_Jaf._ By all the hopes Ye have of peace and happiness hereafter, Swear.--Ye swear? _All Sen._ We swear. _Jaf._ And, as ye keep the oath, May you and your posterity be bless'd, Or curs'd for ever. _All Sen._ Else be curs'd for ever. _Jaf._ Then here's the list, and with't the full disclose Of all that threatens you. [_delivers a paper._ Now, fate, thou hast caught me. _Duke._ Give order that all diligent search be made To seize these men, their characters are public; The paper intimates their rendezvous To be at the house of a fam'd Grecian courtezan, Call'd Aquilina; see that place secur'd. You, Jaffier, must with patience bear till morning To be our prisoner. _Jaf._ Would the chains of death Had bound me safe, ere I had known this minute. _Duke._ Captain, withdraw your prisoner. _Jaf._ Sir, if possible, Lead me where my own thoughts themselves may lose me; Where I may doze out what I've left of life, Forget myself, and this day's guilt and falsehood. Cruel remembrance, how shall I appease thee? [_exit._ _Offi._ [_without_] More traitors; room, room, room, make room, there. _Duke._ How's this? guards! Where are our guards? Shut up the gates, the treason's Already at our doors. _Enter Officer._ _Offi._ My lords, more traitors, Seiz'd in the very act of consultation; Furnish'd with arms and instruments of mischief, Bring in the prisoners. _Enter Pierre, Renault, Theodore, Elliott, Revillido, and other Conspirators, in fetters._ _Pier._ You, my lords, and fathers (As you are pleas'd to call yourselves) of Venice; If you sit here to guide the course of justice, Why these disgraceful chains upon the limbs That have so often labour'd in your service? Are these the wreaths of triumph ye bestow On those, that bring you conquest home, and honours? _Duke._ Go on; you shall be heard, sir. _Ant._ And be hang'd too, I hope. _Pier._ Are these the trophies I've deserv'd for fighting Your battles with confederated powers? When winds and seas conspir'd to overthrow you, And brought the fleets of Spain to your own harbours; When you, great duke, shrunk trembling in your palace, And saw your wife, the Adriatic, plough'd, Like a lewd whore, by bolder prows than yours, Stepp'd not I forth, and taught your loose Venetians The task of honour, and the way to greatness? Rais'd you from your capitulating fears To stipulate the terms of sued-for peace? And this my recompense! if I'm a traitor, Produce my charge; or show the wretch that's base And brave enough to tell me I'm a traitor. _Duke._ Know you one Jaffier? [_Conspirators murmur._ _Pier._ Yes, and know his virtue. His justice, truth, his general worth, and sufferings From a hard father, taught me first to love him. _Enter Jaffier, guarded._ _Duke._ See him brought forth.