_Enter other_ SIGNORS OF THE NIGHT, _with_ BERTUCCIO FALIERO _prisoner_. _2nd Sig_. We took him in the act Of issuing from the tower, where, at his order, As delegated from the Doge, the signal Had thus begun to sound. _1st Sig_. Are all the passes Which lead up to the palace well secured? _2nd Sig_. They are--besides, it matters not; the Chiefs Are all in chains, and some even now on trial-- 270 Their followers are dispersed, and many taken. _Ber. F._ Uncle! _Doge_. It is in vain to war with Fortune; The glory hath departed from our house. _Ber. F._ Who would have deemed it?--Ah! one moment sooner! _Doge_. That moment would have changed the face of ages; _This_ gives us to Eternity--We'll meet it As men whose triumph is not in success, But who can make their own minds all in all, Equal to every fortune. Droop not,'tis But a brief passage--I would go alone, 280 Yet if they send us, as 'tis like, together, Let us go worthy of our sires and selves. _Ber. F._ I shall not shame you, Uncle. _1st Sig_. Lords, our orders Are to keep guard on both in separate chambers, Until the Council call ye to your trial. _Doge_. Our trial! will they keep their mockery up Even to the last? but let them deal upon us, As we had dealt on them, but with less pomp. 'Tis but a game of mutual homicides, Who have cast lots for the first death, and they 290 Have won with false dice.--Who hath been our Judas? _1st Sig_. I am not warranted to answer that. _Ber. F._ I'll answer for thee--'tis a certain Bertram, Even now deposing to the secret Giunta. _Doge_. Bertram, the Bergamask! With what vile tools[448] We operate to slay or save! This creature, Black with a double treason, now will earn Rewards and honours, and be stamped in story With the geese in the Capitol, which gabbled Till Rome awoke, and had an annual triumph, 300 While Manlius, who hurled down the Gauls, was cast[ez] From the Tarpeian. _1st Sig_. He aspired to treason, And sought to rule the State. _Doge_. He saved the State, And sought but to reform what he revived-- But this is idle--Come, sirs, do your work. _1st Sig_. Noble Bertuccio, we must now remove you Into an inner chamber. _Ber. F._ Farewell, Uncle! If we shall meet again in life I know not, But they perhaps will let our ashes mingle.