Jaff. Fie, no more on’t—
How long is’t since the miserable day
We wedded first—

Belv. Oh-h-h!

Jaff. Nay, keep in thy tears,
Lest they unman me too.

Belv. Heaven knows I cannot;
The words you utter sound so very sadly
These streams will follow—

Jaff. Come, I’ll kiss ’em dry, then.

Belv. But was’t a miserable day?

Jaff. A curs’d one.

Belv. I thought it otherwise, and you’ve oft sworn
In the transporting hours of warmest love
When sure you spoke the truth, you’ve sworn you blessed it.

Jaff. ’Twas a rash oath.

Belv. Then why am I not curs’d too?

Jaff. No, Belvidera; by the eternal truth,
I dote with too much fondness.

Belv. Still so kind?
Still then do you love me?

Jaff. Nature, in her workings,
Inclines not with more ardour to creation,
Than I do now towards thee: man ne’er was bless’d,
Since the first pair first met, as I have been.

Belv. Then sure you will not curse me.

Jaff. No, I’ll bless thee.
I came on purpose, Belvidera, to bless thee.
’Tis now, I think, three years we’ve liv’d together.

Belv. And may no fatal minute ever part us,
Till, reverend grown, for age and love, we go
Down to one grave, as our last bed, together,
There sleep in peace till an eternal morning.

Jaff. When will that be?

[Sighing

Belv. I hope long ages hence.

Jaff. Have I not hitherto (I beg thee tell me
Thy very fears) used thee with tender’s love?
Did e’er my soul rise up in wrath against thee?
Did e’er I frown when Belvidera smiled,
Or, by the least unfriendly word, betray
A bating passion? have I ever wronged thee?

Belv. No.

Jaff. Has my heart, or have my eyes e’er wandered
To any other woman?

Belv. Never, never—
I were the worst of false ones should I accuse thee;
I own I’ve been too happy, bless’d above
My sex’s charter.

Jaff. Did I not say I came to bless thee?

Belv. Yes.