In waiting dull attendance; 'tis the curse Spin. Hell seize that soul amongst us it can frighten ! Ren. What's then the cause that I am here alone? Why are we not together? O, sir, welcome! Enter ELLIOT. You are an Englishman: when treason's hatching, One might have thought you'd not have been behindhand, In what whore's lap have you been lolling? Give but an Englishman his whore and ease, Ren. How? [Puts his Hand to his Sword. Enter BEDAMAR, MEZZANA, DURAND, and THEODORE. Beda. At difference? fie! Is this a time for quarrels? Thieves and rogues Beda. Renault, thy band. Ren. I thought I'd given my heart, Long since, to every man that mingles here; Beda. Elliot, thou once hadst virtue. I have seen Thy stubborn temper bend with god like goodness, Not half thus courted: 'Tis thy nation's glory To hug the foe, that offers brave alliance. Must twist this rooted empire from its basis. Elliot. 'Would 'twere tumbling! Beda. Nay, it shall down: this night we seal its ruin. Enter PIERRE. O Pierre! thou art welcome. Come to my breast; for, by its hopes, thou look'st Seems on thy sword already. O, my Mars! The poets that first feign'd a god of war, Pierre. Friends, was not Brutus (I mean that Brutus, who, in open senate, Stabb'd the first Cæsar that usurp'd the world), A gallant man? Ren. Yes, and Catiline too; Though story wrong his fame; for he conspir'd His cause was good. Beda. And ours as much above it, As, Renault, thou'rt superior to Cethegus, Pierre. Then to what we aim at. When do we start? Or must we talk for ever? Beda. No, Pierre, the deed's near birth: fate seems to have set The business up, and given it to our care; I hope there's not a heart or hand amongst us, Elliot. All. We'll die with Bedamar. Beda. O men, Matchless, as will your glory be hereafter: Pierre. Ten thousand men are armed at your nod, Commanded all by leaders fit to guide A battle for the freedom of the world: This wretched state has starv'd them in its service; Has still kept waking, and it shall have ease; No more, till Venice owns us for her lords. Pierre. How lovelily the Adriatic whore, Dress'd in her flames, will shine! Devouring flames, Beda. Now, if any Amongst us, that owns this glorious cause, Pierre. I must confess, you there have touch'd my weakness. I have a friend-hear it; and such a friend! My heart was ne'er shut to him. Nay, I'll tell you, We've chang'd a vow, to live and die together, Ren. How! all betray'd! Pierre. No; I've dealt nobly with you, I've brought my all into the public stock: D |