IL BANCOLO. 431 
celebrated. ‘ Long live Bancolo !” echoed a thousand voices. The 
welcome given to Polichinelle resembled that accorded to Othello, 
when he appeared for the first time in the Great Canal, surrounded 
by his soldiers bearing banners reeking with Turkish blood. But 
Bancolo removed his mask, and the intoxicated audience beheld the 
natural figure of a man whom they had never before seen but under 
a borrowed form. The change only increased the vehemence of the 
acclamations ; the immense edifice of the Theatre of Fenici seemed 
about to be buried under the irruption of applause, which burst as 
from a volcano. 
No sooner had Bancolo signified his desire to be heard than the 
noise ceased; and every ear became erect, as if in expectation of re- 
newed delight. The whole assembly instantly sunk into the deepest 
silence. Bancolo advanced towards the three hundred lamps which 
illumined the stage, and with a tremulous voice spoke as follows :— 
“ GENTLEMEN, 
“You see before you a man deeply impressed with gratitude for 
your kindness towards him, of which you have to-night given a 
crowning instance. I render thanks to that Being whose name reve- 
rence forbids us to pronounce, that I have enjoyed, during a quarter 
of a century, the happiness of being able to please you. Yes, I thank 
that power to which every country is indebted for those men who 
have distinguished themselves in arts, in arms, or in virtue. Those 
individuals in whose noble natures may be distinctly traced the hand 
of the divine artist, are alone worthy of that applause which you have 
been pleased to lavish upon me. You have hailed and accepted me. 
Receive, Gentlemen, my most cordial thanks, or rather retain for 
ever the remembrance of that gratitude which at the present moment 
glows in my heart. I shall have, in my retreat, the consolation of 
reflecting that I have never, in the exercise of my profession, wilfully 
deviated from the path of rectitude ; and that I have used my utmost 
efforts to soothe and alleviate the sufferings of my country. Gentle- 
men, Farewell !” 
Renewed acclamations resounded through the assembly. But now 
other testimonials were added to the former manifestations of sympa- 
thy. The ladies threw flowers on the stage; sonnets in French, 
English, and Italian, mingled with crowns and garlands, were show- 
ered at the feet of Bancolo. Princes and peers tore from their sides 
