We willingly will lengthen them to eight, Doge. Not eight hours, signor, Nor even eight minutes-There's the ducal ring, The Adriatic 's free to wed another. Chief of the Ten. Yet go not forth so quickly. And even to move but slowly must begin It is your province.-Sirs, bestir yourselves : [To the Ten. [To the servants. There is one burthen which I beg you bear BYRON. VENICE PRESERVED. First Selection. RENAULT, JAFFIER, PIERRE, SPINOSA, ELLIOT, Durand, THEODORE. Ren. My friends, 'tis late: are we assembled-all. Ren. Oh! you' 're men, I find, Fit to behold your fate, and meet her summons. To-morrow's rising sun must see you all Deck'd in your honours. Are the soldiers ready? Pie. All-all! Ren. You, Durand, with your thousand, must possess St. Mark's; you, captain, know your charge already; 'Tis to secure the ducal palace : e all this done with the least tumult possible, Till in each place you post sufficient guards; Then sheathe your swords in every breast you meet. Jaff. [aside.]. Oh, reverend cruelty! thrice bloody villain! Ren. During this execution, Durand, you This done, we'll give the general alarm, Of senator, and bury it in blood. Jaff. [aside.] Merciless, horrid slave! Ay, blood enough! Shed blood enough, old Renault! how thou charm'st me. Ren. But one thing more, and then farewell, till fate Join us again, or separate us for ever: But let us all remember, We wear no common cause upon our swords. [To Jaffier. Jaff. No: with the most profound attention That we destroy oppression-avarice; A people nursed up equally with vices And loathsome lusts, which nature most abhors, [Exit. Ren. Without the least remorse, then let's resolve With fire and sword t' exterminate these tyrants, Ren. Thus happy, thus secure of all we wish for, All. Death here without repentance, hell hereafter. The strictest ties of nature, Join'd in this cause, and had but ground for fear He meant foul play, may this right hand drop from me, If I'd not hazard all my future peace, And stab him to the heart before you? Who Who would do less? Would'st thou not, Pierre, the same? Am I the thing you fear? Here, here's my bosom : Ren. No; but I fear your late commended friend He was transported from most deep attention Yet in our power; I, for my own part, wear A dagger. Pie. Well? Ren. And I could wish it. Pie. Where? Ren. Buried in his heart. Pie. Away! We're yet all friends. [Goes to RENAult. No more of this; 't will breed ill blood among us. Spi. Let us all draw our swords, and search the house; Pull him from the dark hold where he sits brooding O'er his cold fears, and each man kill his share of him. Pie. Who talks of killing? Who's he'll shed the blood That's dear to me? Is 't you, or you, sir? [Passing from left to right. What not one speak? How you stand gaping all On your grave oracle, your wooden god there! Yet not a word? Then, sir, I'll tell you a secret: Suspicion's but at best a coward's virtue. Ren. A coward? Pie. Put-put up thy sword, old man ; [TO RENAULT. Thy hand shakes at it. Come, let's heal this breach; Spi. Till we are safe, our friendship cannot be so. Spi. 'Twas I. The. And I. Spi. And all. Let's die like men, and not be sold like slaves. Pie. One such word more, by heaven I'll to the senate, And hang ye all, like dogs, in clusters. Why peep your coward swords half out their sheaths ? You fear to die, and yet dare talk of killing. Pie. That's rank falsehood. Fearst thou not death? Fie-there a knavish itch In that salt blood, an utter foe to smarting! [Exit RENAULT. Away-disperse all to your several charges, And meet to-morrow where your honour calls you. 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. |