DRAMATIS PERSONÆ. Sir ARTHUR CLARINGTON. "Old THORNEY, a gentleman. Old BANKS, a countryman. W. HAMLUC, and several other countrymen. FRANK, THORNEY's son. CUDDY BANKS, the clown. SAWGUT, an old fiddler. Justice, Constable, Officers, Serving-men, and Maids. A Spirit. Mother SAWYER, the WITCH. KATHERINE, CARTER's daughters. WINNIFREDE, Sir ARTHUR's maid. SCENE 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 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 To which I am born heir shall be assured; 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 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 Thou canst in heart desire. Win. All these are nothing Without your company, Frank. Which thou shalt have Once every month at least. No other beauty tempt your eye, whom you And yet, if not for my sake, have some pity 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 farthest house Win. Sweet, We shall meet again as soon as thou canst possibly? 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 How shamefully thou hast undone a maid, Frank. So, sir, I might bring both myself and her to beggary; Your reason would have oversway'd the passion Frank. So you promised me Before, in case I married her. I know Sir Ar. It is but reason. Well, Frank, what think'st thou of two hundred pounds, And a continual friend? Frank. Though my poor fortunes Might happily prefer me to a choice Of a far greater portion; yet to right A wronged maid, and to preserve your favour, Sir Ar. Art thou? Frank. Sir, we shall every day have need to employ The use of what you please to give. Sir Ar. Thou shalt have it. Frank. Then I claim Your promise.-We are man and wife. |