Or has your music made you
solitary?
Byron
From the Senate?
_Ang_. I would not interrupt him in his duty
And theirs.
_Doge_. The Senate's duty! you mistake;
'Tis we who owe all service to the Senate.
_Ang_. I thought the Duke had held command in Venice.
_Doge_. He shall. --But let that pass. --We will be jocund. 160
How fares it with you? have you been abroad?
The day is overcast, but the calm wave
Favours the gondolier's light skimming oar;
Or have you held a levee of your friends?
Or has your music made you solitary?
Say--is there aught that you would will within
The little sway now left the Duke? or aught
Of fitting splendour, or of honest pleasure,
Social or lonely, that would glad your heart,
To compensate for many a dull hour, wasted 170
On an old man oft moved with many cares?
Speak, and 'tis done.
_Ang_. You're ever kind to me.
I have nothing to desire, or to request,
Except to see you oftener and calmer.
_Doge_. Calmer?
_Ang_. Aye, calmer, my good Lord. --Ah, why
Do you still keep apart, and walk alone,
And let such strong emotions stamp your brow,
As not betraying their full import, yet
Disclose too much?
_Doge_. Disclose too much! --of what?
What is there to disclose?
_Ang_. I would not interrupt him in his duty
And theirs.
_Doge_. The Senate's duty! you mistake;
'Tis we who owe all service to the Senate.
_Ang_. I thought the Duke had held command in Venice.
_Doge_. He shall. --But let that pass. --We will be jocund. 160
How fares it with you? have you been abroad?
The day is overcast, but the calm wave
Favours the gondolier's light skimming oar;
Or have you held a levee of your friends?
Or has your music made you solitary?
Say--is there aught that you would will within
The little sway now left the Duke? or aught
Of fitting splendour, or of honest pleasure,
Social or lonely, that would glad your heart,
To compensate for many a dull hour, wasted 170
On an old man oft moved with many cares?
Speak, and 'tis done.
_Ang_. You're ever kind to me.
I have nothing to desire, or to request,
Except to see you oftener and calmer.
_Doge_. Calmer?
_Ang_. Aye, calmer, my good Lord. --Ah, why
Do you still keep apart, and walk alone,
And let such strong emotions stamp your brow,
As not betraying their full import, yet
Disclose too much?
_Doge_. Disclose too much! --of what?
What is there to disclose?
