# Dramas (Baillie)/Witchcraft/Act 1

WITCHCRAFT.
ACT I.
SCENE I.—A Parlour in the House or Tower of Dungarren.
Enter Lady Dungarren and Annabella, by different sides.
ANNABELLA.
LADY DUNGARREN.
ANNABELLA.
LADY DUNGARREN.
ANNABELLA.
LADY DUNGARREN (shaking her head).
ANNABELLA.
LADY DUNGARREN.
ANNABELLA.
LADY DUNGARREN.
ANNABELLA.
LADY DUNGARREN.
ANNABELLA.
LADY DUNGARREN.
ANNABELLA.
LADY DUNGARREN.
ANNABELLA.
LADY DUNGARREN.
ANNABELLA.
LADY DUNGARREN.
ANNABELLA.
LADY DUNGARREN.
ANNABELLA.
LADY DUNGARREN.
ANNABELLA.
LADY DUNGARREN.
ANNABELLA.
LADY DUNGARREN.
ANNABELLA.
LADY DUNGARREN.
ANNABELLA.
LADY DUNGARREN.
ANNABELLA (alone, after a thoughtful pause).
PHEMY.
ANNABELLA.
PHEMY.
ANNABELLA.
PHEMY.
ANNABELLA.
PHEMY.
ANNABELLA.
PHEMY.
ANNABELLA.
PHEMY.
ANNABELLA.
PHEMY.
ANNABELLA.
PHEMY.
ANNABELLA.
PHEMY.
ANNABELLA (rousing her self suddenly).
PHEMY.
ANNABELLA.
PHEMY.
ANNABELLA.
PHEMY.
ANNABELLA.
Go find him, if thou canst, and send him to me immediately. [Exit Phemy.] If there be a spell to break wedlock, and to break affection also, it were well worth its purchase at any price; yea, though the soul's jeopardy were added to the gold.
Re-enter Phemy, followed by Bawldy.
PHEMY.
ANNABELLA.
BAWLDY.
ANNABELLA.
BAWLDY.
ANNABELLA.
BAWLDY.
ANNABELLA.
BAWLDY.
ANNABELLA.
BAWLDY.
ANNABELLA.
BAWLDY.
ANNABELLA.
BAWLDY.
ANNABELLA.
Timid loon! retire then, and go in the morning. But see that thou keep the secret. I'll give thee more money, if thou prove trusty and diligent.[Exit Bawldy. ​
PHEMY.
ANNABELLA.
PHEMY.
ANNABELLA.
SCENE II.
Before the Gate of Dungarren Tower: Anderson and other Servants are seen loitering within the Gate.
Enter Dungarren, with a fowling-piece in his hand, and a pouch or bag swung from his shoulder, as returned from sport.
ANDERSON (advancing to meet him).
DUNGARREN.
ANDERSON.
DUNGARREN.
ANDERSON.
DUNGARREN.
I have done pretty well, however. Give this to the housekeeper to increase the stores of her larder. Unfastening the bag, and giving it to Anderson.)
ANDERSON.
DUNGARREN.
ANDERSON.
DUNGARREN.
ANDERSON.
Enter Bawldy.
DUNGARREN.
BAWLDY.
DUNGARREN.
BAWLDY.
DUNGARREN.
BAWLDY.
DUNGARREN.
BAWLDY.
DUNGARREN.
Go thy ways to thy loft and thy byre. Folks are saucy, and teach lads to forget themselves, [Exit Bawldy.] ( Pointing to the bag.) Take it in, Anderson. [Exit Anderson.
DUNGARREN (alone, turning impatiently from the gate).
[Exit the way by which he came. ​
SCENE III.
A wild Moor, skirted on one side by a thick tangled Wood, through which several open paths are seen. The Stage darkened to represent faint moonlight through heavy gathering clouds. Thunder and lightning.
Enter by the front Elspy Low, Mary Macmurren, and her son, Wilkin, who stop and listen to the thunder.
MARY MACMURREN (spreading her arms exultingly.)
ELSPY LOW (clapping her hands as another louder peal rolls on).
MARY MACMURREN.
(Thunder again.) ​
ELSPY LOW.
MARY MACMURREN (to Wilkin, as he presses closer to her side).
WILKIN.
MARY MACMURREN.
ELSPY LOW.
MARY MACMURREN.
ELSPY LOW.
MARY MACMURREN.
ELSPY LOW.
(A very loud peal, &c.)
MARY MACMURREN.
Enter Grizeld Bane from the wood by the bottom of the Stage, advancing with wild frantic gestures.
GRIZELD BANE (stopping on the middle of the stage, and spreading wide her raised arms with lofty courtesy).
Come on the clouds; come on the wind!
Come for to loosen, and come for to bind!
Rise from the raging sea; rise from the mine!
There's power in the night storm for thee and for thine.
MARY MACMURREN (very eagerly to Grizeld).
ELSPY LOW (in the same manner).
MARY MACMURREN.
ELSPY LOW.
GRIZELD BANE.
ELSPY LOW.
MARY MACMURREN.
Nor I neither. We're to tak' han's first of a'. (Takes Elspy by the hand, and then turns to Wilkin.) And thine, too, Wilkin.
WILKIN.
MARY MACMURREN.
WILKIN.
[Grizeld Bane joins them, and they all take hands, moving in a circular direction, and speaking all together in a dull chanting measure.]
To the right, to the right, to the right we wheel;
Thou heaving earth, free passage give, and our dark Prince reveal.
To the right, &c. (three times, then turning the contrary way.)
To the left, to the left, to the left we go;
Ye folding clouds, your curtain rend, and our great Master show.
(Loud thunder.)
ELSPY LOW (after a pause).
MARY MACMURREN.
GRIZELD BANE (seizing her by the throat).
MARY MACMURREN.
(A tremendous loud peal.) ​
GRIZELD BANE (exultingly).
MARY MACMURREN.
ELSPY LOW.
GRIZELD BANE.
ELSPY LOW.
MARY MACMURREN.
GRIZELD BANE (exultingly, after another very loud peal, &c.).
MARY MACMURREN.
GRIZELD BANE.
Hold thy tongue! he is on the moor. Look yonder, where he is moving with strides like the steps of a man, and light by his side. Dost thou see it? (To Mary Macmurren.)
MARY MACMURREN.
ELSPY LOWE.
GRIZELD BANE.
[They all bow their bodies and begin an inarticulate muttering; and presently enters Murrey, bearing a lantern, which he hastily darkens upon discovering them, and tries to avoid them.]
GRIZELD BANE.
MURREY.
GRIZELD BANE.
MURREY (in a deep, strong, feigned voice).
GRIZELD BANE.
MURREY
GILZELD BANE (eagerly).
MURREY.
MARY MACMURREN.
ELSPY LOW.
MARY MACMURREN.
GILZELD BANE (to her disdainfully).
MURREY.
GRIZELD BANE, MARY MACMURREN, and ELSPY LOW (speaking at once).
GRIZELD BANE.
MURREY.
GRIZELD BANE.
MURREY.
GRIZELD BANE.
MARY MACMURREN.
GRIZELD BANE.
MURREY.
GRIZELD BANE.
MURREY.
GRIZELD BANE.
MURREY.
[As the women are about to go off, Rutherford, as if just dismounted, holding his horse by the bridle, appears from behind a rocky hillock which forms one of the side scenes, near the front, whilst the lightning, coming in a broad flash across the Stage, shows every thing upon it distinctly for a moment. A loud peal follows: Rutherford and his horse draw back and disappear; and exeunt by the opposite side Grizeld Bane, &c., leaving Murrey alone.]
And so there be verily such wretched creatures in the world, who are, or desire to be, in league with the wicked one! It is a fearful and mortifying glimpse of human nature. I hope they have not scared my poor child upon her way; or rather, that this awful storm has prevented her from coming abroad. O, would I had not requested her to meet me! for I know her brave spirit and the strength of her affection; neither storm nor danger will deter her. Why did I tempt her? Alas, my gentle child! is this the love of a parent? Here she is! ​ Enter Violet from the same side by which Rutherford disappeared, and he runs to her and locks her in his arms, both remaining silent for a time.
VIOLET.
MURREY.
VIOLET.
MURREY.
VIOLET.
MURREY.
VIOLET.
MURREY.
VIOLET.
MURREY.
[Wild cries from the women heard at a distance, and then nearer.]
VIOLET.
MURREY.
VIOLET.
MURREY.
VIOLET.
[Wild cries without, nearer than before.]
MURREY.
SCENE IV.
A narrow Passage Hall or Lobby.
Enter Phemy, meeting Anderson, who carries a light in his hand.
ANDERSON.
PHEMY.
ANDERSON.
PHEMY.
ANDERSON.
PHEMY.
ANDERSON.
PHEMY.
ANDERSON.
Enter Bawldy.
PHEMY.
BAWLDY.
ANDERSON.
BAWLDY.
PHEMY.
BAWLDY.
PHEMY.
BAWLDY.
ANDERSON.
BAWLDY.
ANDERSON.
PHEMY.
ANDERSON.
SCENE V.
A large Chamber, with a Bed at the bottom of the Stage, on which is discovered a sick Child, and Lady Dungarren seated by it.
Enter Dungarren by the front, stepping very softly.
DUNGARREN.
LADY DUNGARREN.
DUNGARREN.
LADY DUNGARREN.
DUNGARREN.
LADY DUNGARREN,
DUNGARREN.
LADY DUNGARREN.
DUNGARREN.
[Enter Annabella behind them, and stops to listen.]
LADY DUNGARREN.
DUNGARREN.
ANNABELLA (advancing passionately).
DUNGARREN.
LADY DUNGARREN.
DUNGARREN.
ANNABELLA.
DUNGARREN.
ANNABELLA.
DUNGARREN.
LADY DUNGARREN.
Enter Nurse.
NURSE.
LADY DUNGARREN (to Nurse).
NURSE.
DUNGARREN.
NURSE.
DUNGARREN.
Enter Rutherford, in a hurried, bewildered manner.
LADY DUNGARREN.
DUNGARREN.
LADY DUNGARREN.
[Dungarren supports him, and places him in an easy chair; then fetches him a glass of water, which he swallows hastily.]
DUNGARREN.
RUTHERFORD.
LADY DUNGARREN.
ANNABELLA.
DUNGARREN.
RUTHERFORD.
DUNGARREN.
RUTHERFORD.
LADY DUNGARREN and ANNABELLA [both speaking together].
What was it? What was it? [Rutherford gives no answer]. ​
DUNGARREN.
RUTHERFORD.
DUNGARREN.
RUTHERFORD (lowering his voice, and drawing Dungarren aside, while Annabella draws closer to him to listen).
DUNGARREN. (in a low voice also).
RUTHERFORD.
ANNABELLA (eagerly).
RUTHERFORD (rising from his chair, and stepping back from her with displeasure).
LADY DUNGARREN.
RUTHERFORD.
ANNABELLA (to Lady Dungarren).
DUNGARREN (to Annabella).
RUTHERFORD.
LADY DUNGARREN (to Annabella).
[Lady Dungarren takes Annabella to the bottom of the Stage, and they both seem employed about the child, while Dungarren and Rutherford remain on the front.)
DUNGARREN.
RUTHERFORD.
DUNGARREN.
RUTHERFORD.
DUNGARREN.
RUTHERFORD.
DUNGARREN.
RUTHERFORD.
DUNGARREN (endeavouring to recover speech).
RUTHERFORD.
DUNGARREN.
RUTHERFORD.
[Exit Dungarren by the front, while Rutherford joins the ladies by the sick-bed, where they prepare to kneel as the Scene closes.