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Back The Witch
Chapters (43)
  1. Cover Page
  2. The Witch
  3. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
  4. ABBREVIATIONS
  5. INTRODUCTION
  6. FURTHER READING
  7. The Witch
  8. [DRAMATIS PERSONAE]
  9. THE WITCH
  10. [Act I,] Scene ii
  11. Act II, Scene i
  12. [Act II,] Scene ii
  13. [Act II,] Scene iii
  14. Act III, Scene i
  15. [Act III,] Scene ii
  16. [Act III,] Scene iii
  17. Act IV, Scene i
  18. [Act IV,] Scene ii
  19. [Act IV,] Scene iii
  20. Act V, Scene i
  21. [Act V,] Scene ii
  22. [Act V,] Scene iii
  23. APPENDIX
  24. In a maiden time profess’d
  25. Come Away, Hecate!
  26. Notes
  27. Thomas Holmes, Esquire
  28. Act I, Scene i
  29. [Act I,] Scene ii
  30. Act II, Scene i
  31. [Act II,] Scene ii
  32. [Act II,] Scene iii
  33. Act III, Scene i
  34. [Act III,] Scene ii
  35. [Act III,] Scene iii
  36. Act IV, Scene i
  37. [Act IV,] Scene ii
  38. Act IV Scene iii
  39. Act V, Scene i
  40. [Act V,] Scene ii
  41. [Act V,] Scene iii
  42. Appendix
  43. Footnotes
STADLIN       Here’s Stadlin and the dish.
HECATE
There, take this unbaptised brat;
[Gives STADLIN a dead baby]
Boil it well, preserve the fat;
You know ’tis precious to transfer 20
Our ’nointed flesh into the air,
In moonlight nights, o’er steeple tops,
Mountains and pine trees, that like pricks or stops
Seem to our height – high towers and roofs of princes
Like wrinkles in the earth. Whole provinces 25
Appear to our sight then even leek
A russet mole upon some lady’s cheek,
When hundred leagues in air we feast and sing,
Dance, kiss and coll, use everything.
What young man can we wish to pleasure us 30
But we enjoy him in an incubus?
Thou know’st it Stadlin?
STADLIN      Usually that’s done.
HECATE
Last night thou got’st the Mayor of Whelplie’s son.
I knew him by his black cloak lined with yellow;
I think thou’st spoiled the youth; he’s but seventeen; 35
I’ll have him the next mounting. Away, in!
Go feed the vessel for the second hour.
STADLIN
Where be the magical herbs?
HECATE      They’re down his throat,
His mouth crammed full, his ears and nostrils stuffed.
I thrust in eleoselinum lately, 40
Aconitum, frondes populeus and soot –
You may see that, he looks so black i’th’ mouth –
Then sium, acharum vulgaro too,
Pentaphyllon, the blood of a flitter-mouse,
Solanum somnificum et oleum. 45
STADLIN
Then there’s all Hecate.
HECATE      Is the heart of wax
Stuck full of magic needles?
STADLIN      ’Tis done Hecate.
HECATE
And is the farmer’s picture and his wife’s
Laid down to th’fire yet?
STADLIN      They’re a-roasting both, too.
HECATE                   Good.
[Exit STADLIN]
Then their marrows are a-melting subtly, 50
And three months’ sickness sucks up life in ’em.
They denied me often flour, barm and milk,
Goose grease and tar, when I ne’er hurt their charmings,
Their brew-locks, nor their batches, nor forespoke
Any of their breedings. Now I’ll be meet with ’em. 55
Seven of their young pigs I’ve bewitched already
Of the last litter, nine ducklings, thirteen goslings – and a hog
Fell lame last Sunday after evensong too –
And mark how their sheep prosper or what sop
Each milch-kine gives to th’ pail. I’ll send those snakes 60
Shall milk ’em all beforehand. The dewed-skirted dairy wenches
Shall stroke dry dugs for this and go home cursing.
I’ll mar their syllabubs and frothy feastings
Under cows’ bellies with the parish youths.
Where’s Firestone? our son Firestone!

Enter FIRESTONE

FIRESTONE      Here am I mother. 65
HECATE
Take in this brazen dish full of dear ware.

[Gives him dish]