_Doge_. Yes, and our spirits, which shall yet go forth, 310 And do what our frail clay, thus clogged, hath failed in! They cannot quench the memory of those Who would have hurled them from their guilty thrones, And such examples will find heirs, though distant. ACT V. SCENE 1.--_The Hall of the Council of Ten assembled with the additional Senators, who, on the Trials of the Conspirators for the Treason of_ MARINO FALIERO, _composed what was called the Giunta,--Guards, Officers, etc., etc._ ISRAEL BERTUCCIO _and_ PHILIP CALENDARO _as Prisoners_. BERTRAM, LIONI, _and Witnesses, etc._ _The Chief of the Ten_, BENINTENDE.[fa][449] _Ben_. There now rests, after such conviction of Their manifold and manifest offences, But to pronounce on these obdurate men The sentence of the Law:--a grievous task To those who hear, and those who speak. Alas! That it should fall to me! and that my days Of office should be stigmatised through all The years of coming time, as bearing record To this most foul and complicated treason Against a just and free state, known to all 10 The earth as being the Christian bulwark 'gainst The Saracen and the schismatic Greek, The savage Hun, and not less barbarous Frank; A City which has opened India's wealth To Europe; the last Roman refuge from O'erwhelming Attila; the Ocean's Queen; Proud Genoa's prouder rival! 'Tis to sap The throne of such a City, these lost men Have risked and forfeited their worthless lives-- So let them die the death. _I. Ber_. We are prepared; 20 Your racks have done that for us. Let us die. _Ben_. If ye have that to say which would obtain Abatement of your punishment, the Giunta Will hear you; if you have aught to confess, Now is your time,--perhaps it may avail ye. _I. Ber_. We stand to hear, and not to speak. _Ben_. Your crimes Are fully proved by your accomplices, And all which Circumstance can add to aid them; Yet we would hear from your own lips complete Avowal of your treason: on the verge 30 Of that dread gulf which none repass, the truth Alone can profit you on earth or Heaven-- Say, then, what was your motive? _I. Ber_. Justice![fb] _Ben_. What Your object? _I. Ber_. Freedom! _Ben_. You are brief, sir. _I. Ber_. So my life grows: I Was bred a soldier, not a senator. _Ben_. Perhaps you think by this blunt brevity To brave your judges to postpone the sentence? _I. Ber_. Do you be brief as I am, and believe me, I shall prefer that mercy to your pardon. 40