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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
Say, thou must either die or kill the duke,
For one of them thou must do.
ALMACHILDES                How, good madam?
DUCHESS
Thou hast thy choice, and to that purpose, sir,
I’ve given thee knowledge now of what thou hast
And what thou must do to be worthy on’t. 20
You must not think to come by such a fortune
Without desert; that were unreasonable.
He that’s not born to honour must not look
To have it come with ease to him; he must win’t.
Take but into thine actions wit and courage, 25
That’s all we ask of thee. But if through weakness
Of a poor spirit thou deniest me this,
Think but how thou shalt die – as I’ll work means for’t,
No murderer ever like thee. For I purpose
To call this subtle, sinful snare of mine 30
An act of force from thee. Thou’rt proud and youthful;
I shall be believed. Besides, thy wantonness
Is at this hour in question ’mongst our women,
Which will make ill for thee.
ALMACHILDES                    I had hard chance
To light upon this pleasure that’s so costly; 35
’Tis not content with what a man can do
And give him breath, but seeks to have that too.
DUCHESS
Well take thy choice.
ALMACHILDES      I see no choice in’t, madam,
For ’tis all death methinks.
DUCHESS                    Thou’st an ill sight then
Of a young man. ’Tis death if thou refuse it – 40
And say my zeal has warned thee – but consenting,
’Twill be new life, great honour and my love,
Which in perpetual bands I’ll fasten to thee.
ALMACHILDES
How madam?
DUCHESS          I’ll do’t religiously;
Make thee my husband. May I lose all sense 45
Of pleasure in life else, and be more miserable
Than ever creature was! For nothing lives
But has a joy in somewhat.
ALMACHILDES             Then by all
The hopeful fortunes of a young man’s rising,
I will perform it madam.
DUCHESS [Kissing him]       There’s a pledge then 50
Of a duchess’ love for thee – and now trust me
For thy most happy safety. I will choose
That time shall never hurt thee. When a man
Shows resolution and there’s worth in him,
I’ll have a care of him. Part now for this time 55
But still be near about us till thou canst
Be nearer, that’s ourself.
ALMACHILDES           And that I’ll venture hard for.
DUCHESS
Good speed to thee!
Exeunt

[Act III,] Scene ii

Enter GASPERO and FLORIDA