One named Antonio, who seeketh the liberty of the prop of his years--a glorious boy, that force and the policy of the state have torn from me." "This should not be! Violence is not the attribute of justice--but the youth hath offended the laws, and he suffereth for his crimes ?" "He is guilty, Excellent and most Serene Highness, of youth, and health, and strength, with some skill in the craft of the mariner.

They have taken him, without warning or consent, for the service of the galleys, and have left me in my age, alone." The expression of pity, which had taken possession of the venerable features of the prince, changed instantly to a look of uneasiness and distrust.

The eye, which just before had melted with compassion, became cold and set in its meaning, and signing to his guards, he bowed with dignity to the attentive and curious auditors, among the foreign agents, to proceed.
"Bear him away," said an officer, who took his master's meaning from the glance; "the ceremonies may not be retarded for a prayer so idle." Antonio offered no resistance, but yielding to the pressure of those around him, he sank back meekly among the crowd, disappointment and sorrow giving place, for an instant, to an awe and an admiration of the gorgeous spectacle, that were perhaps in some degree inseparable from his condition and habits.

In a few moments, the slight interruption produced by this short scene, was forgotten in the higher interest of the occasion.
When the ducal party had taken their places, and an admiral of reputation was in possession of the helm, the vast and gorgeous bark, with its gilded galleries thronged with attendants, swept away from the quay with a grand and stately movement.

Its departure was the signal for a new burst of trumpets and clarions, and for fresh acclamations from the people.