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diff --git a/17960-h/17960-h.htm b/17960-h/17960-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0da50d6 --- /dev/null +++ b/17960-h/17960-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,3095 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=US-ASCII"> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Giles Corey, Yeoman, by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman</title> +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +Project Gutenberg's Giles Corey, Yeoman, by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Giles Corey, Yeoman + A Play + +Author: Mary E. Wilkins Freeman + +Release Date: March 10, 2006 [EBook #17960] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GILES COREY, YEOMAN *** + + + + +Produced by Jeff Kaylin and Andrew Sly + + + + + +</pre> + + +<h1 align="center">Giles Corey, Yeoman<br> +<small>A Play</small></h1> +<h2 align="center">By<br> Mary E. Wilkins</h2> +<p align="center">Illustrated</p> +<p align="center">New York<br> +Harper & Brothers Publishers<br> +1893</p> + +<h4>Cast of Characters.</h4> + +<p>Giles Corey. +<br>Paul Bayley, <i>Olive Corey's lover.</i> +<br>Samuel Parris, <i>minister in Salem Village.</i> +<br>John Hathorne, <i>magistrate.</i> +<br>Jonathan Corwin, <i>magistrate.</i> +<br>Olive Corey, <i>Giles Corey's daughter.</i> +<br>Martha Corey, <i>Giles Corey's wife.</i> +<br>Ann Hutchins, <i>Olive's friend and one of the Afflicted +Girls.</i> +<br>Widow Eunice Hutchins, <i>Ann's mother.</i> +<br>Phœbe Morse, <i>little orphan girl, niece to Martha +Corey.</i> +<br>Mercy Lewis, <i>one of the Afflicted Girls.</i> +<br>Nancy Fox, <i>an old serving-woman in Giles Corey's house.</i> +<br><i>Afflicted Girls, Constables, Marshal, People of Salem Village, +Messengers, etc.</i></p> + +<h3 align="center">Act I.</h3> + +<p>Scene I.—<i>Salem Village. Living-room in</i> Giles Corey's +<i>house.</i> Olive Corey <i>is spinning.</i> Nancy Fox, <i>the old +servant, sits in the fireplace paring apples. Little</i> Phœbe +Morse, <i>on a stool beside her, is knitting a stocking.</i></p> + +<p><i>Phœbe</i> (<i>starting</i>). What is that? Oh, Olive, +what is that?</p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> Yes, what is that? Massy, what a clatter!</p> + +<p><i>Olive</i> (<i>spinning</i>). I heard naught. Be not so foolish, +child. And you, Nancy, be of a surety old enough to know better.</p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> I trow there was a clatter in the chimbly. There +'tis again! Massy, what a screech!</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe</i> (<i>running to</i> Olive <i>and clinging to +her</i>). Oh, Olive, what is it? what is it? Don't let it catch me. +Oh, Olive!</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> I tell you 'twas naught.</p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> Them that won't hear be deafer than them that's +born so. Massy, what a screech!</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> Oh, Olive, Olive! Don't let 'em catch me!</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Nobody wants to catch you. Be quiet now, and I'll +sing to you. Then you won't think you hear screeches.</p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> We won't, hey?</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Be quiet! This folly hath gone too far. [<i>Sings +spinning song.</i></p> + +<p>SPINNING SONG.</p> + +<blockquote>“I'll tell you a story; a story of one, +<br>'Twas of a great prince whose name was King John. +<br>A great prince was he, and a man of great might +<br>In putting down wrong and in setting up right. +<br>To my down, down, down, derry down.”</blockquote> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> Massy, what screeches! [<i>Screams +violently.</i></p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> Oh, Nancy, 'twas you screeched then.</p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> It wasn't me; 'twas a witch in the chimbly. +(<i>Screams again.</i>) There, hear that, will ye? I tell ye +'twa'n't me. I 'ain't opened my mouth.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Nancy, I will bear no more of this. If you be not +quiet, I will tell my mother when she comes home. Now, Phœbe, +sing the rest of the song with me, and think no more of such folly. +[<i>Sings with</i> Phœbe.</p> + +<blockquote>“This king, being a mind to make himself merry, +<br>He sent for the Bishop of Canterbury. +<br>‘Good-morning, Mr. Bishop,’ the king did say. +<br>‘Have you come here for to live or to die?’ +<br>To my down, down, down, derry down.</blockquote> + +<blockquote>“‘For if you can't answer to my questions +three, +<br>Your head shall be taken from your body; +<br>And if you can't answer unto them all right, +<br>Your head shall be taken from your body quite.’ +<br>To my down, down, down, derry down.”</blockquote> + +<p><i>Nancy</i> (<i>wagging her head in time to the music</i>). I +know some words that go better with that tune.</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> What are they?</p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> Oh, I'm forbid to tell.</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> Who forbade you to tell, Nancy?</p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> The one who forbade me to tell, forbade me to tell +who told me.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Don't gossip, or you won't get your stints done +before mother comes home.</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe</i> (<i>sulkily</i>). I won't finish my stint. Aunt +Corey set me too long a stint. I won't. Oh, there she is now! +[<i>Knits busily.</i></p> + +<p><i>Enter</i> Ann Hutchins.</p> + +<p><i>Olive</i> (<i>rising</i>). Well done, Ann. I was but now +wishing to see you. Sit you down and lay off your cloak. Why, how +pale you look, Ann! Are you sick?</p> + +<p><i>Ann.</i> You know best.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> I? Why, what mean you, Ann?</p> + +<p><i>Ann.</i> You know what I mean, in spite of your innocent +looks. Oh, open your eyes wide at me, if you want to! Perhaps you +don't know what makes them bigger and bluer than they used to be.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Ann!</p> + +<p><i>Ann.</i> Oh, I mean nothing. I am not sick. Something +frightened me as I came through the wood.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Frightened you! Why, what was it?</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> Oh, what was it, Ann?</p> + +<p><i>Ann.</i> I know not; something black that hustled quickly by +me and raised a cold wind.</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> Oh, oh!</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> 'Twas a cat or a dog, and your own fear raised the +cold wind. Think no more of it, Ann. Wait a moment while I go to the +north room. I have something to show you. [<i>Exit</i> Olive <i>with +a candle.</i></p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> What said the black thing to you, Ann?</p> + +<p><i>Ann.</i> I know not.</p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> Said it not: “Serve me; serve me?”</p> + +<p><i>Ann.</i> I know not. I was deaf with fear.</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> Oh, Ann, did it have horns?</p> + +<p><i>Ann.</i> I tell you I know not. You pester me, child.</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> Did it have hoofs and a tail?</p> + +<p><i>Ann.</i> Be quiet, I tell you, or I'll cuff your ears.</p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> She needn't be so topping. It will be laying in +wait for her when she goes home. I'll warrant it won't let her off so +easy.</p> + +<p><i>Enter</i> Olive, <i>bringing an embroidered muslin cape. She +puts it gently over</i> Ann's <i>shoulders.</i></p> + +<p><i>Ann</i> (<i>throwing it off violently</i>). Oh! oh! Take it +away! take it away!</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Why, Ann, what ails you?</p> + +<p><i>Ann.</i> Take it away, I say! What mean you by your cursed +arts?</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Why, Ann! I have been saving a long time to buy it +for you. 'Tis like my last summer's cape that you fancied so much. I +sent by father to Boston for it.</p> + +<p><i>Ann.</i> I need it not.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> I thought 'twould suit well with your green +gown.</p> + +<p><i>Ann.</i> 'Twill suit well enough with a green gown, but not +with a sore heart.</p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> I miss my guess but it 'll suit well enough with +her heart too. I trow that's as green as her gown; green's the +jealous color.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> You be all unstrung by your walk hither through the +wood, Ann. I'll fold the cape up nicely for you, and you can take it +when you go home. And mind you wear it next Sabbath day, sweet. Now I +must to my wheel again, or I shall not finish my stint by nine +o'clock.</p> + +<p><i>Ann.</i> Your looks show that you were up later than nine +o'clock last night.</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> Oh, Ann, did you see the light in the fore +room?</p> + +<p><i>Ann.</i> That did I. I stood at my chamber and saw it shine +through the wood.</p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> You couldn't see so far without spectacles.</p> + +<p><i>Ann.</i> It blinded me. I could get no sleep.</p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> You think your eyes are mighty sharp. Maybe your +ears are too? Maybe you heard 'em kissing at the door when he went +home?</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Nancy, be quiet!</p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> You needn't color up and shake your head at me, +Olive. They stood kissing there nigh an hour, and he with his arm +round her waist, and she with hers round his neck. They'd kiss, then +they'd eye each other and kiss again. I know I woke up and thought +'twas Injuns, and I peeked out of my chamber window. Such doings! +You'd ought to have seen 'em, Ann.</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> Oh, Nancy, why didn't you wake me up?</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Nancy, I'll have no more of this.</p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> That's what she ought to have said last +night—hadn't she, Ann? But she didn't. Oh, I'll warrant she +didn't! I know you would, Ann.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Nancy! [<i>A noise is heard outside.</i></p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> Oh, what's that noise? What is coming?</p> + +<p><i>Enter</i> Giles Corey, <i>panting. He flings the door to +violently and slips the bolt.</i></p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> Massy! what's after ye?</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> Oh, Uncle Corey, what's the matter?</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> The matter is there be too many evil things abroad +nowadays for a man to be out after nightfall. When things that can be +hit by musket balls lay in wait, old Giles Corey is as brave as any +man; but when it comes to devilish black beasts and black men that +musket balls bound back from— What! you here, Ann Hutchins? +What be you out after dark for?</p> + +<p><i>Ann.</i> I came over to see Olive, Goodman Corey.</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> You'd best stayed by your own hearth if you've got +one. Young women have no call to be out gadding after dark in these +times.</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> Oh, Uncle Corey, something did frighten Ann +as she came through the wood. A black beast, with horns and a tail +and eyes like balls of fire, jumped out of the bushes at her, and +bade her sign the book in a dreadful voice.</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> What! Was't so, Ann?</p> + +<p><i>Ann.</i> I know not. There was something.</p> + +<p><i>Olive</i> (<i>laughing</i>). 'Twas naught but Ann's own shadow +that her fear gave a voice and a touch to. Say naught to frighten +Ann, father; she is the most timorous maid in Salem Village now.</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> There is some wisdom in fear nowadays. You make too +light of it, lass.</p> + +<p><i>Olive</i> (<i>laughing</i>). Nay, father, I'll turn to and hang +up my own shadow in the chimbly-place for a witch, an you say so.</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> This be no subject for jest. Said you the black +beast spoke to you, Ann?</p> + +<p><i>Ann.</i> I know not. Once I thought I heard Olive calling. I +know not what I heard.</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> You'd best have stayed at home. Where is your +mother, Olive?</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> She has gone to Goodwife Bishop's with a basket of +eggs.</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> Gone three miles to Goodwife Bishop's this time of +night? Is the woman gone out of her senses?</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> She is not afraid.</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> I'll warrant she is not afraid. So much the worse +for her. Mayhap she's gone riding on a broomstick herself. How is the +cat?</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> She is better.</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> She was taken strangely, if your mother did make +light of it. And the ox, hath he fell down again?</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Not that I have heard.</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> The ox was taken strangely, if your mother did pooh +at it. The ox was better when she went out of the yard.</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> There's Aunt Corey now. Who is she talking +to?</p> + +<p><i>Enter</i> Martha Corey.</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> Who were you talking to, Aunt Corey?</p> + +<p><i>Martha.</i> Nobody, child. Good-evening, Ann.</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> I heard you talking to somebody, Aunt +Corey.</p> + +<p><i>Martha.</i> Be quiet, child. I was talking to nobody. You hear +too much nowadays. [<i>Takes off her cloak.</i></p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> Mayhap she hears more than folk want her to. I +heard a voice too, a gruff voice like a pig's.</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> I thought I heard talking too. Who was it, +Martha?</p> + +<p><i>Martha.</i> I tell you 'twas no one. Are you all out of your +wits? [<i>Gets some knitting-work out of a cupboard and seats +herself.</i></p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> Weren't you afraid coming through the wood, +Aunt Corey?</p> + +<p><i>Martha</i> (<i>laughing</i>). Afraid? Why, no, child. Of what +should I be afraid?</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> I trow there's plenty to be afraid of. How did you +get home so quick? 'Tis a good three miles to Goody Bishop's.</p> + +<p><i>Martha.</i> I walked at a good speed.</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> I thought perhaps you galloped a broomstick.</p> + +<p><i>Martha.</i> Nay, goodman, I know not how to manage such a +strange steed.</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> I thought perhaps one had taught you, inasmuch as +you have naught to say against the gentry that ride the broomstick of +a night.</p> + +<p><i>Martha.</i> Fill not the child's head with such folly. How +fares your mother, Ann?</p> + +<p><i>Ann.</i> Well, Goodwife Corey.</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> She lacks sense, or she would have kept her +daughter at home. Out after nightfall, and the woods full of the +devil knoweth what.</p> + +<p><i>Martha.</i> Nay, goodman, there be no danger. The scouts are +in the fields.</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> I meant not Injuns. There be worse than Injuns. +There be evil things and witches!</p> + +<p><i>Martha</i> (<i>laughing</i>). Witches! Goodman, you are a worse +child than Phœbe here.</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> I tell ye, wife, you talk like a fool, ranting thus +against witches. I would you had been where I have been to-night, and +heard the afflicted maids cry out in torment, being set upon by Sarah +Good and Sarah Osborn. I would you had seen Mercy Lewis strangled +almost to death, and the others testifying 'twas Sarah Good thus +afflicting her. But I'll warrant you'd not have believed them.</p> + +<p><i>Martha</i> (<i>laughing</i>). That I would not, goodman. I +would have said that the maids should be sent home and soundly +trounced, then put to bed, with a quart bowl of sage tea apiece.</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> Talk so if you will. One of these days folk will +say you be a witch yourself. You were ever hard-skulled, and could +knock your head long against a truth without being pricked by it. +Hold out if you can, when only this morning the ox and the cat were +took so strangely here in our own household.</p> + +<p><i>Martha.</i> Shame on you, goodman! The ox and the cat +themselves would laugh at you. The cat ate a rat, and it did not set +well on her stomach, and the ox slipped in the mire in the yard.</p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> 'Twas more than that. I know, I know.</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> Laugh if you will, wife. Mayhap you know more about +it than other folk. You never could abide the cat. I am going to bed, +if I can first go to prayer. Last night the words went from me +strangely! But you will laugh at that. [<i>Lights a candle. +Exit.</i></p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> Aunt Corey, may I eat an apple?</p> + +<p><i>Martha.</i> Not to-night. 'Twill give you the nightmare.</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> No, 'twill not.</p> + +<p><i>Martha.</i> Be still!</p> + +<p><i>There is a knock.</i> Olive <i>opens the door. Enter</i> Paul +Bayley. Ann <i>starts up.</i></p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> Good-evening, goodwife. Good-evening, Olive. +Good-evening, Ann. 'Tis a fine night out.</p> + +<p><i>Ann.</i> I must be going; 'tis late.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Nay, Ann, 'tis not late. Wait, and Paul will go +home with you through the wood.</p> + +<p><i>Ann.</i> I must be going.</p> + +<p><i>Paul</i> (<i>hesitatingly</i>). Then let me go with you, +Mistress Ann! I can well do my errand here later.</p> + +<p><i>Ann.</i> Nay, I can wait whilst you do the errand, if you are +speedy. I fear lest the delay would make you ill at ease.</p> + +<p><i>Martha</i> (<i>quickly</i>). There is no need, Paul. I will go +with Ann. I want to borrow a hood pattern of Goodwife Nourse on the +way.</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> But will you not be afraid, goodwife?</p> + +<p><i>Martha.</i> Afraid, and the moon at a good half, and only a +short way to go?</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> But you have to go through the wood.</p> + +<p><i>Martha.</i> The wood! A stretch as long as this room—six +ash-trees, one butternut, and a birch sapling thrown in for a witch +spectre. Say no more, Paul. Sit you down and keep Olive company. I +will go, if only for the sake of showing these silly little hussies +that there is no call for a gospel woman with prayer in her heart to +be afraid of anything but the wrath of God. [<i>Puts a blanket over +her head.</i></p> + +<p><i>Ann.</i> I want no company at all, Goodwife Corey.</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> Aunt Corey, let me go, too; my stint is +done.</p> + +<p><i>Martha.</i> Nay, you must to bed, and Nancy too. Off with ye, +and no words.</p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> I'm none so old that I must needs be sent to bed +like a babe, I'd have you know that, Goody Corey. [<i>Sets away apple +pan; exit, with</i> Phœbe <i>following sulkily.</i></p> + +<p><i>Martha.</i> Come, Ann.</p> + +<p><i>Ann.</i> I want no company. I have more fear with company than +I have alone.</p> + +<p><i>Martha.</i> Along with you, child.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Oh, Ann, you are forgetting your cape. Here, +mother, you carry it for her. Good-night, sweetheart.</p> + +<p><i>Ann.</i> I want no company, Goodwife Corey. [Martha <i>takes +her laughingly by the arm and leads her out.</i></p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> It is a fine night out.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> So I have heard.</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> You make a jest of me, Mistress Olive. Know you not +when a man is of a sudden left alone with a fair maid, he needs to +try his speech like a player his fiddle, to see if it be in good tune +for her ears; and what better way than to sound over and over again +the praise of the fine weather? What ailed Ann that she seemed so +strangely, Olive?</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> I know not. I think she had been overwrought by +coming alone through the woods.</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> She seemed ill at ease. Why spin you so steadily, +Olive?</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> I must finish my stint.</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> Who set you a stint as if you were a child?</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Mine own conscience, to which I will ever be a +child.</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> Cease spinning, sweetheart.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Nay.</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> Come over here on the settle, there is something I +would tell thee.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Tell it, then. I can hear a distance of three feet +or so.</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> I know thou canst, but come.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Nay, I will not. This is no courting night. I +cannot idle every night in the week.</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> Thou wouldst make a new commandment. A maid shall +spin flax every night in the week save the Sabbath, when she shall +lay aside her work and be courted. There be young men here in Salem +Village, though you may credit it not, Olive, who visit their maids +twice every week, and have the fire in the fore room kindled.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> My mother thinks it not well that I should sit up +oftener than once a week, nor do I; but be not vexed by it, Paul.</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> I love thee better for it, sweetheart.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> My stint is done.</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> Then come. (<i>She obeys.</i>) Now for the news. +This morning I bought of Goodman Nourse his nine-acre lot for a +homestead. What thinkest thou of that?</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> It is a pleasant spot.</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> 'Tis not far from here, and thou wilt be near thy +mother.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Was it not too costly?</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> I had saved enough to pay for it, and in another +year's time, and I have the help of God in it, I shall have saved +enough for our house. What thinkest thou of a gambrel-roof and a +lean-to, two square front rooms, both fire-rooms, and a living-room? +And peonies and hollyhocks in the front yard, and two popple-trees, +one on each side of the gate?</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> We shall need not a lean-to, Paul, and one +fire-room will serve us well; but I will have laylocks and red and +white roses as well as peonies and hollyhocks in the front yard, and +some mint under the windows to make the house smell sweet; and I like +well the popple-trees at the gate.</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> The house shall be built of fairly seasoned yellow +pine wood, with a summer tree in every room, and fine panel-work in +the doors and around the chimbleys.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Nay, Paul, not too fine panel-work; 'twill cost too +high.</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> Cupboards in every room, and fine-laid white +floors.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> We need a cupboard in the living-room only, but I +have learned to sand a floor in a rare pattern. [Paul <i>attempts to +embrace</i> Olive. <i>She repulses him.</i></p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> I trow you are full provident of favors and pence, +Olive.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> I would save them for thee, Paul.</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> And thou shalt not be hindered by me to any harm, +sweetheart. Was't thy mother taught thee such wisdom, or thine own +self, Olive?</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> 'Twas my mother.</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> Nay, 'twas thine own heart; that shall teach me, +too. [<i>Nine-o'clock bell rings.</i></p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Oh, 'tis nine o'clock, and 'tis not a courting +night. Paul, be off; thou must! [<i>They jump up and go to the +door.</i></p> + +<p><i>Paul</i> (<i>putting his arm around</i> Olive). Give me but one +kiss, Olive, albeit not a courting night, for good speed on my +homeward walk and my to-morrow's journey.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Where go you to-morrow, Paul?</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> To Boston, for a week's time or more.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Oh, Paul, there may be Injuns on the Boston path! +Thou wilt be wary?</p> + +<p><i>Paul</i> (<i>laughing</i>). Have no fear for me, sweetheart. I +shall have my musket.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> A week?</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> 'Tis a short time, but long enough to need +sweetening with a kiss when folk are absent from one another.</p> + +<p><i>Olive</i> (<i>kisses him</i>). Oh, be careful, Paul!</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> Fear not for me, sweetheart, but do thou too be +careful, for sometimes danger sneaks at home, when we flee it abroad. +Keep away from this witchcraft folly. Good-by, sweetheart. [<i>They +part.</i> Olive <i>sets a candle in the window after</i> Paul's +<i>exit. Nine-o'clock bell still rings as curtain falls.</i></p> + +<p><br>Scene II.—<i>Twelve o'clock at night. Living-room at</i> +Giles Corey's <i>house, lighted only by the moon and low fire-light. +Enter</i> Nancy Fox <i>with a candle,</i> Phœbe <i>following +with a large rag doll.</i> Nancy <i>sets the candle on the +dresser.</i></p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> Be ye sure that Goody Corey is asleep, and Goodman +Corey?</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe</i> (<i>dances across to the door, which she opens +slightly, and listens</i>). They be both a-snoring. Hasten and begin, +I pray you, Nancy.</p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> And Olive?</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> She is asleep, and she is in the south +chamber, and could not hear were she awake. Here is my doll. Now show +me how to be a witch. Quick, Nancy!</p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> Whom do you desire to afflict?</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe</i> (<i>considers</i>). Let me see. I will afflict +Uncle Corey, because he brought me naught from Boston to-day; Olive, +because she gave that cape to Ann instead of me; and Aunt Corey, +because she set me such a long stint, because she would not let me +eat an apple to-night, and because she sent me to bed. I want to +stick one pin into Uncle Corey, one into Olive, and three into Aunt +Corey.</p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> Take the doll, prick it as you will, and say who +the pricks be for. [Phœbe <i>sticks a pin into the +doll.</i></p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> This pin be for Uncle Corey, and this pin be +for Olive, and this pin for Aunt Corey, and this pin for Aunt Corey, +and this pin for Aunt Corey. Pins! pins!! pins!!! (<i>Dances.</i>) +In truth, Nancy, 'tis rare sport being a witch; but I stuck not in +the pins very far, lest they be too sorely hurt.</p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> Is there any other whom you desire to afflict?</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> I fear I know not any other who has angered +me, and I could weep for 't. Stay! I'll afflict Ann, because she hath +the cape; and I'll afflict Paul Bayley, because I'm drove forth from +the fore room Sabbath nights when he comes a-courting; and I'll +afflict Minister Parris, because he put me too hard a question from +the catechism; that makes three more. Oh, 'tis rare sport! (<i>Seizes +the doll and sticks in three pins.</i>) This pin be for Ann, this +pin be for Paul, and this pin be for Minister Parris. Deary me, I can +think of no more! What next, Nancy?</p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> I'll do some witchcraft now. I desire to afflict +your aunt Corey, because she doth drive me hither and thither like a +child, and sets no value on my understanding; Olive, because she made +a jest of me; and Goody Bishop, because she hath a fine silk +hood.</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> Here is the doll, Nancy.</p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> Nay, I have another way, which you be too young to +understand. [Nancy <i>takes the candle, goes to the fireplace, and +courtesies three times, looking up the chimney.</i></p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> Hey, black cat! hey, my pretty black cat! Go ye and +sit on Goody Corey's breast, and claw her if she stirs. Do as I bid +ye, my pretty black cat, and I'll sign the book.</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> Oh, Nancy, I hear the black cat yawl!</p> + +<p><i>Nancy</i> (<i>after courtesying three times</i>). Hey, black +dog! hey, my pretty black dog! Go ye and howl in Mistress Olive's +ear, so she be frighted in her dreams, and so get a little bitter +with the sweet. Do as I bid ye, my pretty black dog, and I'll sign +the book.</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> Oh, Nancy, I hear the black dog howl!</p> + +<p><i>Nancy</i> (<i>after courtesying three times</i>). Hey, yellow +bird! hey, my pretty yellow bird! Go ye and peck at Goody Bishop's +fine silk hood and tear it to bits. Do as I bid ye, my pretty yellow +bird, and I'll sign the book.</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> Oh, Nancy, I hear the yellow bird twitter up +chimbly!</p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> 'Tis rare witchcraft.</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> Is that all, Nancy?</p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> All of this sort. I've given them all they can do +to-night.</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> Then sing the witch song, Nancy.</p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> I'll sing the witch song, and you can dance on the +table.</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> But 'tis sinful to dance, Nancy!</p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> 'Tis not sinful for a witch.</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> True; I forgot I was a witch. [<i>Gets upon +the table and dances, dangling her doll, while</i> Nancy +<i>sings.</i></p> + +<p>WITCH SONG. +<br>(Same air as Spinning Song.)</p> + +<blockquote>“I'll tell you a story, a story of one; +<br>'Twas of a dark witch, and the wizard her son. +<br>A dark witch was she, and a dark wizard he, +<br>With yellow birds singing so gay and so free. +<br>To my down, down, down, derry down.</blockquote> + +<blockquote>“The clock was a-striking, a-striking of one. +<br>The witches came out, and the dancing begun. +<br>They courtesied so fine, and they drank the red wine— +<br>The wizards were three and the witches were nine. +<br>To my down, down, down, derry down.</blockquote> + +<blockquote>“Halloo, the gay dancers! Halloo, I was one; +<br>The goody that prayed and the maiden that spun! +<br>The yellow birds chirped in the boughs overhead, +<br>And fast through the bushes the black dog sped. +<br>To my down, down, down, derry down.” +<br>[<i>A noise is heard.</i> Phœbe <i>jumps down from the +table.</i></blockquote> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> Oh, Nancy, something's coming! Run, run +quick, or it 'll catch us! [<i>Both run out. Curtain falls.</i></p> + +<h3 align="center">Act II.</h3> + +<p><i>Best room in the house of</i> Widow Eunice Hutchins, Ann's +<i>mother.</i> John Hathorne <i>and</i> Minister Parris <i>enter, +shown in by</i> Widow Hutchins.</p> + +<p><i>Hutchins.</i> I pray you, sirs, to take some cheers the while +I go for a moment's space to my poor afflicted child. I heard her cry +out but now. [<i>Exit.</i></p> + +<p>[Hathorne <i>and</i> Parris <i>seat themselves, but</i> Hathorne +<i>quickly springs up, and begins walking.</i></p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> I cannot be seated in this crisis. I would as +lief be seated in an onset of the savages. I must up and lay about +me. We have heretofore been too lax in this dreadful business; the +powers of darkness be almost over our palisades. I tell thee there +must be more action!</p> + +<p><i>Parris</i> (<i>pounding with his cane</i>). Yea, Master +Hathorne, I am with thee. Verily, this last be enough to make the +elect themselves quake with fear. This Martha Corey is a woman of the +covenant.</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> There must be no holding back. The powers of +darkness be let loose amongst us, and they that be against them must +be up. We must hang, hang, hang, till we overcome!</p> + +<p><i>Parris.</i> Yea, we must not falter, though all the woods of +Massachusetts Bay be cut for gallows-trees, and the country be like +Sodom. Verily, Satan hath manifested himself at the head of our +enemies; the colonies were never in such peril as now. We must strive +as never before, or all will be lost. The wilderness full of +malignant savages, who be the veritable servants of Satan, closes us +in, and the cloven footmark is in our midst. There must be no +dallying as we would save the colonies. Widow Hutchins saith her +daughter is grievously pressed. (<i>A scream.</i>) There, heard you +that?</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> It is dreadful, dreadful, that an innocent maid +should be so tormented by acts which her guileless fancy could never +compass!</p> + +<p><i>Parris.</i> Verily, malignity hath ever cowardice in +conjunction with it. Satan loveth best to afflict those who can make +no defence, and fastens his talons first in the lambs.</p> + +<p><i>Enter</i> Widow Hutchins <i>with the embroidered cape.</i></p> + +<p><i>Hutchins.</i> Here, your worships, is the cape.</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne</i> (<i>examines it</i>). I have seen women folk wear +its like on the Sabbath day. I can see naught unwonted about it.</p> + +<p><i>Parris.</i> It looketh like any cape.</p> + +<p><i>Hutchins.</i> I fear it be not like any cape. Had your +worships seen my poor child writhe under it, and I myself, when I +would try it on, bent down to my knees as under a ton weight, your +worships would not think it like any cape.</p> + +<p><i>Parris.</i> I suspect there be verily evil work in the cape, +and a witch's bodkin hath pierced these cunning eyelets. It goeth so +fast now that erelong every guileless, senseless thing in our houses, +down to the tinder-box and the candle-stick, will find hinges and +turn into a gate, whereby witchcraft can enter. You say, Widow +Hutchins, that Olive Corey gave this cape to your daughter?</p> + +<p><i>Hutchins.</i> That did she. Yesterday evening Ann went down to +Goody Corey's house for a little chat; she and Olive have been +gossips ever since they were children, though lately there hath been +somewhat of bitterness betwixt them.</p> + +<p><i>Parris.</i> How mean you?</p> + +<p><i>Hutchins.</i> I have laid it upon my mind ere now to tell you, +being much wrought up concerning it, and thinking that you might give +me somewhat of spiritual consolation and advice. It was in this wise. +Paul Bayley, who, they say, goeth every Sabbath night to Goody +Corey's house and sitteth up until unseemly hours with Olive, looked +once with a favorable eye upon my daughter Ann. Had your worships +seen him, as I saw him one day in the meeting-house, look at Ann when +she wore her green paduasoy, you had not doubted. Youths look not +thus upon maidens unless they be inclined toward them. But this hussy +Olive Corey did come between Paul and my Ann, and that not of her own +merits. There is nobody in Salem Village who would say that Olive +Corey's looks be aught in comparison with my Ann's, but I trow Goody +Corey hath arts which make amends for lack of beauty. I trow all +ill-favored folk might be fair would they have such arts used upon +them.</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> What mean you by that saying?</p> + +<p><i>Hutchins.</i> I mean Goody Corey hath devilish arts whereby +she giveth her daughter a beauty beyond her own looks, wherewith she +may entice young men.</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> You say that this cape caused your daughter +torment?</p> + +<p><i>Hutchins.</i> Your worships, it lay on her neck like a +fire-brand, and she thought she should die ere she cast it off.</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> Widow Hutchins, will you now put on the +cape?</p> + +<p><i>Hutchins.</i> Oh, your worship, I dare not put it on! I fear +it will be the death of me if I do.</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> Minister Parris, wilt thou put on the cape?</p> + +<p><i>Parris.</i> Good Master Hathorne, it would ill behoove a +minister of the gospel to put himself in jeopardy when so many be +depending upon him to lead them in this dreadful conflict with the +powers of darkness. But do thou put on the mantle the while I go to +prayer to avert any ill that may come of it.</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> Nay, I will make no such jest of my office of +magistrate as to put this woman's gear on my shoulders. I doubt if +there be aught in it. Prithee, Widow Hutchins, when did this torment +first come upon the young woman?</p> + +<p><i>Hutchins.</i> Your worship, she went, as I have said, to Goody +Corey's yester-evening to have a little chat with her gossip, Olive, +and Paul Bayley came in also, and some of them did talk strangely +about this witchcraft, Olive and Goody Corey nodding and winking, and +making light of it. And then when Ann said she must be home, Paul +rose quickly and made as though he would go with her, but Goody Corey +would not let him, and herself went with Ann. And she did practise +her devilish arts upon my poor child all the way home, and when my +poor child got on the door-stone she burst open the door, and came in +as though all the witches were after her, and she hath not been +herself since. She hath ever since been grievously tormented, being +set upon now by Goody Corey, and now by Olive, being choked and +twisted about until I thought she would die, and so I fear she will, +unless they be speedily put in chains. It seemeth flesh and blood +cannot endure it. Mercy Lewis is just come in, and she saw Goody +Corey and Olive upon her when she opened the door.</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> This evil work must be stopped at all hazards, +and this monstrous brood of witches gotten out of the land.</p> + +<p><i>Parris.</i> Yea, verily, although we have to reach under the +covenant for them. [<i>Screams.</i></p> + +<p><i>Hutchins.</i> Oh, your worships, my poor child will have no +peace until they be chained in prison.</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> They shall be chained in prison before the sun +sets. I will at once go forth and issue warrants for the arrest of +Martha Corey and her daughter. [<i>More violent screams and loud +voices overhead.</i></p> + +<p><i>Parris.</i> Would it not be well, good Master Hathorne, for us +to see the afflicted maid before we depart?</p> + +<p><i>Hutchins.</i> Oh, I pray you, sirs, come up stairs to my poor +child's chamber and see yourselves in what grievous torment she lies. +She hath often called for Minister Parris, saying they dared not so +afflict her were he there.</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> It would perchance be as well. Lead the way, if +you will, Widow Hutchins. [<i>Exeunt. Screams continue.</i></p> + +<p><i>Enter</i> Nancy Fox <i>and</i> Phœbe Morse <i>stealthily +from other door.</i> Phœbe <i>carries her rag doll.</i></p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> Massy sakes, hear them screeches!</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe</i> (<i>clinging to</i> Nancy). Oh, Nancy, won't +they catch us too! I'm afraid!</p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> They can't touch us; we're witches too.</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> Massy sakes! I forgot we were witches.</p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> Hear that, will ye? Ain't she a-ketchin' it?</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> Nancy, do you suppose it's the pin I stuck in +my doll makes Ann screech that way?</p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> Most likely 'tis. Stick in another, and see if she +screeches louder.</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> No, I won't. I'll pull the pin out; 'twas +this one in my doll's arm. (<i>Pulls out pin and flings it on the +floor.</i>) I won't have Ann hurt so bad as that if Olive did give +her the cape. Why don't she stop screeching now, Nancy? Oh, Nancy, +somebody's coming! I hear somebody at the door. Crawl under the +bed—quick! quick!</p> + +<p>[Phœbe <i>gets down and begins to crawl under the bed.</i> +Nancy <i>tries to imitate her, but cannot bend herself.</i></p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> Oh, massy! I've got a crick in my back, and I can't +double up. What shall I do? (<i>Tries to bend.</i>) I can't; no, I +can't! 'Tis like a hot poker. Massy! what 'll I do?</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> You've got to, Nancy. Quick! the latch is +lifting. Quick! quick! I'll push you. No; I'll pull you. Here!</p> + +<p>[<i>Pulls</i> Nancy <i>down upon the floor, and rolls her under +the bed; gets under herself just as the door is pushed open.</i></p> + +<p><i>Enter</i> Giles Corey <i>in great excitement.</i></p> + +<p><i>Giles</i> (<i>running across the room, and listening at the +door leading to the chamber stairs</i>). Devil take them! why don't +they put an end to it? Why do they let the poor lass be set upon this +way? Screeching so you can hear her all over Salem Village! There! +hear that, will ye? Out upon them! Widow Hutchins! Widow Hutchins! +Can't you give her some physic? Sha'n't I come up there with my +musket? Why don't they find out who is so tormenting her and chain +her up in prison? 'Tis some witch or other. Oh, I'd hang her; I'd tie +the rope myself. Poor lass! poor lass! [<i>The door is pushed open, +and</i> Giles <i>starts back.</i></p> + +<p><i>Enter</i> John Hathorne, Minister Parris, <i>and</i> Widow +Hutchins.</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> Good-day, Widow Hutchins. Shall I go up there with +my musket?</p> + +<p><i>Parris.</i> I trow there be too many of thy household up there +now.</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> I'd lay about me till I hit some of 'em. I'll +warrant I would. Oh, the poor lass! hear that!</p> + +<p><i>Parris.</i> She is a grievous case.</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> I heard the screeches out in the wood, and I ran in +thinking I might do somewhat. I would Martha were here. I'll be bound +she'd laugh and scoff at it no longer!</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> Laugh and scoff, say you?</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> That she doth. Martha acts as if the devil were in +her about it. She doth nothing but laugh at and make light of the +afflicted children, and saith there be no witches. She would not even +believe 'twas aught out of the common when our ox and cat were took +strangely. If she were herself a witch she could be no more +stiff-necked.</p> + +<p><i>Parris.</i> Doth she go out after nightfall?</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> That she doth, in spite of all I can say. She hath +no fear that an honest gospel woman should have in these times. She +went out last night, and I was so angered that I charged her with +galloping a broomstick home.</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> Did she deny it?</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> She laughed as she is wont to do. She even made a +jest on't, when I could not when I would go to prayer, and the words +stayed beyond my wits. I would she could be here now, and hear +this!</p> + +<p><i>Parris.</i> Perchance she doth.</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> I'll warrant she'd lose somewhat of her +stiff-neckedness. Hear that! Can't ye chain up the witch that's +tormenting the poor lass! Is't Goody Osborn?</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> The witch will be chained and in prison before +nightfall. Come, Minister Parris, we can do no good by abiding longer +here. Methinks we have sufficient testimony.</p> + +<p><i>Parris.</i> Verily the devil hath played into our hands. +[<i>They turn to leave.</i></p> + +<p><i>Hutchins.</i> Oh, your worships, ye will use good speed for +the sake of my poor child.</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> Ay, be speedy about it. Put the baggage in prison +as soon as may be, and load her down well with irons.</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> I will strive to obey your commands well, +Goodman Corey. Good-day, Widow Hutchins; your daughter shall soon +find relief.</p> + +<p><i>Parris.</i> Good-day, Widow Hutchins, and be of good +cheer.</p> + +<p>[<i>Exeunt</i> Hathorne <i>and</i> Parris, <i>while</i> Widow +Hutchins <i>courtesies.</i></p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> Well, I must even be going too. I have my cattle to +water. I but bolted in when I heard the poor lass screech, thinking I +might do somewhat. But good Master Hathorne will see to it. Hear +that! Do ye go up to her, widow, and mix her up a bowl of yarb tea, +till they put the trollop in prison. I'm off to water my cattle, then +devil take me if I don't give the sheriffs a hand if they need it. +Goody Osborn's house is nigh mine. Good-day, widow. [<i>Exit</i> +Giles.</p> + +<p><i>Hutchins</i> (<i>laughing</i>). Give the sheriffs a hand, will +he? Perchance he will, but I doubt me if 'tis not a fisted one. He +sets his life by Goody Corey, however he rate her. (<i>A scream from +above of</i> “Mother! Mother!”) Yes, Ann, I'm coming, +I'm coming! [<i>Exit.</i></p> + +<p><i>Phœbe</i> (<i>crawls out from under the bed</i>). Now, +Nancy, we've got a chance to run. Come out, quick! Oh, if Uncle Corey +had caught us here!</p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> I can't get out. Oh! oh! The rheumatiz stiffened me +so I couldn't double up, and now it has stiffened me so I can't +undouble. No, 'tis not rheumatiz, 'tis Goody Bishop has bewitched me. +I can't get out.</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> You must, Nancy, or some body 'll come and +catch us. Here, I'll pull you out.</p> + +<p>[<i>Tugs at</i> Nancy's <i>arms, and drags her out, +groaning.</i></p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> Here I am out, but I can't undouble. I'll have to +go home on all-fours like a cat. Oh! oh!</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> Give me your hands and I'll pull you up. +Think you 'tis witchcraft, Nancy?</p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> I know 'tis. 'Tis Goody Bishop in her fine silk +hood afflicts me. Oh, massy!</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> There, you are up, Nancy.</p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> I ain't half undoubled.</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> You can walk so, can't you, Nancy? Oh, come, +quick! I think I hear somebody on the stairs. (<i>Catches up her doll +and seizes</i> Nancy's <i>hand.</i>) Quick! quick!</p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> I tell ye I can't go quick; I ain't undoubled +enough. Devil take Goody Bishop!</p> + +<p>[<i>Exit, hobbling and bent almost double,</i> Phœbe +<i>urging her along. Curtain falls.</i></p> + +<h3 align="center">Act III.</h3> + +<p><i>The Meeting-house in Salem Village. Enter</i> People of Salem +Village <i>and take seats. The</i> Afflicted Girls, <i>among whom +are</i> Ann Hutchins <i>and</i> Mercy Lewis, <i>occupy the front +seats.</i> Nancy Fox <i>and</i> Phœbe. <i>Enter the +magistrates</i> John Hathorne <i>and</i> Jonathan Corwin <i>with</i> +Minister Parris, <i>escorted by the</i> Marshal, Aids, <i>and +four</i> Constables. <i>They place themselves at a long table in +front of the pulpit.</i></p> + +<p><i>Hathorne</i> (<i>rising</i>). We are now prepared to enter upon +the examination. We invoke the blessing of God upon our proceedings, +and call upon the Marshal to produce the bodies of the accused.</p> + +<p>[<i>Exeunt</i> Marshal <i>and</i> Constables. Afflicted Girls +<i>twist about and groan. Great excitement among the people.</i></p> + +<p><i>Enter</i> Marshal <i>and</i> Constables <i>leading</i> Martha +<i>and</i> Olive Corey <i>in chains.</i> Giles <i>follows. The +prisoners are placed facing the assembly, with the</i> Constables +<i>holding their hands.</i> Giles <i>stands near. The</i> Afflicted +Girls <i>make a great clamor.</i></p> + +<p><i>Ann.</i> Oh, they are tormenting! They will be the death of +me! I will not! I will not!</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> Hush your noise, will ye, Ann Hutchins!</p> + +<p><i>Parris.</i> Peace, Goodman Corey!</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> Martha Corey, you are now in the hands of +authority. Tell me now why you hurt these persons.</p> + +<p><i>Martha.</i> I do not. I pray your worships give me leave to go +to prayer.</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> We have not sent for you to go to prayer, but to +confess that you are a witch.</p> + +<p><i>Martha.</i> I am no witch. I am a gospel woman. There is no +such thing as a witch. Shall I confess that I am what doth not exist? +It were not only a lie, but a fool's lie.</p> + +<p><i>Mercy.</i> There is a black man whispering in her ears.</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> What saith the black man to you, goodwife?</p> + +<p><i>Martha.</i> I pray your worships to ask the maid. Perchance, +since she sees him, she can also hear what he saith better than +I.</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> Why do you not tell how the devil comes in your +shape and hurts these maids?</p> + +<p><i>Martha.</i> How can I tell how? I was never acquaint with the +ways of the devil. I leave it to those wise maids who are so well +acquaint to tell how. Perchance he hath whispered it in their +ears.</p> + +<p><i>Afflicted Girls.</i> Oh, there is a yellow bird! There is a +yellow bird perched on her head!</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> What say you to that, Goodwife Corey?</p> + +<p><i>Martha.</i> What can I say to such folly?</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> Constables, let go the hands of Martha +Corey.</p> + +<p>[<i>The</i> Constables <i>let go her hands, and immediately there +is a great outcry from the</i> Afflicted Girls.</p> + +<p><i>Afflicted Girls.</i> She pinches us! Hold her hands! Hold her +hands again! Oh! oh!</p> + +<p><i>Ann.</i> She is upon me again! She digs her fingers into my +throat! Hold her hands! Hold her hands! She will be the death of +me!</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> Devil take ye, ye lying trollop! 'Tis a pity +somebody had not been the death of ye before this happened!</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> Constables, hold the hands of the accused.</p> + +<p>[Constables <i>obey, and at once the afflicted are quiet.</i></p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> Goodwife Corey, what do you say to this?</p> + +<p><i>Martha.</i> I see with whom we have to do. May the Lord have +mercy upon us!</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> What say you to the charges that your husband, +Giles Corey, hath many a time brought against you in the presence of +witnesses—that you hindered him when he would go to prayer, +causing the words to go from him strangely; that you were out after +nightfall, and did ride home on a broomstick; and that you scoffed at +these maids and their affliction, as if you were a witch +yourself?</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> I said not so! Martha, I said it not so!</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> What say you to your husband's charge that you +did afflict his ox and cat, causing his ox to fall in the yard, and +the cat to be strangely sick?</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> Devil take the ox and the cat! I said not that she +did afflict them.</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> Peace, Goodman Corey; you are now in court.</p> + +<p><i>Martha.</i> I say, if a gospel woman is to be hung as a witch +for every stumbling ox and sick cat, 'tis setting a high value upon +oxen and cats.</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> I would mine had all been knocked in the head, +lass, and me too!</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> Peace! Ann Hutchins, what saw you when Goodwife +Corey went home with you through the wood?</p> + +<p><i>Ann.</i> Hold fast her hands, I pray, or she will kill me. The +trees were so full of yellow birds that it sounded as if a mighty +wind passed over them, and the birds lit on Goody Corey's head. And +black beasts ran alongside through the bushes, which did break and +crackle, and they were at Goody Corey and me to go to the witch dance +on the hill. And they said to bring Olive Corey and Paul Bayley. And +Goody Corey told them how she and Olive would presently come, but not +Paul, for he never would sign the book, not even though Olive trapped +him by the arts they had taught her. And Goody Corey showed me the +book then, and besought me to sign, and go with her to the dance. And +when I would not, she and Olive also afflicted me so grievously that +I thought I could not live, and have done so ever since.</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> What say you to this, Goodwife Corey?</p> + +<p><i>Martha.</i> I pray your worship believe not what she doth +charge against my daughter.</p> + +<p><i>Corwin.</i> Mercy Lewis, do you say that you have seen both of +the accused afflicting Ann Hutchins?</p> + +<p><i>Mercy.</i> Yes, your worship, many a time have I seen them +pressing her to sign the book, and afflicting when she would not.</p> + +<p><i>Corwin.</i> How looked the book?</p> + +<p><i>Mercy.</i> 'Twas black, your worship, with blood-red +clasps.</p> + +<p><i>Corwin.</i> Read you the names in it?</p> + +<p><i>Mercy.</i> I strove to, your worship, but I got not through +the C's; there were too many of them.</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> Let the serving-woman, Nancy Fox, come +hither.</p> + +<p>[Nancy Fox <i>makes her way to the front.</i></p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> Nancy, I have heard that your mistress afflicts +you.</p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> That she doth.</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> In what manner?</p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> She sendeth me to bed at first candlelight as +though I were a babe; she maketh me to wear a woollen petticoat in +winter-time, though I was not brought up to't; and she will never let +me drink more than one mug of cider at a sitting, and I nigh eighty, +and needing on't to warm my bones.</p> + +<p><i>Corwin.</i> Hath she ever afflicted you? Your replies be not +to the point, woman.</p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> Your worship, she hath never had any respect for my +understanding, and that hath greatly afflicted me.</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> Hath she ever shown you a book to sign?</p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> Verily she hath; and when I would not, hath +afflicted me with sore pains in all my bones, so I cried out, on +getting up, when I had set awhile.</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> Hath your mistress a familiar?</p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> Hey?</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> Have you ever seen any strange thing with +her?</p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> She hath a yellow bird which sits on her cap when +she churns.</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> What else have you seen with her?</p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> A thing like a cat, only it went on two legs. It +clawed up the chimbly, and the soot fell down, and Goody Corey set me +to sweeping on't up on the Lord's day.</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> Out upon ye, ye lying old jade!</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> Silence! Nancy, you may go to your place. +Phœbe Morse, come hither.</p> + +<p>[Phœbe Morse <i>approaches with her apron over her face, +sobbing. She has her doll under her arm.</i></p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> Cease weeping, child. Tell me how your aunt +Corey treats you. Hath she ever taught you otherwise than you have +learned in your catechism?</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe</i> (<i>weeping</i>). I don't know. Oh, Aunt Corey, +I didn't mean to! I took the pins out of my doll, I did. Don't whip +me for it.</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> What doll? What mean you, child?</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> I don't know. I didn't stick them in so very +deep, Aunt Corey! Don't let them hang me for it!</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> Did your aunt Corey teach you to stick pins into +your doll to torment folk?</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe</i> (<i>sobbing convulsively</i>). I don't know! I +don't know! Oh, Aunt Corey, don't let them hang me! Olive, you won't +let them! Oh! oh!</p> + +<p><i>Corwin.</i> Methinks 'twere as well to make an end of +this.</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> There seemeth to me important substance under +this froth of tears. (<i>To</i> Phœbe.) Give me thy doll, +child.</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe</i> (<i>clutching the doll</i>). Oh, my doll! my +doll! Oh, Aunt Corey, don't let them have my doll!</p> + +<p><i>Martha.</i> Peace, dear child! Thou must not begrudge it. +Their worships be in sore distress just now to play with dolls.</p> + +<p><i>Parris.</i> Give his worship the doll, child. Hast thou not +been taught to respect them in authority?</p> + +<p>[Phœbe <i>gives the doll to</i> Hathorne, <i>whimpering.</i> + Hathorne, Corwin, <i>and</i> Parris <i>put their heads together over +it.</i></p> + +<p><i>Hathorne</i> (<i>holding up the doll</i>). There be verily many +pins in this image. Goodwife Corey, what know you of this?</p> + +<p><i>Martha.</i> Your worship, such a weighty matter is beyond my +poor knowledge.</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> Know you whence the child got this image?</p> + +<p><i>Martha.</i> Yes, your worship. I myself made it out of a piece +of an old homespun blanket for the child to play with. I stuffed it +with lamb's wool, and sewed some green ravellings on its head for +hair. I made it a coat out of my copperas-colored petticoat, and +colored its lips and cheeks with pokeberries.</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> Did you teach the child to stick in these pins +wherewith to torment folk?</p> + +<p><i>Martha.</i> It availeth me naught to say no, your worship.</p> + +<p><i>Mercy</i> (<i>screams</i>). Oh, a sharp pain shoot through me +when I look at the image! 'Tis through my arms! Oh!</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne</i> (<i>examining the doll</i>). There is a pin in the +arms.</p> + +<p><i>Ann.</i> I feel sharp pains, like pins, in my face; oh, 'tis +dreadful!</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne</i> (<i>examining the doll</i>). There are pins in the +face.</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe</i> (<i>sobbing</i>). No, no! Those are the pins I +stuck in for Aunt Corey. Don't let them hang me, Aunt Corey.</p> + +<p><i>Parris.</i> That is sufficient. She has confessed.</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> Yes, methinks the child hath confessed whether +she would or no. Goodwife Corey, Phœbe hath now plainly said +that she did stick these pins in this image for you. What have you to +say?</p> + +<p><i>Martha</i> (<i>courtesying</i>). Your worship, the matter is +beyond my poor speech.</p> + +<p>[Hathorne <i>tosses the doll on the table,</i> Phœbe +<i>watching anxiously.</i></p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> Go to your place, child.</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> I want my doll.</p> + +<p><i>Parris.</i> Go to thy place as his worship bids thee, and +think on the precepts in thy catechism. [Phœbe <i>returns +sobbing.</i></p> + +<p><i>Afflicted Girls.</i> Oh, Goody Corey turns her eyes upon us! +Bid her turn her eyes away!</p> + +<p><i>Ann.</i> Oh, I see a black cat sitting on Goody Corey's +shoulder, and his eyes are like coals. Now, now, he looks at me when +Goody Corey does! Look away! look away! Oh, I am blind! I am blind! +Sparks are coming into my eyes from Goody Corey's. Make her turn her +eyes away, your worships; make her turn her eyes away!</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> Goody Corey, fix your eyes upon the floor, and +look not at these poor children whom you so afflict.</p> + +<p><i>Martha.</i> May the Lord open the eyes of the magistrates and +ministers, and give them sight to discover the guilty!</p> + +<p><i>Parris.</i> Why do you not confess that you are a witch?</p> + +<p><i>Martha</i> (<i>with sudden fervor</i>). I am no witch. There is +no such thing as a witch. Oh, ye worshipful magistrates, ye ministers +and good people of Salem Village, I pray ye hear me speak for a +moment's space. Listen not to this testimony of distracted children, +this raving of a poor lovesick, jealous maid, who should be treated +softly, but not let to do this mischief. Ye, being in your fair wits +and well acquaint with your own knowledge, must know, as I know, that +there be no witches. Wherefore would God let Satan after such wise +into a company of His elect? Hath He not guard over His own precinct? +Can He not keep it from the power of the Adversary as well as we from +the savages? Why keep ye the scouts out in the fields if the Lord God +hath so forsaken us? Call in the scouts! If we believe in witches, we +believe not only great wickedness, but great folly of the Lord God. +Think ye in good faith that I verily stand here with a black cat on +my shoulder and a yellow bird on my head? Why do ye not see them as +well as these maids? I would that ye might if they be there. Black +cat, yellow bird, if ye be upon my shoulder and my head, as these +maids say, I command ye to appear to these magistrates! Otherwise, if +I have signed the book, as these maids say, I swear unto ye that I +will cross out my name, and will serve none but the God Almighty. +Most worshipful magistrates, see ye the black cat? See ye any yellow +bird? Why are ye not afflicted as well as these maids, when I turn my +eyes upon ye? I pray you to consider that. I am no saint; I wot well +that I have but poorly done the will of the Lord who made me, but I +am a gospel woman and keep to the faith according to my poor measure. +Can I be a gospel woman and a witch too? I have never that I know of +done aught of harm whether to man or beast. I have spared not myself +nor minded mine own infirmities in tasks for them that belonged to +me, nor for any neighbor that had need. I say not this to set myself +up, but to prove to you that I can be no witch, and my daughter can +be no witch. Have I not watched nights without number with the sick? +Have I not washed and dressed new-born babes? Have I not helped to +make the dead ready for burial, and sat by them until the cock crew? +Have I ever held back when there was need of me? But I say not this +to set myself up. Have I not been in the meeting-house every Lord's +day? Have I ever stayed away from the sacrament? Have I not gone in +sober apparel, nor wasted my husband's substance? Have I not been +diligent in my household, and spun and wove great store of linen? Are +not my floors scoured, my brasses bright, and my cheese-room well +filled? Look at me! Can I be a witch?</p> + +<p><i>Ann.</i> A black man hath been whispering in her ear, telling +her what to say.</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> What say you to that, Goody?</p> + +<p><i>Martha.</i> I say if that be so, he told me not to his own +advantage. I see with whom I have to do. I pray you give me leave to +go to prayer.</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> You are not here to go to prayer. I much fear +that your many prayers have been to your master, the devil. +Constables, bring forward the body of the accused.</p> + +<p>[Afflicted Girls <i>shriek.</i> Constables <i>lead</i> Olive +<i>forward.</i> Martha <i>is led to one side.</i></p> + +<p><i>Martha.</i> Be of good cheer, dear child.</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> Yes, be not afraid of them, lass; thy father is +here.</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> Silence! Olive Corey, why do you so afflict +these other maids?</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> I do not, your worship.</p> + +<p><i>Ann.</i> She is looking at me. Oh, bid her look away, or she +will kill me!</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Oh, Ann, I do not! What mean you, dear Ann?</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> I charge you, Olive Corey, keep your eyes upon +the floor.</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> Look where you please, lass, and thy old father +will uphold thee in it; and I only wish your blue eyes could shoot +pins into the lying hussies.</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> Goodman, an ye disturb the peace again, ye shall +be removed from court. Ann Hutchins, you have seen this maid hurt +you?</p> + +<p><i>Ann.</i> Many a time she hath hurt me nigh to death.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Oh, Ann, I hurt thee?</p> + +<p><i>Ann.</i> There is a flock of yellow birds around her head.</p> + +<p>[Olive <i>moves her head involuntarily, and looks up.</i></p> + +<p><i>Afflicted Girls.</i> See her look at them!</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> What say you to that, Olive?</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> I did not see them.</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> Ann Hutchins, did you see this maid walking in +the wood with a black man last week?</p> + +<p><i>Ann.</i> Yes, your worship.</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> How did he go?</p> + +<p><i>Ann.</i> In black clothes, and he had white hair.</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> How went the accused?</p> + +<p><i>Ann.</i> She went in her flowered petticoat, and the flowers +stood out, and smelt like real ones; her kerchief shone like a cobweb +in the grass in the morning, and gold sparks flew out of her hair. +Goody Corey fixed her up so with her devilish arts to trap Paul +Bayley.</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> What mean you?</p> + +<p><i>Ann.</i> To trap the black man, your worship. I knew not what +I said, I was in such torment.</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> Olive Corey, did your mother ever so change your +appearance by her arts?</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> My mother hath no arts, your worship.</p> + +<p><i>Ann.</i> Her cheeks were redder than was common, and her eyes +shone like stars.</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> Olive, did your mother so change your looks?</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> No, your worship; I do not know what Ann may mean. +I fear she be ill.</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> Mercy Lewis, did you see Olive Corey with the +black man?</p> + +<p><i>Mercy.</i> Yes, your worship; and she called out to me to go +with them to the dance, and I should have the black man for a +partner; and when I would not she afflicted me, pulling my hair and +pinching me.</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> How appeared she to you?</p> + +<p><i>Mercy.</i> She was dressed like a puppet, finer than I had +ever seen her.</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> Olive, what did you wear when you walked with +the black man?</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Your worship, I walked with no black man.</p> + +<p><i>Ann.</i> There he is now, standing behind her, looking over +her shoulder.</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> What say you to that, Olive?</p> + +<p><i>Olive</i> (<i>looking in terror over her shoulder</i>). I see +no one. I pray you, let my father stand near me.</p> + +<p><i>Parris.</i> Nay; the black man is enough for you.</p> + +<p><i>Giles</i> (<i>forcing his way to his daughter</i>). Here I be, +lass; and it will go hard if the hussies can see the black man and +old Giles in one place. Where be the black man now, jades?</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne</i> (<i>angrily</i>). Marshal!</p> + +<p><i>Corwin</i> (<i>interposing</i>). Nay, good Master Hathorne, let +Goodman Corey keep his standing. The maid looks near swooning, and +albeit his manner be rude, yet his argument hath somewhat of force. +In truth, he and the black man cannot occupy one place. Mercy Lewis, +see you now this black man anywhere?</p> + +<p><i>Mercy.</i> Yes, your worship.</p> + +<p><i>Corwin.</i> Where?</p> + +<p><i>Mercy.</i> Whispering in your worship's ear.</p> + +<p><i>Parris.</i> May the Lord protect his magistrates from the +wiles of Satan, and maintain them in safety for the weal of his +afflicted people!</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> This be going too far. This be presumption! Who +of you now see the black man whispering to the worshipful esquire +Jonathan Corwin?</p> + +<p><i>Mercy.</i> He is gone now out of the meeting-house. 'Twas but +for a moment I saw him.</p> + +<p><i>Corwin.</i> Speak up, children. Did any other of ye see the +black man whispering to me?</p> + +<p><i>Afflicted Girls.</i> No! no! no!</p> + +<p><i>Corwin.</i> Mercy Lewis, you say of a truth you saw him?</p> + +<p><i>Mercy.</i> Your worship, it may have been Minister Parris's +shadow falling across the platform.</p> + +<p><i>Corwin.</i> This is but levity, and hath naught to do with the +trial.</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> We will proceed with the examination. Widow +Eunice Hutchins, produce the cape.</p> + +<p>[Widow Hutchins <i>comes forward, holding the cape by a +corner.</i></p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> Put it over your daughter's shoulders.</p> + +<p><i>Hutchins.</i> Oh, your worships, I pray you not! It will kill +her!</p> + +<p><i>Ann.</i> Oh, do not! do not! It will kill me! Oh, mother, do +not! Oh, your worships! Oh, Minister Parris!</p> + +<p><i>Parris.</i> Why put the maid to this needless agony?</p> + +<p><i>Corwin.</i> Put the cape over her shoulders.</p> + +<p>[Widow Hutchins <i>approaches</i> Ann <i>hesitatingly, and throws +the cape over her shoulders.</i> Ann <i>sinks upon the floor, +shrieking.</i></p> + +<p><i>Ann.</i> Take it off! Take it off! It burns! It burns! Take it +off! Have mercy! I shall die! I shall die!</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> Take off the cape; that is enough. Olive Corey, +what say you to this? This is the cape you gave Ann Hutchins.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Oh, mother! mother!</p> + +<p><i>Martha</i> (<i>pushing forward</i>). Nay, I will speak again. +Ye shall not keep me from it; ye shall not send me out of the +meeting-house! (<i>The afflicted cry out.</i>) Peace, or I will +afflict ye in earnest! I <em>will</em> speak! If I be a witch, as ye +say, then ye have some reason to fear me, even ye most worshipful +magistrates and ministers. It might happen to ye even to fall upon +the floor in torment, and it would ill accord with your offices. Ye +shall hear me. I speak no more for myself—ye may go hang +me—I speak for my child. Ye shall not hang her, or judgment +will come upon ye. Ye know there is no guile in her; it were +monstrous to call her a witch. It were less blasphemy to call her an +angel than a witch, and ye know it. Ye know it, all ye maids she hath +played with and done her little kindnesses to, ye who would now go +hang her. That cape—that cape, most worshipful magistrates, did +the dear child earn with her own little hands, that she might give it +to Ann, whom she loved so much. Knowing, as she did, that Ann was +poor, and able to have but little bravery of apparel, it was often on +her mind to give her somewhat of her own, albeit that was but scanty; +and she hath toiled overtimes at her wheel all winter, and sold the +yarn in Salem, and so gained a penny at a time wherewithal to buy +that cape for Ann. And now will it hang her, the dear child?</p> + +<p>Dear Ann, dost thou not remember how thou and my Olive have spent +days together, and slept together many a night, and lain awake till +dawn talking? Dost thou not remember how thou couldst go nowhere +without Olive, nor she without thee, and how no little junketing were +complete to the one were the other not there? Dost thou not remember +how Olive wept when thy father died? Mercy Lewis, dost thou not +remember how my Olive came over and helped thee in thy work that time +thou wert ailing, and how she lent thee her shoes to walk to +Salem?</p> + +<p>Oh, dear children, oh, maids, who have been playmates and friends +with my dear child, ye will not do her this harm! Do ye not know that +she hath never harmed ye, and would die first? Think of the time when +this sickness, that is nigh to madness, shall have passed over, and +all is quiet again. Then will ye sit in the meeting-house of a Lord's +day, and look over at the place where my poor child was wont to sit +listening in her little Sabbath best, and ye will see her no more, +but will say to yourselves that ye have murdered her. And then of a +week-day ye will see her no more spinning at her wheel in the +doorway, nor tending the flowers in her garden. She will come smiling +in at your doors no more, nor walk the village street, and ye will +always see where she is not, and know that ye have murdered her. Oh, +poor children, ye are in truth young, and your minds, I doubt not, +sore bewildered! If I have spoken harshly to ye, I pray ye heed it +not, except as concerns me. I wot well that I am now done with this +world, and I feel already the wind that bloweth over Gallows Hill in +my face. But consider well ere ye do any harm to my dear child, else +verily the day will come when ye will be more to be pitied than she. +Oh, ye will not harm her! Ye will take back your accusation! Oh, +worshipful magistrates, oh, Minister Parris, I pray you have mercy +upon this child! I pray you mercy as you will need mercy! [<i>Falls +upon her knees.</i></p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> Rise, woman; it is not now mercy, but justice +that has to be considered.</p> + +<p><i>Parris.</i> In straits like this there is no mercy in the +divine will. Shall mercy be shown Satan?</p> + +<p><i>Corwin.</i> Mercy Lewis, is it in truth Olive Corey who +afflicts you?</p> + +<p><i>Mercy</i> (<i>hesitating</i>). I am not so sure as I was.</p> + +<p><i>Other Afflicted Girls.</i> Nor I! nor I! nor I!</p> + +<p><i>Mercy.</i> Last time I was somewhat blinded and could not see +her face. Methinks she was something taller than Olive.</p> + +<p><i>Ann</i> (<i>shrieks</i>). Oh, Olive is upon me! The sun shines +on her face! I see her, she is choking me! Oh! oh!</p> + +<p><i>Mercy</i> (<i>to</i> Ann). Hush! If she be put away you'll not +get Paul Bayley; I'll tell you that for a certainty, Ann +Hutchins.</p> + +<p><i>Ann.</i> Oh! oh! she is killing me!</p> + +<p><i>Mercy.</i> I see her naught; 'tis a taller person who is +afflicting Ann. (<i>To</i> Ann.) Leave your outcries or I will +confess to the magistrates. [Ann <i>becomes quiet.</i></p> + +<p><i>Corwin.</i> Ann Hutchins, saw you in truth Olive Corey +afflicting you?</p> + +<p><i>Ann</i> (<i>sullenly</i>). It might have been Goody Corey.</p> + +<p><i>Corwin.</i> Mercy Lewis, saw you of a certainty Olive Corey +walking in the wood with a black man?</p> + +<p><i>Mercy.</i> It was the wane of the moon; I might have been +mistaken. It might have been Goody Corey; their carriage is somewhat +the same.</p> + +<p><i>Corwin.</i> Give me the cape, Widow Hutchins. (Widow Hutchins +<i>hands him the cape; he puts it over his shoulders.</i>) Verily I +perceive no great inconvenience from the cape, except it is an ill +fit.</p> + +<p>[<i>Takes it off and lays it on the table. The two magistrates +and</i> Minister Parris <i>whisper together.</i></p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> Having now received the testimony of the +afflicted and the witnesses, and duly weighted the same according to +our judgment, being aided to a decision, as we believe, by the divine +wisdom which we have invoked, we declare the damsel Olive Corey free +and quit of the charges against her. And Martha Corey, the wife of +Giles Corey, of Salem Village, we commit unto the jail in Salem +until—</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> Send Martha to Salem jail! Out upon ye! Why, ye be +gone clean mad, magistrates and ministers and all! Send Martha to +jail! Why, she must home with me this night and get supper! How think +ye I am going to live and keep my house? Load Martha down with chains +in jail! Martha a witch! Then, by the Lord, she keeps His company +overmuch for one of her trade, for she goes to prayer forty times a +day. Martha a witch! Think ye Goodwife Martha Corey gallops a +broomstick to the hill of a night, with her decent petticoats +flapping? Who says so? I would I had my musket, and he'd not say so +twice to Giles Corey. And let him say so twice as 'tis, and meet my +fist, an he dares. I be an old man, but I could hold my own in my +day, and there be some of me left yet. Who says so twice to old Giles +Corey? Martha a witch! Verily she could not stop praying long enough +to dance a jig through with the devil. Martha! Out upon ye, ye lying +devil's tool of a parson, that seasons murder with prayer! Out upon +ye, ye magistrates! your hands be redder than your fine trappings! +Martha a witch! Ye yourselves be witches, and serving Satan, and he +a-tickling in his sleeve at ye. Send Martha in chains to Salem jail, +ye will, will ye? (<i>Forces his way to</i> Martha, <i>and throws his +arm around her.</i>) Be not afraid, good lass, thy man will save +thee. Thou shalt not go to jail! I say thou shalt not! I'll cut my +way through a whole king's army ere thou shalt. I'll raise the devil +myself ere thou shalt, and set him tooth and claw on the whole brood +of them. I'll—(<i>One of the afflicted shrieks.</i> Giles +<i>turns upon them.</i>) Why, devil take ye, ye lying hussies, ye +have done this! Ye should be whipped through the town at the tail of +a cart, every one of ye. Ye ill-favored little jades, puling because +no man will have ye, and putting each other up to this d— +mischief for lack of something better. Out upon ye, ye +little—</p> + +<p><i>Mercy</i> (<i>jumping up and screaming in agony</i>). Oh, Giles +Corey is upon me! He is afflicting me grievously! Oh, I will not! +Chain him! chain him! chain him!</p> + +<p><i>Ann.</i> Oh, this is worse than the others! This is dreadful! +He's strangling me! I—Oh—your—worships! +Oh—help!—help! [<i>Falls upon the floor.</i></p> + +<p><i>Afflicted Girls.</i> Chain him! chain him!</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> Marshal, take Giles Corey into custody and chain +him.</p> + +<p>[Marshal <i>and</i> Constables <i>advance. Tableau—Curtain +falls.</i></p> + +<h3 align="center">Act IV.</h3> + +<p><i>The living-room in</i> Giles Corey's <i>house.</i> Nancy Fox +<i>and the child</i> Phœbe Morse <i>sit beside the hearth; each +has her apron over her face, weeping.</i></p> + +<p><i>Phœbe</i> (<i>sobbing</i>). I—want my +Aunt—Corey and—my Uncle Corey. Why don't they come? Oh, +deary me!</p> + +<p>[Phœbe <i>jumps up and runs to the window.</i></p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> See you anybody coming?</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> There is a dame in a black hood coming past +the popple-trees. Oh, Nancy, come quick; see if it be Aunt Corey!</p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> Where be my spectacles—where be they? +(<i>Runs about the room searching.</i>) Oh Lord, what's the use of +living to be so old that you're scattered all over the house like a +seed thistle! Having to hunt everywhere for your eyes and your wits +whenever you want to use 'em, and having other folks a-meddling with +'em! Where be the spectacles? They be not in the cupboard; they be +not on the dresser. Where be they? I trow this be witch-work. I know +well enough what has become of my good horn spectacles. Goody Bishop +hath witched them away, thinking they would suit well with her fine +hood. I know well that I—</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe</i> (<i>sobbing aloud</i>). Oh, Nancy, it is not +Aunt Corey. It is only Goodwife Nourse.</p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> May the black beast catch her! Be you sure?</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> Yes; she is passing our gate. Oh, Nancy, what +shall we do? what shall we do?</p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> I would that I had my fingers in old man Hathorne's +fine wig. I would yank it off for him, and fling it to the pigs. +A-sending master and mistress to jail, and they no more witches than +I be!</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> Oh, Nancy, be we witches? They have not sent +us to jail.</p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> I know not what we be. My old head will not hold it +all. It is time they came home. There is not a crumb of sweet-cake in +the house, and the stopple is so tight in the cider-barrel that I +cannot stir it a peg. [<i>Weeps.</i></p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> Nancy, did they send Aunt Corey and Uncle +Corey to jail because I stuck the pins in my doll?</p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> I know not. I tell ye my old head spins round like +a flax-wheel; when I put my finger on one spoke 'tis another one. +These things be too much for a poor old woman like me. It takes folks +like their worships the magistrates and Minister Parris to deal with +black men and witches, and keep their wits in no need of physic.</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> Oh, Nancy, I know what I will do! Oh, 'tis +well I snatched my doll off the meeting-house table that day after +the trial, and ran home with it under my apron! (<i>Runs to the +settle, takes up the doll, which is lying there, and kisses it.</i>) +Here is one kiss for Aunt Corey, here is another kiss for Aunt Corey, +here is another, and another, and another. Here is one kiss for Uncle +Corey, and here is another kiss for Uncle Corey, and here is another, +and another, and another. There, Nancy! will not this do away with +the pin pricks, and they be let out of jail?</p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> I know not. My old head bobs like a pumpkin in a +pond. I would master and mistress were home. These be troublous times +for an old woman. I would I could stir the stopple in the +cider-barrel. Look again, and see if mistress be not coming up the +road.</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> It is of no use. I have looked for a whole +week, and she has not come in sight. I want my Aunt Corey! Nancy, +have I not done away with the pin pricks? Tell me, will she be not +let out of jail? Oh, there's Paul coming past the window! He's got +home! Olive! Olive!</p> + +<p><i>Enter</i> Paul Bayley. Phœbe <i>runs to him.</i></p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> Oh, Paul, they've put Aunt Corey and Uncle +Corey in Salem jail while you were gone! Can't you get them out, +Paul, can't you?</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> Where is Olive?</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> She is in her chamber. She stays there all +the time at prayer. Olive! Olive! Paul is come.</p> + +<p>[<i>Calls at the foot of chamber stairs.</i></p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> Olive!</p> + +<p>Olive <i>comes slowly down the stairs and enters.</i></p> + +<p><i>Paul</i> (<i>seizing her in his arms</i>). Oh, my poor lass, +what is this that hath come to thee?</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> This is what thou feared when we parted, Paul, and +more.</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> I but heard of it as I came through Salem on my way +hither. Oh, 'tis devilish work!</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> They let me loose, but father and mother are in +Salem jail.</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> Poor lass!</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Can you do naught to help them, Paul?</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> Olive, I will help them, if there be any justice or +unclouded minds left in the colony.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Thou art in truth here, Paul; it is thy voice.</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> Whose voice should it be, dear heart?</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> I know not. For a week I have thought I heard so +many voices. The air seemed full of voices a-calling me, but I heeded +them not, Paul. I kept all the time at prayer and heeded them +not.</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> Of course thou didst not. There were no voices to +heed.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Sometimes I thought I heard birds twittering, and +sometimes I thought there was something black at my elbow, and in the +night-time faces at my window. Paul, was there aught there?</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> No, no; there was naught there. Birds and black +beasts and faces! This be all folly, Olive!</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> They saw a black man by my side in the +meeting-house— Ann saw him. She cried out that the cape I gave +her put her to dreadful torment. Can I have been a witch unknowingly, +and so done this great evil to my father and mother? Tell me, +Paul.</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> Call up thy wits, Olive! I tell thee thou art no +witch. There was no black man at thy side in the meeting-house. Black +man! I would one would verily lay hands on that lying hussy. Thou art +no witch.</p> + +<p>[Phœbe <i>rushes to</i> Olive, <i>and clings to her, +sobbing.</i></p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> You are not a witch, Olive. You are not. If +Ann says so I will pinch her and scratch her. I will! yes, I +will—I will scratch her till the blood runs. You are not a +witch. I was the one that got them into jail. I stuck pins into my +doll, but I have made up for it now. They'll be let out. Don't cry, +Olive.</p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> Don't you fret yourself, Olive. I trow there's no +witch-mark on you. It's Goody Bishop in her fine silk hood that's at +the bottom on't. I know, I know. Perchance Paul could loose the +stopple in the cider-barrel. I am needful of somewhat to warm my old +bones. This witch-work makes them to creep with chills like long +snakes.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> They say my mother will soon be hanged, and I +perchance a witch, and the cause of it. I cannot get over it. +(<i>Moves away from them.</i>) If I be a witch, I shall hurt thee, +as I perchance have hurt them. [<i>Weeps.</i></p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> Olive Corey, what is that?</p> + +<p><i>Olive</i> (<i>looking up</i>). What? What mean you, Paul? +[Nancy <i>and</i> Phœbe <i>stare.</i></p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> There, over the cupboard. Is it— Yes, +'tis—cobwebs. I trow I never saw such a sight in Goodwife +Corey's house before.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> I will brush them down, Paul.</p> + +<p><i>Paul</i> (<i>looking at the floor</i>). And I doubt me much if +the floor has been swept up this week past, and the hearth is all +strewn with ashes. I trow Goodwife Corey would weep could she see her +house thus.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> I will get the broom, Paul.</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> I know well thou hast not spun this last week, that +the cream is too far gone to be churned, and the cheeses have not +been turned.</p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> 'Tis so, Paul; and there's no sweet-cake in the +house, either.</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> Thou art no such housewife as thy mother, Olive +Corey! One would say she had not taught thee. I trow she was a good +housewife, and notable among the neighbors; but this will take from +her reputation that she hath so brought thee up. I trow could she see +this house 'twould give her a new ache in her heart among all the +others.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> I will mind the house, Paul.</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> Ay, mind the house, poor lass! Know you, Olive, that +there is a rumor abroad in Salem that your father will refuse to +plead, and will stand mute at his trial?</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Wherefore will he do that?</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> I scarcely know why. Has he made a will, 'twill not +be valid were he to plead at a criminal trial; there will be an +attainder on it. They say that is one reason, and that he thinks thus +to show his scorn of the whole devilish work, and of a trial that is +no trial.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> What is the penalty if he stand mute?</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> 'Tis a severe one; but he shall not stand mute.</p> + +<p><i>Phœbe.</i> Oh, Paul, get Aunt Corey out of jail! Can't +you get Aunt Corey out of jail?</p> + +<p><i>Nancy.</i> Perchance you could pry up the hook of the jail +door with the old knife. It will be dark to-night. There is no moon +until three o'clock in the morning.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Paul, think you not that my father's sons-in-law +might do somewhat? They are men of influence. Their wives are but my +half-sisters, but they are his own daughters. I marvel they have not +come to me since this trouble.</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> Olive, his sons-in-law have sent in their written +testimony against him and your mother.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Paul, it cannot be so!</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> They have surely so testified. There is no help to +be had from them. I have a plan.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> All is useless, Paul. His sons-in-law, his own +daughters' husbands, have turned against him! There is no help +anywhere. My mother will soon be hanged. Minister Parris said so last +night when he came. And he knelt yonder and prayed that I might no +longer practise witchcraft. My father and mother are lost, and I have +brought it upon them. Talk no more to me, Paul.</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> Then, perchance your mother be a witch, Olive +Corey.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> My mother is not a witch.</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> Doth not Minister Parris say so? And if he speak +truth when he calls you a witch, why speaks he not truth of your +mother also? I trow, if you be a witch, she is.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> My mother is no witch, and I am no witch, Paul +Bayley!</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> Mind you stick to that, poor lass! Now, I go to +Boston to the Governor. There lies the only hope for thy parents.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Think you the Governor will listen? Oh, he must +listen! Thou hast a masterful way with thee, Paul. When wilt thou +start? Oh, if I had not thee!</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> I would I could make myself twenty-fold 'twixt thee +and evil, sweet. I will get Goodman Nourse's horse and start +to-night.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Then go, go! Do not wait!</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> I will not wait. Good-by, dear heart. Keep good +courage, and put foolish fancies away from thee. [<i>Embraces +her.</i></p> + +<p><i>Olive</i> (<i>freeing herself</i>). This is no time for +love-making, Paul. I will mind the house well and keep at prayer. +Thou need'st not fear. Now, haste, haste! Do not wait!</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> I will be on the Boston path in a half-hour. +Good-by, Olive. Please God, I'll bring thee back good news. +[<i>Exit</i> Paul.</p> + +<p>[Olive <i>stands in the door watching him depart.</i> Phœbe +<i>steals up to her and throws her arms around her.</i> Olive +<i>turns suddenly and embraces the child.</i></p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Come, sweet; while Paul sets forth to the Governor, +we will go to prayer. Nancy, come, we will go to prayer that the +Governor may lend a gracious ear, and our feet be kept clear of the +snares of Satan. Come, we will go to prayer; there is naught left for +us but to go to prayer!</p> + +<p><i>Tableau—Curtain falls.</i></p> + +<h3 align="center">Act V.</h3> + +<p><i>Six weeks later.</i> Giles Corey's <i>cell in Salem jail. It +is early morning.</i> Giles, <i>heavily chained, is sleeping upon +his bed. A noise is heard at the door.</i> Giles <i>stirs and raises +himself.</i></p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> Yes, Martha, I'm coming. (<i>Noise continues.</i>) +I'm coming, Martha. (<i>Stares around the cell.</i>) God help me, +but I thought 'twas Martha calling me to supper, and 'tis a month +since she died on Gallows Hill. I verily thought that I smelt the +pork frying and the pan-cakes.</p> + +<p><i>The door is opened and the</i> Guard, <i>bringing a dish of +porridge, enters; he sets it on the floor beside the bed, then +examines</i> Giles's <i>chains.</i></p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> Make sure they be strong, else it will verily go +hard with the hussies. They will screech louder yet, and be more like +pin-cushions than ever. Art sure they be strong? 'Twere a pity such +guileless and tender maids should suffer, and old Giles Corey's hands +be rough. He hath hewn wood and handled the plough for nigh eighty +years with them, and now these pretty maids say he hurts their soft +flesh. In truth, they must be sore afflicted. Prithee are the chains +well riveted? I thought last night one link seemed somewhat loose as +though it might be forced, and old Giles Corey hath still some +strength; and hath he witchcraft, as they say, it might well make him +stronger. Be wary about the chains for the sake of those godly and +tender maids.</p> + +<p>[<i>Exit</i> Guard. Giles <i>takes the dish of porridge and +eats.</i></p> + +<p><i>Giles</i> (<i>making a wry face</i>). This be rare porridge; it +be rare enough to charge the cook on't with witchcraft. It might well +have been scorched in some hell-fire. I trow Martha would have flung +it to the pigs. I verily thought 'twas Martha calling me to supper, +and I smelt the good food cooking, and Martha hung a month since on +Gallows Hill. Who's that at the door now?</p> + +<p>Guard <i>opens the door and</i> Paul Bayley <i>enters.</i> Giles +<i>takes another spoonful of porridge.</i></p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> Good-day, Goodman Corey.</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> Taste this porridge, will ye.</p> + +<p><i>Paul</i> (<i>tastes the porridge</i>). 'Tis burned.</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> It be rare food to keep up the soul of an old man +who hath set himself to undergo what I have set myself to undergo. +But it matters not. I trow old Giles Corey may well have eat all his +life unknowingly to this end, and hath now somewhat of strength to +fall back upon. He needs no dainty fare to make him strong to undergo +what he hath set himself. How fares my daughter?</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> As well as she can fare, poor lass! I saw her last +evening. She is now calmer in her mind, and she goeth about the house +like her mother.</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> Her mother set great store by her. She would often +strive in prayer that she should not make an idol of her before the +Lord.</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> Goodman, it goes hard to tell you, but I had an +audience yesterday again with Governor Phipps, an' 'twas in vain.</p> + +<p><i>Giles</i> (<i>laughing</i>). In vain, say ye 'twas in vain? +Why, I looked to see the pardon sticking out of your waistcoat +pocket! Why went ye again to Boston? Know ye not that this whole land +is now a bedlam, and the Governors and the magistrates swell the +ravings? Seek ye in bedlam for justice of madmen? It is not now +pardon or justice that we have to think on, but death, and the best +that can be made out on't. Know ye that my trial will be held this +afternoon?</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> Yes, Goodman Corey.</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> Sit ye down on this stool. I have much I would say +to ye.</p> + +<p>[Paul <i>seats himself on a stool.</i> Giles <i>sits on his +bed.</i></p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> Master Bayley, ye have been long a-courting my +daughter. Do ye propose in good faith to take her to wife?</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> With the best faith that be in me.</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> Then I tell ye, man, take her speedily—take +her within three weeks.</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> I would take her with all my heart, goodman, would +she be willing.</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> She must needs be willing. Why, devil take it! be +ye not smart enough to make her willing? It will all go for naught if +she be not willing. Tell her her father bids her. She hath ever +minded her father.</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> I will tell her so, goodman.</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> Tell her 'tis the last command her father gives +her. If she say no, hear it yes. Do not ye give it up if ye have to +drag her to 't. Why, she must not be left alone in the world. It be a +hard world. Old Giles hath gone far in it, and found it ever a hard +world. Verily it be not cleared any more than the woods of +Massachusetts. It be hard enough for a man; a young maid must needs +have somebody to hold aside the boughs for her. Wed her, if she will +or no. I have somewhat to show ye, Master Bayley. (<i>Draws a +document from his waistcoat.</i>) See ye this?</p> + +<p>[Paul <i>takes the document and examines it.</i></p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> See ye what 'tis?</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> It is a deed whereby you convey all your property to +me, so I be Olive's husband. Wherefore?</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> It be drawn up in good form. It be duly witnessed. +You see that it be all in good form, Paul.</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> I see. But wherefore?</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> It will stand in law; there will be no getting +loose from it. It be a good and trusty document. But—so be it +that this afternoon I stand trial for witchcraft, and plead guilty or +not guilty, this same good and trusty document will be worth less +than the parchment 'tis writ on. 'Tis so with the law. There will be +an attainder on't. My sons-in-law that testified to the undoing of +Martha and me will have their share, and thou and Olive perchance +have naught in this bedlam. I bear no ill will toward my sons-in-law +and my daughters, who have been put up by them to deal falsely with +Martha and me, but I would not that they have my goods. I bear no ill +will; it becometh not a man so near death to bear ill will. But they +shall not have my goods; I say they shall not. There shall be no +attainder on this document. I will stand mute at my trial.</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> Goodman Corey, know you the penalty?</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> I trow I know it better than the catechism. 'Tis to +be pressed beneath stone weights until I be dead.</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> I say you shall not do this thing. What think you I +care for your goods? I'll have naught to do with them, nor will +Olive. This is madness!</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> 'Tis not all for the goods. I would Olive had them, +and not those foul traitors; but 'tis not all. Were there no goods +and no attainder, I would still do this thing. Paul, they say that +Martha spake fair words when they had her there on Gallows Hill.</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> She spake like a martyr at the door of heaven.</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> Did they let her speak long?</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> They cut her short, Minister Parris saying, +“Let not this firebrand of hell burn longer.”</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> Then they put the rope to her neck. Martha had a +fair neck when she was a maid. Did she struggle much?</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> Not much.</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> Then they left her hanging there a space. It was a +wet day, and the rain pelted on her. I remember it was a wet day. The +rain pelted on her, and the wind blew, and she swung in it. I swear +to thee, lass, I will make amends! I will suffer twenty pangs for thy +one.</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> 'Tis not you who should make amends.</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> I tell ye I did Martha harm. When she chid my folly +and the folly of others, I did bawl out at her, and say among folk +things to her undoing, though I meant it not as they took it. Now I +will make amends, and the King himself shall not stop me. Martha was +a good wife. I know not how I shall make myself seemly for the court +this afternoon. My coat has many stitches loose in it. She was a good +wife. I will make amends to thee, lass; I swear I shall make amends +to thee! I will come where thou art by a harder road than the one I +made thee go.</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> It was not you, goodman. You overblame yourself. +Those foul-mouthed jades did it, and those bloodthirsty +magistrates.</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> I tell ye I did part on't. I was wroth with her +that she made light of this witch-work over which I was so mightily +wrought up, and I said words that they twisted to her undoing. +Verily, words can be made to fit all fancies. 'Twere safer to be +mute—as I'll be this afternoon.</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> Goodman Corey, you must not think of this thing. +There is still some hope from the trial. They will not dare murder +you too.</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> There be some things in this world folks may not +bear, but there be no wickedness they'll stick at when they get +started on the way to 't. 'Tis death in any case, and what would ye +have me do? Stand before their mad worships and those screeching +jades, and plead as though I were before folk of sound mind and +understanding? Think ye I would so humble myself for naught?</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> But Olive! I tell you 'twill kill her! There may be +a chance yet, and you should throw not away however small a one for +Olive's sake. She can bear no more.</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> There is no chance, and if there were—I tell +ye if I had a hundred daughters, and every one such a maid as she, +and every one were to break her heart, I would do this thing I have +set myself to do. There be that which is beyond human ties to force a +man, there be that which is at the root of things.</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> We will have none of your goods, I tell you that, +Giles Corey!</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> Goods. The goods be the least of it! Old Giles +Corey be not a deep man. I trow he hath had a somewhat hard skull, +but when a man draws in sight of death he hath a better grasp at his +wits than he hath dreamed of. This be verily a mightier work than ye +think. It shall be not only old Giles Corey that lies pressed to +death under the stones, but the backbone of this great evil in the +land shall be broke by the same weight. I tell ye it will be so. I +have clearer understanding, now I be so near the end on't. They will +dare no more after me. To-day shall I stand mute at my trial, but my +dumbness shall drown out the clamor of my accusers. Old Giles Corey +will have the best on't. 'Tis for this, and not for the goods, I will +stand mute; for this, and to make amends to Martha.</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> Giles Corey, you shall not die this dreadful death. +If death it must be, and it may yet not be, choose the easier +one.</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> Think ye I cannot do it? (<i>Rises.</i>) Master +Paul Bayley, you see before you Giles Corey. He be verily an old man, +he be over eighty years old, but there be somewhat of the first of +him left. He hath never had much power of speech; his words have been +rough, and not given to pleasing. He hath been a rude man, an +unlettered man, and a sinner. He hath brawled and blasphemed with the +worst of them in his day. He hath given blow for blow, and I trow the +other man's cheek smarted sorer than old Giles's. Now he be a man of +the covenant, but he be still stiff with his old ways, and hath no +nimbleness to shunt a blow. Old Giles Corey hath no fine wisdom to +save his life, and no grace of tongue, but he hath power to die as he +will, and no man hath greater.</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> Goodman Corey, I— [Guard <i>opens the +door.</i></p> + +<p><i>Guard.</i> Here is your daughter to see you, Goodman +Corey.</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> Tell her I will see her not. What brought her here? +I know. Minister Parris hath sent her, thinking to tempt me from my +plan. I will see her not.</p> + +<p><i>Olive</i> (<i>from without</i>). Father, you cannot send me +away.</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> Why come you here? Go home and mind the house.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Father, I pray you not to send me away.</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> If you be hard with her, you will kill her.</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> Come in.</p> + +<p><i>Enter</i> Olive.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> What is this you will do, father?</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> My duty, lass.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Father, you will not die this dreadful death?</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> That will I, lass.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Then I say to you, father, so will I also. The +stones will press you down a few hours' space, and they will press me +down so long as I may live. You will be soon dead and out of the +pains, but you will leave your death with the living.</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> Then must the living bear it.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Father, you may yet be acquitted. Plead at your +trial.</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> Work the bellows in the face of the north wind. Oh, +lass, why came you here? 'Tis worse than the stones. Talk no more to +me, good lass; womenkind should meddle not with men's plans. But +promise me you will wed with Paul here within three weeks.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> I will never wed.</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> Ye will not, hey? Ye will wed with Master Paul +Bayley within three weeks. 'Tis the last command your father gives +thee.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Think you I can wed when you—</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> Ay, I do think so, lass, and so ye will.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Father, I will not. But if you plead I will, I +promise you I will.</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> I will not, and you will. Lass, since you be here, +I pray you set a stitch in this seam in my coat. I would look tidy at +the trial, for thy mother's sake. Hast thou thy huswife with +thee?</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Yes, father.</p> + +<p>[Olive <i>threads a needle, and standing beside her father, sets +the stitch; weeps as she does so.</i></p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> Know you every tear adds weight to the stones, +lass?</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Then will I weep not. [<i>Mends.</i></p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> Be the child and the old woman well?</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Yes, father.</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> Look out for them as you best can. And see to 't +the little maid's linen chest is well filled, as your mother would +have.</p> + +<p>[Olive <i>breaks off the thread.</i></p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> Be the stitch set strong?</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Yes, father.</p> + +<p><i>Giles</i> (<i>turning and folding her to his arms</i>). Oh, my +good lass, the stones be naught, but this cometh hard, this cometh +hard! Could they not have spared me this?</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Father, listen to me, listen to me—</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> Lass, I must listen to naught but the voice of God. +'Tis that speaks, and bids me do this thing. Thou must come not +betwixt thy father and his God.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Father! father!</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> Go, Olive, I can bear no more. Tell me thou wilt +wed as I command you.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> As thou wilt, father! father! but I will love no +man as I love thee.</p> + +<p><i>Giles.</i> Go, lass. Give me a kiss. There, now go! I command +thee to go! Paul, take her hence. I charge ye do by her when her +father be dead and gone, as ye would were he at thy elbow. Take her +hence. I would go to prayer.</p> + +<p>[<i>Exeunt</i> Paul <i>and</i> Olive.</p> + +<p><i>Olive</i> (<i>as the door closes</i>). Father! father!</p> + +<p>Giles Corey <i>stands alone in cell. Curtain falls.</i></p> + +<h3 align="center">Act VI.</h3> + +<p><i>Three weeks later. Lane near Salem overhung by blossoming +apple-trees. Enter</i> Hathorne, Corwin, <i>and</i> Parris.</p> + +<p><i>Corwin.</i> 'Tis better here, a little removed from the field +where they are putting Giles Corey to death. I could bear the sight +of it no longer.</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> You are fainthearted, good Master Corwin.</p> + +<p><i>Corwin.</i> Fainthearted or not, 'tis too much for me. I was +brought not up in the shambles, nor bred butcher by trade.</p> + +<p><i>Parris.</i> Your worship, you should strive in prayer, lest +you falter not in the strife against Satan.</p> + +<p><i>Corwin.</i> I know not that I have faltered in any strife +against Satan.</p> + +<p><i>Parris.</i> Perchance 'tis but your worship's delicate frame +of body causeth you to shrink from this stern duty.</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> This torment of Giles Corey's can last but a +little space now. He hath still his chance to speak and avert his +death, and he will do it erelong. They have increased the weights +mightily. Fear not, good Master Corwin, Giles Corey will not die; +erelong his old tongue will wag like a millwheel.</p> + +<p><i>Corwin.</i> I doubt much, good Master Hathorne, if Giles Corey +speak. And if he does not speak, and so be put to death, as is +decreed, I doubt much if the temper of the people will stand more. +There are those who have sympathy with Giles Corey. I heard many +murmurs in the streets of Salem this morning.</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> Let them murmur.</p> + +<p><i>Parris.</i> Ay, let them murmur, so long as we wield the sword +of the Lord and of Gideon.</p> + +<p><i>Enter first</i> Messenger.</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> Here comes a man from the field. How goes it now +with Giles Corey?</p> + +<p><i>Messenger.</i> Your worship, Giles Corey has not spoken.</p> + +<p><i>Parris.</i> And he hath been under the weights since early +light. Truly such obstinacy is marvellous. [<i>Exit</i> +Messenger.</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> Satan gives a strength beyond human measure to +his disciples.</p> + +<p><i>Enter</i> Olive <i>and</i> Paul Bayley, <i>appearing in the +distance.</i> Olive <i>wears a white gown and white bonnet.</i></p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> Who is that maid coming in a bride bonnet?</p> + +<p><i>Corwin.</i> 'Tis Corey's daughter. I marvel that Paul lets her +come hither. 'Tis no place for her, so near. Master Hathorne, let us +withdraw a little way. I would not see her distress. I am somewhat +shaken in nerve this morning.</p> + +<p>[Corwin, Hathorne, <i>and</i> Parris <i>exeunt at other end of +lane.</i></p> + +<p><i>Olive</i> (<i>as she and</i> Paul <i>advance</i>). Who were +those men, Paul?</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> The magistrates and Minister Parris, sweet.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Are they gone?</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> Yes, they are quite out of sight. Oh, why wouldst +thou come here, dear heart?</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Thou thinkest to cheat me, Paul; but thou canst not +cheat me. Three fields away to the right have they dragged my father +this morning. I knew it, I knew it, although you strove so hard to +keep it from me. I'll be as near my father's death-bed on my +wedding-day as I can.</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> I pray thee, sweetheart, come away with me. This +will do no good.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Loyalty doth good to the heart that holds it, if to +no other. Think you I'll forsake my father because 'tis my +wedding-day, Paul? Oh, I trow not, I trow not, or I'd make thee no +true wife.</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> It but puts thee to needless torment.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Torment! torment! Think of what he this moment +bears! Oh, my father, my father! Paul Bayley, why have I wedded you +this dreadful day!</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> Hush! Thy father wished it, sweetheart.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> I swear to you I'll never love any other than my +father. I love you not.</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> Thou needst not, poor lass!</p> + +<p><i>Olive</i> (<i>clinging to him</i>). Nay, I love thee, but I +hate myself for it on this day.</p> + +<p><i>Paul</i> (<i>caressing her</i>). Poor lass! Poor lass!</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Why wear I this bridal gear, and my father over +yonder on his dreadful death-bed? Why could you not have gone your +own way and let me gone mine all the rest of my life in black +apparel, a-mourning for my father? That would have beseemed me. This +needed not have been so; it needed never have been so.</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> Never? I tell thee, sweet, as well say to these +apple blossoms that they need never be apples, and to that rose-bush +against the wall that its buds need not be roses. In faith, we be far +set in that course of nature, dear, with the apple blossoms and the +rose-buds, where the beginning cannot be without the end. Our own +motion be lost, and we be swept along with a current that is mightier +than death, whether we would have it so or not.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> I know not. I only know I would be faithful to my +poor father. But 'twas his last wish that I should wed thee thus.</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> Yes, dear.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> He said so that morning before his trial. Oh, Paul, +I can see it now, the trial! I have been to the trial every day +since. Shall I go every day of my life? Perchance thou may often come +home and find thy wife gone to the trial, and no supper. I will go on +my wedding-day; my father shall have no slights put upon him. I can +see him stand there, mute. They cry out upon him and mock him and lay +false charges upon him, and he stands mute. The judge declares the +dreadful penalty, and he stands mute. Oh, my father, my poor father! +I tell ye my father will not mind anything. The Governor and the +justices may command him as they will, the afflicted may clamor and +gibe as they will, and I may pray to him, but he will not mind, he +will stand mute. I tell ye there be not power enough in the colony to +make him speak. Ye know not my father. He will have the best of +it.</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> Thou speakest like his daughter now. Keep thyself up +to this, sweet. The daughter of a hero should have some brave stuff +in her. Thy father does a greater deed than thou knowest. His +dumbness will save the colonies from more than thou dreamest of. +'Twill put an end to this dreadful madness; he himself hath foretold +it. [<i>A clamor is heard.</i></p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> Paul, Paul, what is that?</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> Naught but some boys shouting, sweet.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> 'Twas not. Oh, my father, my father!</p> + +<p><i>Paul.</i> Olive, thou must not stay here.</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> I must stay. Who is coming? [Paul <i>and</i> Olive +<i>step aside.</i></p> + +<p><i>Enter second</i> Messenger. Hathorne, Corwin, <i>and</i> Parris +<i>advance to meet him.</i></p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> How goes it now with Giles Corey?</p> + +<p><i>Messenger.</i> Your worship, Giles Corey hath not spoken.</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> What! Have they not increased the weights?</p> + +<p><i>Messenger.</i> They have doubled the weights, your +worship.</p> + +<p><i>Parris.</i> I trow Satan himself hath put his shoulder under +the stones to take off the strain. [<i>Exit</i> Messenger.</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> 'Tis a marvel the old tavern-brawler endures so +long, but he'll soon speak now.</p> + +<p><i>Corwin.</i> Hush, good master, his daughter can hear.</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> Let her then withdraw if it please her not. I'll +warrant he cannot bear much more; he will soon speak.</p> + +<p><i>Parris.</i> Yea, he cannot withstand the double weight unless +his master help him.</p> + +<p>[Corwin <i>speaks aside to</i> Paul <i>and motions him to take</i> +Olive <i>away.</i> Paul <i>takes her by the arm. She shakes her head +and will not go.</i></p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> I trow 'twill take other than an unlettered +clown like Giles Corey to stand firm under this stress. He'll speak +soon.</p> + +<p><i>Parris.</i> Yea, that he will. He can never hold out. He hath +not the mind for it.</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> It takes a man of finer wit than he to undergo +it. He will speak. Oh yes, fear ye not, he will speak.</p> + +<p><i>Olive</i> (<i>breaking away from</i> Paul). My father will +<em>not</em> speak!</p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> Girl!</p> + +<p><i>Olive.</i> My father will <em>not</em> speak. I tell ye there +be not stones enough in the provinces to make him speak. Ye know not +my father. My father will have the best of ye all.</p> + +<p><i>Enter third</i> Messenger, <i>running.</i></p> + +<p><i>Hathorne.</i> How goes it now with Giles Corey?</p> + +<p><i>Messenger.</i> Giles Corey is dead, and he has not spoken.</p> + +<p>Olive <i>clings to</i> Paul <i>as curtain falls.</i></p> + +<p align="center">THE END.</p> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Giles Corey, Yeoman, by Mary E. 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