Act 2 Scene 3

Take her out!

I say will you confess yourself, Goody Nurse?

There is not sufficient time until dawn...

I shall do my utmost. Which of them do you have hope for?

This is the third night, Mercy Lewis is gone too.

I will send a search party for them, where may they be?

Praise be to the lord!

If you please, sir....

He sits with Goody Nurse now, and Mr. Parris with him.

Indeed, that man have no authority to enter here. Marshal, why have you let him in?

He have no laid eyes on her in months, I should summon her.

Is he yet adamant? Has he struck at you again?

I have given you my soul, leave me my name!

Is that document a lie? If it is a lie I will not accept it! What say you? I will not deal in lies! You will give me your honest confession in my hand, or I cannot keep you from the tope. What way do you go? *Tears paper* Marshal.

Tell them I have confessed myself, say Proctor broke his knees and wept like a woman; say what you will, but my name cannot....

It is the same is it not? If I report it, or you sign it?

I think sometimes Parris has a mad look these days.

Mad?

I'll fetch him.

Marshal. When did Reverend Hale arrive?

that speak mercy on your part, not faltering.

Mister Hale, as God have no empowered me like Joshua to stop this sun from rising, so I cannot withhold from them the perfection of their punishment.

Better you should marvel how they do not burn you province!

Mister Hale, have you preached in Andover this month?

Thirty-one pound is missing, I am penniless.

Mr. Parris, you are a brainless man!

Beguile me not, I blacken all of their names when this is nailed to the church the very day they hang for silence!

Mr. Proctor I must have good and legal proof that you....

No.

Mr. Proctor I must have....

They think to go like saints. I like not to spoil their names.

Mr. Proctor, do you think they go like saints?

Pray, leave them excellency.

Mr. Proctor, you have been notified, have you not? I see light in the sky, let you counsel with your wife and may God help you turn your back on Hell.

Why it is a lie, it is a lie! I cannot, I cannot.

Mr. Proctor. When the devil came to you, did you see Rebecca Nurse in his company? Come, man, courage. Did you see her with the devil?

God sees my name, God know how black my sins are! It is enough!

Mr. Proctor....

It is a lie, they are innocent!

No more, no more. I'll hear no more of that!

I confess to God and God has seen my name on this, it is enough!

No, sir, it is .....

I beg your pardon waking you so early, good morning Judge Hathorne...

Reverend Hale have no right to enter this...

I mean to deny nothing!

Then explain to me, Mr. Proctor, why you will not let...

I am sure of it sir, but the rumor here speaks of rebellion in Andover....

There is no rebellion in Andover!

That speaks a discontent I think and....

There will be no postponement

Excellency, I would postpone the hangings for a time.

There will be no postponement.

My niece... I believe she has vanished.

Vanished?!

Let you question Hale, Excellency, I should not be surprised he have been preachin' in Andover lately.

We'll come to that speak nothin' of Andover. Parris prays with him, that is strange.

Excellency... a dagger...

What do you say?!

It were toward midnight I think.

What is he about here?

She is, sir.

What think you, Mr. Parris? You have closer knowledge of this man; might her presence soften him?

All but Proctor, he is in the dungeon.

What's Proctor's way now?

Do you leave him alone with the prisoners?

What's his business here?

Good morning, Majesty.

Where is Mr. Parris?

Then it is proved. Why must I say it?

Why must you say it! Why, you should rejoice to say it if your soul is purged of any love for Hell!

Why must it be written?

Why, for the good instruction of the village, we shall post this on the church door! Now then, will you speak slowly for Judge Hathornes sake? Mr. Proctor, have you seen the devil in your life?..... Come, man, there is light in the sky; the town waits at the scaffold; I would give out this news. Did you see the devil?

Now she sits with him, and her sister and Martha Corey and two or three others, and he pleads with them confess their crimes and save their lives.

Why, this is indeed a providence. And they soften, they soften?

No, it is not the same! What others say and what I sign to is not the same!

Why? Do you mean to deny this confession when you are free?

I had thought to advise you of it earlier in the week, but...

Why? How long has she gone?!

You'll strive with him?

Will you plead for his confession, or will you not?!

Thank God they have no need of me in Andover.

You baffle me, sir. Why have you returned here?

If you think God wills you to raise rebellion, Mister Danforth, you are mistaken.

You have heard rebellion spoken in Salem?

Here, I have confessed myself! It is enough!

You have not con.....

How may I teach them to walk like men in the world and I sold my friends?!

You have not sold your friends...

You must pardon them. They will not budge.

You misunderstand, sir; I cannot pardon these when twelve are already hanged for the same crime, it is not just.

You have all witnessed it, it is enough.

You will not sign it?!

There is danger for me, I dare not step outside at night.

Accept my congratulations, Reverend Hale; we are gladdened to see you returned to your good work.

Praise god!

And when he come to you, what were his demands? Did he bid you do his work upon this earth?

He did.

And you bound yourself to his service? Ah Rebecca Nurse! Come in, come in, woman!

I cannot think they would run off except they fear to keep in Salem any more, since the news of Andover has broken here...

Andover is remedied. The court returns there on Friday and will resume examinations.

This way unconfessed and claiming innocence, doubts are multiplied, many honest people will weep for them, and our good purpose is lost in their tears.

Cheever, give me the list.

I beg you, let him sign it. The sun is up Excellency!

Come then, sign your testimony..... Come, man, sign it!

Ah, John! You are well I see, eh?

Courage, man, courage! Let her witness your good example that she may to God herself. Now hear it Goody Nurse! Say on Proctor, did you bind yourself to the Devil's Service?

No, I did not.

Did you ever see Martha Corey with the devil?

I did not.

Did you ever see anyone with the devil?

No.

Did you ever see her sister Mary Easty with the devil?

You have all witnessed it, what more is needed?

Do you sport with me? You will sign your name or it is no confession!.... Your second name, man.

He cannot sir, he is chained to the wall now.

Fetch Goody Proctor to me. Then let you bring him up.

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

Goody Proctor, you are not summoned here for disputation, be there no wifely tenderness within you? He will die with the sunrise. Your husband, do you understand me? What say you? Will you contend with him?.......... Take her out, it profit nothing she should speak to him.

Hush!

Goody Proctor. I hope you are hearty?

Let you fear nothing. There is another judgement waits us all.

Hang them high over the town. Whoever weeps, weeps for corruption. Take them! *Exit stage*

Reverend Hale has returned to bring Rebecca Nurse to God.

He bids her confess?

You'd not know he lived except he will take food from time to time.

His wife... his wife must be well on with child now.

It is no part of salvation that you should use me!

I do not wish to...

I did not.

Proctor, you mistake me. I am not empowered to trade your life for a lie. You have most certainly seen some person with the devil...... Mr. Proctor, a score of people have already testified they saw this woman with the devil....

The sun will rise in a few minutes. Excellency, I must have more time.

Now hear me, and beguile yourselves no more. I will not receive a single plea for pardon or postponement. Them that will not confess will hang. Twelve are already executed the names of these seven are given out, and the village expects to see them die at dawn. Postponement now speaks a... a floundering on my part. Reprieve or pardon must cast doubt upn the guilt of them that died now. While I speak God's law I will not crack its voice with whimpering. If retaliation is your fear, know this. I should hang ten thousand that dared to rise against the law and an ocean of salt tears could not melt the resolution of the statutes. Now draw yourselves up like men and help me, as you are bound by Heaven to do. Have you spoken with them all Mr. Hale?

Excellency...

Now, sir, which of these in your opinion may be brought to god? I will myself strive with them until dawn.

I did.

Now, woman, you surely see it profit nothin to keep this conspiracy any further. Will you confess yourself with him?

You would not, if tongs of fire were singing you, you would not. It is evil. Good then, it is evil, and I do it!

Praise to god, man, praise to god. You shall be bless in Heaven for this. Now then... Let us have it. Are you ready Judge Hathorne?

Excellency she is condemned a witch, the court have...

Pray you. How do you propose then?

I am yet six month before my time.

Pray, be at your ease, we come not for your life. We... Mr. Hale will you speak to this woman.