[SHE RETIRES, ABSORBED IN THOUGHT.] LUCRETIA: If the lightning Of God has e'er descended to avenge... _180 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? _185 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 _190 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? _195 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 _200 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 _205 Might find them with less need. [BEATRICE ADVANCES.] ORSINO: Then... BEATRICE: Peace, Orsino! And, honoured Lady, while I speak, I pray, That you put off, as garments overworn, Forbearance and respect, remorse and fear, And all the fit restraints of daily life, _210 Which have been borne from childhood, but which now Would be a mockery to my holier plea. As I have said, I have endured a wrong, Which, though it be expressionless, is such As asks atonement; both for what is past, _215 And lest I be reserved, day after day, To load with crimes an overburthened soul, And be...what ye can dream not. I have prayed To God, and I have talked with my own heart, And have unravelled my entangled will, _220 And have at length determined what is right. Art thou my friend, Orsino? False or true? Pledge thy salvation ere I speak. ORSINO: I swear To dedicate my cunning, and my strength, My silence, and whatever else is mine, _225 To thy commands. LUCRETIA: You think we should devise His death? BEATRICE: And execute what is devised, And suddenly. We must be brief and bold. ORSINO: And yet most cautious. LUCRETIA: For the jealous laws Would punish us with death and infamy _230 For that which it became themselves to do. BEATRICE: Be cautious as ye may, but prompt. Orsino, What are the means?