I shall have time enough And opportunity to plead our cause.
NARDI, rising.
It is an inspiration, and I hail it As of good omen.

May the power that sends it Bless our beloved country, and restore Its banished citizens.

The soul of Florence Is now outside its gates.

What lies within Is but a corpse, corrupted and corrupting.
Heaven help us all, I will not tarry longer, For you have need of rest.

Good-night.
IPPOLITO.
Good-night.
Enter FRA SEBASTIANO; Turkish attendants.
IPPOLITO.
Fra Bastiano, how your portly presence Contrasts with that of the spare Florentine Who has just left me! FRA SEBASTIANO.
As we passed each other, I saw that he was weeping.
IPPOLITO.
Poor old man! FRA SEBASTIANO.
Who is he?
IPPOLITO.
Jacopo Nardi.