OR, THE ANGEL OF VENICE 
95 
 
Hot when he should be cool, cold when he should be hot. 
Ambition kept him straight until the prize was won ; 
Now he’s a runagate, the scandal of the sun. 
I’m a young spark, you guess, a fashionable rake— 
But see me doff the dress when Venice is at stake ! 
1ST MASK.  So the Princess must rule with you to help her, sir ? 
ALESSANDRO.  With you to guide the fool whose ways may 
chance to err ! 
That was my scheme :  if I divine your minds too ill, 
I’ve only once to die ;  gentlemen, what’s your will ? 
2ND MASK.  Be seated sir. 
ALESSANDRO.  [Bewildered a moment.]  I see no seat :  ah, 
but I do ! 
I claim equality and brotherhood with you. 
 
 
 
[He assumes the vacant throne. 
1ST and 2ND MASK.  We greet a colleague. 
1ST MASK. 
 
Sit, develop us your plan. 
Venice has need of it. 
2ND MASK. 
And more need of a man ! 
ALESSANDRO.  Nay, brothers, by your leave.  The train but 
needs the spark. 
A day—the flash will cleave the horror of the dark. 
Do me this honour ;  dine with me to-morrow eve. 
I promise you good wine, and shapely limbs to weave 
Your dreams to more than dream.  Besides, I promise this : 
You shall know how extreme abject a thing he is. 
And you may see, perhaps, a drama something apt 
Of how in his own traps the hunter may be trapped. 
1ST MASK.  Well, we accept the gage.  We have upheld him 
well 
Till now.