The late Lancashire vvitches A well received comedy, lately acted at the Globe on the Banke-side, by the Kings Majesties Actors. Written, by Thom. Heyvvood, and Richard Broome.

ACTVS, V. SCENA, I. (Book 5)

Enter Doughty, Miller, Boy in a C•…•…p▪

Doughty▪

THou art a brave Boy, the honour of thy Coun try; thy Statue shall be set up in brasse upon the Market Crosse in Lancaster, I blesse the time that I answered at the 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 thee: •…•…okes did I ever thin•…•… that a Godson of min•…•… should have •…•…ought hand to fist with the Divell!

Mil.

He was ever an unhappy Boy Sir, and like enough to grow acquainted with him; and friends may fall out sometimes.

Dought.

Thou art a dogged Sire, and doestnot know the vertue of my Godsonne, my sonne now; he shall be thy sonne no longer: he and I will worry all the Witches in Lanca∣shire.

Mil.

You were best take heed though.

Dough.

I care not, though we leave not above three untain∣ted women in the Parish, we'll doe it.

Mil.

Doe what you please Sir, there's the Boy stout enough to justifie any thing he has sayd. Now 'tis out, he should be my Sonne still by that: Though he was at Death's 〈◊〉〈◊〉 before he would reveale any thing, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…nable jades had so threatned him, and as soone as ever he had told he men•…•…ed.

Dought.

'Tis well he did so, we will so swing them in two∣penny halters Boy.

Mil.

For my part I have no reason to hinder any thing that may root them all out; I have tasted enough of their mischiefe, witnesse my usage i' th Mill, which could be nothing but their Roguerie. One night in my sleepe they set me a stride stark na∣ked a top of my Mill, a bitter cold night too; 'twas day light be∣fore I w aked, and I durst never speake of it to this houre, because I thought it impossible to be beleeved.

Dought.

Villanous H•…•…gs

Mil.

And all last Summer, my Wise could not make a bit of butter.

Dough.

It would not come, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it?

Mill.

No Sir, we could not make it come, though she and I both together, churn'd almost our 〈◊〉〈◊〉 out, and nothing would come, but all ran into thin waterish geere: the Pigges would not drinke 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

Dought.

Is't possible▪

Mil.

None but one, and he ran out of his wits upon't, till we bound his head, and layd him a sleepe, but he has had a wry mouth ever since.

Dought.

That the Divell should put in their hearts to delight in such Villanies! I have sought 〈◊〉〈◊〉 these two dayes, and he•…•… of a 〈◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊〉, though none mor∣tall, but could not finde whom to mistrust for a Witch till now this boy, this happy boy informes me.

And they should neere have been sought for me if their af∣frightments and dive•…•… devices, had not brought my Boy in∣to such a sicknesse; VVhereupon indeed I thought good to ac∣quaint your worship, and bring the Boy unto you being his Godfather, and as you now stick not to say his Father.

Dought.

After you I thanke yo•…•… Gossip. But my Boy thou ha•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fied me in their names, and thy knowledge of the wo∣men, their turning into shapes, their dog-trickes, and their horse trickes, and their great Feast in the Barne (a pox take them with my Surloyne, I say still.) But a little more of thy combat with the Divell, I prithee; he came to thee like a Boy thou say∣est, about thine owne bignesse?

Boy.

Yes Sir, and he asked me where I dwelt, and what my name was.

Dough.

Ah Rogue!

Boy.

But it was in a quarrelsome way; VVhereupon I was as stout, and ask'd him who made him an examiner?

Dough.

Ah good Boy.

Mil.

In that he was my Sonne.

Boy.

He told me he would know or beat it out of me, And I told him he should not, and bid him doe his worst; And to't we went.

Dough.

In that he was my sonne againe, ha boy; I see him at it now.

Boy.

VVe fought a quarter of an houre, till his sharpe nailes made my eares bleed.

Dough.

O the grand Divell pare 'em.

Boy.

I wondred to finde him so strong in my hands, see∣ming but of mine owne age and bignesse, till I looking downe, perceived he had clubb'd cloven feet like Oxe feet; but his face was as young as mine.

Dought.

A pox, but by his feet, he may be the Club-footed Horse-coursers father, for all his young lookes.

Boy.

But I was afraid of his feet, and ran from him towards a light that I saw, and when I came to it, it was one of the VVit∣ches in white upon a Bridge, that scar'd me backe againe, and then met me the Boy againe, and he strucke me and layd mee for dead.

Mil.

Till I wondring at his stay, went out and found him in the Trance; since which time, he has beene haunted and frigh∣ted with Goblins, 40. times, and never durst tell any thing (as I sayd) because the Hags had so threatned him till in his sicknes he revealed it to his mother.

Dough.

And she told no body but folkes on't. VVell Gossip Gretty, as thou art a Miller, and a close thiefe, now let us keepe it as close as we may till we take 'hem, and see them handsom∣ly hanged o' the way: Ha my little Cu••••e-divell, thou art a made man. Come, away with me.

Exeunt.

Enter Souldier.

Sould.

These two nights I have slept well and heard no noise Of Cats, or Rats; most sure the fellow dream't, And scratcht himselfe in 's sleep. I have traveld' Desarts, Beheld Wolves, Beares, and Lyons: Indeed what not? Of horrid shape; And shall I be afrayd Of Cats in mine owne Country? I can never Grow so Mouse-hearted. It is now a Calme And no winde stirring, I can beare no sayle;

Then best lye downe to sleepe. Nay rest by me Good Morglay, my Comrague and Bedfellow That never fayl'd me yet; I know thou did'st not. If I be wak'd, see thou be stirring too; Then come a Gib as big as Ascapart VVe'l make him play at Leap-frog. A brave Souldiers lodging, The floore my Bed, a Milstone for my Pillow, The Sayles for Curtaynes. So good night.

Lyes downe.

Enter Mrs. Generous, Mall, all the VVitches and their Spirits (at severall dores.)

Mrs.

Is Nab come?

Mal.

Yes.

Mrs.

Where's Jug?

Mal.

On horseback yet, Now lighting from her Broome-staffe.

Mrs.

But where's Peg?

Mal.

Entred the Mill already.

Mrs.

Is he fast?

Mal.

As sencelesse as a Dormouse.

Mrs.

Then to work, to work my pretty Laplands Pinch, here, scratch, Doe that within, without we'l keep the watch.

The Witches retired: the Spirits come about him with a dreadfull noise: he starts.

Sold.

Am I in Hell, then have among'st you divels; This side, and that side, what behinde, before? Ile keep my face unscratch'd dispight you all: What, doe you pinch in private, clawes I feele But can see nothing, nothing pinch me thus? Have at you then, I and have at you still; And stil have at you.

Beates them off, followes them in, and Enters againe.

One of them I have pay'd In leaping out oth' hole a foot or eare Or something I have light on. What all gone? All quiet? not a Cat that's heard to mew? Nay then Ile try to take another nap,

Though I sleepe with mine eyes open.

Exit.

Enter Mr. Generous, and Robin.

Gen.

Robin, the last night that I lodgd at home My Wife (if thou remembrest) lay abroad, But no words of that.

Rob.

You have taught me silence.

Gen.

I rose thus early much before my houre, To take her in her bed▪ 'Tis yet not five: The Sunne scarce up. Those horses take and lead'em Into the Stable, see them rubb'd and drest, We have rid hard. Now in the interim I Will step and see how my new Miller fares, Or whether he slept better in his charge, Than those which did precede him.

Rob.

Sir I shall.

Gen.

But one thing more—

Whispers.

Enter Arthur.

Arth.

Now from the last nights witchcraft we are freed, And I that had not power to cleare my selfe From base aspersion, am at liberty For •…•…ow'd revenge: I cannot be at peace (The night-spell being took of) till I have met With noble Mr. Generous: in whose search The best part of this morning I have spent, His wife now I suspect.

Rob.

By your le•…•…ve Sir.

Arth.

O y'are well met, pray tell me how long is't Since you were first my Father?

Rob

Be patient I beseech you, what doe you meane Sir?

Arth.

But that I honour Thy Master, to whose goodnesse I am bound, And still must remaine thankfull, I should prove VVorse th•…•…n a Murderer, a meere Paricide

By killing thee my Father.

Rob.

I your Father? he was a man I alwayes lov'd And honour'd. He bred me.

Arth.

And you begot me? oh you us'd me finely last night?

Gen.

Pray what's the matter Sir?

Arth.

My worthy friend, but that I honour you As one to whom I am so much obligd, This Villaine could not stirre a foot from hence Till perisht by my sword.

Gener.

How hath he wrong'd you? Be of a milder temper I intreat, Relate what and when done?

Arth.

You may command me, If aske me what wrongs, know this Groome pretends He hath strumpe•…•… my mother, if when, blaz'd Last night at midnight. If you aske me further Where, in your own house; when he pointed to me As had I been his Bastard.

Rob.

I doe this? I am a horse agen if I got you, Master, why Master.

Gen.

I know you Mr. Arthur, for a Gentleman Of faire endowments, a most solid braine, And setled understanding. Why this fellow These two dayes was scarce sundred from my side, And for the last night I am most assur'd He slept within my Chamber, 12. miles off, We have nere parted since.

Arth,

You tell me wonders. Since all your words to me are Oracles, And such as I most constantly beleeve. But Sir, shall I be bold and plaine withall, I am suspitious all's not well at home; I dare proceed no farther without leave, Yet there is something lodged within my breast Which I am loath to utter.

Gen.

Keepe it there, I pray doe a season (O my feares)

VVhet.

In my Vncles absence who but I should comfort my Aunt, Am I not of the Bloud, am not I next of Kin? Why Aunt?

Mrs. Gen

Good Nephew leave me.

VVhet.

The Divell shall leave you ere ile forsake you, Aunt, you know, •…•…ic is So, and being so sicke doe you thinke ile leave you, what know I but this Bed may prove your death-bed, and and then I hope you will remember me, that is, remember me in your Will.

(Knocke within.)

Who's that knocks with such authority. Ten to one my Vncles come to towne.

Mrs. Gen.

If it be so, excuse my weaknes to him, say I can speake with none.

Mal.

I will, and scape him if I can; by this accident all must come out, and here's no stay for me

(Knock again)

Againe, stay you here with your Aunt, and ile goe let in your Vncle.

VVhet.

Doe good Mal, and how, and how sweet Aunt?

Enter Mr. Gener. Mal, Arthur, Soldier, and Robin.

Gen.

Y'are well met here, I am told you oft frequent This house as my Wives choyse companion, Yet have I s•…•…ldome seene you.

Mal.

Pray, by your leave Sir, Your wife is taken with a suddaine qualme She hath sent me for a Doctor.

Gen.

But that labour ile save you, Soldier take her to your charge. And now where's this sicke woman.

VVhet.

O Vncle you come in good time, my Aunt is so sud∣dainly taken as if she were ready to give up the spirit.

Gen.

'Tis almost time she did, speake how is't wife My Nephew tels me you were tooke last night With a shrewd sicknesse, which this Mayde confirmes.

Mrs.

Yes sir, but now desire no company. Noyse troubles me, and I would gladly sleepe.

Gener.

In company there's comfort, prithee wife Lend me thy hand, and let me feele thy pulse, Perhaps some Feaver, by their beating I

May guesse at thy disease.

Mrs. Gen.

My hand, 'tis there.

Gen.

A dangerous sicknes, and I feare t death, 'Tis oddes you will not scape it. Take that backe And let me prove the t'other, if perhaps I there can finde more comfort.

Mrs. Gen.

I pray excuse me.

Gener.

I must not be deny'd, Sick folkes are peevish, and must be ore-rul'd, and so shall you.

Mrs. Gen.

Alas I have not strength to lift it up.

Gener.

If not thy hand Wife, shew me but thy wrist, And see how this will match it, here's a Testate That cannot be out-fac'd.

Mrs. Gener.

I am undone.

VVhet.

Hath my Aunt bin playing at handee dandee, nay then if the game goe this way I feare she'l have the worst han•…•… on't.

Arth.

'Tis now apparant How all the last nights businesse came about, In this my late suspicion, is confirm'd.

Gen.

My heart hath bled more for thy curst relapse Than drops hath issu'd from thy wounded arme. But wherefore should I preach to one past hope? Or where the divell himselfe claimes right in all, Seeke the least part or interest? Leave your Bed, Vp, make you ready; I must deliver you Into the hand of Iustice. O deare friend It is in vaine to guesse at this my griefe 'Tis so inundant. Soldier take away that young But old in mischiefe. And being of these Apostat's rid so well, Ile see my house no more be made a Hell. Away with the•…•….

Exeunt.

Enter Bantam, and Shakston.

Ban.

Ile out o'the Country, and as soone live in Lapland as Lancashire hereafter.

Shak.

What for a false illusive apparition? I hope the divell i•…•… not able to perswade thee thou art a Bastard.

Bant

No, but I am afflicted to thinke that the divell should have power to put such a trick upon us, to countenance a Rascal, that is one.

Shak

J hope Arthur has taken a course with his Vnclc about him by this time, who would have thought such a foole as hee could have beene a Witch?

Bant.

Why doe you thinke there's any wise folks of the qua∣lity; Can any but fooles be drawne into a Covenant with the greatest enemy of mankind? yet J cannot thinke that VVhet∣stone is the Witch? The young Queane that was at the Wed∣ding was i'th house yee know.

Enter Lawrence and Parnell, in their first Habits.

Shak.

See Lawrence and Parnell civilly accorded againe it seems, and accoutred as they were wont to be when they had their wits.

Lawr.

Blest be the houre I say may hunny, may sweet Pall, that Ay's becom'd thaine agone, and thou's becom'd maine a∣gone, and may this ea kisse ma us tway become both eane for e∣ver and a day.

Parn.

Yie marry Lall, and thus shadden it be, there is nought getten by fawing out, we mun faw in or we get nought.

Bant.

The world's well mended here; we cannot but re∣joyce to see this, Lawrence.

Lawr.

And you been welcome to it Gentlemen.

Parn.

And we been glad we han it for you.

Shak.

And I protest I am glad to see it.

Parn.

And thus shan yeou see't till our deeing houre.

Ween eon leove now for a laife time, the Dewle shonot ha the poore to put us to peeces agone.

Bant.

Why now all's right and straight and as it should be.

Lawr.

Yie marry that is it, the good houre be blessed for it, that put the wit into may head, to have a mistrust of that pesti∣lent Codpeece-point, that the witched worch Mal Spencer go

me, ah woe worth her, that were it that made aw so nought.

Bant. & Shak.

Is't possible?

Parn.

Yie marry it were an Inchauntment, and about an houre since it come intill our hearts to doe, what yeou thinke, and we did it.

Bant.

What Parnell?

Parn.

Marry we take the point, and we casten the point in∣to the fire, and the point spitter'd and spatter'd in the fire, like an it were (love blesse us) a laive thing in the faire; and it hopet and skippet, and riggled, and frisket in the faire, and crept about laike a worme in the faire, that it were warke enough for us both with all the Chimney tooles to keepe it into the faire, and it stinket in the faire, worsen than ony brimstone in the faire.

Bant.

This is wonderfull as all the rest.

Lawr.

It wolld ha scar'd ony that hadden their wits till a seen't, and we werne mad eoht it were deone.

Parn.

And this were not above an houre sine, and you con∣not devaise how we han lov'd t'on t'other by now, yeou woud •…•…en blisse your seln to see't.

Lawr.

Yie an han pit on our working geere, to swinke and serve our Master and Maistresse like intill painfull servants a∣gone, as we shudden.

Bant.

'Tis wondrous well.

Shak.

And are they well agen?

Parn.

Yie and weel's laike heane blisse them, they are awas weel becom'd as none ill had ever beene aneast'hem; Lo ye, lo ye, as they come.

Enter Seely, Ioane, Gregory and Win.

Greg.

Sir, if a contrite heart strucke through with sence Of it's sharpe errors, bleeding with remorse The blacke polluted staine it had conceived Of foule unnaturall disobedience May yet by your faire mercy finde Remission; You shall upraise a Sonne out o'the gulph Of horrour and despaire, unto a blisse That shall for ever crowne your goodnesse, and

Instructive in my after life to serve you, In all the duties that be fit a sonne.

Seel.

Enough, enough, good boy, 'tis most apparant We all have had our •…•…rrors, and as plainly It now appeares, our judgments, yea our reason Was poyson'd by some violent infection, Quite contrary to Nature.

Bant.

This sounds well.

Seely.

I feare it was by Witchcraft: for I now (Blest be the power that wrought the happy means Of my delivery) remember that Some 3. months since I crost a way ward woman (One that I now suspect) for bearing with A most unseemly disobedience, In an untoward ill-bred sonne of hers, When with an ill looke and an hollow voyce She mutter'd out these words. Perhaps erelong Thy selfe shalt be obedient to thy sonne. She has play'd her pranke it seemes.

Greg.

Sir I have heard, that Witches apprehended under hands of lawfull authority, doe loose their power; And all their spels are instantly dissolv'd.

Seel.

If it be so, then at this happy houre, The Witch is tane that over us had power.

Joane.

Enough Childe, thou art mine and all is well.

Win.

Long may you live the well-spring of my blisse, And may my duty and my fruitfull Prayers, Draw a perpetuall streame of blessings from you.

Seely.

Gentlemen welcome to my best friends house, You know the unhappy cause that drew me hether.

Bant.

And cannot but rejoyce to see the remedy so nee•…•…e at •…•…and.

Enter Doughty, Miller, and boy.

Dought.

Come Gossip, come Boy—Gentlemen you are come to the bravest discovery—Mr. Seely and the rest, how is't with you? you look reasonable well me thinkes.

Seely.

Sir, we doe find that we have reason enough to thank you for your Neighbourly and pious care of us.

Doughty.

Is all so well with you already? goe to, will you know a reason for't Gentlemen: I have catcht a whole Kennel of Witches. It seemes their Witch is one of 'hem, and so they are discharm'd, they are all in Officers hands, and they will touch here with two or three of them for a little private parley, be∣fore they goe to the Iustices. Master Generous is comming hi∣ther too, with a supply that you dreame not of, and your Ne∣phew Arthur.

Bant.

You are beholden Sir to Master Generous in behalfe of your Nephew for saving his land from forfeiture in time of your distraction.

Seely.

I will acknowledge it most thankfully.

Shak.

See he comes.

Enter Mr. Generous, Mrs. Generous, Arthur, Wher∣stone, Mal, Soldier, and Robin.

Seel.

O Mr. Generous, the noble favour you have shew'd My Nephew for ever bindes me to you.

Gener.

I pittyed then your misery, and now Have nothing left but to bewayle mine owne In this unhappy woman.

Seel.

Good Mistresse Generous—

Arth.

Make a full stop there Sir, sides, sides, make sides, You know her not as I doe, stand aloofe there Mistresse with your darling Witch, your Nephew too if you please, because though he be no witch, he is a wel-willer to the infernal science.

Gener.

I utterly discard him in her blood And all the good that I intended him I will conferre upon this vertuous Gentleman.

Whet.

Well Sir, though you be no Vnckle, yet mine Aunt's mine Aunt, and shall be to her dying day.

Doug.

And that will be about a day after next Sizes I take it,

Enter Witches, Constable, and Officers.

O here comes more o'your Naunts, Naunt Dickenson & Naunt

Hargrave, ods fish and your Granny Johnson too; we want but a good fire to entertaine 'em.

Arth.

See how they lay their heads together?

Witches charme to∣gether.

Gill.

No succour.

Maud.

No reliefe.

Peg.

No comfort!

All.

Mawsy, my Mawsy, gentle Mawsy come,

Maud.

Come my sweet Puckling.

Peg.

My Mamilion.

Arth.

What doe they say?

Bant.

They call their Spirits I thinke.

Dought.

Now a shame take you for a fardell offooles, have you knowne so many of the Divels tricks, and can be ignorant of that common feate of the old Iugler; that is, to leave you all to the Law, when you are once seized on by the tallons of Au∣thority? Ile undertake this little Demigorgon Constable with these Common-wealth Characters upon his staffe here, is able inspite of all your bugs-words, to stave off the grand Divell for doing any of you good till you come to his Kingdome to him, and there take what you can finde.

Arth.

But Gentlemen, shall we try if we can by examination get from them something that may abbreviate the cause unto the wiser in Commission for the peace before wee carry them before 'em.

Gen. & Seel.

Let it be so.

Dought.

Well say, stand out Boy, stand out Miller, stand out Robin, stand out Soldier, and lay your accusation upon 'em.

Bant.

Speake Boy doe you kno•…•… these Creatures, women I dare not call 'em?

Boy.

Yes Sir, and saw them all in the Barne together, and ma∣ny more at their Feast and Witchery.

Rob.

And so did I, by a Divellish token, I was rid thither, though I rid home againe as fast without switch or spur.

Mill.

I was ill handled by them in the Mill.

Sold.

And I sliced off a Cats foot there, that is since a hand, who ever wants it.

Seel.

How I and all my family have suffered you all know.

Lawr.

And how I were betwitched my Pall. here knowes.

Parn.

Yie Lall, and the Witch I knaw, an I prayen yeou goe

me but leave to scrat her well-favorely.

Bant.

Hold Parnell.

Parn.

Yeou can blame no honest woman, I trow, to scrat for the thing she leoves.

Mal.

Ha, ha, ha.

Dough.

Doe •…•…ou laugh Gentlewoman? what say you to all these matters?

Mrs. Gen.

I will say nothing, but what you know you know, And as the law shall finde me let it take me.

Gil.

And so say I.

Mawd.

And I.

Mal.

And I, other confession you get none from us.

Arth.

What say you Granny?

Peg.

Mamilion, ho Mamilion, Mamilion.

Arth.

Who's that you call?

Peg.

My friend, my Sweet-heart, my Mamilion.

Witches.

You are not mad?

Dought.

Ah ha, that's her Divell, her Incubus I warrant; take her off from the rest they'l hurt her. Come hether poore old woman. Ile dandle a Witch a little, thou wilt speake, and tell the truth, and shalt have favour doubt not. Say art not thou a Witch?

They storme.

Peg.

'Tis folly to dissemble yie sir, I am one.

Dought.

And that Mamilion which thou call'st upon Is thy familiar Divell is't not? Nay prithee speake.

Peg.

Yes Sir.

Dough.

That's a good woman, how long hast had's acquain∣tance, ha?

Peg.

A matter of sixe yeares Sir.

Dought.

A pretty matter. What was he like a man?

Peg.

Yes when I pleas'd.

Dought.

And then he lay with thee, did he not sometimes?

Peg.

Tis folly to dissemble; twice a Weeke he never fail'd me.

Dough.

Humh—and how? and how a little? was he a good Bedfellow?

Peg.

Tis folly to speake worse of him than he is.

Dough.

I trust me is't. Give the Divell his due.

Peg.

He pleas'd me well Sir, like a proper man.

Dought.

There was sweet coupling.

Peg.

Onely his flesh felt cold.

Arth.

He wanted his great fires about him that he has at home.

Dough.

Peace, and did he weare good clothes?

Peg.

Gentleman like, but blacke blacke points and all.

Dought.

I, very like his points were blacke enough. But come we'l trifle w'yee no longer. Now shall you all to the Iustices, and let them take order with you till the Sizes, and then let Law take his course, and Uivat Rex. Mr. Generous I am sorry for your cause of sorrow, we shall not have your company?

Gener.

No sir, my Prayers for her soules recovery. Shall not be wanting to her, but mine eyes Must never see her more.

Rob.

Mal, adiew sweet Mal, ride your next journey with the company you have there.

Mal.

Well Rogue I may live to ride in a Coach before I come to the Gallowes yet.

Rob.

And Mrs. the horse that stayes for you rides better with a Halter than your gingling bridle.

Exeunt Gen. & Robin.

Dought.

Mr. Seely I rejoyce for your families attonement.

Seel.

And I praise heaven for you that were the means to it.

Dough.

On afore Drovers with your untoward Cattell.

Exeunt severally

Bant.

Why doe not you follow Mr. By-blow. I thanke your Aunt for the tricke she would have father'd us withall.

Whet.

Well Sir, mine Aunt's mine Aunt, and for that trick I will not leave her till I see her doe a worse.

Bant.

Y'are a kinde Kinsman.

Exeunt.

Flourish.

FINIS.