Thou
mayest withdraw."
"Serenissimo, Prince of Venice!" Marina cried, stretching forth her
hands, "be gracious to me! _Now_ must I speak my message, or it will be
too late--and it hath been granted me in a vision, for the welfare of
the people of Venice. _If the Ruler of this Republic will win the
consent of the Senate and the Council to comply with the admonitions of
the Most Holy Father, the day shall be happy for Venice_."
"Take her away--she is distraught," commanded one of the Chiefs of the
Ten, starting forward.
There was a movement of irresolution among those immediately surrounding
the Doge; but the Lady Marina, like one commissioned for a holy emprise,
had no fear.
"Nay, for I claim my right, as citizen of Venice, to bring my grievance
to the Doge's throne!" she answered proudly. "I am mother to a son who
shall one day take his seat among the nobles of this Council; I am
daughter to a man of the people,--beloved by his own class and honorably
known, in the records of the Ten, among the industries of Venice,--who
hath but now refused the seat of honor they would have granted him, that
he might more truly serve the interests of the people; I am wife to a
noble whose ancient name hath been written again and again in records of
highest service most honorable to the Republic.
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