[She Retires, Absorbed In Thought.]

LUCRETIA: If the lightning Of God has e’er descended to avenge...

ORSINO: Blaspheme not! His high Providence commits Its glory on this earth, and their own wrongs Into the hands of men; if they neglect To punish crime...

LUCRETIA: But if one, like this wretch, Should mock, with gold, opinion, law, and power? If there be no appeal to that which makes The guiltiest tremble? If because our wrongs, For that they are unnatural, strange and monstrous, Exceed all measure of belief? O God! If, for the very reasons which should make Redress most swift and sure, our injurer triumphs? And we, the victims, bear worse punishment Than that appointed for their torturer?

ORSINO: Think not But that there is redress where there is wrong, So we be bold enough to seize it.

LUCRETIA: How? If there were any way to make all sure, I know not...but I think it might be good To...

ORSINO: Why, his late outrage to Beatrice; For it is such, as I but faintly guess, As makes remorse dishonour, and leaves her Only one duty, how she may avenge: You, but one refuge from ills ill endured; Me, but one counsel...

LUCRETIA: For we cannot hope That aid, or retribution, or resource Will arise thence, where every other one Might find them with less need.