Memmo.--The Pope? May we count on his protection?
Gonzaga (throwing him a letter).--Read there, unbeliever. The Pope,
I tell you, must protect us, since one of our objects is professed
to be the assertion of the rights of St. Peter's Chair in Venice.
Prithee, Memmo, tease us no more with such doubts, but let
Contarino's proposal be adopted at once. Our confederates must be
summoned to Parozzi's palace with all diligence, and there furnished
with such weapons as are necessary. Let the stroke of midnight be
the signal for Contarino's quitting the ball-room, and hastening to
seize the arsenal. Salviati, who commands there, is in our
interest, and will throw open the gates at the first summons.
Falieri.--The admiral Adorna, as soon as he hears the alarm-bell,
will immediately lead his people to our assistance.
Parozzi.--Oh, our success is certain.
Contarino.--Only let us take care to make the confusion as general
as possible. Our adversaries must be kept in the dark who are their
friends and who their foes, and all but our own party must be left
ignorant as to the authors, the origin, and the object of the
uproar.
Parozzi.--Heaven, I am delighted at finding the business at length
so near the moment of execution!
Falieri.--Parozzi, have you distributed the white ribbons by which
we are to recognise our partisans?
Parozzi.--That was done some days ago.
Contarino.--Then there is no more necessary to be said on the
subject.
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