.

_Guard_. I see the colour comes[ax] 130
Back to your cheek: Heaven send you strength to bear
What more may be imposed!--I dread to think on't.

_Jac. Fos._ They will not banish me again?--No--no,
Let them wring on; I am strong yet.

_Guard_. Confess,
And the rack will be spared you.

_Jac. Fos._ I confessed
Once--twice before: both times they exiled me.

_Guard_. And the third time will slay you.

_Jac. Fos._ Let them do so,
So I be buried in my birth-place: better
Be ashes here than aught that lives elsewhere.

_Guard_. And can you so much love the soil which hates you? 140

_Jac. Fos._ The soil!--Oh no, it is the seed of the soil
Which persecutes me: but my native earth
Will take me as a mother to her arms.
I ask no more than a Venetian grave,
A dungeon, what they will, so it be here.

_Enter an Officer_.

_Offi._ Bring in the prisoner!

_Guard_. Signor, you hear the order.

_Jac. Fos._ Aye, I am used to such a summons; 'tis
The third time they have tortured me:--then lend me
Thine arm. [_To the Guard_.

_Offi._ Take mine, sir; 'tis my duty to
Be nearest to your person.

_Jac. Fos._ You!--you are he 150
Who yesterday presided o'er my pangs--
Away!--I'll walk alone.

_Offi._ As you please, Signor;
The sentence was not of my signing, but
I dared not disobey the Council when
They----

_Jac. Fos._ Bade thee stretch me on their horrid engine.
I pray thee touch me not--that is, just now;
The time will come they will renew that order,
But keep off from me till 'tis issued. As
I look upon thy hands my curdling limbs
Quiver with the anticipated wrenching, 160
And the cold drops strain through my brow, as if----
But onward--I have borne it--I can bear it.--
How looks my father?

_Offi._ With his wonted aspect.

_Jac. Fos._ So does the earth, and sky, the blue of Ocean,
The brightness of our city, and her domes,
The mirth of her Piazza--even now
Its merry hum of nations pierces here,
Even here, into these chambers