Part 13 (1/2)

_Anto._ Riding by the River side to take the Air, My Horse threw me, which made me see For some convenient House to rest a while, And met with this, wherein I have slept this hour, And I believe had done so longer yet, Had not your noise awak'd me.

_Capt._ My Lord, I've no Commission to enquire, Into Persons bus'ness of your eminent Rank; It is for other Men that I search now, Some half a score the most notorious Rogues About the Town were seen to enter here.

Saw you none such, my Lord?

_Anto._ No, on my Honour; For since I enter'd here, no human shape Was seen by me, but one Old wither'd Woman; And where she's gone, I know not.

_Capt._ My Lord, that Woman is the greatest Cheat About the Town; the simple think her a Witch; But I can witness for her she is none; My Lord, you'l pardon me, if I search for her.

_Anto._ With all my heart: Pray find her if you can; 'Twas my misfortune doubled to light here.

_Capt._ It might have prov'd so: Search the House.

[Exit Watch.

I'le tell your Lords.h.i.+p what I know of her.

Walking my Round one Night, who should I meet, But (as I thought) two Devils, by their shapes; An Old one, and a Young one, so they seem'd: At first the sight amaz'd me, but at last My Reason telling me, if they were Spirits, The mischief they intended they might do, Though I should run away: I bid my Guard Stand, whilst my self advanc'd near these shapes, Which as I did, the little Devil fled, th' other seem'd To turn it's Eyes to fire, and glare upon me; I still advanc'd, Arm'd with my former thoughts, And as I nearer came, the fire grew duller, Yet still it stood, for truly it could not run, Proving, when I laid hold on't, this Old Woman, Cas'd in a Leopard's skin; the fiery Eyes Prov'd but two Lobster-sh.e.l.ls: So she confessing, That for a Living she did use these Cheats, Helping poor People to their stolen Goods, In Devils shapes to countenance the Trade.

And that the other was a little Boy, Train'd up as her Familiar, whom she producing, I only threaten'd them, and let them go.

_Anto._ A subtle Cheat it was, and very likely, And you deserv'd Reward that did detect it.

_Jasp._ A Halter it should be, were I to give it.

[Aside.

_Enter the Watch with one of the Devils Remarkable Habits, and a Viol._

_1. Watch._ We've search'd sufficiently, but all we find Is a poor Devils skin, and a base Viol.

_Capt._ I, this is like the other, I'm glad 'twas found, 'Twill prove the story true I told your Lords.h.i.+p.

_Anto._ It does, to my amazement.

_Capt._ I'm glad it was my hap to meet you here, Your Lords.h.i.+p might have got some mischief else.

_Anto._ I might indeed, and I'm beholding to you: And, Captain, take my word, I'le speak your worth To the Vice-Roy, who is my Kinsman, And will take care for to advance your merit.

_Capt._ In that you'l bind my Service: Yet, my Lord, Shall I not wait your Lords.h.i.+p to your House?

_Anto._ No, 'twill be wonder'd at, besides, I've Horses here.

_Capt._ Then Health and a good Night attend your Lords.h.i.+p.

_Anto._ I thank you. Captain; here, Watch, there's some- Thing for you.

_1. Watch._ Bless your n.o.ble Lords.h.i.+p.

[Ex. Capt. and Watch.

_Anto._ _Jasper_! Did you hear this?

_Jasp._ Ay, my good Lord, and wonder at it too; But I do still believe she is a Witch, and only Did pretend such things to the Captain, To save a Burning from th' Inquisition.

_Anto._ Fetch our Horses.

[Exit _Jasper_.

I do observe this Rogue Strangely to be amaz'd, what er'es the matter; I do believe that this was all some Cheat.

Yet how could that be too, who could Name _Lewis_.