HOPE. What advice do you give me?
HADRIAN. I beg you not to imitate your misguided sister. I would not have you undergo the same torture.
HOPE. Would that I were worthy to imitate her sufferings, and so win a reward like hers!
HADRIAN. Do not harden your young heart, but give way and burn incense before great Diana. Then I will adopt you as my own child, and love you most tenderly.
HOPE. I should not care to have you for a father, and I want no favours from you. You deceive yourself with vain hopes if you suppose that I shall submit.
HADRIAN. Be more careful in your speech or you will make me angry.
HOPE. Be angry. What is it to me?
ANTIOCHUS. I am amazed, Augustus, that you should tolerate for a moment such insolence from a pert little child! I boil with indignation that she should be allowed such licence.
HADRIAN. I wished to be merciful to her youth, but I can no longer be indulgent. She shall be punished as she deserves.
ANTIOCHUS. I wish that were possible.