[before the court]
What went we out into this wilderness to find? Leaving our country, kindred, our fathers' houses? We have travailed a vast ocean. For what? For what?
G Governor
We must ask thee to be silent!
Was it not for the pure and faithful dispensation of the Gospels, and the Kingdom of God?
OS Old Slater
No more! We are your judges, and not you ours!
I cannot be judged by false Christians, for I have done nothing, save preach Christ's true Gospel.
G Governor
Must you continue to dishonor the laws of the commonwealth and the church with your prideful conceit?
If my conscience sees it fit.
G Governor
Then shall you be banished out of this plantations liberties!
G Governor
Then take your leave, and trouble us no further.
How sadly hath The Lord testified against you. [turning to leave] Katherine...
Caleb [William's family follow him out, though Thomasin stays a moment]
Thomasin! Come.
Art thou then born a sinner?
Caleb Aye. I was conceived in sin, and born in iniquity.
And, what is thy birth sin?
Caleb Adam's sin imputed to me, and a corrupt nature dwelling within me.
Well-remembered Caleb. Very well. And canst thou tell me what thy corrupt nature is?
Caleb My corrupt nature is empty of grace, bent unto sin, only unto sin, and that continually.
Caleb Was Samuel born a sinner? How might then...
We pray he hath entered God's Kingdom.
Caleb What wickedness hath he done?
Place faith in God, Caleb. We'll speak no more on thy brother.
Caleb Why? He hath disappeared not one week past, yet you and Mother utter not his name.
Caleb Tell me.
Caleb Is he in hell?
Caleb Mother will not stop her prayer...And if he died? If I died this day?
Caleb I hold evil in my heart. My sins are not pardoned.
Caleb An if God will not hear my prayers?
Caleb Tell me!
Look you, I love thee marvelous well, but 'tis God alone, not man, what knows who is a son of Abraham and who is not. Who is good and who is evil. Fain would I tell thee Sam sleeps in Jesus, that thou wilt, that I will, but I cannot tell thee that. None can.
Why is it when thou dost a wrong, I be a-washing Fathers clothes like a slave, and thou art playing idle?
M Mercy
Because Mother hates you!
M Mercy
I'll tell Mother you have left the farm alone. Black Phillip saith I can do what I like.
Devil take your Black Phillip.
M Mercy
It's your fault I cannot leave the yard. I could go to the brook before you let The Witch take Sam.
C Caleb
It was a wolf stole Sam.
M Mercy
A witch. I've seen her in her riding cloak about the Wood!
C caleb
Father showed me the tracks.
It was a witch, Mercy. You speak aright.
[walking gradually toward her sister]
Twas I what stole him. I be the Witch of the Wood.
C Caleb
List' not to her, Mercy.
I am that very witch. When I sleep my spirit slips away from my body and dances naked with The Devil. That's how I signed his book.
He bade me bring him an unbaptized babe, so I stole Sam, and I gave him to my master. And I'll make any man or thing else vanish I like.
Aye. And Ill vanish thee too if thou displeaseth me.
C Cableb
Mercy, she's but telling fantasies.
Perchance I'll boil and bake thee since we are lack of food.
It is, thou thing! How I crave to sink my teeth into thy pink flesh. If ever thou tellst thy mother of this, I will witch thee and thy mother!
Stop thy tears and swear thy silence.
You will not tell Mother nor Father!
C Caleb
Thomasin, let her alone!
M Mercy
[running away]
Get away from her Caleb or she'll witch thee!
C Caleb
Why tell Mercy those horrible fancies?
M Mercy
Don't let her near me! She'll place a curse on me!
They conspire against me!
M Mercy
Thomasin is a witch!
Nay. I'll not hear it. I'll have proof of it, or heaven help thee. On thy knees! Look me in the eye, daughter. Dost thou love the word of God?
Love you The Bible? Love you Prayer?
We are children of sin all, yet I tell thee, I have raised up no witch in this house. Let us pray, then we need fear nothing. We shall never lie open to the wicked one. Pray for thy brother.
M Mercy
You must believe us.
Thomasin! Thomasin! Pray! Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name... Jonas, pray!
J Jonas
I... I cannot remember my prayer.
What nonsense is this? Speak, children: Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name... Pray. Pray, you beasts.
Get on thy knees and pray!
Damnation! Thomasin! Stop! I cannot hear this. This is not so!
Caleb [raving]
A toad. A cat. A crow. A raven. A great black dog. A wolf. She desires of my blood. She desires of my blood. She sends 'em upon me. She desires of my blood. They feed upon her teats. She desires of my blood. She desires of my blood. Her nether parts! She sends 'em upon me. She desires of my blood. My Lord, My Jesus! Save me! She desires of my blood. Think on Christ! She sends her Devils...I am thine enemy. She desires of my blood, wallowing in the blood and filth of my sins...Cast the light of thy Countenance upon me. Spread over me the lap of thy love. Wash me in the ever-flowing fountains of thy blood. Wholly thine I am, my sweet Lord Jesus. My Lord, my love! Kiss me with the kisses of thy mouth. How lovely art thou! Thy embrace! My Lord! My Lord! My Love! My soul's salvation, take me to thy lap! [he dies]
