y?

_Offi._ With desperate firmness.
In presence of another he says little,
But I perceive his lips move now and then;
And once or twice I heard him, from the adjoining
Apartment, mutter forth the words--"My son!"
Scarce audibly. I must proceed. [_Exit Officer_.

_Bar._ This stroke
Will move all Venice in his favour.

_Lor._ Right! 350
We must be speedy: let us call together
The delegates appointed to convey
The Council's resolution.

_Bar._ I protest
Against it at this moment.

_Lor._ As you please--
I'll take their voices on it ne'ertheless,
And see whose most may sway them, yours or mine.
[_Exeunt_ BARBARIGO _and_ LOREDANO.

ACT V.

SCENE I.--_The_ DOGE'S _Apartment_.

_The_ DOGE _and Attendants_.

_Att._ My Lord, the deputation is in waiting;
But add, that if another hour would better
Accord with your will, they will make it theirs.

_Doge_. To me all hours are like. Let them approach.
[_Exit Attendant_.

_An Officer_. Prince! I have done your bidding.

_Doge_. What command?

_Offi._ A melancholy one--to call the attendance
Of----

_Doge_. True--true--true: I crave your pardon. I
Begin to fail in apprehension, and
Wax very old--old almost as my years.
Till now I fought them off, but they begin 10
To overtake me.

_Enter the Deputation, consisting of six of the Signory
and the Chief of the Ten_.

Noble men, your pleasure!

_Chief of the Ten_. In the first place, the Council doth condole
With the Doge on his late and private grief.

_Doge_. No more--no more of that.

_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 t