Translated and adapted
By Frank J. Morlock

Characters French names

Mr. Edward Richly (Clitandre)
Belinda (Lucile)
Clarissa (Cydalise)
Squire (Marquis)
Lucy (Lisette)
Mrs. Prim (Mme. Bertrand)
Roger (Merlin)
Jeremy (Jacquinet)
Mr. Andre (M. Andre)
Mr. Richly (M. Geronte)

Six men, four women

The scene is a street before Richly's house. Lucy, a maid is approaching from one side and encounters Mrs. Prim.

Mrs. Prim: Ah, there you are! I'm very glad to meet you. Let's take the opportunity to have a little serious conversation, Miss Lucy.

Lucy: (easily)
Just as serious as you please, Mrs. Prim.

Mrs. Prim: You know perfectly well that I am displeased with the behavior of my niece.

Lucy:
Really Madam. And what's she done wrong, may I ask?

Mrs. Prim. She does nothing but wrong—and to make it worse she surrounds herself with a wench like you who gives her the worst possible advice and who pushes her over the precipice—where she's heading if she hasn't already fallen.