Look up, thou poor afflicted one! thou mourner, Whom none has comforted! Where are thy friends, The dear companions of thy joyful days, Whose hearts thy warm prosperity made glad, Whose arms were taught to grow like ivy round thee, And bind thee to their bosoms?—Thus with thee, Thus let us live, and let us die, they said. Now where are they? J. Shore. Ah, Belmour! where indeed? They stand aloof, And view my desolation from afar; And yet thy goodness turn'd aside to pity me. Leave me to die alone, for I am fall'n Bel. Yet raise thy drooping head; for I am come To chase away despair. Behold! where yonder That honest man, that faithful, brave Dumont, Is hasting to thy aid J. Shore. Dumont! Ha! where? [Raising herself, and looking about. Then heav'n has heard my pray'r; his very name Renews the spring of life, and cheers my soul. Has he then 'scaped the snare? Bel. He has; but see He comes unlike to that Dumont you knew, Enter SHORE. J. Shore. Speak, tell me! Which is he? And, oh! what would That dreadful vision! See, it comes upon me— It is my husband- -Ah! Shore. She faints! support her! [She swoons. Bel. Her weakness could not bear the strong sur But see, she stirs! And the returning blood Shore. So-gently raise her- [Raising her up. J. Shore. My heart is thrill'd with horror. Your husband lives! 'tis he, my worthiest friendJ. Shore. Still art thou there!-Still dost thou hover round me! Oh, save me, Belmour, from his angry shade! Oh! that my eyes could shut him out for ever— J. Shore. Oh! thou most injured-dost thou live indeed! Fall then, ye mountains, on my guilty head! Why thus indulge thy fears, and in despair, Now while occasion seems to smile upon us, J. Shore. What shall I say to you? But I obey Shore. Lean on my arm J. Shore. Alas! I'm wondrous faint: But that's not strange, I have not eat these three days. Shore. Oh, merciless ! J. Shore. O! I am sick at heart! Wilt thou still drink her blood, pursue her still? Enter CATESBY, with a GUARD. Cat. Seize on them both, as traitors to the stateBel. What means this violence? [GUARDS lay hold on SHORE and BELMOUR. Cat. Have we not found you In scorn of the Protector's strict command, Shore. Infamy on thy head! Thou tool of power, thou pander to authority! Cat. You'll answer this at full-Away with them. Cat. Convey the men to prison; but for her, Leave her to hunt her fortune as she may. J. Shore. I will not part with him-for me!-for ine! Oh! must he die for me! [Following him as he is carried off-She falls. Shore. Inhuman villains! [Breaks from the Guards. Stand off! The agonies of death are on her She pulls, she gripes me hard with her cold hand. J. Shore. Oh! let him go, ye ministers of terror, He shall offend no more, for I will die, And yield obedience to your cruel master. And take my last breath with you. Shore. Oh, my love! Why dost thou fix thy dying eyes upon me, J. Shore. Forgive me! -but forgive me! Shore. Be witness for me, ye celestial host, Such mercy and such pardon as my soul Accords to thee, and begs of Heaven to shew thee, May such befal me at my latest hour, And make my portion bless'd or cursed for ever! J. Shore. Then all is well, and I shall sleep in peace Was there not something I would have bequeath'd you? But I have nothing left me to bestow, Nothing but one sad sigh. Oh! mercy, Heav'n! Bel. There fled the soul, [Dies. And left her load of misery behind. [Exeunt omnes. THE END |