I Once Was A Very Abandoned Person

DUET. — DESPARD AND MARGARET.
DES.
I once was a very abandoned person
MAR.
— Making the most of evil chances.
DES.
Nobody could conceive a worse 'un
MAR.
— Even in all the old romances.
DES.
I blush for my wild extravagances,
But be so kind
To bear in mind,
MAR.
— We were the victims of circumstances!
(DANCE.)
That is one of our blameless dances.
I was once an exceedingly odd young lady
DES.
— Suffering much from spleen and vapours.
MAR.
Clergymen thought my conduct shady
DES.
— She didn’t spend much upon linen-drapers.
MAR.
It certainly entertained the gapers.
My ways were strange
Beyond all range
DES.
— Paragraphs got into all the papers.
(DANCE.)
We only cut respectable capers.
I’ve given up all my wild proceedings.
MAR.
My taste for a wandering life is waning.
DES.
Now I’m a dab at penny readings.
MAR.
They are not remarkably entertaining.
DES.
A moderate livelihood we’re gaining.
MAR.
In fact we rule
A National School.
DES.
The duties are dull, but I’m not complaining.
(DANCE.)
This sort of thing takes a deal of training!