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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
ANTONIO
[Aside] I will not look upon her; I’ll pass by,
And make as though I see her not.
ISABELLA      Why sir,
Pray your opinion, by the way, with leave sir;
I’m counselling your sister here to marry. 110
ANTONIO
To marry? Soft, the priest is not at leisure yet –
Some five year hence. Would you fain marry sister?
FRANCISCA
I have no such hunger to’t sir. [Aside] For I think
I’ve a good bit that well may stay my stomach,
As well as any that broke fast a sinner. 115
ANTONIO
Though she seem tall of growth, she’s short in years
Of some that seem much lower. How old sister?
Not seventeen, for a yard of lawn!
FRANCISCA
Not yet sir.
ANTONIO      I told you so.
FRANCISCA
[Aside] I would he’d laid a wager of old shirts rather; 120
I shall have more need of them shortly – and yet
A yard of lawn will serve for a christening-cloth;
I have use for everything as my case stands.
ISABELLA
I care not if I try my voice this morning,
But I have got a cold, sir, by your means. 125
ANTONIO
I’ll strive to mend that fault.
ISABELLA      I thank you sir.

Song

In a maiden-time professed,
Then we say that life is best.
Tasting once the married life,
Then we only praise the wife. 130
There’s but one state more to try,
Which makes women laugh or cry –
Widow, widow. Of these three,
The middle’s best and that give me.
ANTONIO
There’s thy reward.      [Kisses her]
ISABELLA      I will not grumble, sir, 135
Like some musician; if more come, ’tis welcome.
FRANCISCA
[Aside] Such tricks has made me do all that I’ve done;
Your kissing married folks spoils all the maids
That ever live i’th’ house with ’em.

Enter ABERZANES [and SERVANTS with bags and bottles]