The Works of Lord Byron Volume V Part 49

_Mar._ Come, come, old man!

[_Exeunt the_ DOGE _and_ MARINA.

_Enter_ BARBARIGO _and_ LOREDANO.

_Bar._ (_to an Attendant_). Where is the Doge?

_Att._ This instant retired hence, With the ill.u.s.trious lady his son's widow.

_Lor._ Where?

_Att._ To the chamber where the body lies.

_Bar._ Let us return, then.

_Lor._ 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.

_Bar._ And will they press their answer on the Doge?

_Lor._ 'Twas his own wish that all should be done promptly. 120 He answered quickly, and must so be answered; His dignity is looked to, his estate Cared for--what would he more?

_Bar._ 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?

_Lor._ 'Twas fit that some one of such different thoughts From ours should be a witness, lest false tongues Should whisper that a harsh majority 130 Dreaded to have its acts beheld by others.

_Bar._ And not less, I must needs think, for the sake Of humbling me for my vain opposition.

You are ingenious, Loredano, in Your modes of vengeance, nay, poetical, A very Ovid in the art of _hating_; 'Tis thus (although a secondary object, Yet hate has microscopic eyes), to you I owe, by way of foil to the more zealous, This undesired a.s.sociation in 140 Your Giunta's duties.

_Lor._ How!--_my_ Giunta!

_Bar._ _Yours!_ They speak your language, watch your nod, approve Your plans, and do your work. Are they not _yours?_

_Lor._ You talk unwarily. 'Twere best they hear not This from you.

_Bar._ 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 contemned and abject States, stung humanity will rise to check it.

_Lor._ You talk but idly.

_Bar._ That remains for proof. 150 Here come our colleagues.

_Enter the Deputation as before_.

_Chief of the Ten_. Is the Duke aware We seek his presence?

_Att._ He shall be informed.

[_Exit Attendant_.

_Bar._ 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.

_Lor._ (_aside to Bar_.) Now the rich man's h.e.l.l-fire upon your tongue, Unquenched, unquenchable! I'll have it torn From its vile babbling roots, till you shall utter Nothing but sobs through blood, for this! Sage Signors, I pray ye be not hasty. [_Aloud to the others_.

_Bar._ But be human! 160

_Lor._ See, the Duke comes!

_Enter the_ DOGE.

_Doge_. I have obeyed 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!

_Doge_. To the point-- 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; Your ducal robes must be put off; but for 170 Your services, the State allots the appanage Already mentioned in our former congress.

Three days are left you to remove from hence, Under the penalty to see confiscated All your own private fortune.

_Doge_. That last clause, I am proud to say, would not enrich the treasury.

_Chief of the Ten_. Your answer, Duke!

_Lor._ Your answer, Francis Foscari!

_Doge_. If I could have foreseen that my old age Was prejudicial to the State, the Chief Of the Republic never would have shown 180 Himself so far ungrateful, as to place His own high dignity before his Country; But this _life_ having been so many years _Not_ useless to that Country, I would fain Have consecrated my last moments to her.

But the decree being rendered, I obey.[bt][78]

_Chief of the Ten_. If you would have the three days named extended, We willingly will lengthen them to eight, As sign of our esteem.

_Doge_. Not eight hours, Signor, Not even eight minutes--there's the ducal ring, 190 [_Taking off his ring and cap_.

And there the ducal diadem! And so The Adriatic's free to wed another.

_Chief of the Ten_. Yet go not forth so quickly.

_Doge_. I am old, sir, And even to move but slowly must begin To move betimes. Methinks I see amongst you A face I know not.--Senator! your name, You, by your garb, Chief of the Forty!

_Mem._ Signor, I am the son of Marco Memmo.