ing that cursed monastery!

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

SCENE IV.--_The Nunnery Garden._

_Enter_ DUKE _and_ LUCRETIA.

_Luc._ In making this appointment,
I go too far, for one of my profession;
But I have a divining soul within me,
Which tells me, trust reposed in noble natures
Obliges them the more.

_Duke._ I come to be commanded, not to govern:
Those few soft words, you sent me, have quite altered
My rugged nature; if it still be violent,
'Tis only fierce and eager to obey you;
Like some impetuous flood, which, mastered once,
With double force bends backward.
The place of treaty shows you strongest here;
For still the vanquished sues for peace abroad,
While the proud victor makes his terms at home.

_Luc._ That peace, I see, will not be hard to make,
When either side shows confidence of noble dealing
From the other.

_Duke._ And this, sure, is our case, since both are met alone.

_Luc._ 'Tis mine, sir, more than yours.
To meet you single, shows I trust your virtue;
But you appear distrustful of my love.

_Duke._ You wrong me much; I am not.

_Luc._ Excuse me, sir, you keep a curb upon me;
You awe me with a letter, which you hold
As hostage of my love; and hostages
Are ne'er required but from suspected faith.

_Duke._ We are not yet in terms of perfect peace;
Whene'er you please to seal the articles,
Your pledge shall be restored.

_Luc._ That were the way to keep us still at distance;
For what we fear, we cannot truly love.

_Duke._ But how can I be then secure, that, when
Your fear is o'er, your love will still continue?

_Luc._ Make trial of my gratitude; you'll find
I can acknowledge kindness.

_Duke._ But that were to forego the faster hold,
To take a loose, and weaker.
Would you not judge him mad, who held a lion
In chains of steel, and changed them for a twine?

_Luc._ But love is soft,
Not of the lion's nature, but the dove's;
An iron chain would hang too heavy on a tender neck.

_Duke._ Since on one side there must be confidence,
Why may not I expect, as well as you,
To have it plac'd in me? Repose your trust
Upon my royal word.

_Luc._ As 'tis the privilege of womankind,
That men should court our love,
And make the first advances; so it follows,
That you should first oblige; for 'tis our weakness
Gives us more cause of fear, and therefore you,
Who are the stronger sex, should first secure it.

_Duke._ But, madam, as you ta