University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

A Room in the Erizzo Palace.
Count Erizzo entering.
Eriz.
Seek Signor Celso.—Baffled, spurned, contemned,
Pardoned—the insolent! But he shall feel—
All lost! For old Donato, shallow fool,
Hath in his anger a relenting spirit
And will yield easy way at the first tear
The fair Camilla sheds—the very first!
She hath but to cry Father, and to hang
About his neck and his light wrath will melt
Like snowflakes in that rain. How the dull Senate
Cowered at the haughty soldier's feet! Even I—
Thinks he I too can pardon! He shall find
My hate immortal. Nothing stands between
Me and the crown but Foscari. To-night—
This Celso, as I have good cause to know,
Can wield a dagger well—to-night he goes
To meet his lady love—to-night—alone—
I can detain young Cosmo.
Enter Celso.
Celso, friend,
Thou comest at a wish. Where hast thou been?

Cel.
Where I am stunned with shouts of Foscari,
And dazzled with the glare of tinselled gauds
Hung out to honour him. The palaces
Are clothed with tissues, velvets, cloths of gold
And richer tapestry. The canals all strewed
With floating flowers, through which dark gondolas
Dart as through some bright garden. All is lost,
And I must leave dear Venice. Count, farewell!

Eriz.
Why must thou go?

Cel.
Ask my hard creditors.

Eriz.
Celso, I have a thousand ducats here
For him that rids me of a clinging plague.

Cel.
A thousand ducats!

Eriz.
Hast thou still thy dagger?
In, and I'll tell thee more. This very night!

[Exeunt.