28 
MORTADELLO 
 
All Venice wild with joy ;  all fear blown far and high. 
A snowflake from the peak of your prosperity. 
THE DOGE.  See all those angry clouds that gather round the 
sun. 
GABRIELE.  And see !  they break ;  he shines !  An omen ! 
THE DOGE. 
 
Call it one ! 
Is there no risk of storm before the night whose fall 
Is certain as the death that must envelop all ? 
GABRIELE.  My lord, be of good cheer.  Though dusk devour 
us soon. 
Remember we have made alliance with the moon 
THE DOGE.  I am satisfied.  We float, a serviceable bark. 
For you remains reward, the Lion of St. Mark. 
 
[He throws the chain and symbols over the shoulders 
of GABRIELE, who kneels and kisses his hand 
Now, are the ten waiting ? 
GABRIELE. 
So I believe, my Lord. 
THE DOGE.  Call them ! 
[GABRIELE goes to the throne, and, pressing a spring, 
admits a number of masked nobles. 
Farewell.  And bid the captain of the guard 
Double his men without, and the strictness of his ward. 
 
 
[THE TEN range themselves.  THE DOGE sits. 
Lords, I have summoned you at this auspicious hour. 
Hope’s consummation, triumph of policy and power. 
You are nameless hitherto ;  to-day I may name one, 
Your foremost councillor, to-morrow is my son ;— 
And my successor soon, when I lay down the task. 
Count Mortadello, I command you to unmask ! 
MORTADELLO.  [Throwing back his hood.]  Ay, it is I whose 
thunders break, and worlds obey.