_Pier._ Yes, if I thought thou wert not to be cherished To a nobler purpose, I would be that friend. 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 spirits 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. _Jaff._ When thou wouldst bind me, is there need of oaths?-- Green-sickness girls lose maidenheads with such counters-- For thou'rt so near my heart that thou mayst see Its bottom, sound its strength and firmness to thee: 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 villanous inglorious enterprise, I know thy heart so well, I dare lay mine Before thee: set it to what point thou wilt. _Pier._ Nay, 'tis a cause thou wilt be fond of, Jaffier: For it is founded on the noblest basis,-- Our liberties, our natural inheritance; There's no religion, no hypocrisy in't; We'll do the business, and ne'er fast and pray for it: Openly act a deed the world shall gaze With wonder at, and envy when 'tis done. _Jaff._ For liberty? _Pier._ For liberty, my friend! Thou shalt be freed from base Priuli's tyranny, And thy sequestered fortunes healed again; I shall be freed from those opprobrious wrongs That press me now, and bend my spirit downward; All Venice free, and every growing merit Succeed to its just right; fools shall be pulled From wisdom's seat,--those baleful unclean birds, Those lazy owls, who, perched near fortune's top, Sit only watchful with their heavy wings To cuff down new-fledged virtues, that would rise To nobler heights, and make the grove harmonious. _Jaff._ What can I do? _Pier._ Canst thou not kill a senator? _Jaff._ Were there one wise or honest, I could kill him For herding with that nest of fools and knaves. By all my wrongs, thou talk'st as if revenge Were to be had, and the brave story warms me. _Pier._ Swear then! _Jaff._ I do, by all those glittering stars, And yon great ruling planet of the night! By all good powers above, and ill below! By love and friendship, dearer than my life! No power or death shall make me false to thee.