Page:A Series of Plays on the Passions Volume 3.pdf/253

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Nin. He promised to marry me.

Page. He promised a fiddle-stick! Poor deluded simpleton!

Nin. Ah! dost thou chide me, boy as thou art?

Page. Who is there to chide thee now, when both our parents are dead? But as they would have done, so do I, sister; I chide thee, and love thee too.—Go now; return to the good woman from whose house thou hast stolen away, and I'll buy thee a new gown as soon as my quarter's salary is paid me.

Nin. Silly child, what care I for a new gown? But if thou hast any pity for me, give this letter to thy master.

Page. I will, I will: but go thy ways now; there is a gentleman coming. And do, dear Nina, return no more to the castle till I send thee word. Good be with thee, poor simpleton! [ Nina, and enter Dartz by the opposite side.]

Dart. Is it thy sister thou hast parted from? I met her in the wood this morning! she need not avoid me now.

Page. Let her go, Sir; the farther she is from the castle the better.

Dart. Thou hast a letter in thy hand.

Page. Yes, Sir.

Dart. Which thou art to give to the Count.

Page. No, Sir; I'll see him choked first. (Tearing the letter.)