Spi. I fear we have been to blame, And done too much. The. 'Twas too far urged against the man you love. All. Forgive us, gallant friend. Pie. Nay, now you've found The way to melt and cast me as you will. O what a dangerous precipice have we 'scaped? Butchered by those whose cause he came to cherish ! That I've preserved your fame and saved my friend. OTWAY. VENICE PRESERVED. Second Selection. The DUKE OF VENICE and SENATORS. Enter OFFICER. Duke. Speak, there! What disturbance? Offi. A prisoner have the guards seized in the street Who says he comes to inform this reverend council About the present danger. Enter OFFICER, JAFFIER, CAPTAIN, and Guards. All. Give him entrance. [Exit OFFICER.] Well, who are you? Jaff. A villain! Would every man that hears me Would deal so honestly, and own his title! Duke. 'Tis rumoured that a plot has been contrived Against the state, and you've a share in't, too. If you're a villain, to redeem your honour, Jaff. Think not, that I to save my life came hither; I know its value better; but in pity To all those wretches, whose unhappy dooms Are fixed and sealed. You see me here before you, But use me as my dealings may deserve, Duke. The slave capitulates; Give him the tortures. Jaff. That you dare not do; Your fears wont let you, nor the longing itch Acts of itself, ne'er asks the body counsel. Give him the tortures! Name but such a thing Besides the lives of two-and-twenty friends, Duke. We swear. Jaff. Then here's the list, and with it the full disclosure [Delivers two papers to the Officer, who delivers them to the Duke.] Of all that threaten you. Now Fate, thou hast caught me ! Duke. Give order that all diligent search be made To be at the house of the famed Grecian courtesan You, Jaffier, must with patience bear till morning Jaff. Would the chains of death Had bound me fast, ere I had known this minute! Jaff. Sir [to OFFICER], if possible, Lead me where my own thoughts themselves may lose me, Where I may doze out what I've left of life ; Forget myself, and this day's guilt and falsehood. Cruel remembrance! how shall I appease thee! [Exit, guarded. Offi. [Without.] More traitors! Room, room; make room there! Duke. How's this? The treason's Already at the doors! Enter OFFICER and CAPTAIN. Offi. My lords, more traitors! Seized in the very act of consultation; Furnished with arms and instruments of mischief.- Enter PIERRE, in chains. Pie. You, my lords and fathers (As you are pleased to call yourselves) of Venice, Pie. Are these the trophies I've deserved for Your battles with confederated powers? When winds and seas conspired to overthrow you, Stepped not I forth, and taught your loose Venetians To stipulate the terms of sued-for peace? Duke. Know you one Jaffier? Pie. Yes, and know his virtue. His justice, truth, his general worth and sufferings Enter CAPTAIN, with JAFFIER in chains. Pie. My friend, too, bound! nay, then, Our fate has conquered us, and we must fall. Why droops the man, whose welfare's so much mine, They're but one thing. These rev'rend tyrants, Jaffier, Call us traitors. Art thou one, my brother? Jaff. To thee I am the falsest, veriest slave, That e'er betrayed a generous, trusting friend, gave up honour to be sure of ruin. And All our fair hopes, which morning was t' have crowned, Pie. So, then, all's over : Venice has lost her freedom, I my life. Duke. Say, will you make confession Of your vile deeds, and trust the senate's mercy? The curse of growing factions and divisions Still vex your councils, shake your public safety, Pie. Death! honourable death! soners. Captain, guard your pri Jaffier, you're free; but he must wait for judgment. [Exit DUKE and Senators. P Pie. Come, where's my dungeon? straw: Lead me to my It will not be the first time I've lodged hard, To do your senate service. Jaff. Hold, one moment. Pie. Who's he disputes the judgment of the senate? Presumptuous rebel! on Jaff. By Heaven, you stir not! [Strikes JAFFIER. I must be heard! I must have leave to speak. Listen with mildness to my supplications. Pie. What whining monk art thou? what holy cheat, Pie. No, know thee not. What art thou? Jaff. Jaffier, thy friend,-thy once-loved, valued friend; Though now deservedly scorned, and used most hardly. Pie. Thou, Jaffier! thou my once-loved, valued friend! By Heavens, thou liest! The man so called my friend Was generous, honest, faithful, just, and valiant; Noble in mind, and in his person lovely; Dear to my eyes, and tender to my heart; But thou, a wretched, base, false, worthless coward, And swear thou hast not wronged me? Whence these chains? Whence the vile death, which I may meet this moment? Whence this dishonour, but from thee, thou false one? |