The Crucible_ Elizabeth Proctor lines

Scene 3 (BLACKOUT)

What keeps you so late? it’s almost dark.

I were planning far out the forest edge (silence) The boys asleep?

They will be soon.

Pray now for a fair summer.

Aye

Are you well today?

I am.

if the crop is good I’ll but George Jacob’s heifer. How would that please you?

Aye, it would

I mean to please you, Elizabeth

I know it, John.

I think you’re sad again. Are you?

You come so late I thought you’d gone to Salem this afternoon.

I have no business in Salem.

Mary Warren’s there today.

You heard me forbid her go to Salem any more.

I couldn’t stop her. it is a proper court they have now. there be fourteen people in the jail now, she says. The court have power to hang them too.

As, they’d never hang-

The deputy Governor promise hangin’ if they’ll not confess, John. (beat) Mary Warren speaks of Abigail as if she’s a saint.

Oh, it is a black mischief.

I think you must go to Salem, John. You must tell them it is a fraud.

Blah blah -I have no proof for it.

You were alone with her?

For a moment alone, aye.

why, then, it is not as you told me.

Woman. I’ll not have your suspicion any more.

John, If it were not Abigail that you must go to hurt, would you falter now? I think not.

Now look you-

I see what I see, John

You forget nothing and forgive nothing.

John, you are not open with me. You saw her with a crowd, you said.

Blah, blah- Let you look sometimes for the goodness in me, and judge me not.

i do not judge you. I never thought you but a good man, John - only somewhat bewildered.

I made a gift for you today, Goody Proctor.

Why, thank you, It’s a fair poppet.

We must all love each other now, Goody Proctor.

Aye, indeed we must.

I saved her life today!

I am accused?

You are somewhat mentioned. But I said I never see no sign you ever sent your spirit out to hurt no one, and seeing I do live so closely with you, they dimissed it.

Who accused me?

Good night.

She wants me dead. I knew all week it would come to this!

I’ll find Ezekiel Cheever. I’ll tell him she said it were all sport.

John, with so many in jail, more than Cheever’s help is need now, I think? Go to Abigail.

What have I say to Abigial?

John- Grant me this. You have a faulty understanding of young girls. There is a promise made in any bed.

What promise?

Spoke or silent, a promise is surely made. And she may dote on it now- I am sure she does- and thinks to kill me, then to take my place. It is her dearest hope, John, I know it, There be a thousand names; why does she call mine? She thinks to my place, John.

Am I so base? Do you truly think me base?

I never called you base.

Then how do you charge me with such a promise?

Then how do you anger with me when I bid you break it?

I hope I do not startle you.

no,no it’s only that I heard no horse.

I am a stranger here, as you know. I come now from Rebecca Nurse’s house and-

Rebecca’s charged!

do you know your commandments, Elizabeth?

I surely do.

You have said that twice, sir.

Adultery, John.

you see, sir, between the two of us we do know them all.

I think you must tell him, John.

And you?

I cannot think the devil may own a woman’s soul, Mr.Hale, when she keeps an upright way, as I have. I am a good woman, I know it.

But you do believe there are witches in-

If you think that I am the one, then I say there are none.

Poppets?

I never kept to poppets, Not since I were a girl.

I spy a poppet, Goody Proctor

Oh! why, this is Mary’s

Mary Warren, a needle have been found inside this poppet.

What signifies a needle?

Abigail were stabbed tonight; a needle were found stuck into her belly-

And she charges me?

Aye.

Why- ! The girl is murder! She must be ripped out of the world!

If she is innocent! why do you never wonder if Parris be Innocent, or Abigail? Is the accuser always holy now?

I’ll go, John.

You will not go! God will not let you wash your hands of this!

John- I think you must go. (turns) Mary, there is bread enough for the morning. When the children wake, speak nothing of witchcraft- it will frighten them.

I will bring you home. I will bring you soon.

I will fear nothing.

Blah blah. In my eyes only.

good, sir.

We are given to understand that at one time you dismissed your servant, Abigail Williams.

That is true, sir

Why did you finish’s abigail williams?

She- Dissatisfied me. And my husband

In what way dissatisfied you?

She were-

Look at me! what disturbance did she cause?

Your honor, my husband is a good and righteous man. Always at his work. I I thought I saw my husband somewhat turning from me. And the girl-

Look at me.

Aye, sir. Abigail Williams-

What of Abigail Williams?

I came to think he fancied her.

Your husband- Did he indeed turn from you?

My husband- is a goodly man, sir.

Then he did not turn from you.

He-

Blah. Is your husband a lecher?

No, sir.

Goody Proctor, your husband is marked to hang this morning.

I have heard it.

Save your husband’s life, for if he is taken I count myself his murderer.

What do you want from me?

I beg you prevail upon your husband to confess. I let him give his life.

I think that be the Devil’s argument.

blah. Will you plead for his confession, or will you not?

I promise nothing. Let me speak with him.

The child?

It grows.

You are a- marvel, Elizabeth. They have come for my life now.

I know

None- Have yet confessed?

There be many confessed.

Rebecca?

Not Rebecca. She is one foot in heaven now.

I have been thinking I would confess to them, Elizabeth

I cannot judge you, John.

What say you?- If i give them that?

As you will, I would have it. I want you living, John.

My honesty s broke, Elizabeth; I am no good man.

You’ve not confessed until now. That speak goodness in you.

Spite. Sprite keeps me silent. I would have your forgiveness, Elizabeth.

It is not for me to give, John. I am-

I’d have you seen some honesty in it.

Will you forgive yourself? Whatever you will do, it is a good man does it. I have sins of my own to count. It needs a cold wife to prompt lechery.

I will not hear it!

you take my sins upon you, John.

No, I take my own, My own!

I never knew how I should say my love. It were a cold house I kept!

What say you Proctor?

Do what you will. Let none be your judge. Forgive me, forgive me, John.- I never knew such goodness in the world.

Woman, plead with him! it is pride. Go to him, take his shame away.

He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him!