_Lioni_ (_continues_). Take care He hath no harm; bring me my sword and cloak, 330 And man the gondola with four oars--quick-- [_Exit_ ANTONIO. We will unto Giovanni Gradenigo's, And send for Marc Cornaro:--fear not, Bertram; This needful violence is for thy safety, No less than for the general weal. _Ber_. Where wouldst thou Bear me a prisoner? _Lioni_. Firstly to "the Ten;" Next to the Doge. _Ber_. To the Doge? _Lioni_. Assuredly: Is he not Chief of the State? _Ber_. Perhaps at sunrise-- _Lioni_. What mean you?--but we'll know anon. _Ber_. Art sure? _Lioni_. Sure as all gentle means can make; and if 340 They fail, you know "the Ten" and their tribunal, And that St. Mark's has dungeons, and the dungeons A rack. _Ber_. Apply it then before the dawn Now hastening into heaven.--One more such word, And you shall perish piecemeal, by the death You think to doom to me. _Re-enter_ ANTONIO. _Ant_. The bark is ready, My Lord, and all prepared. _Lioni_. Look to the prisoner. Bertram, I'll reason with thee as we go To the Magnifico's, sage Gradenigo. [_Exeunt_. SCENE II.--_The Ducal Palace_--_The Doge's Apartment_. _The_ DOGE _and his Nephew_ BERTUCCIO FALIERO. _Doge_. Are all the people of our house in muster? _Ber. F._ They are arrayed, and eager for the signal, Within our palace precincts at San Polo:[436] I come for your last orders. _Doge_. It had been As well had there been time to have got together, From my own fief, Val di Marino, more Of our retainers--but it is too late. _Ber. F._ Methinks, my Lord,'tis better as it is: A sudden swelling of our retinue Had waked suspicion; and, though fierce and trusty, 10 The vassals of that district are too rude And quick in quarrel to have long maintained The secret discipline we need for such A service, till our foes are dealt upon.