_Sen._ And Even if she be so, cannot save her husband. But, see, the officer returns. [_The Officer passes over the stage with another person_. _Mem._ I hardly 280 Thought that "the Ten" had even this touch of pity, Or would permit assistance to this sufferer. _Sen._ Pity! Is't pity to recall to feeling The wretch too happy to escape to Death By the compassionate trance, poor Nature's last Resource against the tyranny of pain? _Mem._ I marvel they condemn him not at once. _Sen._ That's not their policy: they'd have him live, Because he fears not death; and banish him, Because all earth, except his native land, 290 To him is one wide prison, and each breath Of foreign air he draws seems a slow poison, Consuming but not killing. _Mem._ Circumstance Confirms his crimes, but he avows them not. _Sen._ None, save the Letter, which, he says, was written Addressed to Milan's duke, in the full knowledge That it would fall into the Senate's hands, And thus he should be re-conveyed to Venice.[45] _Mem._ But as a culprit. _Sen._ Yes, but to his country; And that was all he sought,--so he avouches. 300 _Mem._ The accusation of the bribes was proved. _Sen._ Not clearly, and the charge of homicide Has been annulled by the death-bed confession Of Nicolas Erizzo, who slew the late Chief of "the Ten."[46] _Mem._ Then why not clear him? _Sen._ That They ought to answer; for it is well known That Almoro Donato, as I said, Was slain by Erizzo for private vengeance. _Mem._ There must be more in this strange process than The apparent crimes of the accused disclose-- 310 But here come two of "the Ten;" let us retire. [_Exeunt_ MEMMO _and Senator_. _Enter_ LOREDANO _and_ BARBARIGO. _Bar._ (_addressing_ LOR.). That were too much: believe me, 'twas not meet The trial should go further at this moment. _Lor._ And so the Council must break up, and Justice Pause in her full career, because a woman Breaks in on our deliberations? _Bar._ No, That's not the cause; you saw the prisoner's state. _Lor._ And had he not recovered? _Bar._ To relapse Upon the least renewal. _Lor._ 'Twas not tried. _Bar._ 'Tis vain to murmur; the majority 320 In council were against you. _Lor._ Thanks to _you_, sir, And the old ducal dotard, who combined The worthy voices which o'er-ruled my own.