Act 4

Question 1

Goody proctor. I hope you are hearty?

Answer 1

I am yet six months before my time

Question 2

Goody Proctor, your husband is marked to hang this morning

Answer 2

I have heard it

Question 3

Do you understand me?

Answer 3

What do you want of me?

Question 4

I cannot think he will listen to another

Answer 4

I think that be the devils argument

Question 5

We cannot read his will

Answer 5

I cannot dispute with you sir. I lack learning for it

Question 6

It profit nothing she should speak to him

Answer 6

Let me speak with him, excellency

Question 7

Will you plead for his confession or will you not?

Answer 7

I promise nothing. Let me speak with him

Question 8

The child?

Answer 8

It grows

Question 9

There is no word of the boys?

Answer 9

They’re well. Rebecca’s Samuel keeps them

Question 10

You have not seen them?

Answer 10

I have not

Question 11

You are a marvel, Elizabeth

Answer 11

You have been tortured

Question 12

Aye. They come for my life now

Answer 12

I know it

Question 13

None have yet confessed?

Answer 13

There be many confessed

Question 14

Who are they?

Answer 14

There be a hundred or more they say. Goody Ballard is one; Isaiah Goodkind is one. There be many.

Question 15

Rebecca?

Answer 15

Not Rebecca. She is one foot in Heaven now; naught may hurt her more.

Question 16

And Giles?

Answer 16

You have not heard of it?

Question 17

I hear nothing where I am kept

Answer 17

Giles is dead

Question 18

When were he hanged?

Answer 18

He were not hanged. He would not answer aye or nay to his indictment; For it if he denied the charge they’d hang him surely and auction out his property. So he stand mute and died Christian under the law. And so his sons will have his farm. It is the law for he could not be condemned a wizard without he answer the indictment aye or nay

Question 19

Then how does he die?

Answer 19

They press him, John.

Question 20

Press?

Answer 20

Great stones they lay upon his chest until he pled I or nay. They say he give them but two words: “more weight “ he says. And died.

Question 21

“More weight”

Answer 21

Aye, it were a fearsome man, Giles Corey

Question 22

…What say you? If I give them that?

Answer 22

I cannot judge you, John

Question 23

What would you have me do?

Answer 23

As you will I would have it. I want you living, John. That’s sure.

Question 24

Giles wife? Have she confessed?

Answer 24

She will not.

Question 25

It is a pretense, Elizabeth

Answer 25

What is?

Question 26

…I am no good man. Nothings spoiled by giving them this lie that were not rotten long before

Answer 26

And yet you’ve not confessed til now. That speak goodness in you.

Question 27

…I would have your forgiveness Elizabeth

Answer 27

It’s not for me to give, John, I am –

Question 28

…what say you?

Answer 28

John, it come to naught that I should forgive you if you’re not forgive yourself. It is not my soul, John, it is yours. Only be sure of this for I know whatever you will do it is a good man does it. I have read my heart this three months, John. I have since of my own to count. It needs a cold wife to prompt lechery.

Question 29

Enough enough

Answer 29

Better you should know me

Question 30

I will not hear it! I know you!

Answer 30

You take my sins upon you John

Question 31

No, I take my own! My own!

Answer 31

John, I counted myself so plain, so poorly made no honest love could come to me! Suspicion kissed you when I did; I never knew how I should say my love. It were a cold house I kept.

Question 32

What day you Proctor? The sun is soon up. Proctor

Answer 32

Do what you will but let none be your judge. There be no higher judge under heaven than Proctor is! Forgive me forgive me John – I never knew such goodness in the world.

Question 33

… It is evil.

Answer 33

I cannot judge you, John, I cannot

Question 34

…Let Rebecca go like a saint; for me it is a fraud

Answer 34

I am not your judge, I cannot be. Do as you will, do as you will!

Question 35

…Go to him, take his shame away

Answer 35

He have his goodness now, God forbid I take it from him.