_Scene IV.--St. Mark's Place,--A Scaffold in the back ground, and a Wheel, prepared for the Execution of Pierre._ _Enter Captain, Pierre, Guard, Executioner, and Rabble._ _Pierre._ (L.) My friend not yet come? _Enter Jaffier, r._ _Jaf._ Oh, Pierre! _[Falling on his knees._ _Pierre._ (C.) Dear to my arms, though thou'st undone my fame, I can't forget to love thee. Pr'ythee, Jaffier, Forgive that filthy blow, my passion dealt thee: I'm now preparing for the land of peace And fain would have the charitable wishes Of all good men like thee, to bless my journey. _Jaf._ Good! I'm the vilest creature--worse than e'er Suffered the shameful fate thou'rt going to taste of. _Capt._ (R.) The time grows short; your friends are dead already. _Jaf._ (L. C.)Dead! _Pierre._ Yes, dead, Jaffier! they've all died like men, too, Worthy their character. _Jaf._ And what must I do? _Pierre._ Oh, Jaffier! _Jaf._ Speak aloud thy burdened soul, And tell thy troubles to thy tortured friend. _Pierre._ Friend! Couldst thou yet be a friend, a generous friend, I might hope comfort from thy noble sorrows. Heaven knows, I want a friend! _Jaf._ And I a kind one, That would not scorn thus my repenting virtue, Or think, when he's to die, my thoughts are idle. _Pierre._ No! live, I charge thee, Jaffier. _Jaf._ Yes, I will live: But it shall be to see thy fall revenged, At such a rate, as Venice long shall groan for _Pierre._ Wilt thou? _Jaf._ I will, by Heaven! _Pierre._ Then still thou'rt noble, And I forgive thee. Oh!--yet--shall I trust thee? _Jaf._ No; I've been false already. _Pierre._ Dost thou love me? _Jaf._ Rip up my heart, and satisfy thy doubtings. _Pierre._ 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. _Pierre._ See'st thou that engine? _[Pointing to the Wheel._ _Jaf._ Why? _Pierre._ (R. C.) Is't fit a soldier, who has lived with honor, Fought nations' quarrels, and been crowned with, conquest, Be exposed, a common carcase, on a wheel? _Jaf._ Hah! _Pierre._ Speak! is't fitting? _Jaf._ Fitting! _Pierre._ I'd have thee undertake Something that's noble, to preserve my memory From the disgrace that's ready to attaint it. _Capt._ The day grows late, sir. _Pierre._ I'll make haste. Oh, Jaffier! Though thou'st betrayed me, do me some way justice. _Jaf._ What's to be done? _Pierre._ This and no more. _[Whispers Jaffier._ _Jaf._ Hah! is't then so? _Pierre._ Most certainly. _Jaf._ I'll do't. _Pierre._ Remember. _Capt._ Sir--