_I. Ber_. Bertram, This false compassion is a folly, and 280 Injustice to thy comrades and thy cause! Dost thou not see, that if we single out Some for escape, they live but to avenge The fallen? and how distinguish now the innocent From out the guilty? all their acts are one-- A single emanation from one body, Together knit for our oppression! 'Tis Much that we let their children live; I doubt If all of these even should be set apart: The hunter may reserve some single cub 290 From out the tiger's litter, but who e'er Would seek to save the spotted sire or dam, Unless to perish by their fangs? however, I will abide by Doge Faliero's counsel: Let him decide if any should be saved. _Doge_. Ask me not--tempt me not with such a question-- Decide yourselves. _I. Ber_. You know their private virtues Far better than we can, to whom alone Their public vices, and most foul oppression, Have made them deadly; if there be amongst them 300 One who deserves to be repealed, pronounce. _Doge_. Dolfino's father was my friend, and Lando Fought by my side, and Marc Cornaro shared[dt][427] My Genoese embassy: I saved the life[du] Of Veniero--shall I save it twice? Would that I could save them and Venice also! All these men, or their fathers, were my friends Till they became my subjects; then fell from me As faithless leaves drop from the o'erblown flower, And left me a lone blighted thorny stalk, 310 Which, in its solitude, can shelter nothing; So, as they let me wither, let them perish! _Cal_. They cannot co-exist with Venice' freedom!