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560

_I. Ber_. Not one of all those strangers whom thou doubtest,
But will regard thee with a filial feeling,
So that thou keep'st a father's faith with them.

_Doge_. The die is cast. Where is the place of meeting?

_I. Ber_. At midnight I will be alone and masked
Where'er your Highness pleases to direct me,
To wait your coming, and conduct you where
You shall receive our homage, and pronounce
Upon our project.

_Doge_. At what hour arises
The moon?

_I. Ber_. Late, but the atmosphere is thick and dusky, 570
'Tis a sirocco.

_Doge_.
At the midnight hour, then,
Near to the church where sleep my sires;[399] the same,
Twin-named from the apostles John and Paul;
A gondola,[400] with one oar only, will
Lurk in the narrow channel which glides by.
Be there.

_I. Ber_. I will not fail.

_Doge_. And now retire----

_I. Ber_. In the full hope your Highness will not falter
In your great purpose. Prince, I take my leave.
[_Exit_ Isreal Bertuccio.

_Doge_ (_solus_). At midnight, by the church Saints John and Paul,
Where sleep my noble fathers, I repair-- 580
To what? to hold a council in the dark
With common ruffians leagued to ruin states!
And will not my great sires leap from the vault,
Where lie two Doges who preceded me,
And pluck me down amongst them? Would they could!