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DRAMATIS PERSONE.

Sir ARTHUR CLARINGTON.

Old THORNEY, a gentleman.

CARTER, a rich yeoman.

Old BANKS, a countryman.
RATCLIFFE.

W. HAMLUC, and several other countrymen.

WARBECK,

SOMERTON,

suitors to CARTER's daughters.

FRANK, THORNEY's son.

CUDDY BANKS, the clown.

Morris-dancers.

SAWGUT, an old fiddler.

Justice, Constable, Officers, Serving-men, and Maids.

Doo, a familiar

A Spirit.

Mother SAWYER, the WITCH.

ANN, RATCLIFFE's wife.
SUSAN,

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
Request a fuller satisfaction

Than you have freely granted: yet methinks
'Tis a hard case, being lawful man and wife,
We should not live together.

Frank. Had I fail'd

In promise of my truth to thee, we must
Have been ever sunder'd; now the longest
Of our forbearing either's company,

Is only but to gain a little time

For our continuing thrift; that so, hereafter,
The heir that shall be born may not have cause
To curse his hour of birth, which made him feel
The misery of beggary and want;

Two devils that are occasions to enforce
A shameful end. My plots aim but to keep
My father's love.

How shamefully thou hast undone a maid,
Approv'd for modest life, for civil carriage,
Till thy prevailing perjuries enticed her
To forfeit shame. Will you be honest yet,
Make her amends, and marry her?

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
Of your unruly lust. But that you may
Be left without excuse, to salve the infamy
Of my disgraced house, and 'cause you are
A gentleman, and both of you my servants,
I'll make the maid a portion.

Frank. So you promised me

Before, in case I married her. I know
Sir Arthur Clarington deserves the credit
Report hath lent him; and presume you are
A debtor to your promise: but upon
What certainty shall I resolve? Excuse me,
For being somewhat rude.

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,
I am content to accept your proffer.

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.

Sir Ar. Already?

Frank. And more than so, sir, I have promis'd her Free entertainment in her uncle's house

Near Waltham-Abbey, where she may securely
Sojourn, till time and
my endeavours work

My father's love and liking.

Sir Ar. Honest Frank!

Frank. I hope, sir, you will think I cannot keep her,

Without a daily charge.

Sir Ar. As for the money,

"T is all thine own; and though I cannot make thee A present payment, yet thou shalt be sure

I will not fail thee.

Frank. But our occasions

Sir Ar. Nay, nay,

Talk not of your occasions; trust my bounty,
It shall not sleep.-Hast married her i' faith, Frank?
'Tis well, 't is passing well;-then, Winnifrede,
Once more thou art an honest woman. Frank,
Thou hast a jewel, love her; she 'll deserve it.
And when to Waltham?

Frank. She is making ready :

Her uncle stays for her.

Sir Ar. Most provident speed.

Frank, I will be thy friend, and such a friend!—
Thou wilt bring her thither?

Frank. Sir, I cannot; newly

My father sent me word I should come to him.
Sir Ar. Marry, and do; I know thou hast a wit
To handle him.

Frank. I have a suit to you.

Sir Ar. What is it?

Any thing, Frank; command it.
Frank. That you'll please

By letters to assure my father that

I am not married.

Sir Ar. How?

Frank. Some one or other

Hath certainly inform'd him, that I purposed
To marry Winnifrede; on which he threaten'd
To disinherit me :-to prevent it,

Lowly I crave your letters, which he seeing
Will credit; and I hope, ere I return,

On such conditions as I'll frame, his lands
Shall be assured.

Sir Ar. But what is there to quit
My knowledge of the marriage ?
Frank. Why you were not

A witness to it.

Sir Ar. I conceive; and then

His land confirm'd, thou wilt acquaint him tho

roughly

With all that's past.

Frank. I mean no less.

Sir Ar. Provided

I never was made privy to 't.

Frank. Alas, sir,

Am I a talker?

Sir Ar. Draw thyself the letter,

I'll put my hand to 't. I commend thy policy,
Thou 'rt witty, witty, Frank; nay, nay, 't is fit:
Despatch it.

Frank. I shall write effectually.

[Exit.

Sir Ar. Go thy way, cuckoo!-have I caught the

young man?

One trouble then is freed. He that will feast
At other's cost, must be a bold-faced guest.-

Enter WINNIFREDE in a riding-suit.

Win, I have heard the news, all now is safe;
The worst is past; thy lip, wench!—[Kisses her.]—I
must bid

Farewell, for fashion's sake; but I will visit thee
Suddenly, girl. This was cleanly carried;

Ha! was 't not, Win? But come, wench, tell me, when
Wilt thou appoint a meeting?

Win. What to do?

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