Want-wit

They had them also to a place where they saw one Fool and one Want-wit washing of an Ethiopian with intention to make him white, but the more they washed him the blacker he was.

The Pilgrim’s Progress, in the Similitude of a Dream; The Second Part. Paras. 600-699 1909

So much was this so that when the shepherds, Knowledge, Experience, Watchful, and Sincere, took her to a place where she saw one Fool and one Want-wit washing of an

Bunyan Characters (2nd Series) Alexander Whyte 1878

Want-wit, washing of an Ethiopian, with intention to make him white; but the more they washed him the blacker he was.

Works of John Bunyan — Volume 03 John Bunyan 1658

8: I am to learne: and such a Want-wit sadnesse makes of

The Merchant of Venice (1623 First Folio Edition) 1623