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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

[Sheathing his sword]

Look you, my sword goes up. Call Hermio to me. 100
Let the new man alone; he’ll wake too soon
To find his mistress dead and lose a service.
[Exit FRANCISCA]
Already the day breaks upon my guilt;
I must be brief and sudden. Hermio!

Enter HERMIO

HERMIO      Sir?
ANTONIO
Run, knock up Aberzanes speedily. 105
Say I desire his company this morning
To yonder horse-race, tell him; that will fetch him –
Oh hark you, by the way…      [Whispers]
HERMIO      Yes sir.
ANTONIO      Use speed now
Or I will ne’er use thee more – and perhaps
I speak in a right hour. My grief o’erflows; 110
I must in private go and vent my woes.
Exeunt

Act V, Scene i

Enter ANTONIO and ABERZANES

ANTONIO
You are welcome sir.
ABERZANES      I think I’m worthy on’t,
For look you, sir, I come untrussed in troth.
ANTONIO
The more’s the pity – honester men go to’t –
That slaves should ’scape it. What blade have you got there?
ABERZANES
Nay, I know not that sir. I am not acquainted greatly 5
with the blade; I am sure ’tis a good scabbard and that
satisfies me.
ANTONIO
’Tis long enough indeed, if that be good.
ABERZANES
I love to wear a long weapon; ’tis a thing commendable.
ANTONIO
I pray draw it sir.
ABERZANES      It is not to be drawn. 101
AISRRONIO
Not to be drawn?
ABERZANES
I do not care to see’t. To tell you troth, sir, ’tis only a
holiday thing, to wear by a man’s side.
ANTONIO
Draw it, or I’ll rip thee down from neck to navel, though
there’s small glory in’t. 15
ABERZANES
Are you in earnest sir?
ANTONIO      I’ll tell thee that anon.
ABERZANES
Why what’s the matter sir?
ANTONIO
What a base misery is this in life now!
This slave had so much daring courage in him
To act a sin would shame whole generations, 20
But hath not so much honest strength about him
To draw a sword in way of satisfaction.
This shows thy great guilt, that thou dar’st not fight.
ABERZANES
Yes, I dare fight, sir, in an honest cause.
ANTONIO
Why come then slave – thou’st made my sister a whore. 25
ABERZANES
Prove that an honest cause and I’ll be hanged.
ANTONIO
So many starting-holes? Can I light no way?
Go to, you shall have your wish – all honest play.
[To FRANCISCA within] Come forth, thou fruitful wickedness, thou seed
Of shame and murder!

[Enter FRANCISCA]