_I. Ber_. Doge! Doge! this vacillation is unworthy A child; if you are not in second childhood, Call back your nerves to your own purpose, nor Thus shame yourself and me. By Heavens! I'd rather Forego even now, or fail in our intent, Than see the man I venerate subside From high resolves into such shallow weakness! You have seen blood in battle, shed it, both 480 Your own and that of others; can you shrink then From a few drops from veins of hoary vampires, Who but give back what they have drained from millions? _Doge_. Bear with me! Step by step, and blow on blow, I will divide with you; think not I waver: Ah! no; it is the _certainty_ of all Which I must do doth make me tremble thus. But let these last and lingering thoughts have way, To which you only and the night are conscious, And both regardless; when the Hour arrives, 490 'Tis mine to sound the knell, and strike the blow, Which shall unpeople many palaces, And hew the highest genealogic trees Down to the earth, strewed with their bleeding fruit, And crush their blossoms into barrenness: _This will_ I--must I--have I sworn to do, Nor aught can turn me from my destiny; But still I quiver to behold what I Must be, and think what I have been! Bear with me. _I. Ber_. Re-man your breast; I feel no such remorse, 500 I understand it not: why should you change? You acted, and you act, on your free will. _Doge_. Aye, there it is--_you_ feel not, nor do I, Else I should stab thee on the spot, to save A thousand lives--and killing, do no murder; You _feel_ not--you go to this butcher-work As if these high-born men were steers for shambles: When all is over, you'll be free and merry, And calmly wash those hands incarnadine; But I, outgoing thee and all thy fellows 510 In this surpassing massacre, shall be, Shall see and feel--oh God! oh God! 'tis true, And thou dost well to answer that it was "My own free will and act," and yet you err, For I will do this! Doubt not--fear not; I Will be your most unmerciful accomplice! And yet I act no more on my free will, Nor my own feelings--both compel me back; But there is _Hell_ within me and around, And like the Demon who believes and trembles 520 Must I abhor and do. Away! away! Get thee unto thy fellows, I will hie me To gather the retainers of our house. Doubt not, St. Mark's great bell shall wake all Venice, Except her slaughtered Senate: ere the Sun Be broad upon the Adriatic there Shall be a voice of weeping, which shall drown The roar of waters in the cry of blood! I am resolved--come on.