No More Learning

_Second Citizen_.
_Third Citizen_.

Vincenzo, }
Pietro, } _Officers belonging to the Ducal Palace_.
Battista, }

_Secretary of the Council of Ten_.

_Guards_, _Conspirators_, _Citizens_,
_The Council of Ten_, _the Giunta_, etc. , etc.

WOMEN.

Angiolina, _Wife to the Doge_.
Marianna, _her Friend_.
_Female Attendants, etc_.

Scene Venice--in the year 1355.




MARINO FALIERO, DOGE OF VENICE.


(AN HISTORICAL TRAGEDY IN FIVE ACTS. )




ACT I.


SCENE I.
--_An Antechamber in the Ducal Palace_.

PIETRO _speaks, in entering, to_ BATTISTA.

_Pie_. Is not the messenger returned? [cv]

_Bat_. Not yet;
I have sent frequently, as you commanded,
But still the Signory[380] is deep in council,
And long debate on Steno's accusation.

_Pie_. Too long--at least so thinks the Doge.

_Bat_. How bears he
These moments of suspense?

_Pie_. With struggling patience. [cw]
Placed at the Ducal table, covered o'er
With all the apparel of the state--petitions,
Despatches, judgments, acts, reprieves, reports,--
He sits as rapt in duty; but whene'er[cx] 10
He hears the jarring of a distant door,
Or aught that intimates a coming step,[cy]
Or murmur of a voice, his quick eye wanders,
And he will start up from his chair, then pause,
And seat himself again, and fix his gaze
Upon some edict; but I have observed
For the last hour he has not turned a leaf.

_Bat_. 'Tis said he is much moved,--and doubtless 'twas
Foul scorn in Steno to offend so grossly.

_Pie_.