Act Four Scene Four Flashcards
DANFORTH Pray, be at your ease, we come not for your life. We… (Uncertain how to plead, for he is not accustomed to it.) Mister Hale, will you speak with this woman?
Goody Proctor, your husband is marked to hang this morning.
ELIZABETH I have heard it.
(He finds it difficult to look at her.) I have no connection with the court. I come of my own, to save your husband‘s life, for if he is taken I count myself his murderer. Do you understand me?
ELIZABETH What do you want of me?
… I have gone this three month like our Lord into the wilderness. I have sought a Christian way, for damnation‘s doubled on a minister who counsels men to lie.
HATHORNE It is no lie, you cannot speak of lies….
It is a lie!—they are innocent!
No more. No more. I‘ll hear no more of that.
Let you not mistake your duty as I mistook my own. I came into this village like a bridegroom to his beloved, bearing gifts of high religion; and what I touched with my bright confidence, died. Beware, Goody Proctor—cleave to no faith where faith brings blood. It is mistaken law that leads you to sacrifice. Life, woman, life is God’s most precious gift; no principle, however glorious, may justify the taking of it. I beg you, woman, prevail upon your husband to confess. Let him give his lie. God damns a liar less than he that throws his life away for pride.
ELIZABETH I promise nothing. But I will speak with him.
A sound—the sibilance of dragging feet on stone. They turn. Pause. Willard enters with Proctor. His wrists are chained. Willard removes them and exits. He is another man, bearded, filthy, his eyes misty as webs had overgrown them. Halts inside doorway, his eye caught by the sight of Elizabeth. The emotion flowing between them prevents anyone from speaking for an instant. Hale looks away. Proctor crosses down slowly toward Elizabeth, looks around, then Hale speaks.
Pray, leave them.
Exits.
