Summon thy courage, for a moment of trial is before thee." "I have spoken boldly to the Doge.

Except the Holy Father himself, what power is there on earth besides to fear ?" "Thou mayest have spoken, fisherman, too boldly.

Temper thy language, for the great love not words of disrespect." "Is truth unpleasant to them ?" "That is as may be.

They love to hear their own acts praised, when their acts have merited praise, but they do not like to hear them condemned, even though they know what is said to be just." "I fear me," said the old man, looking with simplicity at the other, "there is little difference between the powerful and the weak, when the garments are stripped from both, and the man stands naked to the eye." "That truth may not be spoken here." "How! Do they deny that they are Christians, and mortals, and sinners ?" "They make a merit of the first, Antonio--they forget the second, and they never like to be called the last by any but themselves." "I doubt, Jacopo, after all, if I get from them the freedom of the boy." "Speak them fair, and say naught to wound their self-esteem, or to menace their authority--they will pardon much, if the last, in particular, be respected." "But it is that authority which has taken away my child! Can I speak in favor of the power which I know to be unjust ?" "Thou must feign it, or thy suit will fail." "I will go back to the Lagunes, good Jacopo, for this tongue of mine hath ever moved at the bidding of the heart.

I fear I am too old to say that a son may righteously be torn from the father by violence.