Page:Ruddigore.djvu/58

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When I'm a bad Bart. I will tell taradiddles!

CHORUS. He'll tell taradiddles when he's a bad Bart.

ROBIN I'll play a bad part on the falsest of fiddles.

CHORUS. On very false fiddles he'll play a bad part!

ROBIN But until that takes place I must be conscientious-

CHORUS. He'll be conscientious until that takes place.

ROBIN Then adieu with good grace to my morals sententious!

CHORUS. To morals sententious adieu with good grace!

ZORAH Who is the wretch who hath betrayed thee? Let him stand forth!

RICHARD (coming forward). 'Twas I!

ALL. Die, traitor!

RICHARD Hold! my conscience made me! Withhold your wrath!

SOLO-RICHARD. Within this breast there beats a heart Whose voice can't be gainsaid. It bade me thy true rank impart, And I at once obeyed. I knew 'twould blight thy budding fate- I knew 'twould cause thee anguish great- But did I therefore hesitate? No! I at once obeyed!

ALL. Acclaim him who, when his true heart Bade him young Robin's rank impart, Immediately obeyed!

SOLO-ROSE (addressing Robin). Farewell! Thou hadst my heart- 'Twas quickly won! But now we part- Thy face I shun! Farewell!