let us hear at least, since sight
Is thus prohibited unto the people,
Except the occupiers of those bars.
Is thus prohibited unto the people,
Except the occupiers of those bars.
Byron
_
Slave, do thine office!
Strike as I struck the foe! Strike as I would
Have struck those tyrants! Strike deep as my curse!
Strike--and but once!
[_The_ DOGE _throws himself upon his knees, and as
the Executioner raises his sword the scene closes. _
SCENE IV. --_The Piazza and Piazzetta of St. Mark's. --
The people in crowds gathered round the grated gates
of the Ducal Palace, which are shut. _
_First Citizen_. I have gained the Gate, and can discern the Ten,
Robed in their gowns of state, ranged round the Doge.
_Second Cit_. I cannot reach thee with mine utmost effort.
How is it?
let us hear at least, since sight
Is thus prohibited unto the people,
Except the occupiers of those bars.
_First Cit_. One has approached the Doge, and now they strip
The ducal bonnet from his head--and now
He raises his keen eyes to Heaven; I see
Them glitter, and his lips move--Hush! hush! --no, 10
'Twas but a murmur--Curse upon the distance!
His words are inarticulate, but the voice
Swells up like muttered thunder; would we could
But gather a sole sentence!
_Second Cit_. Hush! we perhaps may catch the sound.
_First Cit_. 'Tis vain.
I cannot hear him. --How his hoary hair
Streams on the wind like foam upon the wave!
Now--now--he kneels--and now they form a circle
Round him, and all is hidden--but I see
The lifted sword in air----Ah! hark! it falls!
Slave, do thine office!
Strike as I struck the foe! Strike as I would
Have struck those tyrants! Strike deep as my curse!
Strike--and but once!
[_The_ DOGE _throws himself upon his knees, and as
the Executioner raises his sword the scene closes. _
SCENE IV. --_The Piazza and Piazzetta of St. Mark's. --
The people in crowds gathered round the grated gates
of the Ducal Palace, which are shut. _
_First Citizen_. I have gained the Gate, and can discern the Ten,
Robed in their gowns of state, ranged round the Doge.
_Second Cit_. I cannot reach thee with mine utmost effort.
How is it?
let us hear at least, since sight
Is thus prohibited unto the people,
Except the occupiers of those bars.
_First Cit_. One has approached the Doge, and now they strip
The ducal bonnet from his head--and now
He raises his keen eyes to Heaven; I see
Them glitter, and his lips move--Hush! hush! --no, 10
'Twas but a murmur--Curse upon the distance!
His words are inarticulate, but the voice
Swells up like muttered thunder; would we could
But gather a sole sentence!
_Second Cit_. Hush! we perhaps may catch the sound.
_First Cit_. 'Tis vain.
I cannot hear him. --How his hoary hair
Streams on the wind like foam upon the wave!
Now--now--he kneels--and now they form a circle
Round him, and all is hidden--but I see
The lifted sword in air----Ah! hark! it falls!
