Can I in gentle language speak?

My woes are deep, my words are strong, -

And hear me, or my heart will break.

MAGISTRATE.

I hear thy words, I feel thy pain;

Forbear awhile to speak thy woes;

Receive our aid, and then again

The story of thy life disclose.

For, though seduced and led astray,

Thou’st travell’d far and wander’d long;