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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
HECATE
Urchins, elves, hags, satyrs, pans, fauns, Silens, Kit-
with-the-candlestick, tritons, centaurs, dwarves, imps,
the Spoorn, the Mare, the Man i’th’oak, the Hellwain, 105
the Fire-drake, the Puckle. A ab hur hus!
SEBASTIAN
[Aside] Heaven knows with what unwillingness and hate
I enter this damned place – but such extremes
Of wrongs in love fight ’gainst religious knowledge,
That were I led by this disease to deaths 110
As numberless as creatures that must die,
I could not shun the way. I know what ’tis
To pity madmen now. They’re wretched things
That ever were created, if they be
Of woman’s making and her faithless vows. 115
I fear they’re now a-kissing. What’s o’clock?
’Tis now but supper-time, but night will come –
And all new-married couples make short suppers.
[To HECATE] Whate’er thou art, I have no spare time to fear thee;
My horrors are so strong and great already, 120
That thou seem’st nothing. Up and laze not.
Hadst thou my business, thou couldst ne’er sit so;
’Twould firk thee into air a thousand mile
Beyond thy ointments. I would I were read
So much in thy black power as mine own griefs. 125
I’m in great need of help; wilt give me any?
HECATE
Thy boldness takes me bravely. We’re all sworn
To sweat for such a spirit. See, I regard thee,
I rise and bid thee welcome. What’s thy wish now?
SEBASTIAN
Oh my heart swells with’t. I must take breath first. 130
HECATE
Is’t to confound some enemy on the seas?
It may be done tonight. Stadlin’s within;
She raises all your sudden, ruinous storms
That shipwreck barks and tears up growing oaks,
Flies over houses and takes Anno Domini 135
Out of a rich man’s chimney – a sweet place for’t!
He would be hanged ere he would set his own years there;
They must be chambered in a five-pound picture,
A green silk curtain drawn before the eyes on’t,
His rotten diseased years. Or dost thou envy 140
The fat prosperity of any neighbour?
I’ll call forth Hoppo and her incantation
Can straight destroy the young of all his cattle,
Blast vineyards, orchards, meadows or in one night
Transport his dung, hay, corn, by ricks, whole stacks, 145
Into thine own ground.
SEBASTIAN      This would come most richly now
To many a country grazier – but my envy
Lies not so low as cattle, corn, or vines;
’Twill trouble your best powers to give me ease.
HECATE
Is it to starve up generation? 150
To strike a barrenness in man or woman?
SEBASTIAN       Hah!
HECATE
Hah? Did you feel me there? I knew your grief.
SEBASTIAN
Can there be such things done?
HECATE      Are these the skins
Of serpents? these of snakes?
SEBASTIAN      I see they are.

[HECATE gives them to SEBASTIAN]