SPOKEN BY SERINA.
| You've seen one orphan ruin'd here; and I | |
| May be the next, if old Acasto die: | |
| Should it prove so, I'd fain amongst you find | |
| Who 'tis would to the fatherless be kind. | |
| To whose protection might I safely go? | |
| Is there among you no good nature? No. | |
| What shall I do? Should I the godly seek, | |
| And go a conventicling twice a week? | |
| Quit the lewd stage, and its profane pollution, | } |
| Affect each form and saint-like institution; | |
| So draw the brethren all to contribution? | |
| Or shall I (as I guess the poet may | |
| Within these three days) fairly run away? | |
| No; to some city lodgings I'll retire; | |
| Seem very grave, and privacy desire; | |
| Till I am thought some heiress, rich in lands, | |
| Fled to escape a cruel guardian's hands; | |
| Which may produce a story worth the telling, | |
| Of the next sparks that go a fortune stealing. | |
| Maurice, | |
| Fenchurch-street. |
| Transcriber's Note |
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Two changes have been made to the text: Act 3, scene 1: In the conversation between Chamont and the Chaplain, the speech beginning "Not knowing what reception it may find" was assigned to the Chaplain ("Chap") rather than to Chamont ("Cham") in keeping with the dialogue sequence. Act 4, scene 1: Monimia's line "Ill ever live your most obedient wife" was changed to read: "I'll ever live your most obedient wife" These changes are identified in the body of the text by a dotted grey underline. |