me then, when my duty compels me to observe----

_Vice._ I understand you, father; it is time that I should retire: yet
surely your rules are not so strict as to prohibit my conversing with
Venoni for one half hour more?

_Prior._ It grieves me to inform your excellence, that I have already in
some degree infringed upon the scrupulous observance of our regulations.
It may not be.

_Venoni._ How, father? a single half hour surely----

_Prior._ Ah, what do you request of me, my son? the viceroy's visit aims
at depriving me of my dearest friend; of that friend whom I have
selected from all mankind; and shall I not oppose the perseverance of
his efforts? I know well the count Benvolio's influence over your mind,
and tremble at the power of his persuasions. I cannot, and I ought not
to abandon you to the tender anxious insinuations of generous but
misjudging friendship; and I must not permit your eyes to dwell too long
upon the deceitful pleasures of that world, which you have quitted with
so much reason, and to which with such mistaken kindness your friends
would force you back.

_Vice._ Father, this eagerness----

_Prior._ You have promised to be my brother, to be that which is far
dearer, my friend: and shall I renounce a treasure so invaluable at the
very moment, which ought to make it mine forever? No, no! Venoni, nor
will I fear your exacting from me so great a sacrifice. He whose tears I
have dried, whose sorrows I have shared-- who has told me a thousand
times that I was his only consolation, and that my sympathy shed the
only gleam over his days of mourning. No! never will I believe that he
will now reward my friendship with caprice, with desertion, with
ingratitude so cruel, so cutting, so unlooked for!

_Venoni._ Oh, good father-- I know not how----

_Vice._ You talk, sir, much of your friendship? I too profess to feel
for Venoni no moderate share of that sentiment; and I think, that I
prove my friendship best, when I advise him not to renounce a world, to
which he owes the service of his talents and the example of his virtues.
Yes, sir, yes! I advise Venoni to return into the world-- and at least
in giving that advice, I am certain that no one will suspect me of
having views upon his fortune.

_Pri._ (_to Venoni_) You hear this accusation, my son! you hear it, and
are silent! you, who are acquainted with my whole heart; you who know
well how little I regard your wealth; that wealth, which perhaps I mig