Act 4 Flashcards
HATHORNE: There be so many cows wanderin’ the highroads, now their masters are in the jails, and much disagreement who they will belong to now. I know Mr. Parris be arguin’ with farmers all yesterday—there is -
Oh, good morning, sir, good morning, Judge Hathorne….
DANFORTH What‘s his business here?
Excellency, it is a providence. Reverend Hale has returned to bring Rebecca Nurse to God.
DANFORTH He bids her confess?
Hear me. Rebecca have not given me a word this three months since she came. Now she sits with him, and her sister and Martha Corey and two or three others, and he pleads with them confess their crimes and save their lives.
DANFORTH Why—this is indeed a providence. And they soften, they soften?
Not yet, not yet. But … there is news, sir, that the court, the court must reckon with. My niece… I believe she has vanished.
DANFORTH Vanished! Why?—how long is she gone?
This be the third night—Mercy Lewis is gone, too.
DANFORTH I shall send a party for them. Where may they be?
Excellency, I think they be aboard a ship. My daughter tells me now she hears them speakin‘ of ships last week, and tonight I discover my… my strongbox is broken into.
HATHORNE She have robbed you?!
Thirty-one pound is gone. I am penniless.
DANFORTH Mister Parris!
Excellency, I cannot think they would run off except they fear to keep in Salem. I tell you true, sir, I fear there will be riot here.
HATHORNE Riot!—Why, at every execution I have seen naught but high satisfaction in the town.
Judge Hathorne—it were another sort that hanged till now. Rebecca Nurse is no Bridget that lived three year with Bailey before she married him. John Proctor is not Isaac Ward that drank his family to ruin. (To Danforth.) Let Rebecca stand upon the gibbet and send up some righteous prayer, and I feel she‘ll wake a vengeance on you.
DANFORTH How do you propose, then?
Excellency… I would postpone these hangin‘s for a time.
DANFORTH There will be no postponement.
Now Mister Hale‘s returned, there is hope, I think—for if he brings even one of the accused to God, that confession surely damns the others. But this way, unconfessed and claiming innocence, doubts are multiplied, many honest people will weep for them, and our good purpose is lost in their tears.
DANFORTH Cheever, give me the list.
It cannot be forgot, sir, that when I summoned the congregation for John Proctor‘s excommunication, there were hardly thirty people come to hear it. That speak a discontent, and…
DANFORTH There will be no postponement.
Excellency…
DANFORTH Now, sir—which of these in your opinion may be brought to God? I will myself strive with him till dawn.
Excellency… a dagger…
DANFORTH (Irritated.) What do you say?
Tonight, when I open my door to leave my house—a dagger clattered to the ground. You cannot hang this sort. There is danger for me. I dare not step outside at night.
DANFORTH You misunderstand, sir; I cannot pardon these when twelve are already hanged for the same crime. It is not just.
Rebecca will not confess?
DANFORTH What think you, Mister Parris?—You have closer knowledge of this man; might her presence soften him?
It is possible, sir—he have not laid eyes on her these three months.
HALE Why, it is all simple. I come to do the Devil‘s work. I come to counsel Christians they should belie themselves. There is blood on my head! Can you not see the blood on my head!!
Hush!
ELIZABETH Let me speak with him, Excellency.
You’ll strive with him?
DANFORTH Why, for the good instruction of the village, Mister; this we shall post upon the church door! (To Parris, urgently:) Where is the marshal?
Cheever! Hurry!
DANFORTH Now, then, Mister, will you speak slowly, and directly to the point for Mister Cheever‘s sake? Mister Proctor, have you seen the Devil in your life? Come, man, there is light in the sky; the town waits at the scaffold. Did you see the devil?
PROCTOR I did.
Praise God!
HALE Excellency, it is enough he confess himself. Let him sign it..
It is a great service, sir—it is a weighty name, it will strike the village that he confess. I beg you, let him sign it. The sun is up!
DANFORTH Do you sport with me? You will sign your name or it is no confession, Mister! (Proctor signs) Your second name, man (Proctor signs his last name.)
Praise be to the Lord!
PROCTOR No—no I have signed it. You have seen me. It is done!
Proctor, the village must have proof that…
DANFORTH Is that document a lie? If it is a lie I will not accept it! You will give me your honest confession in my hand, or I cannot keep you from the rope. What way do you go Mister?
Proctor tears the paper
Marshal!
Proctor, Proctor!
REBECCA I have not had my breakfast.
Willard, Rebecca and Proctor exit to join others on the scaffold.
PARRIS Go to him. Goody Proctor! There is yet time!
Proctor! Proctor!
