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
By your leave sir.
FERNANDO      You’re welcome gentlewoman.
ISABELLA
[Aside] Our ladyship then stands us in no stead now.
[To him] One word in private sir.      [Whispers to him]
FERNANDO      No, surely, forsooth, 70
There is no such here. You’ve mistook the house.
ISABELLA
Oh sir, that have I not; excuse me there,
I come not with such ignorance – think not so sir.
’Twas told me at the entering of your house here
By one that knows him too well.
FERNANDO      Who should that be? 75
ISABELLA
Nay, sir, betraying is not my profession –
But here I know he is, and I presume
He would give me admittance if he knew on’t,
As one on’s nearest friends.
FERNANDO      You’re not his wife, forsooth?
ISABELLA
Yes, by my faith, am I.
FERNANDO      Cry you mercy then, lady. 80
ISABELLA
[Aside] She goes here by the name on’s wife – good stuff!
But the bold strumpet never told me that.
FERNANDO
We are so oft deceived that let out lodgings,
We know not whom to trust. ’Tis such a world,
There are so many odd tricks nowadays 85
Put upon housekeepers.
ISABELLA      Why do you think I’d wrong
You or the reputation of your house?
Pray show me the way to him.
FERNANDO      He’s asleep, lady,
The curtains drawn about him.
ISABELLA      Well, well, sir,
I’ll have that care, I’ll not disease him much. 90
Tread you but lightly. [Aside] Oh, of what gross false-hood
Is man’s heart made of! Had my first love lived
And returned safe, he would have been a light
To all men’s actions, his faith shined so bright.
Exeunt [ISABELLA and FERNANDO]

Enter SEBASTIAN [disguised as CELIO]

SEBASTIAN
I cannot so deceive her – ’twere too sinful. 95
There’s more religion in my love than so.
It is not treacherous lust that gives content
T’an honest mind – and this could prove no better.
Were it in me a part of manly justice,
That have sought strange, hard means to keep her chaste 100
To her first vow, and I t’abuse her first?
Better I never knew what comfort were
In woman’s love than wickedly to know it.
What could the falsehood of one night avail him
That must enjoy for ever or he’s lost? 105
’Tis the way rather to draw hate upon me;
For, known, tis as impossible she should love me
As youth, in health, to dote upon a grief,
Or one that’s robbed and bound t’affect the thief.
No, he that would soul’s sacred comfort win 110
Must burn in pure love like a seraphin.

Enter ISABELLA