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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
I pray send your sister down with all speed to me; I hope
it will prove much for her good in the way of her 175
preferment. Fail me not, I desire you, son, nor let any
excuse of hers withhold her. I have sent, ready furnished,
horse and man for her.
ABERZANES
[Aside to FRANCISCA] Now, have I thought upon you?
FRANCISCA [To him]      Peace, good sir.
You’re worthy of a kindness another time. 180
ANTONIO
Her will shall be obeyed. Sister prepare yourself.
You must down with all speed.
FRANCISCA [Aside]      I know down I must –
And good speed send me!
ANTONIO      ’Tis our mother’s pleasure.
FRANCISCA
Good sir, write back again and certify her
I’m at my heart’s wish here. I’m with my friends, 185
And can be but well, say.
ANTONIO      You shall pardon me sister;
I hold it no wise part to contradict her,
Nor would I counsel you to’t.
FRANCISCA      ’Tis so uncouth
Living i’th’ country now I’m used to’th’ city,
That I shall ne’er endure’t.
ABERZANES      Perhaps, forsooth, 190
’Tis not her meaning you shall live there long.
I do not think but after a month or so
You’ll be sent up again; that’s my conceit.
However, let her have her will.
ANTONIO      Ay, good sir,
Great reason ’tis she should.
ISABELLA      I am sorry, sister, 195
’Tis our hard fortune thus to part so soon.
FRANCISCA
The sorrow will be mine.
ANTONIO      Please you walk in sir.
We’ll have one health into those northern parts –
[Aside] Though I be sick at heart.
ABERZANES      Ay, sir, a deep one –
Exeunt [ISABELLA, ANTONIO and GENTLEMAN]
[Aside to FRANCISCA] Which you shall pledge too.
FRANCISCA [To ABERZANES]      You shall pardon me; 200
I have pledged one too deep already sir.
ABERZANES
[To FRANCISCA] Peace; all’s provided for. Thy wine’s laid in,
Sugar and spice, the place not ten mile hence.
What cause have maids now to complain of men,
When a farmhouse can make all whole again? 205
Exeunt [FRANCISCA and ABERZANES]
SEBASTIAN
It takes! He’s no content. How well she bears it yet.
Hardly myself can find so much from her
That am acquainted with the cold disease.
Oh honesty’s a rare wealth in a woman!
It knows no want, at least will express none, 210
Not in a look. Yet I’m not throughly happy.
His ill does me no good. Well may it keep me
From open rage and madness for a time,
But I feel heart’s grief in the same place still.
What makes the greatest torment ’mongst lost souls? 215
’Tis not so much the horror of their pains,
Though they be infinite, as the loss of joys;
It is that deprivation is the mother
Of all the groans in hell, and here on earth
Of all the red sighs in the hearts of lovers. 220
Still she’s not mine, that can be no man’s else
Till I be nothing, if religion
Have the same strength for me as’t has for others.
Holy vows witness that our souls were married!