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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
ISABELLA
Celio?
SEBASTIAN Sweet madam?
ISABELLA      Thou’st deluded me.
There’s nobody.
SEBASTIAN      How? I wonder he would miss, madam,
Having appointed too. ’Twere a strange goodness
If heaven should turn his heart now by the way. 115
ISABELLA
Oh never, Celio!
SEBASTIAN      Yes, I’ve known the like.
Man is not at his own disposing madam;
The blessed powers have provided better for him
Or he were miserable. He may come yet.
’Tis early madam. If you would be pleased 120
To embrace my counsel, you should see this night over,
Since you’ve bestowed this pains.
ISABELLA      I intend so.
SEBASTIAN
[Aside] That strumpet would be found, else she should go.
I curse the time now I did e’er make use
Of such a plague. Sin knows not what it does. 125
Exeunt

[Act IV,] Scene iii

Enter FRANCISCA in her chamber [above]

FRANCISCA
’Tis now my brother’s time, even much about it;
For, though he dissembled a whole fortnight’s absence,
He comes again tonight; ’twas so agreed
Before he went. I must bestir my wits now
To catch this sister of mine and bring her name 5
To some disgrace first, to preserve mine own.
There’s profit in that cunning. She cast off
My company betimes tonight by tricks and sleights,
And I was well contented. I am resolved
There’s no hate lost between us, for I know 10
She does not love me now but painfully,
Like one that’s forced to smile upon a grief
To bring some purpose forward – and I’ll pay her
In her own metal. They’re now all at rest,
And Gasper there and all. List! [Noise of snoring within] Fast asleep; 15
He cries it hither. I must disease you straight sir.
For the maidservants and the girls o’th’ house,
I spiced them lately with a drowsy posset.
They will not hear in haste. [Noise within] My brother’s come!
Oh where’s this key now for him? Here ’tis, happily – 20
But I must wake him first. Why Gasper, Gasper!

Enter GASPERO [below]

GASPERO
What a pox gasp you for?
FRANCISCA [Aside]      Now I’ll throw’t down.
GASPERO
Who’s that called me now? Somebody called ‘Gasper’.
FRANCISCA
Oh up, as thou’rt an honest fellow Gasper.
GASPERO
I shall not rise tonight then. What’s the matter? 25
Who’s that? Young mistress?
FRANCISCA      Ay; up, up, sweet Gasper.
My sister hath both knocked and called this hour,
And not a maid will stir.
GASPERO      They’ll stir enough sometimes.
FRANCISCA
Hark, hark again Gasper! Oh run, run, prithee!
GASPERO
Give me leave to clothe myself.
FRANCISCA      Stand’st upon clothing 30
In an extremity? Hark, hark again!
She may be dead ere thou com’st. Oh in, quickly!
[Exit GASPERO]
He’s gone. He cannot choose but be took now
Or met in his return; that will be enough.

Enter ANTONIO [above]