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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

Enter ALMACHILDES

Oh he’s returned already.
I knew he would not fail.
ALMACHILDES [Aside]      It works by this time
Or the devil’s in’t, I think. I’ll ne’er trust witch else,
Nor sup with ’em this twelve month.
AMORETTA [Aside]      I must soothe him now, 120
And ’tis great pain to do’t against one’s stomach.
ALMACHILDES
Now Amoretta!
AMORETTA      Now you’re welcome, sir,
If you’d come always thus.
ALMACHILDES      Oh am I so?
Is the case altered since?
AMORETTA      If you’d be ruled,
And know your times, ’twere somewhat – a great comfort. 125
’Las, I could be as loving and as venturous
As any woman – we’re all flesh and blood man –
If you could play the game out modestly
And not betray your hand. I must have care sir;
You know I have a marriage-time to come, 130
And that’s for life. Your best folks will be merry
But look to the main chance – that’s reputation –
And then do what they list.
ALMACHILDES      Wilt hear my oath?
By the sweet health of youth, I will be careful
And never prate on’t, nor, like a cunning snarer, 135
Make thy clipped name the bird to call in others.
AMORETTA
Well, yielding then to such conditions
As my poor bashfulness shall require from you,
I shall yield shortly after.
ALMACHILDES      I’ll consent to ’em –
And may thy sweet humility be a pattern 140
For all proud women living.
AMORETTA      They’re beholding to you.
Exeunt

[Act II,] Scene iii

Enter ABERZANES and an OLD WOMAN [carrying a baby]