_Doge_. They Have chosen well their envoy. _Lor._ 'Tis _their_ choice Which leads me here. _Doge_. It does their wisdom honour, And no less to their courtesy.--Proceed. _Lor._ We have decided. _Doge_. We? _Lor._ "The Ten" in council. _Doge_. What! have they met again, and met without Apprising me? _Lor._ They wished to spare your feelings, No less than age. _Doge_. That's new--when spared they either? I thank them, notwithstanding. _Lor._ You know well 200 That they have power to act at their discretion, With or without the presence of the Doge. _Doge_. 'Tis some years since I learned this, long before I became Doge, or dreamed of such advancement. You need not school me, Signor; I sate in That Council when you were a young patrician. _Lor._ True, in my father's time; I have heard him and The Admiral, his brother, say as much. Your Highness may remember them; they both Died suddenly.[54] _Doge_. And if they did so, better 210 So die than live on lingeringly in pain. _Lor._ No doubt: yet most men like to live their days out. _Doge_. And did not they? _Lor._ The Grave knows best: they died, As I said, suddenly. _Doge_. Is that so strange, That you repeat the word emphatically? _Lor._ So far from strange, that never was there death In my mind half so natural as theirs. Think _you_ not so? _Doge_. What should I think of mortals? _Lor._ That they have mortal foes. _Doge_. I understand you; Your sires were mine, and you are heir in all things. 220 _Lor._ You best know if I should be so. _Doge_. I do. Your fathers were my foes, and I have heard Foul rumours were abroad; I have also read Their epitaph, attributing their deaths To poison. 'Tis perhaps as true as most Inscriptions upon tombs, and yet no less A fable. _Lor._ Who dares say so? _Doge_. I!----'Tis true Your fathers were mine enemies, as bitter As their son e'er can be, and I no less Was theirs; but I was _openly_ their foe: 230 I never worked by plot in Council, nor Cabal in commonwealth, nor secret means Of practice against life by steel or drug. The proof is--your existence. _Lor._ I fear not. _Doge_. You have no cause, being what I am; but were I That you would have me thought, you long ere now Were past the sense of fear. Hate on; I care not.