You'd best be coy, and blush for a pretence;

For shame! say something in your own defence!

Mrs Cox. What shall I say? I have been hence so long,

I've e'en almost forgot my mother-tongue;

If I can act, I wish I were ten fathom

Beneath——

Goodman. O Lord! pray, no swearing, madam!

Mrs Cox. If I had sworn, yet sure, to serve the nation,

I could find out some mental reservation.

Well, in plain terms, gallants, without a sham,