thank my father.

BARON. How so?

FREDERICK. Because I am an illegitimate son.--My seduced mother has
brought me up in patient misery. Industry enabled her to give me an
education; but the days of my youth commenced with hardship, sorrow,
and danger.--My companions lived happy around me, and had a pleasing
prospect in their view, while bread and water only were my food, and no
hopes joined to sweeten it. But my father felt not that!

BARON [to himself]. He touches my heart.

FREDERICK. After five years' absence from my mother, I returned this
very day, and found her dying in the streets for want--Not even a hut
to shelter her, or a pallet of straw--But my father, he feels not that!
He lives in a palace, sleeps on the softest down, enjoys all the
luxuries of the great; and when he dies, a funeral sermon will praise
his great benevolence, his Christian charities.

BARON [greatly agitated]. What os your father's name?

FREDERICK. --He took advantage of an innocent young woman, gained her
affection by flattery and false promises; gave life to an unfortunate
being, who was on the point of murdering his father.

BARON [shuddering]. Who is he?

FREDERICK. Baron Wildenhaim.