 | The Witch of Edmonton |  |
Scæn. 1.
Enter Frank Thorney, Winnifride with-child.Frank.
Come, Wench; why here's a business soon dispatch'd.
Thy heart I know is now at ease: thou needst not
Fear what the tattling Gossips in their cups
Can speak against thy fame: thy childe shall know
Who to call Dad now.
Win.
You have discharg'd the true part of an honest man;
I cannot request a fuller satisfaction
Then you have freely granted: yet methinks
'Tis an 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 then been ever sundred; now the longest
Of our forbearing eithers company,
Is onely 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 beggery and want;
Two Devils that are occasions to enforce
A shameful end. My plots aim but to keep
My father's love.
Win.
And that will be as difficult
To be preserv'd, when he shall understand
How you are married, as it will be now,
Should you confess it to him.
Frank.
Fathers are
Wonne by degrees, not bluntly, as our masters,
Or wronged friends are; and besides, I'll use
2
He can have notice of what's past, th'inheritance
To which I am born Heir, shall be assur'd:
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
Affections of thy Husband: thou shalt live
Neer Waltham Abbey, with thy Unkle Selman:
I have acquainted him with all at large:
He'll use thee kindly: thou shalt want no pleasures,
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.
Win.
Once every month!
Is this to have an Husband?
Frank.
Perhaps oftner:
That's as occasion serves.
Win.
I, I, in case
No other Beauty tempt your eye, whom you
Like better, I may chance to be remembred,
And see you now and then. Faith, I did hope
You'ld not have us'd me so: 'tis but my fortune.
And yet, if not for my sake, have some pity
Upon the childe I go with, that's your own.
And, 'less you'll be a cruel hearted Father,
You cannot but remember that.
Heaven knows how.
Frank.
To quit which fear at once,
As by the ceremony late perform'd,
I plighted thee a faith, as free from challenge,
As any double thought; Once more in hearing
Of Heaven and thee, I vow, that never henceforth
Disgrace, reproof, lawless affections, threats,
Or what can be suggested 'gainst our Marriage,
Shall cause me falsifie that Bridal-Oath
That bindes me thine. And, Winnifride, when ever
The wanton heat of youth by subtle baits
3
Draw me from onely loving thee; let Heaven
Inflict upon my life some fearful ruine.
I hope thou dost believe me.
Win.
Swear no more;
I am confirm'd, and will resolve to do
What you think most behoofeful for us.
Frank.
Thus then; make thy self ready: at the furthest house
Upon the Green, without the Town, your Unckle
Expects you. For a little time farewel.
Win.
Sweet,
We shall meet again as soon as thou canst possibly?
Frank.
We shall. One kiss. Away.
Ent. Sir Art. Clarington.
Sir Art.
Frank Thorney.
Frank.
Here Sir.
Sir Art.
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 Art.
Yes, Sir, if the nimble devil
That wanton'd in your blood, rebell'd against
All rules of honest duty. You might, Sir,
Have found out some more fitting place then here,
To have built a Stewes in. All the Country whispers
How shamefully thou hast undone a Maid,
Approv'd for modest life, for civil carriage,
Till thy prevailing perjuries entic'd her
To forfeit shame. Will you be honest yet?
Make her amends and marry her?
Frank.
So, Sir,
I might bring both my self and her to beggery;
And that would be a shame worse then the other.
Sir Art.
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 promis'd 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
4
Sir Art.
'Tis but reason.
Well Frank, what thinkst thou of 200 l.
And a continual friend?
Fra.
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 Art.
Art thou?
Frank.
Sir, we shall every day have need to employ
The use of what you please to give.
Sir Art.
Thou shalt have't.
Fran.
Then I claim your promise.
We are man and wife.
Sir Art.
Already?
Frank.
And more then so, I have promis'd her
Free entertainment in her Unkle's house,
Neer Waltham Abbey, where she may securely
Sojourne, till time and my endeavours work
My fathers love and liking.
Sir Art.
Honest Frank.
Frank.
I hope, Sir, you will think I cannot keep her
Without a daily charge.
Sir Art.
As for the money,
'Tis 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 Art.
Nay, nay, talk not of your occasions, trust my bounty:
it shall not sleep. Hast married her, yfaith Frank?
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 Unkle stays for her.
Sir Art.
Most provident speed.
Frank, I will be friend, and such a friend.
Thou'lt bring her thither?
Fran.
Sir, I cannot: newly
My father sent me word I should come to him.
Sir Art.
Marry, and do: I know thou hast a wit
To handle him.
Frank.
I have a suit t'ye.
Sir Art.
What is't?
Any thing, Frank, command it.
Frank.
That you'll please,
By Letters to assure my Father, that
I am not married.
Sir Art.
How?
Frank.
Some one or other
Hath certainly inform'd him that I purpos'd
To marry Winnifride; on which he threatned
5
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 assur'd.
Sir Art.
But what is that to quit
My knowledge of the marriage?
Frank.
Why you were not
A witness to it.
Sir Art.
I conceive: and then,
His Land confirmed, thou wilt acquaint him throughly
With all that's past.
Frank.
I mean no less.
Sir Art.
Provided,
I never was made privy to it.
Frank.
Alas, Sir,
Am I a talker?
Sir Art.
Draw thy self the Letter,
I'll put my hand to it. I commend thy policy
Th'art witty, witty Frank; nay, nay, 'tis fit,
Dispatch it.
Frank.
I shall write effectually.
Exit.
Sir Art.
Go thy way Cuckow; have I caught the young man?
One trouble then is freed. He that will feast
At others cost, must be a bold fac'd guest.
Enter Win. in a riding-suit.
Win.
I have heard the news, all now is safe.
The worst is past.
Sir Art.
Thy lip, wench: I must bid
Farewel, for fashions sake; but I will visit thee
Suddenly, Girl. This was cleanly carried:
Ha! was't not Win?
Win.
Then were my happiness,
That I in heart repent I did not bring him
The Dower of a Virginity. Sir, forgive me;
I have been much to blame. Had not my Laundress
Given way to your immoderate waste of Vertue,
You had not with such eagerness pursu'd
The error of your goodness.
Sir Art.
Dear, dear Win.
I hug this Art of thine, it shews how cleanly
Thou canst beguile in case occasion serve,
To practice. It becomes thee, now we share
Free scope enough, without controle or fear,
To interchange our pleasures; we will surfeit
In our embraces, Wench. Come, tell me, when
Wilt thou appoint a meeting?
Win.
What to do?
Sir Art.
Good, good, to con the lesson of our loves,
Our secret game.
Win.
O blush to speak it further!
6
A sin so monstrous: 'tis not gently done,
To open a cur'd wound. I know you speak
For trial; troth you need not.
Sir Art.
I for trial?
Not I, by this good Sun-shine.
Win.
Can you name
That syllable of good, and yet not tremble,
To think to what a foul and black intent,
You use it for an Oath? Let me resolve you,
If you appear in any Visitation
That brings not with it pity for the wrongs
Done to abused Thorney, my kinde husband;
If you infect mine ear with any breath
That is not throughly perfum'd with sighs
For former deeds of lust: May I be curs'd
Even in my prayers, when I vouchsafe
To see or hear you. I will change my life,
From a loose whore, to a repentant wife.
Sir Art.
Wilt thou turn monster now? art not asham'd
After so many months to be honest at last?
Away, away, fie on't.
Win.
My resolution
Is built upon a Rock. This very day
Young Thorney vow'd with Oaths not to be doubted,
That never any change of love should cancel
The bonds in which we are to either bound,
Of lasting truth. And shall I then for my part
Unfile the sacred Oath set on Record
In Heaven's Book? Sir Arthur, do not study
To add to your lascivious lust, the sin
Of Sacriledge: for if you but endeavour
By any unchaste word to tempt my constancy,
You strive as much as in you lies to ruine
A Temple hallowed to the purity
Of holy Marriage. I have said enough:
You may believe me.
Sir Art.
Get you to your Nunnery,
There freeze in your old Cloyster. This is fine.
Win.
Good Angels guide me. Sir, you'l give me leave
To weep and pray for your conversion.
Sir Art.
Yes, away to Waltham. Pox on your honesty.
7
You may want mony yet.
Win.
None that I'll send for
To you, for hire of a damnation.
When I am gone, think on my just complaint:
I was your Devil, O be you my Saint!
Exit Win.
Sir Art.
Go, go thy ways, as changeable a baggage
As ever cozen'd Knight. I'm glad I'm rid of her.
Honest? marry hang her. Thorney is my Debtor,
I thought to have paid him too: but fools have fortune.
Exit S. A.
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