Mortadello

OR, THE ANGEL OF VENICE 95 Hot when he should be cool, cold when he should be hot. Ambition kept him straight until the prize was won ; Now he’s a runagate, the scandal of the sun. I’m a young spark, you guess, a fashionable rake— But see me doff the dress when Venice is at stake ! 1ST MASK. So the Princess must rule with you to help her, sir ? ALESSANDRO. With you to guide the fool whose ways may chance to err ! That was my scheme : if I divine your minds too ill, I’ve only once to die ; gentlemen, what’s your will ? 2ND MASK. Be seated sir. ALESSANDRO. [Bewildered a moment.] I see no seat : ah, but I do ! I claim equality and brotherhood with you. [He assumes the vacant throne. 1ST and 2ND MASK. We greet a colleague. 1ST MASK. Sit, develop us your plan. Venice has need of it. 2ND MASK. And more need of a man ! ALESSANDRO. Nay, brothers, by your leave. The train but needs the spark. A day—the flash will cleave the horror of the dark. Do me this honour ; dine with me to-morrow eve. I promise you good wine, and shapely limbs to weave Your dreams to more than dream. Besides, I promise this : You shall know how extreme abject a thing he is. And you may see, perhaps, a drama something apt Of how in his own traps the hunter may be trapped. 1ST MASK. Well, we accept the gage. We have upheld him well Till now.