_Vin_. I am charged to tell his Highness that the court Has passed its resolution, and that, soon 10 As the due forms of judgment are gone through, The sentence will be sent up to the Doge; In the mean time the Forty doth salute The Prince of the Republic, and entreat His acceptation of their duty. _Doge_. Yes-- They are wond'rous dutiful, and ever humble. Sentence is passed, you say? _Vin_. It is, your Highness: The President was sealing it, when I Was called in, that no moment might be lost In forwarding the intimation due 20 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? _Vin_. No, my Lord; you know The secret custom of the courts in Venice. _Ber. F._ True; but there still is something given to guess, Which a shrewd gleaner and quick eye would catch at; A whisper, or a murmur, or an air More or less solemn spread o'er the tribunal. The Forty are but men--most worthy men, 30 And wise, and just, and cautious--this I grant-- And secret as the grave to which they doom The guilty: but with all this, in their aspects-- At least in some, the juniors of the number-- A searching eye, an eye like yours, Vincenzo, Would read the sentence ere it was pronounced. _Vin_. My Lord, I came away upon the moment, And had no leisure to take note of that Which passed among the judges, even in seeming; My station near the accused too, Michel Steno, 40 Made me-- _Doge_ (_abruptly_). And how looked _he_? deliver that. _Vin_. Calm, but not overcast, he stood resigned To the decree, whate'er it were;--but lo! It comes, for the perusal of his Highness. _Enter the_ SECRETARY _of the Forty_. _Sec_. The high tribunal of the Forty sends Health and respect to the Doge Faliero,[da] 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 50 Contained, together with its penalty, Within the rescript which I now present. _Doge_. Retire, and wait without. [_Exeunt_ SECRETARY _and_ VINCENZO.] Take thou this paper: 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.