No More Learning

_Ben_. It is.

_Doge_. I can endure it. --And the time?

_Ben_. Must be immediate. --Make thy peace with God:
Within an hour thou must be in His presence.

_Doge_. I am _already_; and my blood will rise
To Heaven before the souls of those who shed it.
Are all my lands confiscated? [465]

_Ben_. They are;
And goods, and jewels, and all kind of treasure,
Except two thousand ducats--these dispose of.

_Doge_. That's harsh.
--I would have fain reserved the lands 530
Near to Treviso, which I hold by investment
From Laurence the Count-bishop of Ceneda,[fn]
In fief perpetual to myself and heirs,
To portion them (leaving my city spoil,
My palace and my treasures, to your forfeit)
Between my consort and my kinsmen.

_Ben_. These
Lie under the state's ban--their Chief, thy nephew,
In peril of his own life; but the Council
Postpones his trial for the present. If
Thou will'st a state unto thy widowed Princess, 540
Fear not, for we will do her justice.

_Ang_. Signors,
I share not in your spoil! From henceforth, know
I am devoted unto God alone,
And take my refuge in the cloister.

_Doge_. Come!
The hour may be a hard one, but 'twill end.
Have I aught else to undergo save Death? [fo]

_Ben_. You have nought to do, except confess and die.
The priest is robed, the scimitar is bare,
And both await without. --But, above all,
Think not to speak unto the people; they 550
Are now by thousands swarming at the gates,
But these are closed: the Ten, the Avogadori,
The Giunta, and the chief men of the Forty,
Alone will be beholders of thy doom,
And they are ready to attend the Doge.

_Doge_.