Chapter 13

_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 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 noble 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 assist 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 pass 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 compass 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!

_Mar._ Come, come, old man! [_Exeunt the_ DOGE _and_ MARINA.

_Enter_ BARBARIGO _and_ LOREDANO.

_Bar._ (_to an Attendant_). Where is the Doge?

_Att._ This instant retired hence, With the illustrious lady his son's widow.

_Lor._ Where?

_Att._ To the chamber where the body lies.

_Bar._ Let us return, then.

_Lor._ You forget, you cannot. We have the implicit order of the Giunta To await their coming here, and join them in Their office: they'll be here soon after us.

_Bar._ And will they press their answer on the Doge?

_Lor._ 'Twas his own wish that all should be done promptly. 120 He answered quickly, and must so be answered; His dignity is looked to, his estate Cared for--what would he more?

_Bar._ Die in his robes: He could not have lived long; but I have done My best to save his honours, and opposed This proposition to the last, though vainly. Why would the general vote compel me hither?

_Lor._ 'Twas fit that some one of such different thoughts From ours should be a witness, lest false tongues Should whisper that a harsh majority 130 Dreaded to have its acts beheld by others.

_Bar._ And not less, I must needs think, for the sake Of humbling me for my vain opposition. You are ingenious, Loredano, in Your modes of vengeance, nay, poetical, A very Ovid in the art of _hating_; 'Tis thus (although a secondary object, Yet hate has microscopic eyes), to you I owe, by way of foil to the more zealous, This undesired association in 140 Your Giunta's duties.

_Lor._ How!--_my_ Giunta!

_Bar._ _Yours!_ They speak your language, watch your nod, approve Your plans, and do your work. Are they not _yours?_

_Lor._ You talk unwarily. 'Twere best they hear not This from you.

_Bar._ Oh! they'll hear as much one day From louder tongues than mine; they have gone beyond Even their exorbitance of power: and when This happens in the most contemned and abject States, stung humanity will rise to check it.

_Lor._ You talk but idly.

_Bar._ That remains for proof. 150 Here come our colleagues.

_Enter the Deputation as before_.

_Chief of the Ten_. Is the Duke aware We seek his presence?

_Att._ He shall be informed. [_Exit Attendant_.

_Bar._ The Duke is with his son.

_Chief of the Ten_. If it be so, We will remit him till the rites are over. Let us return. 'Tis time enough to-morrow.

_Lor._ (_aside to Bar_.) Now the rich man's hell-fire upon your tongue, Unquenched, unquenchable! I'll have it torn From its vile babbling roots, till you shall utter Nothing but sobs through blood, for this! Sage Signors, I pray ye be not hasty. [_Aloud to the others_.

_Bar._ But be human! 160

_Lor._ See, the Duke comes!

_Enter the_ DOGE.

_Doge_. I have obeyed your summons.

_Chief of the Ten_. We come once more to urge our past request.

_Doge_. And I to answer.

_Chief of the Ten_. What?

_Doge_. My only answer. You have heard it.

_Chief of the Ten_. Hear _you_ then the last decree, Definitive and absolute!

_Doge_. To the point-- To the point! I know of old the forms of office, And gentle preludes to strong acts.--Go on!

_Chief of the Ten_. You are no longer Doge; you are released From your imperial oath as Sovereign; Your ducal robes must be put off; but for 170 Your services, the State allots the appanage Already mentioned in our former congress. Three days are left you to remove from hence, Under the penalty to see confiscated All your own private fortune.

_Doge_. That last clause, I am proud to say, would not enrich the treasury.

_Chief of the Ten_. Your answer, Duke!

_Lor._ Your answer, Francis Foscari!

_Doge_. If I could have foreseen that my old age Was prejudicial to the State, the Chief Of the Republic never would have shown 180 Himself so far ungrateful, as to place His own high dignity before his Country; But this _life_ having been so many years _Not_ useless to that Country, I would fain Have consecrated my last moments to her. But the decree being rendered, I obey.[bt][78]

_Chief of the Ten_. If you would have the three days named extended, We willingly will lengthen them to eight, As sign of our esteem.

_Doge_. Not eight hours, Signor, Not even eight minutes--there's the ducal ring, 190 [_Taking off his ring and cap_. And there the ducal diadem! And so The Adriatic's free to wed another.

_Chief of the Ten_. Yet go not forth so quickly.

_Doge_. I am old, sir, And even to move but slowly must begin To move betimes. Methinks I see amongst you A face I know not.--Senator! your name, You, by your garb, Chief of the Forty!

_Mem._ Signor, I am the son of Marco Memmo.

_Doge_. Ah! Your father was my friend.--But _sons_ and _fathers!_-- What, ho! my servants there!

_Atten._ My Prince!

_Doge_. No Prince-- 200 There are the princes of the Prince! [_Pointing to the Ten's Deputation_ --Prepare To part from hence upon the instant.

_Chief of the Ten_. Why So rashly? 'twill give scandal.

_Doge_ (_to the Ten_). Answer that; It is your province. [_To the Servants_. --Sirs, bestir yourselves: There is one burthen which I beg you bear With care, although 'tis past all farther harm-- But I will look to that myself.

_Bar._ He means The body of his son.

_Doge_. And call Marina, My daughter!

_Enter_ MARINA.

_Doge_. Get thee ready, we must mourn Elsewhere.

_Mar._ And everywhere.

_Doge_. True; but in freedom, 210 Without these jealous spies upon the great. Signers, you may depart: what would you more? We are going; do you fear that we shall bear The palace with us? Its _old_ walls, ten times As _old_ as I am, and I'm very old, Have served you, so have I, and I and they Could tell a tale; but I invoke them not To fall upon you! else they would, as erst The pillars of stone Dagon's temple on The Israelite and his Philistine foes. 220 Such power I do believe there might exist In such a curse as mine, provoked by such As you; but I curse not. Adieu, good Signers! May the next Duke be better than the present!

_Lor._ The _present_ Duke is Paschal Malipiero.

_Doge_. Not till I pass the threshold of these doors.

_Lor._ Saint Mark's great bell is soon about to toll For his inauguration.

_Doge_. Earth and Heaven! Ye will reverberate this peal; and I Live to hear this!--the first Doge who e'er heard 230 Such sound for his successor: happier he, My attainted predecessor, stern Faliero-- This insult at the least was spared him.

_Lor._ What! Do you regret a traitor?

_Doge_. No--I merely Envy the dead.

_Chief of the Ten_. My Lord, if you indeed Are bent upon this rash abandonment Of the State's palace, at the least retire By the private staircase, which conducts you towards The landing-place of the canal.

_Doge_. No. I Will now descend the stairs by which I mounted 240 To sovereignty--the Giants' Stairs, on whose Broad eminence I was invested Duke. My services have called me up those steps, The malice of my foes will drive me down them.[79] _There_ five and thirty years ago was I Installed, and traversed these same halls, from which I never thought to be divorced except A corse--a corse, it might be, fighting for them-- But not pushed hence by fellow-citizens. But come; my son and I will go together-- 250 He to his grave, and I to pray for mine.

_Chief of the Ten_. What! thus in public?

_Doge_. I was publicly Elected, and so will I be deposed. Marina! art thou willing?

_Mar._ Here's my arm!

_Doge_. And here my _staff_: thus propped will I go forth.

_Chief of the Ten_. It must not be--the people will perceive it.

_Doge_. The people,--There's no people, you well know it, Else you dare not deal thus by them or me. There is a _populace_, perhaps, whose looks May shame you; but they dare not groan nor curse you, 260 Save with their hearts and eyes.

_Chief of the Ten_. You speak in passion, Else----

_Doge_. You have reason. I have spoken much More than my wont: it is a foible which Was not of mine, but more excuses you, Inasmuch as it shows, that I approach A dotage which may justify this deed Of yours, although the law does not, nor will. Farewell, sirs!

_Bar._ You shall not depart without An escort fitting past and present rank. We will accompany, with due respect, 270 The Doge unto his private palace. Say! My brethren, will we not?

_Different voices_. Aye!--Aye!

_Doge_. You shall not Stir--in my train, at least. I entered here As Sovereign--I go out as citizen By the same portals, but as citizen. All these vain ceremonies are base insults, Which only ulcerate the heart the more, Applying poisons there as antidotes. Pomp is for Princes--I am none!--That's false, I _am_, but only to these gates.--Ah!

_Lor._ Hark! 280 [_The great bell of St. Mark's tolls_.

_Bar._ The bell!

_Chief of the Ten_. St. Mark's, which tolls for the election Of Malipiero.

_Doge_. Well I recognise The sound! I heard it once, but once before, And that is five and thirty years ago; Even _then_ I _was not young_.

_Bar._ Sit down, my Lord! You tremble.

_Doge_. 'Tis the knell of my poor boy! My heart aches bitterly.

_Bar._ I pray you sit.

_Doge_. No; my seat here has been a throne till now. Marina! let us go.

_Mar._ Most readily.

_Doge_. (_walks a few steps, then stops_). I feel athirst--will no one bring me here 290 A cup of water?

_Bar._ I----

_Mar._ And I----

_Lor._ And I---- [_The Doge takes a goblet from the hand of_ LOREDANO.

_Doge_. I take _yours_, Loredano, from the hand Most fit for such an hour as this.[bu]

_Lor._ Why so?

_Doge_. 'Tis said that our Venetian crystal has Such pure antipathy to poisons as To burst, if aught of venom touches it. You bore this goblet, and it is not broken.

_Lor._ Well, sir!

_Doge_. Then it is false, or you are true. For my own part, I credit neither; 'tis An idle legend.

_Mar._ You talk wildly, and 300 Had better now be seated, nor as yet Depart. Ah! now you look as looked my husband!

_Bar._ He sinks!--support him!--quick--a chair--support him!

_Doge_. The bell tolls on!--let's hence--my brain's on fire!

_Bar._ I do beseech you, lean upon us!

_Doge_. No! A Sovereign should die standing. My poor boy! Off with your arms!--_That bell!_[80] [_The_ DOGE _drops down and dies_.

_Mar._ My God! My God!

_Bar._ (_to Lor._). Behold! your work's completed!

_Chief of the Ten_. Is there then No aid? Call in assistance!

_Att._ 'Tis all over.

_Chief of the Ten_. If it be so, at least his obsequies 310 Shall be such as befits his name and nation, His rank and his devotion to the duties Of the realm, while his age permitted him To do himself and them full justice. Brethren, Say, shall it not be so?

_Bar._ He has not had The misery to die a subject where[bv] He reigned: then let his funeral rites be princely.[81]

_Chief of the Ten_. We are agreed, then?

_All, except Lor., answer,_ Yes.

_Chief of the Ten_. Heaven's peace be with him!

_Mar._ Signers, your pardon: this is mockery. 320 Juggle no more with that poor remnant, which, A moment since, while yet it had a soul, (A soul by whom you have increased your Empire, And made your power as proud as was his glory), You banished from his palace and tore down From his high place, with such relentless coldness; And now, when he can neither know these honours, Nor would accept them if he could, you, Signors, Purpose, with idle and superfluous pomp, To make a pageant over what you trampled. 330 A princely funeral will be your reproach, And not his honour.

_Chief of the Ten_. Lady, we revoke not Our purposes so readily.

_Mar._ I know it, As far as touches torturing the living. I thought the dead had been beyond even _you_, Though (some, no doubt) consigned to powers which may Resemble that you exercise on earth. Leave him to me; you would have done so for His dregs of life, which you have kindly shortened: It is my last of duties, and may prove 340 A dreary comfort in my desolation.[bw] Grief is fantastical, and loves the dead, And the apparel of the grave.

_Chief of the Ten_. Do you Pretend still to this office?

_Mar._ I do, Signor. Though his possessions have been all consumed In the State's service, I have still my dowry, Which shall be consecrated to his rites, And those of---- [_She stops with agitation_.

_Chief of the Ten_. Best retain it for your children.

_Mar._ Aye, they are fatherless, I thank you.

_Chief of the Ten_. We Cannot comply with your request. His relics 350 Shall be exposed with wonted pomp, and followed Unto their home by the new Doge, not clad As _Doge_, but simply as a senator.

_Mar._ I have heard of murderers, who have interred Their victims; but ne'er heard, until this hour, Of so much splendour in hypocrisy O'er those they slew.[82] I've heard of widows' tears-- Alas! I have shed some--always thanks to you! I've heard of _heirs_ in sables--you have left none To the deceased, so you would act the part 360 Of such. Well, sirs, your will be done! as one day, I trust, Heaven's will be done too![bx]

_Chief of the Ten_. Know you, Lady, To whom ye speak, and perils of such speech?

_Mar._ I know the former better than yourselves; The latter--like yourselves; and can face both. Wish you more funerals?

_Bar._ Heed not her rash words; Her circumstances must excuse her bearing.

_Chief of the Ten_. We will not note them down.

_Bar._ (_turning to Lor., who is writing upon his tablets_). What art thou writing, With such an earnest brow, upon thy tablets?

_Lor._ (_pointing to the Doge's body_). That _he_ has paid me![83]

_Chief of the Ten_. What debt did he owe you? 370

_Lor._ A long and just one; Nature's debt and _mine_.[84] [_Curtain falls_[85]

FOOTNOTES:

[34] {113}[The MS. of _The Two Foscari_ is now in the possession of H.R.H. the Princess of Wales.]

[35] [Begun June the 12th, completed July the 9th, Ravenna, 1821.--_Byron MS_.]

[36] [_Gov._ "_The father softens--but the governor is fixed_." _Dingle_. "Aye that antithesis of persons is a most established figure."--_Critic_, act ii. sc. 2.

Byron may have guessed that this passage would be quoted against him, and, by taking it as a motto, hoped to anticipate or disarm ridicule; or he may have selected it out of bravado, as though, forsooth, the public were too stupid to find him out.]

[at] ----_too soon repeated_.--[MS. erased.]

[37] {121}[It is a moot point whether Jacopo Foscari was placed on the rack on the occasion of his third trial. The original document of the X. (July 23, 1456) runs thus: "Si videtur vobis per ea quæ dicta et lecta sunt, quod _procedatur_ contra Ser Jacobum Foscari;" and it is argued (see F. Berlan, _I due Foscari, etc._, 1852, p. 57), (1) that the word _procedatur_ is not a euphemism for "tortured," but should be rendered "judgment be given against;" (2) that if the X had decreed torture, torture would have been expressly enjoined; and (3) that as the decrees of the Council were not divulged, there was no motive for ambiguity. S. Romanin (_Storia Documentata, etc._, 1853, iv. 284) and R. Senger (_Die beiden Foscari_, 1878, p. 116) take the same view. On the other hand, Miss A. Wiel (_Two Doges of Venice_, 1891, p. 107) points out that, according to the _Dolfin Cronaca_, which Berlan did not consult, Jacopo was in a "mutilated" condition when the trial was over, and he was permitted to take a last farewell of his wife and children in Torricella. Goethe (_Conversations_, 1874, pp. 264, 265) did not share Eckermann's astonishment that Byron "could dwell so long on this torturing subject." "He was always a self-tormentor, and hence such subjects were his darling theme."]

[38] {122}[It is extremely improbable that Francesco Foscari was present in person at the third or two preceding trials of his son. As may be gathered from the _parte_ of the Council of Ten relating to the first trial, there was a law which prescribed the contrary: "In ipsius Domini Ducis præsentiâ de rebus ad ipsum, vel ad filios suos tangentibus non tractetur, loquatur vel consulatur, sicut non potest (_fieri_) quando tractatur de rebus tangentibus ad attinentes Domini Ducis." The fact that "Nos Franciscus Foscari," etc., stood at the commencement of the decree of exile may have given rise to the tradition that the Doge, like a Roman father, tried and condemned his son. (See Berlan's _I due Foscari_, p. 13.)]

[39] {123}[Pietro Loredano, admiral of the Venetian fleet, died November 11, 1438. His death was sudden and suspicious, for he was taken with violent pains and spasms after presiding at a banquet in honour of his victories over the Milanese; and, when his illness ended fatally, it was remembered that the Doge had publicly declared that so long as the admiral lived he would never be _de facto_ Prince of the Republic. Jacopo Loredano chose to put his own interpretation on this outburst of impatience, and inscribed on his father's monument in the Church of the Monastery of Sant' Elena, in the Isola della Santa Lena, the words, "Per insidias hostium veneno sublatus." (See _Ecclesiæ Venetæ_, by Flaminio Cornaro, 1749, ix. 193, 194; see, too, Cicogna's _Inscrizioni Veneziane_, 1830, iii. 381.)

Not long afterwards Marco Loredano, the admiral's brother, met with a somewhat similar fate. He had been despatched by the X. to Legnano, to investigate the conduct of Andrea Donate, the Doge's brother-in-law, who was suspected of having embezzled the public moneys. His report was unfavourable to Donato, and, shortly after, he too fell sick and died. It is most improbable that the Doge was directly or indirectly responsible for the death of either brother; but there was an hereditary feud, and the libellous epitaph was a move in the game.]

[40] {124}[Daru gives Palazzi's _Fasti Ducales_ and _L'Histoire Vénitienne_ of Vianolo as his authorities for this story.]

[au]4

----_checked by nought_ _The vessel that creaks_----.--[MS. M. erased.]

[av] {125} ----_much pity_.--[MS. M. erased.]

[41] ["This whole episode in the private life of the Foscari family is valuable chiefly for the light it throws upon the internal history of Venice. We are clearly in an atmosphere unknown before. The Council of Ten is all-powerful; it even usurps functions which do not belong to it by the constitution. The air is charged with plots, suspicion, assassination, denunciation, spies,--all the paraphernalia which went to confirm the popular legend as to the terrible nature of the _Dieci_."--_Venice, etc._, by Horatio F. Brown, 1893, p. 305.]

[aw] {126} _In this brief colloquy, and must redeem it_.--[MS. M.]

[42] [Compare--

"And I have loved thee, Ocean! and my joy Of youthful sports was on thy breast to be Borne, like thy bubbles, onward: from a boy I wantoned with thy breakers."

_Childe Harold_, Canto IV. stanza clxxxiv. lines 1-4, _Poetical Works_, 1899, ii. 461, note 2.]

[43] {127}[The climate of Crete is genial and healthy; but the town of Candia is exposed to winds from the north and north-west.]

[ax] _I see your colour comes_.--[MS. M.]

[44] {130}["She was a Contarini (her name was Lucrezia, not Marina)--

'A daughter of the house that now among Its ancestors in monumental brass Numbers eight Doges.'

On the occasion of her marriage the Bucentaur came out in its splendour; and a bridge of boats was thrown across the Canal Grande for the bridegroom and his retinue of three hundred horse."--_Foscari_, by Samuel Rogers, _Poems_, 1852, ii. 93, note.

According to another footnote (_ibid_., p. 90), "this story (_Foscari_) and the tragedy of the _Two Foscari_ were published within a few days of each other, in November, 1821." The first edition of _Italy_ was published anonymously in 1822. According to the announcement of a corrected and enlarged edition, which appeared in the _Morning Chronicle_, April 11, 1823, "a few copies of this poem were printed off the winter before last, while the author was abroad."]

[ay] {132} _Do not deem so_.--[MS. M.]

[45] {133}[Jacopo's plea, that the letter to the Duke of Milan was written for the express purpose of being recalled to Venice, is inadmissible for more reasons than one. In the first place, if on suspicion of a letter written but never sent, the Ten had thought fit to recall him, it by no means followed that they would have granted him an interview with his wife and family; and, secondly, the fact that there were letters in cypher found in his possession, and that a direct invitation to the Sultan to rescue him by force was among the impounded documents ("Quod requirebat dictum Teucrum ut mitteret ex galeis suis ad accipiendum et levandum eum de dicto loco"), proves that the appeal to the Duke of Milan was _bonâ fide_, and not a mere act of desperation. (See _The Two Doges_, pp. 101, 102, and Berlan's _I due Poscari_, p. 53, etc.)]

[46] {134}[There is no documentary evidence for this "confession," which rests on a mere tradition. (_Vide_ Sanudo, _Vita Ducum Venetorum_, _apud_ Muratori, _Rerum Ital. Script_., 1733, xxii. col. 1139; see, too, Berlan, _I due Foscari_, p. 37.) Moreover, Almoro Donato was not chief of the "Ten" at the date of his murder. The three "Capi" for November, 1450, were Ermolao Vallaresso, Giovanni Giustiniani, and Andrea Marcello (_vide ibid._, p. 25).]

[47] {135}["Examination by torture: 'Such presumption is only sufficient to put the person to the rack or torture' (Ayliffe's _Parergon_)."--_Cent. Dict._, art. "Question."]

[48] [Shakespeare, Milton, Thompson, and others, use "shook" for "shaken."]

[az] _As was proved on him_----.--[MS. M.]

[49] [The inarticulate mutterings are probably an echo of the "incantation and magic words" ("incantationem et verba quas sibi reperta sunt de quibus ad funem utitur ... quoniam in fune aliquam nec vocem nec gemitum emittit sed solum inter dentes ipse videtur et auditur loqui" [_Die beiden Foscari_, pp. 160, 161]), which, according to the decree of the Council of Ten, dated March 26, 1451, Jacopo let fall "while under torture" during his second trial.]

[ba] {137} _I'll hence and follow Loredano home_.--[MS. M.]

[bb] _That I had dipped the pen too heedlessly_.--[MS. M.]

[bc] {138} _Mistress of Lombardy--'tis some comfort to me_.--[MS. M.]

[50] [Compare "Ce fut l'époque, où Vénise étendit son empire sur Brescia, Bergame, Ravenne, et Crème; où elle fonda sa domination de Lombardie," etc. (Sismondi's _Histoire des Républiques_, x. 38). Brescia fell to the Venetians, October, 1426; Bergamo, in April, 1428; Ravenna, in August, 1440; and Crema, in 1453.]

[51] {139}[The Bridge of Sighs was not built till the end of the sixteenth century. (_Vide ante, Marino Faliero_, act i. sc. 2, line 508, _Poetical Works_, 1901, iv. 363, note 2; see, too, _Childe Harold_,