No More Learning

'Tis
Time to admonish them again.

_Bar. _ Forbear;
Retrench not from their moments.

_Lor. _ Not I, now
We have higher business for our own. This day
Shall be the last of the old Doge's reign,
As the first of his son's last banishment, 20
And that is vengeance.

_Bar. _ In my mind, too deep.

_Lor. _ 'Tis moderate--not even life for life, the rule
Denounced of retribution from all time;
They owe me still my father's and my uncle's.

_Bar. _ Did not the Doge deny this strongly?

_Lor. _ Doubtless.

_Bar.
_ And did not this shake your suspicion?

_Lor. _ No.

_Bar. _ But if this deposition should take place
By our united influence in the Council,
It must be done with all the deference
Due to his years, his station, and his deeds. 30

_Lor. _ As much of ceremony as you will,
So that the thing be done. You may, for aught
I care, depute the Council on their knees,
(Like Barbarossa to the Pope,) to beg him
To have the courtesy to abdicate.

_Bar. _ What if he will not?

_Lor. _ We'll elect another,
And make him null.

_Bar. _ But will the laws uphold us? [69]

_Lor. _ What laws?