s of vengeance, nay, poetical,
A very Ovid in the art of _hating_;
'Tis thus (although a secondary object,
Yet hate has microscopic eyes), to you
I owe, by way of foil to the more zealous,
This undesired association in 140
Your Giunta's duties.

_Lor._ How!--_my_ Giunta!

_Bar._ _Yours!_
They speak your language, watch your nod, approve
Your plans, and do your work. Are they not _yours?_

_Lor._ You talk unwarily. 'Twere best they hear not
This from you.

_Bar._ Oh! they'll hear as much one day
From louder tongues than mine; they have gone beyond
Even their exorbitance of power: and when
This happens in the most contemned and abject
States, stung humanity will rise to check it.

_Lor._ You talk but idly.

_Bar._ That remains for proof. 150
Here come our colleagues.

_Enter the Deputation as before_.

_Chief of the Ten_. Is the Duke aware
We seek his presence?

_Att._ He shall be informed.
[_Exit Attendant_.

_Bar._ The Duke is with his son.

_Chief of the Ten_. If it be so,
We will remit him till the rites are over.
Let us return. 'Tis time enough to-morrow.

_Lor._ (_aside to Bar_.) Now the rich man's hell-fire upon your tongue,
Unquenched, unquenchable! I'll have it torn
From its vile babbling roots, till you shall utter
Nothing but sobs through blood, for this! Sage Signors,
I pray ye be not hasty. [_Aloud to the others_.

_Bar._ But be human! 160

_Lor._ See, the Duke comes!

_Enter the_ DOGE.

_Doge_. I have obeyed your summons.

_Chief of the Ten_. We come once more to urge our past request.

_Doge_. And I to answer.

_Chief of the Ten_. What?

_Doge_. My only answer.
You have heard it.

_Chief of the Ten_. 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