_Ber_. My good Lord Lioni, I have no time to lose, nor thou,--dismiss This menial hence; I would be private with you. _Lioni_. It seems the voice of Bertram--Go, Antonio. 130 [_Exit_ ANTONIO. Now, stranger, what would you at such an hour? _Ber_. (_discovering himself_). A boon, my noble patron; you have granted Many to your poor client, Bertram; add This one, and make him happy. _Lioni_. Thou hast known me From boyhood, ever ready to assist thee In all fair objects of advancement, which Beseem one of thy station; I would promise Ere thy request was heard, but that the hour, Thy bearing, and this strange and hurried mode Of suing, gives me to suspect this visit 140 Hath some mysterious import--but say on-- What has occurred, some rash and sudden broil?-- A cup too much, a scuffle, and a stab? Mere things of every day; so that thou hast not Spilt noble blood, I guarantee thy safety; But then thou must withdraw, for angry friends And relatives, in the first burst of vengeance, Are things in Venice deadlier than the laws. _Ber_. My Lord, I thank you; but---- _Lioni_. But what? You have not Raised a rash hand against one of our order? 150 If so--withdraw and fly--and own it not;[ek] I would not slay--but then I must not save thee! He who has shed patrician blood---- _Ber_. I come To save patrician blood, and not to shed it! And thereunto I must be speedy, for Each minute lost may lose a life; since Time Has changed his slow scythe for the two-edged sword, And is about to take, instead of sand, The dust from sepulchres to fill his hour-glass!-- Go not _thou_ forth to-morrow! _Lioni_. Wherefore not?-- 160 What means this menace? _Ber_. Do not seek its meaning, But do as I implore thee;--stir not forth, Whate'er be stirring; though the roar of crowds-- The cry of women, and the shrieks of babes-- The groans of men--the clash of arms--the sound Of rolling drum, shrill trump, and hollow bell, Peal in one wide alarum l--Go not forth, Until the Tocsin's silent, nor even then Till I return! _Lioni_. Again, what does this mean?