Andreas (in astonishment)--Abellino, what is the meaning of all
this?
Abellino.--Neither more nor less than that Abellino has discovered
and defeated a conspiracy against the constitution of Venice and the
life of its Doge! The bravo, in return for your kind intention of
sending him to destruction in a few hours, has preserved you from
it.
Vitalba (to the accused).--Noble Venetians, you are silent under
this heavy charge.
Abellino.--They are wise, for no defence can now avail them. Their
troops are already disarmed, and lodged in separate dungeons of the
State prison; visit them there, and you will learn more. You now
understand probably that I did not order the doors of this saloon to
be guarded for the purpose of seizing the terrible bravo Abellino,
but of taking those heroes into secure custody.
And now, Venetians, compare together YOUR conduct and MINE. At the
hazard of my life have I preserved the State from ruin. Disguised
as a bravo, I dared to enter the assembly of those ruthless
villains, whose daggers laid Venice waste. I have endured for your
sakes storm, and rain, and frost, and heat; I have watched for your
safety while you were sleeping. Venice owes to my care her
constitution and your lives; and yet are my services deserving of no
reward? All this have I done for Rosabella of Corfu, and yet will
you withhold from me my promised bride? I have saved you from
death, have saved the honour of your wives, and the throats of your
innocent children from the knife of the assassin. Men! men! and yet
will you send me to the scaffold?
Look on this list! See how many among you would have bled this
night, had it not been for Abellino, and see where the miscreants
stand by whom you would have bled! Read you not in every feature
that they are already condemned by heaven and their own conscience?
Does a single mouth unclose itself in exculpation? Does a single
movement of the head give the lie to my charge? Yet the truth of
what I have advanced shall be made still more evident.
He turned himself to the conspirators "Mark me!" said he, "the first among you who acknowledges the truth
shall receive a free pardon. I swear it, I, the bravo Abellino!"
The conspirators remained silent. Suddenly Memmo started forward
and threw himself trembling at the Doge's feet.
"Venetians," he exclaimed, "Abellino has told you true."
"'Tis false, 'tis false!" exclaimed the accused altogether.
"Silence!" cried Abellino, in a voice of thunder, while the
indignation which flamed in every feature struck terror into his
hearers: "Silence, I say, and hear me, or rather hear the ghosts of
your victims. Appear, appear!" cried this dreadful man, in a tone
still louder: "'Tis time!"