Was called in, that no moment might be lost
In forwarding the intimation due,

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
Health and respect to the Doge Faliero,
Chief magistrate of Venice, and requests
His highness to peruse and to approve
The sentence passed on Michel Steno, born
Patrician, and arraigned upon the charge
Contained, together with its penalty,
Within the rescript which I now present.
Doge. Retire and wait without.

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
Will be as could be wished.

Doge. Say on.

Ber. F. [reading.] "Decreed

In council, without one dissenting voice,
That Michel Steno, by his own confession,
Guilty, on the last night of Carnival,
Of having graven on the ducal throne
The following words :-"

Doge. Wouldst thou repeat them?
Wouldst thou repeat them-thou, a Faliero,
Harp on the deep dishonour of our house,
Dishonoured in its chief-that chief the Prince
Of Venice, first of cities ?-To the sentence.

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

Cheer up, be calm; this transport is uncalled for

Let me seek some assistance.

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, as being your subjects; but 'tis not
Yet without remedy: you can appeal
To them once more, or to the Avogadori,
Who, seeing that true justice is withheld,
Will now take up the cause they once declined,
And do you right upon the bold delinquent.
Think you not thus, good uncle ? Why do you stand
So fixed? You heed me not;-I pray you, hear me !
Doge. Away!

O that the Genoese were in the port!

O that the Huns, whom I o'erthrew at Zara,

Were ranged around the palace !

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.
The Duke of Venice-

Doge. [interrupting him.] There is no such thing-
It is a word-nay, worse-a worthless by-word:

The most despised, wronged, outraged, helpless wretch,

Who begs his bread, if 'tis refused by one,
May win it from another kinder heart;
But he, who is denied his right by those
Whose place it is to do no wrong, is poorer
Than the rejected beggar—he's a slave-
And that am I, and thou, and all our house,
Even from this hour.

Ber. F. My princely uncle! you are too much moved:
I grant it was a gross offence, and grossly
Left without fitting punishment: but still
This fury doth exceed the provocation,
Or any provocation: if we are wronged,
We will ask justice; if it be denied,

We'll take it; but do all this in calmness-
Deep Vengeance is the daughter of deep Silence.
Doge. I tell thee-must I tell thee-what thy father
Would have required no words to comprehend?
Hast thou no feeling save the external sense
Of torture from the touch ?-hast thou no soul-
No pride-no passion-no deep sense of honour ?

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,"
And put her from him.

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.
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?
Doge. It is redoubled, but not now by him :
The Forty hath decreed a month's arrest-
He must obey the Forty.

Ber F. Obey them!

Who have forgot their duty to the sovereign?

Doge. Why, yes;-boys, you perceive it then at last : Whether as fellow-citizen, who sues

For justice, or as sovereign who commands it,

They have defrauded me of both my rights (For here the sovereign is a citizen);

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

Of commonwealths, and sovereign of himself!
I wondered to perceive you so forget
All prudence in your fury at these years,
Although the cause—

Doge. Ay, think upon the cause—

Forget it not:-When you lie down to rest,
Let it be black among your dreams; and when
The morn returns, so let it stand between
The sun and you, as an ill-omen'd cloud
Upon a summer day of festival :

So will it stand to me ;-but speak not, stir not,—
Leave all to me :-we shall have much to do,
And you shall have a part.—But now retire,
"Tis fit I were alone.

BYRON.

RIENZI.

First Selection.

ALBERTI, PAOLO, citizens, etc., crowd in the background.
First Cit. This is the chosen spot. A brave assemblage!
Second Cit. Why, yes.
No marvel that Rienzi struck

So bold a blow. I had heard shrewd reports

Of heats, and discontents, and gathering bands,
But never dream'd of Cola.

Pao. 'Tis the spot!

Where loiters he? The night wears on apace.

Alb. It is not yet the hour.

First Cit. Who speaks?

Another Cit. Alberti,

The captain of the guard; he, and his soldiers,

Have joined our faction.

Alb. Comrades we shall gain

An easy victory. The Ursini,

Drunk with false hope and brute debauch, feast high

Within their palace. Never wore emprise

A fairer face.

Pao. And yet the summer, heaven,

Sky, moon, and stars, are overcast.

Send that this darkness

The saints

Enter RIENZI, from the back.

Rie. [Advancing to front]. Darkness! did ye never Watch the dark glooming of the thunder cloud,