University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

—Hall in the Emperor's Palace.
Dandolo and Six Venetian Lords.
Doge.
Are we all met?

1st Lord.
All met, the Six Electors.

Doge.
Then, mark me, signors, speak your minds at once,
For I'm of Venice, and more proud to lead
Her navies forth, than reign o'er all this East.
This life is hers, and she has paid me well,
For I have seen the wilderness of seas
Flower'd with her ships: and she has been to men
A visitation of delights: a bond
To all the nations. Who durst think that he,
Her son from youth—now in her battles old,
Would yield the pride, and cast her highest honours?
Not in the height of life, for highest throne,
Would I this thing: God lay my hoary head
In Venice—there I'll sleep. Brave countrymen
My soul is knit to all: but not for me,
Speak for our Venice—well I know your minds.
You wish me Emp'ror of this mighty realm;
(Thanks to your wishes,) on my own account:
Not so for Venice.—Let your choice be hers.

1st Lord.
Most noble Doge, 'tis so; thou good old prince,
Reverence shall be thy staff—but let us speak
And do thee honour, when we broadly say,
Thou shalt not here be king. Who would not weep
To see our city but an appanage,
Or swallow'd up in monarchy? and this
Might quickly be, were a Venetian prince
Upon this throne. Long live our sea republic!

All.
Long live our Venice!

2d Lord.
And her noble Doge.—
I bow before thee, prince, to say, besides,
As no contingency, without our aid,
Or help of France, his empire could not stand.
But here, for all, I swear, our country's strength
Shall ne'er be wasted on such enterprise.
Th' election rests between the Earl of Flanders
And Marquis of Montferrat,—that's our point.

3d Lord.
And that they both are powerful, and the choice
A tender matter; let the Asian lands
Beyond the Bosphorus—lands once the Greek's,
Be his that fails of the throne.

Doge.
'Tis wisely thought;
As all have thought, whose counsel is before us:
Thus Venice thrives, because her sons are wise
As well as brave. I honour high Montferrat,
Frank, and the better soldier; but Earl Baldwin
Is wealthier far in men and wide domains.
Earl both of Flanders and Hainault, he needs
None of our aid: and mark, my lords, again,
This brave Montferrat, with a power great too,
So much our neighbour, might, in case of war,
Prove dreadful enemy. The same objection
Holds against Montmorency, our brave friend.
Back'd by this power of Greece, we then might dread
For Venice such a foe. Now, signors, judge,
We meet the French electors in an hour.—
Montferrat should have the Isle of Candia too,

All.
Long live the Emperor Baldwin!

(Exeunt.)