Asca. Yes, and as much more of myself to you.

Hip. I defy you upon’t, as my lady’s second.

Asca. As my master’s, I accept it.  The time?

Hip. Six this evening.

Asca. The place?

Hip. At this grate.

Asca. The weapons?

Hip. Hands, and it may be lips.

Asca. ’Tis enough:  Expect to hear from me.
                     [They withdraw, and whisper to their Principals. 
                      After the whisper.

Fred. [To LUCRETIA.] Madam, I am glad I know my enemy; for since it is impossible to see, and not admire you, the name of Lucretia is the best excuse for my defeat.

Luc. Persons, like prince Frederick, ought not to assault religious houses, or to pursue chastity and virtue to their last retreat.

Fred. A monastery is no retreat for chastity; ’tis only a hiding place for bad faces, where they are thrust in crowds together, like heaps of rubbish out of the way, that the world may not be peopled with deformed persons:  And that such, who are out of play themselves, may pray for a blessing on their endeavours, who are getting handsome children, and carrying on the work for public benefit.

Luc. Then you would put off heaven with your leavings, and use it like them, who play at cards alone; take the courts for yourselves, and give the refuse to the gentlemen.

Fred. You mistake me, madam; I would so contrive it, that heaven and we might be served at once.  We have occasion for wit and beauty; now piety and ugliness will do as well for heaven:  that plays at one game, and we at another; and therefore heaven may make its hand with the same cards that we put out.

Luc. I could easily convince you, if the argument concerned me; hut I am one of those, whom, for want of wit and beauty, you have condemned to religion; and therefore am your humble servant, to pray for your handsome wife and children.

Fred. Heaven forbid, madam, that I should condemn you, or indeed any handsome woman, to be religious!  No, madam; the occasions of the world are great and urgent for such as you; and, for my part, I am of opinion, that it is as great a sin for a beauty to enter into a nunnery, as for an ugly woman to stay out of it.

Luc. The cares of the world are not yet upon you; but as soon as ever you come to be afflicted with sickness, or visited with a wife, you’ll be content I should pray for you.

Fred. Any where rather than in a cloyster; for, truly, I suppose, all your prayers there will be how to get out of it; and, upon that supposition, madam, I am come to offer you my service for your redemption.  Come, faith, be persuaded, the church shall lose nothing by it:  I’ll take you out, and put in two or three crooked apostles in your place. [Bell rings within.