In early life its foe, but, in his manhood, Its saviour first, then victim. Barb. Ah! that seems To him who took a city; and they gave account Were fearfully against him, although narrow'd To private havoc, such as between him Barb. Are you then thus fix'd? Lored. More soundly. Barb. That's an error, and you'll find it Ere you sleep with your fathers. Lored. They sleep not In their accelerated graves, nor will, The ducal palace, marshal me to vengeance. Barb. Fancy's distemperature! There is no passion More spectral or fantastical than hate; Doge. True-true-true: I crave your pardon. I Begin to fail in apprehension, and Enter the Deputation, consisting of six of the Chief of the Ten. In the first place, the With the Doge on his late and private grief. Accept it as 'tis given-proceed. With a selected Giunta from the senate Of the republic, and the o'erwhelming cares Doge. When I twice before reiterated My wish to abdicate, it was refused me; Chief of the Ten. Reduce us not Prolongs my days to prove and chasten me; I am ready to lay down my life for her, Avail you aught. Doge. I can submit to all things, But nothing will advance ; no, not a moment. What you decree-decree. Chief of the Ten. With this, then, must we Return to those who sent us? Doge. You have heard me. Chief of the Ten. With all due reverence we retire. [Exeunt the Deputation etc. Enter an Attendant. Attendant. My lord, The noble dame Marina craves an audience. Doge. My time is hers. Enter MARINA. Marina. My lord, if I intrude- Alone, come all the world around me, I 1 cannot comfort thee. Marina. He might have lived, So form'd for gentle privacy of life, So loving, so beloved; the native of Another land, and who so blest and blessing As my poor Foscari? Nothing was wanting Unto his happiness and mine save not To be Venetian. Doge. Or a prince's son. Marina. Yes; all things which conduce to other men's Imperfect happiness or high ambition, By some strange destiny to him proved deadly. The country and the people whom he loved, Doge. Soon may be a prince no longer. Doge. They have taken my son from me, At my too long worn diadem and ring. In such an hour too! Doge. Tis the fittest time: Will you not now resent it?-Oh for vengeance! But he, who, had he been enough protected, Might have repaid protection in this moment, Cannot assist his father. Doge. Nor should do so Against his country, had he a thousand lives Instead of that— Marina. They tortured from him. This May be pure patriotism. I am a woman: To me my husband and my children were Country and home. I loved him-how I loved him! I have seen him pass through such ordeal as The old martyrs would have shrunk from: he is gone, And I, who would have given my blood for him, Have nought to give but tears! But could I compass The retribution of his wrongs!—Well, well; I have sons who shall be men. Doge. Your grief distracts you. Marina. I thought I could have borne it, when I saw him Bow'd down by such oppression; yes, 1 thought That I would rather look upon his corse Than his prolong'd captivity: I am punish d For that thought now. Would I were in his grave! Doge. I must look on him once more. Marina. Come with me! Doge. Is he— Marina. Our bridal bed is now his bier. Doge. And he is in his shroud? Marina. Come, come, old man! [Exeunt the Doge and Marina Attendant. This instant retired hence With the illustrious lady his son's widow. Lored. Where? Attendant. To the chamber where the body lies. Barb. Let us return then. Lored. You forget, you cannot. We have the implicit order of the Giunta To await their coming here, and join them in Their office: they'll be here soon after us. Barb. And will they press their answer on the Doge? Lored. Twas his own wish that all should be done promptly. He answer'd quickly, and must so be answer'd; His dignity is look'd to, his estate Barb. Die in his robes. He could not have lived long; but I have done My best to save his honours, and opposed This proposition to the last, though vainly. Why would the general vote compel me hither? Lored. Twas fit that some one of such different thoughts From ours should be a witness, lest false tongues Should whisper that a harsh majority Dreaded to have its acts beheld by others. Barb. And not less, I must needs think, for the sake Of humbling me for my vain opposition. Lored. How! - my Giunta! They speak your language, watch your nod, approve Your plans, and do your work. Are they not yours? Lored. You talk unwarily. Twere best they hear not This from you. Barb. Oh! they'll hear as much one day From louder tongues than mine: they have gone beyond Even their exorbitance of power; and when This happens in the most contemn'd and abject States, stung humanity will rise to check it. | Barb. The Duke is with his son. Chief of the Ten. If it be so, We will remit him till the rites are over. Let us return. 'Tis time enough to-morrow. Lored. (aside to Barb.) Now the rich man's hell-fire upon your tongue, Unquench'd, unquenchable! I'll have it torn From its vile babbling roots, till you shall utter Doge. I have obey'd your summons. Chief of the Ten. We come once more to urge our past request. Doge. And I to answer. Chief of the Ten. What? Doge. My only answer. You have heard it. Chief of the Ten. Hear you then the last decree, Definitive and absolute! To the point! I know of old the forms of office, And gentle preludes to strong acts-Go on! Chief of the Ten. You are no longer Doge; you are released From your imperial oath as sovereign; Under the penalty to see confiscated Doge. That last clause, I am proud to say, would not enrich the treasury. Chief of the Ten. Your answer, Duke! Was prejudicial to the state, the chief Chief of the Ten. If you would have the Doge. Not eight hours, signor, Nor even eight minutes.-There's the ducal ring, [Taking off his ring and cap. And there the ducal diadem. And so The Adriatic's free to wed another. Chief of the Ten. quickly. Doge. Earth and heaven! Yet go not forth so Such sound for his successor! Happier he, Doge. I am old, sir, And even to move but slowly must begin To move betimes. Methinks I see amongst Do you regret a traitor? Chief of the Ten. My lord, if you indeed The landing-place of the canal. Will now descend the stairs by which I mounted To sovereignty-the Giant's Stairs, on whose There five and thirty years ago was I Install'd, and traversed these same halls from which [To the Ten. It is your province.—Sirs, bestir yourselves [To the Servants. I There is one burthen which I beg you bear | A With care, although 'tis past all farther harm But I will look to that myself. Barb. He means The body of his son. Doge. And call Marina, My daughter! Enter MARINA. Doge. Get thee ready, we must mourn Elsewhere. Marina. And every where. We are going: do you fear that we shall bear you well know it, Else you dare not deal thus by them or me. Chief of the Ten. You speak in passion, Else Doge. You have reason. I have spoken much More than my wont: it is a foible which Barb. You shall not depart without An escort fitting past and present rank. We will accompany, with due respect, The Doge unto his private palace. Say! My brethren, will we not? Different Voices. Ay!-Ay! Doge. You shall not Stir in my train, at least. I enter'd here I am, but only to these gates.-Ah! [The great bell of St. Mark's tolls. Barb. The bell! Chief of the Ten. St. Mark's, which tolls for the election Most fit for such an hour as this. Lored. Why so? Marina. My God! My God! Barb. (to Lored.) Behold! your work's Chief of the Ten. Is there then Attendant. 'Tis all over. Chief of the Ten. If it be so, at least his Shall be such as befits his name and nation, Say, shall it not be so? Barb. He has not had Chief of the Ten. We are agreed, then? Yes. Chief of the Ten. Heaven's peace be with him! Marina. Signors, your pardon: this is mockery. Juggle no more with that poor remnant, which, A moment since, while yet it had a soul (A soul by whom you have increased your empire, And made your power as proud as was his glory), You banish'd from his palace, and tore down From his high place with such relentless coldness; And now, when he can neither know these honours, Nor would accept them if he could, you, Purpose, with idle and superfluous pomp, 'Tis said that our Venetian And not his honour. crystal has Such pure antipathy to poisons, as To burst if aught of venom touches it. Doge. Then it is false, or you are true. Marina. You talk wildly, and Barb. He sinks!-support him!-quick- Chief of the Ten. Lady, we revoke not Our purposes so readily. Marina. I know it, As far as touches torturing the living. you, Though (some, no doubt,) consign'd to powers which may Resemble that you exercise on earth. Leave him to me; you would have done 80 for His dregs of life, which you have kindly shorten'd: It is my last of duties, and may prove Doge. The bell tolls on!-let's hence-A dreary comfort in my desolation. my brain's on fire! Barb. I do beseech you, lean upon us! A sovereign should die standing. My poor Off with your arms!--That bell! [The Doge drops down and dies. Grief is fantastical, and loves the dead, Chief of the Ten. Do you Though his possessions have been all |