This cry of perpetual dominion over the sea, puts us in mind of the story of Canute; and knowing the present prostrate and decaying condition of Venice, truly may we say: “How are the mighty fallen.” One of our frigates would make the whole maritime power of Venice tremble like the ring as it went through the waters. This ceremony was intermitted in the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-seven.[129] § 5. The Doge of Venice had a ring of office. We find it figuring in the acts through which the Doge Foscari had to move. A noble creature was this Foscari. No Brutus ever behaved with the awful dignity which was apparent in Foscari at the period of his son’s torture in his presence.[130] When the Council of Ten demanded of him “The resignation of the Ducal ring, Which he had worn so long and venerably,” he laid aside the Ducal bonnet and robes; surrendered his ring of office, and cried out: “There’s the Ducal ring, And there the Ducal diadem. And so, The Adriatic’s free to wed another.” The ring was broken in his presence, and as nobly as the old Doge had borne himself, whether when strangers were before him, or when his son was tortured in his presence, (as an awful punishment for the yearning of a young heart for childhood’s home,) so did this great Venetian still act. He refused to leave the Ducal palace by a private way. He would descend, he said, by no other than the same giant stairs which he had mounted thirty years before. Supported by his brother, he slowly traversed them. At their foot, leaning upon his staff, for years of age were upon him, he turned towards the palace, and accompanied a last look with these parting words: “My _services_ established me within your walls; it is _the malice of my enemies_ which tears me from them.” The bells of the Campanile told of his successor. He suppressed all outward emotion, but a blood-vessel was ruptured in the exertion and he died in a few hours. § 6. A Pope wears a ring of gold with a costly emerald or other precious gem set in it.