THE WITCH OF EDMONTON. ACT I. SCENE I. The Neighbourhood of Edmonton.-A Room in the House of Sir ARTHUR CLARINGTON. Enter FRANK THORNEY and WINNIFREDE. 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 [here] discharg'd The true part of an honest man; I cannot 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 Of our forbearing either's company, Is only but to gain a little time For our continuing thrift; that so, hereafter, The heir that shall be born may not have cause To curse his hour of birth, which made him feel The misery of beggary and want; Two devils that are occasions to enforce A shameful end. My plots aim but to keep Win. And that will be as difficult To be preserv'd, when he shall understand Frank. Fathers are Won by degrees, not bluntly, as our masters He can have notice of what's past, th' inheritance To cross the thriving of it. Win. You who had The conquest of my maiden-love, may easily Conquer the fears of my distrust. And whither Must I be hurried? Frank. Prithee do not use A word so much unsuitable to the constant Affections of thy husband: thou shalt live Near Waltham-Abbey, with thy uncle Selman; I have acquainted him with all at large : He'll use thee kindly; thou shalt want no plea sures, Nor any other fit supplies whatever Thou canst in heart desire. Win. All these are nothing Without your company. Frank. Which thou shalt have No other beauty tempt your eye, whom you Frank. To quit which fear at once, I plighted thee a faith, as free from challenge, That binds me thine. And, Winnifrede, whenever The wanton heats of youth, by subtle baits Win. Swear no more; I am confirm'd, and will resolve to do Make thyself ready; at the furthest house We shall meet again as soon as thou canst pos sibly? Frank. We shall. One kiss-away! Sir Ar. Alone? then must I tell thee in plain terms, Thou hast wrong'd thy master's house basely and lewdly. · Frank. Your house, sir? Sir Ar. Yes, sir: if the nimble devil Have found out some more fitting place than here, To have built a stews in. All the country whispers Frank. So, sir, I might bring both myself and her to beggary; And that would be a shame worse than the other. Sir Ar. You should have thought on this before, Your reason would have oversway'd the passion Frank. So you promised me Before, in case I married her. I know What certainty shall I resolve? Excuse me, Sir Ar. It is but reason. Well, Frank,. what think'st thou of two hundred pounds, And a continual friend? Frank. Though my poor fortunes Might happily prefer me to a choice Of a far greater portion; yet to right |