The pleasures of old age brook no delay;
Seldom they come, and soon they fly away. [Exeunt.

SCENE III.

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!