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[p. 409.

'Tis with age, then. This was the actual reply of Bailli, maire of Paris, to a Frenchman who made him the same reproach on his way to execution, in the earliest part of their revolution. I find in reading over (since the completion of this tragedy), for the first time these six years, "Venice Preserved," a similar reply on a different occasion by Renault, and other coincidences arising from the subject. I need hardly remind the gentlest reader, that such coincidences must be accidental, from the very facility of their detection by reference to so popular a play on the stage and in the closet as Otway's chef-d'œuvre.

Beggars for nobles, panders for a people! [p. 410. Should the dramatic picture seem harsh, let the reader look to the historical, of the period prophesied, or rather of the few years preceding that period. Voltaire calculated their "nostre benemerite Meretrici" at 12,000 of regulars, without including volunteers and local militia, on what authority I know not; but it is perhaps the only part of the population not decreased.

Then, when the Hebrew's in thy palaces. (p. 410. The chief palaces on the Brenta now belong to the Jews, who in the earlier times of the Republic were only allowed to inhabit Mestri, and not to enter the city of Venice. The whole commerce is in the hands of the Jews and Greeks, and the Huns form the garrison,

Thou den of drunkards with the blood of

princes.

[p. 410. Of the first fifty Doges, five abdicated-five were banished with their eyes put out-five were MASSACRED and nine deposed; so that nineteen out of fifty lost the throne by violence, besides two who fell in battle: this occurred long previous to the reign of Marino Faliero. One of his more immediate predecessors, Andrea Dandolo, died of vexation. Marino Faliero himself perished as related. Amongst his successors, Foscari, after seeing his son repeatedly tortured and banished, was deposed, and died of breaking a blood-vessel, on hearing the bell of Saint Mark's toll for the election of his successor. Morosini was impeached for the loss of Candia; but this was previous to his dukedom, during which he conquered the Morea, and was styled the Peloponnesian. Faliero might truly say,

"Thou den of drunkards with the blood of princes!"

APPENDIX.

1.

MCCCLIV.

MARINO FALIERO, DOGE XLIX.

"Fu eletto da quarantuno Elettori, il quale era Cavaliere e Conte di Valdemarino in Trivi

giana, ed era ricco, e si trovava Ambasciadore a Roma. --E così a dì 11. di Settembre fu creato il prefato Marino Faliero Doge. E subito furono spedite lettere al detto Doge, il quale era a Roma Oratore al Legato di Papa Innocenzo VI. ch'era in Avignone. Fu preso nel gran Consiglio d'eleggere dodici Ambasciadori incontro a Marino Faliero Doge il quale veniva da Roma. E giunto a Chioggia, il Podestà mandò Taddeo Giustiniani suo figliuolo incontro, con quindici Ganzaruoli. E poi venuto a S. Cle mente nel Bacintoro, venne un gran caligo, adeo che il Bucintoro non si pote levare. Laonde il Doge co Gentiluomini nelle piatte vennero di lungo in questa Terra a 5. d'Ottobre del 1354. E dovendo smontare alla riva della Paglia per lo caligo andarono ad ismontare alla riva della Piazza in mezzo alle due Colonne dove si fa la Giustizia, che fu un malissimo augurio. E a 6.

la mattina venne alla Chiesa di San Marco alla laudazione di quello."

liero suo nipote, il quale stava con lui in Polazzo, e entrarono in questa macchinazione. Në "Trattato di Messer Marino Faliero Doge, si partirono di lì, che mandarono per Filipp tratto da una Cronica antica. Essendo venuto Calendaro, uomo marittimo e di gran seguito, Il Giovedì della Caccia, fu fatta giusta il solito per Bertucci Israello, ingegnere e uome ast la Caccia. E a' que' tempi dopo fatta la Caccia tissimo. E consigliatisi insieme diede ordiae di s' andava in Pallazo del Doge in una di quelle chiamare alcuni altri. E così per alcuni giorni Sale, e con donne facevasi una festicciuola, dove la notte si riducevano insieme in Palazzo in si ballava fino alla prima Campana, e veniva casa del Doge. E chiamarono a parte a parte una Colazione; la quale spesa faceva Messer lo altri, videlicet Niccolò Fagiuolo, Giovann da Doge, quando v' era la Dogaressa. E poscia Corfù, Stefano Fagiano, Viccolò dalle ende, tutti andavano a casa sua. Sopra la qual festa, Niccolò Biondo, e Stefano Trivisano. Ee pare, che Ser Michele Steno, molto giovane e di fare sedici o diciasette Capi in diversi gi povero Gentiluomo, ma ardito e astuto, il qual' della Terra, i quali avessero cadaun é era innamorato in certa donzella della Doga- quarant'uomini provvigionati, preparati, a 6ressa, essendo sul Solajo appresso le Donne, fa- cendo a' detti suoi quaranta quello, che res cesse cert' atto non conveniente, adeo che il sero fare. Ma che il giorno stabilito si mestrame Doge comendò ch'e' fosse buttato giù dal Solajo. di far questione tra loro in diversi lunghi, a E così quegli Scudieri del Doge lo spinsero giù ciocchè il Doge facesse sonare a San Marcs it di quel Solajo. Laonde a Ser Michele parve, Campane, le quali non si possono suenare, che fossegli stata fatta troppo grande ignominia. egli nol comanda. E al suono delle Campa E non considerando altramente il fine, ma so- questi sedici o diciasette co' suoi uomini vens pra quella passione fornita la Festa, e andati sero a San Marco alle strade, che buttane is tutti via, quella notte egli andò, e sulla cadrega, Piazza. E così i nobili e primarj Cittadini, che dove sedeva il Doge nella Sala dell' Udienza venissero in Piazza, per sapere del romere að (perchè allora i Dogi non tenevano panno di ch'era, li tagliassero a pezzi. E seguito questo, seta sopra la cadrega, ma sedevano in una ca- che fosse chiamato per Signore Messer Mar drega di legno) scrisse alcune parole disoneste Faliero Doge. E fermate le cose tra lore, del Doge e della Dogaressa, cioè: Marin Faliero bilito fu, che questo dovess' essere a' 15 d'Aprie dalla bella moglie: Altri la gode, ed egli la man- del 1355 in giorno di Mercoledì. La quale tiene. E la mattina furono vedute tali parole chinazione trattata fu tra loro tanto sepa scritte. E parve una brutta cosa. E per la mente, che mai nè pure se ne sospettò, non de Signoria fu commessa la cosa agli Avvogadori se ne sapesse cos' alcuna. Ma il Signor és del Comune con grande efficacia. I quali Avvo- che ha sempre ajutato questa gloriosissima (ita gadori subito diedero taglia grande per venire e che per le santimonie e giustizie sue mai net in chiaro della verità di chi avea scritto tal let-l'ha abbandonata, ispirò a un Beltramo Berga tera. E tandem si seppe, che Michele Steno masco, il quale fu messo Capo di quarant's avcale scritte. E fu per la Quarantia preso di per uno de detti congiurati (il quale inte ritenerlo; e ritenuto confessò, che in quella pas- qualche parola, sicché comprese l'effette, de sione d'essere stato spinto giù dal Solajo, pre- doveva succedere, e il qual era di casa di r sente la sua amante, egli aveale scritte. Onde Niccolò Lioni de Santo Stefano) di andare a &.. poi fu placitato nel detto Consiglio, e parve al d'Aprile a Casa del detto Ser Niccolo Lioni. E Consiglio si per rispetto all' età, come per la gli disse ogni cosa dell' ordin dato. Il le caldezza d'amore, di condannarlo a compiere due intese le cose, rimase come morto; e mesi in prigione serrato, e poi che fusse ban- molte particolarità, il detto Beltrame il pr dito di Venezia e dal distretto per un'anno. Per che lo tenesse segreto, e glielo disse, accione la qual condennagione tanto piccola il Doge ne il detto Ser Niccolò non si partisse di casa a d prese grande sdegno, parendogli che non fosse 15 acciochè egli non fosse morto. Ed egli ve stata fatta quella estimazione della cosa, che lendo partirsi, il fece ritenere a suoi di casa, ricercava la sua dignità del Ducato. E diceva, serrarlo in una camera. Ed esso ande a cass ch' eglino doveano averlo fatto appiccare per la di M. Giovanni Gradenigo Nasone, il quale fo gola, o saltem bandirlo in perpetuo da Venezia. poi Doge, che stava anch egli a Santo Stefano, E perchè (quando deve succedere un' effetto è e dissegli la cosa. La quale parendogli, cam età, necessario che vi concorra la cagione a fare tal d'una grandissima importanza, tutti e due anda effetto) era destinato, che a Messer Marino Doge rono a casa di Ser Marco Cornaro, che stava fosse tagliata la testa, perciò occorse, che en- a San Felice. E dettogli il tutto, tatti e tre trata la Quaresima il giorno dopo che fu con- deliberarono di venire a casa del detto Ser Vie dannato il detto Ser Michele Steno, un Gentil-colò Lioni, ed esaminare il detto Beltram. 8 uomo da Cà Barbaro, di natura collerico, an- quello esaminato, intese le cose, il fecero stare dasse all' Arsenale, domandasse certe cose ai serrato. E andarono tutti e tre a San Salvatre Padroni, ed era alla presenza de Signori l'Am- in Sacristia, e mandarono i loro famiglia ché miraglio dell' Arsenale. Il quale intesa la do- amare i Consiglieri, gli Avvogadori, i Cap de mauda, disse, che non si poteva fare. Quel Gen- Dicci, e que del Consiglio. E ridotti insin tiluomo venne a parole coll' Ammiraglio, e die- dissero loro le cose. I quali rimasero mert. E degli un pugno su un'ochio. E perche avea un deliberarono di mandare pel detto Beltrame, anello in deto, coll' anello gli ruppe la pelle, e fattolo venire cantamente, ed esaminatolo, e ve fece sangue. E l'Ammiraglio cosi battuto e in- rificate le cose, ancorchè ne sentissero granja sanguinato andò al Doge a lamentarsi, acciocchè sione, pure pensarono la provvisione. E il Doge facesse fare gran punizione contra il darono pe Capi de Quaranta, pe Siguen & detto da Cà Barbaro: Il Doge disse: Che vuoi notte, pe' Capi de' Sestieri, e pe Cinque della che ti faccia? Guarda le ignominiose parole | Pace. E ordinato, ch' eglino co' loro on scritte di me, e il modo ch'è stato punito quel trovassero degli altri buoni uomini, e man ribaldo di Michele Steno, che le scrisse. E quale sero a casa de Capi de congiurati, ut supe stima hanno i Quaranta fatto della persona no- mettessero loro le mani addosso. E test stra. Laonde l'Ammiraglio gli disse: Messer lo detti le Maestrerie dell' Arsenale, acciocche i Doge, se voi volete farvi Signore, e fare tagliare provvisionati de congiurati non potessero offen tutti questi becchi Gentiluomini a pezzi, mi basta derli. E si ridussero in Palazzo verso la sera l'animo, dandomi voi ajuto, di farvi Signore di Dove ridotti fecero serrare le porte de la core questa Terra. E allora voi potrete castigare del Palazzo. E mandarono a ordinare al Ca tutti costoro. Intese queste, il Doge disse, Come panaro, che non sonasse le Campane. E cost a si può fare una simile cosa? E così entrarono eseguito, é messe le mani addosso a tutti i in ragionamento. E vedendo il Consiglio de Dieci, che il Dete minati di sopra, furono que' condotti al Palam

"I Doge mandò a chiamare Ser Bertucci Fa

era nella cospirazione, presero di eleggere venti de primarj della Terra, di giunta al detto Consiglio a consigliare, non però che potessero metcere pallotta.

E chiamati questi venti nel Consiglio de' Dieci, fu mandato per Messer Marino Faliero Doge, il quale andava pel Palazzo con gran gente, gentiluomini, e altra buona gente, che non sapeano ancora come il fatto stava. In questo tempo fu condotto, preso, e ligato, Bertucci Israello, uno le' Capi del trattato per que' di Santa Croce, ancora fa preso Zanello del Brin, Nicoletto di Rosa, e Nicoletto Alberto, il Guardiaga, e altri tomini da mare, e d'altre condizioni. I quali urono esaminati, e trovata la verità del tradinento. A di 16. d'Aprile fu sentenziato pel detto Consiglio de Dieci, che Filippo Calandario, e Bertucci Israello fossero appiccati alle Colonne rosse del balconate del Palazzo, nelle quali sta a vedere il Doge la festa della Caccia. E così urono appiccati con spranghe in bocca E nel giorno seguente questi furono condannati, Niccolo Zuccuolo, Nicoletto Blondo, Nicoletto Doro, Marco Giuda, Jacomello Dagolino, Nicoletto Fedele figliuolo di Filippo Calendaro, Marco Forello detto Israello, Stefano Trivisano Cambiatore di Santa Margherita, Antonio dalle Bende. Furono tutti presi a Chioggia, che fuggivano, e dipoi in diversi giorni a due a due, e a uno a uno, per sentenza fatta nel detto Consiglio de Dicci, furono appiccati per la gola alle Colonne, continuando dalle rosse del Palazzo, seguendo fin verso il Canale. E altri presi furono lasciati, perchè sentirono il fatto, ma non vi furono tal che fu dato loro ad intendere per questi capi, che venissero coll' arme, per prendere alcuni malfattori in servigio della Signoria, nè altro sapeano. Fu ancora liberato Nicoletto Alberto, il Guardiaga, e Bartolommeo Cirinola, e suo figliuolo, e molti altri, che non erano in colpa.

di notte. Ed essendo stati impiccati i traditori, e tagliata la testa al Doge, rimase la Terra in gran riposo, e quiete. E come in una Cronica ho trovato, fu portato il Corpo del Doge in una barca con otto doppieri a seppelire nella sua arca a San Giovanni e Paolo, la quale al presente è in quell' andito per mezzo la Chiesuola di Santa Maria della Pace, fatta fare pel Vescovo Gabriello di Bergamo, e un Cassone di Pietra con queste lettere. Heic jacet Dominus Marinus Faletro Dux. E nel gran Consiglio non gli è stato fatto alcun Brieve, ma il luogo vacuo con lettere, che dicono cosi: Hic est locus Marini Faletro, decapitati pro criminibus. E pare, che la sua casa fosse data alla Chiesa di Sant' Apostolo, la qual era quella grande sul Ponte. Tamen vedo il contrario che è pure di Cà Faliero, o che i Falieri la ricuperassero con danari dalla Chiesa. Ne voglio restar di scrivere alcuni, che volevano, che fosse messo nel suo breve, cioè: Marinus Faletro Dux. Temeritas me cepit. Panas lui, decapitatus pro criminibus. Altri vi fecero un Distico assai degno al sue merito, il quale è questo, da essere posto su la sua sepultura :

"Dux Venetum jacet heic, patriam qui prodere tentans,

Sceptra, decus, censum, perdidit, atque caput."

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Crónica di Sanuto-Muratori S. S. Rerum Italicarum-vol. xxII. 628-639.

11.

MCCCLIV.

MARINO FAliero, doge XLIX.

"E a dì 16. d'Aprile, giorno di Venerdì, fu sentenziato nel detto Consiglio de' Dieci, di tagliare la testa a Messer Marino Faliero Doge sul pato della Scala di pierra, dove i Dogi giurano il primo sagramento, quando montano prima in Palazzo. E così serrato il Palazzo la mattina seguente a ora di Terza, fu tagliata la testa al detto Doge a dì 17. d'Aprile. E prima la beretta fu tolta di testa al detto Doge, avanti che venisse giù dalla Scala. E compiuta la giustizia, pare che un Capo de' Dieci andasse alle Colonne del Palazzo sopra la Piazza, e mostrasse la spada insanguinata a tutti, dicendo: E stata fatta la gran giustizia del Traditore. E aperta la Porta tutti entrarono dentro con gran furia a vedere il Doge, ch' era stato giuetiziato. E' da sapere, che a fare la detta giustizia non fu Ser Giovanni Sanudo il Consigliere, perchè era andato a casa per difetto della persona, sicchè furono quatordici seli, che ballottarono, cioè cinque Consiglieri, e nove del Consiglio de' Diece. E fu preso, che tutti i beni del Doge fossero confiscati nel Comune, e cosi degli altri traditori. E fu conceduto al detto Doge pel detto Consiglio de' Dieci, ch' egli potesse ordinare del suo per Ducati due mila. Ancora fu preso, che tutti i Consiglieri, e Avogadori del Comune, que' del Consiglio de' Dieci, e della Giunta, ch' erano stati a fare la detta sentenza del Doge, e d'altri, avessero licenza di portar arme di dì e di notte in Venezia e da Grado fino a Cavarzere, ch'è sotto il Dogato, con due fanti in vita loro, stando i fanti con in a chronicle.-When Messer Marino Faliero essi in casa al suo pane e al suo vino. E chi was podesta and Captain of Treviso, the Bishop non avesse fanti, potesse dar tal licenza a' suoi delayed coming in with the holy sacrament, on figliuoli ovvero fratelli, due però e non più. a day when a procession was to take place. Now Eziandio fu data licenza dell' arme a quattro the said Marino Faliero was so very proud and Notaj della Cancelleria, cioè della Corte Mag-wrathful, that he buffeted the Bishop, and almost giore, che furono a prendere le deposizioni e in-struck him to the ground. And, therefore, Heaquisizioni, in perpetuo a loro soli, i quali fu- ven allowed Marino Faliero to go out of his rono Amadio, Nicoletto di Loreno, Steffanello, right senses, in order that he might bring hime Pietro de Compostelli, Scrivani de Signori self to an evil death.

On the eleventh day of September, in the year of our Lord 1354, Marino Faliero was elected and chosen to be the Duke of the Commonwealth of Venice. He was Count of Valdemarino, in the Marches of Treviso, and a Knight and a wealthy man to boot. As soon as the election was completed, it was resolved in the Great Council, that a deputation of twelve should be despatched to Marino Faliero the Duke, whe was then on his way from Rome; for, when he was chosen, he was Embassador at the court of the Holy Father, at Rome,-the Holy Father himself held his court at Avignon. When Messer Marino Faliero the Duke was about to land in this city, on the fifth day of October, 1354, a thick haze came on, and darkened the air; and he was enforced to land on the place of Saint Mark, between the two columns on the spot where evil doers are put to death; and all thought that this was the worst of tokens.-Nor must I forget to write that which I have read

When this Duke had held the Dukedom during | punishment upon the Gentleman of Ca Barbara nine months and six days, he being wicked and ambitious, sought to make himself lord of Venice, in the manner which I have read in an ancient chronicle. When the Thursday arrived upon which they were wont to hunt the Bull, the Bullhunt took place as usual; and according to the usage of those times, after the Bull-hunt had ended, they all proceeded unto the palace of the Duke, and assembled together in one of his halls; and they disported themselves with the women. And until the first bell tolled they danced, and then a banquet was served up. My Lord the Duke paid the expenses thereof, provided he had a Duchess, and after the banquet they all returned to their homes.

Now to this feast there came a certain Ser

Michele Steno, a gentleman of poor estate and very young, but crafty and daring, and who loved one of the damsels of the Duchess.-Ser Michele stood amongst the women upon the solajo; and he behaved indiscreetly, so that my Lord the Duke ordered that he should be kicked off the solajo; and the Esquires of the Duke flung him down from the solajo accordingly. Ser Michele thought that such an affront was beyond all bearing: and when the feast was over, and all other persons had left the palace, he, continuing heated with anger, went to the hall of audience, and wrote certain unseemly words relating to the Duke and the Duchess, upon the chair in which the Duke was used to sit; for in those days the Duke did not cover his chair with cloth of sendal, but he sat in a chair of wood. Ser Michele wrote thereon:-Marin Falier, the husband of the fair wife; others kiss her, but he keeps her." In the morning the words were seen, and the matter was considered to be very scandalous; and the Senate commanded the Avogadori of the Commonwealth to proceed therein with the greatest diligence. A largesse of great amount was immediately proffered by the Avogadori in order to discover who had written these words. And at length it was known that Michele Steno had written them. It was resolved in the Council of Forty that he should be arrested; and he then confessed, that in a fit of vexation and spite, occasioned by his being thrust off the 80lajo in the presence of his mistress, he had written the words. Therefore the Council debated thereon. And the Council took his youth into consideration, and that he was a lover, and therefore they adjudged that he should be kept in close confinement during two months, and that afterwards he should be banished from Venice and the state during one year. In consequence of this merciful sentence the Duke became exceedingly wroth, it appearing to him that the Council had not acted in such a manner as was required by the respect due to his ducal dignity; and he said that they ought to have condemned Ser Michele to be hanged by the neck, or at least to be banished for life.

Now it was fated that my Lord Duke Marino was to have his head cut off. And as it is necessary when any effect is to be brought about, that the cause of such effect must happen, it therefore came to pass, that on the very day after sentence had been pronounced on Ser Michele Steno, being the first day of Lent, a Gentleman of the house of Barbaro, a choleric Gentleman, went to the arsenal and required certain things of the masters of the galleys. This he did in the presence of the Admiral of the arsenal, and he, hearing the request, answered,-No, it cannot be done.-High words arose between the Gentleman and the Admiral, and the Gentleman struck him with his fist just above the eye; and as he happened to have a ring on his finger, the ring cut the Admiral and drew blood. The Admiral, all bruised and bloody, ran straight to the Duke to complain, and with the intent of praying him to inflict some heavy

"What wouldst thou have me do for thee?" answered the Duke :-"think upon the shameful gibe which hath been written concerning me: and think on the manner in which they have punished that ribald Michele Steno, who wrot it; and see how the Council of Forty respect our person."-Upon this the Admiral answered. "My Lord Duke, if you would wish to make yourself a Prince and to cut all those ey gentlemen to pieces, I have the heart, if do but help me, to make you Prince of this state; and then you may punish them Hearing this, the Duke said:-"How can matter be brought about?"- and so they coursed thereon.

cio Israello, who was exceedingly wily and can The Duke called for his nephew Ser Berns ning. Then taking counsel amongst themselves they agreed to call in some others; and sa, fa Duke at home in his palace. And the follo several nights successively, they met with the men were called in singly; to wit:-Vitals Fagiuolo, Giovanni da Corfu, Stefano, Niccolo visiano.-It was concerted that sixteen or seven dalle Bende, Niccolo Biondo, and Stefano Tr teen leaders should be stationed in varions paro of the city, each being at the head of forty am. armed and prepared; but the followers were all to know their destination. On the appointed day they were to make affrays amongst themsel here and there, in order that the Duke mp have a pretence for tolling the bells of Su Marco: these bells are never rung but by se order of the Duke. And at the sound of the bells, these sixteen or seventeen, with the followers, were to come to San Marco, thr when the noble and leading citizens should c the streets which open upon the Piazza A into the Piazza, to know the cause of the ra then the conspirators were to cut them in pes and this work being finished, my Lord Varan Faliero the Duke was to be proclaimed the Lari of Venice. Things having been thus sett a they agreed to fulfil their intent on Wednesda the fifteenth day of April, in the year 1 N covertly did they plot, that no one ever dreani of their machinations.

But the Lord, who hath always helped the most glorious city, and who, loving its g eousness and holiness, hath never forsakes & inspired one Beltramo Bergamasco to be the cause of bringing the plot to light in the f ing manner. This Beltramo, who belonged ↑ Ser Niccolo Lioni of Santo Stefano, had bars a word or two of what was to take place so, in the before-mentioned month of April, went to the house of the aforesaid Ser Lioni, and told him all the particulars of plot. Ser Niccolo, when he heard all the things, was struck dead, as it were, with affright He heard all the particulars, and Be prayed him to keep it all secret; and told Ser Niccolo, it was in order that Niccolo might stop at home on the fifteent April, and thus save his life. Beltrans going, but Ser Niccolo ordered his servan lay hands upon him and lock him up. Serr colo then went to the house of Messer Giera Gradenigo Nasoni, who afterwards became D-4 and who also lived at Santo Stefano, and him all. The matter seemed to him to be of very greatest importance, as indeed it was an they two went to the house of Ser Marco en naro, who lived at San Felice; and, br spoken with him, they all three then deteran to go back to the house of Ser Niccolo Lisa to examine the said Beltramo; and having tioned him, and heard all that he had to they left him in confinement. And then the all three went into the sacristy of San Salin and sent their men to summon the Counsel

o Avogadori, the Capi de' Dieci, and those of e Great Council. When all were assembled, the whole story s told to them. They were struck dead, as it ere, with affright. They determined to send Beltramo. He was brought in before them. ey examined him and ascertained that the atter was true; and, althongh they were exedingly troubled, yet they determined upon eir measures. And they sent for the Capi de' aranta, the Signori di Notte, the Capi de' stieri, and the Cinque della Pace; and they ere ordered to associate to their men other od men and true, who were to proceed to the uses of the ringleaders of the conspiracy and cure them. And they secured the foremen of e arsenal, in order that the conspirators might ot do mischief. Towards nightfall they assemed in the palace. When they were assembled the palace, they caused the gates of the quaangle of the palace to be shut. And they sent the keeper of the bell-tower and forbade the lling of the bells. All this was carried into fect. The before-mentioned conspirators were ecured, and they were brought to the palace; ad as the Council of Ten saw that the Duke as in the plot, they resolved that twenty of he leading men of the state should be associated o them, for the purpose of consultation and deiberation, but that they should not be allowed o ballot.

These twenty were accordingly called in to he Council of Ten; and they sent for my Lord Marino Faliero the Duke; and my Lord Marino was then consorting in the palace with people of great estate, gentlemen, and other good men, one of whom knew yet how the fact stood.

At the same time Bertuccio Israello, who, as one of the ringleaders, was to head the conspirators in Santa Croce, was arrested and bound, and brought before the Council. Zanello del Brin, Nicoletto di Rosa, Nicoletto Alberto, and the Guardiaga, were also taken, together with several seamen, and people of various ranks. These were examined, and the truth of the plot was ascertained.

On the sixteenth of April judgment was given in the Council of Ten, that Filippo Calendario and Bertuccio Israello' should be hanged upon the red pillars of the balcony of the palace, from which the Duke is wont to look at the Bull-hunt: and they were hanged with gags in their mouths. The next day the following were condemned: -Niccolo Zuccuolo, Nicoletto Blondo, Nicoletto Doro, Marco Giuda, Jacomello Dagolino, Nicoletto Fidele, the son of Filippo Calendaro, Marco Torello, called Israello, Stefano Trivisano, | the money-changer of Santa Margherita, and Antonio dalle Bende. These were all taken at Chiozza, for they were endeavouring to escape. Afterwards, by virtue of the sentence which was passed upon them in the Council of Ten, they were hanged on successive days, some singly and some in couples, upon the columns of the palace, beginning from the red columns, and so going onwards towards the canal. And other prisoners were discharged, because, although they had been involved in the conspiracy, yet they had not assisted in it for they were given to understand by some of the heads of the plot, that they were to come armed and prepared for the service of the state, and in order to secure certain criminals, and they knew nothing else. Nicoletto Alberto, the Guardiaga, and Bartolom meo Ciruola and his son, and several others, who were not guilty, were discharged.

On Friday, the sixteenth day of April, judg ment was also given, in the aforesaid Council of Ten, that my Lord Marino Faliero, the Duke, should have his head cut off, and that the execution should be done on the landing place of

following day, the seventeenth of April, the doors of the palace being shut, the Duke had his head cut off, about the hour of noon. And the cap of estate was taken from the Duke's head before he came down stairs. When the execution was over, it is said that one of the Council of Ten went to the columns of the palace over against the place of St. Mark, and that he showed the bloody sword unto the people, crying out with a loud voice-"The terrible doom hath fallen upon the traitor!"-and the doors were opened, and the people all rushed in, to see the corpse of the Duke, who had been beheaded.

It must be known, that Ser Giovanni Sanudo, the councillor, was not present when the aforesaid sentence was pronounced; because he was unwell and remained at home. So that only fourteen ballotted; that is to say, five councillors, and nine of the Council of Ten. And it was adjudged, that all the lands and chattels of the Duke, as well as of the other traitors, should be forfeited to the state. And, as a grace to the Duke, it was resolved in the Council of Ten, that he should be allowed to dispose of two thousand ducats out of his own property. And it was resolved, that all the councillors and all the Avogadori of the commonwealth, those of the Council of Ten, and the members of the junta who had assisted in passing sentence on the Duke and the other traitors, should have the privilege of carrying arms both by day and by night in Venice, and from Grado to Cavazere. And they were also to be allowed two footmen carrying arms, the aforesaid footmen living and boarding with them in their own houses. And he who did not keep two footmen might transfer the privilege to his sons or his brothers; but only to two. Permission of carrying arms was also granted to the four Notaries of the Chancery, that is to say, of the Supreme Court, who took the depositions; and they were Amedio, Nicoletto di Lorino, Steffanello, and Pietro do Compostelli, the secretaries of the Signori di Notte.

After the traitors had n hanged, and the Duke had had his head cut off, the state remained in great tranquillity and peace. And, as I have read in a chronicle, the corpse of the Duke was removed in a barge, with eight torches, to his tomb in the church of San Giovanni e Paolo, where it was buried. The tomb is now in that aisle in the middle of the little church of Santa Maria della Pace, which was built by Bishop Gabriel of Bergamo. It is a coffin of stone, with these words engraved thereon: Heic jacet Dominus Marinus Faletro Dux." And they did not paint his portrait in the hall of the Great Council:-But in the place where it ought to have been, you see these words:-"Hic est locus Marini Faletro decapitati pro criminibus” — and it is thought that his house was granted to the church of Sant' Apostolo; it was that great one near the bridge. Yet this could not be the case, or else the family bought it back from the church; for it still belongs to Ca Faliero. I must not refrain from noting, that some wished to write the following words in the place where his portrait ought to have been, as aforesaid :"Marinus Faletro Dux, temeritas me cepit, pœnas lui, decapitatus pro criminibus."-Others, also, indited a couplet, worthy of being inscribed upon his tomb:

"Dux Venetum jacet heic, patriam qui prodere

tentans,

"Sceptra, decus, censum, perdidit, atque caput."

III.

"Al giovane Doge Andrea Dandolo succedette the stone staircase, where the Dukes take their un vecchio, il quale tardi si pose al timone della oath when they first enter the palace. On the repubblica, ma sempre prima di quel, che facea

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