_Lor._ (_aside to Bar_.) Now the rich man's hell-fire upon your tongue, Unquenched, unquenchable! I'll have it torn From its vile babbling roots, till you shall utter Nothing but sobs through blood, for this! Sage Signors, I pray ye be not hasty. [_Aloud to the others_. _Bar._ But be human! 160 _Lor._ See, the Duke comes! _Enter the_ DOGE. _Doge_. I have obeyed your summons. _Chief of the Ten_. We come once more to urge our past request. _Doge_. And I to answer. _Chief of the Ten_. What? _Doge_. My only answer. You have heard it. _Chief of the Ten_. Hear _you_ then the last decree, Definitive and absolute! _Doge_. To the point-- To the point! I know of old the forms of office, And gentle preludes to strong acts.--Go on! _Chief of the Ten_. You are no longer Doge; you are released From your imperial oath as Sovereign; Your ducal robes must be put off; but for 170 Your services, the State allots the appanage Already mentioned in our former congress. Three days are left you to remove from hence, Under the penalty to see confiscated All your own private fortune. _Doge_. That last clause, I am proud to say, would not enrich the treasury. _Chief of the Ten_. Your answer, Duke! _Lor._ Your answer, Francis Foscari! _Doge_. If I could have foreseen that my old age Was prejudicial to the State, the Chief Of the Republic never would have shown 180 Himself so far ungrateful, as to place His own high dignity before his Country; But this _life_ having been so many years _Not_ useless to that Country, I would fain Have consecrated my last moments to her. But the decree being rendered, I obey.[bt][78] _Chief of the Ten_. If you would have the three days named extended, We willingly will lengthen them to eight, As sign of our esteem. _Doge_. Not eight hours, Signor, Not even eight minutes--there's the ducal ring, 190 [_Taking off his ring and cap_. And there the ducal diadem! And so The Adriatic's free to wed another. _Chief of the Ten_. Yet go not forth so quickly. _Doge_. I am old, sir, And even to move but slowly must begin To move betimes. Methinks I see amongst you A face I know not.--Senator! your name, You, by your garb, Chief of the Forty! _Mem._ Signor, I am the son of Marco Memmo. _Doge_. Ah! Your father was my friend.--But _sons_ and _fathers!_-- What, ho! my servants there!