Enter the Doge, Badoero, Contarini, Teresa, Matilda, and others.
Veniero.
Once more we welcome all! Let mirth reign here,
Since ne’er a day hath dawned, of joy like this!
And Loredano too—I craved his presence;
Why comes he not? I harbor no resentments
In this glad hour. When happiness o’erflows
The heart, its tide doth sweep all evil thoughts
Like wrecks, away. He should be welcome here.
Say—will ye pledge me, friends?