_Ben_. Is this your sole reply to the Tribunal? _I. Ber_. Go, ask your racks what they have wrung from us, Or place us there again; we have still some blood left, And some slight sense of pain in these wrenched limbs: But this ye dare not do; for if we die there-- And you have left us little life to spend Upon your engines, gorged with pangs already-- Ye lose the public spectacle, with which You would appal your slaves to further slavery! Groans are not words, nor agony assent, 50 Nor affirmation Truth, if Nature's sense Should overcome the soul into a lie, For a short respite--must we bear or die? _Ben_. Say, who were your accomplices? _I. Ber_. The Senate. _Ben_. What do you mean? _I. Ber_. Ask of the suffering people, Whom your patrician crimes have driven to crime. _Ben_. You know the Doge? _I. Ber_. I served with him at Zara In the field, when _you_ were pleading here your way To present office; we exposed our lives, While you but hazarded the lives of others, 60 Alike by accusation or defence; And for the rest, all Venice knows her Doge, Through his great actions, and the Senate's insults. _Ben_. You have held conference with him? _I. Ber_. I am weary-- Even wearier of your questions than your tortures: I pray you pass to judgment. _Ben_. It is coming. And you, too, Philip Calendaro, what Have you to say why you should not be doomed? _Cal_. I never was a man of many words, And now have few left worth the utterance. 70 _Ben_. A further application of yon engine May change your tone. _Cal_. Most true, it _will_ do so; A former application did so; but It will not change my words, or, if it did-- _Ben_. What then? _Cal_. Will my avowal on yon rack Stand good in law? _Ben_. Assuredly. _Cal_. Whoe'er The culprit be whom I accuse of treason? _Ben_. Without doubt, he will be brought up to trial. _Cal_. And on this testimony would he perish? _Ben_. So your confession be detailed and full, 80 He will stand here in peril of his life. _Cal_. Then look well to thy proud self, President! For by the Eternity which yawns before me, I swear that _thou_, and only thou, shall be The traitor I denounce upon that rack, If I be stretched there for the second time. _One of the Giunta_. Lord President,'twere best proceed to judgment; There is no more to be drawn from these men.[fc]