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As for me, I need not tell you how I am suited. Falieri. Had we been less extravagant, we might at this moment have been sitting quietly in our palaces; but as things stand now Parozzi. Well, as things stand now I verily believe that Falieri is going to moralise. Contarino. That is ever the way with old sinners when they have lost the power to sin any longer.
There's an infernal adventure for you. Parozzi. I shall go mad. Falieri. Everything we design is counteracted; the more trouble we give ourselves, the further we are from the goal. Memmo. I confess it seems to me as if Heaven gave us warning to desist. How say you? Contarino. Pshaw, these are trifles! Such accidents should only serve to sharpen our wits.
I must say that I think it would be wiser not to let him be brought in among us, for he is capable of strangling us all as we stand here, one after another, without mercy. "Gracious Heaven!" screamed several of the ladies, "you don't say so? What, strangle us in this very chamber?" Contarino. The principal point is, whether Flodoardo will get the better of HIM, or HE of Flodoardo.
Old Horace is in the right. A philosopher can be anything he pleases, a cobbler, a king, or a physician. Only observe with what dignified address the philosopher Parozzi spreads that plaster for me. I thank you, friend; that's enough: and now, comrades, place yourselves in a circle round me, and listen to the wonders which I am going to relate. Falieri. Proceed. Contarino.
Why then followed a whole legion of sbirri and police- officers, and who should be at their head but the Florentine stranger. All. Flodoardo? What, Flodoardo? Contarino. Flodoardo. Falieri. What demon could have guided him thither? Parozzi. Hell and furies! Oh, that I had been there. Memmo. There, now, Parozzi, you see at least that Flodoardo is no coward. Falieri. Hush, let us hear the rest.
Every soul of them depends as much on that one man's honour and caprices as puppets do who nod or shake their wooden heads just as the fellow behind the curtain thinks proper to move the wires. Parozzi. And yet the populace idolises this Andreas. Memmo. Ay, that is the worst part of the story. Falieri. But never credit me again if he does not experience a reverse of fortune speedily. Contarino.
The moment that I became acquainted with him, I prophesied that one day or other he would play a brilliant part in the annals of history. Another Senator. I think with you, signor. Never was I so struck with a man at first sight as I was with Flodoardo. Contarino. A thousand sequins on Abellino's not being taken, unless death should have taken him first. The First Senator.
At the gate Selimbria, Theophilus Palaeologus kept the Imperial flag flying, but the outer faces of the towers there were in the ditch serving the uses of the enemy. Contarino the Venetian, on the roof of the Golden Gate, was separated from the wall reaching northward to Selimbria by a breach wide enough to admit a chariot.
Oh, wait till to-morrow, and then he may make love to the devil and his grandmother, if he likes it. Abellino by that time will have wrung his neck round, I warrant you. Contarino. It is strange that, in spite of all inquiries, I can learn but little at Florence respecting this Flodoardo.
I tell you he is the most contemptible blockhead that the universe can furnish! Courage perhaps he possesses, but of brains not an atom. Contarino. And I tell you that Andreas is as brave as a lion, and as crafty as a fox. Falieri. Pshaw! pshaw! Everything would go to rack and ruin were it not for the wiser heads of this triumvirate of counsellors, whom Heaven confound!
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