john proctor

lines

ABIGAIL. She always sings her Barbados songs, and we dance.

I cannot blink what I saw Abigail for my enemies will not blink it I saw a dress lying in the grass

ABIGAIL. A dress?

Aye a dress And I thought I saw a someone naked running through the trees

ABIGAIL. No one was naked! You mistake yourself, Uncle!

I saw it Now tell me true Abigail Now my ministrys at stake my ministry and perhaps your cousins life Whatever abomination you have done give me all of it now for I dare not be taken unaware when I go before them down there

ABIGAIL. There is nothin' more. I swear it, Uncle.

Abigail I have fought here three long years to bend these stiffnecked people to me and now just now when there must be some good respect for me in the parish you compromise my very character I have given you a home child I have put clothes upon your back now give me upright answer your name in the town it is entirely white is it not

ABIGAIL. Why, I am sure it is, sir, there be no blush about my name.

Abigail is there any other cause than you have told me for Goody Proctor dischargin you It has troubled me that you are now seven months out of their house and in all this time no other family has ever called for your service

(Enter Mrs. Ann Putnam. She is a twisted soul of forty-five, a death-ridden woman, haunted by dreams.)

No no I cannot have anyone Why Goody Putnam come in

ANN. It is a marvel. Lt is surely a stroke of hell upon you...

No Goody Putnam it is

ANN. How high did she fly, how high?

No no she never flew

ANN. Why, it's sure she did; Mister Collins saw her goin' over Ingersoll's barn, and come down light as bird, he says!

Now look you Goody Putnam she never Oh good morning Mister Putnam

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

Whats out sir whats

ANN. Why, that's strange. Ours is open.

Your little Ruth is sick

ANN. I'd not call it sick, the Devil's touch is heavier than sick, it's death, y'know, it's death drivin' into them forked and hoofed.

Oh pray not Why how does your child ail

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

A precaution only He has much experience in all demonic arts and I

ANN. He has indeed, and found a witch in Beverly last year, and let you remember that

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

PUTNAM. No witchcraft! Now look you, Mister 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

PUTNAM. 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.

But Thomas you cannot

PUTNAM. Ann! Tell Mister Parris what you have done. ANN. Reverend Parris, I have laid seven babies unbaptized in the earth. Believe me, sir, you never saw more hearty babies born. And yet, each would wither in my arms the very night of their birth. I have spoke nothin', but my heart has clamored intimations. And now, this year, my Ruth, my only—I see her turning strange. A secret child she has become this year, and shrivels like a sucking mouth were pullin' on her life, too. And so I thought to send her to your Tituba—

To Tituba! what may Tituba

ANN. Tituba knows how to speak to the dead, Mister Parris.

Goody Ann it is a formidable sin to conjure up the dead