venice preserv'd

7/25/2019 Venice Preserv'd

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The story of "Venice Preserved" is partly founded upon St. Real's History of the Conspiracy of the Spaniards

against the Republic of Venice, in !. Voltaire co#pares the author of this History to Sallust$ and pronounces

it superior to the %nglish tragedy&an assertion, hich, li(e #any others fro# the sa#e source, as the

convenient sentence of an adroit but rec(less ignorance. The #erits of St. Real are undoubtedly great$ but

)tay's indebtedness to hi# is e*ceedingly slight$ and it is re#ar(able to see ho ingeniously, fro# a fe

#eagre historical details, the great dra#atist has constructed one of the noblest i#aginative or(s of hich

literature can boast. The na#es of nearly all the dra#atis person+ ith the e*ception of elvidera, are ta(enfro# St. Real$ but their characters are )tay's, and his plot is al#ost holly original. The true Pierre as a

-or#an corsair, ho had accu#ulated a fortune by plundering ships in the editerranean. He as eventually

strangled on board his on ship by order of the Venetian Senate. /a0er as of Provence, and appears to have

engaged in the plot against the state fro# his friendship for Pierre, and the prospect of gain. History says

nothing of his rongs, or his love for the daughter of Priuli$ and he as sha(en in his faith to the conspiracy, not

by the tears of a o#an, but partly by nis detestation of the sanguinary speech of Renault 1in hich )tay

follos the history2, and partly fro# being struc( ith co#punction during the spectacle of the 3oge's edding

the 4driatic, hen his i#agination contrasted the public re5oicings ith the desolation hich as to follo. 4fter

disclosing the plot, and e*periencing the per6dy of the Senate, ho had pro#ised hi# the lives of his friends, he

as #ade captive hile bearing ar#s against Venice, 7iv8and droned the day after his arrival in the city.

Renault, according to St. Real, as an old 9rench gentle#an, ho had :ed to Venice for so#e un(non cause,

and there beca#e ac;uainted ith the ar;uis de ed#ar. Though poor, he estee#ed virtue #ore than riches,

and glory #ore than virtue. He had abilities, courage, a conte#pt for life, and a passion for distinction. The

an its une*purgated state, "Venice

Preserved" leaves an i#pression far less favorable to the genius, as ell as the #oral sense of the author, than

in its present abridged and recti6ed shape. >n the language of Ca#pbell, "never ere beauties and faults #ore

easily separated than those of this tragedy. The latter, in its puri6cation for the stage, ca#e o< li(e dirt fro# a

6ne statue, ta(ing aay nothing fro# its sy##etrical surface, and leaving us only to onder ho the author

hi#self should have soiled it ith such dis6gure#ents. Pierre is a #iserable conspirator, as )tay 6rst painted

hi#, i#pelled to treason by his love of a courtesan and his 5ealousy of 4ntonio. ut his character, as it no

co#es forard, is a=#i*ture of patriotis# and e*cusable #isanthropy. %ven in the #ore #odern pro#pt=boo(s,

an i#proving curtail#ent has been introduced. ?ntil the #iddle of the last century, the ghosts of /a0er and

Pierre used to co#e in upon the stage, haunting elvidera in her last agonies, hich, Heaven (nos, re;uire no

aggravation fro# spectral agency."

This tragedy is believed to have been originally acted about the year !@. "Pierre and /a0er," says /ac(son, in

his History of the Scottish Stage, "in the esti#ation of the theatrical orld, are e;ual in ran(, and e*cel each

other in representation only, as the particular talents of the actor elevate or lessen, in the idea of the spectator,

the i#portance of hichever part he assu#es. > have seen Aarric( and arry alternately in both parts, and the

candid critic as doubtful here to besto the preference. r. ossop, indeed, raised the character of Pierre

beyond all reach, and left any /a0er > ever sa ith hi# at a 7v8distanceB out, had he atte#pted /;0er, > a#

con6dent he ould ith arry in Pierre, have stood far behind."

)f this sa#e ossop in Pierre, 3avies, the biographer of Aarric(, re#ar(sB&

"His 6ne, full toned voice and strong e*pression of senti#ent, gave unco##on spirit to the ar#th and passion

of the character. >n the intervie ith the conspirators, in the third act, he thre a gallantry into his action, as

stri(ing as it as une*pected. ut he greatly e*celled in the vehe#ent reproaches, hich, in the fourth act, he

poured, ith acri#ony and force, on the treachery and coardice of /a0er. The cadences of his voice ere

e;ually adapted to the loudest rage and the #ost deep and sole#n re:ection, hich he 5udiciously varied." "r.

Aarric(," says 3avies, "hen 6*ed in the #anage#ent of 3rury ane, resigned Pierre, in hich part his 6re and

spirit ere not e;ually supported by grandeur and dignity of person, for /a0er, hich he acted ith great and

deserved approbation #any years." The te#porary frenDy, ith hich /a0er is seiDed, in the fourth act, on

fancying that he sa his friend on the rac(, has not since been e;ualled, nor, perhaps, ever ill.

'He groans$ Har(, ho he groansE his screa#s are in #y ears 4lreadyE See, they've 6*ed hi# on the heelE

4nd no they tear hi#E urderE Per5ured SenateE urderE'


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"The enthusiastic poer of Aarric( presented this dreadful i#age to the audience ith such astonishing force,

that they tre#bled at the i#aginary picture. >n all the softer scenes of do#estic oe, con5ugal tenderness, and

agoniDing distress, arry, it #ust be oned, as Aarric('s #aster.

"rs. Cibber as long the elvidera of arry and Aarric(. %very situation see#ed to be for#ed on purpose to

call forth her great s(ill in aa(ening the passions. rs. Siddons has, in this part as ell as #any others, 6*ed

the favor of the ton in her behalf. This actress, li(e a resistless torrent, has borne don all before her. >n

person, 5ust rising above the #iddle stature, she loo(s, al(s, and #oves, li(e a o#an of superior ran(. Her

countenance is e*pressive$ her eye so full of infor#ation, that the passion is told fro# her loo( before she

spea(s. Her voice, though not so har#onious as rs. Cibber's, is strong and pleasingB nor is a ord lost for ant

of due articulation. She e*cels all perfor#ers in paying due attention to the business of the scene. Her eye never

anders fro# the person ahe spea(s to, or should loo( at hen she is silent. Her #odulation of grief, in her

plaintive pronunciation of the inter5ection, )hE is seetly #oving, and reaches to the heart. Her #adness in

elvidera is terribly a


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ronged youJ

Priuli.Ies, ronged #eE >n the nicest point,

The honour of #y house, you've done #e rong.

Iou #ay re#e#ber 1for > no ill spea(,

4nd urge its baseness2 hen you 6rst ca#e borne

9ro# travel, ith such hopes as #ade you loo(ed on y all #en's eyes, a youth of e*pectation$

Pleased ith your groing virtue, > received you$

Courted, and sought to raise you to your #erits$

y house, #y table, nay, #y fortune too,

y very self as yours$ you #ight have used #e

To your best service$ li(e an open friend,

78 > treated, trusted you, and thought you #ineB

hen, in re;uital of #y best endeavours,

Iou treacherously practised to undo #e$

Seduced the ea(ness of #y age's darling,

y only child, and stole her fro# #y boso#.

)hE elvideraE

Ja.'Tis to #e you oe herB

Childless you had been else, and in the grave

Iour na#e e*tinct$ no #ore Priuli heard of.

Iou #ay re#e#ber, scarce 6ve years are past,

Since in your brigantine you sailed to see,

The 4driatic edded by our du(e$

4nd > as ith youB your uns(ilful pilot

3ashed us upon a roc($ hen to your boat

Iou #ade for safety$ entered 6rst yourself$&

The a


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Heav'n has already croned our faithful loves

ith a young boy, seet as his #other's beautyB

7K8 ay he live to prove #ore gentle than his grandsire,

4nd happier than his father.

Priuli.Rather live

To bait thee for his bread, and din your ears ith hungry cries$ hilst his unhappy #other

Sits don and eeps in bitterness of ant.

Ja.Iou tal( as if 'tould please you.

Priuli.'T ould, by heavenE

Ja.ould > ere in #y graveJ

Priuli.4nd she, too, ith theeB

9or, living here, you're but #y cursed re#e#brances,

> once as happyE

Ja.Iou use #e thus, because you (no #y soul

>s fond of elvidera. Iou perceive

y life feeds on her, therefore thus you treat #e

ere > that thief, the doer of such rongs

4s you upbraid #e ith, hat hinders #e

ut > #ight send her bac( to you ith contu#ely,

4nd court #y fortune here she ould be (inderJ

Priuli.Iou dare not do't.

Ja.>ndeed, #y lord, > dare not.

y heart, that aes #e, is too #uch #y #asterB

Three years are past since 6rst our vos ere plighted,

3uring hich ti#e, the orld #ust bear #e itness,

>'ve treated elvidera li(e your daughter,

The daughter of a senator of VeniceB

3istinction, place, attendance, and observance,

3ue to her birth, she alays has co##andedB

)ut of #y little fortune, >'ve done this$

ecause, 1though hopeless e'er to in your nature2

The orld #ight see > loved her for herself$ -ot as the heiress of the great Priuli.

Priuli.-o #ore.

Ja.Ies, all, and then, adieu forever.

7Pausing with clasped hands.

There's not a retch that lives on co##on charity

ut's happier than >$ for > have (non

The luscious seets of plenty$ every night

Have slept ith soft content about #y head,

4nd never a(ed, but to a 5oyful #orningB Iet no #ust fall, li(e a full ear of corn,

hoso blosso# 'scaped, yet's ithered in the ripenin.


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7L8 Priuli.Ho#e, and be hu#ble$ study to retrench$

3ischarge the laDy ver#in of thy hall,

Those pageants of thy follyB

Reduce the glitt'ring trappings of thy ife

To hu#ble eeds, 6t for thy little stateB 7Going.

Then to so#e suburb cottage both retire$

3rudge to feed loathso#e life$ get brats and starve& Ho#e, ho#e, > sayE 7Exit, R.

Ja.1C.2 Ies, if #y heart ould let #e&&

This proud, this selling heartB ho#e > ould go,

ut that #y doors are hateful to #y eyes,

9illed and da#ned up ith gaping creditorsE

>'ve no not 6fty ducats in the orld,

Iet still > a# in love, and pleased ith ruin.

)h, elvideraE )hE she is #y ife&

4nd e ill bear our ayard fate together,

ut ne'er (no co#fort #ore.

7Enter Pierre, L. S. E.

Pierre.1. C.2 y friend, good #orro$

Ho fares the honest partner of #y heartJ

hat, #elancholyE not a ord to spare #eE

Ja.1C.2 >'# thin(ing, Pierre, ho that da#ned

starving ;uality,

Called honesty, got footing in the orld.

Pierre.hy, poerful villainy 6rst set it up,

9or its on ease and safety. Honest #en

4re the=soft easy cushions on hich (nave's

Repose and fatten. ere all #an(ind villains,

They'd starve each other$ layers ould ant practice,

Cut=throats, reardB each #an ould (ill his brother

Hi#self$ none ould be paid or hanged for #urder.

HonestyE 'tas a cheat, invented 6rst

To bind the hands of bold deserving rogues,

That fools and coards #ight sit safe in poer,

4nd lord it uncontrolled above their betters.

Ja.Then honesty is but a notionJ

Pierre.-othing else$

i(e it, #uch tal(ed of, not to be de6nedB

He that pretends to #ost, too, has least share in't

Tis a ragged virtue. HonestyE no #ore on't.

Ja.Sure, thou art honestJ

78 Pierre.So, indeed, #en thin( #e$

ut they're #ista(en, /a0er$ >'# a rogue, 4s ell as they$

4 6ne, gay, bold=faced villain as thou seest #eE

'Tis true. > pay #y debts, hen they're contracted$


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> steal fro# no #an$ ould not cut a throat

To gain ad#ission to a great #an's purse$

ould not betray #y friend,

To get his place or fortune$ > scorn to :atter

4 blon=up fool above #e, or crush the retch beneath #e$

Iet, /a0er, for all this, > a# a villain.

Ja.1R. C.2 4 villainE

Pierre.Ies, a #ost notorious villain$

To see the su one,

-ot to rouse up at the great call of nature,

4nd chec( the groth of these do#estic spoilers,

That #a(e us slaves, and tell us 'tis our charterE

7Walks, L.

Ja.> thin( no safety can be here for virtue,

4nd grieve, #y friend, as #uch as thou, to live

>n such a retched state as this of Venice,

here all agree to spoil the public good,

4nd villains fatten ith the brave #an's labours.

Pierre.7Returns to L. .8

e've neither safety, unity, nor peace,

9or the foundation's lost of co##on good$

/ustice is la#e, as ell as blind, a#ongst us$

The las 1corrupted to their ends that #a(e the#,2

Serve but for instru#ents of so#e ne tyranny,

That every day starts up, t'enslave us deeper.

-o 7La!s his hand on Jafer"s ar#,8 could this glorious

cause but 6nd out friends7@8 To do it right, oh, /a0erE then #ight'st thou

-ot ear those seals of oe upon thy face$

The proud Priuli should be taught hu#anity,

4nd learn to value such a son as thou art.

> dare not spea(, but #y heart bleeds this #o#ent.

Ja.Cursed be the cause, though >, thy friend, be part on'tB

et #e parta(e the troubles of thy boso#,

9or > a# used to #isery, and perhaps

ay 6nd a ay to seeten't to thy spirit.

Pierre.7$urns, L. and looks o%er a shoulder.8 Too soon

'till reach thy (noledge&


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Ja.Then fro# thee

et it proceed. There's virtue in thy friendship,

ould #a(e the saddest tale of sorro pleasing,

Strengthen #y constancy, and elco#e ruin.

Pierre.Then thou art ruinedE

Ja.That > long since (ne$

> and ill fortune have been long ac;uainted.

Pierre.> passed this very #o#ent by thy doors,

4nd found the# guarded by a troop of villains$

"The sons of public rapine ere destroying."

They told #e, by the sentence of the la

They had co##ission to seiDe all thy fortuneB

-ay, #ore, Priuli's cruel band had signed it.

Here stood a ru0an, ith a horrid face,

ording it o'er a pile of #assy plate,

Tu#bled into a heap for public saleB

There as another #a(ing villainous 5ests

4t thy undoingB he had ta'en possession

)f all thy ancient, #ost do#estic orna#ents$

Rich hangings, inter#i*ed and rought ith gold

The very bed, hich, on thy edding night,

Received thee to the ar#s of elvidera,

The scene of all thy 5oys, as violated

y the coarse hands of 6lthy dungeon villains,

4nd thron a#ongst the co##on lu#ber.

Ja.-o, than( heaven&

Pierre.Than( heavenE for hatJ

Ja.That >'# not orth a ducat.

Pierre.Curse thy dull stars, and the orse fate of Venice,

7M8 here brothers, friends, and fathers, all are false$

here there's no truth, no trust$ here innocence

Stoops under vile oppression, and vice lords it.

Hadst thou but seen, as > did, ho, at last,

Thy beauteous elvidera, li(e a retch That's doo#ed to banish#ent, ca#e eeping forth,

hilst to young virgins, on hose ar#s she leaned,

Nindly loo(ed up, and at her grief gre sad,

4s if they catched the sorros that fell fro# herB

%v'n the led rabble, that ere gathered round

To see the sight, stood #ute hen they beheld her$

Aoverned their roaring throats, and gru#bled pityB

> could have hugged the greasy rogues$ they pleased #e.

Ja.> than( thee for this story, fro# #y soul$

Since no > (no the orst that can befall #e. 4h, PierreE > have a heart that could have borne

The roughest rong #y fortune could have done #e$

ut hen > thin( hat elvidera feels,


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The bitterness her tender spirits taste of,

> on #yself a coard. ear #y ea(ness,

>f, throing thus #y ar#s about thy nec(, 7E#&race,

> play the boy, and blubber in thy boso#.

)h, > shall dron thee ith #y sorros.

Pierre.urn, 9irst, burn and level Venice to thy ruin.

hatE starve, li(e beggars' brats, in frosty eather,

?nder a hedge, and hine ourselves to deathE

Thou, or thy cause, shall never ant assistance,

hilst > have blood or fortune 6t to serve theeB

Co##and #y heart, thour't every ay its #aster.

Ja.-o$ there's a secret pride in bravely dying.

Pierre.Rats die in holes and corners, dogs run #ad

an (nos a braver re#edy for sorro&

Revenge, the attribute of gods$ they sta#ped it,

ith their great i#age, on our natures. 3ieE

Consider ell the cause that calls upon thee,

4nd, if thou'rt base enough, die then. Re#e#ber

Thy elvidera sun a church=yard, and #ingle thy brave dust&

ith stin(ing rogues, that rot in inding=sheets,

Surfeit=slain fools, the co##on dung o'th' soilE

7G8Ja.)h&

Pierre.ell said, out ith't&sear a little&

Ja.SearE y sea and air$ by earth, by heaven and hell,

> ill revenge #y elvidera's tearsE 7'oth go to the R.

Har( thee, #y friend&Priuli&is&a senatorE

Pierre.4 dogE

Ja.4greed. 7Return to .

Pierre.Shoot hi#E

Ja.ith all #y heartE

-o #ore&here shall e #eet at nightJ

Pierre.>'ll tell theeB

)n the Rialto, every night at telve,

> ta(e #y evening's al( of #editationB

There e to'll #eet, and tal( of precious #ischief.

Ja.9areellE

Pierre.4t telve.

Ja.4t any hourB #y plagues


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ill (eep #e a(ing.

7Exit Pierre, R.

1R. C.2 Tell #e hy, good Heaven,

Thou #ad'st #e hat > a#, ith all the spirit,

4spiring thoughts, and elegant desires, That 6ll the happiest #anE 4h, rather, hy

3idst thou not for# #e sordid as #y fate,

ase=#inded, doll, and 6t to carry burdensE

hy have > sense to (no the curse that's on #eJ

>s this 5ust dealing, natureE elvideraE

Poor elvideraE

'el.7Without.8 ead #e, lead #e, #y virgins.

To that (ind voice.

7Enter 'el%idera, L.

y lord, #y love, #y refugeE 7Leans on Jafer, R. .

Happy #y eyes hen they behold thy faceE

y heavy heart ill leave its doleful beating

4t sight of thee, and bound ith sprightful 5oys.

)h, s#ileE as hen our loves ere in their spring,

4nd cheer #y fainting soulE

Ja.1R. C.2 4s hen our loves

ere in their springE Has, then, #y fortune changed theeJ

4rt thou not, elvidera, still the sa#e,

7F8 Nind, good, and tender, as #y ar#s 6rst found theeJ

>f thou art altered, here shall > have harbourJ

here ease #y loaded heartJ 7Part8 )hE here co#plainJ

'el.1C.2 3oes this appear li(e change, or love decaying,

hen thus > thro #yself >nto thy boso#,

ith all the resolution of strong truthE

7Leans on Jafer, R. .

> 5oy #ore in thee

Than did thy #other, hen she hugged thee 6rst, 4nd blessed the gods for all her travail past.

Ja.Can there in o#an be such glorious faithJ

Sure, all ill stories of thy se* are falseE 7Part.

)h, o#anE lovely o#anE -ature #ade thee

To te#per #anB e had been brutes ithout youE

4ngels are painted fair to loo( li(e youB

There's in you all that e believe of heaven$

4#aDing brightness, purity, and truth,

%ternal 5oy, and everlasting loveE 7E#&race.

'el.>f love be treasure, e'll be ondrous rich$

)hE lead #e to so#e desert, 7Part,8 ide and ild,

arren as our #isfortunes, here #y soul


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ay have its vent, here > #ay tell aloud

To the high heavens, and ev'ry list'ning planet,

ith hat a boundless stoc( #y boso#'s fraught.

Ja.7$aking her hand.8 )h, elvideraE doubly >'# a beggar$

?ndone by fortune, and in debt to thee.

ant, orldly ant, that hungry #eagre 6end, >s at #y heels, and chases #e in vie.

Canst thou bear cold and hungerJ Can these li#bs,

9ra#ed for the tender o0ces of love,

%ndure the bitteer gripes of s#arting povertyJ

hen banished by our #iseries abroad,

14s suddenly e shall be2 to see(, out,

>n so#e far cli#ate, here our na#es are strangers,

9or charitable succour$ ilt thou then,

hen in a bed of stra e shrin( together,

4nd the blea( inds shall histle round our heads$

ilt thou then tal( thus to #eJ ilt thou then

Hush #y cares thus, and shelter #e ith loveJ

'el.)hE > ill love thee, even in #adness love theeE

7!8 Though #y distracted senses should forsa(e #e,

>'d 6nd so#e intervals hen #y poor heart

Should 'suage itself, and be let loose to thine.

Though the bare earth be all our resting place,

>ts roots our food, so#e cli< our habitation,

>'ll #a(e this ar# a pillo for thine head$

4nd, as thou sighing liest, and selled ith sorro,

Creep to thy boso#, pour the bal# of love

>nto thy soul, and (iss thee to thy rest$ 7Part.

Then praise our Aod, and atch thee till the #orning.

Ja.Hear this, you Heav'ns, and onder ho you #ade herE

Reign, reign, ye #onarchs, that divide the orld$

usy rebellion ne'er ill let you (no

Tran;uillity and happiness li(e #ine$

i(e gaudy ships, the obse;uious billos fall,

4nd rise again, to lift you in your pride$

They ait but for a stor#, and then devour youB

7'el%idera crosses, R. >, in #y private bar( already rec(ed,

i(e a poor #erchant, driven to un(non land,

That had, by chance, pic(ed up his choicest treasure,

>n one dear cas(et, and saved only that,

7Returns to Jafer

Since > #ust ander farther on the shore,

Thus 7$aking her ar#,8 hug #y little, but #y precious store,

Resolved to scorn, and trust #y fate no #ore. 7Exeunt, L.

4TT) @


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Scene I.[edit]

The Rialto.

%nter /a0er, .

/af. 1. C.2 >'# here$ and thus the shades of light

around #e,

> loo( as if all hell ere in #y heart.

7O8 4nd > in hell. -ay, surely 'tis so ith #eE&

9or every step > tread, #ethin(s so#e 6end

Nnoc(s at #y breast, and bids #e not be ;uiet.

>'ve heard ho desperate retches li(e #yself,

Have andered out at this dead ti#e of night,

To #eet the foe of #an(ind in his al(.

Sure >'# so cursed, that, though of Heav'n forsa(en,

-o #inister of dar(ness cares to te#pt #e.

HellE hellE hy sleep'st thouJ 7Turns, .

%nter Pierre, R. S. %.

Pierre. Sure >'ve staid too longB 7Co#ing forard.

The cloc( has struc(, and > #ay lose #y proselyte.

Spea(, 7Seeing /a0er,8 ho goes thereJ

/af. 1.2 4 dog, that co#es to hol

4t yonder #oon. hat's he, that as(s the ;uestionJ

Pierre. 4 friend to dogs, for they are honest creatures,

4nd ne'er betray their #asters$ never fan )n any that they love not. ell #et, friend.

74dvancing toard, R. C.8

/a0erE

/af. The sa#e.

Pierre. 1R. C.2 here's elvideraJ

/af.9or a day or to,

>'ve lodged her privately, till > see farther

hat fortune ill do ith #e. Pry'thee, friend,

>f thou ouldst have #e 6t to hear good counsel,

Spea( not of elvidera&

Pierre. 1C.2 Spea( not of herJ

/af. )h, noE nor na#e herJ

Pierre. ay be, > ish her ell.

/af.ho# ellJ

Pierre. Thy ife$ thy lovely elvideraE
https://en.wikisource.org/w/index.php?title=Venice_Preserv%27d/Act_II&action=edit&section=1https://en.wikisource.org/w/index.php?title=Venice_Preserv%27d/Act_II&action=edit&section=1


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> hope a #an #ay ish his friend's ife ell,

4nd no har# doneJ

/af. 7Retiring, .8 Iou're #erry, Pierre.

Pierre. 79olloing.8 > a# soB

Thou shalt s#ile, too, and elvidera s#ileB e'll all re5oice, Here's so#ething to buy pins$

arriage is chargeable. 7Aives hi# a purse.

/af. 1.2 > but half ished

To see the devil, and he's here alreadyE ellE

hat #ust this buyJ Rebellion, #urder, treasonJ

78 Tell #e 7Turning R.8 hich ay > #ust be da#ned for

this.

Pierre. 1. C.2 hen last e parted, e'd no ;ual#s

li(e these,

ut entertained each other's thoughts, li(e #en

hose souls ere ell ac;uainted. >s the orld

Refor#ed since our last #eetingJ hat ne #iracles

Have happenedJ Has Priuli's heart relentedJ

Can he be honestJ

/af. Nind Heaven, let heavy curses

Aall his old age, till life beco#e his burden$

et hi# groan under't long, linger an age

>n the orst agonies and pangs of death

4nd 6nd its ease, but lateE

Pierre. -ay, couldst thou not

4s ell, #y friend, have stretched the curse to all

The senate round, as to one single villainJ

/af. ut curses stic( not$ could > (ill ith cursing,

y Heaven, > (no not thirty heads in Venice

Should not be blastedE Senators should rot,

i(e dogs, on dunghills. )h, for a curse

To (ill ithE 7Crosses, R.

Pierre. 3aggers, daggers are #uch better.

/af. 1R. C.2 HaE

Pierre. 3aggers.

/af. ut here are theyJ

Pierre. )hE a thousand

ay be disposed, in honest hands, in Venice.

/af. Thou tal('st in clouds.

Pierre. ut yet a heart, half ronged

4s thine has been, ould 6nd the #eaning, /a0erE


13/60

/af. 4 thousand daggers, all in honest handsE

4nd have not > a friend ill stic( one hereJ

Pierre. 1C.2Ies, if > thought thou ert not to be cherished

To a nobler purpose, > ould be that friendB

7ays his hand on /a0er's ar#

ut thou hast better friends$ friends, ho# thy rongs

Have #ade thy friends$ friends, orthy to be called so.

>'ll trust thee ith a secret. There are spies

This hour at or(. ut, as thou art a #an,

ho# > have pic(ed and chosen fro# the orld,

7K8 Sear that thou ilt be true to hat > utter$

4nd hen >'ve told thee that, hich only gods,

4nd #en li(e gods, are privy to, then sear,

-o chance, or change, shall rest it fro# thy boso#.

/af. 1R.2 hen thou ouldst bind #e, is there need of oathsJ

>s coard, fool, or villain, in #y faceJ

>f > see# none of these, > dare believe

Thou ouldst not use #e in a little cause$

9or > a# 6t for honour's toughest tas(,

-or ever yet found fooling as #y provinceB

4nd, for a villainous, inglorious enterpriDe,

> (no thy heart so ell, > dare lay #ine

efore thee, set it to hat point thou ilt.

Pierre. -ay, 'tis a cause thou ilt be fond of, /a0er

9or it is founded on the noblest basis$

)ur liberties, our natural inheritanceE

e'll do the business, and ne'er fast and pray for't$

)penly act a deed, the orld shall gaDe

ith onder at, and envy hen 'tis done.

/af. 9or libertyE

Pierre. 9or liberty, #y friend. 7/a0er crosses, .

Thou shalt be freed fro# base Priuli's tyranny,

4nd thy se;uestered fortunes healed again$ > shall be free fro# those opprobrious rongs

That press #e no, and bend #y spirit donard$

4ll Venice free, and every groing #erit

Succeed to its 5ust right$ fools shall be pulled

9ro# isdo#'s seat$ those baleful unclean birds,

Those laDy ols, ho, perched near fortune's top,

Sit only atchful ith their heavy ings

To cu< don ne=:edged virtues, that ould rise

To nobler heights, and #a(e the grove har#onious.

/af. hat can > doJ 7Crosses to R. 3.

Pierre. Canst thou not (ill a senatorJ


14/60

/af. y all #y rongs, thou tal('st as if revenge

ere to be hadE and the brave story ar#s #e.

7Crosses, .

Pierre. Sear, thenE

/af. > do, 7Nneels, . C.8 by all those glittering stars,

4nd yon great ruling planet of the nightE

y all good spirits above, and ill beloE

7@L8 y love and friendship, dearer than #y life,

-o poer, nor death, shall #a(e #e false to theeE

Pierre. Here e e#brace, and >'ll unloc( #y heart.

4 council's held hard by, here the destruction

)f this great e#pire's hatching$ there >'ll lead thee.

ut be a #an$ for thou'rt to #i* ith #en

9it to disturb the peace of all the orld,

4nd rule it hen tis ildest.

/af. > give thee than(s

9or this (ind arning. Ies, >'ll be a #an$

4nd charge thee, Pierre, hene'er thou see'st #y fears

etray #e less, to rip this heart of #ine

)ut of #y breast, and sho it for a coard's.

Co#e, let's be gone, for fro# this hour > chase

4ll little thoughts, all tender hu#an follies,

)ut of #y boso#B vengeance shall have roo#&

RevengeE 7Aoing, R.

Pierre. 4nd libertyE

/af. RevengeE revengeE 7%*eunt, r

Scene II.[edit]

4 Roo# in the House of 4;uilina.

%nter Renault, . S. %.

Ren. 1C.2 hy as #y choice a#bition

The orst ground

4 retch can build onE 'tis, indeed, at distance, 4 goodly prospect, te#pting to the vie$

The height delights us, and the #ountain top

oo(s beautiful, because 'tis nigh to heaven$

ut e ne'er thin( ho sandy's the foundation,

hat stor# ill batter, and hat te#pest sha(e us.

ho's there 8

%nter Spinosa, .

Spin. 1. C.2 Renault, good #orro, for by this ti#e,

> thin(, the scale of night has turned the balance, 4nd eighs up #orning. Has the cloc( struc( telveJ

Ren. 1R.2 Ies$ cloc(s ill go as they are setB but #an


15/60

>rregular #an's ne'er constant, never certain.

>'ve spent at least three precious hours of dar(ness

>n aiting dull attendance$ 'tis the curse

)f diligent virtue to be #i*ed, li(e #ine,

7@8 ith giddy te#pers, souls but half resolved.

Spin. 1.2 Hell seiDe that soul a#ongst us it can frightenE

Ren. 1C.2 hat's then the cause that > a# here aloneJ

hy are e not togetherJ

%nter %lliot, .

)h, sir, elco#eE

Iou are an %nglish#anB hen treason's hatching,

)ne #ight have thought you'd not have been behind hand.

%lliot. 9rench#an, you are saucy.

Ren. 1. C.2 HoJ 7Puts his hand to his sord.

%nter eda#ar, eDDana, 3urand, and Theodore, .&

eDDana, 3urand, and Theodore stand bac(, .

eda. 7Crossing, C.8 4t dis this a ti#e for ;uarrelsJ Thieves and rogues

9all out and bralB should #en of your high calling,

en, separated by the choice of Providence

9ro# the gross heap of #an(ind, and set here

>n this asse#bly, as in one great 5eel,

T' adorn the bravest purpose it e'er s#iled on$

Should you, li(e boys, rangle for tri:esJ

Ren. 1R. C.2 oysE

eda. 1C.2 Renault, thy hand.

Ren. > thought >'d given #y heart,

ong since, to every #an that #ingles here$

ut grieve to 6nd it trusted ith such te#pers,

That can't forgive #y froard age its ea(ness.

eda. %lliot, thou once hadst virtue. > have seen

Thy stubborn te#per bend ith godli(e goodness,

-ot half thus courted. 'Tis thy nation's glory

To hug the foe that o


16/60

%nter Pierre, . 3.

)h, PierreE thou art elco#e.

7@@8 Co#e to #y breast$ for, by its hopes, thou loo('st

ovelily dreadful$ and the fate of Venice

See#s on thy sord already. )h, #y arsE

The poets that 6rst feigned a god of ar,

Surely prophesied of theeE

Pierre. 1.2 9riends, as not rutus

1> #ean that rutus, ho, in open senate,

Stabbed the 6rst Caesar that usurped the orld2,

4 gallant #anJ

Ren. 1R. C.2 Ies, and Catiline too$

Though story rong his fa#e$ for he conspired

To prop the reeling glory of his country,

His cause as good.

eda. 1. C.2 4nd ours as #uch above it,

4s, Renault, thou'rt superior to Cethegus,

)r Pierre to Cassius.

Pierre. Then to hat e ai# atE

hen do e startJ )r #ust e tal( foreverJ

eda. 1C.2 -o, Pierre, the deed's near birthB fate see#s

to have set

The business up, and given it to our care$

> hope there's not a heart or hand a#ongst us,

ut hat is 6r# and ready.

%lliot. 1. C.2 4ll.

e'll die ith eda#ar.

eda. )h, #en,

atchless, as ill your glory be hereafterB

The ga#e is for a #atchless priDe, if on$

>f lost, disgraceful ruin.

Pierre. Ten thousand #en are ar#ed at your nod,

Co##anded all by leaders 6t to guide 4 battle for the freedo# of the orldB

This retched state has starved the# in its service$

4nd, by your bounty ;uic(ened, they're resolved

To serve your glory, and revenge their onB

They've all their di


17/60

Such as shall burn her to the atery botto#,

4nd hiss in her foundationE

eda. -o, if any

4#ongst us here, that on this glorious cause,

Have friends or int'rest he ould ish to save,

et it be told&the general doo# is sealed$ ut >'d forego the hopes of a orld's e#pire,

Rather than ound the boels of #y friend.

Pierre. > #ust confess, you there have touched #y

ea(ness.

> have a friend&hear it$ and such a friendE

y heart as ne'er shut to hi#. -ay, >'ll tell you,

He (nos the very business of this hour$ 74ll start

ut he re5oices in the cause, and loves itB

e've changed a vo to live and die together,

4nd he's at hand, to ratify it here.

Ren. HoE all betrayedE

Pierre. 1C.2 -o$ >'ve dealt nobly ith you.

>'ve brought #y all into the public stoc(B

>'d but one friend, and hi# >'ll share a#ongst youB

Receive, and cherish hi#$ or if, hen seen

4nd searched, you 6nd hi# orthless&as #y tongue

Has lodged this secret in his faithful breast,

To ease your fears, > ear a dagger here,

Shall rip it out again, and give you rest,

Co#e forth, thou only good > e'er could boast of.

%nter /a0er, ith a 3agger in his hand. . 3.

eda. 1C.2 His presence bears the sho of #anly virtueE

/af. 1.2 > (no you'll onder all, that, thus uncalled

> dare approach this place of fatal councils$

ut >'# a#ongst you, and, by Heaven, it glads #e

To see so #any virtues thus united

To restore 5ustice, and dethrone oppression.

Co##and this steel, if you ould have it ;uiet, >nto this breast$ but, if you thin( it orthy

To cut the throats of reverend rogues in robes,

Send #e into the cursed asse#bled SenateB

>t shrin(s not, though > #eet a father there.

ould you behold the city :a#ingJ here's

7@G8 4 hand, shall bear a lighted torch at noon

To th' arsenal, and set its gates on 6reE

Ren. 1C.2 Iou tal( this ell, sir.

/af. -ay, by Heaven, >'ll do thisE Co#e, co#e, > read distrust in all your facesE

Iou fear #e villain, and, indeed, 'tis odd

To hear a stranger tal( thus, at 6rst #eeting,


18/60

)f #atters that have been so ell debatedB

ut > co#e ripe ith rongs, as you ith counsels.

> hate this senate&a# a foe to Venice$

4 friend to none but #en resolved li(e #e

To push on #ischief )h, did you but (no #e,

> need not tal( thusE

eda. Pierre, > #ust e#brace hi#$

y heart beats to this #an, as if it (ne hi#.

Ren. > never loved these huggers.

/af. Still, > see

The cause delights #e not. Iour friends survey #e,

4s > ere dangerous. ut > co#e ar#ed

4gainst all doubts, and to your trusts ill give

4 pledge, orth #ore than all the orld can pay for.

y elvideraE HoaE #y elvideraE 7Calls at .

eda. 1. C.2 hat onder ne*tJ

/af. et #e entreat you, sirs,

4s > have henceforth hope to call you friends,

That all but the a#bassador, and this

Arave guide of councils, ith #y friend, that ons #e,

ithdra ahile, to spare a o#an's blushes.

7%*eunt all but eda#ar, Renault, /;0er, and Pierre

ho stand bac( on .

eda. Pierre, hither ill this cere#ony lead usJ

/af. y elvideraE elvideraE 7 Calling

el. 7 ithin, . 3.8 ho,

ho calls so loud, at this late peaceful hourJ

That voice as ont to co#e in gentle hispers,

4nd 6ll #y ears ith the soft breath of love.

%nter elvidera, .

Thou hourly i#age of #y thoughts, here art thouJ

/af. >ndeed, 'tis late.

el. 4lasE here a# >J hither is't you lead #eJ

ethin(s > read distraction in your face,&

7@F8 Iou sha(e and tre#ble, tooE your blood runs coldE

Heav'ns guard #y love, and bless his heart ith patienceE

/af. That > have patience, let our fate bear itness.

7/oin hands.

ho has ordained it so, that thou and >,

1Thou, the divinest good #an e'er possessed,


19/60

4nd >, the retched'st of the race of #an,2

This very hour, ithout one tear, #ust part.

el. PartE #ust e partJ )hE a# > then forsa(enE

hy drag you fro# #eJ 73raunng to the R.8 hither are

you goingJ

y dearE #y lifeE #y loveE

/af. 1C.2 )h, friendsE 7To Renault, c.

el. 1C.2 Spea( to #eE 7To /a0er

/af. Ta(e her fro# #y heart,

She'll gain such hold else, > shall ne'er get loose.

> charge you, ta(e her, but ith tenderest care

Relieve her troubles and assuage her sorros.

7She leans on /a0er.

Ren. 74dvancing to her.8 Rise, #ada#, and co##and

a#ong your servants&

/af. To you, sirs, and your honours, > be;ueath her,

7They lay hold of her.

4nd ith her, this$ hene'er > prove unorthy&

7Aives a 3agger to Renault.

Iou (no the rest. Then stri(e it to her heart$

4nd tell her, he, ho three hole happy years,

ay in her ar#s, and each (ind night repeated

The passionate vos of still increasing love,

Sent that reard, for all her truth and su deserved this fro# youJ

oo( on #e, tell #e, spea(, thou dear deceiver,

hy a# > separated fro# thy loveJ

>f > a# false, accuse #e$ but if true, 3on't, pr'ythee don't, in poverty forsa(e #e,

7rea(s aay, and runs bac( to /a0er

ut pity the sad heart, that's torn ith parting.

7They reta(e her

Iet, hear #e$ yet, recall #e. /a0er, /a0erE

7%*eunt eda#ar, c, dragging her . S. %., /a0er R.

4TT) M


20/60

Scene I.[edit]

The Rialto.

%nter /a0er, .

/af. 1. C.2 >'# here$ and thus the shades of light

around #e,

> loo( as if all hell ere in #y heart.

7O8 4nd > in hell. -ay, surely 'tis so ith #eE&

9or every step > tread, #ethin(s so#e 6end

Nnoc(s at #y breast, and bids #e not be ;uiet.

>'ve heard ho desperate retches li(e #yself,

Have andered out at this dead ti#e of night,

To #eet the foe of #an(ind in his al(.

Sure >'# so cursed, that, though of Heav'n forsa(en,

-o #inister of dar(ness cares to te#pt #e.

HellE hellE hy sleep'st thouJ 7Turns, .

%nter Pierre, R. S. %.

Pierre. Sure >'ve staid too longB 7Co#ing forard.

The cloc( has struc(, and > #ay lose #y proselyte.

Spea(, 7Seeing /a0er,8 ho goes thereJ

/af. 1.2 4 dog, that co#es to hol

4t yonder #oon. hat's he, that as(s the ;uestionJ

Pierre. 4 friend to dogs, for they are honest creatures,

4nd ne'er betray their #asters$ never fan )n any that they love not. ell #et, friend.

74dvancing toard, R. C.8

/a0erE

/af. The sa#e.

Pierre. 1R. C.2 here's elvideraJ

/af.9or a day or to,

>'ve lodged her privately, till > see farther

hat fortune ill do ith #e. Pry'thee, friend,

>f thou ouldst have #e 6t to hear good counsel,

Spea( not of elvidera&

Pierre. 1C.2 Spea( not of herJ

/af. )h, noE nor na#e herJ

Pierre. ay be, > ish her ell.

/af.ho# ellJ

Pierre. Thy ife$ thy lovely elvideraE


21/60

> hope a #an #ay ish his friend's ife ell,

4nd no har# doneJ

/af. 7Retiring, .8 Iou're #erry, Pierre.

Pierre. 79olloing.8 > a# soB

Thou shalt s#ile, too, and elvidera s#ileB e'll all re5oice, Here's so#ething to buy pins$

arriage is chargeable. 7Aives hi# a purse.

/af. 1.2 > but half ished

To see the devil, and he's here alreadyE ellE

hat #ust this buyJ Rebellion, #urder, treasonJ

78 Tell #e 7Turning R.8 hich ay > #ust be da#ned for

this.

Pierre. 1. C.2 hen last e parted, e'd no ;ual#s

li(e these,

ut entertained each other's thoughts, li(e #en

hose souls ere ell ac;uainted. >s the orld

Refor#ed since our last #eetingJ hat ne #iracles

Have happenedJ Has Priuli's heart relentedJ

Can he be honestJ

/af. Nind Heaven, let heavy curses

Aall his old age, till life beco#e his burden$

et hi# groan under't long, linger an age

>n the orst agonies and pangs of death

4nd 6nd its ease, but lateE

Pierre. -ay, couldst thou not

4s ell, #y friend, have stretched the curse to all

The senate round, as to one single villainJ

/af. ut curses stic( not$ could > (ill ith cursing,

y Heaven, > (no not thirty heads in Venice

Should not be blastedE Senators should rot,

i(e dogs, on dunghills. )h, for a curse

To (ill ithE 7Crosses, R.

Pierre. 3aggers, daggers are #uch better.

/af. 1R. C.2 HaE

Pierre. 3aggers.

/af. ut here are theyJ

Pierre. )hE a thousand

ay be disposed, in honest hands, in Venice.

/af. Thou tal('st in clouds.

Pierre. ut yet a heart, half ronged

4s thine has been, ould 6nd the #eaning, /a0erE


22/60

/af. 4 thousand daggers, all in honest handsE

4nd have not > a friend ill stic( one hereJ

Pierre. 1C.2Ies, if > thought thou ert not to be cherished

To a nobler purpose, > ould be that friendB

7ays his hand on /a0er's ar#

ut thou hast better friends$ friends, ho# thy rongs

Have #ade thy friends$ friends, orthy to be called so.

>'ll trust thee ith a secret. There are spies

This hour at or(. ut, as thou art a #an,

ho# > have pic(ed and chosen fro# the orld,

7K8 Sear that thou ilt be true to hat > utter$

4nd hen >'ve told thee that, hich only gods,

4nd #en li(e gods, are privy to, then sear,

-o chance, or change, shall rest it fro# thy boso#.

/af. 1R.2 hen thou ouldst bind #e, is there need of oathsJ

>s coard, fool, or villain, in #y faceJ

>f > see# none of these, > dare believe

Thou ouldst not use #e in a little cause$

9or > a# 6t for honour's toughest tas(,

-or ever yet found fooling as #y provinceB

4nd, for a villainous, inglorious enterpriDe,

> (no thy heart so ell, > dare lay #ine

efore thee, set it to hat point thou ilt.

Pierre. -ay, 'tis a cause thou ilt be fond of, /a0er

9or it is founded on the noblest basis$

)ur liberties, our natural inheritanceE

e'll do the business, and ne'er fast and pray for't$

)penly act a deed, the orld shall gaDe

ith onder at, and envy hen 'tis done.

/af. 9or libertyE

Pierre. 9or liberty, #y friend. 7/a0er crosses, .

Thou shalt be freed fro# base Priuli's tyranny,

4nd thy se;uestered fortunes healed again$ > shall be free fro# those opprobrious rongs

That press #e no, and bend #y spirit donard$

4ll Venice free, and every groing #erit

Succeed to its 5ust right$ fools shall be pulled

9ro# isdo#'s seat$ those baleful unclean birds,

Those laDy ols, ho, perched near fortune's top,

Sit only atchful ith their heavy ings

To cu< don ne=:edged virtues, that ould rise

To nobler heights, and #a(e the grove har#onious.

/af. hat can > doJ 7Crosses to R. 3.

Pierre. Canst thou not (ill a senatorJ


23/60

/af. y all #y rongs, thou tal('st as if revenge

ere to be hadE and the brave story ar#s #e.

7Crosses, .

Pierre. Sear, thenE

/af. > do, 7Nneels, . C.8 by all those glittering stars,

4nd yon great ruling planet of the nightE

y all good spirits above, and ill beloE

7@L8 y love and friendship, dearer than #y life,

-o poer, nor death, shall #a(e #e false to theeE

Pierre. Here e e#brace, and >'ll unloc( #y heart.

4 council's held hard by, here the destruction

)f this great e#pire's hatching$ there >'ll lead thee.

ut be a #an$ for thou'rt to #i* ith #en

9it to disturb the peace of all the orld,

4nd rule it hen tis ildest.

/af. > give thee than(s

9or this (ind arning. Ies, >'ll be a #an$

4nd charge thee, Pierre, hene'er thou see'st #y fears

etray #e less, to rip this heart of #ine

)ut of #y breast, and sho it for a coard's.

Co#e, let's be gone, for fro# this hour > chase

4ll little thoughts, all tender hu#an follies,

)ut of #y boso#B vengeance shall have roo#&

RevengeE 7Aoing, R.

Pierre. 4nd libertyE

/af. RevengeE revengeE 7%*eunt, r

Scene II.[edit]

4 Roo# in the House of 4;uilina.

%nter Renault, . S. %.

Ren. 1C.2 hy as #y choice a#bition

The orst ground

4 retch can build onE 'tis, indeed, at distance, 4 goodly prospect, te#pting to the vie$

The height delights us, and the #ountain top

oo(s beautiful, because 'tis nigh to heaven$

ut e ne'er thin( ho sandy's the foundation,

hat stor# ill batter, and hat te#pest sha(e us.

ho's there 8

%nter Spinosa, .

Spin. 1. C.2 Renault, good #orro, for by this ti#e,

> thin(, the scale of night has turned the balance, 4nd eighs up #orning. Has the cloc( struc( telveJ

Ren. 1R.2 Ies$ cloc(s ill go as they are setB but #an


24/60

>rregular #an's ne'er constant, never certain.

>'ve spent at least three precious hours of dar(ness

>n aiting dull attendance$ 'tis the curse

)f diligent virtue to be #i*ed, li(e #ine,

7@8 ith giddy te#pers, souls but half resolved.

Spin. 1.2 Hell seiDe that soul a#ongst us it can frightenE

Ren. 1C.2 hat's then the cause that > a# here aloneJ

hy are e not togetherJ

%nter %lliot, .

)h, sir, elco#eE

Iou are an %nglish#anB hen treason's hatching,

)ne #ight have thought you'd not have been behind hand.

%lliot. 9rench#an, you are saucy.

Ren. 1. C.2 HoJ 7Puts his hand to his sord.

%nter eda#ar, eDDana, 3urand, and Theodore, .&

eDDana, 3urand, and Theodore stand bac(, .

eda. 7Crossing, C.8 4t dis this a ti#e for ;uarrelsJ Thieves and rogues

9all out and bralB should #en of your high calling,

en, separated by the choice of Providence

9ro# the gross heap of #an(ind, and set here

>n this asse#bly, as in one great 5eel,

T' adorn the bravest purpose it e'er s#iled on$

Should you, li(e boys, rangle for tri:esJ

Ren. 1R. C.2 oysE

eda. 1C.2 Renault, thy hand.

Ren. > thought >'d given #y heart,

ong since, to every #an that #ingles here$

ut grieve to 6nd it trusted ith such te#pers,

That can't forgive #y froard age its ea(ness.

eda. %lliot, thou once hadst virtue. > have seen

Thy stubborn te#per bend ith godli(e goodness,

-ot half thus courted. 'Tis thy nation's glory

To hug the foe that o


25/60

%nter Pierre, . 3.

)h, PierreE thou art elco#e.

7@@8 Co#e to #y breast$ for, by its hopes, thou loo('st

ovelily dreadful$ and the fate of Venice

See#s on thy sord already. )h, #y arsE

The poets that 6rst feigned a god of ar,

Surely prophesied of theeE

Pierre. 1.2 9riends, as not rutus

1> #ean that rutus, ho, in open senate,

Stabbed the 6rst Caesar that usurped the orld2,

4 gallant #anJ

Ren. 1R. C.2 Ies, and Catiline too$

Though story rong his fa#e$ for he conspired

To prop the reeling glory of his country,

His cause as good.

eda. 1. C.2 4nd ours as #uch above it,

4s, Renault, thou'rt superior to Cethegus,

)r Pierre to Cassius.

Pierre. Then to hat e ai# atE

hen do e startJ )r #ust e tal( foreverJ

eda. 1C.2 -o, Pierre, the deed's near birthB fate see#s

to have set

The business up, and given it to our care$

> hope there's not a heart or hand a#ongst us,

ut hat is 6r# and ready.

%lliot. 1. C.2 4ll.

e'll die ith eda#ar.

eda. )h, #en,

atchless, as ill your glory be hereafterB

The ga#e is for a #atchless priDe, if on$

>f lost, disgraceful ruin.

Pierre. Ten thousand #en are ar#ed at your nod,

Co##anded all by leaders 6t to guide 4 battle for the freedo# of the orldB

This retched state has starved the# in its service$

4nd, by your bounty ;uic(ened, they're resolved

To serve your glory, and revenge their onB

They've all their di


26/60

Such as shall burn her to the atery botto#,

4nd hiss in her foundationE

eda. -o, if any

4#ongst us here, that on this glorious cause,

Have friends or int'rest he ould ish to save,

et it be told&the general doo# is sealed$ ut >'d forego the hopes of a orld's e#pire,

Rather than ound the boels of #y friend.

Pierre. > #ust confess, you there have touched #y

ea(ness.

> have a friend&hear it$ and such a friendE

y heart as ne'er shut to hi#. -ay, >'ll tell you,

He (nos the very business of this hour$ 74ll start

ut he re5oices in the cause, and loves itB

e've changed a vo to live and die together,

4nd he's at hand, to ratify it here.

Ren. HoE all betrayedE

Pierre. 1C.2 -o$ >'ve dealt nobly ith you.

>'ve brought #y all into the public stoc(B

>'d but one friend, and hi# >'ll share a#ongst youB

Receive, and cherish hi#$ or if, hen seen

4nd searched, you 6nd hi# orthless&as #y tongue

Has lodged this secret in his faithful breast,

To ease your fears, > ear a dagger here,

Shall rip it out again, and give you rest,

Co#e forth, thou only good > e'er could boast of.

%nter /a0er, ith a 3agger in his hand. . 3.

eda. 1C.2 His presence bears the sho of #anly virtueE

/af. 1.2 > (no you'll onder all, that, thus uncalled

> dare approach this place of fatal councils$

ut >'# a#ongst you, and, by Heaven, it glads #e

To see so #any virtues thus united

To restore 5ustice, and dethrone oppression.

Co##and this steel, if you ould have it ;uiet, >nto this breast$ but, if you thin( it orthy

To cut the throats of reverend rogues in robes,

Send #e into the cursed asse#bled SenateB

>t shrin(s not, though > #eet a father there.

ould you behold the city :a#ingJ here's

7@G8 4 hand, shall bear a lighted torch at noon

To th' arsenal, and set its gates on 6reE

Ren. 1C.2 Iou tal( this ell, sir.

/af. -ay, by Heaven, >'ll do thisE Co#e, co#e, > read distrust in all your facesE

Iou fear #e villain, and, indeed, 'tis odd

To hear a stranger tal( thus, at 6rst #eeting,


27/60

)f #atters that have been so ell debatedB

ut > co#e ripe ith rongs, as you ith counsels.

> hate this senate&a# a foe to Venice$

4 friend to none but #en resolved li(e #e

To push on #ischief )h, did you but (no #e,

> need not tal( thusE

eda. Pierre, > #ust e#brace hi#$

y heart beats to this #an, as if it (ne hi#.

Ren. > never loved these huggers.

/af. Still, > see

The cause delights #e not. Iour friends survey #e,

4s > ere dangerous. ut > co#e ar#ed

4gainst all doubts, and to your trusts ill give

4 pledge, orth #ore than all the orld can pay for.

y elvideraE HoaE #y elvideraE 7Calls at .

eda. 1. C.2 hat onder ne*tJ

/af. et #e entreat you, sirs,

4s > have henceforth hope to call you friends,

That all but the a#bassador, and this

Arave guide of councils, ith #y friend, that ons #e,

ithdra ahile, to spare a o#an's blushes.

7%*eunt all but eda#ar, Renault, /;0er, and Pierre

ho stand bac( on .

eda. Pierre, hither ill this cere#ony lead usJ

/af. y elvideraE elvideraE 7 Calling

el. 7 ithin, . 3.8 ho,

ho calls so loud, at this late peaceful hourJ

That voice as ont to co#e in gentle hispers,

4nd 6ll #y ears ith the soft breath of love.

%nter elvidera, .

Thou hourly i#age of #y thoughts, here art thouJ

/af. >ndeed, 'tis late.

el. 4lasE here a# >J hither is't you lead #eJ

ethin(s > read distraction in your face,&

7@F8 Iou sha(e and tre#ble, tooE your blood runs coldE

Heav'ns guard #y love, and bless his heart ith patienceE

/af. That > have patience, let our fate bear itness.

7/oin hands.

ho has ordained it so, that thou and >,

1Thou, the divinest good #an e'er possessed,


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4nd >, the retched'st of the race of #an,2

This very hour, ithout one tear, #ust part.

el. PartE #ust e partJ )hE a# > then forsa(enE

hy drag you fro# #eJ 73raunng to the R.8 hither are

you goingJ

y dearE #y lifeE #y loveE

/af. 1C.2 )h, friendsE 7To Renault, c.

el. 1C.2 Spea( to #eE 7To /a0er

/af. Ta(e her fro# #y heart,

She'll gain such hold else, > shall ne'er get loose.

> charge you, ta(e her, but ith tenderest care

Relieve her troubles and assuage her sorros.

7She leans on /a0er.

Ren. 74dvancing to her.8 Rise, #ada#, and co##and

a#ong your servants&

/af. To you, sirs, and your honours, > be;ueath her,

7They lay hold of her.

4nd ith her, this$ hene'er > prove unorthy&

7Aives a 3agger to Renault.

Iou (no the rest. Then stri(e it to her heart$

4nd tell her, he, ho three hole happy years,

ay in her ar#s, and each (ind night repeated

The passionate vos of still increasing love,

Sent that reard, for all her truth and su deserved this fro# youJ

oo( on #e, tell #e, spea(, thou dear deceiver,

hy a# > separated fro# thy loveJ

>f > a# false, accuse #e$ but if true, 3on't, pr'ythee don't, in poverty forsa(e #e,

7rea(s aay, and runs bac( to /a0er

ut pity the sad heart, that's torn ith parting.

7They reta(e her

Iet, hear #e$ yet, recall #e. /a0er, /a0erE

7%*eunt eda#ar, c, dragging her . S. %., /a0er R.

4TT) G


29/60

Scene.&4 Roo# in the House of 4;uilina.

%nter elvidera, . S. %.

el. >'# sacri6cedE >'# sold&betrayed to sha#eE

inevitable ruin has enclosed #eE

He, that should guard #y virtue, has betrayed it$&

eft #e&undone #eE )h, that > could hate hi#E& here shall > goJ )h, hither, hither anderJ

%nter /a0er, R.

/af. 1R. C.2 Can elvidera ant a resting=place,

hen these poor ar#s are open to receive herJ

There as a ti#e&

el. 1C.2 Ies, yes, there as a ti#e

hen elvidera's tears, her cries and sorros,

ere not despised$ hen, if she chanced to sigh,

)r loo( but sad&&There as, indeed, a ti#e,

hen /a0er ould have ta'en her in his ar#s,

%ased her declining head upon his breast,

4nd never left her, till he found the cause.

ut ell > (no hy you forsa(e #e thus$

> a# no longer 6t to bear a share

>n your concern#entsB #y ea( fe#ale virtue

ust not be trustedB 'tis too frail and tender. 7Crosses, R.

/af. )h, Portia, Portia, hat a soul as thineE

el. 7Returns to . C.8 That Portia as a o#an$ and

hen rutus,

ig ith the fate of Ro#e 1Heav'n guard thy safetyE2

Concealed fro# her the labours of his #ind,

She let hi# see her blood as great as his,

9loed fro# a spring as noble, and a heart

9it to parta(e his troubles, as his love.

9etch, fetch that dagger bac(, the dreadful doer

Thou gav'st last night, in parting ith #e$ stri(e it

Here to #y heart$ and as the blood :os fro# it,

/udge if it run not pure as Cato's daughter's.

/af. 1R.2 )h, elvideraE

el. 1C.2 hy as > last night delivered to a villainJ

7@O8 /af. HaE a villainJ

el. 1R.2 Ies, to a villainE hy, at such an hour,

eets that asse#bly, all #ade up of retches,

That loo( as hell had dran the# into leagueJ

hy, > in this hand, and in that, a dagger,

as > delivered ith such dreadful cere#oniesJ "To you, sirs, and your honours, > be;ueath her,

4nd ith her, thisB hene'er > prove unorthy&

Iou (no the rest&then stri(e it to her heart."


30/60

)hE 7Turns fro# hi#.8 hy's that rest concealed fro#

#eJ ust >

e #ade the hostage of a hellish trustJ

9or such, > (no > a#$ that's all #y value.

ut, by the love and loyalty > oe thee,

>'ll free thee fro# the bondage of these slavesE

Straight to the senate&tell the# all > (no, 7Aoing, . 4ll that > thin(, all that #y fears infor# #e.

/af. 1C.2 >s this the Ro#an virtueJ this the blood,

That boasts its purity ith Cato's daughterJ

ould she have e'er betrayed her rutusJ 7Aoing to her

el. 1.2 -o$

9or rutus trusted her. 7eans on hi#.8 ert thou so (ind,

hat ould not elvidera su shall undo #yself, and tell thee all&

Iet thin( a little, ere thou te#pt #e further$

Thin( >'ve a tale to tell ill sha(e thy nature,

elt all this boasted constancy thou tal('st of,

>nto vile tears and despicable sorros$

Then, if thou shouldst betray #e&

el. Shall > searJ

/af. -o, do not searB > ould not violate

Thy tender nature ith so rude a bond$

ut, as thou hop'st to see #e live #y days,

4nd love thee long, loc( this ithin thy breastB

>'ve bound #yself, by all the strictest sacra#ents,

3ivine and hu#an&

el. Spea(E

/af. To (ill thy father&

el. y fatherE 7Part.8

/af. -ay, the throats of the hole senate

Shall bleed, #y elvidera. He, a#ongst us,7@8 That spares his father, brother, or his friend,

>s da#ned.

el. )hE

/af. Have a care, and shrin( not even in thought

9or, if thou dost&

el. 1. C.2 > (no itB thou ilt (ill #e.

3oE stri(e thy sord into this boso#B lay #e

3ead on the earth, and then thou ilt be safe. urder #y fatherE Though his cruel nature,

Has persecuted #e to #y undoing,

3riven #e to basest ants$ can > behold hi#,


31/60

ith s#iles of vengeance, butchered in his ageJ

The sacred fountain of #y life destroyedJ

4nd canst thou shed the blood that gave #e beingJ

7eans on hi#

-ay, be a traitor, too, and sell thy countryE Can thy great heart descend so vilely lo,

i* ith hired slaves, bravos, and co##on stabbers,

/oin such a cre, and ta(e a ru0an's ages,

To cut the throats of retches as they sleepJ 7Part.

/af. 1R. C.2 Thou rong'st #e, elvideraE >'ve engaged

ith #en of souls, 6t to refor# the ills

)f all #an(indB there's not a heart a#ong the#,

ut's stout as death, yet honest as the nature

)f #an 6rst #ade, ere fraud and vice ere fashion.

el. 1.2 hat's he, to hose cursed hands last night

thou gav'st #eJ

as that ell doneJ )hE > could tell a story,

ould rouse thy lion heart out of its den,

4nd #a(e it rage ith terrifying furyE

/af. 1C.2 Spea( on, > charge theeE

el. )h, #y loveE 7eaning on hi#,8 if e'er

Thy elvidera's peace deserved thy care,

Re#ove #e fro# this place. ast nightE last nightE

/af. 3istract #e not, but give #e all the truthE

el. -o sooner ert thou gone, and > alone,

eft in the poer of that old son of #ischief$

-o sooner as > laid on #y sad bed,

ut that vile retch approached #e. Then #y heart

Throbbed ith its fears$&

)h, ho > ept and sighed,

7@K8 4nd shrun(, and tre#bledE ished, in vain, for hi#

That should protect #eE Thou, alas, ast goneE

/af. 7Turning, R.8 Patience, seet Heaven, till > #a(e

vengeance sureE

el. He dre the hideous dagger forth, thou gav'st hi#,

4nd, ith upbraiding s#iles, he said, "ehold itB

This is the pledge of a false husband's loveB"

4nd in his ar#s then pressed, and ould have clasped #e$

ut, ith #y cries, > scared his coard heart,

Till he ithdre, and #uttered vos to hell.

7Rush into each other's ar#s.

These are thy friendsE 7Part8ith

these thy lifeB thy honour,


32/60

Thy love, all sta(ed&and all ill go to ruinE

/af. 1C.2 -o #ore$ > charge thee, (eep this secret close.

Clear up thy sorros$ loo( as if thy rongs

ere all forgot, and treat hi# li(e a friend,

4s no co#plaint ere #ade. -o #ore$ retire,

Retire, #y life, and doubt not of #y honour$ >'ll heal its failings, and deserve thy love.

el. 1.2 )hE should > part ith thee, > fear thou ilt

>n anger leave #e, and return no #ore.

/af. Return no #oreE > ould not live ithout thee

4nother night, to purchase the creation.

el. hen shall e #eet againJ

/af. 4non, at telve,

>'ll steal #yself to thy e*pecting ar#sB

Co#e, li(e a travelled dove, and bring thee peace.

el. >ndeedE

/af. y all our lovesE

el. 'Tis hard to partB

ut sure no falsehood ever loo(ed so fairly.

9areellE re#e#ber telve. 7%*it, . 3.

/af. 1C.2 et Heav'n forget #e,

hen > re#e#ber not thy truth, thy loveE

%nter Pierre, R.

Pierre. /a0erE

/af. 1.2 ho callsJ

Pierre. 1R. C.2 4 friend, that could have ished

7ML8 T' have found thee otherise e#ployed. "hat, hunt

4 ife, on the dull soilE Sure, a stanch husband, )f all hounds is the dullest. ilt thou never,

-ever be eaned fro# caudles and confectionsJ

hat fe#inine tales hast thou been listening to,

)f unaired shirtsJ catarrhs, and tooth=ache, got

y thin=soled shoesJ 3a#nationE than a fello,

Chosen to be a sharer in the destruction

)f a hole people, should snea( thus in corners,

To aste his ti#e, and fool his #ind ith loveE

/af. 1. C.2 ay not a #an, then, tri:e out an hour

ith a (ind o#an, and not rong his callingE

Pierre. 1R.2 -ot in a cause li(e ours.


33/60

/af. Then, friend, our cause

>s in a da#ned conditionB for >'ll tell thee,

That can(er=or#, called lechery, has touched it$

'Tis tainted vilely. ouldst thou thin( itJ Renault,

1That #orti6ed, old, ithered, inter rogue,2

oves si#ple fornication li(e a priest$

>'ve found hi# out at atering for #y ife$ He visited her last night, li(e a (ind guardian$

9aith, she has so#e te#ptations, that's the truth on't.

Pierre. 1R. C.2 He durst not rong his trustE

/af. 'Tas so#ething late, though,

To ta(e the freedo# of a lady's cha#ber.

Pierre. as she in bedJ

/af. Ies, 'faithE in virgin sheets,

"hite as her boso#, Pierre$ dished neatly up,&

"ight te#pt a ea(er appetite to taste."

Pierre. Patience guide #eE

He used no violenceJ

/af. -o, noB out on't, violenceE

Played ith her nec($ brushed her ith his grey beard$

Struggled and touDed$ tic(led her till she s;uea(ed a little,

ay be, or so&but not a 5ot of violence&

Pierre. 7Runs to R. 3.8 3a#n hi#E

/af. 4y, so say >B but, hush, no #ore on'tE

Sure it is near the hour

e all should #eet for our concluding ordersB

ill the a#bassador be here in personJ

Pierre. 1R. C.2 -o, he has sent co##ission to that villain.

7M8 Ren. To give the e*ecuting chargeB

>'d have thee be a #an, if possible,

4nd (eep thy te#perB for a brave revenge

-e'er co#es too late.

/af. 1C.2 9ear not$ >'# cool as patience.

Pierre. He's yonder, co#ing this ay, through the hallB

His thoughts see# full.

/af. Pr'ythee, retire, and leave #e

ith hi# alone$ >'ll put hi# to so#e trial$

See ho his rotten part ill bear the touching.

Pierre. e careful, then.

/af. -ay, never doubt, but trust #e.


34/60

7%*it Pierre, R. ?. %.

hatE be a devil, ta(e a da#ning oath

9or shedding native bloodJ Can there be sin,

>n #erciful repentanceJ )h, this villainE 7Retires up, C.

%nter Renault, . ?. %.

Ren. 1. C.2 Perverse and peevishB hat a slave is #an,

To let his itching :esh thus get the better of hi#E

3espatch the tool, her husband&that ere ell.&

ho's thereJ

/af. 4 #an. 74dvancing

Ren. y friend, #y near ally,

The hostage of your faith, #y beauteous charge, is very

ell.

/af. 1R. C.2 Sir, are you sure of thatE

Stands she in perfect healthJ eats her pulse evenJ

-either too hot nor coldJ

Ren. hat #eans that ;uestionE

/af. )hE o#en have fantastic constitutions,

>nconstant in their ishes, alays avering,

4nd never 6*ed. as it not boldly done,

%v'n at 6rst sight, to trust the thing > loved

14 te#pting treasure, too,2 ith youth so 6erce

4nd vigorous as thineJ but thou art honest.

Ren. ho dares accuse #eE

/af. Cursed be he that doubts

Thy virtueE > have tried it, and declare,

ere > to choose a guardian of #y honour,

>'d put it in thy (eeping$ for > (no thee.

7M@8 Ren. Nno #eE

/af. 4y, (no thee.&There's no falsehood in thee$

Thou loo('s 5ust as thou art. et us e#brace.&

-o, ouldst thou cut #y throat, or > cut thineE

Ren. Iou dare not do'tE

/af. Iou lie, sirE

Ren. HoE

/af. -o #ore.& 'Tis a base orld, and #ust refor#$ that's all.

%nter Spinosa, %lliot, Theodore, 3urand,


35/60

and eDDana.

Ren. Spinosa, Theodore, you are elco#e.

Spin. Iou are tre#bling, sir.

Ren. 'Tis a cold night, indeed$ and > a# aged$ 9ull of decay, and natural in6r#ities.

e shall be ar#, #y friends, > hope, to=#orro.

7Renault and Conspirators retire and confer.

%nter Pierre, r.

Pierre. 7To /a0er.8 'T as not ell done$ thou shouldst

have stro(ed hi#,

4nd not have galled hi#. 7Retires to the others

/af. 1C.2 7>n front.8 3a#n hi#, let hi# che on'tE

Heav'nE here a# >J beset ith cursed 6ends,

That ait to da#n #eE hat a devil's #an,

hen he forgets his natureE&hush, #y heart.

7Renault and the Conspirators advance

Ren. y friends, 'tis lateB are e asse#bled allJ

Spin. 4ll&allE

Ren. 1C.2 )hE you're #en, > 6nd,

9it to behold your fate, and #eet her su##ons.

To=#orro's rising sun #ust see you all

3ec(ed in your honours. 4re the soldiers readyJ

Pierre. 4ll&allE

Ren. Iou, 3urand, ith your thousand, #ust possess

St. ar('s$ you, Captain, (no your charge already$

'Tis to secure the ducal palaceB

e all this done ith the least tu#ult possible,

Till in each place you post su0cient guards$ Then sheathe your sords in every breast you #eet.

7MM8 /af. 1.2 74side.8 )h, reverend crueltyE da#ned, bloody villainE

Ren. 3uring this e*ecution, 3urand, you

ust in the #idst (eep your battalia fastB

4nd, Theodore, be sure to plant the cannon

That #ay co##and the streets$

This done, e'll give the general alar#,

4pply petards, and force the ars'nal gates$

Then 6re the city round in several places, )r ith our cannon, if it dare resist,

atter to ruin. ut, above all, > charge you,

Shed blood enough$ spare neither se* nor age,


36/60

-a#e nor conditionB if there lives a senator

4fter to=#orro, though the dullest rogue

That e'er said nothing, e have lost our ends.

>f possible, let's (ill the very na#e

)f senator, and bury it in blood.

/af. 74side to R.8 erciless, horrid slaveE 4y, blood enoughE Shed blood enough, old RenaultE ho thou char#'st #eE

Ren. ut one thing #ore, and then fareell, till fate

/oin us again, or sep'rate us foreverB

ut let us all re#e#ber,

e ear no co##on cause upon our sordsB

et each #an thin(, that on his single virtue,

3epends the good and fa#e of all the rest$

%ternal honour, or perpetual infa#y.

Iou droop, sir. 7To /a0er.

/af. 1. C.2 -oB ith #ost profound attention

>'ve heard it all, and onder at thy virtue.

Ren. et's consider,

That e destroy oppression&avarice$

4 people nursed up e;ually ith vices

4nd loathso#e lusts, hich nature #ost abhors,

4nd such as, ithout sha#e, she cannot su had one only brother, dear by all

The strictest ties of nature,

/oined in this cause, and had but ground to fear He #eant foul play$ #ay this right hand drop fro# #e,

>f >'d not haDard all #y future peace,

4nd stab hi# to the heart before youE ho,


37/60

ho ould do lessE ould'st thou not, Pierre, the sa#eJ

Pierre. Iou've singled #e, sir, out for this hard ;uestion,

4s if 'tere started only for #y sa(eB

4# > the thing you fearJ Here, here's #y boso#$

Search it ith all your sords. 4# > a traitorJ

Ren. -oB but > fear your late co##ended friend

>s little less. Co#e, sirs, 'tis no no ti#e

To tri:e ith our safety. here's this /a0erJ

Spin. 1R. C.2 He left the roo# 5ust no, in strange disorder.

Ren. -ay, there is danger in hi#B > observed hi#$

3uring the ti#e > too( for e*planation,

He as transported fro# #ost deep attention

To a confusion, hich he could not s#other.

hat's re;uisite for safety, #ust be done

ith speedy e*ecution$ he re#ains

Iet in our poer$ >, for #y on part, ear

4 dagger&

Pierre. ellJ 7Aoes to Renault

Ren. 4nd > could ish it&

Pierre. hereJ

Ren. uried in his heart.

Pierre. 4ayE e're yet all friends.&

-o #ore of this$ 'till breed ill blood a#ong us.

7MF8 Spin. et us all dra our sords, and search the house$

Pull hi# fro# the dar( hole, here he sits brooding

)'er his cold fears, and each #an (ill his share of hi#.

Pierre. 1.2 ho tal(s of (illing8 ho's he'll shed

the blood,

That's dear to #eJ >'st you, or you, or you, sirJ

7Passing fro# . to R.

hatE not one spea(J ho you stand gaping all

)n your grave oracle, your ooden god thereE

Iet not a ordJ Then, sir, >'ll tell you a secret$

Suspicion's but at best a coard's virtue. 7To Renault.

Ren. 1C.2 4 coardE 7Handles his sord.

Pierre. 1R.2 Put&=Put up thy sord, old #an$

Thy hand sha(es at it. Co#e, let's heal this breach$ > a# too hotB e yet #ay all live friends.

Spin. Till e are safe, our friendship cannot be so.


38/60

Pierre. 4gainE ho's thatJ

Spin. 'Tas >.

Theo. 4nd >.

Ren. 4nd >.

Spin. 4nd all.

et's die li(e #en, and not be sold li(e slaves.

Pierre. 1C.2 )ne such ord #ore, by Heaven, >'ll to the

senate,

4nd hang ye all, li(e dogs, in clusters.

hy peep your coard sords half out their sheathsJ

hy do you not all brandish the# li(e #ineJ

Iou fear to die, and yet dare tal( of (illing. 7Aoing, .

Ren. 1R. C.2 Ao to the senate, and betray us&hasteE

Secure thy retched life$ e fear to die

ess than thou dar'st be honest.

Pierre. That's ran( falsehood.

9ear'st thou not deathJ 9ie, there's a (navish itch

>n that salt blood, an utter foe to s#artingE

Had /a0er's ife proved (ind, he'd still been true.

9augh&ho that stin(sE

7%*it Renault, R.

"Thou dieJ thou (ill #y friendJ

")r thouJ ith that lean, ithered, retched faceE"

4ay, disperse all to your several charges,

4nd #eet to=#orro, here your honour calls you.

7Retiring to . 3.

>'ll bring that #an hose blood you so #uch thirst for,

7M!8 4nd you shall see hi# venture for you fairly&

Hence, hence, > sayE

Spin. > fear e've been to bla#e,

4nd done too #uch.

Theo. 'Tas too far urged against the #an you love

%lliot. 9orgive us, gallant friend.

Pierre. 74dvancing.8 -ay, no you've found

The ay to #elt, and cast #e as you ill.

> 'll fetch this friend, and give hi# to your #ercy$ -ay, he shall die, if you ill ta(e hi# fro# #e$

9or your repose, >'ll ;uit #y heart's best 5eel$

ut ould not have hi# torn aay by villains,


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4nd spiteful villainy.

Spin. 74nd other Conspirators stand, R.8 -o$ #ay ye both

9orever live, and 6ll the orld ith fa#eE

Pierre. -o, you're too (ind. hence arose all this discordJ

)hE hat a dangerous precipice have e 'scapedE Ho near a fall as all e'd long been buildingE

hat an eternal blot had stained our glories,

>f one, the bravest and the best of #en,

Had fall'n a sacri6ce to rash suspicion,

utchered by those, hose cause he ca#e to cherishE

)h, could you (no hi# all, as > have (non hi#,

Ho good he is, ho 5ust, ho true, ho brave,

Iou ould not leave this place, till you had seen hi#,

4nd gained re#ission for the orst of follies.

Co#e but to=#orro, all your doubts shall end,

4nd to your loves, #e better reco##end,

That >'ve preserved your fa#e, and saved #y friend.

7%*eunt Conspirators, R., Pierre

4TT) F

Scene I.[edit]

4 Street.

%nter elvidera and /a0er, .

/af. 1. C.2 here dost thou lead #eJ %v'ry step > #ove,

ethin(s > tread upon so#e #angled li#b

)f a rac(ed friend. )h, #y dear, char#ing ruinE

hare are e anderingJ

el. 1R. C.2 To eternal honourE

To do a deed, shall chronicle thy na#e

4#ong the glorious legends of those fe

That have saved sin(ing nations. %very street

Shall be adorned ith statues to thy honourB

4nd, at thy feet, this great inscription ritten&

"Re#e#ber hi#, thai propped the fall of VeniceE"

/af. Rather, re#e#ber hi#, ho, after all

The sacred bonds of oaths, and holier friendship,

>n fond co#passion to a o#an's tears,

9orgot his #anhood, virtue, truth, and honour,

To sacri6ce the boso# that relieved hi#.

hy ilt thou da#n #eJ

el. )h, inconstant #anE

Ho ill you pro#iseE ho ill you deceiveE

3o, return bac(, replace #e in #y bondage, Tell all thy friends ho dangerously thou lov'st #e,

4nd let thy dagger do its bloody o0ce.
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)r, if thou thin('st it nobler, let #e live,

Till >'# a victi# to the hateful ill

)f that infernal devilE

ast night, #y love&

/af. -a#e, na#e it not againB

3estruction, sift destruction, 9all on #y coard head, if

> forgive hi#E

el. 3elay no longer, then, but to the senate,

4nd tell the dis#al'st story ever uttered$

Tell the# hat bloodshed, rapines, desolations,

Have been prepared$&ho near's the fatal hour.

7M8 Save thy poor country, save the rev'rend blood

)f all its nobles, hich to=#orro's dan

ust else see shedE

/af. )hE

el. Thin( hat then #ay prove

y lotB the ravisher #ay then co#e safe,

4nd, '#idst the terror of the public ruin,

3o a da#ned deed.

/af. y all Heav'n's poers, prophetic truth dells in theeE

9or every ord thou spea('st, stri(es through #y heart,

i(e a ne light, and shos it ho't has andered&

/ust hat thou'st #ade #e, ta(e #e, elvidera,

4nd lead #e to the place, here >'# to say

This bitter lesson$ here > #ust betray

y truth, #y virtue, constancy, and friends.

ust > betray #y friendsJ 4hE ta(e #e ;uic(ly,

Secure #e ell before that thought's reneed$

>f > relapse once #ore, all's lost forever.

el. Hast thou a friend #ore dear than elvideraJ

/af. -oB Thou'rt #y soul itself$ ealth, friendship,

honourE

4ll present 5oys, and earnest of all future, 4re su##ed in thee. 7Aoing, R.

%nter Captain and Auards, R. S. %.

Capt. StandE ho goes thereJ

el. 9riends.

Capt. ut hat friends are youJ

el. 9riends to the senate, and the state of Venice.

Capt. y orders are, to seiDe on all > 6nd

4t this late hour, and bring the# to the council,


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ho are no sitting.

/af. Sir, you shall be obeyed.

-o the lot's cast, and, fate, do hat thou ilt.

7%*eunt /a0er and elvidera, guarded.

Scene II.[edit] The Senate House.

The 3u(e of Venice, Priuli, and other Senators

discovered, sitting.

3u(e. 4ntony, Priuli, senators of Venice,

7MK8 Spea(&hy are e asse#bled here this nightJ

hat have you to infor# us of, concerns

The state of Venice' honour, or its safetyJ

Priuli. 1R.2 Could ords e*press the story >'ve to tell you,

9athers, these tears ere useless, these sad tears

That fall fro# #y old eyes$ but there is cause

e all should eep, tear o< these purple robes,

4nd rap ourselves, in sac(cloth, sitting don

)n the sad earth, and cry aloud to heavenB

Heav'n (nos, if yet there be an hour to co#e,

%re Venice be no #ore.

3u(e. HoE

Priuli. -ay, e stand

?pon the very brin( of gaping ruin.

ithin this city's for#ed a dar( conspiracy

To #assacre us all, our ives and children,

Nindred and friends$ our palaces and te#ples

To lay in ashesB nay, the hour, too, 6*ed$

The sords, for aught > (no, dran ev'n this #o#ent,

4nd the ild aste begun. 9ro# un(non hands

> had this arningB but, if e are #en,

et's not be ta#ely butchered, but do so#ething

That #ay infor# the orld in after ages,

)ur virtue as not ruined, though e ere.

74 noise ithin, .

Capt. 7ithin8 Roo#, roo#, #a(e roo# there for so#e

prisonersE

%nter )0cer, .

3u(e. Spea(, spea(, thereE hat disturbanceJ

)0cer. 4 prisoner have the guards seiDed in the street,

ho says, he co#es to infor# this reverend council 4bout the present danger.

%nter )0cer, /a0er Captain, and Auards, .
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4ll. Aive hi# entrance.&7%*it )0cer.8 ell, ho ate

youJ

/af. 1.2 4 villainE

ould, every #an that hears #e,

ould deal so honestly, and on his titleE

3u(e. 'Tis ru#ored, that a plot has been contrived

7GL8 4gainst the state, and you've a share in't, too.

>f you're a villain, to redee# your honour,

?nfold the truth, and be restored ith #ercy.

/af. Thin( not, that > to save #y life ca#e hither$

> (no its value better$ but in pity

To all those retches, hose unhappy doo#s

4re 6*ed and sealed. Iou see #e here before you,

The sorn and covenanted foe of VeniceB

ut use #e as #y dealings #ay deserve,

4nd > #ay prove a friend.

3u(e. The slave capitulates$

Aive hi# the tortures.

/af. That, you dare not doB

Iour fears on't let you, nor the longing itch

To hear a story, hich you dread the truth ofB

Truth, hich the fear of s#art shall ne'er'get fro# #e.

Coards are scared ith threat'nings$ boys are hipped

>nto confessionsB but a steady #ind

4cts of itself, ne'er as(s the body counsel.

Aive hi# the torturesE&na#e but such a thing

4gain, by heav'n, >'ll shut these lips foreverE

-or all your rac(s, your engines, or your heels,

Shall force a groan aay, that you #ay guess atE

7Crosses, .

3u(e. -a#e your conditions.

/af. 1R.2 9or #yself, full pardon, esides, the lives of to=and=tenty friends,

hose na#es > have enrolled&-ay, let their cri#es

e ne'er so #onstrous, > #ust have the oaths,

4nd sacred pro#ise, of this reverend council,

That, in a full asse#bly of the senate,

The thing > as( be rati6ed. Sear this,

4nd >'ll unfold the secrets of your danger.

3u(e. Propose the oath.

/af. 1C.2 y all the hopes Iou have of peace and happiness hereafter,

SearE


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3u(e. e sear.

/af. 4nd, as ye (eep the oath,

ay you and your posterity be blessed,

)r cursed, foreverE

3u(e. %lse be cursed forever

7G8 /af. Then here's the list, and ith't, the full disclosure

73elivers to papers to the )0cer, ho delivers the# to

the 3u(e.

)f all that threaten you.

-o, 9ate, thou hast caught #eE

3u(e. Aive order, that all diligent search be #ade

To seiDe these #en&their characters are public.

The paper inti#ates their rendeDvous

To be at the house of the fa#ed Arecian courtesan,

Called 4;uilina$ see that place secured.

Iou, /a0er, #ust ith patience bear till #orning

To be our prisoner.

/af. ould the chains of death

Had bound #e fast, ere > had (non this #inuteE

3u(e. Captain, ithdra your prisoner.

/af. Sir, 7To )0cer,8 if possible,

ead #e here #y on thoughts the#selves #ay lose #e$

here > #ay doDe out, hat >'ve left of life$&

9orget #yself, and this day's guilt and falsehood.

Cruel re#e#branceE ho shall > appease theeJ

7%*it, guarded, R

)0cer. 7ithout.8 ore traitorsE roo#, roo#, roo#,

#a(e roo# thereE

3u(e. Ho's thisJ The treason's

4lready at the doorsE

%nter )0cer and Captain, .

)0cer. y lords, #ore traitorsE

SeiDed in the very act of consultationB

9urnished ith ar#s and instru#ents of #ischief.&

ring in the prisonersE

%nter Spinosa, %lliot, Theodore, 3urand, eDDana, Renault, and Pierre, in Chains, .

Pierre. 1.2 Iou, #y lords and fathers,


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14s you are pleased to call yourselves,2 of Venice$

>f you set here to guide the course of 5ustice,

hy these disgraceful chains upon the li#bs

That have so often laboured in your serviceJ

7G@8 4re these the reaths of triu#ph you besto

)n those that bring you con;uest ho#e, and honoursJ

3u(e. Ao onE you shall be heard, sir.

Pierre. 1. C.2 4re these the trophies >'ve deserved for

6ghting

Iour battles ith confederated poersJ

hen inds and seas conspired to overthro you,

4nd brought the :eets of Spain to your on harbours,

hen you, great du(e, shrun( tre#bling in your palaceB

Stepped not > forth, and taught your loose Venetians

The tas( of honour, and the ay to greatnessJ

Raised you fro# your capitulating fears

To stipulate the ter#s of sued=for peaceJ

4nd this #y reco#penceE >f >'# a traitor,

Produce #y charge$ or sho the retch that's base,

4nd brave enough to tell #e, >'# a traitorE

7Aoes to the table.

3u(e. Nno you one /a0erJ

Pierre. Ies, and (no his virtue.

His 5ustice, truth, his general orth, and su a# the falsest, veriest slave.

That e'er betrayed a generous, trusting friend,

4nd gave up honour to be sure of ruin.

4ll our fair hopes, hich #orning as to've croned,

Has this cursed tongue o'erthron.

Pierre. 1C.2 So, then, all's overB

Venice has lost her freedo#, > #y life.

-o #oreE 7Crosses, .

3u(e. Say$ ill you #a(e confession )f your vile deeds, and trust the senate's #ercyE

Pierre. 7Returns to C.8 Cursed be your senate, cursed


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venice preserv'd

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