_Bel._ Oh! should I part with thee, I fear thou wilt In anger leave me, and return no more. _Jaf._ Return no more! I would not live without thee Another night, to purchase the creation. _Bel._ When shall we meet again? _Jaf._ Anon, at twelve I'll steal myself to thy expecting arms: Come like a travell'd dove, and bring thee peace. _Bel._ Indeed! _Jaf._ By all our loves. _Bel._ 'Tis hard to part: But sure no falsehood ever look'd so fairly. Farewell; remember twelve. [_exit._ _Jaf._ Let heav'n forget me, When I remember not thy truth, thy love. _Enter Pierre._ _Pier._ Jaffier! _Jaf._ Who calls? _Pier._ A friend, that could have wish'd T' have found thee otherwise employ'd. What, hunt A wife, on the dull soil! Sure a staunch husband Of all hounds is the dullest. Wilt thou never, Never, be wean'd from caudles and confections? What feminine tales hast thou been list'ning to, Of unair'd shirts, catarrhs, and tooth-ache, got By thin-sol'd shoes? Damnation! that a fellow, Chosen to be a sharer in the destruction Of a whole people, should sneak thus into corners To ease his fulsome lusts, and fool his mind. _Jaf._ May not a man then trifle out an hour With a kind woman, and not wrong his calling? _Pier._ Not in a cause like ours. _Jaf._ Then, friend, our cause Is in a damn'd condition: for I'll tell thee, That cankerworm, call'd lechery, has touch'd it; 'Tis tainted vilely. Wouldst thou think it? Renault (That mortify'd, old, wither'd, winter rogue,) He visited her last night, like a kind guardian: Faith! she has some temptation, that's the truth on't. _Pier._ He durst not wrong his trust. _Jaf._ 'Twas something late, though, To take the freedom of a lady's chamber. _Pier._ Was she in bed? _Jaf._ Yes, faith, in virgin sheets, White as her bosom, Pierre, dish'd neatly up, Might tempt a weaker appetite to taste. Oh! how the old fox stunk, I warrant thee, When the rank fit was on him! _Pier._ Patience guide me! He us'd no violence? _Jaf._ No, no; out on't, violence! Play'd with her neck; brush'd her with his grey beard; But not a jot of violence. _Pier._ Damn him. _Jaf._ Ay, so say I: but hush, no more on't. All hitherto is well, and I believe Myself no monster yet. Sure it is near the hour We all should meet for our concluding orders: Will the ambassador be here in person? _Pier._ No, he has sent commission to that villain, Renault, To give the executing charge: I'd have thee be a man, if possible, And keep thy temper; for a brave revenge Ne'er comes too late. _Jaf._ Fear not, I am cool as patience. _Pier._ He's yonder, coming this way through the hall; His thoughts seem full. _Jaf._ Pr'ythee retire, and leave me With him alone: I'll put him on some trial; See how his rotten part will bear the touching. _Pier._ Be careful, then. [_exit._ _Jaf._ Nay, never doubt, but trust me. What! be a devil, take a damning oath For shedding native blood! Can there be a sin In merciful repentance? Oh, this villain!