The Doge And A Senator
Sen. Is it your pleasure to sign the report
Now, or postpone it till to-morrow?
Doge.Now;
I overlooked it yesterday: it wants
Merely the signature. Give me the pen—
[The Doge sits down and signs the paper.
There, Signor.
Sen. (looking at the paper). You have forgot; it is not signed.
Doge. Not signed? Ah, I perceive my eyes begin
To wax more weak with age. I did not see
That I had dipped the pen without effect.[bb]
Sen. (dipping the pen into the ink, and placing the paper
before the Doge). Your hand, too, shakes, my Lord: allow me, thus—
Doge. 'Tis done, I thank you.
Sen.Thus the act confirmed
By you and by "the Ten" gives peace to Venice.
Doge. 'Tis long since she enjoyed it: may it be
As long ere she resume her arms!
Sen.'Tis almost
Thirty-four years of nearly ceaseless warfare[138]
With the Turk, or the powers of Italy;
The state had need of some repose.
Doge.No doubt:
I found her Queen of Ocean, and I leave her
Lady of Lombardy; it is a comfort[bc]
That I have added to her diadem
The gems of Brescia and Ravenna; Crema[50]
And Bergamo no less are hers; her realm
By land has grown by thus much in my reign,
While her sea-sway has not shrunk.
Sen.'Tis most true,
And merits all our country's gratitude.
Doge. Perhaps so.
Sen.Which should be made manifest.
Doge. I have not complained, sir.
Sen.My good Lord, forgive me.
Doge. For what?
Sen.My heart bleeds for you.
Doge.For me, Signor?
Sen. And for your——
Doge.Stop!
Sen.It must have way, my Lord:
I have too many duties towards you
And all your house, for past and present kindness,
Not to feel deeply for your son.
Doge.Was this
In your commission?
Sen.What, my Lord?
Doge.This prattle
Of things you know not: but the treaty's signed;
Return with it to them who sent you.
Sen.I
Obey. I had in charge, too, from the Council,
That you would fix an hour for their reunion.
Doge. Say, when they will—now, even at this moment,[139]
If it so please them: I am the State's servant.
Sen. They would accord some time for your repose.
Doge. I have no repose, that is, none which shall cause
The loss of an hour's time unto the State.
Let them meet when they will, I shall be found
Where I should be, and what I have been ever.
[Exit Senator. The Doge remains in silence.
Enter an Attendant.
Sen. Is it your pleasure to sign the report
Now, or postpone it till to-morrow?
Doge.Now;
I overlooked it yesterday: it wants
Merely the signature. Give me the pen—
[The Doge sits down and signs the paper.
There, Signor.
Sen. (looking at the paper). You have forgot; it is not signed.
Doge. Not signed? Ah, I perceive my eyes begin
To wax more weak with age. I did not see
That I had dipped the pen without effect.[bb]
Sen. (dipping the pen into the ink, and placing the paper
before the Doge). Your hand, too, shakes, my Lord: allow me, thus—
Doge. 'Tis done, I thank you.
Sen.Thus the act confirmed
By you and by "the Ten" gives peace to Venice.
Doge. 'Tis long since she enjoyed it: may it be
As long ere she resume her arms!
Sen.'Tis almost
Thirty-four years of nearly ceaseless warfare[138]
With the Turk, or the powers of Italy;
The state had need of some repose.
Doge.No doubt:
I found her Queen of Ocean, and I leave her
Lady of Lombardy; it is a comfort[bc]
That I have added to her diadem
The gems of Brescia and Ravenna; Crema[50]
And Bergamo no less are hers; her realm
By land has grown by thus much in my reign,
While her sea-sway has not shrunk.
Sen.'Tis most true,
And merits all our country's gratitude.
Doge. Perhaps so.
Sen.Which should be made manifest.
Doge. I have not complained, sir.
Sen.My good Lord, forgive me.
Doge. For what?
Sen.My heart bleeds for you.
Doge.For me, Signor?
Sen. And for your——
Doge.Stop!
Sen.It must have way, my Lord:
I have too many duties towards you
And all your house, for past and present kindness,
Not to feel deeply for your son.
Doge.Was this
In your commission?
Sen.What, my Lord?
Doge.This prattle
Of things you know not: but the treaty's signed;
Return with it to them who sent you.
Sen.I
Obey. I had in charge, too, from the Council,
That you would fix an hour for their reunion.
Doge. Say, when they will—now, even at this moment,[139]
If it so please them: I am the State's servant.
Sen. They would accord some time for your repose.
Doge. I have no repose, that is, none which shall cause
The loss of an hour's time unto the State.
Let them meet when they will, I shall be found
Where I should be, and what I have been ever.
[Exit Senator. The Doge remains in silence.
Enter an Attendant.
Comments (0)
The minimum comment length is 50 characters.
Information
Users of Guests are not allowed to comment this publication.
There are no comments yet. You can be the first!