_Pier._ No, he has sent commission to that villain, Renault,  
To give the executing charge:  
I'd have thee be a man, if possible,  
And keep thy temper; for a brave revenge  
N'er comes too late.  
_Jaf._ Fear not, I am cool as patience.  
_Pier._ He's yonder, coming this way through the hall;  
His thoughts seem full.  
_Jaf._ Pr'ythee retire, and leave me  
With him alone: I'll put him on some trial;  
See how his rotten part will bear the touching.  
_Pier._ Be careful, then. [_exit.__Jaf._ Nay, never doubt, but trust me.  
What! be a devil, take a damning oath  
For shedding native blood! Can there be a sin  
In merciful repentance? Oh, this villain!  
_Enter Renault._  
_Ren._ Perverse and peevish! What a slave is man  
To let his rebel passions master him!  
Despatch the tool her husband--that were well.  
Who's there?  
_Jaf._ A man.  
_Ren._ My friend, my near ally,  
The hostage of your faith, my beauteous charge, is very well.  
_Jaf._ 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 fix'd. Was it not boldly done, even at first sight, to trust the thing I lov'd (a tempting treasure too) with youth so fierce and vigorous as thine? but thou art honest.
_Ren._ Who dares accuse me?
_Jaf._ Curs'd 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'st just as thou art. Let us embrace. Now would'st 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, Theodore, Elliott, Revillido, Durand, Bramveil, and the rest of the Conspirators._
_Ren._ Spinosa! Theodore!
_Spin._ The same.

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