_Lor._ 'Tis moderate--not even life for life, the rule Denounced of retribution from all time; They owe me still my father's and my uncle's. _Bar._ Did not the Doge deny this strongly? _Lor._ Doubtless. _Bar._ And did not this shake your suspicion? _Lor._ No. _Bar._ But if this deposition should take place By our united influence in the Council, It must be done with all the deference Due to his years, his station, and his deeds. 30 _Lor._ As much of ceremony as you will, So that the thing be done. You may, for aught I care, depute the Council on their knees, (Like Barbarossa to the Pope,) to beg him To have the courtesy to abdicate. _Bar._ What if he will not? _Lor._ We'll elect another, And make him null. _Bar._ But will the laws uphold us?[69] _Lor._ What laws?--"The Ten" are laws; and if they were not, I will be legislator in this business. _Bar._ At your own peril? _Lor._ There is none, I tell you, 40 Our powers are such. _Bar._ But he has twice already Solicited permission to retire, And twice it was refused. _Lor._ The better reason To grant it the third time. _Bar._ Unasked? _Lor._ It shows The impression of his former instances: If they were from his heart, he may be thankful: If not, 'twill punish his hypocrisy. Come, they are met by this time; let us join them, And be _thou_ fixed in purpose for this once. I have prepared such arguments as will not 50 Fail to move them, and to remove him: since Their thoughts, their objects, have been sounded, do not _You_, with your wonted scruples, teach us pause, And all will prosper. _Bar._ Could I but be certain This is no prelude to such persecution Of the sire as has fallen upon the son, I would support you. _Lor._ He is safe, I tell you; His fourscore years and five may linger on As long as he can drag them: 'tis his throne Alone is aimed at. _Bar._ But discarded Princes 60 Are seldom long of life. _Lor._ And men of eighty More seldom still. _Bar._ And why not wait these few years? _Lor._ Because we have waited long enough, and he Lived longer than enough. Hence! in to council! [_Exeunt_ LOREDANO _and_ BARBARIGO. _Enter_ MEMMO[70] _and a Senator_. _Sen._ A summons to "the Ten!" why so?