Countrymen. What hast got there?
Ham. A handful of thatch plucked off a hovel of hers; and they say, when ’tis burning, if she be a witch, she’ll come running in.
O. Banks. Fire it, fire it! I’ll stand between thee and home for any danger. [Ham. sets fire to the thatch.
Enter Mother Sawyer running.
M. Saw. Diseases, plagues, the curse of an old woman
Follow and fall upon you!
Countrymen. Are you come, you old trot?
O. Banks. You hot whore, must we fetch you with fire in your tail?
1st Coun. This thatch is as good as a jury to prove she is a witch.
Countrymen. Out, witch! beat her, kick her, set fire on her!
M. Saw. Shall I be murdered by a bed of serpents? Help, help!