No More Learning

"

_Doge_. They
Have chosen well their envoy.

_Lor. _ 'Tis _their_ choice
Which leads me here.

_Doge_. It does their wisdom honour,
And no less to their courtesy. --Proceed.

_Lor. _ We have decided.

_Doge_. We?

_Lor. _ "The Ten" in council.

_Doge_. What!
have they met again, and met without
Apprising me?

_Lor. _ They wished to spare your feelings,
No less than age.

_Doge_. That's new--when spared they either?
I thank them, notwithstanding.

_Lor. _ You know well 200
That they have power to act at their discretion,
With or without the presence of the Doge.

_Doge_. 'Tis some years since I learned this, long before
I became Doge, or dreamed of such advancement.
You need not school me, Signor; I sate in
That Council when you were a young patrician.

_Lor. _ True, in my father's time; I have heard him and
The Admiral, his brother, say as much.
Your Highness may remember them; they both
Died suddenly. [54]

_Doge_. And if they did so, better 210
So die than live on lingeringly in pain.