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.
Byron
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!
