_Jaf._ Pr'ythee, retire, and leave me With him alone; I'll put him to some trial; See how his rotten part will bear the touching. _Pierre._ Be careful, then. _Jaf._ Nay, never doubt, but trust me. _[Exit Pierre, R. U. E._ What! be a devil, take a damning oath For shedding native blood? Can there be sin, In merciful repentance? Oh, this villain! _[Retires up, C._ _Enter Renault, L. U. E._ _Ren._ (L. C.) Perverse and peevish: What a slave is man, To let his itching flesh thus get the better of him! Despatch the tool, her husband--that were well.-- Who's there? _Jaf._ A man. _[Advancing_ _Ren._ My friend, my near ally, The hostage of your faith, my beauteous charge, is very well. _Jaf._ (R. C.) Sir, are you sure of that! Stands she in perfect health? Beats her pulse even? Neither too hot nor cold? _Ren._ What means that question! _Jaf._ Oh! women have fantastic constitutions, Inconstant in their wishes, always wavering, And never fixed. Was it not boldly done, Ev'n at first sight, to trust the thing I loved (A tempting treasure, too,) with youth so fierce And vigorous as thine? but thou art honest. _Ren._ Who dares accuse me! _Jaf._ Cursed be he that doubts Thy virtue! I have tried it, and declare, Were I to choose a guardian of my honour, I'd put it in thy keeping; for I know thee. _Ren._ Know me! _Jaf._ Ay, know thee.--There's no falsehood in thee; Thou look's just as thou art. Let us embrace.-- Now, wouldst thou cut my throat, or I cut thine! _Ren._ You dare not do't! _Jaf._ You lie, sir! _Ren._ How! _Jaf._ No more.-- 'Tis a base world, and must reform; that's all. _Enter Spinosa, Elliot, Theodore, Durand, and Mezzana._ _Ren._ Spinosa, Theodore, you are welcome. _Spin._ You are trembling, sir. _Ren._ 'Tis a cold night, indeed; and I am aged; Full of decay, and natural infirmities. We shall be warm, my friends, I hope, to-morrow. _[Renault and Conspirators retire and confer._ _Enter Pierre, r._ _Pierre._ _[To Jaffier.]_ 'T was not well done; thou shouldst have stroked him, And not have galled him. _[Retires to the others_ _Jaf._ (C.) _[In front.]_ Damn him, let him chew on't! Heav'n! where am I? beset with cursed fiends, That wait to damn me! What a devil's man, When he forgets his nature!--hush, my heart. _[Renault and the Conspirators advance_ _Ren._ My friends, 'tis late: are we assembled all? _Spin._ All--all! _Ren._ (C.) Oh! you're men, I find, Fit to behold your fate, and meet her summons. To-morrow's rising sun must see you all Decked in your honours. Are the soldiers ready? _Pierre._ All--all!