Chapter 47

_Enter_ FREDERICK _and_ ASCANIO.

_Fred._ 'Tis true, he is my father; but when nature Is dead in him, why should it live in me? What have I done that I am banished Rome, The world's delight, and my soul's joy, Lucretia, And sent to reel with midnight beasts in Almain! I cannot, will not, bear it.

_Asca._ I'm sure you need not, sir; the army is all yours; they wish a youthful monarch, and will resent your injuries.

_Fred._ Heaven forbid it! and yet I cannot lose Lucretia. There's something I would do, and yet would shun The ill, that must attend it.

_Asca._ You must resolve, for the time presses. She told me, this hour, she had sent for your father: what she means I know not, for she seemed doubtful, and would not tell me her intention.

_Fred._ If she be false--yet, why should I suspect her? Yet why should I not? She's a woman; that includes ambition and inconstancy; then, she's tempted high: 'twere unreasonable to expect she should be faithful: Well, something I have resolved, and will about it instantly; and if my friends prove faithful, I shall prevent the worst.

_Enter_ AURELIAN _and_ CAMILLO, _guarded._

Aurelian and Camillo? How came you thus attended?

_Cam._ You may guess at the occasion, sir; pursuing the adventure which brought us to meet you in the garden, we were taken by Don Mario.

_Aur._ And, as the devil would have it, when both we and our mistresses were in expectation of a more pleasing lodging.

_Fred._ Faith, that's very hard, when a man has charged and primed, and taken aim, to be hindered of his shoot.--Soldiers, release these gentlemen, I'll answer it.

_Cap._ Sir, we dare not disobey our orders.

_Fred._ I'll stand betwixt you and danger. In the mean time take this, as an acknowledgment of the kindness you do me.

_Cap._ Ay, marry, there's rhetoric in gold: who can deny these arguments: Sir, you may dispose of our prisoners as you please; we'll use your name, if we are called in question.

_Fred._ Do so. Goodnight, good soldiers. [_Exeunt soldiers._] Now, gentlemen, no thanks; you'll find occasion instantly to reimburse me of my kindness.

_Cam._ Nothing but want of liberty could have hindered us from serving you.

_Fred._ Meet me within this half hour, at our monastery; and if, in the mean time, you can pick up a dozen of good fellows, who dare venture their lives bravely, bring them with you.

_Aur._ I hope the cause is bad too, otherwise we shall not deserve your thanks. May it be for demolishing that cursed monastery!

_Fred._ Come, Ascanio, follow me. [_Exeunt severally._