e tribunal
must not be suffered to die, with the mere justice of the case. Our
friends should dwell on it, openly, in the cafes, and at the Lido. They
will have no cause to fear, should they give their tongues a little
latitude. A just government hath no jealousy of comment."

"True, Signore."

"I look to thee and thy fellows to see that the affair be not too
quickly forgotten. The contemplation of acts such as this, will quicken
the dormant seeds of virtue in the public mind. He who has examples of
equity incessantly before his eyes, will come at last to love the
quality. The Genoese, I trust, will depart satisfied?"

"Doubt it not, Signore; he has all that can content a sufferer; his own
with usury, and revenge of him who did the wrong."

"Such is the decree--ample restoration and the chastening hand of
punishment. Few states would thus render a judgment against themselves,
Jacopo!"

"Is the state answerable for the deed of the merchant, Signore?"

"Through its citizen. He who inflicts punishment on his own members, is
a sufferer, surely. No one can part with his own flesh without pain; is
not this true, fellow?"

"There are nerves that are delicate to the touch, Signore, and an eye or
a tooth is precious; but the paring of a nail, or the fall of the beard,
is little heeded."

"One who did not know thee, Jacopo, would imagine thee in the interest
of the emperor! The sparrow does not fall in Venice, without the loss
touching the parental feelings of the senate. Well, is there further
rumor among the Jews, of a decrease of gold? Sequins are not so abundant
as of wont, and the chicanery of that race lends itself to the scarcity,
in the hope of larger profits."

"I have seen faces on the Rialto, of late, Signore, that look empty
purses. The Christian seems anxious, and in want, while the unbelievers
wear their gaberdines with a looser air than is usual."

"This hath been expected. Doth report openly name any of the Israelites
who are in the custom of lending, on usury, to the young nobles?"

"All, who have to lend, may be accounted of the class; the whole
synagogue, rabbis, and all, are of a mind, when there is question of a
Christian's purse."

"Thou likest not the Hebrew, Jacopo; but he is of good service in the
Republic's straits. We count all friends, who are ready with their gold
at need. Still the young hopes of Venice must not be left to waste their
substance in unwary bargains with the gainful race,