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 s.h.i.+rts, 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 peevis.h.!.+ 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.