Mortadello

28 MORTADELLO All Venice wild with joy ; all fear blown far and high. A snowflake from the peak of your prosperity. THE DOGE. See all those angry clouds that gather round the sun. GABRIELE. And see ! they break ; he shines ! An omen ! THE DOGE. Call it one ! Is there no risk of storm before the night whose fall Is certain as the death that must envelop all ? GABRIELE. My lord, be of good cheer. Though dusk devour us soon. Remember we have made alliance with the moon THE DOGE. I am satisfied. We float, a serviceable bark. For you remains reward, the Lion of St. Mark. [He throws the chain and symbols over the shoulders of GABRIELE, who kneels and kisses his hand Now, are the ten waiting ? GABRIELE. So I believe, my Lord. THE DOGE. Call them ! [GABRIELE goes to the throne, and, pressing a spring, admits a number of masked nobles. Farewell. And bid the captain of the guard Double his men without, and the strictness of his ward. [THE TEN range themselves. THE DOGE sits. Lords, I have summoned you at this auspicious hour. Hope’s consummation, triumph of policy and power. You are nameless hitherto ; to-day I may name one, Your foremost councillor, to-morrow is my son ;— And my successor soon, when I lay down the task. Count Mortadello, I command you to unmask ! MORTADELLO. [Throwing back his hood.] Ay, it is I whose thunders break, and worlds obey.