By his tally every second man in Venice is well paid for reporting what the others say and do.

'Tis a pity, with all their seeming love of justice, good Roderigo, that the senate should let divers knaves go at large; men, whose very faces cause the stones to redden with anger and shame!" "I did not know that any such were openly seen in Venice; what is secretly done may be favored for a time, through difficulty of proof, but--" "Cospetto! They tell me the councils have a short manner of making a sinner give up his misdeeds.

Now, here is the miscreant Jacopo.

What aileth thee, man?
The anchor on which thou leanest is not heated." "Nor is it of feathers; one's bones may ache from its touch, without offence, I hope." "The iron is of Elba, and was forged in a volcano.

This Jacopo is one that should not go at large in an honest city, and yet is he seen pacing the square with as much ease as a noble in the Broglio!" "I know him not." "Not to know the boldest hand and surest stiletto in Venice, honest Roderigo, is to thy praise.