_Pier._ Friend! Couldst thou yet be a friend, a generous friend, I might hope comfort from thy noble sorrows. Heav'n knows I want a friend. _Jaf._ And I a kind one, That would not thus scorn my repenting virtue, Or think, when he's to die, my thoughts are idle. _Pier._ No! live, I charge thee, Jaffier. _Jaf._ Yes, I will live: But it shall be to see thy fall reveng'd At such a rate, as Venice long shall groan for. _Pier._ Wilt thou? _Jaf._ I will, by heav'n. _Pier._ Then still thou'rt noble, And I forgive thee. Oh!--yet--shall I trust thee? _Jaf._ No; I've been false already. _Pier._ Dost thou love me? _Jaf._ Rip up my heart, and satisfy my doubtings. _Pier._ Curse on this weakness! [_weeps._ _Jaf._ Tears! Amazement! Tears! I never saw thee melted thus before; And know there's something labouring in thy bosom, That must have vent: though I'm a villain, tell me. _Pier._ See'st thou that engine? [_points to wheel._ _Jaf._ Why? _Pier._ Is't fit a soldier, who has liv'd with honour, Fought nation's quarrels, and been crown'd with conquest, Be expos'd a common carcass on a wheel? _Jaf._ Ha! _Pier._ Speak! is't fitting? _Jaf._ Fitting! _Pier._ Yes; is't fitting? _Jaf._ What's to be done? _Pier._ I'd have thee undertake Something that's noble, to preserve my memory From the disgrace that's ready to attaint it. _Offi._ The day grows late, sir. _Pier._ I'll make haste. Oh, Jaffier! Though thou'st betrayed me, do me some way justice. _Jaf._ No more of that: thy wishes shall be satisfied; I have a wife, and she shall bleed: my child, too, Yield up his little throat, and all T' appease thee---- [_going away, Pierre holds him._ _Pier._ No--this--no more. [_whispers Jaffier._ _Jaf._ Ha! is't then so? _Pier._ Most certainly. _Jaf._ I'll do it. _Pier._ Remember! _Offi._ Sir. _Pier._ Come, now I'm ready. [_he & Jaf. ascend scaff._ Captain, you should be a gentleman of honour; Keep off the rabble, that I may have room To entertain my fate, and die with decency. Come. [_takes off his gown, Executioner prepares._ You'll think on't. [_to Jaffier._ _Jaf._ 'Twon't grow stale before to-morrow. _Pier._ Now, Jaffier! now I'm going. Now-- [_Executioner having bound him._ _Jaf._ Have at thee, Thou honest heart, then--here-- [_stabs him._ And this is well. [_stabs himself._ _Pier._ Now thou hast indeed been faithful. This was done nobly--We've deceiv'd the senate. _Jaf._ Bravely. _Pier._ Ha, ha, ha----oh! oh! [_dies._