No More Learning

_Doge_. _They made_ me so;
I sought it not, the flattering fetters met me
Returning from my Roman embassy,
And never having hitherto refused
Toil, charge, or duty for the state, I did not,
At these late years, decline what was the highest
Of all in seeming, but of all most base 450
In what we have to do and to endure:
Bear witness for me thou, my injured subject,
When I can neither right myself nor thee.

_I. Ber_. You shall do both, if you possess the will;
And many thousands more not less oppressed,
Who wait but for a signal--will you give it?

_Doge_. You speak in riddles.

_I. Ber_. Which shall soon be read
At peril of my life--if you disdain not
To lend a patient ear.

_Doge_. Say on.

_I. Ber_. Not thou,
Nor I alone, are injured and abused, 460
Contemned and trampled on; but the whole people
Groan with the strong conception of their wrongs:
The foreign soldiers in the Senate's pay
Are discontented for their long arrears;
The native mariners, and civic troops,
Feel with their friends; for who is he amongst them
Whose brethren, parents, children, wives, or sisters,
Have not partook[395] oppression, or pollution,
From the patricians?
And the hopeless war
Against the Genoese, which is still maintained 470
With the plebeian blood, and treasure wrung
From their hard earnings, has inflamed them further:
Even now--but, I forget that speaking thus,
Perhaps I pass the sentence of my death!

_Doge_. And suffering what thou hast done--fear'st thou death?
Be silent then, and live on, to be beaten
By those for whom thou hast bled.

_I. Ber_. No, I will speak
At every hazard; and if Venice' Doge
Should turn delator, be the shame on him,
And sorrow too; for he will lose far more 480
Than I.

_Doge_. From me fear nothing; out with it!

_I. Ber_. Know then, that there are met and sworn in secret
A band of brethren, valiant hearts and true;
Men who have proved all fortunes, and have long
Grieved over that of Venice, and have right
To do so; having served her in all climes,
And having rescued her from foreign foes,
Would do the same from those within her walls.
They are not numerous, nor yet too few
For their great purpose; they have arms, and means, 490
And hearts, and hopes, and faith, and patient courage.

_Doge_. For what then do they pause?

_I.