_Chief of the Ten_. Will not the Duke Accept the homage of respect?
_Doge_. I do Accept it as "tis given--proceed.
_Chief of the Ten_. "The Ten,"
With a selected giunta from the Senate Of twenty-five of the best born patricians, Having deliberated on the state Of the Republic, and the o"erwhelming cares 20 Which, at this moment, doubly must oppress Your years, so long devoted to your Country, Have judged it fitting, with all reverence, Now to solicit from your wisdom (which Upon reflection must accord in this), The resignation of the ducal ring, Which you have worn so long and venerably: And to prove that they are not ungrateful, nor Cold to your years and services, they add An appanage of twenty hundred golden 30 Ducats, to make retirement not less splendid Than should become a Sovereign"s retreat.
_Doge_. Did I hear rightly?
_Chief of the Ten_. Need I say again?
_Doge_. No.--Have you done?
_Chief of the Ten_. I have spoken. Twenty four[77]
Hours are accorded you to give an answer.
_Doge_. I shall not need so many seconds.
_Chief of the Ten_. We Will now retire.
_Doge_. Stay! four and twenty hours Will alter nothing which I have to say.
_Chief of the Ten_. Speak!
_Doge_. When I twice before reiterated My wish to abdicate, it was refused me: 40 And not alone refused, but ye exacted An oath from me that I would never more Renew this instance. I have sworn to die In full exertion of the functions, which My Country called me here to exercise, According to my honour and my conscience-- I cannot break _my_ oath.
_Chief of the Ten_. Reduce us not To the alternative of a decree, Instead of your compliance.
_Doge_. Providence Prolongs my days to prove and chasten me; 50 But ye have no right to reproach my length Of days, since every hour has been the Country"s.
I am ready to lay down my life for her, As I have laid down dearer things than life: But for my dignity--I hold it of The _whole_ Republic: when the _general_ will Is manifest, then you shall all be answered.
_Chief of the Ten_. We grieve for such an answer; but it cannot Avail you aught.
_Doge_. I can submit to all things, But nothing will advance; no, not a moment. 60 What you decree--decree.
_Chief of the Ten_. With this, then, must we Return to those who sent us?
_Doge_. You have heard me.
_Chief of the Ten_. With all due reverence we retire.
[_Exeunt the Deputation, etc._
_Enter an Attendant_.
_Att._ My Lord, The n.o.ble dame Marina craves an audience.
_Doge_. My time is hers.
_Enter_ MARINA.
_Mar._ My Lord, if I intrude-- Perhaps you fain would be alone?
_Doge_. Alone!
Alone, come all the world around me, I Am now and evermore. But we will bear it.
_Mar._ We will, and for the sake of those who are, Endeavour----Oh, my husband!
_Doge_. Give it way: 70 I cannot comfort thee.
_Mar._ He might have lived, So formed 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.
_Mar._ Yes; all things which conduce to other men"s Imperfect happiness or high ambition, By some strange destiny, to him proved deadly. 80 The Country and the People whom he loved, The Prince of whom he was the elder born, And----
_Doge_. Soon may be a Prince no longer.
_Mar._ How?
_Doge_. They have taken my son from me, and now aim At my too long worn diadem and ring.
Let them resume the gewgaws!
_Mar._ Oh, the tyrants!
In such an hour too!
_Doge_. "Tis the fittest time; An hour ago I should have felt it.
_Mar._ And Will you not now resent it?--Oh, for vengeance!
But he, who, had he been enough protected, 90 Might have repaid protection in this moment, Cannot a.s.sist his father.
_Doge_. Nor should do so Against his Country, had he a thousand lives Instead of that----
_Mar._ They tortured from him. This May be pure patriotism. I am a woman: To me my husband and my children were Country and home. I loved _him_--how I loved him!
I have seen him pa.s.s through such an ordeal as The old martyrs would have shrunk from: he is gone, And I, who would have given my blood for him, 100 Have nought to give but tears! But could I compa.s.s The retribution of his wrongs!--Well, well!
I have sons, who shall be men.
_Doge_. Your grief distracts you.
_Mar._ I thought I could have borne it, when I saw him Bowed down by such oppression; yes, I thought That I would rather look upon his corse Than his prolonged captivity:--I am punished For that thought now. Would I were in his grave!
_Doge_. I must look on him once more.
_Mar._ Come with me!
_Doge_. Is he----
_Mar._ Our bridal bed is now his bier, 110
_Doge_. And he is in his shroud!