And _where_ are they, and _why_
assembled?
Byron
hath he sped?
_They_ here! -all's lost-yet will I make an effort.
_Enter a_ SIGNOR OF THE NIGHT,[445] _with Guards, etc. , etc. _
_Sig_. Doge, I arrest thee of high treason!
_Doge_. Me! 200
Thy Prince, of treason? --Who are they that dare
Cloak their own treason under such an order?
_Sig_. (_showing his order_).
Behold my order from the assembled Ten.
_Doge_.
And _where_ are they, and _why_ assembled? no
Such Council can be lawful, till the Prince
Preside there, and that duty's mine:[446] on thine
I charge thee, give me way, or marshal me
To the Council chamber.
_Sig_. Duke! it may not be:
Nor are they in the wonted Hall of Council,
But sitting in the convent of Saint Saviour's. 210
_Doge_. You dare to disobey me, then?
_Sig_. I serve
The State, and needs must serve it faithfully;
My warrant is the will of those who rule it.
_Doge_. And till that warrant has my signature
It is illegal, and, as _now_ applied,
Rebellious. Hast thou weighed well thy life's worth,
That thus you dare assume a lawless function? [ew]
_Sig_. 'Tis not my office to reply, but act--
I am placed here as guard upon thy person,
And not as judge to hear or to decide. 220
_Doge_ (_aside_).
I must gain time.
_They_ here! -all's lost-yet will I make an effort.
_Enter a_ SIGNOR OF THE NIGHT,[445] _with Guards, etc. , etc. _
_Sig_. Doge, I arrest thee of high treason!
_Doge_. Me! 200
Thy Prince, of treason? --Who are they that dare
Cloak their own treason under such an order?
_Sig_. (_showing his order_).
Behold my order from the assembled Ten.
_Doge_.
And _where_ are they, and _why_ assembled? no
Such Council can be lawful, till the Prince
Preside there, and that duty's mine:[446] on thine
I charge thee, give me way, or marshal me
To the Council chamber.
_Sig_. Duke! it may not be:
Nor are they in the wonted Hall of Council,
But sitting in the convent of Saint Saviour's. 210
_Doge_. You dare to disobey me, then?
_Sig_. I serve
The State, and needs must serve it faithfully;
My warrant is the will of those who rule it.
_Doge_. And till that warrant has my signature
It is illegal, and, as _now_ applied,
Rebellious. Hast thou weighed well thy life's worth,
That thus you dare assume a lawless function? [ew]
_Sig_. 'Tis not my office to reply, but act--
I am placed here as guard upon thy person,
And not as judge to hear or to decide. 220
_Doge_ (_aside_).
I must gain time.
