I never thought to be divorced except

A corse-a corse, it might be, fighting for them-
But not push'd hence by fellow citizens.

But, come; my son and I will go together-
He to his grave, and I to pray for mine.

It must not be the people will perceive it.

Else

DOGE.

The people! There's no people, you well know it,
dare not deal thus by them or me.
There is a populace, perhaps, whose looks

you

May shame you; but they dare not groan nor curse you, Save with their hearts and eyes.

Else

CHIEF OF THE TEN.

You speak in passion,

DOGE.

You have reason. I have spoken much

More than my wont: it is a foible which
Was not of mine, but more excuses you,
Inasmuch as it shows that I approach

A dotage which may justify this deed

Of yours, although the law does not, nor will.
Farewell, sirs!

BARBARIGO.

You shall not depart without
An escort fitting past and present rank.
We will accompany, with due respect,
The Doge unto his private palace. Say!
My brethren, will we not?

DIFFERENT VOICES.

Ay!-Ay!

DOGE.

You shall not

Stir in my train, at least. I enter'd here
As sovereign-I go out as citizen

By the same portals, but as citizen.

All these vain ceremonies are base insults,
Which only ulcerate the heart the more,
Applying poisons there as antidotes.

Pomp is for princes-I am none!-That's false,
I am, but only to these gates.—Ah!

The sound! I heard it once, but once before,
And that is five-and-thirty years ago;

Even then I was not young.

DOGE (Walks a few steps, then stops.)

I feel athirst-will no one bring me here

A cup of water?

BARBARIGO.

MARINA.

And I

LOREDANO.

And I

(The DOGE takes a goblet from the hand of LOREDANO.

DOGE.

I take yours, Loredano, from the hand

Most fit for such an hour as this.

LOREDANO.

Why so?

DOGE.

'T is said that our Venetian crystal has
Such pure antipathy to poisons as
To burst, if aught of venom touches it.
You bore this goblet, and it is not broken.

Well, sir!

LOREDANO.

DOGE.

Then it is false, or you are true. For my own part, I credit neither; 't is

An idle legend.

MARINA.

You talk wildly, and

Had better now be seated, nor as yet

Depart. Ah! now you look as look'd

BARBARIGO.

He sinks!—support him!—quick, a chair-support him!

DOGE.

The bell tolls on!-let's hence-my brain's on fire!

BARBARIGO.

I do beseech you, lean upon us!

A sovereign should die standing. My poor boy!

DOGE.

No!

BARBARIGO (To LOREDANO.)

Behold! your work's completed!

Is there then

CHIEF OF THE TEN.

No aid? Call in assistance!

ATTENDANT.

'T is all over.

CHIEF OF THE TEN.

If it be so, at least his obsequies

Shall be such as befits his name and nation,
His rank and his devotion to the duties
Of the realm, while his age permitted him
To do himself and them full justice. Brethren,
Say, shall it not be so?

BARBARIGO.

He has not had

The misery to die a subject where

He reign'd: then let his funeral rites be princely.

CHIEF OF THE TEN.

We are agreed then?

All, except LOREDANO, answer

Yes.

CHIEF OF THE TEN.

Heaven's peace be with him!

MARINA.

Signors, your pardon : this is mockery.
Juggle no more with that poor remnant, which,
A moment since, while yet it had a soul,

(A soul by whom you have increased your empire,
And made your power as proud as was his glory)
You banish'd from his palace, and tore down
From his high place, with such relentless coldness;