No More Learning

_Ang_. It may
Be better you should quit me; he seems rapt
In thought. --How pensively he takes his way!
[_Exit_ MARIANNA.

_Enter the_ DOGE _and_ PIETRO.

_Doge_ (_musing_). There is a certain Philip Calendaro
Now in the Arsenal, who holds command
Of eighty men, and has great influence
Besides on all the spirits of his comrades:
This man, I hear, is bold and popular, 140
Sudden and daring, and yet secret; 'twould
Be well that he were won: I needs must hope
That Israel Bertuccio has secured him,
But fain would be----

_Pie_. My Lord, pray pardon me
For breaking in upon your meditation;
The Senator Bertuccio, your kinsman,
Charged me to follow and enquire your pleasure
To fix an hour when he may speak with you.

_Doge_. At sunset. --Stay a moment--let me see--
Say in the second hour of night. [_Exit_ PIETRO.

_Ang_. My Lord! 150

_Doge_.
My dearest child, forgive me--why delay
So long approaching me? --I saw you not.

_Ang_. You were absorbed in thought, and he who now
Has parted from you might have words of weight
To bear you from the Senate.

_Doge_. From the Senate?

_Ang_. I would not interrupt him in his duty
And theirs.

_Doge_. The Senate's duty! you mistake;
'Tis we who owe all service to the Senate.

_Ang_. I thought the Duke had held command in Venice.

_Doge_. He shall. --But let that pass.