No More Learning

You would not have him die for this offence?

_Doge_. Not _now_:--being still alive, I'd have him live
Long as _he_ can; he has ceased to merit death;
The guilty saved hath damned his hundred judges,
And he is pure, for now his crime is theirs.

_Ang_. Oh! had this false and flippant libeller 240
Shed his young blood for his absurd lampoon,
Ne'er from that moment could this breast have known
A joyous hour, or dreamless slumber more.

_Doge_. Does not the law of Heaven say blood for blood?
And he who _taints_ kills more than he who sheds it.
Is it the _pain_ of blows, or _shame_ of blows,
That makes such deadly to the sense of man?
Do not the laws of man say blood for honour,--
And, less than honour, for a little gold?
Say not the laws of nations blood for treason? 250
Is't nothing to have filled these veins with poison
For their once healthful current? is it nothing
To have stained your name and mine--the noblest names?
Is't nothing to have brought into contempt
A Prince before his people?
to have failed
In the respect accorded by Mankind
To youth in woman, and old age in man?
To virtue in your sex, and dignity
In ours? --But let them look to it who have saved him.

_Ang_. Heaven bids us to forgive our enemies. 260

_Doge_. Doth Heaven forgive her own? Is there not Hell
For wrath eternal? [df][405]

_Ang_. Do not speak thus wildly--[dg]
Heaven will alike forgive you and your foes.

_Doge_. Amen! May Heaven forgive them!

_Ang_. And will you?

_Doge_.