Venice Preserved Part 6

_Jaf._ Let heav'n forget me, When I remember not thy truth, thy love.

_Enter Pierre._

_Pier._ Jaffier!

_Jaf._ Who calls?

_Pier._ A friend, that could have wish'd T' have found thee otherwise employ'd. What, hunt A wife, on the dull soil! Sure a staunch husband Of all hounds is the dullest. Wilt thou never, Never, be wean'd from caudles and confections?

What feminine tales hast thou been list'ning to, Of unair'd shirts, catarrhs, and tooth-ache, got By thin-sol'd shoes? d.a.m.nation! that a fellow, Chosen to be a sharer in the destruction Of a whole people, should sneak thus into corners To ease his fulsome l.u.s.ts, and fool his mind.

_Jaf._ May not a man then trifle out an hour With a kind woman, and not wrong his calling?

_Pier._ Not in a cause like ours.

_Jaf._ Then, friend, our cause Is in a d.a.m.n'd condition: for I'll tell thee, That cankerworm, call'd lechery, has touch'd it; 'Tis tainted vilely. Wouldst thou think it? Renault (That mortify'd, old, wither'd, winter rogue,) He visited her last night, like a kind guardian: Faith! she has some temptation, that's the truth on't.

_Pier._ He durst not wrong his trust.

_Jaf._ 'Twas something late, though, To take the freedom of a lady's chamber.

_Pier._ Was she in bed?

_Jaf._ Yes, faith, in virgin sheets, White as her bosom, Pierre, dish'd neatly up, Might tempt a weaker appet.i.te to taste.

Oh! how the old fox stunk, I warrant thee, When the rank fit was on him!

_Pier._ Patience guide me!

He us'd no violence?

_Jaf._ No, no; out on't, violence!

Play'd with her neck; brush'd her with his grey beard; But not a jot of violence.

_Pier._ d.a.m.n him.

_Jaf._ Ay, so say I: but hush, no more on't.

All hitherto is well, and I believe Myself no monster yet. Sure it is near the hour We all should meet for our concluding orders: Will the amba.s.sador be here in person?

_Pier._ No, he has sent commission to that villain, Renault, To give the executing charge: I'd have thee be a man, if possible, And keep thy temper; for a brave revenge Ne'er comes too late.

_Jaf._ Fear not, I am cool as patience.

_Pier._ He's yonder, coming this way through the hall; His thoughts seem full.

_Jaf._ Pr'ythee retire, and leave me With him alone: I'll put him on some trial; See how his rotten part will bear the touching.

_Pier._ Be careful, then. [_exit._

_Jaf._ Nay, never doubt, but trust me.

What! be a devil, take a d.a.m.ning oath For shedding native blood! Can there be a sin In merciful repentance? Oh, this villain!

_Enter Renault._

_Ren._ Perverse and peevish! What a slave is man To let his rebel pa.s.sions master him!

Despatch the tool her husband--that were well.

Who's there?

_Jaf._ A man.

_Ren._ My friend, my near ally, The hostage of your faith, my beauteous charge, is very well.

_Jaf._ Sir, are you sure of that?

Stands she in perfect health? Beats her pulse even; Neither too hot nor cold?

_Ren._ What means that question?

_Jaf._ Oh! women have fantastic const.i.tutions, Inconstant in their wishes, always wavering, And never fix'd. Was it not boldly done, Even at first sight, to trust the thing I lov'd (A tempting treasure too) with youth so fierce And vigorous as thine? but thou art honest.

_Ren._ Who dares accuse me?

_Jaf._ Curs'd be he that doubts Thy virtue! I have try'd it, and declare, Were I to choose a guardian of my honour, I'd put it in thy keeping: for I know thee.

_Ren._ Know me!

_Jaf._ Ay, know thee. There's no falsehood in thee.

Thou look'st just as thou art. Let us embrace.

Now would'st thou cut my throat, or I cut thine.

_Ren._ You dare not do't.

_Jaf._ You lie, sir.

_Ren._ How!

_Jaf._ No more, 'Tis a base world, and must reform, that's all.

_Enter Spinosa, Theodore, Elliott, Revillido, Durand, Bramveil, and the rest of the Conspirators._

_Ren._ Spinosa! Theodore!

_Spin._ The same.

_Ren._ You are welcome.

_Spin._ You are trembling, sir.

_Ren._ 'Tis a cold night, indeed, and I am aged; Full of decay and natural infirmities:

_Re-enter Pierre._

We shall be warm, my friends, I hope, to-morrow.