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 ACT II

— and

I once was as meek as a new-born lamb, I'm now Sir Murgatroyd—ha! ha! With greater precision, (Without the elision) Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd—ha! ha!

And I, who was once his valley-de-sham, As steward I'm now employed—ha! ha! The dickens may take him— I'll never forsake him! As steward I'm now employed—ha! ha!

How dreadful when an innocent heart Becomes, perforce, a bad young Bart., And still more hard on old Adam His former faithful valley-de-sham!

This is a painful state of things, Old Adam!

Painful, indeed! Ah, my poor master, when I swore that, come what would, I would serve you in all things for ever, I little thought to what a pass it would bring me! The confidential adviser to the greatest villain unhung! Now, Sir, to business. What crime do you propose to commit to-day?