Complete Prison Scene

SARAH. (Following Tituba out D. halway to off [.) Tell him I'm goin', Tituba! Now you tell him Sarah Good is goin', too!

DANFORTH. (Enters)

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WILLARD. (At bench L.) Good morning, Majesty.

DANFORTH. Where is Mister Parris?

WILLARD. I'll fetch him.

DANFORTH. Marshal. When did Reverend Hale arrive?

WILLARD. It were toward midnight, I think.

DANFORTH. (Suspiciously.) What is he about here?

WILLARD. He goes among them that will hang, sir. And he prays with them. He sits with Goody Nurse now. (Crossing to R. bench, clears straw from it.) And Mister Parris with him.

DANFORTH. Indeed. That man have no authority to enter here, Marshal; why have you let him in? (Hathorne sits bench L.)

WILLARD. (Laughing) Why, Mister Parris command me, sir. I cannot deny him.

DANFORTH. Are you drunk, Marshal?

WILLARD. No, sir, it is a bitter night, and I have no fire here.

DANFORTH. Fetch Mister Parris.

WILLARD. (Crossing toward entrance.) Aye, sir.

DANFORTH. There is a prodigious stench in this place.

WILLARD. (Stopping at door.) I have only now cleared the people out for you.

DANFORTH. Beware hard drink, Marshal.

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

DANFORTH. (Cross center) We'll come to that; speak nothin' of Andover. Parris prays with him. That's strange. (Blows on his hands.)

HATHORNE. I think sometimes Parris has a mad look these days.

DANFORTH. Mad?

HATHORNE. I met him yesterday coming out of his house, and I bid him good morning— and he wept, and went his way. I think it is not well the village sees him so unsteady.

DANFORTH. Perhaps he have some sorrow.

CHEEVER. I think it be the cows, sir.

DANFORTH. The cows?

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PARRIS. (To Danforth, instantly.) Oh, good morning, sir, thank you for comin', I beg your pardon wakin' you so early. Good morning, Judge Hathorne…

DANFORTH. Reverend Hale have no right to enter this…

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HATHORNE. Do you leave him alone with the prisoners?

DANFORTH. What's his business here?

PARRIS. (Prayerfully holding up his hands.) Excellency, hear me. It is a providence. Reverend Hale has returned to bring Rebecca Nurse.

DANFORTH. He bids her confess?

PARRIS. (Sitting.) Hear me. (Cheever crosses, sits end of L. bench.) Rebecca have not given me a word this three month since she came.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.

DANFORTH. (Cross left and sit) Why-this is indeed a providence. And they soften hey soften?

PARRIS. Not yet, not yet. But I thought to summon you, sir, that we might think on whether it be not wise to… there is news, sir, that the court, the court must reckon with. My niece… I believe she has vanished.

DANFORTH. Vanished! (Stand up.)

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

DANFORTH. Why?—how long is she gone?

PARRIS. This be the third night— Mercy Lewis is gone, too.

DANFORTH. (cross to Cheever) I will send a party for them. Where may they be?

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PARIS. Thirty one pound is gone. I am penniless.

DANFORTH. Mister Parris, you are a brainless man!

PARRIS. Excellency, it profit nothing you should blame me. I cannot think they would run off except they fear to keep in Salem any more-since the news of Andover has broken here…

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

PARRIS. I am sure of it, sir. But the rumor here speaks rebellion in Andover, and it…

DANFORTH. (Cross in to Parris) There is no rebellion in Andover.

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HATHORNE. Excellency, she is condemned a witch. The court have…

DANFORTH. (In deep concern, he raises a hand to Hathorne.) Pray you. (To Parris.) How do you propose, then?

PARRIS. Excellency… I would postpone these hangin's for a time.

DANFORTH. There will be no postponement.

PARRIS. Now Mister Hale's returned, there is hope, I think—for if he bring even one of these to God, that confession surely damns the others in the public eye, and none may doubt more that they are all linked to Hell. This way, uncontessed and claiming innocence, doubts are multiplied, many honest people will weep for them, and our good purpose is lost in their tears…

DANFORTH. (Sit down in center stage) Cheever, give me the list.

PARRIS. It cannot be forgot, sir. (takes spectacles out and reads by light of lamp.) that when I summoned the congregation for John Proctor's excommunication, there were hardly thirty people come to hear it. That speak a discontent, I think, and…

DANFORTH. There will be no postponement.

PARRIS. Excellency…

DANFORTH. (Cross to Cheever and cross SR) Now, sir-which of these in your opinion may be brought to God? I will myself strive with him till dawn.

PARRIS. There is not sufficient time till dawn…

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

PARRIS. (In a quavering voice, quietly.) Excellency… a dagger… (He chokes up.)

DANFORTH. (Irritated.) What do you say?

PARRIS. Tonight, when I open my door to leave my house-a dagger clattered to the ground. (Pleading plaintively.) You cannot hang this sort. There is danger for me. I dare not step outside at night. (Hale enters. They look at him for an instant in silence. He is steeped in sorrow, exhausted, and more direct than he ever was.)

DANFORTH. (Cross to Hale) Accept my congratulations, Reverend Hale; we ar gladdened to see you returned to your good work.

HALE. You must pardon them. They will not budge.

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

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

DANFORTH. (Backward curve stage left) 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 (Willard enters.) on my part; reprieve or pardon must cast doubt upon the guilt of them that died till 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. (Sit next to Hale) Have you spoken with them all, Mister Hale?

HALE. All but Proctor. He is in the dungeon…

DANFORTH. (To Hathorne.) What's Proctor's way now? (Hale how sits bench R.)

WILLARD. In doorway. Drunkenly.) He sits like some great bird; you'd not know he lived except he will take food from time to time.

DANFORTH. (Thinks.) His wife… his wife must be well on with child now.

WILLARD. She is, sir.

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

PARRIS. It is possible, sir-he have not laid eyes on her these three months. I should summon her.

DANFORTH. (To Willard.) Is he yet adamant? — Has he struck at you again?

WILLARD. (Smiling drunkenly.) He cannot, sir, he is chained to the wall now.

DANFORTH. Fetch Goody Proctor to me. Then let you bring him up. (Sits bench u.s. of Parris.)

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HALE. Excellency, if you postpone a week, and publish to the town that you are striving for their confessions, that speak mercy on your part, not faltering.

DANFORTH. Mister Hale, as God have not empowered me like Joshua to stop this sun from rising, so I cannot withhold from them the perfection of their punishment.

HALE. (Rising, crossing up to door.) If you think God wills you to raise rebellion, Mister Danforth, you are mistaken.

DANFORTH. (Stand up) You have heard rebellion spoken in Salem?

HALE. Excellency, there are orphans wandering from house to house; abandoned cattle bellow on the highroads, the stink of rotting crops hangs everywhere, and no man knows when the harlots' cry will end his life-and you wonder yet if rebellion's spoke? Better you should marvel how they do not burn your province!

DANFORTH. Mister Hale, have you preached in Andover this month?

HALE. Thank God they have no need of me in Andover.

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

PARRIS. Hush! (All face entrance. Willard and Elizabeth enter. Wilard goes out again.)

DANFORTH. Goody Proctor, I hope you are hearty?

ELIZABETH. I am yet six month before my time.

DANFORTH. Pray, be at your ease, we come not for your life. We… (Uncertain how to plead, for he is not accustomed to it.) Mister Hale, will you speak with the woman?

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HALE. It is a lie!— they are innocent!

DANFORTH. No more. No more. I'll hear no more of that.

ELIZABETH. (Sincerely simply.) I cannot dispute with you, sir, I lack learning for it.

DANFORTH, (Irritated.) 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 it? What say you? Will you contend with him? (She is silent, staring at him.) Are you stone? I tell you true, woman, had I no other proof of your unnatural life, your dry eyes now would be sufficient evidence that you delivered up your soul to Hell!—a very ape would weep at such calamity! Have the Devil dried up any tear of pity in you? (She is silent.) Take her out, it profit norhing she should speak to him!

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PARRIS. (With hope.) You'll strive with him? (She hesitates.)

DANFORTH. Will you plead for his confession, or will you not.

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HALE. Pray, leave them, Excellency. (Exits)

DANFORTH. Mr. Proctor, you’ve been notified have you not? – I see light in the sky, Mister; let you council with your wife and may God help you turn your back on hell. (exit SR)

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PROCTOR. Would you give them such a lie? Say it. Would you ever give them this? (She can't answer.) You would not; if tongs of fire were singeing you you would not!—it is evil. (Slight pause. Sitting.) Good then, it is evil, and I do it!

DANFORTH. (enter stage right and approach Proctor) Praise to God, man, praise to God; you shall be blessed in Heaven for this. (Cheever hurries to U.s. end of bench, pulls writing box on stool, prepares to write. Proctor watches him.) Now, then… let us have it. Are you ready, Mister Cheever?

PROCTOR. Why must it be written?

DANFORTH. Why, for the good instruction of the village, Mister; this we shall post upon the church door! (To Parris, urgently.) Where is the Marshal?

PARRIS. (Runs to entrance, calls, then returns to door.) Willard! Hurry! (We hear Willard running off.)

DANFORTH. Now, then, Mister, will you speak slowly, and directly to the point for Mister Cheever's sake? (He is dictating to Cheever, who writes.) Mister Proctor, have you seen the Devil in your life? (Proctor's jaws lock.) 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?

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PARRIS. Praise God!

DANFORTH. And when he come to you, what were his demand? Did he bid you to do his work upon the earth?

PROCTOR. He did.

DANFORTH. (Starting r.) And you bound yourself to his service? (Danforth turns as Rebecca and Willard enter.) Ah, Rebecca Nurse. Come in, come in, woman! (Willard stays at entrance.)

REBECCA. (Seeing him she brightens.) Ah, John! You are well, then, eh?

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

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PROCTOR. (Face turned from Rebecca.) I did.

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

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PROCTOR. Take her out!

DANFORTH. I say will you confess yourself, Goody Nurse!

REBECCA. Why, it is a lie, it is a lie; how may I damn myself? I cannot, I cannot. (Proctor turns away.)

DANFORTH. Mister Proctor. When the Devil came to you did you see Rebecca Nurse in his company? Come, man, take courage-did you ever see her with the Devil?

PROCTOR. (Almost inaudibly, in agony.) No. (Rebecca takes a step toward him.)

DANFORTH. Did you ever see her sister, Mary Easty, with the Devil?

PROCTOR. No, I did not.

DANFORTH. Did you ever see (Proctor rises, crosses toward R., aware of Rebecca looking at him, hurries past her.) Martha Corey with the Devil?

PROCTOR. I did not.

DANFORTH. Did you ever see anyone with the Devil?

PROCTOR. I did not.

DANFORTH. 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. (Proctor is silent.) Mister Proctor, a score of people have already testified they saw this woman with the Devil…

PROCTOR. Then it is proved. Why must I say it?

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

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

DANFORTH. Mister Proctor, do you think they go like saints?Look you, sir—I think you mistake your duty here. It matters nothing what she thought — she is convicted of the unnatural murder of children, and you for sending your spirit out upon Mary Warren. Your soul alone is the issue here, Mister, and you will prove its whiteness or you cannot live in a Christian country. Will you tell me now what persons conspired with you in the Devil's company? To your knowledge was Rebecca Nurse ever…?

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PARRIS. It is a great service, sir—it is a weighty name, it will strike the village that he confess. I beg you, let him sign it. The sun is up, Excellency!

DANFORTH. (To Proctor.) Come then, sign your testimony. Mr. Cheever, take it to him. (Cheever gives Proctor a pen.) Come, man, sign it.

PROCTOR. You have all witnessed it—it is enough.

DANFORTH. You will not sign it?!

PROCTOR. (Desperately.) You have all witnessed it; what more is needed?

DANFORTH. Do you sport with me? You will sign your name or it is no confession, Mister! (Proctor signs.) Your second name, man. (Proctor signs last name.)

PARRIS. Praise be to the Lord!

DANFORTH. (Cross to get the paper) If you please, sir.

PROCTOR. No

DANFORTH. Mister Proctor, I must have.,

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PROCTOR. Damn the village! I confess to God and God has seen my name on this! It is enough!

DANFORTH. No, sir, it is…

PROCTOR. You came to save my soul, did you not? Here! -I have confessed myself, it is enough!

DANFORTH. You have not con…

PROCTOR. I have confessed myself. Is there no good penitence but it be public? God does not need my name nailed upon the church! God sees my name, God knows how black my sins are! —it is enough.

DANFORTH. Mister Proctor…

PROCTOR. You will not use me! I am no Sarah Good or Tituba, I am John Proctor! You will not use me! It is no part of salvation that you should use me!

DANFORTH. I do not wish to..

PROCTOR. I have three children-how may i teach them to walk like men in the world and I sold my friends!

DANFORTH. You have not sold your friends…

PROCTOR. Beguile me not!—I blacken all of them when this is nailed to the church the very day they hang for silence!

DANFORTH. Mister Proctor, I must have good and legal proof that you…

PROCTOR. You are the high court, your word is good enough! Tell them, I confessed myself; say Proctor broke his knees and wept, like a woman; say what you will, but my name cannot do…

DANFORTH. (With suspicion.) It is the same, is it not? — if I report it or you sign to it?

PROCTOR. (He knows it is childish.) No, it is not the same. What others say and what I sign to is not the same!

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

PROCTOR. (Rising.) I mean to deny nothing!

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

PROCTOR. Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang! How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul, leave me my name!

DANFORTH. (Pointing at confession in Proctor's hand.) Is that document a lie? If it is a lie I will not accept it! What say you? I will not deal in lies, Mister! (During this speech Proctor looks at Danforth, then Rebecca, then Elizabeth.) You will give me your honest confession in my hand, or I cannot keep you from the rope. What way do you go, Mister? (Proctor deliberately tears paper once.) Marshal. (Willard comes from entrance to inside room.)

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REBECCA. Let you fear nothing. There is another judgment waits us all.

DANFORTH. (Exit SR) Hang them high over town! Whoever weeps for these weeps for corruption. Take them!