_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? 210 _Doge_. It is _redoubled_, but not now by him: The Forty hath decreed a month's arrest-- We must obey the Forty. _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, They have defrauded me of both my rights (For here the Sovereign is a citizen); But, notwithstanding, harm not thou a hair 220 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; if you had calmly heard me, I never meant this miscreant should escape, But wished you to suppress such gusts of passion, That we more surely might devise together 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[dd] Some sacrifices asked a single victim, 230 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 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! 240 I wondered to perceive you so forget All prudence in your fury at these years, Although the cause-- _Doge_. Aye--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-omened 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, 250 And you shall have a part.--But now retire, 'Tis fit I were alone. _Ber. F._ (_taking up and placing the ducal bonnet on the table_). Ere I depart, I pray you to resume what you have spurned, Till you can change it--haply, for a crown! And now I take my leave, imploring you In all things to rely upon my duty, As doth become your near and faithful kinsman, And not less loyal citizen and subject. [Exit BERTUCCIO FALIERO.