Crucible Thomas Putnam Lines

Thomas Putnam from the Crucible's lines prompted by the one before it.

Parris: Now, look you, Goody Putnam; she never… (Enter Thomas Putnam, a well to-do, hard-handed landowner near fifty.) Oh, good morning, Mister Putnam…

It is a providence the thing is out now! It is a providence.

Parris: What's out, sir, what's…?

(Looking down at Betty.) Why, her eyes is closed! Look you, Ann.

Ann: She ails as she must—she never waked this morning but her eyes open and she walks, and hears naught, sees naught, and cannot eat. Her soul is taken, surely.

They say you've sent for Reverend Hale of Beverly?

Parris: Now, Goody Ann, they only thought that were a witch, and I am certain there be no element of witchcraft here.

No witchcraft! Now look you, Mister Parris…

Parris: Thomas, Thomas, I pray you, leap not to witchcraft. I know that you, you least of all, Thomas, would ever wish so disastrous a charge laid upon me. We cannot leap to witchcraft. They will howl me out of Salem for such corruption in my house.

Now, look you, Mister Parris; I have taken your part in all contention here, and I would continue; but I cannot if you hold back in this. There are hurtful, vengeful spirits layin’ hands on these children.

Parris: But, Thomas, you cannot…

Ann! Tell Mister Parris what you have done.

Ann: They were murdered, Mister Parris! And mark this proof!—mark it! Last night my Ruth were ever so close to their little spirits, I know it, sir. For how else is she struck dumb not except some power of darkness would stop her mouth! It is a marvelous sign, Mister Parris!

Don't you understand it, sir? There is a murdering witch among us bound to keep herself in the dark. Let your enemies make of it what they will, you cannot blink it more.

Parris: Now I am undone.

You are not undone. Let you take hold here. Wait for no one to charge you—declare it yourself. You have discovered witchcraft.

Mercy: Your pardons… I only thought to see how Betty is.

Why aren't you home? Who's with Ruth?

Parris: No—no. I'll wait till Mister Hale arrives.

(To Parris) Now look you, sir—let you strike out against the Devil and the village will bless you for it! Come down, speak with them—pray with them—they're thirsting for your word, Mister! Surely you’ll pray with them.

Parris: I have no stomach for disputation this morning. I will lead them in a psalm. But let you say nothing of witchcraft yet. I will not discuss it. The cause is yet unknown. I have had enough contention since I came, I want no more.

(Putnam cross L. to above table, gets hat, cross and exits.)

Parris: What happened? What are you doing to her! Betty!…

([Parris] rushes to bed, crying “Betty, Betty!” as Ann crosses to above, feverish with curiosity, and with her Putnam, who crosses to behind her.)

Ann: Mark it for a sign, mark it…! (Rebecca Nurse, seventy-two, enters. She is white-haired, and leans upon her walking stick.)

This is a notorious sign of witchcraft afoot, a prodigious sign!

Corey: I've said not a word. No one here can testify I've said a word. Is she going to fly again? I heard she flies.

Man, be quiet!

Proctor: Then what's he coming for?

There be children dyin’ in the village, Mister…!

Rebecca: If so he is, then let us go to God for the cause of it. There is a prodigious danger in the seeking of loose spirits, I fear it, I fear it. Let us rather blame ourselves and..

How may we blame ourselves? I am one of nine sons; the Putnam seed have peopled this province. And yet I have but one child left of eight—and now she shrivels!

Ann: You think it God's work should never lose a child, nor a grandchild either, and I bury all but one?

When Reverend Hale comes you will proceed to look for signs of witchcraft here.

Proctor: You cannot command Mister Parris. We vote by name in this society, not by acreage.

I never heard you so worried on this society, Mister Proctor, I do not think I saw you at Sabbath meeting since snow flew.

Parris: I am your third preacher in seven years. I do not wish to be put out like the cat, whenever some majority feels the whim. You people seem not to comprehend that a minister is the Lord's man in the parish; a minister is not to be so lightly crossed and contradicted…

Aye!

Proctor: Against you?

Against him and all authority.

Corey: I'll be damned first.

A moment, Mister Proctor. What lumber is that you're draggin’ home, if I may ask you?

Proctor: My lumber. From out my forest by the riverside.

Why, we are surely gone wild this year: what anarchy is this?—that tract is in my bounds, it’s in my bounds, Mister Proctor.

Proctor: In your bounds! I bought that tract from Goody Nurse's husband five months ago.

He had no right to sell it. It stands clear in my grand-father's will that all the land between the river and…

Corey: That's God's truth; he nearly willed away my north pasture but he knew I'd break his fingers before he set his name to it. Let's get your lumber home, John, I feel a sudden will to work coming on.

You load one oak of mine and you’ll fight to drag it home!

Corey: Aye, and we’ll win, too, Putnam—this fool and I. Come on!

I'll have my men on you, Corey! I'll clap a writ on you!

Hale: Pray you, someone take these!

(Putnam crosses to Hale's L., helps him.)

Hale: Putnam! I had not expected such distinguished company, sir.

It does not seem to help us today, Mister Hale. We look to you to come to our house and save our child.

Ann: Her soul, her soul seems flown away. She sleeps and yet she walks…

She cannot eat.

Hale: Tries to fly?

She cannot bear to hear the Lord's name, Mister Hale; that's a sure sign of witchcraft afloat.

Rebecca: I wish I knew. (She goes out.)

Come, Mister Hale, let's get on. Sit you here. (Hale sits on stool.)

Parris: You will confess yourself or I will take you out and whip you to your death, Tituba!

This woman must be hanged! She must be taken and hanged!

Parris: Who came with him?

Sarah Good? Did you ever see Sarah Good with him?—or Osburn?

Abigail: (It is rising to a great glee.) I saw Goody Sibber with the Devil!

The marshal! I'll call the marshal!

Corey: That's strange. He give me nine pound damages. He were a fair judge, your father. Y’see, I had a white mare that time, and this fellow come to borrow the mare—

(Putnam enters.)

Danforth: Mr. Putnam, I have here an accusation by Mr. Corey against you. He states you coldly prompted your daughter to cry witchery upon George Jacobs that is now in jail.

It is a lie!