Fostered the wretch who stung me. What I suffer Has reached me through my pity for the people; That many know, and they who know not yet T ["The members of the Ten (Il Consiglio de' Dieci) were elected in the Great Council for one year only, and were not re-eligible for the year after they had held office. Every month the Ten elected three of their own number as chiefs, or Capi of the Council. The court consisted, besides the Ten, of the Doge and his six councillors, seventeen members in all, of whom twelve were necessary to make a quorum. One of the Avogadori di Comun, or State advocates, was always present, without the power to vote, but to act as clerk to the court, informing it of the law, and correcting it where its procedure seemed informal. Venice, an Historical Sketch, by Horatio F. Brown, 1893, pp. 177, 178.] Cal. Long live Faliero! - Venice shall be free! Consp. Long live Faliero! 1. Ber. Comrades! did I well? Is not this man a host in such a cause? Doge. This is no time for. eulogies, nor place For exultation. Am I one of you? Cal. Aye, and the first among us, as thou hast been Of Venice be our General and Chief. Doge. Chief! - General! - I was General at Zara, And Chief in Rhodes and Cyprus, Prince in Venice: I cannot stoop- that is, I am not fit To lead a band of - patriots: when I lay 221 Aside the dignities which I have borne, 'Tis not to put on others, but to be Mate to my fellows but now to the point: Israel has stated to me your whole plan'Tis bold, but feasible if I assist it, And must be set in motion instantly. Cal. E'en when thou wilt. Is it not so, my friends? I have disposed all for a sudden blow; When shall it be then? Doge. Dolfino's father was my friend, and Lando Fought by my side, and Marc Cornaro shared My Genoese embassy: I saved the life Of Veniero - shall I save it twice? Would that I could save them and Venice also! All these men, or their fathers, were my friends Till they became my subjects; then fell from me As faithless leaves drop from the o'erblown flower, And left me a lone blighted thorny stalk, 310 Which, in its solitude, can shelter nothing; So, as they let me wither, let them Them choose me for their Prince, and then farewell! Farewell all social memory! all thoughts In common! and sweet bonds which link old friendships, When the survivors of long years and actions, Which now belong to history, soothe the days 330 Which yet remain by treasuring each other, And never meet, but each beholds the mirror Of half a century on his brother's brow, And sees a hundred beings, now in earth, Flit round them whispering of the days gone by, And seeming not all dead, as long as two Of the brave, joyous, reckless, glorious band, Which once were one and many, still retain A breath to sigh for them, a tongue to speak Of deeds that else were silent, save on marble 340 Oimé! Oimé! and must I do this deed? I. Ber. My Lord, you are much That such things must be dwelt upon. me I recede not: mark with You would but smite the scholar, I the master; You would but punish Steno, I the Senate. I cannot pause on individual hate, In the absorbing, sweeping, whole revenge, 420 Which, like the sheeted fire from Heaven, must blast Without distinction, as it fell of yore, I. Ber. Away, then, to your posts! A moment to accompany the Doge Have been upon the scout, and thence I hasten To where my allotted band is under |