BARON.
What’s that?
FREDERICK.
My father’s cruelty.
BARON.
You have a father then?
FREDERICK.
I have, and a rich one—Nay, one that’s reputed virtuous, and honourable. A great man, possessing estates and patronage in abundance; much esteemed at court, and beloved by his tenants; kind, benevolent, honest, generous—
BARON.
And with all those great qualities, abandons you?
FREDERICK.
He does, with all the qualities I mention.
BARON.
Your father may do right; a dissipated, desperate youth, whom kindness cannot draw from vicious habits, severity may.
FREDERICK.
You are mistaken—My father does not discard me for my vices—He does not know me—has never seen me—He abandoned me, even before I was born.
BARON.
What do you say?
FREDERICK.
The tears of my mother are all that I inherit from my father. Never has he protected or supported me—never protected her.