University of Virginia Library

SCENE VII.

—A room in Barbarigo's Palace.
Barbarigo, Galeno.
Bar.
—Thou art acquainted, being a physician,
With many subtle remedies—Is there
No poison that can rid us of our foes?
The haunting phantom of detection scares you?

Gal.
—I know a chemical so deadly strong,
That 'ministered unto the doge, he'd fall,
Amidst th' assembled senate, dead to earth.

Bar.
—(Aside.
We never want our tools, however bad,
But we may hunt them out among mankind!)
You're poor?

Gal.
Our poverty bespeaks itself,
And, not like merit, needs be pointed out.

Bar.
—(Offering a purse.)
You understand this argument? 'tis heavy.

Gal.
—So is a murderer's conscience!

Bar.
Conscience? pooh!
When fortune so unconscionably leaves us,
Methinks, without great conscientious scruple,
We might shake hands with any accident
To mend our means. Come, I presume we have
Each others cue—except, like all the world,
You make a virtue of your villainy—
While mine is but my virtue—to the matter!
Why do you hesitate? Detection? Speak!
Or, by San Marco! if you dare my anger,
I'll bray your shaking bones in your own mortars,
And roast them in your own crucibles!

Gal.
My lord!
Remember you have placed your reputation
Somewhat incautiously within my power!

Bar.
—Dastard!

Gal.
Another word, and I alarm
The night guard!

Bar.
You escape me not, you villain!

Gal.
—Peace, or I give the alarm!

Bar.
Ha, ha! Galeno!
I did but test the metal of thy courage,
And find thee trusty—but, suppose I mention
To th' Inquisition somewhat of the chemical
That in th' assembled senate, would, without
Suspicion, slay the doge? Ha! have I caught you?
Come, sirrah! there was never yet a scoundrel
But might be mated in his villainy.
What? speak!

Gal.
My lord, I was not serious—

Bar.
—I am! and bent on Julian's life or yours.
Which do you estimate the dearest?

Gal.
How
Has he deserved this treachery?

Bar.
By vilely
Stealing upon the slumber of my fortunes,
In his too happy favour with a lady;
And rousing me to the dread consciousness,
That one, or both of us must surely die!

Gal.
—In such a way?

Bar.
Who yields his foe one inch
Of vantage, that he wisely might maintain—
May live with honor, but would die a fool.
We grow too wordy on this business.—See!
Your best reward (showing the purse)
and let it be enough,
Besides, that 'tis my pleasure Julian dies—
And, like each pleasure, I must pay for it.
Ha! you assent? That is, your poverty
Rebels against pride's nice considerations,
And thus we fall the victims of ourselves!
Go instantly—go in this very tune!
Speak to him from his father—feel his pulse—
Pronounce him feverish—prescribe a draught—
An anodyne—a strong potation, doctor!
One that requires no second dose—come, come!
When Julian sleeps, you slumber on a pillow,
So gilded that e'en conscience will not wake you.

Gal.
—You bind me by a double chain—and both
The links are strong ones—poverty and fear.

Bar.
—Ay, ay, and hope is stronger far than both!
Away then! and, remember, sir, the chemical!
The doge, the Inquisition! (Exit Galeno)
Fear is still
Our heaviest power upon the human mind,
From Rome to Iceland, over land and sea!

Exit.