Page:Venice preserv'd; or, A plot discover'd. A tragedy. As it is acted at the Duke's theatr. Written by Thomas Otway (IA venicepreservdor00otwa).pdf/34

Or send me to some distant Clime your slave,
But let it be far off, least my complainings
Should reach his guilty Ears, and shake his peace.

Jaff. No Belvidera, I've contriv'd thy honour,
Trust to my Faith, and be but Fortune kind
To me, as I'l preserve that faith unbroken,
When next we meet, I'l lift thee to a height,
Shall gather all the gazing World about thee,
To wonder what strange Virtue plac'd thee there.
But if we ner'e meet more ———

Belv. Oh thou unkind one,
Never meet more! have I deserv'd this from you?
Look on me, tell me; tell me, speak thou dear deceiver,
Why am I separated from thy Love?
If I am false, accuse me; but if true,
Don't, prithee don't in poverty forsake me.
But pitty the sad heart, that's torn with parting.
[Ex. Ren. Bed. and Belv. Yet hear me! yet recall me—

Jaff. Oh my Eyes!
Look not that way, but turn your selves a while
Into my heart, and be wean'd all together.
My Friend, where art thou?

Pierr. Here, my Honour's Brother.

Jaff. Is Belvidera gone?

Pierr. Renault has lead her
Back to her own Apartment: but, by Heav'n!
Thou must not see her more till our work's over.

Jaff. No:

Pierr. Not for your life.

Jaff. Oh Pierre, wert thou but she,
How I could pull thee down into my heart,
Gaze on thee till my Eye-strings crackt with Love,
Till all my sinews with its fire extended,
Fixt me upon the Rack of ardent longing;
Then swelling, sighing, raging to be blest,
Come like a panting Turtle to thy Breast,
On thy soft Bosom, hovering, bill and play,
Confess the cause why last I fled away;
'Own 'twas a fault, but swear to give it or'e,
[Ex. Ambo.And never follow false Ambition more.

ACT