_I. Ber_. I now have placed My life, my honour, all my earthly hopes Within thy power, but in the firm belief That injuries like ours, sprung from one cause, Will generate one vengeance: should it be so, Be our Chief now--our Sovereign hereafter. _Doge_. How many are ye? _I. Ber_. I'll not answer that Till I am answered. _Doge_. How, sir! do you menace? 500 _I. Ber_. No; I affirm. I have betrayed myself; But there's no torture in the mystic wells Which undermine your palace, nor in those Not less appalling cells, the "leaden roofs," To force a single name from me of others. The Pozzi[397] and the Piombi were in vain; They might wring blood from me, but treachery never. And I would pass the fearful "Bridge of Sighs," Joyous that mine must be the last that e'er Would echo o'er the Stygian wave which flows 510 Between the murderers and the murdered, washing The prison and the palace walls: there are Those who would live to think on't, and avenge me. _Doge_. If such your power and purpose, why come here To sue for justice, being in the course To do yourself due right? _I. Ber_. Because the man, Who claims protection from authority, Showing his confidence and his submission To that authority, can hardly be Suspected of combining to destroy it. 520 Had I sate down too humbly with this blow, A moody brow and muttered threats had made me A marked man to the Forty's inquisition; But loud complaint, however angrily It shapes its phrase, is little to be feared, And less distrusted. But, besides all this, I had another reason. _Doge_. What was that? _I. Ber_. Some rumours that the Doge was greatly moved By the reference of the Avogadori Of Michel Steno's sentence to the Forty 530 Had reached me. I had served you, honoured you, And felt that you were dangerously insulted, Being of an order of such spirits, as Requite tenfold both good and evil: 'twas My wish to prove and urge you to redress. Now you know all; and that I speak the truth, My peril be the proof. _Doge_. You have deeply ventured; But all must do so who would greatly win: Thus far I'll answer you--your secret's safe. _I. Ber_. And is this all? _Doge_. Unless with all intrusted, 540 What would you have me answer? _I. Ber_. I would have you Trust him who leaves his life in trust with you. _Doge_. But I must know your plan, your names, and numbers; The last may then be doubled, and the former Matured and strengthened.