Page:A Series of Plays on the Passions Volume 3.pdf/65

Or.What said'st thou, Father?
To feign a disposition to obey!
I did mistake thy words.

Urst. No, gentle daughter;
So press'd, thou mayest feign and yet be blameless.
A trusty guardian's faith with thee he holds not,
And therefore thou art free to meet his wrongs
With what defence thou hast.

Or. (proudly.) Nay pardon me; I, with an unshorn crown,
Must hold the truth in plain simplicity,
And am in nice distinctions most unskilful.

Urst. Lady, have I deserv'd this sharpness? oft
Thine infant hand has strok'd this shaven crown:
Thou'st ne'er till now reproach'd it.

Or. (bursting into tears.)
Pardon, O pardon me, my gentle Urston!
Pardon a wayward child, whose eager temper
Doth sometimes mar the kindness of her heart.
Father, am I forgiven? (Hanging on him.)

Urst.Thou art, thou art:
Thou art forgiven; more than forgiven, my child.

Or. Then lead me to the Count, I will myself
Learn his stern purpose.

Urst.In the hall he is,
Seated in state, and waiting to receive you.
[Exeunt.