Anto. And be hanged too, I hope.

Pierr. Are these the trophies I’ve deserv’d for fighting
Your battles with confederated powers?
When winds and seas conspir’d to overthrow you,
And brought the fleets of Spain to your own harbours:
When you, great Duke, shrunk trembling in your palace,
And saw your wife, th’ Adriatic, plough’d
Like a lewd whore by bolder prows than yours,
Stepp’d not I forth, and taught your loose Venetians,
The task of honour and the way to greatness,
Rais’d you from your capitulating fears
To stipulate the terms of sued-for peace?
And this my recompense? If I’m a traitor
Produce my charge; or show the wretch that’s base enough
And brave enough to tell me I’m a traitor.

Duke. Know you one Jaffeir?

[All the Conspirators murmur.

Pierr. Yes, and know his virtue,
His justice, truth; his general worth and sufferings
From a hard father taught me first to love him.

Enter JAFFEIR guarded.

Duke. See him brought forth.

Pierr. My friend too bound! nay then
Our fate has conquered us, and we must fall.
Why droops the man whose welfare’s so much mine
They’re but one thing? these reverend tyrants, Jaffeir,
Call us all traitors: art thou one, my brother?

Jaff. To thee I am the falsest, veriest slave
That e’er betrayed a generous trusting friend,
And gave up honour to be sure of ruin.
All our fair hopes which morning was to have crown’d
Has this curs’d tongue o’erthrown.

Pierr. So, then, all’s over;
Venice has lost her freedom; I my life;
No more, farewell.

Duke. Say, will you make confession
Of your vile deeds and trust the Senate’s mercy?

Pierr. Cursed be your Senate: cursed your constitution:
The curse of growing factions and division
Still vex your councils, shake your public safety,
And make the robes of government you wear,
Hateful to you, as these base chains to me.

Duke. Pardon or death?

Pierr. Death, honourable death!

Ren. Death’s the best thing we ask or you can give.

All Conspir. No shameful bonds, but honourable death.

Duke. Break up the council: captain, guard your prisoners.
Jaffeir, you are free, but these must wait for judgment.

[Exeunt all the Senators

Pierr. Come, where’s my dungeon? lead me to my straw:
It will not be the first time I’ve lodged hard
To do your Senate service.

Jaff. Hold one moment.