No More Learning

this is a phantasy of grief.
Bear hence the body. [_To his attendants_] Signors, if it please you,
Within an hour I'll hear you.

[_Exeunt_ DOGE, MARINA, _and attendants with the
body_. _Manent_ LOREDANO _and_ BARBARIGO.

_Bar. _ He must not
Be troubled now.


_Lor. _ He said himself that nought
Could give him trouble farther.

_Bar. _ These are words;
But Grief is lonely, and the breaking in 250
Upon it barbarous.

_Lor. _ Sorrow preys upon
Its solitude, and nothing more diverts it
From its sad visions of the other world,
Than calling it at moments back to this.
The busy have no time for tears.

_Bar.
_ And therefore
You would deprive this old man of all business?

_Lor. _ The thing's decreed. The Giunta[75] and "the Ten"
Have made it law--who shall oppose that law?

_Bar. _ Humanity!

_Lor. _ Because his son is dead?

_Bar. _ And yet unburied.

_Lor. _ Had we known this when 260
The act was passing, it might have suspended
Its passage, but impedes it not--once passed.

_Bar. _ I'll not consent.

_Lor. _ You have consented to
All that's essential--leave the rest to me.