Ruin, Disaster, Shame

Libretto/Lyrics/Text/Testo:

VOICES
(Out side)
Ruin, disaster, shame!

CROWD
(Looking to the people)
Blasted, so many hopes of gain!
Hundreds of sober merchants are insane.
Widows have sold
their mourning clothes to eat.
Herds of pale orphans forage in the street.
Many a duchess, divested of gems,
has crossed the dread Styx by way of the Thames.
Oh stricken, take heart in placing the blame.
Rakewell, Rakewell. Ruin, disaster, shame!.

(The crow breaks up)
(Anne comes into the room)  

ANNE
Do you know where Tom Rakewell is?

THE FIRST GROUP
America. He fled.

THE SECOND GROUP
Spontaneous combustion caught him hurrying.
He's dead.

ANNE
Do you know what's become of him?

THE THIRD GROUP
How should we?

THE FOURTH GROUP
He's Methodist.

THE THIRD GROUP
He's Papist.

THE FOURTH GROUP
He's converting Jewry.

ANNE
Can no one tell me where he is?

CROWD
We're certain he's in debt.
They're after him and they will catch him yet.

ANNE
(Aside)
I'll seek him in the house myself.

(She goes out)

THE FIRST AND THE SECOND GROUP
I wonder at her quest.

THE THIRD AND THE FOURTH GROUP
She's probably some silly girl,
he ruined like the rest.

(The door opened. Sellem comes into the room with
his servants. They bring a platform)

SELLEM
Aha!

CROWD
He's here, the auctioneer.

SELLEM
(To the servants)
No! Over there!
Be quick. Take care.

CROWD
(Each other)
Your bids prepare.
Be quick!. Take care!.

(Sellem stands up over platform)