_Jaf._ Kind Heaven, let heavy curses
Gall his old age, till life become his burden;
Let him groan under't long, linger an age
In the worst agonies and pangs of death
And find its ease, but late!

_Pierre._ Nay, couldst thou not
As well, my friend, have stretched the curse to all
The senate round, as to one single villain?

_Jaf._ But curses stick not; could I kill with cursing,
By Heaven, I know not thirty heads in Venice
Should not be blasted! Senators should rot,
Like dogs, on dunghills. Oh, for a curse
To kill with! _[Crosses, R._

_Pierre._ Daggers, daggers are much better.

_Jaf._ (R. C.) Ha!

_Pierre._ Daggers.

_Jaf._ But where are they?

_Pierre._ Oh! a thousand
May be disposed, in honest hands, in Venice.

_Jaf._ Thou talk'st in clouds.

_Pierre._ But yet a heart, half wronged
As thine has been, would find the meaning, Jaffier!

_Jaf._ A thousand daggers, all in honest hands!
And have not I a friend will stick one here?

_Pierre._ (C.)Yes, if I thought thou wert not to be cherished
To a nobler purpose, I would be that friend:

_[Lays his hand on Jaffier's arm_
But thou hast better friends; friends, whom thy wrongs
Have made thy friends; friends, worthy to be called so.
I'll trust thee with a secret. There are spies
This hour at work. But, as thou art a man,
Whom I have picked and chosen from the world,
Swear that thou wilt be true to what I utter;
And when I've told thee that, which only gods,
And men like gods, are privy to, then swear,
No chance, or change, shall wrest it from thy bosom.

_Jaf._ (R.) When thou wouldst bind me, is there need of oaths?
Is coward, fool, or villain, in my face?
If I seem none of these, I dare believe
Thou wouldst not use me in a little cause;
For I am fit for honour's toughest task,
Nor ever yet found fooling was my province:
And, for a villainous, inglorious enterprize,
I know thy heart so well, I dare lay mine
Before thee, set it to what point thou wilt.

_Pierre._ Nay, 'tis a cause thou wilt be fond of, Jaffier
For it is founded on the noblest basis;
Our liberties, our natural inheritance!
We'll do the business, and ne'er fast and pray for't;
Openly act a deed, the world shall gaze
With wonder at, and