Crucible Lines

Lines for Martha Corey and Judge Danforth!

Hathorne: Now Martha Corey, there is abundant evidence in our hands to show that you have given yourself to the reading of fortunes. Do you deny it?

M-I am innocent to a witch. I know not what a witch is

Hawthorne: How do you know then that you are not a witch?

M-If I were I would know it

Hathorne: Why do you hurt these children?

M-I do not hurt them. I scorn it

Corey: I have evidence for the court!

You will keep your seat!

Corey: Thomas Putnam is reachin’ out for land!

Remove that man Marshal!

Corey: You’re not a Boston judge yet Hawthorne. You’ll not call me daft!

Who is this man?

Corey: My name is Corey sir, Giles Corey. I have 600 acres and timber in addition. This is my wife you be condemning now.

And how do you imagine to help her cause with such contemptuous riot? Now begone, your old age alone keeps you out of jail for this

Corey: They’re telling lies about my wife, sir, I…

Then you take it upon yourself to decide what this court shall believe and what it shall set aside?

Corey: Your Excellency, we mean no disrespect for…

Disrespect indeed! It is a disruption, Mister. This is the highest court of the supreme government of this province, do you know it?

Corey: You’re excellency, I only said she were reading books sire and they come and take her out of my house for

What books what

Hale: Excellency he claims hard evidence for his wife’s defense. I think that in all justice you must…

Then let him submit his evidence in proper affidavit. You are certainly aware of our procedure here Mr. Hale. Clear this room

Nurse: We are desperate sir we come here three days now and cannot be heard

Who is this man

Hale: His wife’s Rebecca that were condemned this morning

Indeed! I am amazed to find up I such uproar I have only good report of your character Mister Nurse

Hathorne: I think they must both be arrested in contempt sir

Let you write your plea and in due time I will

Nurse: Excellency we have proof for your eyes, God forbid you shut them ours. The girls sir the girls are frauds

Whats what

Hathorne: This is contempt sir contempt

Peace Judge Hathorne. Do you know who I am Mister Nurse?

Nurse: I surely do sir and I think you must be a wise judge to be what you are

And do you know that near to 400 are in the jails from Marblehead to Lynn and upon my signature

Nurse: I

And 72 condemned to hang by that signature?

Proctor: She would speak with the deputy Governor

Did you not tell me Mary Warren were sick in bed

Corey: She has been strivin with her soul all week your honor she comes now to tell the truth to you

who is this

Hale: I think you must hear the girl sir she

Peace. What would you tell us Mary Warren

Proctor: She never saw no spirits sir

Never saw no spirits

Proctor: She has signed a deposition sir

no, no I accept no depositions. Tell me Mister Proctor have you given out this story in the village

Parris: They’ve come to overthrow the court sir! This man is

I pray you Mister Parris. Do you know Mister Proctor that the entire contention of the State in these trials is that the voice of Heaven is speaking through the children?

Proctor: I know that sir

And you Mary Warren how came you to cry out people for sending their spirits against you

Mary: It were pretense sir

I cannot hear you

Proctor: It were pretense, she says

Ah? And the other girls? Susanna Walcott, and… the others? They are also pretending

Mary: Aye sir

Indeed. Now MIster Proctor, before I decide whether I shall hear you or not it is my duty to tell you this. We burn a hot fire here; it melts down all my concealment. Are you certain in your conscience MIster that your evidence is the truth

Proctor: It is. And you will surely know it

I take it you came here to declare this revelation in the open court before the public

Proctor: I thought I would, aye… with your permission

Now sir-what is your purpose in so doing

Proctor: Why, I…I would free my wife sir

There lurks nowhere in your heart, nor hidden in your spirit, any desire to undermine this court

Proctor: Why no sir

I tell you straight Mister-I have seen marvels in this court. I have seen people choked before my eyes by spirits I have seen people choked before my eyes by spirits, I have seen them stuck my pins and slashed by daggers. I have until this moment not the slightest reason to suspect that the children may be deceiving me. Do you understand my meaning?

Proctor: Aye, God tells us that. But who tells us Rebeca Nurse murdered 7 babies by sending out her spirit on them? It is children only, and this one will swear she lied to you.

Judge Hathorne

Hathorne: Aye, she’s the one

Mister Proctor…this morning you wife sent me a claim in which she states that she is pregnant now.

Proctor: My wife pregnant!

There be no sign of it-we have examined her body

Proctor: But if she say she is pregnant then she must be! That woman will never lie Mister Danforth

She will not

Proctor: Never sir never

Mister Proctor, if I should tell you now that I will let her be kept another month; and if she begin to show her natural signs, you shall have her living yet another year until she is delivered-what say you to that? Come now, you say your only purpose is to save your wife. Good then, she is saved at least this year, and a year is long. What say you sir? It is done now. Will you drop this charge?

Proctor: I think I cannot

Then your purpose is somewhat larger?

Proctor: These are my friends. Their wives are also…

I judge you not sir. Sit down. I am ready to hear your evidence.

Proctor: I come not to hurt the court, I only…

Marshal, go into the court and bid Judge Stoughton and Judge Sewell declare recess for one hour. And let them go to the tavern if they will. All prisoners and witnesses are to be kept in the building

Willard: If you’ll forgive me sir I’ve known him all my life. It is a good man sir

I’m sure of it Marshal. Now what deposition do you have for us MIster Proctor? And I beg you be clear open as the sky and honest

I’m no lawyer so I’ll

The pure in heart need no lawyers. Proceed as you will

Proctor: These are all covenant people, landowning farmers, members of the church, If you’ll notice sir they’ve known the women many years and never saw no sign they had dealings with the devil.

How many names are here

Hathorne: I think they ought to be examined sir.

It is not necessarily an attack, I think. Yet

Nurse: These are all covenanted Christians, sir

Then I am sure they may have nothing to fear. Mister Cheever, have warrants drawn for all of these, arrest for examination. Now Mister what other information do you have for us? You may sit, Mister Nurse

Nurse: I have brought trouble on these people, I have

No old man, you have not hurt these people if they are of good conscience. But you must understand sir that a person is either with this court or he must be counted against it, there is no road in between. This is a sharp time now a precise time, we live no longer in the dusky afternoon when evil mixed itself with good and befuddled the world. Now by Gods grace the shining sun is up and them that fear not light will surely praise it. I hope you will be one of those. She’s not hearty I see

Proctor: do that which is good and no harm shall come to thee

Come man we wait you

Proctor: Aye, this is Mister Corey’s deposition

Oh

Corey: You know I never hired no lawyer in my life, Hathorne

It is very well phrased. My compliments. Mister Parris, if Mr. Putnam is in the court bring home in. You have no legal training Mister Corey

Corey: I have the best sir I am 33 time in court in my life. And always plaintiff too

Oh, then you’re much put upon

Corey: I am never put-upon; I know my rights sir and I will have them. You know your father tried a case of mine, might be 35 year ago I think

Indeed

Corey: He never spoke to you of it?

No I cannot recall it

Corey: That’s strange. He gave me 9 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-Aye there he is!

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

Putnam: It is a lie!

Mr. Putnam states your charge is a lie. What say you to that

Corey: A fart on Thomas Putnam! This is what I say to that!

What proof do you submit for your charge sir

Corey: My proof is there! If Jacobs hangs for a witch he forfeit up his property that’s law! And there is none but Putnam with the coin to but so great a piece. This man is killing his neighbors for their land!

But proof sir proof

Hathorne: This is contempt of the court, Mister Danforth!

You will surely tell us the name

Corey: I will not give you no name. I mentioned my wife’s name once and I’ll burn in hell long enough for that. I stand mute

In that case I have no choice but to arrest you for contempt of this court do you know that

Corey: This is a hearing; you cannot clap me for contempt of a hearing

Oh it is a proper lawyer! Do you wish me to declare the court in full session here? Or will you give me good reply?

Corey: I cannot give you no name sir I cannot

You are a foolish man. Mister Cheever begin the record. The court is now in session. I ask you Mister Corey

Hathorne: I think it must be broken sir

Old man, if your informant tells the truth let min come here openly like a decent man. But if he hides in anonymity I must know why. Now, sir the government and central church demand of you the name of him who reported Mister Thomas Putnam a common murderer

Hale: Excellency

Mister Hale

Hale: We cannot blink it more. There is a prodigious fear of this court in the country

Then there is a prodigious guilt in the country Are you afraid to be questioned here

Hale: I may only fear the Lord, sir, but there is fear in the country nevertheless

Reproach me not with the fear in the country; there is fear in the country because there is a moving plot to topple Christ in the county

Hale: But it doesn’t follow that everyone accused is part of it

No uncorrupted man may fear this court, Mister Hale! None! Mr. Corey you are under arrest in contempt of this court. Now sit you down and take counsel with yourself, or you will be set in the jail until you decide to answer all questions

Corey: Say nothing more, John. He’s only playing you. He means to hang us all

This is a court of law, Mister. I’ll have no effrontery here

Proctor: You saw her scream, she howled, she swore familiar spirits choked her; she even testified that Satan in the form of women now in jail, tried to win her soul away and then when she refused

We know all this

Hale: Excellency, a moment. I think this goes to the heart of the matter sir

It surely does

Hale: I cannot say he is an honest man, I know him little. But in all justice, sir, a claim so weighty cannot be argued by a farmer. In God’s name, sir, stop here; send him home and let him come again with a lawyer

now look you Mister Hale

Hale: Excellency I have signed 72 death warrants I am a minister of the Lord and I dare not take a life without there be a proof so immaculate no slightest qualm of conscience may doubt it

Mister Hale, you surely do not doubt my justice?

Hale: I pray you sir this argument let lawyers present to you

Mister Hale believe me for a man of such terrible learning you are most bewildered I hope you will forgive me. I have been 32 year at the bar sir and I should be confounded were I bid you all do likewise in an ordinary crime how does one defend the accused? One call up witnesses to prove his innocence. But witch craft is Isco facto on its face and by its nature an invisible crime. Therefore who may possibly be witness to it? None other. Now we cannot hope the witch will accuse herself granted? Therefore we must rely upon her victims and they do testify, the children certainly do testify. As for the witches none will deny that we are most eager for their confessions. Therefore what is left for a lawyer to bring out? I think I have made my point. Have I not?

Hale: but this child claims the girls are not truthful, and if they are not

That is precisely when I am about to consider, sir. What more may you ask of me unless you doubt my probity

Hale: I surely do not sir, Let you consider it then

And let you put your heart to rest her deposition, Mister Proctor

Parris: i should like to question

Mister Parris, I bid you be silent! Sit you down Mr. Proctor, you sit there. Mister Cheever will you go into the court and bring the children here. Mary Warren how came you to this turnabout? Has Mister Proctor threatened you for this deposition?

Mary: No sir 1st

Has he ever threatened you?

Mary: No sir 2nd

Has he threatened you?

Mary: No sir 3rd

Then you tell me that you sat in my court callously lying when you knew that people would hang by your evidence? Answer me!

Mary: I did sir

How were you instructed in your life? Do you not know that God condemns all liars? Or is it now that you lie?

Mary- No sir I am with God ow

You are with God now

Mary: Aye sir

I will tell you this, you are either lying now or you were lying in court and in either case you have committed perjury and will go to jail for it. You cannot lightly say you lied Mary. Do you know that?

Cheever- Ruth Putnam’s not in court sir nor the other children

These will be sufficient. Sit you down children. Your friend Mary Warren has given us a deposition in which she swears that she never saw familiar spirits apparitions, nor any manifest of the devil. she claims as well that none of you have seen these things either. now children this is a court of the law. based upon the Bible and the Bible, written by the Almighty God, forbid the practice of witchcraft and describe death as the penalty thereof but likewise children the law and the Bible, condemn all liars and bears of false witness. now then it does not escape me that this deposition may be devised to blind us. It may well be that Mary Warren has been conquered by Satan who sent her to distract our sacred purpose if so, her neck will break for it, but if she speak true I bet you now drop your guile and confess your pretense for a quick confession will go easier with you. Abigail Williams rise. Is there any truth on this?

Abby- no sir

Children a very augur bit will now be turned into your souls until your honesty is proved. Will either of you change your positions now or do you force me to hard questioning?

Abby: I have naught to change sir she lies

You would tail go on with this

Mary: Aye sir

A poppet were discovered in Mr. Proctor’s house stabbed by needle. Mary Warren claims that you sat beside her in the court when She made it and that you saw her make it and witnessed how she herself, stuck the needle into it for safekeeping. What say you to that?

Abby: It is a lie sir

While you worked for Mister Proctor did you see poppets in that house?

Cheever: Your excellency

Mister Cheever

Proctor: mr. Danforth, what profit Mary Warren to turn herself about? what may she but hard questioning and worse

You are charging Abigail Williams with a marvelous cool plot to murder. Do you understand that?

Proctor: I do sir. I believe she means to murder

This child would murder your wife

Proctor: She were twice this year put out of this meeting house for laughter during prayer

Whats this? Laughter during

Parris: Excellency

Do you deny it Mister Parris

Corey: Ay now she is solemn and goes to hang people

Quiet man

Hathorne: Surely it have no bearing on the question sir, he charges contemplation of murder

Aye, but it strikes upon me that she will laugh at prayer. Continue Mister Proctor

Parris: excellency, since I come to Salem, this man is blackening my name he

In a moment, sir, what is this dancing?

Proctor – Mr. Paris discovered them there in the dead of night. There is the child she is.

Mr. Parris

Parris – I can only say, sir, that I never found any of them naked in this man is

You discovered them dancing in the woods, Abigail

Hale – Excellency when I first arrived from Beverly, Mr. Parris told me that

do you deny it, Mr. Parris?

Parris – I do not sir, but I never saw any of them naked

but she have danced

Hathorne – excellency will you permit me?

Pray proceed

Mary- that were pretense sir

I cannot hear you

Parris- but you did turn cold Did you not? /I myself picked you up many times and your skin where icy Mr. Danforth you

I saw that many times