No More Learning

Had he instead of on the Doge's throne
Stamped the same brand upon a peasant's stool, 200
His blood had gilt the threshold; for the carle
Had stabbed him on the instant.

_Ber. F. _ Do not doubt it,
He shall not live till sunset--leave to me
The means, and calm yourself.

_Doge_. Hold, nephew: this
Would have sufficed but yesterday; at present
I have no further wrath against this man.

_Ber. F. _ What mean you? is not the offence redoubled
By this most rank--I will not say--acquittal;
For it is worse, being full acknowledgment
Of the offence, and leaving it unpunished? 210

_Doge_. It is _redoubled_, but not now by him:
The Forty hath decreed a month's arrest--
We must obey the Forty.

_Ber. F. _ Obey _them_!
Who have forgot their duty to the Sovereign?

_Doge_. Why, yes;--boy, you perceive it then at last;
Whether as fellow citizen who sues
For justice, or as Sovereign who commands it,
They have defrauded me of both my rights
(For here the Sovereign is a citizen);
But, notwithstanding, harm not thou a hair 220
Of Steno's head--he shall not wear it long.

_Ber. F. _ Not twelve hours longer, had you left to me
The mode and means; if you had calmly heard me,
I never meant this miscreant should escape,
But wished you to suppress such gusts of passion,
That we more surely might devise together
His taking off.

_Doge_. No, nephew, he must live;
At least, just now--a life so vile as his
Were nothing at this hour; in th' olden time[dd]
Some sacrifices asked a single victim, 230
Great expiations had a hecatomb.

_Ber. F. _ Your wishes are my law: and yet I fain
Would prove to you how near unto my heart
The honour of our house must ever be.

_Doge_. Fear not; you shall have time and place of proof:
But be not thou too rash, as I have been.
I am ashamed of my own anger now;
I pray you, pardon me.

_Ber. F.