_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 demolish