Barb. Yet pause the number of our colleagues is not Complete yet; two are wanting ere we can Proceed. Lored. And the chief judge, the Doge? With more than Roman fortitude is ever Barb. Will nothing move you? Barb. He shows is not. Lored. I have mark'd that-the wretch! Barb. But yesterday, I hear, on his return To the ducal chambers, as he pass'd the threshold The old man fainted. Lored. It begins to work, then. Barb. The work is half your own. Lored. And should be all mineMy father and my uncle are no more. Barb. I have read their epitaph, which says they died By poison. Lored. When the Doge declared that he Should never deem himself a sovereign till The death of Peter Loredano, both The brothers sicken'd shortly: — he is sovereign. Barb. A wretched one. Lored. What should they be who make Orphans? Barb. But did the Doge make you so? Lored. Yes. Barb. What solid proofs? Lored. When princes set themselves To work in secret, proofs and process are Alike made difficult; but I have such Barb. They are such in this commerce (The wealthy practise of our highest nobles), "Doge Foscari, my debtor for the deaths Lored. It is written thus. Barb. And will you leave it unerased? Barb. And how? (Two Senators pass over the stage, as Thy path of desolation, as the wave Who shrieks within its riven ribs, as gush Might move the elements to pause, and yet Thy foes,must be thy victims: wilt thou beat Enter Guards, with young FOSCARI as Guard. Let him rest. Signor, take time. J. Foscari. I thank thee, friend, I'm feeble; But thou mayst stand reproved. Guard. I'll stand the hazard. Enter an Officer, who whispers BARBARIGO. In this brief parley, and must now redeem it [Exit Barbarigą. [Guard conducting Jacopo Foscari to the window. Guard. There, sir, 'tis J. Foscari. Like a boy-Oh Venice! J. Foscari. Limbs! how often have they borne me Bounding o'er yon blue tide, as I have The gondola along in childish race, While the fair populace of crowding beauties, The wave all roughen'd; with a swimmer's Flinging the billows back from my drench'd hair, J. Foscari. That's kind: - I meet some And laughing from my lip the audacious pity, but no mercy; This is the first. Guard. And might be last, did they Who rule behold us. Barb. (advancing to the guard) There Yet fear not; I will neither be thy judge sounds, brine, With a far-dashing stroke, and drawing deep We'll in together. Look well to the prisoner! The long-suspended breath, again I spurn'd J. Foscari. What voice is that? 'tis The foam which broke around me, and pursued Barbarigo's! Ah! My track like a sea-bird.—I was a boy then. Guard. Be a man now: there never was | And the cold drops strain through my brow more need Of manhood's strength. J. Foscari (looking from the lattice). My beautiful, my own, My only Venice- this is breath! Thy breeze, Thine Adrian sea-breeze,how it fans my face! Thy very winds feel native to my veins, And cool them into calmness! How unlike The hot gales of the horrid Cyclades, Which howl'd about my Candiote dungeon, and Guard. And the third time will slay you. So I be buried in my birth - place; better Be ashes here than aught that lives elsewhere. Guard. And can you so much love the soil which hates you? J. Foscari. The soil! - Oh no, it is the Which persecutes me; but my native earth Officer. Bring in the prisoner! The third time they have tortured me:then lend me Thine arm. J. Foscari. You!-you are he Officer. As you please, signor; The sentence was not of my signing, but I dared not disobey the Council when They J. Foscari. Bade thee stretch me on their horrid engine. I pray thee touch me not- that is, just now; The time will come they will renew that order, But keep off from me till 'tis issued. As I look upon thy hands my curdling limbs Quiver with the anticipated wrenching, as if But onward-1 have borne it-I can bear it.- Officer. With his wonted aspect. J. Foscari. So does the earth, and sky, The brightness of our city, and her domes, unknown Who govern, and the unknown and the unnumber'd Judged and destroy'd in silence,—all things wear The self-same aspect, to my very sire! [Exeunt Jacopo Foscari, Officer, etc. Enter MEMMO and another Senator. Memmo. He's gone-we are too late:~ think you the Ten Will sit for any length of time to-day? Senator. They say the prisoner is most obdurate, Persisting in his first avowal; but Memmo. And that is much; the secrets Of yon terrific chamber are as hidden From us, the premier nobles of the state, As from the people. Senator. Save the wonted rumours, Which (like the tales of spectres that are rife Near ruin'd buildings) never have been proved, Nor wholly disbelieved: men know as little Of the state's real acts as of the grave's Unfathom'd mysteries. Memmo. But with length of time We gain a step in knowledge, and I look Forward to be one day of the decemvirs. Senator. Or Doge? Memmo. Why, no, not if I can avoid it. Senator. 'Tis the first station of the state, and may Be lawfully desired, and lawfully Memmo. To such I leave it; though born noble, my ambition Whom have we here? the wife of Foscari? Enter MARINA with a female Attendant. Marina. What, no one? I am wrong, there still are two; But they are senators. Memmo. Most noble lady, Command us. Marina. I command!--Alas! my life Has been one long entreaty, and a vain one Memmo. I understand thee, but I must not answer. Marina (fiercely). True_none dare answer here save on the rack, Or question save those— To love; but_no_no_no_it must have been A fearful pang which wrung a groan from him. Senator. And feeling for thy husband's wrongs, wouldst thou Memmo (interrupting her). High-born Have him bear more than mortal pain, in dame! bethink thee Where thou now art. silence? He does not, there are those will sentence Ingress is given to none within those both. Is but to expose yourself to harsh repulse, Marina. Who shall oppose me? Whose duty 'tis to do so. Marina. 'Tis their duty To trample on all human feelings, all Marina. That shall be tried. With levell'd spears; and think you a few jailors Shall put me from my path? Give me, then, way; This is the Doge's palace; I am wife Senator. Poor lady! Memmo. "Tis mere desperation; she Will not be admitted o'er the threshold. Senator. And Even if she be so, cannot save her husband. But, see, the officer returns. Lored. And had he not recover'd ? Upon the least renewal. Lored. Twas not tried. Barb. 'Tis vain to murmur; the majority [The officer passes over the stage In council were against you. Memmo. I hardly of pity, Or would permit assistance to this sufferer. Resource against the tyranny of pain? at once. Senator. That's not their policy: they'd Because he fears not death; and banish him, Memmo. Circumstance Address'd to Milan's duke, in the full know- That it would fall into the senate's hands, Senator. Yes, but to his country: was proved. Senator. Not clearly, and the charge of Has been annull'd by thedeath-bed confession Memmo. Then why not clear him? They ought to answer; for it is well known Was slain by Erizzo for private vengeance. | Lored. Thanks to you, sir, And the old ducal dotard, who combined Of our stern duty, which prescribes the And bids us sit and see its sharp infliction, Lored. What? | And were the first to call out for assistance Lored. I believed that swoon Barb. And have I not oft heard thee name memory? Lored. Wouldst thou have |