ed but not disgraced, crushed, overwhelmed, 160
Alive, or dead, for Prince or Paladin
In story or in fable, with a world
To back his suit. Dishonoured!--_he_ dishonoured!
I tell thee, Doge, 'tis Venice is dishonoured;
His name shall be her foulest, worst reproach,
For what he suffers, not for what he did.
'Tis ye who are all traitors, Tyrant!--ye!
Did you but love your Country like this victim
Who totters back in chains to tortures, and
Submits to all things rather than to exile, 170
You'd fling yourselves before him, and implore
His grace for your enormous guilt.

_Doge_. He was
Indeed all you have said. I better bore
The deaths of the two sons[52] Heaven took from me,
Than Jacopo's disgrace.

_Mar._ That word again?

_Doge_. Has he not been condemned?

_Mar._ Is none but guilt so?

_Doge_. Time may restore his memory--I would hope so.
He was my pride, my----but 'tis useless now--
I am not given to tears, but wept for joy
When he was born: those drops were ominous. 180

_Mar._ I say he's innocent! And were he not so,
Is our own blood and kin to shrink from us
In fatal moments?

_Doge_. I shrank not from him:
But I have other duties than a father's;
The state would not dispense me from those duties;
Twice I demanded it, but was refused:[53]
They must then be fulfilled.

_Enter an Attendant_.

_Att._ A message from
"The Ten."

_Doge_. Who bears it?

_Att._ Noble Loredano.

_Doge_. He!--but admit him. [_Exit Attendant_.

_Mar._ Must I then retire?

_Doge_. Perhaps it is not requisite, if this 190
Concerns your husband, and if not----Well, Signor,
[_To_ LOREDANO _entering_.
Your pleasure?

_Lor._ I bear that of "the Ten."

_Doge_. They
Have chosen well their envoy.

_Lor._ 'Tis _their_ choice
Which leads me here.

_Doge_. It does their wisdom honour,
And no less to their courtesy.--Proceed.

_Lor._ We have decided.