"There are men, that an interview with the Council of Three would have sent to their prayers and a sleepless bed." "There is not a chapel in Venice, Jacopo, in which a sinner may so well lay bare his soul as in this.

I have been here on the empty Lagunes, alone with God, having the gates of Paradise open before my eyes." "One like thee hath no need of images to quicken his devotion." "I see the image of my Saviour, Jacopo, in those bright stars, that moon, the blue heavens, the misty bank of mountain, the waters on which we float, aye, even in my own sinking form, as in all which has come from his wisdom and power.

I have prayed much since the moon has risen." "And is habit so strong in thee that thou thinkest of God and thy sins while thou anglest ?" "The poor must toil and the sinful must pray.

My thoughts have dwelt so much of late on the boy, that I have forgotten to provide myself with food.

If I fish later or earlier than common, 'tis because a man cannot live on grief." "I have bethought me of thy situation, honest Antonio; here is that which will support life and raise thy courage.
"See," added the Bravo, stretching forth an arm Into his own gondola, from which he drew a basket, "here is bread from Dalmatia, wine of Lower Italy, and figs from the Levant--eat, then, and be of cheer." The fisherman threw a wistful glance at the viands, for hunger was making powerful appeals to the weakness of nature, but his hand did not relinquish its hold of the line, with which he still continued to angle.
"And these are thy gifts, Jacopo ?" he asked, in a voice that, spite of his resignation, betrayed the longings of appetite.
"Antonio, they are the offerings of one who respects thy courage and honors thy nature." "Bought with his earnings ?" "Can it be otherwise?
I am no beggar for the love of the saints, and few in Venice give unasked.