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WITCHCRAFT: A TRAGEDY.
125


GAOLER.

As I am a Christian man, I know no more about it than the child that was born since yestreen.

SHERIFF.

It is only one born since yestreen that will believe thee. A hole in the floor, too, made for concealment and escape! Dungarren, you are my prisoner in the king's name. To favour the escape of a criminal is no slight offence against the laws of the land.

DUNGARREN.

You distract me with your formal authorities: the laws of the land and the laws of God are at variance, for she is innocent.

SHERIFF.

She has abused and bewitched thee to think so; and a great proof it is of her guilt.

DUNGARREN.

It is you and your coadjutors who are abused, dreadfully and wickedly abused, to hurry on, with such unrighteous obduracy, the destruction of one whom a savage would have spared. Tremble to think of it. At your peril do this.

SHERIFF.

I am as sorry as any man to have such work