English drama -- Early modern and Elizabethan, 1500-1600; Heywood, Thomas, approximately 1574-1641
2nd Luce.
Here, wise-woman, you are out again: I shall want what a good boy
should have, whilst I live.--Well, here I shall live both unknown,
and my sex unsuspected. But whom have we here?
_Enter_ Haringfield, _and_ Young Chartley _half drunk_.
Young Chartley.
Come, Haringfield, now we have been drinking of Mother Red-cap’s
ale, let us now go make some sport with the wise-woman.
Haringfield.
We shall be thought very wise men of all such as shall see us go in
to the wise-woman’s.
Young Chartley.
See, here she is. How now, witch! How now, hag! How now, beldam! You
are the wise-woman, are you? and have wit to keep yourself warm
enough, I warrant you.
Wise-woman.
Out, thou knave!
2nd Luce.
And will these wild oats never be sown? [_Aside_.
Young Chartley.
You enchantress, sorceress, she-devil! you Madam Hecate, Lady
Proserpine! you are too old, you hag, now, for conjuring up spirits
yourself; but you keep pretty young witches under your roof, that
can do that.
Wise-woman.
I or my family conjure up any spirits! I defy thee, thou young
hare-brained--
Haringfield.
Forbear him till he have his senses about him, and I shall then hold
thee for a wise-woman indeed: otherwise, I shall doubt thou hast thy
name for nothing. Come, friend, away, if thou lovest me.
Young Chartley.
Away, you old dromedary! I’ll come one of these nights, and make a
racket amongst your she-caterwaulers.
Haringfield.
I prithee let’s be civil.
Young Chartley.
Out of my sight, thou she-mastiff!
[_Exeunt_ Young Chartley _and_ Haringfield.
2nd Luce.
Patience, sweet mistress.
Wise-woman.
Now, bless me, he hath put me into such a fear, as makes all my
bones to dance and rattle in my skin: I’ll be revenged on that
swaggering companion.
2nd Luce.
Mistress, I wish you would; he’s a mere mad-cap, and all his
delight is in misusing such reverend matrons as yourself.
Wise-woman.
Well, what’s thy name, boy?
2nd Luce.
I am even little better than a turnbroach, for my name is Jack.
Wise-woman.
Honest Jack, if thou couldst but devise how I might cry quittance
with this cutting Dick[4.18] I will go near to adopt thee my son
and heir.
2nd Luce.
Mistress, there is a way, and this it is:
To-morrow morning doth this gentleman
Intend to marry with one Mistress Luce,
A goldsmith’s daughter; do you know the maid?
Wise-woman.
My daughter, and a pretty smug-faced girl. I had a note but late
from her, and she means to be with me in the evening: for I have
bespoke Sir Boniface to marry her in the morning.
2nd Luce.
Do but prevent this gallant of his wife,
And then your wrongs shall be revenged at full.
Wise-woman.
I’ll do’t, as I am matron; ay, and show him a new trick for his
learning.
_Enter_ Boyster.
Boyster.
Morrow.
Wise-woman.
You’re welcome, sir.
Boyster.
Art wise?
2nd Luce.
He should be wise, because he speaks few words.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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