An ill-advised ambition hath put thee on this useless trial." The new aspirant had forced a common fisherman's gondola, of no bad shape, and of sufficient lightness, but which bore about it all the vulgar signs of its daily uses, beneath the gallery of the Bucentaur.

He received the reproof meekly, and was about to turn his boat aside, though with a sorrowing and mortified eye, when a sign from the Doge arrested his arm.
"Question him, as of wont," said the prince.
"How art thou named ?" continued the reluctant official, who, like all of subordinate condition, had far more jealousy of the dignity of the sports he directed, than his superior.
"I am known as Antonio, a fisherman of the Lagunes." "Thou art old!" "Signore, none know it better than I.It is sixty summers since I first threw net or line into the water." "Nor art thou clad as befitteth one who cometh before the state of Venice in a regatta." "I am here in the best that I have.

Let them who would do the nobles greater honor, come in better." "Thy limbs are uncovered--thy bosom bare--thy sinews feeble--go to; thou art ill advised to interrupt the pleasures of the nobles by this levity." Again Antonio would have shrunk from the ten thousand eyes that shone upon him, when the calm voice of the Doge once more came to his aid.
"The struggle is open to all," said the sovereign; "still I would advise the poor and aged man to take counsel; give him silver, for want urges him to this hopeless trial." "Thou hearest; alms are offered thee; but give place to those who are stronger and more seemly for the sport." "I will obey, as is the duty of one born and accustomed to poverty.

They said the race was open to all, and I crave the pardon of the nobles, since I meant to do them no dishonor." "Justice in the palace, and justice on the canals," hastily observed the prince.

"If he will continue, it is his right.