No More Learning

_Lioni_. Sure as all gentle means can make; and if 340
They fail, you know "the Ten" and their tribunal,
And that St. Mark's has dungeons, and the dungeons
A rack.

_Ber_. Apply it then before the dawn
Now hastening into heaven. --One more such word,
And you shall perish piecemeal, by the death
You think to doom to me.

_Re-enter_ ANTONIO.

_Ant_. The bark is ready,
My Lord, and all prepared.

_Lioni_. Look to the prisoner.
Bertram, I'll reason with thee as we go
To the Magnifico's, sage Gradenigo. [_Exeunt_.


SCENE II. --_The Ducal Palace_--_The Doge's Apartment_.
_The_ DOGE _and his Nephew_ BERTUCCIO FALIERO.

_Doge_. Are all the people of our house in muster?

_Ber. F. _ They are arrayed, and eager for the signal,
Within our palace precincts at San Polo:[436]
I come for your last orders.

_Doge_. It had been
As well had there been time to have got together,
From my own fief, Val di Marino, more
Of our retainers--but it is too late.

_Ber. F. _ Methinks, my Lord,'tis better as it is:
A sudden swelling of our retinue
Had waked suspicion; and, though fierce and trusty, 10
The vassals of that district are too rude
And quick in quarrel to have long maintained
The secret discipline we need for such
A service, till our foes are dealt upon.

_Doge_. True; but when once the signal has been given,
_These_ are the men for such an enterprise;
These city slaves have all their private bias,
Their prejudice _against_ or _for_ this noble,
Which may induce them to o'erdo or spare
Where mercy may be madness; the fierce peasants, 20
Serfs of my county of Val di Marino,
Would do the bidding of their lord without
Distinguishing for love or hate his foes;
Alike to them Marcello or Cornaro,
A Gradenigo or a Foscari;[eq]
They are not used to start at those vain names,
Nor bow the knee before a civic Senate;
A chief in armour is their Suzerain,
And not a thing in robes.

_Ber. F. _ We are enough;
And for the dispositions of our clients 30
Against the Senate I will answer.