Justice, Constable, officers, Serving-men and maids. The town and neighbourhood of Edmonton. In the end of the last Act, London. THE WITCH OF EDMONTON. ACT I. SCENE I.-The Neighbourhood of Edmonton. A Room in the House of Sir ARTHUR CLARINGTON. Enter FRANK THORNEY and WINNIFREDE. Frank. Come wench; why, here's a business soon despatch'd. Thy heart I know is now at ease; thou need'st not Fear what the tattling gossips in their cups Can speak against thy fame; thy child shall know Whom to call father now. Win. You have discharg'd The true part of an honest man; I cannot Than you have freely granted: yet methinks Frank. Had I fail'd In promise of my truth to thee, we must VOL. II. N Have been ever sunder'd; now the longest Is only but to gain a little time For our continuing thrift; that so, hereafter, Two devils that are occasions to enforce Win. And that will be as difficult To be preserv'd, when he shall understand Frank. Fathers are Won by degrees, not bluntly, as our masters He can have notice of what's past, th' inheritance That done, why let him know it: if he like it not, Yet he shall have no power in him left To cross the thriving of it. Win. You, who had The conquest of my maiden-love, may easily Conquer the fears of my distrust. And whither Must I be hurried? Frank. Prithee do not use A word so much unsuitable to the constant He'll use thee kindly; thou shalt want no plea sures, Nor any other fit supplies whatever Win. All these are nothing Without your company. Frank. Which thou shalt have No other beauty tempt your eye, whom you Frank. To quit which fear at once, I plighted thee a faith, as free from challenge, That binds me thine. And, Winnifrede, whenever Win. Swear no more; I am confirm'd, and will resolve to do Make thyself ready; at the furthest house Win. Sweet, We shall meet again as soon as thou canst pos sibly? Frank. We shall. One kiss-away! [Exit WIN. Enter Sir ARTHUR CLARINGTON. Sir Ar. Frank Thorney! Frank. Here, sir. Sir Ar. Alone? then must I tell thee in plain terms, Thou hast wrong'd thy master's house basely and lewdly. Frank. Your house, sir? Sir Ar. Yes, sir: All the country whispers Frank. So, sir, I might bring both myself and her to beggary; And that would be a shame worse than the other. Sir Ar. You should have thought on this before, and then Your reason would have oversway'd the passion |