And cowardice grows enamour’d of rare accidents.

The three lines which follow in print [pages 158-9] are not in the MS. Margaret continues thus:—­

But we must part now. 
I see one coming, that will also observe us. 
Before night comes we will contrive to meet,
And then I will tell you further.  Till when, farewell.
Sandford.  My prayers go with you, Lady, and your counsels,
And heaven so prosper them, as I wish you well.
[They part several ways.]

Here follows:—­

Scene the Second.  A Library in Woodvil Hall; John Woodvil alone.

John Woodvil (alone).  Now universal England getteth drunk.

And so on as printed in Act II. [on page 165].  After the last printed line,

A fishing, hawking, hunting country gentleman,

the MS. has these five lines, but Lamb drew his pen through them:—­

Great spirits ask great play-room; I would be
The Phaeton, should put the world to a hazard,
E’er I’d forego the horses of the sun,
And giddy lustre of my travels’ glory
For tedious common paces. [Exit.]

Next comes:—­

Scene the Third.  An apartment in Woodvil Hall; Margaret.  Sandford.

Margaret.  I pray you spare me, Mr. Sandford.

And so on as printed as the continuation of the former scene [page 159] to the end of that and of the first act.  But in the middle of Sandford’s speech comes in the “Witch” story, thus introduced:—­

[Sandford.] I know a suit
            Of lovely Lincoln-green, that much shall grace you
            In the wear, being glossy, fresh and worn but seld,
            Young Stephen Woodvil’s they were, Sir Walter’s eldest son,
            Who died long since in early youth.
Margaret.  I have somewhere heard his story.  I remember
            Sir Walter Rowland would rebuke me, being a girl,
            When I have asked the manner of his death. 
            But I forget it.
Sandford.  One summer night, Sir Francis, as it chanc’d,
            Was pacing to and fro in the avenue
            That westward fronts our house,—­
Margaret.  Methinks I should learn something of his story
            Whose garments I am to wear.
Sandford.  Among those aged oaks, etc.

And so the witch story goes on, not quite as printed as a separate poem in the Works of 1818 [see page 199], but not differing very materially....

Then comes “Act the Second.  John Woodvil alone.  Reading a letter (which stands at the beginning of the book).”  The letter is longer in MS. than in print [see page 160], the words in italics having been withdrawn from the middle of the second sentence:—­

“The course I have taken ... seemed to [me] best both for the warding off of calumny from myself (which should bring dishonor upon the memory of Sir Rowland my father, if a daughter of his could be thought to prefer doubtful ease before virtuous sufferance, softness before reputation), and for the once-for-all releasing of yourself....”