Loredano monologue (Act 1) — Poems, translated and original

’Tis right It should be so. The multitude esteem Each god a tyrant, and all tyrants gods. Not by the force of hostile powers without, A state will fall, if in herself she bear not, As doth the human frame, those hidden seeds That ripen for destruction.--Ours the charge To seek and root them out.--Look on the years Of our brave ancestors. The sacred yoke Of laws severe, inflexible and just, They bore unmurmuring--and the citizen Learned here the lesson to all Italy Besides, unknown--to govern and obey! ‘On such a policy shone days of splendor: Easy was then the task to put to rout The Gallic fleets; to humble Frederick’s pride In a single conflict--and on every tower Raised by our foes beyond our country’s bounds, To plant the Lion standard of St. Mark. Asia then trembled for her kingdom’s safety, Though Europe intervened; and ’gainst all Europe Leagued for our injury, alone and armed Stood forth the genius of Venetian power.’ Now times are changed. Now crime unblushing claims Impunity. In this degenerate age, Nor evils will be borne--nor remedies! And we are branded with the name of tyrants, By every worthless flatterer of the people Who boasts himself a statesman, and would here Let crime pass scatheless.