The impression of his former instances: Come, they are met by this time; let us join them, You, with your wonted scruples, teach us pause, Bar. He is safe, I tell you; Sen. Let us view them: they No doubt, are worth it. Mem. Being worth our lives, If we divulge them, doubtless they are worth Something, at least to you or me. Sen. I sought not A place within the sanctuary; but being Chosen, however reluctantly so chosen, I shall fulfil my office. Mem. Let us not Be latest in obeying "The Ten's" summons. The earliest are most welcome In earnest councils-we will not be least so. [Exeunt Enter the DOGE, JACOPO FOSCARI, and MARINA Jac. Fos. Ah, father! though I must and wil depart, Yet-yet-I pray you to obtain for me Doge. Son Jacopo, Go and obey our country's will: 'tis not For us to look beyond. Jac. Fos. But still I must Look back. I pray you think of me. Doge. Alas! You ever were my dearest offspring, when Of your three goodly brothers, now in earth, Mar. My husband! let us on: this but prolongs Our sorrow. Jac. Fos. But we are not summon'd yet; The galley's sails are not unfurl'd-who knows? The wind may change. Mar. And if it do, it will not Change their hearts, or your lot: the galley's oars Will quickly clear the harbor. Jac. Fos. Where are your storms? Mar. Will nothing calm you? Jac. Fos. O ye elements! In human breasts. Alas Never yet did mariner Put up to patron saint such prayers for prosperous To lash up from the deep the Adrian waves, Both honor'd by the choice or chance which leads us Till the sea dash me back on my own shore A broken corse upon the barren Lido, To mingle with a body so august. Mar. And wish you this with me beside you? Jac. Fos. N No-not for thee, too good, too kind! May'st thou Live long to be a mother to those children Thy fond fidelity for a time deprives Of such support! But for myself alone, To appease the waves. The billow which destroys me Will be-But wherefore breaks it not? why live I? What is this to the things thou hast borne in Imprisonment and actual torture? My poor mother, for my birth, Mar. What hast thou done? Nothing. I cannot charge Inform the signory, and learn their pleasure. My memory with much save sorrow: but Fear not: that's reserved Mar. All! the consummate fiends! A thousand Had been so ! May the worm which ne'er dieth, feed upon them! Doge. My unhappy children! What! Enter an Officer and Guards. Doge, (throwing himself down by the body.) Here. I thought you had no tears-you hoarded them Offi. Signor! the boat is at the shore-the wind Until they are useless; but weep on! he never Is rising-we are ready to attend you. Jac. Fos. And I to be attended. Once more, father, Your hand! Doge. Take it. Alas! how thine own trembles ! Jac. Fos. No-you mistake; 'tis yours that shakes, my father. Shall weep more-never, never more. Enter LOREDANO and BARBARIGO. Lor. Incarnate Lucifer! 'tis holy ground. A martyr's ashes now lie there, which make it It shall not be Only repeat-I am ready. Bar. Inter his son before we press upon him Lor. Let him call up into life His sons, and he had four, are dead, without And art thou sure Bar. Ago to Carmagnuola. Bar. And foreign traitor? After the very night in which "the Ten" [Exeunt DOGE, MARINA, and Attendants with "The good day or good night?" his Doge-ship the body. Bar. Lor. answer'd, Manent LOREDANO and BARBARIGO." That he in truth had pass'd a night of vigil Be troubled now. He must not He said himself that nought These are words; Lor. Sorrow preys upon Its solitude, and nothing more diverts it Have made it law-who shall oppose that law? He was the safeguard of the city. Ah! that seems Lor. The Romans (and we ape them) gave a crown The feelings Destroy'd by him, or through him, the account Of private passion may not interrupt An historical fact. And my dead father. Are you then thus fix'd? An Officer. Prince! I have done your bidding. Off. A melancholy one-to call the attendance That which changes me: Of- A feud. But when all is accomplish'd, when And you and yours triumphant, shall you sleep? That's an error and you'll find it, They sleep not towards The ducal palace, marshal me to vengeance. Bar. Fancy's distemperature! There is no passion Lor. Where go you, sirrah? To forward the preparatory rites Doge. True-true-true: I crave your pardon. I Begin to fail in apprehension, and Wax very old-old almost as my years. Till now I fought them off, but they begin Enter the Deputation, consisting of six of the Noble men, your pleasure! Chief of the Ten. In the first place the Council doth condole With the Doge on his late and private grief. Accept the homage of respect? Will not the Duke With a selected giunta from the senate Vault has been open'd of late years. Their Bar. "Twill be full soon, and may be closed for ever. Upon reflection must accord in this,) The resignation of the ducal ring Which you have worn so long and venerably; How bears the doge And to prove that they are not ungrateful nor In presence of another he says little, my son!" And once or twice I heard him, from the adjoining Bar. Will move all Venice in his favor. Lor. [Exit Officer. This stroke Right! We must be speedy; let us call together The delegates appointed to convey The council's resolution. Need I say again? Doge. No.-Have you done? Chief of the Ten. I have spoken. Twenty four Hours are accorded you to give an answer. Doge. I shall not need so many seconds. Chief of the Ten. Will now retire. Doge. We Stay! Four and twenty hours Will alter nothing which I have to say. Chief of the Ten. Speak! Doge. When I twice before reiterated Prolongs my days to prove and chasten me; But ye have no right to reproach my length I am ready to lay down my life for her, Doge. To me all hours are like. Let them But for my dignity-I hold it of approach. [Exit Attendant The whole republic; when the general will Is marifest, then you shall all be answer'd. Avail you aught. Doge. I can submit to all things, But nothing will advance; no, not a moment. What you decree-decree. Your grief distracts you. Mar. I thought I could have borne it, when I saw him Bow'd down by such oppression: yes, I thought Chief of the Ten. With this, then, must we Than his prolong'd captivity:-I am punish'd Return to those who sent us? Doge. For that thought now. Would I were in his grave! Come with me! 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. He answer'd quickly, and must so be answer'd: Bar. Mar. Yes; all things which conduce to other My best to save his honors, and opposed Will you not now resent it?-Oh for vengeance! Doge. Mar. This proposition to the last, though vainly. Lor. 'Twas fit that some one of such different thoughts From ours should be a witness, lest false tongues Bar. And not less, I must needs think, for the sake |