No More Learning

_Ber. F. _ True--but in those days---- 170

_Doge_. What is it that a Roman would not suffer,
That a Venetian Prince must bear? old Dandolo[dc]
Refused the diadem of all the Caesars,[388]
And wore the ducal cap _I_ trample on--
Because 'tis now degraded.

_Ber. F. _ 'Tis even so.

_Doge_. It is--it is;--I did not visit on
The innocent creature thus most vilely slandered
Because she took an old man for her lord,
For that he had been long her father's friend
And patron of her house, as if there were 180
No love in woman's heart but lust of youth
And beardless faces;--I did not for this
Visit the villain's infamy on her,
But craved my country's justice on his head,
The justice due unto the humblest being
Who hath a wife whose faith is sweet to him,
Who hath a home whose hearth is dear to him--
Who hath a name whose honour's all to him,
When these are tainted by the accursing breath
Of Calumny and Scorn.

_Ber. F. _ And what redress 190
Did you expect as his fit punishment?

_Doge_. Death!
Was I not the Sovereign of the state--
Insulted on his very throne, and made
A mockery to the men who should obey me?
Was I not injured as a husband? scorned
As man? reviled, degraded, as a Prince?
Was not offence like his a complication
Of insult and of treason? --and he lives!
Had he instead of on the Doge's throne
Stamped the same brand upon a peasant's stool, 200
His blood had gilt the threshold; for the carle
Had stabbed him on the instant.

_Ber. F. _ Do not doubt it,
He shall not live till sunset--leave to me
The means, and calm yourself.

_Doge_. Hold, nephew: this
Would have sufficed but yesterday; at present
I have no further wrath against this man.

_Ber. F. _ What mean you? is not the offence redoubled
By this most rank--I will not say--acquittal;
For it is worse, being full acknowledgment
Of the offence, and leaving it unpunished?