Memmo.--All that I can do for you in this business is to provide you
with pecuniary supplies. My old miserable uncle, whose whole
property becomes mine at his death, has brimful coffers, and the old
miser dies whenever I say the word.
Falieri.--You have suffered him to live too long already.
Memmo.--Why, I never have been able to make up my mind entirely to--
You would scarcely believe it, friends, but at times I am so
hypochondriac, that I could almost fancy I feel twinges of
conscience.
Contarino.--Indeed. Then take my advice, go into a monastery.
Memmo.--Our care first must be to find out our old acquaintances,
Matteo's companions: yet, having hitherto always transacted
business with them through their captain, I know not where they are
to be met with.
Parozzi.--As soon as they are found, their first employment must be
the removal of the Doge's trio of advisers.
Contarino.--That were an excellent idea, if it were as easily done
as said. Well, then, my friends, this principal point at least is
decided. Either we will bury our debts under the ruins of the
existing constitution of the Republic, or make Andreas a gift of our
heads towards strengthening the walls of the building. In either
case, we shall at least obtain quiet. Necessity, with her whip of
serpents, has driven us to the very highest point of her rock,
whence we must save ourselves by some act of extraordinary daring,
or be precipitated on the opposite side into the abyss of shame and
eternal oblivion. The next point to be considered is, how we may
best obtain supplies for our necessary expenses, and induce others
to join with us in our plans. For this purpose we must use every
artifice to secure in our interests the courtesans of the greatest
celebrity in Venice. What WE should be unable to effect by every
power of persuasion, banditti by their daggers, and princes by their
treasuries, can one of those Phrynes accomplish with a single look.
Where the terrors of the scaffold are without effect, and the
exhortations of the priests are heard with coldness, a wanton look
and a tender promise often perform wonders. The bell which sounded
the hour of assignation has often rang the knell of the most sacred
principles and most steadfast resolutions. But should you either
fail to gain the mastery over the minds of these women, or fear to
be yourselves entangled in the nets which you wish to spread for
others, in these cases you must have recourse to the holy father
confessors. Flatter the pride of these insolent friars; paint for
them upon the blank leaf of futurity bishops' mitres, patriarchal
missions, the hats of cardinals, and the keys of St. Peter; my life
upon it, they will spring at the bait, and you will have them
completely at your disposal. These hypocrites who govern the
consciences of the bigoted Venetians, hold man and woman, the noble
and the mendicant, the Doge and the gondolier, bound fast in the
chains of superstition, by which they can head them wheresoever it
best suits their pleasure. It will save us tons of gold in gaining
over proselytes, and keeping their consciences quiet when gained, if
we can but obtain the assistance of the confessors, whose blessings
and curses pass with the multitude for current coin. Now, then, to
work, comrades, and so farewell.