The Roxburghe Library of Classics Volume 10; History, Biography, Science, Poetry, Drama, Travel, Adventure, Fiction, and Rare and Little Known Literat (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1904 Excerpt: ... THE BETRAYAL. By THOMAS OTWAY. (From " Venice Preserved.") thomas Otwat, English dramatist, was born in Sussex, March 3, 1651. He was educated at Winchester, and at Christ Church, Oxford; attempted to become an actor; became a playwright and dissolute bohemian; and died April 14, 1385. His one remembered play is " Venice Preserved "; but he wrote, among others, " The Orphan," "The Soldier's Fortune," and its sequel, "The Atheist." Scene: The Senate House. The Duke of Venice, Peiuli, Antonio, and eight other Senators discovered in session. Duke--Antony, Priuli, senators of Venice, Speak; why are we assembled here this night? What have you to inform us of, concerns The state of Venice' honor, or its safety? Priuli--Could words express the story I've to tell you, Fathers, these tears were useless, these sad tears That fall from my old eyes; but there is cause We all should weep; tear off these purple robes, And wrap ourselves in sackcloth, sitting down On the sad earth, and cry aloud to Heaven. Heaven knows if yet there be an hour to come Ere Venice be no more I AU the Senators--How Priuli--Nay, we stand Upon the very brink of gaping ruin. Within this city's formed a dark conspiracy To massacre us all, our wives and children, Kindred and friends; our palaces and temples To lay in ashes: nay, the hour too fixed; The swords, for aught I know, drawn even this moment, And the wild waste begun. From unknown hands I had this warning: but, if we are men, Let's not be tamely butchered, but do something That may inform the world in after ages Our virtue was not ruined, though we were. Voices without'--Room, room, make room for some prisoners 1 Second Senator--Let's raise the city. Enter Officer and Guard. Priuli--Speak there, what disturbance? Officer--Two prisoners h...