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in print [see page 160], the words in italics having been withdrawn from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...."

No notable alteration occurs until we come to the second scene, which in
the MS. (owing to the transposition of Woodvil's soliloquy) followed
immediately on Lovel's reply to Woodvil's speech--

No, you shall go with me into the gallery--

printed on page 164.

Scene the Second. Sherwood Forest. Sir Walter Woodvil, Simon, drest as
Frenchmen.

Sir Walter's opening speech is long in print [page 166]--in MS. it is
but this:--

_Sir Walter_. How fares my boy, Simon, my youngest born,
My hope, my pride, young Woodvil, speak to me;
Thinkest thy brother plays thy father false?
My life upon his faith and noble heart;
Son John could never play thy father false.

There is no further material change to note until we come to the point
in the conversation between Sir Walter, Simon and Margaret [page 172],
where Simon calls John "a scurvy brother," to whom Margaret responds:--

_Margaret_. I speak no slander, Simon, of your brother,
He is still the first of men.

_Simon_. I would fain learn that, if you please.

_Margaret_. Had'st rather hear his praises in the mass
Or parcel'd out in each particular?

_Simon_. So please you, in the detail: general praise
We'll leave to his Epitaph-maker.

_Margaret_. I w