PIERRE
Speak, who goes there?
JAFFEIR
A dog, that comes to howl
At yonder Moon. What's he that asks the Question?
PIERRE
A friend to dogs, for they are honest Creatures,
And ne'er betray their masters; never fawn
On any that they love not. Well met, friend
Jaffeir!
JAFFEIR
The same. Oh Pierre! Thou art come in season,
I was just going to pray.
PIERRE
Ah, that's mechanick.
Priests make a trade on 't, and yet starve by it too:
No praying, it spoils business, and time's precious.
. . .

In Thomas Otway's Venice Preserved, this dialogue between Jaffeir and Pierre reveals their cynical worldview amidst the political intrigue of Venice. Pierre's appreciation for the honesty of dogs highlights the pervasive treachery among humans, particularly in a city rife with betrayal and conspiracies. When Jaffeir mentions prayer, Pierre dismisses it as "mechanick," suggesting it's a hollow ritual devoid of sincerity or efficacy. This perspective underscores the play's grim atmosphere, where spiritual acts are seen as futile in a world driven by political machinations and personal gain. Pierre's assertion that prayer "spoils business" reflects a practical, albeit bleak, approach to life in an environment where time is too precious to be spent on unproductive gestures. Ultimately, this exchange underscores the moral decay and the prioritization of power over piety that characterizes the world of Venice Preserved.