Act Three Scene Four Flashcards
DANFORTH Old man, if your informant tells the truth let him come here openly like a decent man. But if he hides in anonymity I must know why. The government and central church demand the name of him who reported Mister Thomas Putnam a common murderer.
Excellency… There is a prodigious fear of this court in the country….
DANFORTH Then there is a prodigious guilt in the country. Are you afraid to be questioned here?
I may only fear the Lord, sir, but there is fear in the country nevertheless.
DANFORTH Reproach me not with the fear in the country; there is fear in the country because there is a moving plot to topple Christ in the country!
But it does not follow that everyone accused is part of it.
PROCTOR Ay, sir. But now she swears that she never saw Satan; nor any spirit, vague or clear; and declares her friends are lying now.
Excellency, a moment. I think this goes to the heart of the matter.
DANFORTH It surely does.
Sir, in all justice, a claim so weighty cannot be argued by a farmer. In God’s name, send him home and let him come again with a lawyer—
DANFORTH Now look you, Mr. Hale—
Excellency, I have signed seventy-two death warrants; I am a minister of the Lord, and I dare not take a life without there be a proof so immaculate no slightest qualm of conscience may doubt it.
DANFORTH Mr. Hale, you surely do not doubt my justice.
I have this morning signed away the soul of Rebecca Nurse, Your Honor. I’ll not conceal it, my hand shakes yet as with a wound! I pray you, sir, this argument let lawyers present to you.
DANFORTH Mr. Hale, believe me; for a man of such terrible learning you are most bewildered—I hope you will forgive me. I have been thirty-two year at the bar, sir, and even I should be confounded were I called upon to defend these people.
But this child claims the girls are not truthful, and if they are not—
DANFORTH That is precisely what I am about to consider, sir. What more may you ask of me? Unless you doubt my integrity?
(defeated:) I do not, sir.
