h an ungentlemanly thing to do!
SIR ROD. As you please. (To Ghosts.) Carry on!
ROB. Stop--I can't stand it! I agree! I promise! It
shall be done!
SIR ROD. To-day?
ROB. To-day!
SIR ROD. At once?
ROB. At once! I retract! I apologize! I had no idea it
was anything like that!

CHORUS.

He yields! He answers to our call!
We do not ask for more.
A sturdy fellow, after all,
This latest Ruddigore!
All perish in unheard-of woe
Who dare our wills defy;
We want your pardon, ere we go,
For having agonized you so--
So pardon us--
So pardon us--
So pardon us--
Or die!

ROB. I pardon you!
I pardon you!

ALL. He pardons us-
Hurrah!

(The Ghosts return to their frames.)

CHORUS. Painted emblems of a race,
All accurst in days of yore,
Each to his accustomed place
Steps unwillingly once more!

(By this time the Ghosts have changed to pictures again. Robin
is overcome by emotion.)

(Enter Adam.)

ADAM. My poor master, you are not well--
ROB. Old Adam, it won't do--I've seen 'em--all my
ancestors--they're just gone. They say that I must do something
desperate at once, or perish in horrible agonies. Go--go to
yonder village--carry off a maiden--bring her here at once--any
one--I don't care which--
ADAM. But--
ROB. Not a word, but obey! Fly!
(Exeunt Adam)

RECIT. and SONG--ROBIN.

Away, Remorse!
Compunction, hence!.
Go, Moral Force!
Go, Penitence!
To Virtue's plea
A long farewell--
Propriety,
I ring your knell!
Come, guiltiness of deadliest hue!
Come, desperate deeds of derring-do!

Henceforth all the crimes that I find in the Times.
I've promised to perpetrate daily;
To-morrow I start with a petrified heart,
On a regular course of Old Bailey.
There's confidence