(Whether by negligence I knew not, Yes. MARGARET. JOHN. So entering in, not without fear, And covering up my eyes for shame, A docile infant by Sir Walter's side; But afterwards was greatly comforted. It seem'd, the guilt of blood was passing from me Even in the act and agony And all my sins forgiven. of tears, THE WITCH. CHARACTERS. Old Servant in the Family of Sir Francis Fairford. Stranger. SERVANT. ONE summer night Sir Francis, as it chanced, Was pacing to and fro in the avenue That westward fronts our house, Among those aged oaks, said to have been planted Three hundred years ago By a neighb'ring prior of the Fairford name. The importunate suit of one who stood by the gate, And begged an alms. Some say he shoved her rudely from the gate For she was one who practised the black arts, And served the devil, being since burnt for witchcraft, She looked at him as one that meant to blast him, And with a frightful noise, ("Twas partly like a woman's voice, And partly like the hissing of a snake,) (Sir Francis told the words) A mischief, mischief, mischief, By day and by night, to the caitif wight, Who shakes the poor like snakes from his door, And shuts up the womb of his purse, And still she cried |