THE LATE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. A COMEDY. BY THOMAS HEYWOOD, AND RICHARD BROOM E. Mr. Generous by taking off a Bridle from a seeming Horse in his Stable, discovers it to be his Wife, who has transformed herself by Magical Practices, and is a Witch. my vitals MR. GENEROUS. WIFE. ROBIN, a groom. What, or where am I, To be thus lost in wonder? Wife. Sir. Gen. Amazement still pursues me, how am I chang'd, Or brought ere I can understand myself Into this new world! Rob. You will believe no witches? Gen. This makes me believe all, aye, any thing; And that myself am nothing. Prithee, Robin. Lay me to myself open; what art thou, Or this new transform'd creature? Rob. I am Robin; And this your wife, my Gen. Tell me, the earth mistress. Shall leave its seat, and mount to kiss the moon; Can Can from a four-leg'd creature make a thing Rob. A bridle; a jugling bridle, Sir. Gen. A bridle! Hence, enchantment. A viper were more safe within my hand, Than this charm'd engine. A witch! my wife a witch! The more I strive to unwind Myself from this meander, I the more Art thou a witch? Prithee, woman, Wife. It cannot be denied, I am such a curst creature. Gen. Keep aloof: And do not come too near me. O my trust; What best was for its health, to renounce all That I must lie so often and so long With a devil in my bosom? Wife. Pardon, Sir. [She looks down.] Lift Gen. Pardon! can such a thing as that be hoped? Unto that horrid dwelling; which thou hast sought Wife. I am. Gen. With that word I am thunderstruck, And know not what to answer; yet resolve me, Wife. OI have. Gen. What? and how far? Wife. I have promis'd him my soul. Gen. Ten thousand times better thy body had Been 122 THE LATE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. Been promis'd to the stake; aye, and mine too, Gen. O cunning devil: foolish woman, know, He will usurp the whole. Thou 'rt a lost woman, Gen. Why, hast thou any hope? Gen. Make it appear to me. Wife. I hope I never bargain'd for that fire, Further than penitent tears have power to quench. Gen. I would see some of them. Wife. You behold them now (If you look on me with charitable eyes) Gen. May I presume 't? Wife. I kneel to both your mercies. A witch is? Wife. Alas, none better; Or after mature recollection can be Gen. Tell me, are those tears As full of true-hearted penitence, As mine of sorrow to behold what state, Wife. Sir, they are. Gen. Rise; and, as I do you, so heaven pardon me; We all offend, but from such falling off Defend Defend us! Well, I do remember, wife, Gentlemen, welcome; 'tis a word I use; Nor do I love that common phrase of guests, Being set to meat, that I'll excuse your fare, 46 Compare this with a story in the Arabian Nights, where a man discovers his wife to be a goul. A FAIR QUARREL: A COMEDY. BY THOMAS MIDDLETON AND WM. ROWLEY. Captain Ager in a dispute with a Colonel his friend, receives from the Colonel the appellation of Son of a Whore. A challenge is given and accepted: but the Captain, before he goes to the field, is willing to be confirmed of his mother's honor from her own lips. Lady Ager, being questioned by her Son, to prevent a duel, falsely slanders herself of unchastity. The Captain, thinking that he has a bad cause, refuses to fight. But being reproached by the Colonel with cowardice, he esteems that he has now a sufficient cause for a quarrel, in the_vindicating of his honor from that aspersion; and draws, and disarms his opponent. Lady. Captain, her Son. La. Where left you your dear friend the Colonel ? The fame and reputation of your time Is much engag'd to. Cap. Yes and you knew all, mother. La. I thought I'd known so much of his fair goodness, More could not have been look'd for. Cap. O yes, yes, Madam : And this his last exceeded all the rest. La. For gratitude's sake let me know this I prithee. Cap. Then thus; and I desire your censure freely, Whether it appear'd not a strange noble kindness in him. La. Trust me, I long to hear't. Cap. You know he's hasty; That by the way. La. So are the best conditions: Your father was the like. Cap. I begin now To |