IRENA. By Christ’s help I shall escape from all you can devise against me.
SISINNIUS. I can send you to a house of ill-fame, where your body will be abominably defiled.
IRENA. Better far that my body should suffer outrage than my soul.
SISINNIUS. When you are dishonoured and forced to live among harlots, you can no longer be numbered among the virgins.
IRENA. The wage of sin is death; the wage of suffering a crown. If the soul does not consent, there is not guilt.
SISINNIUS. In vain I try to spare her, and show pity to her youth!
SOLDIERS. We could have told you as much. She is not to be frightened, and nothing can make her worship the gods.
SISINNIUS. I will show her no more mercy.
SOLDIERS. That is the only way to deal with her.
SISINNIUS. Have no pity. Be rough with her, and drag her to the lowest brothel you can find.