About the business you provided for him. Barb. I'll not consent.
Are ye content?

Lored. You have consented to
Barb. We will not interrupt

All that's essential -- leave the rest to me. A parent's sorrows.

Barb. Why press his abdication now? Marina No, ye only make them, Lored. The feelings Then leave them.

Of private passion may not interrupt Doge (rising). Sirs, I am ready. The public benefit; and what the state Barb. No- not now.

Decides to-day must not give way before Lored. Yet 'twas important.

To-morrow for a natural accident. Doge. If 'twas so, I can

Barb. You have a son. Only repeat-1 am ready.

Lored. I have- and had a father. Barb. It shall not be

Barb. Still so inexorable ? Just now,though Venice totter'd o’er the deep Lored. Still. Like a frail vessel. I respect your griefs. Bárb. But let him Doge. I thank you. If the tidings which Inter his son before we press upon him you bring

This edict. Are evil, you may say them; nothing further Lored. Let him call up into life Can touch me more than him thou lookst My sire and uncle-1 consent. Men may, on there:

Even aged men, be, or appear to be, If they be good, say on; you need not fear Sires of a hundred sons, but cannot kindle That they can comfort me.

An atom of their ancestors from earth. Barb. I would they could!

The victims are not equal: he has seen Doge. I spoke not to you, but to Loredano. His sons expire by natural deaths, and I He understands me.

My sires by violent and mysterious maladies. Marina. Ah! I thought it would be so. I used no poison, bribed no subtle master Doge. What mean you ?

Of the destructive art of healing, to Marina. Lo! there is the blood beginning Shorten the path to the eternal cure. To flow through the dead lips of Foscari – His sons, and he had four, are dead, without The body bleeds in presence of the assassin. My dabbling in vile drugs.

[To Loredano.

Barb. And art thou sure
Thou cowardly murderer by law, behold He dealt in such ?
How death itself bears witness to thy deeds! Lored. Most sure.
Doge. My child! this is a phantasy of Barb. And yet he seems
grief.

All openness.
Bear hence the body. (To his Attendants.] Lored. And so he seem'd not long
Signors, if it please you,

Ago to Carmagnuola.
Within an hour l'll hear

you.

Barb. The attainted [Exeunt Doge, Marina, and Attendants And foreign traitor ? with the body.]

Lored. Even so; when he, (Manent Loredano and Barbarigo. After the very night in which the Ten Barb. He must not

(Join’d with the Doge) decided his deBe troubled now.

struction, Lored. He said himself that nought Met the great Duke at daybreak with a jest, Could give him trouble farther.

Demanding whether he should augur him Barb. These are words;

"The good day or good night?” his DogeBut grief is lonely, and the breaking in

ship answer'd, Upon it barbarous.

“That he in truth had pass'd a night of Lored. Sorrow preys upon

vigil, Its solitude, and nothing more diverts it In which (he added with a gracious smile) From its sad visions of the other world There often has been question about you." Than calling it at moments back to this; 'Twas true; the question was the death The busy have no time for tears.

resolved Barb. And therefore

Of Carmagnuola, eight months ere he died; You would deprive this old man of all And the old Doge, who knew him doom'd, business?

smiled on him Lored. The thing's decreed. The Giunta With deadly cozenage, eight long months and the Ten

beforehand Have made it law: who shall oppose that Eight months of such hypocrisy as is law?

Learnt but in eighty years. Brave CarBarb. Humanity!

magnuola Lored. Because his son is dead ? Is dead; so is youngFoscari and his brethrenbarb. And yet unburied.

I never smiled on them. Lored. Had we known this when

Barb. Was Carmagnuola The act was passing, it might have suspended Your friend 3 Its passage, but impedes it not-once past. Lored. He was the safeguard of the city.

In early life its foe, but, in his manhood, Barb. This stroke
Its saviour first, then victim.

Will move all Venice in his favour.
Barb. Ah! that seems

Lored. Right! The penalty of saving cities. He

We must be speedy: let us call together Whom we now act against not only saved The delegates appointed to convey Our own, but added others to her sway. The Council's resolution. Lored. The Romans (and we ape them)

Barb. I protest. gave a crown

Against it at this moment. To him who took a city; and they gave Lored. As you pleaseA crown to him who saved a citizen I'll take their voices on it ne'ertheless, In battle: the rewards are equal. Now, And see whose most may sway them, yours If we should measure forth the cities taken

or mine. By the Doge Foscari, with citizens

(Ereunt Barbarigo and Loredano. Destroy'd by him, or through him, the account

A CT V. Were fearfully against him, although narrow'd

SCENE 1.–The Doge's Apartment. To private havoc, such as between him And my dead father.

The DogE and Attendants. Barb. Are you then thus fix'd ?

Attendant. My lord, the deputation is Lored. Why, what should change me? in waiting ;

Barb. That which changes me: But add, that if another hour would better But you, I know, are marble to retain

Accord with your will, they will make it A feud. But when all is accomplishd, when

theirs. The old man is deposed, his name degraded, Doge. To me all hours are like. Let His sons all dead, his family depress’d,

them approach.

[Exit Attendant. And you and yours triumphant, shall you An Officer. Prince! I have done your sleep

bidding. Lored. More soundly.

Doge. What command ? Barb. That's an error, and you'll find it Officer. A melancholy one-to call the Ere you sleep with your fathers.

attendance Lored. They sleep not

OfIn their accelerated graves, nor will, Doge. True-true-true: I crave your Till Foscari fills his. Each night I see them

pardon, I Stalk frowning round my couch, and, point- Begin to fail in apprehension, and ing towards

Wax very old-old almost as my years. The ducal palace, marshal me to vengeance. Till now I fought them off, but they begin Barb. Fancy's distemperature! There is To overtake me.

no passion More spectral or fantastical than hate;

Enter the Deputation, consisting of six of the Not even its opposite, Love, so peoples air

Signory, and the Chief of the Ten. With phantoms, as this madness of the heart. Noble men, your pleasure !

Chief of the Ten. In the first place, the Enter an Officer.

Council doth condole Lored. Where go you, sirrah ? With the Doge on his late and private grief. Officer. By the ducal order

Doge. No more-no more of that. To forward the preparatory rites

Chief of the Ten. Will not the Duke For the late Foscari's interment.

Accept the homage of respect?
Barb. Their

Doge. I do
Vault has been often opend of late years. Accept it as 'tis given-proceed.
Lored. Twill be full soon, and may be Chief of the Ten. The Ten,
closed for ever.

With a selected Giunta from the senate Officer. May I pass on?

Of twenty-five of the best-born patricians, Lored. You may.

Having deliberated on the state Barb. How bears the Doge

Of the republic, and the o'erwhelming cares This last calamity ?

Which, ai this moment, doubly must oppress Officer. With desperate firmness. Your years, so long devoted to your country, In presence of another he says little, Have judged it fitting, with all reverence, But I perceive his lips move now and then; Now to solicit from your wisdom (which And once or twice I heard him, from the Upon reflection must accord in this) adjoining

The resignation of the ducal ring, Apartment, mutter forth the words—“My Which you have worn so long and venerably; son!"

And, to prove that they are not ungrateful nor Scarce audibly. I must proceed. Cold to your years and services, they add

[Exit Officer. An appanage of twenty hundred golden

Ducats, to make retirement not less splendid Marina. He might have lived,
Than should become a sovereign's retreat. So form’d for gentle privacy of life,
Doge. Did I hear rightly?

So loving, so beloved; the native of
Chief of the Ten. Need I say again? Another land, and who so blest and blessing
Doge. No.—Have you done ?

As my poor Foscari ? Nothing was wanting Chief of the Ten. I have spoken. Twenty- Unto his happiness and mine save not four

To be Venetian.
Hours are accorded you to give an answer. Doge. Or a prince's son.

Doge. I shall not need so many seconds. Marina. Yes; all things which conduce
Chief of the Ten. We

to other men's Will now retire.

Imperfect happiness or high ambition, Doge. Stay! Four and twenty hours By some strange destiny to him proved Will alter nothing which I have to say. deadly. Chief of the Ten. Speak!

The country and the people whom he loved, Doge. When I twice before reiterated The prince of whom he was the elder born, My wish to abdicate, it was refused me; AndAnd not alone refused, but ye exacted Doge. Soon may be a prince no longer. An oath from me that I would never more Marina. How ? Renew this instance. I have sworn to die Doge. They have taken my son from me, In full exertion of the functions which

and now aim My country call’d me here to exercise, At my too long worn diadem and ring. According to my honour and my conscience- Let them resume the gewgaws! I cannot break my oath.

Marina. Oh the tyrants ! Chief of the Ten. Reduce us not

In such an hour too! To the alternative of a decree,

Doge. 'Tis the fittest time: Instead of your compliance.

An hour ago I should have felt it. Doge. Providence

Marina. And Prolongs my days to prove and chasten me; Will you not now resent it?—Oh for venBut ye have no right to reproach my length

geance! of days, since every hour has been the But he, who, had he been enough protected, country's.

Might have repaid protection in this moment, I am ready to lay down my life for her, Cannot assist his father. As I have laid down dearer things than life: Doge. Nor should do so But for my dignity-I hold it of

Against his country, had he a thousand lives The whole republic; when the general will Instead of thatIs manifest, then you shall all be answer'd. Marina. They tortured from him. This Chief of the Ten. We grieve for such an May be pure patriotism. I am a woman: answer; but it cannot

To me my husband and my children were Avail you aught.

Country and home. I loved him— how I Doge. I can submit to all things,

loved him! But nothing will advance; no, not a moment. I have seen him pass through such ordeal as What you decree- decree.

The old martyrs would have shrunk from: Chief of the Ten. With this, then, must we Return to those who sent us?

And I, who would have given my blood for Doge. You have heard me.

him, Chief of the Ten. With all due reverence Have nought to give but' tears! But could ve retire.

I compass
[Ereunt the Deputation etc. The retribution of his wrongs!—Well, well;

I have sons who shall be men.
Enter an Attendant.

Doge. Your grief distracts you.
Attendant. My lord,

Marina. I thought I could have borne The noble dame Marina craves an audience.

it, when I saw him Doge. My time is hers.

Bow'd down by such oppression ; yes, I

thought Enter MARINA.

That I would rather look upon his corso Marina. My lord, if I intrude

Than his prolong'd captivity: Iam punish'd Perhaps you fain would be alone ? For that thought now.

Would I were in Doge. Alone!

his grave! Alone, come all the world around me, I Doge. I must look on him once more. Am now and evermore. But we will bear it. Marina. Come with me! Marina. We will; and for the sake of Doge. Is hethose who are,

Marina. Our bridal bed is now his bier. · Endeavour-Oh my husband!

Doge. And he is in his shrond? Doge. Give it way;

Marina. Come, come, old man! I cannot comfort thee.

(Exeunt the Dogc and Marina.

he is gone,

Enter BARBARIGO and LOREDANO.

Enter the Deputation as before. Barb. (to an Attendant). Where is the Chief of the Ten. Is the Duke aware Doge?

We seek his presence ?
Attendant. This instant retired hence Attendant. He shall be inform’d.
With the illustrious lady his son's widow.

[Erit Attendant. Lored. Where?

Barb. The Duke is with his son. Attendant. To the chamber where the Chief of the Ten. If it be so, body lies.

We will remit him till the rites are over. Barb. Let us return then.

Let us return. 'Tis time enough to-morrow. Lored. You forget, you cannot.

Lored. (aside to Barb.) Now the rich We have the implicit order of the Giunta man's hell-fire upon your tongue, To await their coming here, and join Unquench’d, unquenchable! I'll have it torn them in From its vile babbling roots, till you

shall Their office: they'll be here soon after us.

utter Barb. And will they press their answer Nothing but sobs through blood, for this! on the Doge?

Sage signors, Lored. 'Twas his own wish that all I pray ye be not hasty. (Aloud to the others. should be done promptly.

Barb. But be human!
He answer'd quickly, and must so be an- Lored. See, the Duke comes !
swer'd;

Enter the Doge.
His dignity is look'd to, his estate
Cared for what would he more?

Doge. I have obey'd your summons. Barb. Die in his robes.

Chief of the Ten. We come once more He could not have lived long; but I bave to urge our past request. done

Doge. And I to answer.
My best to save his honours, and opposed Chief of the Ten. What?
This proposition to the last, though vainly. Doge. My only answer.
Why would the general vote compel me You have heard it.
hither?

Chief of the Ten. Hear you then the last Lored. 'Twas fit that some one of such

decree, different thoughts

Definitive and absolute ! From ours should be a witness, lest false Doge. To the pointtongues

To the point! I know of old the forms of Should whisper that a harsh majority

office, Dreaded to have its acts beheld by others. And gentle preludes to strong acts – Go on! Barb. And not less, I must needs think, Chief of the Ten. You are no longer Doge; for the sake

you are released Of humbling me for my vain opposition. From your imperial oath as sovereign ; You are ingenious, Loredano, in

Your ducal robes must be put off; but for Your modes of vengeance, nay, poetical, Your services, the state allots the appanage A very Ovid in the art of hating; Already mention'd in our former congress. 'Tis thus (although a secondary object, Three days are left you to remove from Yet hate has microscopic eyes) to you

hence, I owe, by way of foil to the more zealous, Under the penalty to see confiscated This undesired association in

All your own private fortune. Your Giunta's duties.

Doge. That last clause, Lored. How!- my Giunta !

I am proud to say, would not enrich the Barb. Yours !

treasury. They speak your language, watch your Chief of the Ten. Your answer, Duke! nod, approve

Lored. Your answer, Francis Foscari! Your plans, and do your work. Are they Doge. If I could have foreseen that my

not yours? Lored. You talk unwarily. Twere best Was prejudicial to the state, the chief they hear not

Of the republic never would have shown This from you.

Himself so far ungrateful as to place Barb. Oh! they'll hear as much one day His own high dignity before his conntry; From londer tongnes than mine: they have But this life having been so many years gone beyond

Not useless to that country, I would fain Even their exorbitance of power; and when Have consecrated my last moments to her. This happens in the most contemn'd and But the decree being render'd, I obey. abject

Chief of the Ten. If you would have the States, stong humanity will rise to check it. three days named extended, Lorcd. You talk but idly.

We willingly will lengthen them to cight, Barb. That remains for proof.

As sign of our esteemi. Here come our colleagues.

Doge. Not eight hours, signor,

old age

Nor even eight minutes. There's the ducal Doge. Earth and heaven!

ring, (Taking off his ring and cap. Ye will reverberate this peal; and I And there the ducal diadem. And so Live to hear this!-the first doge who c'er The Adriatic's free to wed another.

heard Chief of the Ten. Yet go not forth so Such sound for his successor ! Happier he, quickly.

My attainted predecessor, stern FalieroDoge. I am old, sir,

This insult at the least was spared him. And even to move but slowly must begin Lored. What! To move betimes. Methinks I see amongst Do you regret a traitor ? _you

Doge. Na-I merely A face I know not-Senator! your name, Envy the dead. You, by your garb, Chief of the Forty! Chief of the Ten. My lord, if you indeed Memmo. Signor,

Are bent upon this rash abandonment I am the son of Marco Memmo.

Of the state's palace, at the least retire Doge. Ah!

By the private staircase, which conducts Your father was my friend.— But sons and you towards fathers!

The landing-place of the canal. What, ho! my servants there!

Doge. No. 1 Attendant. My prince !

Will now descend the stairs by which I Doge. No prince

mounted There are the princes of the prince! To sovereignty - the Giant's Stairs, on whose

(Pointing to the Ten's Deputation. Broad eminence I was invested duke. Prepare

My services have call'd me up those steps, To part from hence upon the instant. The malice of my foes will drive me down Chief of the Ten. Why

them. So rashly? 'twill give scandal.

There five and thirty years ago was I Doge. Answer that; [To the Ten. Install’d, and traversed these same halls It is your province.—Sirs, bestir yourselves :

from which [To the Servants. I never thought to be divorced except There is one burthen which I beg you bear A corse—a corse, it might be, fighting for With care, although 'tis past all farther

them harm

But not push'd hence by fellow-citizens. But I will look to that myself.

But, come; my son and I will go togetherBarb. He means

He to his grave, and I to pray for sine. The body of his son.

Chief of the Ten. What, thus in public? Doge. And call Marina,

Doge. I was publicly My daughter!

Elected, and so will I be deposed.

Marina! art thou willing?
Enter MABINA.

Marina. Here's nty arm?
Doge. Get thee ready, we must mourn Doge. And here my staff: thus propp'd
Elsewhere.

will I forth. Marina. And every where.

Chief of the Ten. It must not be -- the Doge. True; but in freedom,

people will perceive it. Without these jealous spies upon the great. Doge. The people !—There's no people, Signors, you may depart: what would you you well know it,

Else you dare not deal thus by them or me. Weare going: do you fear that we shall bear There is a populace, perhaps, whose looks The palace with us? Its old walls, ten times May shame you; but they dare not groan As old as I am, and I'm very old,

nor curse you, Have served you, so have I, and I and they Save with their hearts and eyes. Could tell a tale; but I invoke them not Chief of the Ten. You speak in passion, To fall upon you! else they would, as erst Else – The pillars of stone Dagon's temple on Doge. You have reason. I have spoken The Israelite and his Philistine foes.

much Such power I do believe there might exist More than my wont: it is a foible which In such a curse as mine, provoked by such was not of mine, but more excuses you, As you; but I curse not. Adieu, good signors! Inasmuch as it shows that I approach May the next duke be better than the present! A dotage which may justify this deed Lored. The present duke is Paschal Of yours, although the law does not,nor will. Malipiero.

Farewell, sirs ! Doge. Not till I pass the threshold of Barb. You shall not depart without these doors.

An escort fitting past and present rank. Lored. Saint Mark's great bell is soon we will accompany, with due respect, about to toll

The Doge unto his private palace. Say! For his inauguration.

My brethren, will we not?

go

more?