BooksBarbecue
Back The Witch Save as PDF
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
ISABELLA      You’re both here now,
And strangers newly lighted. Where’s your attendance?
SEBASTIAN
[Aside] I know what makes you waspish. A pox on’t!
She’ll every day be angry now at nothing.
Exeunt [SEBASTIAN and GASPERO]
ISABELLA
I’ll call her stranger ever in my heart. 50
She’s killed the name of sister through base lust,
And fled to shifts. Oh how a brother’s good thoughts
May be beguiled in woman! Here’s a letter,
Found in her absence, reports strangely of her
And speaks her impudence. She’s undone herself – 55
I could not hold from weeping when I read it –
Abused her brother’s house and his good confidence.
’Twas done not like herself. I blame her much,
But if she can but keep it from his knowledge,
I will not grieve him first; it shall not come 60
By my means to his heart.

Enter GASPERO

GASPERO      Now sir, the news?
You called ’em strangers; ’tis my master’s sister, madam.
ISABELLA
Oh is’t so? She’s welcome. Who’s come with her?
GASPERO
I see none but Aberzanes.      [Exit]
ISABELLA      He’s enough
To bring a woman to confusion, 65
More than a wiser man or a far greater.
A letter came last week to her brother’s hands,
To make way for her coming up again,
After her shame was lightened – and she writ there
The gentleman her mother wished her to, 70
Taking a violent surfeit at a wedding,
Died ere she came to see him. What strange cunning
Sin helps a woman to!

Enter ABERZANES and FRANCISCA

Here she comes now.
Sister you’re welcome home again.
FRANCISCA      Thanks, sweet sister.
ISABELLA
You’ve had good speed.
FRANCISCA [Aside]      What says she? [To ISABELLA] I have made 75
All the best speed I could.
ISABELLA      I well believe you.
Sir we’re all much beholding to your kindness.
ABERZANES
My service ever, madam, to a gentlewoman.
I took a bonny mare I keep and met her
Some ten mile out of town – eleven, I think – 80
’Twas at the stump I met you, I remember,
At bottom of the hill.
FRANCISCA      ’Twas thereabout sir.
ABERZANES
Full eleven then, by the rod, if they were measured.
ISABELLA
You look ill methinks. Have you been sick of late?
’Troth, very bleak, doth she not? How think you sir? 85
ABERZANES
No, no – a little sharp with riding; she’s rid sore.
FRANCISCA
I ever look lean after a journey sister.
One shall do that has travelled, travelled hard.
ABERZANES
Till evening, I commend you to yourselves, ladies.
ISABELLA      Exit
[Aside] And that’s best trusting to, if you were hanged. 90
[To FRANCISCA] You’re well acquainted with his hand went out now?
FRANCISCA
His hand?
ISABELLA      I speak of nothing else; I think ’tis there.

[Gives FRANCISCA the letter]