cretia. We might have
accomplished all, and been repenting by this time; yet who the devil
would have thought they should have come so soon--Ah!
[_Sets his teeth._

_Hip._ Who the devil would have put it to the venture? This is always
the fault of you raw pages: You, that are too young, never use an
opportunity; and we, that are elder, can seldom get one.--Ah!
[_Sets her teeth._

_Enter_ FREDERICK _and_ LUCRETIA.

_Luc._ I believe, indeed, it troubled you to lose that letter.

_Fred._ So much, madam, that I can never forgive myself that
negligence.

_Luc._ Call it not so, 'twas but a casuality, though, I confess, the
consequence is dangerous; and therefore have not both of us reason to
defy love, when we see a little gallantry is able to produce so much
mischief?

_Fred._ [_Aside._] Now cannot I, for my heart, bring out one word
against this love.

_Luc._ Come, you are mute upon a subject, that is both easy and
pleasant. A man in love is so ridiculous a creature--

_Fred._ Especially to those that are not.

_Luc._ True; for to those that are, he cannot be so: They are like the
citizens of Bethlehem, who never find out one another's madness,
because they are all tainted. But for such ancient fops, as, with
reverence, your father is, what reason can they have to be in love?

_Fred._ Nay, your old fop's unpardonable, that's certain. But--

_Luc._ But what? Come, laugh at him.

_Fred._ But I consider he is my father, I can't laugh at him.

_Luc._ But, if it were another, we should see how you would insult
over him.

_Fred._ Ay, if it were another--And yet I don't know neither, 'tis no
part of good nature to insult: A man may be overtaken with a passion,
or so; I know it by myself.

_Luc._ How, by yourself! You are not in love, I hope?--Oh that he
would confess first now! [_Aside._

_Fred._ But, if I were, I should be loth to be laughed at.

_Luc._ Since you are not in love, you may the better counsel me: What
shall we do with this same troublesome father of yours?

_Fred._ Any thing, but love him.

_Luc._ But you know he has me at a bay; my letter is in his
possession, and he may produce it to my ruin: Therefore, if I did
allow him some little favour, to mollify him--

_Fred._ How, madam? Would you allow him favours? I can never consent
to it: Not the least l