The speech of the
Contarini and the manner of its reception gave pleasing assurance of the
general temper of the Senate; the faces of the Doge and of his Savii
recorded the sense of security with which it was needful to impress the
assembly, and wore, if possible, a more dignified calm. Nevertheless
Leonardo, with his statesman's eye, detected here and there a face that
was set in an opposite opinion or likely to yield from fear, and his
pride decreed that the vote, when cast, should be unanimous.
Again the Doge consulted his Councillors.
"The nations will owe us much," he said, "if our unanimous vote shall
record the sentiments expressed in this speech of the noble Senator
Contarini as the faith and will of this Republic. Never hath there been
a greater opportunity to win a triumph for the liberty of princes.
"Therefore, because the question is weighty, we will request our most
learned Counsellor and Theologian to the Republic to give us an
exposition of the law as it doth appear at this latest moment of our
discussion to his judicial mind.
Pages:
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299