Beda. I doubt not, friend, but thy unwearied diligence
Has still kept waking, and it shall have ease:
After this night it is resolved we meet
No more, till Venice own us for her lords.

Pierr. How lovely the Adriatic whore,
Dressed in her flames, will shine! devouring flames!
Such as shall burn her to the watery bottom
And hiss in her foundation.

Beda. Now if any
Amongst us that owns this glorious cause,
Have friends or interest, he’d wish to save,
Let it be told. the general doom is sealed;
But I’d forego the hopes of a world’s empire,
Rather than wound the bowels of my friend.

Pierr. I must confess you there have touched my weakness.
I have a friend; hear it, such a friend!
My heart was ne’er shut to him: nay, I’ll tell you,
He knows the very business of this hour;
But he rejoices in the cause, and loves it,
We’ve changed a vow to live and die together,
And he’s at hand to ratify it here.

Ren. How! all betrayed?

Pierr. No—I’ve dealt nobly with you;
I’ve brought my all into the public stock;
I had but one friend, and him I’ll share amongst you!
Receive and cherish him: or if, when seen
And searched, you find him worthless, as my tongue
Has lodged this secret in his faithful breast,
To ease your fears I wear a dagger here
Shall rip it out again, and give you rest.
Come forth, thou only good I e’er could boast of.

Enter Jaffeir with a Dagger.

Beda. His presence bears the show of manly virtue.

Jaff. I know you’ll wonder all, that thus uncalled,
I dare approach this place of fatal counsels;
But I’m amongst you, and by Heaven it glads me,
To see so many virtues thus united,
To restore justice and dethrone oppression.
Command this sword, if you would have it quiet,
Into this breast; but if you think it worthy
To cut the throats of reverend rogues in robes,
Send me into the cursed assembled Senate;
It shrinks not, though I meet a father there;
Would you behold this city flaming? Here’s
A hand shall bear a lighted torch at noon
To the Arsenal, and set its gates on fire.

Ren. You talk this well, sir.

Jaff. Nay—by Heaven I’ll do this.
Come, come, I read distrust in all your faces;
You fear me a villain, and indeed it’s odd
To hear a stranger talk thus at first meeting,
Of matters, that have been so well debated;
But I come ripe with wrongs as you with counsels,
I hate this Senate, am a foe to Venice;
A friend to none, but men resolved like me,
To push on mischief; oh, did you but know me,
I need not talk thus!

Beda. Pierre! I must embrace him,
My heart beats to this man as if it knew him.

Ren. I never lov’d these huggers.

Jaff. Still I see
The cause delights me not. Your friends survey me,
As I were dangerous—but I come armed
Against all doubt, and to your trust will give
A pledge, worth more than all the world can pay for.
My Belvidera! Ho! My Belvidera!

Beda. What wonder next?

Jaff. Let me entreat you,
As I have henceforth hopes to call ye friends,
That all but the ambassador, [and] this
Grave guide of councils, with my friend that owns me,
Withdraw a while to spare a woman’s blushes.

[Exeunt all but Bedamar, Renault, Jaffeir, Pierrn.

Beda. Pierre, whither will this ceremony lead us?