Venice Preserved | Page 8

Jaf. What can I do? [Crosses to R. D.
Pierre. Canst thou not kill a senator?
Jaf. By all my wrongs, thou talk'st as if revenge Were to be had! and
the brave story warms me.

[Crosses, L.
Pierre. Swear, then!
Jaf. I do, [Kneels, L. C.] by all those glittering stars, And yon great
ruling planet of the night! By all good spirits above, and ill below! By
love and friendship, dearer than my life, No power, nor death, shall
make me false to thee!
Pierre. Here we embrace, and I'll unlock my heart. A council's held
hard by, where the destruction Of this great empire's hatching; there I'll
lead thee. But be a man; for thou'rt to mix with men Fit to disturb the
peace of all the world, And rule it when tis wildest.
Jaf. I give thee thanks For this kind warning. Yes, I'll be a man; And
charge thee, Pierre, whene'er thou see'st my fears Betray me less, to rip
this heart of mine Out of my breast, and show it for a coward's. Come,
let's be gone, for from this hour I chase All little thoughts, all tender
human follies, Out of my bosom: vengeance shall have room--
Revenge! [Going, R.
Pierre. And liberty!
Jaf. Revenge! revenge! [Exeunt, r
Scene II.--A Room in the House of Aquilina. Enter Renault, L. S. E.
Ren. (C.) Why was my choice ambition The worst ground A wretch can
build on! 'tis, indeed, at distance, A goodly prospect, tempting to the
view; The height delights us, and the mountain top Looks beautiful,
because 'tis nigh to heaven; But we ne'er think how sandy's the
foundation, What storm will batter, and what tempest shake us. Who's
there ]
Enter Spinosa, L.
Spin. (L. C.) Renault, good morrow, for by this time, I think, the scale
of night has turned the balance, And weighs up morning. Has the clock

struck twelve?
Ren. (R.) Yes; clocks will go as they are set: but man Irregular man's
ne'er constant, never certain. I've spent at least three precious hours of
darkness In waiting dull attendance; 'tis the curse Of diligent virtue to
be mixed, like mine, With giddy tempers, souls but half resolved.
Spin. (L.) Hell seize that soul amongst us it can frighten!
Ren. (C.) What's then the cause that I am here alone? Why are we not
together?
Enter Elliot, L.
Oh, sir, welcome! You are an Englishman: when treason's hatching,
One might have thought you'd not have been behind hand.
Elliot. Frenchman, you are saucy.
Ren. (L. C.) How? [Puts his hand to his sword.
Enter Bedamar, Mezzana, Durand, and Theodore, L.-- Mezzana,
Durand, and Theodore stand back, L.
Beda. [Crossing, C.] At difference? fie! Is this a time for quarrels?
Thieves and rogues Fall out and brawl: should men of your high calling,
Men, separated by the choice of Providence From the gross heap of
mankind, and set here In this assembly, as in one great jewel, T' adorn
the bravest purpose it e'er smiled on; Should you, like boys, wrangle for
trifles?
Ren. (R. C.) Boys!
Beda. (C.) Renault, thy hand.
Ren. I thought I'd given my heart, Long since, to every man that
mingles here; But grieve to find it trusted with such tempers, That can't
forgive my froward age its weakness.

Beda. Elliot, thou once hadst virtue. I have seen Thy stubborn temper
bend with godlike goodness, Not half thus courted. 'Tis thy nation's
glory To hug the foe that offers brave alliance. Once more, embrace,
my friends-- United thus, we are the mighty engine, Must twist this
rooted empire from its basis. Totters it not already?
Elliot. (L.) 'Would 'twere tumbling!
Beda. Nay, it shall down: this night we seal its ruin.
Enter Pierre, L. D. Oh, Pierre! thou art welcome. Come to my breast;
for, by its hopes, thou look'st Lovelily dreadful; and the fate of Venice
Seems on thy sword already. Oh, my Mars! The poets that first feigned
a god of war, Surely prophesied of thee!
Pierre. (L.) Friends, was not Brutus (I mean that Brutus, who, in open
senate, Stabbed the first Caesar that usurped the world), A gallant man?
Ren. (R. C.) Yes, and Catiline too; Though story wrong his fame; for he
conspired To prop the reeling glory of his country, His cause was good.
Beda. (L. C.) And ours as much above it, As, Renault, thou'rt superior
to Cethegus, Or Pierre to Cassius.
Pierre. Then to what we aim at! When do we start? Or must we talk
forever?
Beda. (C.) No, Pierre, the deed's near birth: fate seems to have set The
business up, and given it to our care; I hope there's not a heart or hand
amongst us, But what is firm and ready.
Elliot. (L. C.) All.