he 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
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