Venice Preserved: A Tragedy
Duke. Name your conditions. 

Jaf. For myself full pardon, besides the lives of two-and-twenty friends, 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 secret of your danger. 

Duke. Propose the oath. 

Jaf. By all the hopes you have of peace and happiness hereafter, swear. 

All Sen. We swear. 

Jaf. And, as ye keep the oath, may you and your posterity be blessed, or cursed forever. 

All Sen. Else be cursed forever. 

Jaf. Then here's the list, and with it the full disclosure of all that threatens you. [delivers a paper. Now, fate, thou hast caught me. 

Duke. Give order that all diligent search be made to seize these men; their characters are public; the paper intimates their rendezvous to be at the house of a famed Grecian courtesan, called Aquilina; see that place secured. You, Jaffier, must with patience bear till morning to be our prisoner. 

Jaf. Would the chains of death had bound me safe, ere I had known this minute. 

Duke. Captain, withdraw your prisoner. 

Jaf. Sir, if possible, lead me where my own thoughts themselves may lose me; where I may doze out what I've left of life, forget myself, and this day's guilt and falsehood. Cruel remembrance, how shall I appease thee? [exit. 

Offi. [without] More traitors; room, room, room, make room there. 

Duke. How's this? guards! Where are our guards? Shut up the gates; the treason's already at our doors. Enter Officer. 

Offi. My lords, more traitors, seized in the very act of consultation, furnished with arms and instruments of mischief. Bring in the prisoners. Enter Pierre, Renault, Theodore, Elliott, Revillido, and other conspirators, in fetters. 

Pier. You, my lords, and fathers (as you are pleased to call yourselves) of Venice; if you sit here to guide the course of justice, why these disgraceful chains upon the limbs that have so often labored in your service? Are these the wreaths of 
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