Offic. Sir.

Pierr. Come, now I’m ready.

[He and Jaffeir ascend the scaffold.

Captain, you should be a gentleman of honour.
Keep off the rabble, that I may have room
To entertain my fate and die with decency.
Come!

[Takes off his gown, Executioner prepares to bind him.

Fath. Son!

Pierr. Hence, tempter.

Offic. Stand off, priest.

Pierr. I thank you, sir.
You’ll think on’t.

[To Jaffeir.

Jaff. ’Twon’t grow stale before to-morrow.

Pierr. Now, Jaffeir! now I am going. Now;—

[Executioner having bound him.

Jaff. Have at thee,
Thou honest heart, then—here—

[Stabs him

And this is well too.

[Then stabs himself.

Fath. Damnable deed!

Pierr. Now thou hast indeed been faithful.
This was done nobly—we’ve deceived the Senate.

Jaff. Bravely.

Pierr. Ha! ha! ha!—oh! oh!—

[Dies.

Jaff. Now, you curs’d rulers,
Thus of the blood ye’ve shed I make libation,
And sprinkle it mingling: may it rest upon you,
And all your race: be henceforth peace a stranger
Within your walls; let plagues and famine waste
Your generations—O poor Belvidera!
Sir, I have a wife, bear this in safety to her.
A token that with my dying breath I blessed her,
And the dear little infant left behind me.
I’m sick—I’m quiet—

[Jaffeir dies.

Offic. Bear this news to the Senate,
And guard their bodies till there’s farther order:
Heaven grant I die so well!

[Scene shuts upon them.