_Doge_. Pitied! None Shall ever use that base word, with which men Cloak their soul's hoarded triumph, as a fit one To mingle with my name; that name shall be, As far as _I_ have borne it, what it was 150 When I received it. _Mar._ But for the poor children Of him thou canst not, or thou wilt not save, You were the last to bear it. _Doge_. Would it were so! Better for him he never had been born; Better for me.--I have seen our house dishonoured. _Mar._ That's false! A truer, nobler, trustier heart, More loving, or more loyal, never beat Within a human breast. I would not change My exiled, persecuted, mangled husband, Oppressed but not disgraced, crushed, overwhelmed, 160 Alive, or dead, for Prince or Paladin In story or in fable, with a world To back his suit. Dishonoured!--_he_ dishonoured! I tell thee, Doge, 'tis Venice is dishonoured; His name shall be her foulest, worst reproach, For what he suffers, not for what he did. 'Tis ye who are all traitors, Tyrant!--ye! Did you but love your Country like this victim Who totters back in chains to tortures, and Submits to all things rather than to exile, 170 You'd fling yourselves before him, and implore His grace for your enormous guilt. _Doge_. He was Indeed all you have said. I better bore The deaths of the two sons[52] Heaven took from me, Than Jacopo's disgrace. _Mar._ That word again? _Doge_. Has he not been condemned? _Mar._ Is none but guilt so? _Doge_. Time may restore his memory--I would hope so. He was my pride, my----but 'tis useless now-- I am not given to tears, but wept for joy When he was born: those drops were ominous. 180 _Mar._ I say he's innocent! And were he not so, Is our own blood and kin to shrink from us In fatal moments? _Doge_. I shrank not from him: But I have other duties than a father's; The state would not dispense me from those duties; Twice I demanded it, but was refused:[53] They must then be fulfilled. _Enter an Attendant_. _Att._ A message from "The Ten." _Doge_. Who bears it? _Att._ Noble Loredano. _Doge_. He!--but admit him. [_Exit Attendant_. _Mar._ Must I then retire? _Doge_. Perhaps it is not requisite, if this 190 Concerns your husband, and if not----Well, Signor, [_To_ LOREDANO _entering_. Your pleasure? _Lor._ I bear that of "the Ten."