'Thou angel! O, woe is me! that ever I were born to see this thing!'
So they subsided in one grief, rocking and weeping together.
'O, sweet!' gasped the boy--'that ever I were born to bring this thing
on thee!'
Then, at that, the Fool wrapped him in his arms, adoring and fondling
him, to a hurry of sighs and broken exclamations.
'On me!--Child, that I am thought worthy!--too great a joy--mightst have
been alone--yet did I try to save thee--heaven's mercy that, failing, I
am involved!'
And so, easing himself for the first time, in an ecstasy of emotion he
told all he knew about the fatal ring, and his efforts to recover it.
Bernardo listened in wonder.
'This ring!' he whispered at the end. 'Right judgment on me for my
wicked negligence. Why, I deserve to die. Yet--' he clung a little
closer--'Cicca,' he thrilled, 'it is the Duke, then, hath committed us
to this?'