If I were an oppressor, or a man Feeling and thinking for my fellow men. Haply had I been what the Senate sought, A thing of robes and trinkets,[423] dizened out To sit in state as for a Sovereign's picture; A popular scourge, a ready sentence-signer, 190 A stickler for the Senate and "the Forty," A sceptic of all measures which had not The sanction of "the Ten,"[424] a council-fawner, A tool--a fool--a puppet,--they had ne'er Fostered the wretch who stung me. What I suffer Has reached me through my pity for the people; That many know, and they who know not yet Will one day learn: meantime I do devote, Whate'er the issue, my last days of life-- My present power such as it is, not that 200 Of Doge, but of a man who has been great Before he was degraded to a Doge, And still has individual means and mind; I stake my fame (and I had fame)--my breath-- (The least of all, for its last hours are nigh) My heart--my hope--my soul--upon this cast! Such as I am, I offer me to you And to your chiefs; accept me or reject me,-- A Prince who fain would be a Citizen Or nothing, and who has left his throne to be so. 210 _Cal_. Long live Faliero!--Venice shall be free! _Consp_. Long live Faliero! _I. Ber_. Comrades! did I well? Is not this man a host in such a cause? _Doge_. This is no time for eulogies, nor place For exultation. Am I one of you? _Cal_. Aye, and the first among us, as thou hast been Of Venice--be our General and Chief. _Doge_. Chief!--General!--I was General at Zara, And Chief in Rhodes and Cyprus,[425] Prince in Venice: I cannot stoop--that is, I am not fit 220 To lead a band of--patriots: when I lay Aside the dignities which I have borne, 'Tis not to put on others, but to be Mate to my fellows--but now to the point: Israel has stated to me your whole plan-- 'Tis bold, but feasible if I assist it, And must be set in motion instantly. _Cal_. E'en when thou wilt. Is it not so, my friends? I have disposed all for a sudden blow; When shall it be then? _Doge_. At sunrise. _Ber_. So soon? 230 _Doge_. So soon?--so late--each hour accumulates Peril on peril, and the more so now Since I have mingled with you;--know you not The Council, and "the Ten?" the spies, the eyes Of the patricians dubious of their slaves, And now more dubious of the Prince they have made one? I tell you, you must strike, and suddenly, Full to the Hydra's heart--its heads will follow.