Hast thou no feeling save the external sense 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-Oh God!-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 polish'd guise, Whisper'd 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," And put her from him. Ber. F. True-but in those daysDoge. What is it that a Roman would not suffer, That a Venetian prince must bear? Old Dandolo Refused the diadem of all the Cæsars, 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 slander'd But craved my country's justice on his head, Ber. F. And what redress 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? Ber. F. Do not doubt it, 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; 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, Ber. F. Not twelve hours longer, had you left to me His taking off. Doge. No, nephew, he must live; At least, just now-a life so vile as his Were nothing at this hour; in th' olden time Some sacrifices ask'd a single victim, Great expiations had a hecatomb. Ber. F. Your wishes are my law: and yet I fain Would prove to you how near unto my heart 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! Doge. Ay, think upon the cause— Let it be black among your dreams; and when So will it stand to me;-but speak not, stir not,— And you shall have a part.-But now retire, 'Tis fit I were alone. Ber. F. (taking up and placing the ducal bonnet on Ere I depart, the table.) I pray you to resume what you have spurn'd, Till you can change it haply for a crown. As doth become your near and faithful kinsman, [Exit BERTUCCIO FALIERO. Doge (solus). Adieu, my worthy nephew.-Hollow [Taking up the ducal cap. bauble! Beset with all the thorns that line a crown, Without investing the insulted brow [Puts it on. How my brain aches beneath thee! and my temples Could I not shatter the Briarean sceptre |