 | The Witch |  |
Scea. 3a.
Enter Francisca, in her Chamber.)Fra.
'Tis now my Brothers time: even much about it
for though he dissembled a whole forthnights absence
he comes againe to night: 'twas so agreed
before he went: J must be-stir my Wits now
to Catch this Sister of mine, and bring her name
to some disgrace first, to preserue mine owne:
ther's proffit in that Cuning: She cast off
my Company betimes to night, by Tricks, and sleightes,
and J was well contented: J am resolu'd
there's no hate lost betweene vs: for J know
she do's not love me now, but painefully,
like one that's forc'd to smile vpon a greif
to bring some purpose forward: and J'll pay her
in her owne Mettle. They're now all at rest,
and Gasper there, and all: list: fast a-sleepe
52
For the Maides-Servants, and the Girles o'th'house
J spic'd them lately with a drowzie Posset,
they will not heare in hast: My Brother's Come,
oh, where's this key now for him? here 'tis happely:
but J must wake him first: why Gasper: Gasper.
—Enter Gaspero.
Gasp.
What a pox gaspe you for?
Fra.
Now J'll throw't downe.
Gasp.
who's that call'd me now? somebody call'd Gasper?
Fra.
oh, vp, as thou'rt an honest fellow Gasper.
Gasp.
J shall not rise to night then: what's the matter?
Who's that? yong Mistris?
Fra.
J: vp: vp; Sweet Gasper.
my Sister hath both knockd, and call'd this howre,
and not a Maid will stirr.
Gas.
they'll stirr enough sometimes
Fra.
hark: hark agen: Gasper: oh. run: run. pre thee.
Gas.
give me leave to cloath myself.
Fra.
stand'st vpon Cloathing
in an extremitie? hark: hark agen.
She may be dead ere thou com'st: oh in quickly
He's gon: he cannot choose, but be tooke now
—Enter Antonio
or met in his returne; that wilbe enough
Brother? here take this Light.
An.
my carefull Sister.
Fra.
looke first in her owne Lodging, ere you enter,
An:
oh. abusd Confidence: heere's nothing of him
but what betrayes him more.
Fra.
then 'tis too true, Brother
An.
J'll make base Lust a terrible example,
No villany ere paied deerer.
Fra.
help: hold Sir,
An.
J'am deaff to all humanitie
Fra.
List: list:
a strange and sodaine silence after all,
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oh how J tremble betweene doubts, and Joies
An.
there perish both: downe to the house of Falcehood
Where periurous Wedlock weepes: oh periurous woman
sh'ad tooke the Jnocence of sleepe vpon her
at my approach, and would not see me come,
as if sh'ad layne there, like a harmeles soule
and never dream'd of Mischeif. What's all this now?
J feele no ease; the Burthens not yet off
so long as th'Abuse sticks in my knowledge,
oh, 'tis a paine of hell, to know ones shame,
had it byn hid, & don, it' had ben don happy,
for he that's Jgnorant lives long, and merry.
Fra.
J shall know all now: Brother.
An.
Come downe quickly: for J must kill thee too.
Fra.
Me?
An
stay not long
yf thou desir'st to dye with litle paine
make haste J'll'd wish thee, and come willingly
yf J be forcd to come, J shalbe cruell,
aboue a Man to thee.
Fra.
why Sir. my Brother?
An.
talk to thy soule, yf thou wilt talk at all.
to Me thou'rt lost for ever.
Fra.
this is fearefull in you
beyond all reason (Brother,) would you thus
reward me for my Care and Truth showne to You?
An.
a Cursse vpon 'em both: and Thee for Companie,
'tis that too dilligent thanckles Care of thine
makes me a Murderer, and that Ruynes Truth
that lightes me to the knowledge of my Shame.
Hadst thou byn secreat, then had J byn happy
and had a hope (like Man) of Joies to Come
Now here J stand a Stayne to my Creation:
and, which is heavier then all Torments to me
the vnderstanding of this base Adultery,
and that, thou toldst me first, which thou deseru'st
54
Fra.
if that be the worst, hold Sir,
hold Brother, J can ease your knowledge straight
by my soules hopes J can: ther's no such thing
An.
how?
Fra.
blesse me but with life, J'll tell you all.
Your Bed was never wrongd.
An.
what? never wrongd?
Fra.
J ask but mercy, as J deale with Truth now,
'twas onely my Deceipt, my Plot, and Cun̄ing
to bring disgrace vpon her, by that meanes
to keepe mine owne hid, wc h none knew but she
to speak troth' J' had a Child by Aberzanes, Sir
An.
How? Aberszanes?
Fra.
and my Mothers Letter
Was counterfeyted, to get time, and Place
for my deliuery.
An.
oh, my Wrath's redoubled,
Fra
At my Returne, she could speake all my Folly
and blam'd me, with good Councell. J, for feare
it should be made knowne, thus rewarded her,
Wrought you into suspition without cause:
And at your Cōing, raisd-vp Gasper sodainely,
sent him but in before you, by a falcehood,
which (to your kindled Jelouzie) J knew
would add enough: what's now confessd is true
An.
the more J heare, the worsse it fares with me.
J ha' kill'd 'em now for nothing: yet the shame
followes my Blood still: : Once more come downe
Looke you, my Sword goes vp: Call Hermio to me,
Let the new Man alone: hee'll wake too soone
to find his Mistris dead, and loose a Service;
Allready the day breakes vpon my Guilt
—Enter Hermio
J must be breif, and sodaine. Hermio
Her.
Sir
An.
Run: knock-vp Aberzanes speedely
say J desire his Company this Morning
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oh, heark you, by the way—
Her.
yes Sir.
An.
vse speed now:
Or J will nere vse thee more: and perhaps
J speake in a right howre: My greif ore-flowes,
J must in privat goe, and vent my Woes—
Ext
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