PROLOGUE.

THE town of Edmonton hath lent the stage
A devil and a witch *, both in an age.
To make comparisons it were uncivil,
Between so even a pair, a witch and devil :
But as the year doth with his plenty bring,
As well a latter as a former spring,

So hath this witch enjoy'd the first; and reason
Presumes she may partake the other season:
In acts deserving name, the proverb says,
"Once good and ever;" why not so in plays?
Why not in this, since, gentlemen, we flatter
No expectation? here is mirth and matter.

Mr BIRD +.

This is an allusion to the very popular play of The Merry Devil of Edmonton, reprinted by Dodsley, and founded on the history of one Peter Fabel, who lived in the reign of Henry VII. and was reputed a conjurer. + See p. 225 of this volume.

17

DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.

Sir ARTHUR CLARINGTON.
Old THORNEY, a gentleman.
Old CARTER, a rich yeoman.

Old BANKS, a countryman.

W. MAGO,

W. HAMLUC*,

two countrymen.

Three other countrymen.

WARBECK, 2

SOMERTON,

suitors to CARTER's daughters.

FRANK, THORNEY's son.

Young CUDDY BANKS, the clown.

Four Morris-dancers.

Old RATCLIFFE.

SAWGUT, an old fiddler.

POLDAVIS, a barber's boy.

Justice.

Constable.

Officers.
Serving-men.
A Spirit.

A Familiar, in the shape of a dog.

* W. Mago and W. Hamluc were probably the names of two inferior actors, who personated two of the countrymen.

Mother SAWYER, the witch.

ANN, RATCLIFFE's wife.

SUSAN,

KATHERINE,

} CARTER's daughters.

WINNIFREDE, Sir ARTHUR's maid.

Scene. The town and neighbourhood of Edmonton. In the end of the last Act, London.

The whole Argument is this distich:

Forc'd marriage, murder; murder blood requires ;
Reproach, revenge; revenge, hell's help desires.

THE WITCH OF EDMONTON.

ACT I.

SCENE I.-Edmonton.-A Room in the House of Sir ARTHUR CLARINGTON.

Enter FRANK THORNEY, and WINNIFREDE, with child.

Frank. Come, wench; why here's a business soon dispatch'd.

Thy heart I know is now at ease: thou need'st not Fear what the tattling gossips in their cups

Can speak against thy fame: thy child shall know Whom to call dad now.

Win.

You have discharg'd

The true part of an honest man; I cannot
Request a fuller satisfaction

Than 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 been then ever sundered; now the longest