No More Learning

SCENE I. --_The_ DOGE'S _Apartment_.

_The_ DOGE _and Attendants_.

_Att. _ My Lord, the deputation is in waiting;
But add, that if another hour would better
Accord with your will, they will make it theirs.

_Doge_. To me all hours are like. Let them approach.
[_Exit Attendant_.

_An Officer_. Prince! I have done your bidding.

_Doge_. What command?

_Offi.
_ A melancholy one--to call the attendance
Of----

_Doge_. True--true--true: I crave your pardon. I
Begin to fail in apprehension, and
Wax very old--old almost as my years.
Till now I fought them off, but they begin 10
To overtake me.

_Enter the Deputation, consisting of six of the Signory
and the Chief of the Ten_.

Noble men, your pleasure!

_Chief of the Ten_. In the first place, the Council doth condole
With the Doge on his late and private grief.

_Doge_. No more--no more of that.

_Chief of the Ten_. Will not the Duke
Accept the homage of respect?

_Doge_. I do
Accept it as 'tis given--proceed.

_Chief of the Ten_. "The Ten,"
With a selected giunta from the Senate
Of twenty-five of the best born patricians,
Having deliberated on the state
Of the Republic, and the o'erwhelming cares 20
Which, at this moment, doubly must oppress
Your years, so long devoted to your Country,
Have judged it fitting, with all reverence,
Now to solicit from your wisdom (which
Upon reflection must accord in this),
The resignation of the ducal ring,
Which you have worn so long and venerably:
And to prove that they are not ungrateful, nor
Cold to your years and services, they add
An appanage of twenty hundred golden 30
Ducats, to make retirement not less splendid
Than should become a Sovereign's retreat.