Venice, with her powers of subtle reasoning, gladly embraced this way
out of the difficulty which had first appeared insuperable. "So to
_give_ them," she said, appeased, "confirms rather than questions our
authority, since no one may 'give' to another that over which he
exercises no dominion."
It was not Venice, but France, who was to request that the interdict be
withdrawn, that she might not seem to other nations to be under the ban;
for the Republic did not acknowledge that this condition of disfavor had
gone into effect; she could not therefore personally request the Pope to
change an attitude which put only himself in the wrong. But when there
was a hint of "absolution," which the cardinal in his zeal would also
ask the Holy Father to pronounce, Venice was silent from displeasure.
She had done no wrong; she would neither ask nor accept absolution.
The Senate might indeed be weary of these interminable discussions and
unending compliments, and glad of a respite in which to turn to other
matters.
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