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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
DUCHESS
Oh Almachildes, I perceive already
Our loves are born to crosses. We’re beset
By multitudes – and, which is worse, I fear me 25
Unfriended too of any. My chief care
Is for thy sweet youth’s safety.
ALMACHILDES [Aside]      He that believes you not
Goes the right way to heaven, o’my conscience!
DUCHESS
There is no trusting of ’em; they are all as barren
In pity as in faith. He that puts confidence 30
In them dies openly to the sight of all men,
Not with his friends and neighbours in peace private,
But as his shame, so his cold farewell is,
Public and full of noise. But keep you close, sir,
Not seen of any, till I see the way 35
Plain for your safety. I expect the coming
Of the lord governor whom I will flatter
With fair entreaties to appease their wildness –
And before him take a great grief upon me
For the duke’s death, his strange and sudden loss – 40
And when a quiet comes, expect thy joys.
ALMACHILDES
[Aside] I do expect now to be made away
’Twixt this and Tuesday night; if I live Wednesday,
Say I have been careful and shunned spoon-meat.   Exit
DUCHESS
This fellow lives too long after the deed. 45
I’m weary of his sight; he must die quickly
Or I’ve small hope of safety. My great aim’s
At the lord governor’s love; he is a spirit
Can sway and countenance; these obey and crouch.
My guiltiness had need of such a master, 50
That with a beck can suppress multitudes,
And dim misdeeds with radiance of his glory,
Not to be seen with dazzled, popular eyes –

Enter L[ORD] GOVERNOR [and MESSENGER]