University of Virginia Library

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.