Poems, translated and original

BADOERO’S _house_. ENTER BADOERO, LOREDANO, _and_ CONTARINI.

Loredano. We look to search out guilt among the people, And lo! it greets us on our very threshold! Who would have thought that one so widely trusted, A hero in our wars, one who has borne Honors unnumbered from the generous state, Could prove himself a traitor?

Badoero. We must look More closely, ere we judge.

Loredano. What need we more? ’Twas rumored long ago that he opposed The election of the Ten, the prop of Venice. In the conspiracy so lately crushed, Did he not plead for mercy on the guilty? Hath he not said we needed not a power Supreme, to interfere with the decrees Of the great council? And this paper, found Only last night within the Lion’s mouth, Denounces him our foe.

Badoero. Be it ours to weigh Proofs and defence. We may not spill the blood Of senators precipitately, nor keep The axe from the guilty, though it strike the noblest. But what new guest is this?

_Enter_ TERESA.

Contarini. Lady--whence come you?

Teresa. I come to seek for justice; yet find only Looks that repel me. Where’s the doge?

Loredano. Who is it, That thus intrudes on us?

Contarini. Veniero’s daughter.

(_Endeavouring to persuade her to return._)

Business attends us. Nay, we are not used To admit such counsellors.

Teresa. Are you the judges Who fain would close your ears against defence, The culprit’s right? Away! there is no place Where innocence may not plead against the wrong Which threatens it--wrong that will harm alike The judges and the accused. I pray you, signors, A word! ye will go hence the imputed crime To judge of one who----

Loredano. Who hath wronged the state.

Teresa. No--no! ye do mistake--he never did! Know ye of whom ye speak? ’Tis Veniero, The patriot, the patrician! He do wrong? Why--not a peasant who e’er shared his bounty, Would not repel the charge! I’ve seen him list With pitying, tearful eye the beggar’s tale, Whose heart was gladdened by his sympathy! I’ve known him watch for hours beside the couch Of some poor menial slave, who had no friend Save God and him. ‘He do wrong? Oh! the lips Of the poor bless him, and the humblest heart Leaps at his presence!’

Loredano. There are sacred duties Higher than such, fair lady! He betrays The people in their rulers.

Teresa. Believe it not! He has served you long and well. His years are many, But they outnumber not the victories He won for you. His hair is grey--’tis blanched With hardship more than age. Would he now cast The reverend mantle of his honors off, To league with traitors? No--you need not fear him!

Loredano. What boots all this? The guardian of the state, Where he fears, punishes.

Teresa. Are ye wont to doom Without at least the solemn show of right? Will ye hear no defence? And, Contarini, Darest thou not speak for him, who wast so late His loved and honored guest? or art thou leagued In bitter compact with this scorner here To rob me of his life?

Loredano. Let her begone; Must she insult us? Come, the hour draws nigh.

Badoero. Your pardon. Heed not words that sorrow utters. She did not mean offence.

Teresa. My lord--my lord! There’s mercy in your looks; nay they are human. Are you my father’s judge?

Badoero. Pray you, retire, And be at peace.

Teresa. You will not heed the terms “Traitor” and “treachery!” They mean nought--at least Nought--coupled with his name! Listen to me. I’ve known him long--longer than any here. He reared my childhood. I have sate by him In hours of fondness, when the careless words Fell from his lips unnoted, save by me:-- Think you he would deceive me? No! I’ll pledge Life, more than life, upon his truth!

Badoero. Nay--lady; This cannot aught avail. Trust in our justice. That shall be rendered him. If we fail not To rend the veil from guilt, we are not slow To acquit the innocent.

Teresa. He is innocent!

Badoero. Then go thy way, and hope the best. My lords, Business attends us.

[_Exeunt all but_ CONTARINI _and_ TERESA.

Contarini. Teresa!

TERESA (_looking up_.)

Who calls? You my lord, who keep Stern silence, when one you have called your friend Is basely slandered?

Contarini. As a senator, I may not screen the guilty.

Teresa. Hence, then--join The herd who seek his slaughter, while I go To share his dungeon!

Contarini. Hear me yet a moment. One way remains to save his life;--and you, You may redeem it.

Teresa. How? speak--and I’ll bless you!

Contarini. Briefly--your sire revealed before his arrest My love, my suit. Grant it--bestow your hand On one who loves you with a boundless passion, And I will stir the powers of heaven and earth To compass his release.

Teresa. And do you proffer Such terms in earnest truth?

Contarini. In truth I do. Accept them--and be blest.

Teresa. Is this the noble So honored? This the haughty senator? Ready to barter in his selfishness The trust he holds? Bearing the solemn charge-- A nation’s safety--laden with the prayers Of suppliant millions, on his truth who rest Their hopes--their all--yet ready to fling down The mighty burthen, if it impede the way To some light goal of pleasure! Is’t to such We plead?--Before I reverenced, though I feared thee, I scorn thee now!

Contarini. Proud, wayward girl, remember Whom ’tis you taunt!

Teresa. Full well, my lord, I know There can be few like you. Within yon halls, Some there must be, to whom the voice of justice Shall not unheeded speak. To them I trust-- To Heaven--and to the strength of innocence, And not to you! [_Exit._

Contarini. So lovely in disdain! She shall be mine, despite her scorn and hate! [EXIT.