No More Learning

_Ber. F. _ Forgive me, my good Lord; I will obey--
(_Reads_) "That Michel Steno be detained a month
In close arrest. "[384]

_Doge_. Proceed.

_Ber. F. _ My Lord, 'tis finished.

_Doge_. How say you? --finished! Do I dream? --'tis false-- 70
Give me the paper--(_snatches the paper and reads_)--
"'Tis decreed in council
That Michel Steno"--Nephew, thine arm!

_Ber. F.
_ Nay,
Cheer up, be calm; this transport is uncalled for--
Let me seek some assistance.

_Doge_. Stop, sir--Stir not--
'Tis past.

_Ber. F. _ I cannot but agree with you
The sentence is too slight for the offence;
It is not honourable in the Forty
To affix so slight a penalty to that
Which was a foul affront to you, and even
To them, as being your subjects; but 'tis not 80
Yet without remedy: you can appeal
To them once more, or to the Avogadori,
Who, seeing that true justice is withheld,
Will now take up the cause they once declined,
And do you right upon the bold delinquent.
Think you not thus, good Uncle? why do you stand
So fixed? You heed me not:--I pray you, hear me!

_Doge_ (_dashing down the ducal bonnet, and offering to
trample upon it, exclaims, as he is withheld by his nephew_).
Oh! that the Saracen were in St. Mark's!
Thus would I do him homage.

_Ber. F.