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"Why did you not think," pursued Frederick, "that if no other

asylum was open to these innocent victims, I could myself receive

them, and place them in safety, if you had sent them to me; sent

them afflicted and desolate to their bishop; as therefore

belonging to him, as the most precious part, I say not of his

charge, but of his wealth! And as for you, I should have been

anxious for you; I would not have slept until certain that not a

hair of your head would be touched; and do you not suppose that

this man, however audacious he may be, would have lost something

of his audacity, when convinced that his designs were known by

me, that I watched over them, and that I was decided to employ

for your defence all the means within my power! Know you not,

that if man promises too often more than he performs, he

threatens also more than he dare execute? Know you not that

iniquity does not depend solely on its own strength, but on the

credulity and cowardice of others?"