Francis. What comes?
John. I can remember when a child the maids[38]
Would place me on their lap, as they undrest me,
As silly women use, and tell me stories
Of Witches—Make me read "Glanvil on Witchcraft,"
And in conclusion show me in the Bible,
The old Family-Bible with the pictures in it,
The 'graving of the Witch raising up Samuel,
Which so possest my fancy, being a child,
That nightly in my dreams an old Hag came
And sat upon my pillow.
I am relapsing into infancy,—
And shortly I shall dote—for would you think it?
The Hag has come again. Spite of my manhood,
The Witch is strong upon me every night.
[Walks to and fro, then as if recollecting something.]
What said'st thou, Francis, as I stood in the passage?
Something of a Father:
The word is ringing in my ears now—
[Footnote 38:
Twice afterwards Lamb returned to this episode—in "The Witch
Aunt" in story Mrs. Leicester's School (see Vol. III.), and in "Witches
and other Night Fears," in Elia (see Vol. II. 9).]
Francis. I remember, one of the servants, Sir, would pass a few days with his father at Leicester. The poor old man lies on his deathbed, and has exprest a desire to see his son before he dies. But none cared to break the matter to you.
John. Send the man here. [Francis goes out.]
My very servants shun my company.
I held my purse to a beggar yesterday
Who lay and bask'd his sores in the hot sun,
And the gaunt pauper did refuse my alms.
Francis returns with Robert.
John. Come hither, Robert. What is the poor man ailing?
Robert. Please your honour, I fear he has partly perish'd for want of physic. His means are small, and he kept his illness a secret to me not to put me to expenses.
John. Good son, he weeps for his father.
Go take the swiftest horse in my stables,
Take Lightfoot or Eclipse—no, Eclipse is lame,
Take Lightfoot then, or Princess[39],
Ride hard all night to Leicester.
And give him money, money, Francis—
The old man must have medicines, cordials,
And broth to keep him warm, and careful nurses.
He must not die for lack of tendance, Robert.
[Footnote 39: Lamb puts his pen through these two lines, and writes across them "miserable bad.">[