Hip. Pray, brother, take care of our masking-habits, that they may be forthcoming another time.
Asca. Sleep, sleep, and dream of me, sister: I'll make it good, if you dream not too unreasonably.
Luc. Thus dangers in our love make joys more dear;
And pleasure's sweetest when 'tis mixed with fear. [Exeunt.
ACT IV.
SCENE I.—A Dressing-chamber.
The Masking-habits of Lucretia and Hippolita laid in a Chair.—Enter Frederick and Ascanio.
Fred. I never thought I should have loved her. Is't come to this, after all my boastings and declarations against it? Sure I loved her before, and did not know it, till I feared to lose her: There's the reason. I had never desired her, if my father had not. This is just the longing of a woman: She never finds the appetite in herself, till she sees the meat on another's plate. I'm glad, however, you took the impression of the key; but 'twas not well to fright them.
Asca. Sir, I could not help it; but here's the effect on't: the workman sat up all night to make it.
[Gives a key.
Fred. This key will admit me into the seraglio of the godly. The monastery has begun the war, in sallying out upon the world; and therefore 'tis but just that the world should make reprisals on the monastery.
Asca. Alas, sir, you and Lucretia do but skirmish; 'tis I and Hippolita that make the war: 'Tis true, opportunity has been wanting for a battle, but the forces have been stoutly drawn up on both sides. As for your concernment, I come just now from the monastery; and have orders from your Platonic mistress to tell you, she expects you this evening in the garden of the nunnery; withal, she delivered me this letter for you.
Fred. Give it me.