do not curse him!
He would not speak so hard a word towards you,
On any terms, howe'er he deal with me.

_Priuli._ Ah! what means my child?

_Bel._ Oh! my husband, my dear husband,
Carries a dagger in his once kind bosom,
To pierce the heart of your poor Belvidera!

_Priuli._ Kill thee!

_Bel._ Yes, kill me. When he passed his faith
And covenant against your state and senate,
He gave me up a hostage for his truth:
With me a dagger, and a dire commission,
Whene'er he failed, to plunge it through this bosom
I learnt the danger, chose the hour of love
T' attempt his heart, and bring it back to honour.
Great love pre