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
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 then been ever sunder'd; now the longest

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
My father's love.

Win. And that will be as difficult

To be preserv'd, when he shall understand
How you are married, as it will be now,
Should you confess it to him.

Frank. Fathers are

Won by degrees, not bluntly, as our masters
Or wronged friends are; and besides I'll use
Such dutiful and ready means, that ere

He can have notice of what's past, th' inheritance
To which I am born heir, shall be assured;
That done, why let him know it: if he like it not,
Yet he shall have no power in him left

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
Once every month at least.
Win. Once every month!
Is this to have an husband?
Frank. Perhaps oftener;
That's as occasion serves.
Win. Ay, ay; in case

No other beauty tempt your eye,

whom you

Like better, I may chance to be remember'd,

And see you now and then.
You'd not have us'd me so:

Faith! I did hope

'tis but my fortune.

And yet, if not for my sake, have some pity
Upon the child I go with; that's your own:
And 'less you'll be a cruel-hearted father,
You cannot but remember that.
Heaven knows, how-

Frank. To quit which fear at once,
As by the ceremony late perform'd,

I plighted thee a faith, as free from challenge,
As any double thought; once more, in hearing
Of Heaven and thee, I vow that never henceforth
Disgrace, reproof, lawless affections, threats,

Or what can be suggested 'gainst our marriage,
Shall cause me falsify that bridal oath

That binds me thine. And, Winnifrede, whenever

The wanton heats of youth, by subtle baits
Of beauty, or what woman's art can practise,
Draw me from only loving thee, let Heaven
Inflict upon my life some fearful ruin!
I hope thou dost believe me.

Win. Swear no more;

I am confirm'd, and will resolve to do
What you think most behoveful for us.
Frank. Thus then;

Make thyself ready; at the furthest house
Upon the green, without the town, your uncle
Expects you. For a little time, farewell!
Win. Sweet,

We shall meet again as soon as thou canst pos

sibly?

Frank. We shall. One kiss-away!

[Exit WIN.

Enter Sir ARTHUR CLARINGTON.

Sir Ar. Frank Thorney!

Frank. Here, sir.

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

That wanton'd in your blood, rebell'd against
All rules of honest duty, you might, sir,

Have found out some more fitting place than here,

To have built a stews in. All the country whispers
How shamefully thou hast undone a maid,
Approv'd for modest life, for civil carriage,
Till thy prevailing perjuries enticed her
To forfeit shame. Will you be honest yet,
Make her amends and marry her?

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,

and then

Your reason would have oversway'd the passion
Of your unruly lust. But that you may
Be left without excuse, to salve the infamy
Of my disgraced house, and 'cause you are
A gentleman, and both of you my servants,
I'll make the maid a portion.

Frank. So you promised me

Before, in case I married her. I know
Sir Arthur Clarington deserves the credit
Report hath lent him; and presume you are
A debtor to your promise: but upon
What certainty shall I resolve? Excuse me,
For being somewhat rude.

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