In this one action are you guilty of!
For first, had you complied with my commands,
The girl had been dispatch’d; and not her death
Pretended, and hopes given of her life.
But that I do not dwell upon: You’ll cry,
“—Pity,—a mother’s fondness.”—I allow it.
But then how rarely you provided for her!
What could you mean? consider!—for ’tis plain,
You have betray’d your child to that old beldam,
Either for prostitution, or for sale.