No More Learning

_Doge_. With but my nephew.

_I. Ber_. Not were he your son!

_Doge_. Wretch! darest thou name my son? He died in arms
At Sapienza[398] for this faithless state.
Oh! that he were alive, and I in ashes!
Or that he were alive ere I be ashes!
I should not need the dubious aid of strangers. 560

_I. Ber_.
Not one of all those strangers whom thou doubtest,
But will regard thee with a filial feeling,
So that thou keep'st a father's faith with them.

_Doge_. The die is cast. Where is the place of meeting?

_I. Ber_. At midnight I will be alone and masked
Where'er your Highness pleases to direct me,
To wait your coming, and conduct you where
You shall receive our homage, and pronounce
Upon our project.

_Doge_. At what hour arises
The moon?

_I. Ber_. Late, but the atmosphere is thick and dusky, 570
'Tis a sirocco.

_Doge_. At the midnight hour, then,
Near to the church where sleep my sires;[399] the same,
Twin-named from the apostles John and Paul;
A gondola,[400] with one oar only, will
Lurk in the narrow channel which glides by.
Be there.

_I.