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Venice Preserv'd, or
A hand shall bear a lighted Torch at noon
To the Arsenal, and set its Gates on fire.
To the Arsenal, and set its Gates on fire.
Ren. You talk this well, Sir.
Jaff. Nay—by Heav'n I'l 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 Councels;
I hate this Senate, am a Foe to Venice;
A Friend to none, but Men resolv'd like me,
To push on Mischief: Oh did you but know me,
I need not talk thus!
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 Councels;
I hate this Senate, am a Foe to Venice;
A Friend to none, but Men resolv'd 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.
My heart beats to this Man as if it knew him.
Rena. I never lov'd these huggers:
Jaff. Still I see
The cause delights me not. Your Friends survey me,
As I were dang'rous—but I come Arm'd
Against all doubts, and to your trust will give
A Pledge, worth more than all the World can pay for.
My Belvidera! Ho! my Belvidera!
The cause delights me not. Your Friends survey me,
As I were dang'rous—but I come Arm'd
Against all doubts, and to your trust will give
A Pledge, worth more than all the World can pay for.
My Belvidera! Ho! my Belvidera!
Bed. What wonder next?
Jaff. Let me entreat you,
As I have henceforth hopes to call ye friends,
That all but the Ambassador, this
Grave Guide of Councels, with my friend that owns me,
Withdraw a while to spare a Womans blushes.
[Ex. all but Bed. Rena. Jaff. Pierr.
As I have henceforth hopes to call ye friends,
That all but the Ambassador, this
Grave Guide of Councels, with my friend that owns me,
Withdraw a while to spare a Womans blushes.
[Ex. all but Bed. Rena. Jaff. Pierr.
Beda. Pierre, whither will this Ceremony lead us?
Jaff. My Belvidera! Belvidera!
Enter Belvidera.
Belvid. Who?
Who calls so lowd at this late peacefull hour?
That Voice was wont to come in gentler whispers,
And fill my Ears with the soft breath of Love:
Thou hourly Image of my Thoughts, where art thou?
Who calls so lowd at this late peacefull hour?
That Voice was wont to come in gentler whispers,
And fill my Ears with the soft breath of Love:
Thou hourly Image of my Thoughts, where art thou?
Jaff Indeed 'tis late.
Belv. Oh! I have slept, and dreamt,
And dreamt again: Where hast thou been thou Loyterer?
Tho my Eyes clos'd, my Arms have still been open'd;
Stretch every way betwixt my broken slumbers,
And dreamt again: Where hast thou been thou Loyterer?
Tho my Eyes clos'd, my Arms have still been open'd;
Stretch every way betwixt my broken slumbers,
To
