A Critical Edition of Thomas Middleton's The Witch

Thomas Middleton, Edward J. Esche

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2019
• eBook ISBN: 9780429590115
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: British Drama
• Index: Literature

Published in 1993: The first modern scholarly edition of the author's play, not published until 1778. Sebastian reclaims his betrothed from Antonio; the Duchess avenges herself on the Duke for making her drink from her father; and Abberzanes and Francesca have an illicite affair. The witches are credible forces of evil.

A Tragicomedy Called The Witch

Long Since Acted by His Majesty’s Servants at the Blackfriars

Written by Thomas Middleton

[DRAMATIS PERSONAE]

The Scene: Ravenna

The Persons

DUKE

LORD GOVERNOR

SEBASTIAN, contracted to Isabella 5

FERNANDO, his friend

ANTONIO, husband to Isabella

ABBERZANES, a gentleman, neither honest, wise nor valiant

ALMACHILDES, a fantastical gentleman

GASPERO and HERMIO, servants to Antonio 10

FIRESTONE, the clown and Hecate's son

[Boy]

[Attendants]

The Persons

DUCHESS 15

ISABELLA, niece to the Govemour

FRANCESCA, Antonio’s sister

AMORETTA, the Duchess's woman

FLORIDA, a courtesan

HECATE, the chief witch 20

STADLIN, HOPPO, witches

Other Witches and Servants, mutes

[Old Woman]

[Dedication]

To the truly worthy and generously affected Thomas Holmes, Esquire

Noble Sir

As a true testimony of my ready inclination to your service, I have merely upon a taste of your desire recovered into my hands (though not without much difficulty) this ignorantly ill-fated labour of mine. 5 Witches are ipso facto by the law condemned and that only, I think, hath made her lie so long in an imprisoned obscurity. For your sake alone she hath thus far conjured herself abroad, and bears no other charms about her but what may tend to your recreation, nor no other spell but to possess you with a belief that as she, so he that first taught 10 her to enchant, will always be

your devoted

Tho[mas] Middleton

ACT I

Scene i

Enter SEBASTIAN and FERNANDO.

Sebastian. My three years spent in war has now undone

My peace for ever.

Fernando. Good, be patient, sir.

Sebastian. She is my wife by contract before heaven

And all the angels, sir.

Fernando. I do believe you,

But where’s the remedy now? You see she’s gone; 5

Another has possession.

Sebastian. There’s the torment.

Fernando. This day, being the first of your return,

Unluckily proves the first too of her fast’ning.

Her uncle, sir, the Governor of Ravenna,

Holding a good opinion of the bridegroom, 10

As he’s fair-spoken, sir, and wondrous mild—

Sebastian. There goes the devil in a sheepskin!

Fernando. —with all speed

Clapped it up suddenly. I cannot think, sure,

That the maid over-loves him; though being married,

Perhaps, for her own credit, now she intends 15

Performance of an honest duteous wife.

Sebastian. Sir, I’ve a world of business. Question nothing;

You will but lose your labour. ’Tis not fit

For any, hardly mine own secrecy,

To know what I intend. I take my leave, sir. 20

I find such strange employments in myself

That unless death pity me and lay me down,

I shall not sleep these seven years; that’s the least, sir. Exit.

Fernando. That sorrow’s dangerous can abide no counsel;

’Tis like a wound past cure. Wrongs done to love 25

Strike the heart deeply. None can truly judge on’t

But the poor sensible sufferer whom it racks

With unbelievèd pains, which men in health

That enjoy love not possibly can act,

Nay, not so much as think. In truth I pity him; 30

His sighs drink life-blood in this time of feasting.

A banquet towards too! Not yet hath riot

Played out her last scene? At such entertainments still

Forgetfulness obeys and surfeit governs.

Here’s marriage sweetly honoured in gorged stomachs 35

And overflowing cups.

Enter GASPERO and Servant.

Gaspero. Where is she, sirrah?

Servant. Not far off.

Gaspero. Prithee where? Go fetch her hither;

I ’ll rid him away straight. [Exit Servant.]

The Duke’s now risen, sir.

Fernando. I am a joyful man to hear it, sir.

It seems he’s drunk the less, though I think he 40

That has the least, he’s certainly enough. Exit.

Gaspero. I have observed this fellow: all the feast-time

He hath not pledged one cup, but looked most wickedly

Upon good Malaga, flies to the black-jack still

And sticks to small drink like a water-rat.

Enter FLORIDA.

[Aside] O, here she comes! Alas, the poor whore weeps!

’Tis not for grace now, all the world must judge;

It is for spleen, and madness ’gainst this marriage.

I do but think how she could beat the vicar now,

Scratch the man horribly that gave the woman, 50

The woman worst of all, if she durst do it.

[Aloud] Why, how now, mistress? This weeping needs not, for though

My master marry for his reputation,

He means to keep you too.

Florida. How, sir?

Gaspero. He doth indeed;

He swore’t to me last night. Are you so simple 55

(And have been five years traded) as to think

One woman would serve him? Fie, not an empress!

Why, he’ll be sick o’th’ wife within ten nights,

Or never trust my judgement.

Florida. Will he, think’st thou?

Gaspero. Will he!

Florida. I find thee still so comfortable, 60

Beshrew my heart if I knew how to miss thee.

They talk of gentlemen, perfumers and such things;

Give me the kindness of the master’s man

In my distress, say I.

Gaspero. ’Tis your great love, forsooth.

Pl...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Other Title Page
• Original Title Page
• Original Copyright Page
• Dedication Page
• Contents
• Acknowledgements
• Illustrations
• Abbreviations
• Introduction
• A Tragicomedy Called The Witch
• Textual Collation
• Explanatory Notes
• Appendices
• Glossarial Index to the Commentary
• Bibliography