University of Virginia Library

ACT V.

SCENE I.

SCENE Joan's House.
Joan of Hedington, and Mr. Pindar.
Joan.

I'm glad they are gone, they were two
swinging Fellows.

Enter Mr. Cole.
Mr. Cole.

How do you do, Joan?

Joan Hedington.

Pretty well Sir; tho' I
must beg your Pardon, I don't remember your
Name.

Mr. Cole.

I believe not. I was never here before.
But Mr. Hopman, of Cripsy, recommended
me to you for a Gill of Brandy, and a Firk or
two up the Stone Stairs, little Joan,—up the
Stone Stairs, little Joan.

Joan Hedington.

Will you please, Sir, to
have your Brandy before you go up, or burn'd
against you come down?

Mr. Cole.

Against I come down, little Joan.

SCENE II.

Joan's Chamber.
Mr. Cole and Joan of Hedington.
Pind.
solus.]
I'll do it, and yet methinks my Heart relents.
Why should I murder her that never hurt me?
Not me indeed, but sure my Friend is me,
And since this Joan has dar'd to be so bold
To injure Cole, she must have injur'd Pindar.
Hence then Compassion, and all tender Thoughts,
For Mother Harris soon shall be reveng'd,
And by this Hand of mine.
Enter Joan.
My Dear, come sit down upon the Bed little Joany.

[As she is going to sit down he tosses the Noose of the Rope over her Head.
Joan Hedington.
What's this for?

Mr. Cole.
No hurt, little Joan! no hurt!
[He pulls the Noose, and ties her up to the Beam.
'Tis done, and now I'll instantly to Cole,
And bring him joyful News of his Revenge.

[Ex.

SCENE III.

Mother Shephard's House.
Mother Shephard, and the Church-warden.
Church-warden.

Lord, Mother, have you heard
the News?

Mother Shephard.

No not I, what News?

Church-warden.

Why, there's such a Clutter
about Joan's Door, you'd admire at it; poor Joan
has been almost hang'd. A Scholar came and tied
her up to a Beam in her Chamber, and if her Husband
had not come and cut her down, she had
been hanged by this time.

Mother Shephard.

Well, I always said she
would come to a bad End; 'tis but what she deserves
for being such a Whore.

Church-warden.

Well, I'm glad the poor Woman
is not hanged for all that.

Mother Shephard.
Women whose Honour should be still their Guide,
When once they give it up, and go aside,
Into a numerous Maze of Mischiefs run,
As may be seen by Joan of Hedington.