Chapter 9

FOR THE EXECUTION OF PIERRE.

_Enter Officer, Pierre, Guards, Executioner, &c._

_Pier._ My friend not come yet?

_Enter Jaffier._

_Jaf._ Oh, Pierre!

_Pier._ Yet nearer. Dear to my arms, though thou'st undone my fame, I can't forget to love thee. Pr'ythee, Jaffier, Forgive that filthy blow my passion dealt thee; I'm now preparing for the land of peace, And fain would have the charitable wishes Of all good men, like thee, to bless my journey.

_Jaf._ Good! I am the vilest creature, worse than e'er Suffer'd the shameful fate thou'rt going to taste of.

_Offi._ The time grows short, your friends are dead already.

_Jaf._ Dead!

_Pier._ Yes, dead, Jaffier; they've all died like men too, Worthy their character.

_Jaf._ And what must I do?

_Pier._ Oh, Jaffier!

_Jaf._ Speak aloud thy burthen'd soul, And tell thy troubles to thy tortur'd friend.

_Pier._ Friend! Couldst thou yet be a friend, a generous friend, I might hope comfort from thy noble sorrows. Heav'n knows I want a friend.

_Jaf._ And I a kind one, That would not thus scorn my repenting virtue, Or think, when he's to die, my thoughts are idle.

_Pier._ No! live, I charge thee, Jaffier.

_Jaf._ Yes, I will live: But it shall be to see thy fall reveng'd At such a rate, as Venice long shall groan for.

_Pier._ Wilt thou?

_Jaf._ I will, by heav'n.

_Pier._ Then still thou'rt noble, And I forgive thee. Oh!--yet--shall I trust thee?

_Jaf._ No; I've been false already.

_Pier._ Dost thou love me?

_Jaf._ Rip up my heart, and satisfy my doubtings.

_Pier._ Curse on this weakness! [_weeps._

_Jaf._ Tears! Amazement! Tears! I never saw thee melted thus before; And know there's something labouring in thy bosom, That must have vent: though I'm a villain, tell me.

_Pier._ See'st thou that engine? [_points to wheel._

_Jaf._ Why?

_Pier._ Is't fit a soldier, who has liv'd with honour, Fought nation's quarrels, and been crown'd with conquest, Be expos'd a common carcass on a wheel?

_Jaf._ Ha!

_Pier._ Speak! is't fitting?

_Jaf._ Fitting!

_Pier._ Yes; is't fitting?

_Jaf._ What's to be done?

_Pier._ I'd have thee undertake Something that's noble, to preserve my memory From the disgrace that's ready to attaint it.

_Offi._ The day grows late, sir.

_Pier._ I'll make haste. Oh, Jaffier! Though thou'st betrayed me, do me some way justice.

_Jaf._ No more of that: thy wishes shall be satisfied; I have a wife, and she shall bleed: my child, too, Yield up his little throat, and all T' appease thee---- [_going away, Pierre holds him._

_Pier._ No--this--no more. [_whispers Jaffier._

_Jaf._ Ha! is't then so?

_Pier._ Most certainly.

_Jaf._ I'll do it.

_Pier._ Remember!

_Offi._ Sir.

_Pier._ Come, now I'm ready. [_he & Jaf. ascend scaff._ 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._ You'll think on't. [_to Jaffier._

_Jaf._ 'Twon't grow stale before to-morrow.

_Pier._ Now, Jaffier! now I'm going. Now-- [_Executioner having bound him._

_Jaf._ Have at thee, Thou honest heart, then--here-- [_stabs him._ And this is well. [_stabs himself._

_Pier._ Now thou hast indeed been faithful. This was done nobly--We've deceiv'd the senate.

_Jaf._ Bravely.

_Pier._ Ha, ha, ha----oh! oh! [_dies._

_Jaf._ Now, ye curs'd rulers, Thus of the blood y' have 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 generation--Oh, poor Belvidera! Sir, I have a wife, bear this in safety to her; A token that with my dying breath I bless'd her, And the dear little infant left behind me. I'm sick--I'm quiet. [_dies; scene shuts upon them._