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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      Your sister told me
You were come; thou’rt welcome.
FRANCISCA      Where is she? 140
ANTONIO
Who, my wife?
FRANCISCA      Ay, sir.
ANTONIO      Within.
FRANCISCA
Not within hearing, think you?
ANTONIO      Within hearing?
What’s thy conceit in that? Why shak’st thy head so?
And look’st so pale and poorly?
FRANCISCA      I’m a fool indeed
To take such grief for others, for your fortune, sir. 145
ANTONIO
My fortune? Worse things yet? Farewell life then!
FRANCISCA
I fear you’re much deceived, sir, in this woman.
ANTONIO
Who? In my wife? Speak low; come hither softly sister.
FRANCISCA
I love her as a woman you made choice of –
But when she wrongs you, natural love is touched, brother, 150
And that will speak, you know.
ANTONIO      I trust it will.
FRANCISCA
I held a shrewd suspicion of her lightness
At first, when I went down, which made me haste the sooner,
But more to make amends; at my return now
I found apparent signs.
ANTONIO      Apparent, say’st thou? 155
FRANCISCA
Ay, and of base lust too – that makes th’affliction.
ANTONIO
There has been villainy wrought upon me then;
’Tis too plain now.
FRANCISCA      Happy are they, I say still,
That have their sisters living i’th’ house with ’em,
Their mothers or some kindred – a great comfort 160
To all poor married men. It is not possible
A young wife can abuse a husband then;
’Tis found straight. But swear secrecy to this, brother.
ANTONIO
To this and all thou wilt have.
FRANCISCA      Then this follows sir.

[FRANCISCA whispers to ANTONIO]

ANTONIO
I praise thy counsel well; I’ll put’t in use straight. 165

Enter ISABELLA

See where she comes herself.
[Exit FRANCISCA]
Kind, honest lady,
I must now borrow a whole fortnight’s leave of thee.
ISABELLA
How sir, a fortnight’s?
ANTONIO
It may be but ten days, I know not yet.
’Tis business for the state and ’t must be done. 170
ISABELLA
I wish good speed to’t then.
ANTONIO      Why that was well spoke.
I’ll take but a foot-boy; I need no more.
The rest I’ll leave at home to do you service.
ISABELLA
Use your own pleasure sir.
ANTONIO      Till my return
You’ll be good company, my sister and you. 175
ISABELLA
We shall make shift sir.
ANTONIO      I’m glad now she’s come –
And so the wishes of my love to both.      Exit
ISABELLA
And our good prayers with you sir.

Enter SEBASTIAN [disguised as CELIO]