On this side Tiber; he hath left them you, And to your heirs for ever; common pleasures, Here was a Cæsar! When comes such another? 1 Cit. Never, never!-Come, away, away! We'll burn his body in the holy place, And with the brands, fire the traitors' houses. 2 Cit. Go, fetch fire. 3 Cit. Pluck down benches. 3 Cit. Pluck down forms, windows, anything. [All rush off]. SHAKESPERE. MARINO FALIERO. MARINO FALIERO, Doge; and his Nephew, Ber. F. It cannot be but they will do you justice. Who sent up my appeal unto the Forty, To try him by his peers, his own tribunal. Ber. F. His peers will scarce protect him: such an act Would bring contempt on all authority. Doge. Know you not Venice? Forty? But we shall see anon. Know you not the Ber. F. [addressing VINCENZO, then entering.] How now —what tidings? Vinc. I am charged to tell his highness, that the court Has passed its resolution; and that, soon As the due forms of judgment are gone through, The sentence will be sent up to the Doge; In the meantime, the Forty doth salute The Prince of the Republic, and entreat Doge. Yes; They are wondrous dutiful, and ever humble. Sentence is passed, you say? Vinc. It is, your highness: The president was sealing it when I N Was called in, that no moment might be lost Not only to the Chief of the Republic, But the complainant, both in one united. Ber. F. Are you aware, from aught you have perceived, Of their decision? Vinc. No, my lord; you know The secret custom of the courts in Venice. Enter the SECRETARY OF THE FORTY. Sec. The high tribunal of the Forty sends Take thou this paper : [Exeunt SECRETARY and VINCENZO. The misty letters vanish from my eyes: I cannot fix them. Ber. F. Patience, my dear uncle ; Why do you tremble thus ?-nay, doubt not, all Doge. Say on. Ber. F. [reading.] "Decreed In council, without one dissenting voice, Doge. Wouldst thou repeat them? Ber. F. Forgive me, my good lord; I will obey[reads.] That Michel Steno be detained a month In close arrest." Doge. Proceed. Ber. F. My lord, 'tis finished. Doge. How say you so ?-finished! Do I dream ?-'tis false Give me the paper ""Tis decreed in council, [snatches the paper, and reads That Michel Steno "-Nephew, thine arm! Ber. F. Nay; Cheer up, be calm; this transport is uncalled for- Doge. Stop, sir-stir not— "Tis past. Ber. F. I cannot but agree with youThe sentence is too slight for the offence. It is not honourable in the Forty To affix so slight a penalty to that Which was a foul affront to you, and even To them once more, or to the Avogadori, Will now take up the cause they once declined, Think you not thus, good uncle? Why do you stand Doge. Away! O that the Genoese were in the port! O that the Huns, whom I o'erthrew at Zara, Ber. F. 'Tis not well In Venice, Duke, to say so. Doge. Venice! Duke! Who now is Duke in Venice? Let me see him, That he may do me right. Ber. F. If you forget Your office, and its dignity and duty, Remember that of man, and curb this passion. Doge. [interrupting him.] There is no such thing- The most despised, wronged, outraged, helpless wretch, Who begs his bread, if 'tis refused by one, Ber. F. My princely uncle! you are too much moved: We'll take it; but do all this in calmness- Of torture from the touch ?-hast thou no soul- Ber. F. 'Tis the first time that honour has been doubted, And were the last from any other sceptic. Doge. You know the full offence of this born villain, This creeping, coward, rank, acquitted felon, Who threw his sting into a poisonous libel, And on the honour of―O Heav'n !—my wife, The nearest, dearest part of all men's honour, Left a base slur to pass from mouth to mouth Of loose mechanics, with all coarse foul comments, And villanous jests, and blasphemies obscene; While sneering nobles, in more polished guise, Whispered the tale, and smiled upon the lie Which made me look like them—a courteous wittol, Patient-ay, proud-it may be, of dishonour. Ber. F. But still it was a lie-you knew it false, And so did all men. Doge. Nephew, the high Roman Said, "Cæsar's wife must not even be suspected," Ber. F. But what redress Did you expect as his fit punishment? Doge. Death! Ber. F. Do not doubt it, He shall not live till sunset. Would have sufficed but yesterday; at present Doge. It is redoubled, but not now by him: Ber. F. Obey them! Who have forgot their duty to the sovereign? Doge. Why, yes;-boy, you perceive it then at last : Whether as fellow-citizen, who sues For justice, or as sovereign who commands it, But, notwithstanding, harm not thou a hair Of Steno's head-he shall not wear it long. Ber F. Not twelve hours longer, had you left to me The mode and means. Doge. No, nephew, he must live; At least, just now a life so vile as his Were nothing at this hour. Ber. F. Your wishes are my law; and yet I fain Would prove to you how near unto my heart The honour of our house must ever be. Doge. Fear not; you shall have time and place of proof; But be not thou too rash, as I have been. I am ashamed of my own anger now; I pray you, pardon me. Ber. F. Why, that's my uncle! The leader, and the statesman, and the chief All prudence in your fury at these years, Doge. Ay, think upon the cause |