OR, THE ANGEL OF VENICE 
93 
 
Will the day after suit your highness ?  Then we’ll dine 
With but her light to shoot its silver through the wine. 
MORTADELLO.  Her light and love’s !  My friend, I feared that 
we should fight : 
But—look toward the end !  fate sets us all to right. 
Deserve as you’ve deserved till now, and you may be 
The greatest man that’s served in Venice after me. 
ALESSANDRO.  My lord, you are too good.  At first I did not 
know you. 
But now I’ve understood the service we all owe you. 
MORTADELLO.  Well, shall we go to the boat ? 
ALESSANDRO. 
 
At my lord’s service, I. 
MORTADELLO.  We shall be fanned afloat. 
ALESSANDRO. 
 
The gondola shall fly. 
 
 
 
[Exeunt. 
 
SCENE II.  A small room in the Palace.  The furniture, prin-
cipally three thrones, is all of ebony ;  the hangings and 
curtains are of black.  A small square table in the middle 
of the room holds four candles in iron candlesticks ;  the 
candles themselves are of black wax.  Two of the thrones 
are occupied by masked men ;  the third is empty.  Near 
the table stands ALESSANDRO, gorgeously dressed in white 
velvet, with a great crimson cloak.  He is toying with his 
hat and rapier. 
 
ALESSANDRO.  I am here, my lords.  Disclose :  why have you 
summoned me ? 
THE 1ST MASK.  [In the side throne.]  Where do you stand ? 
ALESSANDRO. 
God knows. 
1ST MASK. 
 
You stand before the Three.