Page:Works of Voltaire Volume 16.djvu/334

300 devilish subtle: 'tis they who have disturbed all those nations which we have endeavored to render peaceable and quiet.

To prison with him, to prison.

[Entering.

O mercy, mercy, my poor husband is going to prison; aren't you ashamed, Mr. Judges, to treat a man of his years in this manner? What harm could he do? Alas! it is not in his power, he is more fool than knave, God knows; have pity on him, good gentlemen. O my dear, I told you you would draw yourself into some bad affair. This comes of portioning young girls. What an unhappy creature I am!

O my lords, respect his age, respect his virtue; give me his chains! I am ready to yield up my liberty, my life for his.

Yes; we will go to prison in his stead; we will die for him: do not destroy the noblest, best of men: take us rather for your victims.

You see how he corrupts our youth.