400
Has risen to what she is--a state to rival
In deeds, and days, and sway, and, let me add,
In glory (for we have had Roman spirits
Amongst us), all that history has bequeathed
Of Rome and Carthage in their best times, when
The people swayed by Senates.

_Mar._ Rather say,
Groaned under the stern Oligarchs.

_Doge_. Perhaps so;
But yet subdued the World: in such a state
An individual, be he richest of
Such rank as is permitted, or the meanest, 410
Without a name, is alike nothing, when
The policy, irrevocably tending
To one great end, must be maintained in vigour.

_Mar._ This means that you are more a Doge than father.

_Doge_. It means, I am more citizen than either.
If we had not for many centuries
Had thousands of such citizens, and shall,
I trust, have still such, Venice were no city.

_Mar._ Accursed be the city where the laws
Would stifle Nature's!

_Doge_. Had I as many sons 420
As I have years, I would have given them all,
Not without feeling, but I would have given them
To the State's service, to fulfil her wishes,
On the flood, in the field, or, if it must be,
As it, alas! has been, to ostracism,
Exile, or chains, or whatsoever worse
She might decree.

_Mar._ And this is Patriotism?
To me it seems the worst barbarity.
Let me seek out my husband: the sage "Ten,"
With all its jealousy, will hardly war 430
So far with a weak woman as deny me
A moment's access to his dungeon.

_Doge_. I'll
So far take on myself, as order that
You may be admitted.

_Mar._ And what shall I say
To Foscari from his father?

_Doge_. That he obey
The laws.

_Mar._ And nothing more? Will you not see him
Ere he depart? It may be the last time.

_Doge_. The last!--my boy!--the last time I shall see
My last of children! Tell him I will come. [_Exeunt_.

ACT III.

SCENE I.--_The prison of_ JACOPO FOSCARI.

_Jac. Fos._ (_solus_).
No light, save yon faint gleam which shows me walls
Which never echoed but to Sorrow's sounds,[58]