No More Learning

_Doge_. Retire, and wait without.
[_Exeunt_ SECRETARY _and_ VINCENZO. ]
Take thou this paper:
The misty letters vanish from my eyes;
I cannot fix them.

_Ber. F. _ Patience, my dear Uncle:
Why do you tremble thus? --nay, doubt not, all
Will be as could be wished.

_Doge_. Say on.

_Ber. F. _ (_reading_). "Decreed
In council, without one dissenting voice,
That Michel Steno, by his own confession,
Guilty on the last night of Carnival 60
Of having graven on the ducal throne
The following words--"[383]

_Doge_. Would'st thou repeat them?
Would'st _thou_ repeat them--_thou_, a Faliero,
Harp on the deep dishonour of our house,
Dishonoured in its Chief--that Chief the Prince
Of Venice, first of cities? --To the sentence.

_Ber. F. _ Forgive me, my good Lord; I will obey--
(_Reads_) "That Michel Steno be detained a month
In close arrest. "[384]

_Doge_. Proceed.

_Ber. F. _ My Lord, 'tis finished.

_Doge_. How say you? --finished! Do I dream? --'tis false-- 70
Give me the paper--(_snatches the paper and reads_)--
"'Tis decreed in council
That Michel Steno"--Nephew, thine arm!

_Ber.