Enter JAFFEIR and BELVIDERA guarded.

All. Give ’em entrance—
Well, who are you?

Jaff. A villain.

Anto. Short and pithy.
The man speaks well.

Jaff.

Would every man that hears me Would deal so honestly, and own his title.

Duke. ’Tis rumour’d that a plot has been contriv’d
Against this State; that you have a share in’t too.
If you’re a villain, to redeem your honour,
Unfold the truth and be restored with mercy.

Jaff. Think not that I to save my life come hither,
I know its value better; but in pity
To all those wretches whose unhappy dooms
Are fix’d and seal’d. You see me here before you,
The sworn and covenanted foe of Venice;
But use me as my dealings may deserve
And I may prove a friend.

Duke. The slave capitulates;

Give him the tortures.

Jaff. That you dare not do,
Your fears won’t let you, nor the longing itch
To hear a story which you dread the truth of,
Truth which the fear of smart shall ne’er get from me.
Cowards are scared with threat’nings; boys are whipp’d
Into confessions: but a steady mind
Acts of itself, ne’er asks the body counsel.
Give him the tortures! Name but such a thing
Again, by Heaven I’ll shut these lips for ever,
Not all your racks, your engines, or your wheels
Shall force a groan away—that you may guess at.

Anto. A bloody-minded fellow, I’ll warrant;
A damn’d bloody-minded fellow.

Duke. Name your conditions.

Jaff.
For myself full pardon,
Besides the lives of two and twenty friends,

[Delivers a list

Whose names are here enrolled: nay, let their crimes
Be ne’er so monstrous, I must have the oaths
And sacred promise of this reverend Council,
That in a full assembly of the Senate
The thing I ask be ratified. Swear this,
And I’ll unfold the secrets of your danger.

All. We’ll swear.

Duke. Propose the oath.

Jaff. By all the hopes
Ye have of peace and happiness hereafter,
Swear.

All. We all swear.

Jaff. To grant me what I’ve asked,
Ye swear.

All. We swear.

Jaff. And as ye keep the oath,
May you and your posterity be blest
Or curst for ever.

All. Else be curst for ever.