And its enormous walls of reeking ruin, We leave a nobler monument than Egypt Hath piled in her brick mountains, o'er dead kings, Or kine, for none know whether those proud piles Be for their monarch, or their ox-god Apis; So much for monuments that have forgotten Their very record! Myr. Then farewell, thou earth! And loveliest spot of earth! farewell, Ionia! Be thou still free and beautiful, and far Aloof from desolation! My last prayer 490 Was for thee, my last thoughts, save one, were of thee! ACT I SCENE I A Hall in the Ducal Palace. Enter LOREDANO and BARBARIGO, meeting. Lor. Where is the prisoner? The Question. Reposing from Lor. The hour 's past fix'd yesterday For the resumption of his trial. Let us Rejoin our colleagues in the council, and Urge his recall. Bar. Nay, let him profit by And may die under it if now repeated. Bar. Perhaps without committing any. But he avow'd the letter to the Duke Of Milan, and his sufferings half atone for Such weakness. Pursue hereditary hate too far. Lor. Bar. We shall see. You, Loredano, Lor. How far? Complete yet; two are wanting ere we can Proceed. Bar. Lor. And the chief judge, the Doge? No-he, With more than Roman fortitude, is ever First at the board in this unhappy process Against his last and only son. Lor. His last. Bar. True true Will nothing move you? -- Feels he, think you? Bar. He shows it not. For pointing out the pleasures of the place. Mem. Be calm! Mar. (looking up towards heaven). I am; but oh, thou eternal God! Canst thou continue so, with such a world? Mem. Thy husband yet may be absolved. Mar. He is, In heaven. I pray you, signor senator, Speak not of that; you are a man of office, So is the Doge; he has a son at stake, Now, at this moment, and I have a hus band, Or had; they are there within, or were at least |